.:Twisted reeds:.

[Burningwing]

The sky was lit a soft, smouldering orange, like a burning fir reaching out and flickering its ravenous tongue, yet it was gentle and calm as the flowing of a sunlit stream, peacefully winding through the rocky, eroded shore line, dotted with smooth pebbles scattered under paw. Cattails burst up from the blue tinted water, strong and tall with brown pompom like fluff tipping the ends. In the parts that leaned together and hardly had any room between the thick circular stems, ruby winged blackbird swarmed and nested, their delicate houses almost as light as the leaves sailing on the breeze. Small silver fish darted beneath the surface of the creek, their scales glinting with the shimmer of polished gems. It was hardly dawn yet the land was filled with the mystical chorus of song birds.

The tall reed grass shifted around the narrow brook as the wind blow through them gently, creatures dwelling near snickered in reply, before scurrying off to their burrows. For one moment, only silence met the ears, Suddenly out of the gloomy quiet, the crunch of paws meeting ground broke through the air, and the reeds shivered before the lean shape of Cougarwhisper, the new Riverclan warrior, emerged from the tangled grasses. Carefully twining his tail tightly against his back so it wouldn't catch on any thorns, he shifted forward to the edge of the wavering stream, he gazed at his reflection; Brilliant dark yellow-orange eyes stared back at him, settled on a sleek marbled pale orange pelt. His muzzle was light cream, as if it had been dunked in paint.

He groaned and swept his creamy paw across the image, shattering it into a thousand broken shards that drifted off across the now clouded surface. It wasn't that he hated his own face, but he couldn't stand the look of his amber tainted eyes, burning right through his pelt as though it was made by frail leaves tied down with prairie grass. Mumbling, he hurried farther down to a shallow point and waded into the smoothly flowing water till it crested just below his stomach. Satisfied, he dipped his head to lap up a mouthful, and droplets of it dribbled down on his neck fur, matting it slightly. Content, he struggled back over the slippery grey pebbles, and sat with his back lightly brushing the grass, then stared out at the clouds racing through the now violet sky.

[vo]

Suddenly, the reeds rustled loudly. A small grey cat flounced through the plants with a thump. Shaking her head, she quickly got back up on her paws and gave pursuit of the cream-colored cabbage moth she was chasing.
She scrambled over a boulder near the warrior sitting by the river. One of her mysteriously webbed hind paws slipped from it's place, and quickly wedged itself into a crevice on the boulder. She lurched and hung limply over the boulder like a fur rug.
"Ouch," she grumbled. Ponderpaw was not a cat of many words. She sighed, and slowly climbed down from the crevice. Rethinking her pursuit, she plopped down on her haunches and started grooming herself, daydreaming in the way that gave Pondo her name.
After a few half-hearted licks, she sighed and sprawled on her back. Groaning, she turned toward the lake. Only then did she notice Cougarwhisper.
"Oh!" She gasped. She scrambled to her feet and bowed her head. Oh, wait, you bow only to the medicine cat -- and leader!
"Sorry," she mumbled. "Well, hi. What brings you here today?"

[Burningwing]

The sliver fish which fins ridged just out of the numb water whisked their tails and darted under the shelter of a thick black boulder jutting out from a pile of washed up stones. As they hid away, a cool spray misted from the creek and flatted The tom's already matted fur. Letting out a shrill hiss of annoyance, he spun round, eyes darting back and forth for the culprit who had shocked the small carp. His dark yellow orbs rested on a small cat sprawled upon the mound of boulder a few fox-lengths away. He glimpsed a sneak of rugged, yet a pleasing grey stone coloured pelt from under the lip of the tiny cave that hung over the side of the boulder, staring out at him, bowing down then looking at him, and a flattened moth laying in front of the she-cat.


A questioning growl rumbled from his throat as he waddled forward through the thick, bubbling mud. It popped and sloshed under his paws, dotting his already mud streaked coat with speckles of darker colour, and staining his paw a deep beige as it lapped over the dull white fur. He narrowed his pupils as the sun rose over the rock and beamed directly in his face, ruining his concentration for a quick second. He let out a chortle of aggravation and pushed forward until he stood in front of the boulder, and the caves narrow, yawning entrance, eyes seeking again for the other cat he had seen. Yet, his sight was full of dots and splotches from looking straight into the sun. Anxiety filled him as he called out, : Who's there?" He pricked his ears up and frowned in concentration as his sight slowly regained itself. Having heard the young she-cats question, he rumbled throatily, " I was looking for peace in quiet!"

[vo]

The young she-cat winced, not trying to hide her frightened appearance. She backed up against the cold stone of the boulder, shaking. "I'm s-sorry," she mewled. She pushed the moth toward the immense tom with a trembling paw. "Have this..."
Out of habit, the near-kit closed her eyes and buried herself into the dirt, looking much like a grey hedgehog in the winter. Oh, gosh. I must have scared all the prey from here to Fourtrees!

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[Burningwing]

Cougarwhisper bowed his head to gently lift the moth, eyes heavy. How could he go on being so uncaring to every energetic cat full of fun and fight, when all he felt was an overwhelming desire to cuff them right in the face and make them cry out in anger or sorrow? The young apprentice now surely frightened of the grumbly orange-cream tabby warrior sure had her manors though, polite to her elders. The moth powder felt pleasing in his mouth, but he choked down the desire to sink his jaws in. water lapped at his fur and the smooth pebbles under paw felt soothing and cool. Whiskers twitching playfully, he reached out a well-sized paw to cuff the young grey she-cats ear, eyes twinkling with mischief. " Dats fine young one," He grumbled through the mouth full, imitating a elder. He let out a purr of amusement, tapping his soggy tail on Ponderpaw's head.

[vo]

The small she-cat stifled a laugh. My, this cat can be amusing! she exclaimed in her head. She looked up at the huge tabby (which, of course, took a load of effort considering her size difference) and grinned a wide kitten grin. Her stomach grumbled. Loud. Looking quite embarassed, she bowed her head and headed toward the river. Forgetting to raise her head again, she bumped into the boulder. Ouch, she thought silently, not wanting to ruin her impression on this noble warrior. Though she willed to groom her soiled ears, first thing's first, she had to catch some food.
Akwardly, she padded to the riverbead and jumped in. The river felt warm and inviting as she splashed with her strange webbed hind paws. Thinking it better to catch fish at the other end of the river, she dove under the surface and paddled there. Once she arrived, it was simple to reach in and catch a carp or two. Now that she had a meal, she dragged the fish to a nearby clump of cattails and paused to take a bite...
Startled, she jumped up! She had to feed the elders first, for wasn't it what the warrior code stated?. She questioned Cougarpaw, "Elders?" and cast a nervous, daring glance to him.

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[Burningwing]

Cougarwhisper let out a purr of amusement. " Not quite yet!" He laughed. " But I will except one." His laugh died down to a silent chuckle as he tore hungrily in to the large copper carp the young cat had caught. She sure cheered up the grouchy orange tabby warrior, the look on her face and fluffy grey pelt that made her seem like a startled squirrel. His amber eyes twinkled as her stared into the rippling waves.

[vo]

The kit smiled and reached back into the river to flick herself a fish. She dragged it back near the cream-orange warrior and dug into her meal. She was getting quite fond of his company, and even though he could have some temper at times, once he cheered up, he was amusing and calm. I wonder if he could be my mentor, she pondered as she chewed the plump, leafgreen-soft carp.
Suddenly, the kit had an idea. Maybe he really could be her mentor! It wasn't impossible, although apprentices rarely chose there mentors. Ponderpaw got up to bury the remnants of the carp, then faced the large warrior bravely. I need a mentor, she started, her voice cracking. Do you need an apprentice? she questioned, feeling her burst of courage ebb away. She looked down, waiting for an answer.