All Alone [Open]

Ravenwing sat on a large, grassy hill, gazing out into Windclan territory. Today, like any other day, was windy in the moorlands. There weren't any trees, so the wind just whistled by. It was great, though, not to have any trees trapping the sky out. Ravenwing preferred it that way; he didn't like the other clan's crowded territories. The young warrior looked down at his paws, he was truthfully, very lonely. Everyone else was off hunting, patrolling or being real warriors, meanwhile no one bothered to invite scrawny little Ravenwing! They thought he enjoyed being by himself, all alone, but he really didn't. He hated not having anyone to confide in or talk to, to tell stories or share a laugh. He only had the birds, the squirrels and the wind to keep him company. Blinking, Ravenwing twitched his ears. He thought he had heard something, or maybe his ears were just playing tricks on him. But no, there it was again! It was a little scratching sound, something a rabbit or a mouse would make, and it was coming from a nearby bush. The quiet tom dropped instinctively into a hunter's crouch, creeping forward on silent paws. The strange sound was getting louder as he neared the bush, and once he figured that he was close enough, he pounced. With a loud squeal, the rabbit fell limp in Ravenwing's mouth, and he triumphantly sat up, for once he actually felt pleased with himself. Although, no one was around to see his unexpected catch, he didn't mind. At least he could hunt properly. If his clanmates had seen that, they would have wished to have invited him on a patrol! Bending down, Ravenwing guiltily took a few bites from the rabbit. He wasn't really hungry and he didn't feel like dragging the catch all the way back to camp. But he couldn't help feeling guilty; here he was, eating plump prey when it was almost Leafbare. There could be kits and their mothers starving in the nursery! [bg=608f38][atrb=border,0,true]

Ears flattened against her skull the petite she-cat aimlessly wondered through the back lands of Riverclan. You know, the parts where the falls gush into the charging river, and the earth slips upward. The grass begins to grow coarse, and through the brooding you suddenly wind up, picking your way through Windclan territory. It wasn't on her agenda to abide the rules; it was only a feeble attempt at getting some peace. In camp she was accustomed to the familiar squabbling queens, chattering apprentices, and the dull lonesome tug at her heart. She was the only apprentice in Riverclan without a friend. Once upon a time her brother, her sister and her were friends; but with the advancement in hierarchy, they parted ways. Ravenpaw was off doting on Speckledpaw, like some flea-ridden wimp. While Snowpaw was too busy training with her live, breathing mentor. Her mentor, Snowflower, died a couple weeks ago and now she was left with being a burden to those who do. The gray she-cat clicked her claws against the solid earth, a few more dawns and it would be cluttered in snow. The wind shook her pelt, reminding her once again that she was on enemy territory. There were no trees to block the chill, and only the stringy grass to keep her warm. Wavepaw shuddered, how any cat can live like this is beyond me. Suddenly she spotted a cat, it wasn't close, but without any coverage it was easy to spot. Crouching she watched it curiously, obviously Windclan. Unless someone else was out breaking the rules, which she doubted. Most cats took notice of them, or at least cared. The cat slunk through the grass, watching something; and then with a pounce it snatched up a rabbit. She could hear it's frail cry from where she stooped. The cat began eating, Wavepaw cocked her head to the side. Perplexed she inched a few mouse-lengths closer, the cat was definitely eating. She straightened her posture, "Clan cats don't eat out of camp." The apprentice murmured quietly. It was probably a rogue. A sly grin wedged it's way into her features, a tussle was all she needed right now. It could strip her free of her boredom. Wriggling her rump she shot off her paws, and strode into an uneven stride. Being born and bred Riverclan, aside the various traits from her non-clan father, she was not made for running. Most river warriors ran at an lop-sided gait, with a heavy bound. It was in the far least graceful, and was much too loud. She didn't care; Wavepaw had the upper hand, at least she was a warrior. Her victim was much closer now, she could see he was mostly black with a splash of white just below his chin. Dazzling green eyes, and then his build ended her flight. He was Windclan. "Mouse-dung." she spat, ears pinned across her head she huddled into a defensive stance. Her belly skimmed the ground, while her paws snaked backward, "Move and I'll attack." She threatened nervously. [bg=4f6170][atrb=border,0,true]

A strong, fishy smell hit Ravenwing's nose, and then he hardly had a moment to react before a Riverclan warrior sprung out in front of him. If he had been born a strong, fierce and brave warrior, then he would have put the trespasser in her place. But, Ravenwing was the opposite of that. He was a coward, he couldn't fight well and when he did he was extremely afraid. The only skill he did have was his agility, but that wouldn't help against the Riverclan warrior. What would he do, run away from the warrior in his own territory? That wouldn't work; he might even lead her to the camp. But if that was the only choice he had, he would take it. He'd rather cowardly save his own life than the clan's. He really tried hard to be loyal to them, but his own clanmates hardly ever even glanced at him. Why would he save their life if they didn't even know he existed? For a couple of moments, Ravenwing wondered what to do with the trespassing warrior. He could try to act fierce and tough, but that wouldn’t work. The other warrior might even attack him, and he would definitely lose in a fight. She seemed much more muscular and stronger than him; he wouldn’t stand a chance if it came to a battle. In his whirling thoughts of anxiety, Ravenwing questioned himself. Why had he even came outside in the coldness all alone? He should have stayed in camp, and then this would never have happened. He would be safe in his nice, warm den. But, he would be alone. Maybe a bit of fighting would attract attention from his clanmates. They might actually invite him on patrols for once. Was it really worth it, though? He would have to risk dying to just get a little fame, and he was too much of a coward to risk that. “W-what are you doing in Windclan’s territory?” Ravenwing asked nervously, his fur fluffing up to twice its regular size. [bg=608f38][atrb=border,0,true]

Wavepaw thrashed her tail awkwardly, she slid on her paws, advancing forward. Her eyes narrowed, "Why aren't you attacking me?" She asked, avoiding his question. Truth be told she didn't know why she was on Windclan territory; it just happened. She blamed it on boredom. Whiskers twitching she studied the bristling tom. He seemed even more nervous than her, how strange. Wasn't he a warrior? Wasn't she the trespasser? The apprentice wasn't so nervous anymore, she could tell the tom wouldn't be much of a threat. She relaxed slightly, Wavepaw was more than ready to anticipate an attack; but she was sure one wasn't coming. "What's wrong with you?" She murmured inquisitively. "Do I have to kill one of your warriors in front of you for a fight? Or is this the best you got?" Tempting the tom with insults was the best she got. Her skin was itching for a fight. She snapped her jaws impatiently, "Any day now." Wavepaw muttered. There were underlying reasons of course. Wanting to fight wasn't a sick compulsion. If she limped back to camp, bloody and torn then at least she'd get some attention. Maybe Ravenpaw would choke on his words, and suddenly remember his promise. Maybe Snowpaw would spend some quality time with her. In the least she'd get to stay in the Medicine Cat's den, then maybe they'd remember to give her a mentor. Her dull brown gaze flickered over the tom's thin frame, his trembling exterior. Her stomach plummeted; she wasn't going to get any legendary fight from this cat. A soft sigh rumbled from her throat, with a snort she dropped her fighting stance. "Just forget it." She snapped. She took a squat where she once stood and showed no sign of arrogance; not a will to rip flesh. Ears perked she cocked her head to the side, curiosity burned in her gut, "How in great Starclan are you a warrior?" [bg=4f6170][atrb=border,0,true]

The she-cat noticed at once that Ravenwing wasn’t any kind of threat. She seemed as if she was itching for a fight, but after a while she clearly realized that that wasn’t going to happen. Then came the question that Ravenwing often asked himself. How was he a warrior? He couldn’t fight, he couldn’t hunt, and he was terrified of every living thing. He the weakest, scrawniest cat in all of the clans, yet somehow he had been made a warrior. Somehow he had passed his strict mentor’s tests and assessments, earning himself his warrior name. He was better off being a kittypet or something, at least then he would get some attention. But he stayed with his clan through the harsh Leafbares and the warm Greenleafs. Even though he could offer no skill or anything to them, they let him stay, because Windclan was his home. He belonged here, in the vast emptiness of the meadows and moorland. He would never be able to bare living in a Twoleg’s den, surrounded and without unlimited access to the freshness of clean air. He couldn’t live that way. "I'm not a g-great warrior...but I stay because Windclan is my home, and I-I''ll always try my best to protect it." he answered nervously, trying to sound brave while wondering what to do next. How long would it take for the she-cat to leave? Would she simply stand there and insult him all day? Or would she lash out and fight poor, little Ravenwing? He had absolutely no chance if he got attacked. Maybe in Starclan he could torment the ones who always ignored and forgot about him. [bg=608f38][atrb=border,0,true]

The sympathy washed over her in bitter-sweet waves. He was just an uncertain about himself as she was. Her almond colored eyes flickered as she watched him curiously. No longer did he seem a threat, just a troubled tom with little to none self-confidence. Wavepaw narrowed her eyes thoughtfully, he reminded her of Ravenpaw, back when he was so shy. And strange enough a little bit of herself. She snorted softly, "I'm sorry. I didn't really want to attack you..." Her words slipped away, Wavepaw shook her head slightly, "Well, I did but I don't anymore." She stood stiffly to her paws, and padded back a few steps. Cocking her head to the side she meowed quietly, "You should be more sure about yourself. Because if you aren't, then why should others?" Wavepaw's nose twitched, "I know I'm just an apprentice, but I had a really wise mentor once. Her name was Snowflower..." The gray and white she-cat trailed off once more, "I wasn't too sure about myself either, but she, she made life a bit more bearable." She shrugged, "But she's gone now, so I just have to survive on my own." A sad smile drifted across her face. She tried to remember the first time she left the camp. It was raining, and she was in hot pursuit of her sister, a giant branch fell from the sky and knocked Snowpaw out cold. Ravenpaw and her stood trembling together for the first time since they were puny kits. They then realized that they had more in common, then they had first presumed. That was the day Ravenpaw vowed to stick by her side and be her friend. It wouldn't be just Ravenpaw and Snowpaw, the two that looked like the legends themselves; no it would be Ravenpaw, Snowpaw, and Wavepaw. She wasn't just the third wheel. They dragged Snowpaw back to camp, where she woke up and they all lived happily ever after. That was until they became apprentices, now they never talk. Her eyes trailed over the black warrior once more, maybe he was like her too. Maybe he had no one to talk to, no one to laugh with. It was horrible. It was horrible, when you lived a life no one cared about. It was tough to stand in these giant footprints your parents left behind, while others actually expected you to fill them. What if you aren't that cat, what if your just you; and no one likes you for that. She caught his gaze a small whisper left her throat, "Are you all alone too?" [bg=4f6170][atrb=border,0,true]

Ravenwing was caught by surprise at the change of the apprentice’s voice. Now she was actually calm instead of challenging. She told him about her past, and how she too was so alone in her clan. But unlike her, Ravenwing was alone since birth. He had never had the company of someone who loved him and took care of him. Even his mother had hated him for surviving. She wanted the other kits to live, not weak Ravenwing. Maybe her other kits would have been strong, brave warriors of Windclan. But no, only the coward had somehow survived the first night. And his father, Ravenwing had never even met him. When he was a kit he asked many times about how strong and brave his father was, but his mother had never answered. She rarely spoke to him, and as soon as Ravenwing was strong enough to live without her, she left. But there was one cat who might have cared for Ravenwing, he had actually forgotten about her until now. There was a queen; Ravenwing could hardly remember who she was. He could only remember the warm, safe feeling he had when he curled up to sleep beside her on cold nights. He had never had the feeling since then. How could he have forgotten it? So that clearly answered the apprentice’s question. Yes, of course he was lonely. He had no one in his clan or life, no one to talk to or share a joke with. His clanmates didn’t even understand or notice that he was alone, yet this apprentice did. An apprentice of a different clan actually understood him. It was strange for Ravenwing to talk so peacefully with someone of a different clan. He might even have to fight her some day! But of course, he never actually stayed in battles for too long. It was too dangerous for him, and his clanmates never noticed anything that he did. "Yes." his reply came back as a whisper as well, although he didn’t intend it to. "No one bothered to invite me on a hunting patrol, which was why I was out here by myself. I think they don’t even know I’m there most of the time. But I can be useful! I caught that rabbit back there..." his voice trailed away, wondering what to say next. He rarely had the chance to talk with someone, and on the rare occasions that he did, his words were usually short and simple. [bg=608f38][atrb=border,0,true]

The slender tabby she-cat slowly padded along the river tracking the scent of her new apprentice quietly. She was starting to wonder why the young she-cat was even traveling alone. It wasn't that they couldn't trust the other clans but it wouldn't be long before the peace agreement would be over and they would have to go back to protecting their boarders. She had watched Wavepaw growing as a strong apprentice and she was sure she could protect herself, but rouges were furious fighters. As she lost her trail across the river fernsong stopped and flicked her ears. Surely Wavepaw didn't cross into Windclan territory. True the windclan cats were known to be a little nice than shadownclan but still, Trespassing was a dangerous task. She sighed and looked around before finding a shallow place to swim across. Once on the other side she shook out her wet fur and licked it backward to warm up. Once she finished she quickly looked around and started off again. However it didn't take long for her to find the gray she-cat. and with a black tom. Fernsong's fur slowly stood up and she quickly stepped out. "Wavepaw, what are you doing here?" she asked firmly. She couldn't be scared anymore. "Sorry about my apprentice intruding on your territory. She should know boarders by now." She moved her gaze from Wavepaw tot eh black warrior. She had seen him a few times at gatherings, but had only heard his name mentioned a few times. If she remembered right it was Ravenwing, and he wasn't spoken lightly of. however, she still couldn't put down her guard. [bg=e5a5a8][atrb=border,0,true]