Follow the Leader {Flint/Beetle/Open}

The clouds never left the sky now, it seemed. And prey was especially hard to find for the middle of full-leaf. These things did little to relieve the tension tightening around WindClan this past moon. Ever since the last gathering when... when Morningstreak passed, no cat has been able to relax. Sunstar was doing her best to try to keep clan life at some rate of normalcy. But with border skirmishes more than frequent, and prey running short, every cat was on edge.

It was for those very reasons that Sunstar decided to take her apprentice, Flintpaw, out on a hunting patrol. Even if they weren't able to catch anything, it would allow Flintpaw a chance to get out of camp and practice. Sunstar had to admit that she had neglected training Flintpaw recently. And if she wanted others to relax some, she had to set an example.

And so Flintpaw and Sunstar were trotting over the moorland, away from camp, where death still seemed to cling, and into fresh air. "Flintpaw, I am going to let you lead this hunting patrol today." Sunstar felt like the best way to teach was to throw the apprentice into it with some direction. She had confidence in the apprentice to ask questions when he was confused or needed guidance. At least, she hoped he would.

"We will stick out in the open moorland and try to find some rabbits today. But we will take whatever we find."

ooc:// so bad. so. so. bad.

His gold eyes never left the little black cat that say resting on the blade of grass before him. He had followed this bug for far too long to give up on it now. He was determined to catch it because so far this beetle had been the only one able to stay out of his little paws. He was going to change that today.

Wiggling his little black rump, the kit stalked forward then yowled (more like squeaked) and jumped forward landing on something and digging his claws in some. He stopped and blinked at the long furry thing beneath his paws.
"Well that isn't what i was going after," he murmured. He blinked and looked up at the other cat that the tail belong to. The she-cat was definitely much bigger than him but didn't look upset, but more confused. He blinked at her but then turned his head as his beetle friend landed on a blade of grass a bit away.

"Hey come back," he said chasing after it some but stopped as another cat got in his way. This one was much smaller than the other one but still bigger than him. He blinked at him then tilted his head. "You're in my way."

((OOC: For clarification....just in case....he landed on Sunstar's tail then Flintpaw gots in his way, either by accident or on purpose idc. Probably accident jsut trying to see him lol))

"Me? Lead a hunting patrol?"

it was always so dull anymore, back at camp. you couldn't escape it. Flintpaw didn't know if it was affecting the other clans just as bad, but damn life just sucked now here. everyone is either gloomy or on edge, and having any fun feels like it just offends everyone around you. hey, Flintpaw considered himself to be pretty mature, but even he couldn't understand the gratitude of what happened at that meeting. doesn't death happen all around them? of course it was odd to happen so suddenly and at a meeting--but after generations of clans living here, wouldn't it have happened before? he wasn't there, but the descriptions he has gotten didnt seem like the death was very gory. and he also didn't know Morningstreak enough to know whether those things she said was out of character for her or not. for all he knew she was insane. and the ravens he doesn't even count. it sounds like something from a story to kits!

but nevertheless, no one knows his feelings about the whole thing. Flintpaw has kept a respectful silence in camp at all times, and any patrols he's been on have always been straight forward business. but this, this made him forget all of that. he couldn't believe his ears when his leader and mentor gave him the important responsibility of leading a hunting patrol! not only that, but he was leading his leader! of course, he did the only natural thing and bounced and grinned happily. but with a quick flash of panic in his eyes he straightened up and puffed out his chest. "Yes, Sunstar!" then immediately went on his way, his body low to the ground but his tail high in pride and happiness.

but before Sunstar could point out the obvious flaws in his leading skills, let alone his stalking skills, a small voice piped up behind him. immediately he turned and confronted the threat. nothing was going to get past him today! but, alas, it was just--a kit? at first Flintpaw just stared down dumbfound at the little scrap, trying to recognize him. but it seemed he was just a stray. he turned to Sunstar in direction on what to do, but then his eyes hardened in determination. no, he was leading this patrol! he turned back to the kit with a puffed chest and said after a little thought, "This is Windclan territory. What are you doing here? Where's your mom?"

Sunstar had to hold back a chuckle as she watched Flintpaw pull himself in check. She had seen his eyes light up at the prospect of leading the patrol. It would be a treat for any apprentice to get to lead a patrol, let alone a patrol that consisted of the leader. It seemed like life was back to normal, but Sunstar remembered that she had a clan that needed food, and answers for Morningstreak's mysterious death. She wondered if she would ever get the answers she so desperately wanted.

Flintpaw's excitement was obvious as he straightened his posture and puffed out his chest. After his quick response accepting his new duty as leader of the patrol, Flintpaw turned and began to lead the way. His body was low to the ground, and his tail was high and waving. Sunstar sighed, about to call him out on his improper form, when something sharp snapped on her tail. It didn't hurt, but it was sudden, and the queen glanced down just in time to see a small kit waddle off after something. But Flintpaw barred the little kit's way, and the kit was not happy about it.

Sunstar was confused. A small kit wandering the moors was uncommon, especially with no sign of loners around. Just to be safe Sunstar scented the air quickly while Flintpaw and the small kit looked at each other. The leader frowned. Other than Flintpaw, the kit, and herself, the air was empty of scents.

After scenting the air Sunstar turned her complete attention back to the kit and her apprentice. She noticed Flintpaw's slight turn towards her, then his hesitation. She sat, waiting for Flintpaw to take control of the situation. She had given lead of this patrol to her apprentice, and so he should deal with this situation. But Sunstar knew she would be the one to make the final decision regarding this stray kit. And she had a feeling that she wouldn't be able to just let it wander off chasing...what was it? A beetle.

Flintpaw's moment of hesitation had passed. The young tom took a line of action Sunstar approved of if this had been any cat other than a kit. But a kit? A kit had no idea what territory meant, let alone WindClan. But the brown tabby she-cat stayed silent. She would see how this played out. Sunstar's experience with kits made her think it would turn into an amusing banter between apprentice and kit, and that was something any cat would enjoy, as long as they were in the audience.

The young kit just stared at the other cat as he spoke of a windy clan and asked him where his mom was. The kit looked around confused. Now that he thought about it, he really had no idea where he was or where his mom might even be. His tilted his head and thought about the last thing his mom had said to him before she left the house.

"Mama told me that she was going to find my daddy. We had plenty of old mice to eat and that someone might hear us if we called out loud enough," he said flicking his tail happily as he remembered, "Then she left and i went after my beetle...which i can't see him cause you are in me way..."

The kit stood up and tried to bounce around the other cat but huffed as he blocked his way again. What was this cats problem? Could he not see that all he wanted to do was chase his beetle friend? He didn't care where his mama was or where he lived. He just wanted to catch that beetle.

"I don't know what a windy clan is but I just wanna chase my beetle," he said sitting down and glaring at the bigger tom before looking at the other cat, "If you are his mama shouldn't you tell him that it's mean to be in someone's way?"

word count: 232
Tags: Flintpaw, Sunstar
Notes: He is a little brat....lol

"She's not my mom!" Flintpaw shot back without thinking, fur starting to bristle. But his cheeks flushed a bit at the sudden awareness that his leader was watching him, and forced his fur to lay flat again. He had no idea what this dumb kit was talking about in mentioning something about his mother searching for his dad...but they were pretty even considering the kit obviously had no idea what he was talking about either. so, Flintpaw concluded, either this kit stumbled into his territory after his mom made the fatal decision of trusting this thing on its own, or his parents were really dumb not to know they were crossing into enemy territory. we have scent marks all across the borders!

but that didn't really help him on what to do. he had absolutely no idea where his mother was, hell he doesn't even know this runt's name. but he had to do something. and as far as he could tell, he scented absolutely no other foreign scents except for the kit. so if the mother won't take care of him, they were going to have to. it's in the warrior code, right? Flintpaw sighed at his solution. "Look, kid. We are going to look for your mom. But in the meantime you gotta come with us, alright? We can't just leave you out here..." Flintpaw knew that wasn't going to be enough. And he couldn't look bad...

He stepped out of the way of the kit. "Why don't we break a deal? You can get your beetle, then you can show it off to everyone back at...um..." what's another word for camp? "...my home, and in the mean time your mom will be looked for. Does that sound good at all?"then with a sly grin he added, "I'll even throw in some free lessons from the master!" he puffed.

And the banter commenced. The kit would have nothing until he could go after his beetle. He had the barest of details of where he came from. But from these details Sunstar knew three things for sure. The kit was essentially orphaned. In the wide expanses of WindClan territory it would be nigh impossible to find his mother, assuming that his mother had indeed made camp on WindClan territory. The second thing was that the kit should not be left on his own at all. This kit seemed to be of a one track mind, and his determination to catch the beetle could prove deadly if left to his own devises. And third, she had to restrain herself from laughing when the kit mistook her for Flintpaw's mother.

And Flintpaw was obviously displeased at it. And when she saw Flintpaw remember she was still there, she had to giggle. His fur that had been bristling was flat against his back now. After the apprentice had regained his composure he began negotiating with the kit, if you could call it negotiating. It was more of bribing. But Flintpaw was on the right track, Sunstar thought, and they certainly could not leave the kit to wander by himself. So hopefully the kit would catch his beetle, and then they could take the kit home.

Sunstar inwardly sighed. Another mouth to feed, and not enough prey at camp to feed those who were already there. But, she would not leave this kit to wander on his own. Sunstar smiled as Flintpaw puffed his chest out. The apprentice could make a good negotiator in the future, with practice. Sunstar flicked her eyes back to the beetle kit to see his response. Hmm...Beetle kit, that was a catchy name. Perhaps that's what they would call him from now on.

So much for Flintpaw leading a hunting patrol. Sunstar had no doubt that when they got back to camp she would be tied up with other duties, number one being settling in Beetlekit. Perhaps she could make it up and let him join the sunset border patrol.

The small kit jumped and his ears went back some as the tom snapped at him. So the older cat wasn't his mom? So why were they traveling together? Either way it wasn't his problem cause the other tom had moved to let him find his beetle friend again. He wiggled his butt and jumped forward a little but stopped and looked at him as he told him that they would take them to their home then something about showing him skills from the master.

"Okay," he said, "I'll go to your home. But I hope this master is better and nicer than you. Most cats know not to get in someone's way when they are after something."
The small kit turned his attention back to his beetle friend and paused his ears twitching listening for him. Finally he heard him buzzing a few cat lengths away and slowly moved that way his rump wiggling some.

"Okay Mr. Beetle....stay still and i'm gonna take you to their home with me," he said softly before darting into a thick patch of grass. Every now and again he out pop up just above, his paws and claws out and a happy look on his face. Then he just disappeared. After a few heart beats he shuffled back out of the taller grass, the beetle clasped firmly between his teeth. He sat down and looked up at the other two cats happily his little tail flicking back and forth. Now he was ready to go to their home.

word count: 253
tags: Sunstar, Flintpaw
Notes: ---

Flintpaw visably relaxed when the kit uttered his first word of agreement, glad that he wouldn't have to pick a fight with the scrap in front of Sunstar. not at the thing would stand a chance anyway. but he immediately flared up again at the kit's ignorant comment, snapping back a remark that even Tanglepaw wouldn't approve of. he had to admit, though, keeping cool was a lot easier when the thought of why he had to keep cool. this whole being leader of a patrol deal was really nesting comfortably in his head. if it wasn't for this kit, he wouldn't have to end this opportunity so soon!

not that the kit was in any hurry. the younger cat was making a show out of his catch that he only sighed impatiently at. and, after watching numbly as the kit made its catch, he resisted the urge to just pick up the dumb kit by the scruff and just carry him home. jeesh, all this for a beetle! Flintpaw couldn't help but find some fondness over how happy and satisfied he was as he sat down in front of them.

"Alright, Beetlekit," Flintpaw teased, not that this stranger would even get the joke, flicking his tail and leading the way back to camp. "Maybe someone will be impressed."

Sunstar watched Flintpaw move to let the kit through. The leader of WindClan had taken a seat, with her tail wrapped daintily around her paws, to watch the two young cats interact. Flintpaw was wise in letting the kit catch a beetle. Sunstar just hoped it would not take an hour or more for the kit to do it. After all, this was a small kit, he had to be around four moons old, going after a fast beetle. But I hope this master is better and nicer than you. Sunstar snorted before she could control her laughter. It wasn't that she was laughing at Flintpaw, although she expected the apprentice to think that. She was laughing at the audacity of a kit. Out of the mouths of kits, or something along those lines. Kits had no problem speaking what they thought.

The tabby watched Beetlekit, as she had decided to name him in her mind, wiggle off after the beetle. He hopped and sprinted every-which-way after the beetle. Sunstar would be surprised if the kit ever caught the beetle, given that Beetlekit gave the insect plenty of warning of his approach.

But to the queens surprise, shortly after Beetlekit had scampered off, he returned with bug in mouth. The kit plopped his bum on the ground and sat, waiting expectantly for them to lead the way to the camp.

Alright, Beetlekit, Maybe someone will be impressed. Sunstar smiled. So, Flintpaw was calling the kit by that name too. Well, Suneyes thought as she stood up to follow her apprentice to camp I suppose if we're already calling him that, then that is what we will name him. As much as Sunstar wanted to speak to the kit, she couldn't. Not when the kit was proudly carrying his beetle with him. When they returned to camp Sunstar would put some cat in charge of him. Maybe, for some more amusement, she would put Beetlekit in Flintpaw's care. She smiled at the cruel-and-unusual punishment her apprentice would probably consider it to be. No, she wouldn't "punish" Flintpaw in that way. Afterall, the apprentice had handled himself very well in addressing the kit.

He had shown self-control whenever the kit said something blunt yet honest. That was an admirable quality that Sunstar hoped Flintpaw would develop over time. The WindClan leader was curious to see how Flintpaw grew in the realm of leadership. Although the patrol hadn't gone exactly as planned, he had adapted to the situation wonderfully. Maybe she would send him on the sunset patrol. She may even ask whoever was leading it to give Flintpaw an opportunity to practice his leadership skills if Sunstar didn't make it on the patrol herself.

As the trio crested a hill, WindClan camp came into view. In the dip of a valley was nestled their camp. Moor grass was beat down and around it thorn and brambles had been erected into a large circle. In the middle of camp was nested a rock that Sunstar stood on when addressing the camp. Tallrock was visible even from this hilltop.

Sunstar paused at the top of the hill. She lifted a paw and pointed at the camp below. "There is our home, little kit. There will be many cats there, so don't be nervous when we get there."

The small kit hopped after the larger cats, occasionally having to sprint to make sure he could keep up. He was happy they weren't moving so fast like his mama tended to and leave him behind. These cats were nice. He really liked them. Even the younger one who seemed really bossy at times. As they reached the top of the hill he paused some as several scents his nose at once, and the beetle wasn't one. He slowly crept up beside the she-cat as she spoke and lifted his head some so he could see the camp below better.

He started to speak then looked down at his mouth cross eyed forgetting about the beetle for a moment he carefully set it down and watched it a moment to make sure it wouldn't run away. When it didn't move he looked back up at the she-cat.
"So that's the windy camp place he was talking about?" he asked looking down at it and tilting his head a little. There's a big rock in the middle....I'm sure that's fun to play on."
He grinned and wiggled some. Even with all the weird smells he was really excited. It meant that he could meet new cats and maybe even have some playmates. All his siblings seemed to want to do is fight and he didn't like that. Maybe the other kits here would be different.

"Why are we still sitting here?" he asked before picking up his beetle again, "Ace oo!"
He giggled before taking off down the hill toward the camp. He would brag if he beat the other tom. He looked slow anyway.

word count: 269
tags: Moony, rain.
Notes: This kit will drive Flintpaw nuts.

it was a bit of an annoying trip, at least as far as Flintpaw was concerned. it was hard to maintain this slow, drawling pace when he had so much pent up energy to spare. it was like leaving a hunt right as prey was spotted. but he didn't complain. he just focused on trying to be in the lead without being rude to Sunstar, as well as making sure the little stranger was at a comfortable distance.

when his leader paused, he abruptly stopped and took a few steps back, modeling what her attention was on. Windclan camp. it wasn't too impressive far away, but Tallrock made up for the unseen finer details, standing strong and proud against the sky. there was no surprise that it was the first thing the kit commented on. Flintpaw sighed. it seemed like this kit had a comment for everything.

"Tallrock isn't something you play on. It's for Sunstar--" before his lecture could even begin to sink into the little brat's thick head, he was off. Flintpaw didn't even comprehend what the kit even said before he was watching him dumbfounded as he just suddenly started to race toward camp. Flintpaw was supposed to be leading them toward camp, not some dumb runt! anger fused into his muscles before he could even think and there he was, off after the little guy. considering his Windclan blood already gave him a handicap, his age and his, little, but valid, experience easily trumped the kit's escape. but on snatching the kit up by the scruff, he slid down the hill, losing all traction under his paws. and before he knew it he was crashing into camp with a kit in his jaws.

"There's a big rock in the middle....I'm sure that's fun to play on."

The corner of Sunstar's mouth twitched as she held back a smile. There were many times when mothers had prevented kits from playing on the great stone. In fact, Sunstar had been one of those mothers. Many times the she-cat had pulled her kits off the rock and grounded them to the nursery. And although Flintpaw acted insulted at the thought of kits playing on Tallrock, Sunstar had no doubt that the tom had attempted to climb it in his kithood.

Before Sunstar could muse any further on kits and Tallrock, however, Beetlekit had picked up his beetle and began racing towards the camp.The little kit bumbled down the hill. Flintpaw, who had been preparing a speech for the young kitten, raced after the kit. Sunstar could feel Flintpaw seethe with frustration before he left. The tabby cat sighed, and followed them at a slower pace. She hoped Flintpaw would not lose his cool to bad, but she had a feeling that disaster was about to occur.

The slower pace Sunstar took granted the regal warrior the perfect viewing of the disaster. Flintpaw scooped up Beetlekit, but then the apprentice lost traction and skidded down the hill. And then the two brought down the camp wall. The leader froze, eyes going wide. And then she groaned. Not only did she have a kit to settle into camp. Now she had to get warriors fixing the camp wall. Plus, an apprentice. She would have to talk to Flintpaw about controlling his temper when it comes to dealing with annoying kits... helping rebuild the barrier would give him time to mull over his mistakes. And he had been doing so well.

Sunstar picked up her pace, making it to the disaster zone as other WindClan warriors and apprentices crowded around.

"Flintpaw," Sunstar meowed, sternly. "Take the kit to Cloudstep's den and ask him to look him over. I want to talk to you when you finish." Sunstar's eyes were sharp, she was not going to listen to any excuses or complaints there. She spotted Beetlekit's beetle in the mess of brambles and scooted it over to the kitten. She was not going to have the kit waste anymore time looking for his beetle. She turned to some of the warriors who had gathered to complete the task of repairing the hole in the wall.