}{/**\A lone cat strays/**\}{

[owlmoon]

A small fluffy tortoiseshell she-cat prowled through the undergrowth. Her steps quickened as she heard the noises of cats meows. She was on a mission to join a warrior clan and she though she had found the place. She crashed on leaves and twigs making a rocuss but she didn't care, she just wanted to become a loyal cat to a clan. She looked to the sky, clouds floating, birds chirping in the treetops, and he hope that she would belong to a clan and feel proud of protecting them. She soon got to the camp entrance and stopped, "Hello? I am Willowrain and I have come to join Serenityclan."

[Spice..xx]

Clearpool pricked her ears as she heard a nosie thsat sounded like paw steps. She opened her maw to draw in the scents but it was the smell of a loner, not a Clan cat. She walked towards the tortoishell she-cat and blinked at her with blue eyes. "If iIheard correctly your name is Willowrain? I am Clearpool, deputy of SerenityClan. You say you want to join us? Well, accompany me to our Clan Leaders den and she will decide if you may or not" Clearpool said, flicking her white tail to tell Willowrain to follow her. She mad her way to the leaders den and called in "Jasminestar? Jasminestar are you there? There is a loner she-cat who is here to see if she can join us". She waited outside for her elader to reply.

[/center][/color]

[owlmoon]

Willowrain padded closely behind Clearpool, looking at the staring eyes of cats. She looked in the leaders den, "I be Willowrain, the one who wishes to join." She at first a bit nervous looked and showed no fear. Her tortoiseshell fur blew around in the cold wind.

[(aurora) of the problematique]

<sub>Pansypaw poked out her head curiously a badger-length behind her mentor's paws. "Hello!" she said brightly, her ginger tabby body erect and playful. She paused for a moment, thinking about her next decision, but Willowrain didn't look harmful, unlike Cursico and the white she-cat from before. "My name's Pansypaw. I think it's cool that you want to join. SerenityClan's the best, especially since we have the best leader, Jasminestar!" Her chest puffed out comically.

"A new cat?" came a stern, but very kind voice. Runningcloud's large ginger and white frame came around, dwarfing Pansypaw as the medicine cat sat with the apprentice between her large paws. Her bushy tail curled around the tabby apprentice of Clearpool's. The medicine cat chuckled. "She should be going to MoonClan. I hear they've been losing cats faster than they can bathe themselves," she commented dryly. Then she poked Pansypaw on the M marking. "And don't forget you've got the best medicine cat, ex-deputy, too, Pansypaw," Runningcloud laughed teasingly.

"Of course!" Pansypaw said, mock-pouting at the broad-shouldered she-cat.</sub>

[lonelylove :D]

Jasminestar poked her head out of her nest. She slowly uncurled her body. She stood up, and walked toward Clearpool and the stranger. A tortoiseshell she-cat, like herself. She stretched out, on leg at a time. She knew waiting made the she-cat a little nervous. Finally, she stood up, to answer the question. Hmm. I'll have to say maybe. She shrugged, and motioned for them to go outside. There wasn't enough room in the den for three cats.
Outside, the cold sun shone through a cloud. She shivered involuntarily. Leaf-fall was coming, the winds seemed to whisper. We already have taken in three loners at this time, because they were in need of care. I'm not sure the clanners would welcome anymore strangers at the moment.

[/color][/blockquote]

[owlmoon]

Willowrain followed, "I know you probobly think I'm just looking for a home but I want to have a family to serve and protect." Her pelt shook for a cool breeze sent chills down her spine. Willowrain looked at all of the faces of the curious clancats and pawed at the ground and a turf of grass. She waited for Jasminestar's reply hoping she would be accepted as a clancat of Serenityclan.

[lonelylove :D]

Jasminestar nodded, then shrugged. I understand this. But like I said, I'm not sure if we have room for anymore outsiders. We have taken in three loners just some days ago. I'm sorry, but I'm not sure if we can take you in now.
She sighed for a moment. Looking up, clouds drifted lazily across the sky. She wasn't one to turn away cats, but she wanted what was best for Serenityclan. And sometimes, that wasn't what she personally wanted.
She looked back to Willowrain. Maybe another clan will take you in. If you know how to hunt and fight, I'm sure another clan will welcome you. Maybe Moonclan. She motioned to the she-cat with her tail. Now go.

[/blockquote][/color]

[(aurora) of the problematique]

_{Pansypaw looked disappointed as she heard Jasminestar's verdict. The little tabby hung her head and clung to Runningcloud, undecisive about running in to tell Jasminestar her opinion.}

The mighty medicine cat above her sighed. "You heard her, Pansypaw. Don't even think about defying her right now," Runningcloud said huskily, turning away. The medicine cat dipped her head towards Clearpool. "I'm going out for a walk. Do you mind if I take Pansypaw with me while I get some herbs?"[/sub]

[kee]

_{Willowkit stood at the entrance of the Medicine Cat's den. It was her new home and had been for a whole day now. Her yellow eyes watched the new cat enter camp but she did nothing about it. She would let the other older more experienced cats handle it. She just watched silently. Jasminestar was denying the entrance of the new cat. She felt sorry for her but not so sorry to stand up to the Leader. She watched as Pansypaw was comforted my her mentor Runningcloud and a wave of jealousy washed over her. It grew even more when Runningcloud asked Clearpool if she could take Pansypaw out to look for herbs. Wasn't she the Medicine Cat apprentice? She had been the apprentice for almost a day now and she still hadn't learned anything. Willowkit turned and padded back into the shadows of the dark den, hoping no one would ever find her.}

[Spice..xx]

Clearpool turned her head to Runningcloud. "Hmm? Oh right, yes of course" she said to the medicine cat,looking as a small movement caught her eye. She saw Willowkits small form vanish into the medicine cat den. She widedened her eyes, she had forgotten that Runningcloud had an apprentice but she wasnt going to say that Pansypaw couldnt go because of that. She turned back to the medicine cat and dipped her head absently before padding over to the fresh-kill pile. She chose a small mouse and sat down to eat it.

[/center][/color]

[(aurora) of the problematique]

_{When Pansypaw looked back at Clearpool, she noticed Willowkit's sullen frame slink gloomily back into the medicine den. The ginger apprentice glanced up at Runningcloud. "Hey, Runningcloud, how come Willowkit isn't coming?" she asked curiously. "Should I go get her?"}

Runningcloud paused for a moment. "Willowkit has made no attempt at asking if she can partake of any of my walks or teaching ceremonies with the younger kits who like stories. This, to me, shows that she holds no interest. I will not baby her, Pansypaw. She must learn to do things by herself. If she wanted to come along with all of her heart, there would be no doubt that she would ask," she replied briskly and loud enough so that Willowkit could hear her.

"Aww, c'mon, Runningcloud, can't I just ask her? She's probably too shy," Pansypaw protested and then giggled. "Because you're the gruffy grandmother medicine cat."

Runningcloud snorted at Pansypaw's jest. "Fine. Go ask her, but only this once, Pansypaw. I told you. I don't baby my apprentices. If they don't show effort, they don't deserve to be a vital part of this Clan."

The ginger tabby nodded and raced over to the medicine den, but she couldn't see Willowkit. "Willowkit? Willowkit, Runningcloud said you can come to, but she wants you to make the effort since you wanted to be medicine cat. Where are you? It's okay if you're shy...," she tried, glancing around the quiet, dark den.[/sub][/color]

[kee]

<sub>Willowkit could easily hear the voices coming from outside the den since the wind carried it right toward her. As Pansypaw asked about her coming along with them, she pricked her ears forward. She would have loved to go on a walk to search for herbs. Maybe she could learn something! But Runningcloud's response made her sink even farther back into the den, her ears fell back and her head down. Her mentor didn't want her little gloomy apprentice coming along. When Pansypaw protested, she sighed, waiting to hear what her mentor would say. But what her mentor said, made her heart sink even lower. If she didn't show effort then she wouldn't be a vital part of the Clan. When Pansypaw walked in, Willowkit emerged from the shadows, her eyes that were usually bright were dim and dull.

"Show effort? Shouldn't Runningcloud be asking me to join her walks or anything else? She is my mentor anyway. She should be teaching me things!" she mewed, her voice just on the verge of a growl.</sub>

[(aurora) of the problematique]

_{Pansypaw blinked for a moment and stared at her paws. "Well, I guess Runningcloud wants to see if you can show initiative. You wouldn't ask cats if they need their help if they're on the verge of dying, right? You would just go ahead and do it. I think she wants you to show how much you want to be medicine cat apprentice. She's your mentor, that's true, but she can only teach you when you're willing to learn. C'mon Willowkit, let's go for a walk," she said, her words carefully thought-out. She shrugged. "Clearpool and I went for a walk on the first day, but that's only because I wanted to do it. She said it was my decision. I want to be a warrior now to protect my mom so I'm going to be the best. When I'm the best deputy, I want you to be the best medicine cat with me!" She smiled broadly, her paws light as she padded in place.}

[kee]

<sub>Willowkit stared at Pansypaw as she spoke, her yellow eyes showing no emotion what so ever. She was good at hiding emotions, especially when she didn't want cats to know how she was feeling deep inside. Right now, Willowkit was lonely and quite sad for she had no one in the whole world that actually cared about her like a mother cared about a daughter or a sister cared about another sister. She had never had a relationship like that before. Once Pansypaw was finished, Willowkit said nothing for a few moments.

"Well of course I would help a cat that was dying!" she growled, her eyes darkening. She wasn't stupid. She wasn't going to let some cat die and it be her fault. "And I am willing to learn, but I also want Runningcloud to teach me so I can learn!" she exclaimed her voice rising. How come she was suddenly the bad person in this situation. "And now you are just sounding like my mother, if I ever had one!" Now she was on the verge of tears. She pushed passed Pansypaw out into the open clearing. The bright sunlight stung her eyes and she blinked a few times, trying to get used to it. She glanced over at her mentor for a second and began to padd of to the entrance of camp.</sub>

[(aurora) of the problematique]

<sub>Like a hissing viper, Runningcloud was instantly in Willowkit's face, almost to the point where she nearly pinned the kit to the ground. The broad-shouldered tabby's eyes were narrowed. "You want? You want? Why should I teach one who wants all the time?" she barked sternly. "I don't know what Pansypaw told you, but no apprentice of mine has ever been taught if they sat around and expected the world to revolve around them! I am a medicine cat, Willowkit. If you need me, you need to talk to me. I've already told you that! If you can't depend on me to talk to, to rely on, to learn from, then I have failed you as a mentor! I cannot and will not be expected to do everything for you. You must make that effort!"

The ex-deputy's eyes were livid, yet her voice and figure kept a stern composure. Pansypaw gulped at Runningcloud's reaction and sat a badgerlength away.</sub>[/color]

[SHADE. :D]

"Easy, Runningcloud."
Octoberlies limped from the medicine den, looking thin and weak, but his emerald eyes shone protectively. "She's just a kit." The grey tabby looked at Pansypaw for a moment, before turning his gaze back to Runningcloud. "Willowkit, you are not the only cat who has known loss," he mewed, his voice only a little scolding as he spoke to the grey kitten. "Hyenapaw lost his sister. Cherrysmoke lost her mate, and son." A twisted smile formed on the warrior's face as he spoke of Hollykit, and his own living son. "Feeling sorry for yourself will not help your greif." Octoberloes turned to Runningcloud, expression beseeching. This was the cat who had been helping him, healing him for the past moon. And well, too. Most of his cuts were gone, except the deep scar on his stomach. Shifting slightly, Octoberlies winced as the sore patch flared up.

[kee]

<sub>The kit stood, her body frozen as the ex-deputy body moved to right in front of her. She moved back, trying to get away from the angry cat but she fell backwards and with wide eyes, she stared up at the tabby she-cat. As the older cat spoke, she could feel tears coming to her eyes. She hated being scolded and yelled at. It effected her then it effected other cats. When the Medicine Cat finished, she was about to protest what she said but she couldn't speak. She was too afraid to speak. So the only words she could gasp out were, "Y-Yes R-unningc-cloud."

Willowkit watched as Octoberlies limped out of the Medicine Cat den. He was weak and thin. She thanked StarClan that he had come out of the den. That was true. She was just a kit but Runningcloud knew that she was a smart kit. She glanced at her mentor and then back at Octoberlies when he spoke of Hyenapaw. He had lost a sister, that was true, but he didn't know who his father or his mother were, just like Willowkit. "I'm not feeling sorry for myself," she meowed defensively. Why did everyone think she was when she only wanted to make a few friends? She had lost one already, and that was Hyenapaw but she didn't know what she had done.</sub>

[(aurora) of the problematique]

<sub>Runningcloud let out a heavy sigh and sat back. "On your paws," she said quietly, rubbing her temple.

"My temper got out of hand." The medicine cat looked downwards, trailing a claw in the dirt. "I'll take it from here, Octoberlies. Would you like to come along to get in some fresh air? To shake out the kinks in your legs?" The large tabby glanced upward towards the tom.

Her large paw pulled Willowkit near her racing heart, against her soft comforting fur. She purred gently in apology.</sub>

[kee]

_{Willowkit looked down at the ground and hopped up to stand on all for paws. She looked up at Runningcloud. The young kit was worried about what she would say next. She didn't want to get in trouble. But when she said her temper got out of hand, Willowkit's stone gray fur lay flat and her tense body relaxed. Her racing heart was calming down and she was catching her breath. She looked up at Octoberlies as Runningcloud asked if he wanted to join and something made her ears prick forward and her head tilt. There was something about him... His face. His build.. It was all like Hyenapaw's. And his smell was like Hyenapaw's. Willowkit said nothing and purred softly as Runningcloud pulled her up against her warm chest. Willowkit leaned her small head against her chest, burying her muzzle in her fur. "I'm sorry," she mewed softly.}

[(aurora) of the problematique]

_{"You're forgiven, little Willow," she said quietly, nuzzling the apprentice she had come to care for her own. Runningcloud came to her feet and looked at Pansypaw and Octoberlies. "All right, cats, well we're off. Pansypaw, Octoberlies, you coming?"}

Pansypaw nodded eagerly. "Yes! Yes!" the tabby apprentice crowed.[/sub][/color]

[SHADE. :D]

The kitten's defensive words made Octoberlies realise that he was fighting a losing battle. He gave a tiny shake of his head, before his mind strayed to Hyenapaw again. The tom often regretted his love of Butterflypaw; after the birth of his kits, he had never seen her again. The slender tabby looked up at the sky, where fat clouds swam. He knew she was dead. Octoberlies' green eyes looked into the medicine cat's as she spoke to him. "Yes, I'd like that."

[(aurora) of the problematique]

_{((Moved to `Speaking [without] words ))}