life wont wait.//[open]

[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

Flightfall

[/color]
ThunderClan Deputy[/color]

I've read all I need to
From the look on the mirror
It's getting much clearer for me
And others around
That I'm not who I say
Maybe just for today, I am


The normally warm rocks of Sunningrocks were covered with snow. The river running beside it held small patches of ice, yet it was so thin that even if a chipmunk stepped on it the ice would break. The sky was dark with storm clouds, threatening to drop another blanket of snow. Very little light filtered down to the small area, for the sun was covered completely. Everything was silent; no bird song filled the air nor did prey scurry across the frozen ground. A few soft bubbling sounds would occasionally escape from the river, as the water tried to break the frozen barrier holding it still. The whole landscape looked darker thanks to the clouds hovering overhead. Tree branches were stripped of their leaves. The Leafbare weather made the forest appear dead.

Black paws carried a gray tom across the snowy ground. His emerald green eyes were narrowed with thought as he gazed at the frozen river and dying trees. The tom flicked his tail rhythmically with every step he took, as if keeping time. A sigh escaped his lips as he fluffed up his gray fur, trying to keep warm in the winter weather. With the fresh-kill pile low, and elders and queens hungry, Flightfall had decided to go hunting. He'd hoped for better results then what he had. The tom had been named deputy not long ago, and all of a sudden he felt the need to serve the Clan ten times harder then he had before. A few cats commented on this, telling him that he'd make himself sick like he had last Leafbare. Flightfall cringed at the memory, for that Leafbare he had been diagnosed with Blackcough, and had barely survived.

Flightfall was still shocked that Brownstar had chosen him to be deputy. After all, he was still a young warrior; most likely he hadn't even reached thirty moons of age yet. There were warriors more experienced then him, warriors that were older and stronger. Warriors that have had many apprentices in their lifetimes, that could train their apprentices... Flightfall's mind wandered to Ivypaw, his apprentice. Or, was she his former apprentice now? After Ivypaw's leg was injured on the Thunderpath, she started to rely more on the warrior Severedclaw for training. Every time he saw Ivypaw, Flightfall felt guilty and useless. He wished he could've been more help to her. He wished he could've done something all those moons ago, wished he could've somehow stopped her from being hit.

Flightfall leapt softly onto one of the snow-covered rocks. He gazed across the slightly frozen river, over to RiverClan side of the border. He remembered his apprentice days, when he'd come by here so many times to meet Gingerflight, who was only Gingerkit and Gingerpaw during those times. Now Gingerflight was a kittypet; Flightfall had discovered her not long ago. Though he had tried to bring her to ThunderClan, in the end she refused. Flightfall missed the beautiful ginger femme every day. In fact, he was missing a lot of cats these days. What ever happened to his brother, Arrowpaw? What about his father, mother or sister? What about Rosethorn? Rosethorn had been Flightfall's best friend growing up, yet he hadn't seen her in moons. He'd heard that she had gone off to become a rogue.

His thoughts were cut short by the sound of pawsteps behind him. Flightfall didn't turn around and instead waited, hoping it would be someone to talk with or hunt with. He needed to clear his head. Patiently the tom waited for the cat to show itself.

Perfection's not guaranteed
'cause I don't know what I need
Work in progress, it seems
This is me

{{Lyrics from The Finish Line by David Cook}}[/color][/blockquote]

[~All I Need]

[shadow=gray,left,200]Š€V∑®ÐÇļăŴ[/color][/shadow]

ThunderClan Warrior[/color]

.he wears his heart safety pinned to his backpack.
.his backpack is all that he knows.
.shot down by strangers.
.whose glances can cripple.
.the heart and devour the soul.

How long had Ivypaw been without a mentor? Days? Moons? Whatever. The thought of her being held back just because of her lame leg infuriated the siamese warrior to no end. How he loathed Flightfall for dropping out on Ivypaw like that. He hated him for it. And made no secret out of that, either. After talking to her and bonding with his apprentice, Blackpaw, Severedclaw realized that he loved Ivypaw and that was what fueled his need to help her and protect her. Though he felt the same as to protecting Blackpaw, she was like a daughter to him and wanted to educate her. But he wanted to obey every one of Ivypaw's needs and demands. He wanted to put the sky in her paws. He wanted to make her feel like she belonged with ThunderClan. That was his mission.
The tom's breath billowed by his muzzle as he picked up the scent of Flightfall. His lips pulled back over his white teeth in a low snarl. Crap to him respecting the deputy. Flightfall abandoned Ivypaw. He didn't deserve any kind of respect from Severedclaw.
Nimbly leaping from boulder to boulder, the seal-point warrior landed not to far from the ThunderClan deputy. Claws sheathing and unsheathing, he spoke.
"So, Flightfall? Out for a hunt?" he growled. Every muscle in his body was trembling and the fur along his neck and shoulders was on end. He loathed Flightfall.

.all alone he turns to stone.
.while holding his breath half to death.
.terrified of what's inside he.
.crawls like a worm.
.crawls like a worm from a bird.


{{Lyrics from The Bird and the Worm by The Used}}

[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

Flightfall

[/color]
TC Deputy[/color]

I've read all I need to
From the look on the mirror
It's getting much clearer for me
And others around
That I'm not who I say
Maybe just for today, I am

Severedclaw's growl sounded in the gray tom's ears. Flightfall turned around, facing the siamese warrior before him. The tom's fur was bristling, his whole body trembling. Flightfall felt surprised, for he didn't believe Severedclaw had any reason to be angry with him. If anything, Flightfall should've been mad at Severedclaw, for Ivypaw started to hang around with him more and more. She never seemed to even want to train with Flightfall after that session with Severedclaw before. The gray tom's neck fur began to rise with a sudden amount of hostillity. He didn't need to take this. However, he didn't want to start a fight. He didn't want to disappoint Brownstar by attacking a Clanmate. Casually Flightfall flicked his tail, trying to keep the annoyance from his voice.[/color]

"Well it appears so, Severedclaw. I suppose you're doing the same? Good. The Clan needs all the help it can get during Leafbare."[/color] Flightfall's voice was calm, though there wasn't any use hiding the annoyance he felt. Severedclaw had no right to be angry with him, when he was the one who asked Flightfall if he could mentor Ivypaw in the first place. Now Flightfall was without an apprentice, since Ivypaw just didn't ever seem to want to train with him anymore. His emerald eyes narrowed as he gazed at the tom that had been his friend at one point. They'd been apprentices and made warriors together. Now Severedclaw was furious with him and Flightfall wasn't sure how to feel.

Perfection's not guaranteed
'cause I don't know what I need
Work in progress, it seems
This is me

{{Lyrics from The Finish Line by David Cook}}[/blockquote]

[~All I Need]

[shadow=gray,left,200]Š€V∑®ÐÇļăŴ[/shadow]

ThunderClan Warrior[/color]

.he wears his heart safety pinned to his backpack.
.his backpack is all that he knows.
.shot down by strangers.
.whose glances can cripple.
.the heart and devour the soul.

Happiness is a butterfly, which, when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.
--> Nathaniel Hawthorne

The siamese seal-points blue eyes narrowed with suspicion at the deputy's casual and cool tone. Though annoyance made the air shiver with tension Flightfall seemed to keep his calm demeanor. Severedclaw had to give him kudos for that. Not many could take the tom's rudeness and severity sometimes. But confusion came from his fellow ThunderClan warrior and Severedclaw reflected that, also. Didn't Flightfall know the reason of his anger? He had abandoned Ivypaw. Just when she needed him most.
"We might as well hunt together. Better two than one..." he paused. Should I talk to him about Ivypaw wanting to leave the Clan? "We need to talk about some important matters at hand." I know I'm being a little harsh on him... We were once friends. And we trained and became warriors together... Flightfall used to be one of the few cats I used to get along with... Him, Evermist, and Emeraldeye...
He looked down for a moment and traced the cracks in the boulders with his one good front paw. Long ago, he had been damaged along with Evermist--then Evergreen--when the Tribe was attacked. Severedclaw--then Creature--had been wounded badly. Many think he lost his front left paw then, but it was a snake bite on their journey that made it dead and dislocate itself from his body. The gray and white warrior used to be detered by this, not anymore. He was close enough to normal.

.all alone he turns to stone.
.while holding his breath half to death.
.terrified of what's inside he.
.crawls like a worm.
.crawls like a worm from a bird.


{{Lyrics from The Bird and the Worm by The Used}}[/size]

[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

Flightfall

[/color]
ThunderClan Deputy[/color]

I've read all I need to
From the look on the mirror
It's getting much clearer for me
And others around
That I'm not who I say
Maybe just for today, I am

Flightfall had always loved Ivypaw; not a mates-in-love sort of way, but more like a father-daughter love. He had always thought of her as the daughter he had never had. Now that she didn't train with him anymore, Flightfall felt a bit hurt. He knew that it was partially his fault; he hadn't always offered to train with her, for he felt that she'd rather train with Severedclaw these days. Severedclaw's words brought Flightfall out of his thoughts. He blinked his emerald eyes once, trying to clear his head and remember what the warrior had said. Hunt together... That would be alright. It'd be like they were apprentices again. The thought made his lips pull back in a small smile, though it vanished as Severedclaw continued speaking. Flightfall felt a moment of confusion, wondering about the important matter at hand.[/color]

"Sure, Severeclaw. What's the problem?"[/color] Flightfall mewed, leaping nimbly off the rock. His black paws landed against the cold snow, sending a shiver up his spine. He allowed his eyes to remain on the dead forest before him. Leafbare was beautiful, but also deadly. He hated seeing his home so... dead. The gray tom turned around again to face Severedclaw, motioning for him to continue with whatever he needed to say.

Perfection's not guaranteed
'cause I don't know what I need
Work in progress, it seems
This is me

{{Lyrics from The Finish Line by David Cook}}[/color][/i][/blockquote]

[~All I Need]

ThunderClan Warrior[/size]

.he wears his heart safety pinned to his backpack.
.his backpack is all that he knows.
.shot down by strangers.
.whose glances can cripple.
.the heart and devour the soul.

After Flightfall motioned for him to continue, the gray and white tom walked on ahead of the ThunderClan deputy as he talked. His words were calm and polite but the thoughts that stormed in his mind were harsh and cold.
"It's mostly about Ivypaw. I--I talked with her about a fortnight ago... She told me that she wished to leave ThunderClan to join WindClan. It was then that I convinced her to stay," he mewed. And told her that I loved her and wanted not to be separated from her, he added silently. "And that I would talk to you about it. I feel that she believes that just because her leg is maimed means that she is useless. Which is definitely not the case!" he added firmly. "There has to be a way to convince her otherwise. Isn't there?"
The tom broke off when he saw a mouse cowering under the protection of a root. His blue eyes narrowed and Severedclaw lowered himself into the hunting position. After a moment's hesitation of analyzing the distance, the siamese warrior dashed forward and reached under the root and snatched the mouse with his good paw. The brown and gray figure landed dazed a few feet away and Severedclaw pounced on it with a bite to the neck. He picked up the limp rodent in his jaws and showed it to Flightfall.
"Well?" he asked. Both to the catch and the situation with Ivypaw.

[/size]

.all alone he turns to stone.
.while holding his breath half to death.
.terrified of what's inside he.
.crawls like a worm.
.crawls like a worm from a bird.[/size][/b]


{{Lyrics from The Bird and the Worm by The Used}}

[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

Flightfall

[/color]
TC Deputy

Severedclaw's words about Ivypaw caused Flightfall's throat to practically close. Leave... No! He couldn't, and wouldn't, allow it! The only thing that comforted the gray and black tom was that Severeclaw had already talked her out of it. He became much more relaxed then, knowing that Ivypaw was safe. But for how long? What would it take to convince her how important she was the to Clan? Her leg couldn't be healed... or could it? Maybe they had put her back to her duties to soon after she was hurt, maybe she just needed rest... Flightfall ran over as many ideas as he could in his mind, trying to find a sollution. He didn't notice Severedclaw had left until the warrior returned with a mouse, watching Flightfall and waiting for a response.

"I... I think that part of it is my fault," he admitted, hating himself as he said it. "I should've been a better mentor to her, I know that. It's just that after she started to train with you, I felt as if I was useless when it came to helping her. His emerald eyes sparked with a sudden determination. "There has to be a way to prove to her how important she is; the whole Clan is important. Trust me, I would do anything to prove how important she is. Maybe the first thing would be an apology." Maybe we could both train her, Flightfall wondered silently. He knew how much Ivypaw deserved her warrior name, and he'd do anything to help her reach that goal. He felt as if he'd abandoned her, and he wanted to change that.

((Sorry so short, not much muse for Flighty here))[/blockquote]

[~All I Need]

ThunderClan Warrior[/size]

.he wears his heart safety pinned to his backpack.
.his backpack is all that he knows.
.shot down by strangers.
.whose glances can cripple.
.the heart and devour the soul.

All of a sudden, Severedclaw gagged at the taste of bile in the back of his throat and the tom turned away so that the ThunderClan deputy wouldn't see him retch. The tom bared his teeth as his stomach convulsed, making him shudder and tremble from head to tail. The mouse fell at his feet as the warrior stumbled away a few paces. What's wrong with me?
"I... I think that part of it is my fault... I should've been a better mentor to her, I know that. It's just that after she started to train with you, I felt as if I was useless when it came to helping her. There has to be a way to prove to her how important she is; the whole Clan is important. Trust me, I would do anything to prove how important she is. Maybe the first thing would be an apology."
Severedclaw yowled and held back the stream of foul words that threatened to spew from his mouth. Along with his insides. It felt to him as if he were being ripped up on the inside and forced to free his organs. All shredded and mangled. He felt really sick.
But then it was gone.
He stood there for a few minutes, panting and hoping that another sick spell wouldn't come. What was that all about? Was it because he just figured out that Ivypaw might leave no matter what? Did he love her so much that physical separation from her would kill him?
For both of their sakes, he couldn't let her leave ThunderClan. Leave him.
"We can't let her leave," he panted. "I will stop at nothing to keep her here."

[/color][/center][/size]

.all alone he turns to stone.
.while holding his breath half to death.
.terrified of what's inside he.
.crawls like a worm.
.crawls like a worm from a bird.


{{Lyrics from The Bird and the Worm by The Used}}[/size]

[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

Severedclaw's violent reaction startled Flightfall. He felt utterly helpless as his clanmate retched and shook, and his emerald green eyes grew wide with terror. He hadn't expected Severedclaw to act this way, and for a moment his mind debated on whether this had to do with a sickness or the fact that Ivypaw could very well be leaving. Flightfall didn't take long to ponder it, and instead found himself racing to the warrior's side and offering his shoulder for support. This was not just a sickness. Before Flightfall reached Severedclaw, it all stopped. The silence that followed was filled with tension for Flightfall, and he watched carefully to make sure that another violent sick spell would not overtake the warrior. The silence was broken by Severedclaw's words, and he found himself nodding in agreement. In the back of his mind he knew what this was; Severedclaw was completely in love with Ivypaw. Severedclaw would clearly be in horrible shape if anything should happen to the overaged apprentice.

"I will do whatever it takes to make sure she stays," Flightfall mewed. The only problem is that she seems to be holding a grudge toward me. We both need to talk to her and help her figure this out. Trust me, Severedclaw, I'll do whatever it takes. Maybe all she needs is more training sessions or an assessment, so she feels needed and feels as if she's getting enough attention." Flightfall wasn't sure if that was all, the problem seemed to be deeper, but he had to be sure that Severedclaw was calmed down first.

[~All I Need]

Lovesick ThunderClan Warrior[/b]

.memories consume.
.like opening the wound.
.im picking me apart again.
.you all assume.
.im safe here in my room.
.unless i try to start again.
.i dont want to be the one.
.the battles always choose.
.cause inside i realize.
.that im the one confused.[/color]

The tom closed his beautiful, faded sapphire eyes. He couldn't stand the fact that Flightfall had seen him like this. Even not looking at him, Severedclaw could imagine the terror and knowing in the other warrior's eyes. He knew. Flightfall had figured out the reasons behind Severedclaw's reactions. He loved Ivypaw. And there was no way to hold on to her forever. He was going to lose her forever...
Why did something like this always happen to him?
First it was his family, now his sister...
Next up in line: Ivypaw.
The only one the tom had ever loved. Truly.
"I will do whatever it takes to make sure she stays. The only problem is that she seems to be holding a grudge toward me. We both need to talk to her and help her figure this out. Trust me, Severedclaw, I'll do whatever it takes. Maybe all she needs is more training sessions or an assessment, so she feels needed and feels as if she's getting enough attention."

[/color]
He shook his head. There was more to this, he knew it. Even if Ivypaw were to become a warrior, Severedclaw had a sickening feeling that maybe that wouldn't be enough. But they had to start somewhere.
The handsome, insecure siamese raised his head. The aftermath of his sick spell still clung to him and the faintest traces of a tremor went through him. He glanced at the shoulder that was bracing him and took a step away. It was against his nature to accept any help. Severedclaw glanced at Flightfall with an appologetic look in his eyes and turned away again.
"We need to go to Brownstar. It's about time that Ivypaw becomes a warrior. Let's finish up hunting--"[/color] his voice trailed off and he looked at the ThunderClan deputy with a joyful look in his eyes. "If Brownstar were to make her a warrior, we should choose her warrior name. One that is amazing and one that no one will ever, ever forget."[/color][/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

.i dont know whats worth fighting for.
.or why i have to scream.
.i dont know why i instigate.
.and say what i dont mean.
.i dont know how i got this way.
.i know its not alright.
.so im breaking the habit.
.im breaking the habit tonight.[/color][/size]


{{Lyrics from Breaking The Habit by Linkin Park}}

[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

After Severedclaw pulled away from Flightfall's helping shoulder, the gray and black-pawed tom stood up straight. His eyes were cautious as he watched the Siamese warrior, for tremors were still going through his body. Flightfall remained on guard, prepared to jump over right away and help Severedclaw out. Severedclaw's feelings for Ivypaw were true, which relieved Flightfall greatly. After all, Ivypaw had been like, and still was in Flightfall's eyes, a daughter to him. Even while they were grown apart, he was still protective of her. Flightfall could see in Severedclaw's eyes that he loved Ivypaw more then anything. Ivypaw was the only one who needed to see that. They could not let her leave, for Ivypaw's sake and Severedclaw's.

Flightfall smiled at Severedclaw's words, for they were true. The least they could do for Ivypaw was think of an amazing, unique, and unforgettable warrior name. Yet what name could they use? It'd have to be something different, never used yet. Though nothing had come to Flightfall at the moment, he knew it would eventually. Plus, Severedclaw was thinking as well, and Flightfall knew that he too would not rest until he figured it out. They had to do this for Ivypaw. "You're right, the least she deserves is an unforgettable name. It will probably help us in convincing her to stay." He paused for a moment. "We'll hunt more as you said, then after we return to camp we can go and speak to Brownstar." Flightfall knew that he wouldn't be able to concentrate so much on hunting, for his mind was racing to find a great name for Ivypaw. He was sure that it showed in his eyes; he wouldn't be able to think straight until the name was figured out.

"What would be a good enough name for Ivypaw?" he wondered aloud, his question directed to both him and Severedclaw.

[~All I Need]

{{Bleeding to death}}
{{Severed from the world}}

Clouds were roiling like stomach-sick monsters above the forest. Intelligent rodents immediatly went back into their holes while foolish ones stayed outside, looking around with dazed expressions. As if on cue, irridescent crows swooped down with their raucous calls and feasted. The tom looked at all of this with a numb look in his eyes. All there was to this world was eat or be eaten. Where did he stand, he wondered. Was he the crow? or the mouse? Or was he not even here at all. Was all of this a figment of his imagination while he floated in an abyss? Did he die all those moons ago when the bear raided the camp? In a way, that frightened Severedclaw. But in another, it relieved him, even though he knew that it wasn't true.
"You're right, the least she deserves is an unforgettable name. It will probably help us in convincing her to stay... We'll hunt more as you said, then after we return to camp we can go and speak to Brownstar."

[/color]
The siamese turned back and looked at Flightfall. It was evident in the deputy's eyes; they would not fail. Ivypaw wasn't going to be that anymore. She was going to be the definition of beauty and everything that mattered in this world.
A sweet, cold wind came galloped in from the plains and tore through the forest and sawed at the trees. The tom turned his head to the wind and closed his eyes, relishing the fresh coolness on his face.
"What would be a good enough name for Ivypaw?"[/color]
Immediatly, Severedclaw regretted bringing this up, for it meant that he would also have to think of a fitting name for the apprentice. But his mind was blank, erased of anything creative and unique. Blah...
"Um... Should we go away from the 'Ivy' scheme or stay with it?" he asked uneasily, his voice cracked and quiet. The tom cursed himself while his mind was racing to find a perfect name. Crap! Nothing. Zip. Next time I decide to open my big mouth, remember not to speak and just choke up.[/color][/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

{{He wears his heart safety}}
{{Pinned to his backpack}}