[too late] i've become the BULL .

[SHADE. :D]

The silence was broken only by the rush of bodies against the undergrowth. EclipseClan poured through fern and spruce, weaved around oak and aspen, to reach home. At their head streaked Amethyststar, the stout black she-cat's fiery amber eyes dull for once. Her spirits were down, her heart filled with misery. She felt her frustration against the other leaders mount, and ground her teeth. They were all so stupid. Amethyststar sighed. If they wanted to wait, and watch their cats die, fine by her. She was a little surprised to have Firestar and MoonClan's support, but glad nonetheless.

Amethyststar entered the camp, her clan behind her. In one liquid movement she sprang up onto the Shaderock, her muscles bunching powerfully. The ebony-coated she-cat perched high on the glossy rock, her head drooping. Amethyststar swept the clearing with her eyes - she had no need to call for her clan, the scent of fear and distress had been enough to summon the cats that had not attended the Gathering. The black she-cat blinked dolefully, reluctant to pass on the frustrating news of the Gathering. Amethyststar's eyes fixed on the group of kits outside the nursery, and she decided to distract herself with a happier duty.

"Toweringkit, Maverickkit, Sphinxkit and Mahoganykit, will you come up here, please?" She watched the litter approach, her eyes flicking to their mother, her grand-daughter, Sunheart. Amethyststar then looked back at the kits. They all seemed ready, even the timid Toweringkit and the mouthy Maverickkit. Clearing her throat, Amethyststar continued. "Toweringkit, from this moment onward, until you have earnt your warrior name, you shall be known as Toweringpaw." The black she-cat turned her burnt amber gaze onto Spicetalon. "Spicetalon, you have mentored many apprentices well. I trust you will do the same with Toweringpaw." Amethyststar turned her eyes onto Maverickkit. "Maverickkit, from this moment onwards, you shall be known as Maverickpaw." The sturdy ebony she-cat glanced at Sunheart's brother, Beacansong. "Beacansong, I believe you are ready for your first apprentice. You shall be mentor to young Maverickpaw." She knew the loud young tom would be a challenge for her grandson, but she was pretty sure he could manage it.

Beacansong blinked in surprise as his name was called. He turned to look at Maverickpaw, his apprentice, yellow eyes slightly anxious. He knew the rebellious kitten had a reputation in the nursery, but he hoped he could manage him. Beacansong rose to his paws, shooting his grandmother a grateful glance and his sister a happy look, before approaching his nephew. He touched noses with Maverickpaw, not too gently - he did not want the tom to think he was going easy on him. "I'll try to be the best mentor I can." He promised, tail raised and eyes shining.

Amethyststar's dampened amber gaze swept onward to Sphinxkit. "Sphinxkit, from this moment onward, until you have earnt your warrior name, you shall be known as Sphinxpaw." The black she-cat turned to look at Stonesky, a new, but capable warrior. "Stonesky, you shall be mentor to Sphinxpaw." At last, she turned to Mahoganykit, the final kit. "Mahoganykit, from this moment onwards, until you have earnt your warrior name, you shall be known as Mahoganypaw." Her eyes finally strayed to Rippedear, an experienced and elite warrior. "Rippedear, I know you will train Mahoganypaw will discipline and strength. You shall mentor her."

[all out JINX ♥]

<sub>The stone gray tom followed in behind some other warriors, his topaz yellow eyes angry and disstressful. His paws felt like they were going to claw the next cats pelt if they tried to push him around. Hearing his name for mentor changed that emotion, he was excited and proud. Stonesky weaved through the cats to get to his new apprentice, tail low but head high. He sat in front of Sphinxpaw and touched noses with her. "I'll try my hardest to be the best mentor that I can be". Stonesky turned to Amethyststar to here the rest of the gathering.

The amber she-cat had already been in the clearing when the cats from the gathering burst through the entrance. Her sky blue irises were filled with confusion when a wave of fear and frustration. Her amber tail wrapped around her paws, apprentice's were being named. One by one 3 of the for kit siblings were made apprentice's, Rippedear filled with pride as her name was called upon for the hyper Mahoganypaw. She strolled over to the she-cat her heart souring, she touched noses with the apprentice. Rippedear didn't say anything to Mohganypaw, she had already proved herself once with an apprentice and knew she would already do her best. Rippedear's sky blue eyes looked up to the sky, I hope your proud of me sister.</sub>

[Spice..xx]

The sleek white and lilac-brown form of Petaldance hurried into camp, her lilac-blue eyes wide and staring as she streaked to the nursery. "Babies!" she gasped as she saw her children, all five of them safe and well. She licked each one on the head and led her brood to the entrance of the nursery to watch the ceremony. Petaldance smiled encouragingly towards Maverickkit, she had always had a soft spot for him and though she was glad he was receiving a mentor she was a little sad, as she would miss him being in the nursery and she knew her kits would miss him and his siblings as playmates. At least Sunheart wasnt leaving the nursery, thank StarClan, as she still had little Maplekit to look after. She looked around and then looked down at her kits. "Do you know where your daddy is? Oh, and Moonmist, thank you so much for looking after this lot while i was at the gathering" she said with a big smile to the queen.

"MUMMY!" Lilakit yelled from her position in the nursery, leaping to her feet and running towards her mother, buring her head into her mothers muzzle. She had missed her mother more than she had expected to and was ecstatic to have her home. She shook her pretty grey-striped white head when Petaldance asked if they had seen Pantherstealth. "He was here a while ago but i dunno where hes gone" she said, sticking to her mothers side like glue.[/color][/blockquote]

[ivy]

^{Mapleheart purred as Amethystar announed the new apprentices, they were a all so adorable. She stared at Amethystar and nodded to her gently. She decided to go ask her how the gathering went. Welcome back Amethystar, well how did it go? She asked her calmly with her deep sexy voice. Mapleheart looked at the new assigned mentors Maybe I'll have a apprentice soon? She stared back at her beautiful leader.}[/sup] [/color]

[(aurora) of the problematique]

<sub>Solsticesong's eyes were dim and heavy-lidded as she padded into camp. The massive she-cat nearly collapsed, sitting heavily on her haunches as she caught her breath. She stared out among the Clan, keeping her silence until Fernpelt appeared. She smiled at the deputy, waving her tail at her friend.

Maverickkit beamed as his name was called, smirking only a tiny bit towards Petaldance. The ginger rebel padded over to Beaconsong, waving his tiny tail. "I'll try not to overwhelm you," he grinned, mewing at his uncle. Maverickpaw batted the other tom.

Troutpaw sat down by her brother when Amethyststar called the hasty meeting, mewing when he looked at her. She saw mixed emotions criss-crossing his face, and the she-cat faltered, swallowing a lump in her throat. Was it something I did?

Sunheart sighed heavily when her children's name were announced. She couldn't believe that it had been half a year since they were born. She smiled proudly at them but she would stay in the nursery forever, to keep and to guard the place she called home. Plus she still had to take care of Maplekit and the other kits there.

"Mom! I thought you would never arrive! You should have seen me earlier! That was this stupid apprentice named Honeypaw! Would you believe that he tried to pick a fight with me!? I told him that I'd knock his stupid little head off if he ever scared my brother again, that's damn right!" Grebekit immediately shot off her barrage of complaints towards her mother. "The nerve of that idiot! Daddy came though. Gave him a good swat to the head, that badgerdung Honeypaw." Grebekit spat at the ground.</sub>

[FIREH!!]

<sub>Spicetalon followed his sister into the camp, casting worried glances at her, but sitting down after she called the meeting. But he didn't sit long. Before long, he was called to mentor Toweringpaw. He stepped forward and touched noses with his great-great-nephew. I'll teach you all I know. Just as I taught Spectrumflash. As he mentioned his first apprentice, grief welled up in his throat, and it took everything out of him not to break down. He smiled at his sister, shook his head and went to sit down, beckoning his new apprentice to sit with him.

Sphinxkit bounded out of the nursery and looked up at her mother with bright eyes. Mamma Mamma!! I'ng gonna be an apprentice sooooooon! She told her, bounding around her feet. Then she raced up to the stump and sat while she was given her name and mentor. Then she raced to Stonesky and touched noses. I'll be the bestest apprentice you'll ever see!Sphinxpaw told him.

A faint gray image wound itself around Sunheart, its scent wafting in. Hey darlin'. I couldn't miss this for the world. The spirit leaned against her, though she wouldn't be able to feel Greyfalcon beside her, she'd see him.</sub>

[blair]

Maplekit's thin figure peered out of the nursery, his silver tail draping around his body as his deep green orbs followed Maverickpaw with a tad bit of jealously, already now anxiously waiting to join him in the apprentices den in a moon or so, as he glanced back at Sunheart for a moment, an almost impatient urge in his orbs.

[SHADE. :D]

Kinkajoukit crept from the nursery after Lilakit, his ears flat and his body trembling. The sheer number of cats in the clearing terrified the tiny tom. The frail tabby tottered to his mother's side and leant against her, sniffing her warm, comforting scent. Kinkajoukit nodded as Grebekit mewed to Petaldance, and he trembled as she mentioned Honeypaw. "H-he sc-scared m-m-me," he stuttered, tail trembling.

Pantherstealth wove his way through the crowd to his mate, and gave her an affectionate nudge his brow, before licking her swiftly between the ears. The dappled tom then pressed up beside her, smiling. He narrowed his eyes as Grebekit mentioned Honeypaw. "That arrogant little mouse-brain," he mewed in agreement, before slapping his tail over his mouth. He had been scolded enough times for teaching the kits (mainly Grebekit) new words - nad words. Pantherstealth looked down at Lilakit, and licked her between the ears. She was the spitting image of her mother, all the prettiness and beautiful eyes.

[Spice..xx]

Petaldance batted Pantherstealth firmly over the ears, her fave serious. "Now i know where she's been getting her language!" she said, although she couldnt keep a slightly amused glimmer in her eyes. Grebekit made her laugh, and for another thing she was overjoyed that she had Pantherstealths confidence. She looked down at Kinkajoukit and licked him warmly between the ears, before drawing him between her front paws as she sat. The little kit hated large numbers of cats and his mother wanted him to feel reassured. She sighed as she looked at her smallest kitten, he was just like her as a kit, full of shyness, but he was worse than she had ever been. She looked down at Grebekit seriously. "What did Honeypaw do? Was he nasty to any of you?" she said, feeling her anger rising. Petaldance was never angry, bar if it had anything to do with her mate or kits. She would kill Honeypaw if he had done anyting to upset her kits, especially timid little Kinkajoukit.

Lilakit giggled as her mother gave her father a beating before looking at Kinkajoukit. She still felt guilty that she hadnt been there to defend him when Honeypaw had been scaring him. When Petaldance asked about Honeypaw Lilakit kept quiet, she would let Grebekit answer that question.[/color][/blockquote]

[(aurora) of the problematique]

_{"Well, he was yelling at Miserypaw but then Kinkajoukit came out to play with Maverickpaw and the other kits. I gave that little mouse-brain a piece of my mind!" Grebekit squawked indignantly, puffing out of caramel and dark chocolate chest. "And then when I yelled at him, he said that he was going to snap my neck and all this other things that were a lot of dung. He was just a big scaredy-kit. It wasn't nothing I couldn't handle, Mom, really! I taught him a lesson, and he ran off." Alright, so she kinda exaggerated the last part but she really did her best to run Honeypaw off. "I told him that he wasn't fit to be an apprentice. Razortomb got a little bit mad at me..." She scuffed the ground with her paws, waiting to be reprimanded for misbehaving while her mother was gone. "But it was just for Kinkajoukit! I would have never done it if that foxhead Honeypaw hadn't scared him! I was wrassling with Maverickpaw!" she hastily added.}

[x.Jolly.x]

^{Lonepaw watched the kits get mentors with a hint of jealousy. Her mentor had died, and she had yet to recieve a new one. She scraped her claws against the ground, wondering if she should mention it. She decided not to, but cheered on the new apprentices and mentors. 'Congratulations! I'm sure you'll do fine!'Was all she said as she waited to see if she would be granted with a new mentor soon.}

[blair]

Maplekit's thin frame turned to Petaldance, where she was discussing with Grebekit what had happened with Honeypaw, and he remembered watching with almost dumbfound deep green orbs, as the little Grebekit started arguing with the large, strong apprentice. Some things... the kit believed, kits should just stay out of, watch and listen.

[/size][/color]

[Spice..xx]

Petaldance listened intently to Grebekit, trying to stop herself raising an eyebrow as Grebekit said she had made Honeypaw run off. "You know you should always do what a warrior says, but if Honeypaw was scaring Kinkajoukit and then said those nasty things to you then you are perfectly in the right" she said, giving the little mottled kit a swift lick between the ears. She looked around, a little concerned. "Where are Costanokit and Cobaltkit?" she asked the others, wondering where the boys were. She hoped they werent causing any trouble.

Lilakit nodded solemnly as her mother spoke to Grebekit, her only sister. At the question of where her two brothers were she shrugged and blinked up at her mother with lilac eyes. "I dunno, Costanokit is probably anoyying somebody and Cobaltkit sleeps lots" she meowed, smiling happily.[/blockquote]

[FIREH!!]

_{The big, fluffy paws of Cobaltkit plodded over to his sister and mother and yawned widely. I feel like I've slept for a moon! He meowed through his yawn. Hey Lilakit, mom. He greeted them. A big stretch followed, and he yawned again. What's going on? He asked.}

[SHADE. :D]

Pantherstealth looked sheepishly at his paws, silent for once. He knew he had encouraged his daughter to be so rebellious, without even meaning to. The lithe dappled tom looked up as he heard his mate comforting Kinkajoukit. He gave the tabby a gentle nudge, amber eyes warm. "It's okay, little guy," he mewed. "Forget about Honeypaw. He's just a..." He broke off, smiling innocently up at Petaldance.

Amethyststar spotted Lonepaw's mift expression through the crowd, and remembered the she-cat also needed a mentor. Lifting her tail, she continued. "Lonepaw is also in need of a mentor," she mewed, loud and clear, stil trying hard to hide her distress. "Mapleheart, you are without an apprentice. You shall mentor Lonepaw." Amethyststar glanced around the clearing, satisfied that she had cleared up the mentor and apprentice pairings, but still reluctant to mention the shambles of the Gathering.

[ivy]

Mapleheart stared at her leader with joy in her sparkly eyes, she read my mind. She was glad to be a mentor, it will be fun. Lonepaw didin't seem like a trouble-maker she seemed very nice, but I won't go easy on her that much I want her to become a excellent warrior, of course. She then nodded to Amethystar and touched noses with Lonepaw. I will teach her all I know, I won't let you down. She looked at Lonepaw and winked at her nicely. We have lots of work to do hun, I suggest ya get some rest. [/color]

[x.Jolly.x]

<sup>//Thank you, Shade!

Lonepaw heard the announcement. Wonderful... Another apprentice with a mentor. When will I get a mentor? She called out, 'Conratulations, Lone-' Wait, it was her who got a mentor! Her eyes lit up like the stars as she walked over to Mapleheart quivering with joy and mewed, 'Thank- thank you Amethyststar!' Quieter, she added to her mentor, 'I will make sure you won't let her down because I'll listen to you! I'm gonna go get some rest after this meeting is over, kay?' She waited for approval from her mentor.</sup>

[blair]

wish me invisible

[/size][/color]

Maplekit shuffled his silvery paws, his deep green orbs dancing on the leader as his tiny body loomed in the entrance of the nursery, his pelt seeming to tingle that he only had a moon until he, himself, was apprenticed! He wondered constantly whom his mentor was, or would be, and if the leader had thought about it - or even knew if Maplekit existed, if someone told her. She could not know, after all, he was just discovered half a moon ago... as long as that seemed, a whole life ago...

[/color][/size]

[(aurora) of the problematique]

<sub>Sunheart smiled down at her excited children and grinned over at Petaldance's. The muted-ginger fae stepped forward and meowed for Amethyststar's attention. "Amethyststar, while you were at the Gathering, Solsticesong found a young kit on our territory. I've been keeping him in the nursery until your return. Is it alright if Maplekit stays?" the little queen asked, waving her little tail towards the nursery. She saw Maplekit's little lonely form just out in its shadow.

"He's just a dingbat!" Grebekit finished her father's statement, nuzzling up to Kinkajoukit with a little mew. The fearless two-moon-old strutted over to her mother and placed her paws on Petaldance's shoulder, licking her ear affectionately. Her stormy eyes turned to Cobaltkit. "Well, well, well, look who's a sleepy badger. Way to be on time, Cobaltkit," she grunted sarcastically.</sub>

[FIREH!!]

<sub>Greyfalcon kept his tail draped across Sunheart's shoulders, his image barely there. I want my kits to see me... He meowed almost inaudibly.

Sphynxpaw looked round at all the cats, and beside her mother, she saw a twinkle. Of something. What could it be? She padded closer, and noticed it was a form of a cat. Who are you? She asked quietly.</sub>

[SHADE. :D]

Amethyststar looked up as a voice sounded below her. She pricked up her ears, her amber eyes bright with interest. She recognized the ginger pelt and thin limbs of her grand daughter, Sunheart, and smiled at her. Amethyststar glanced to where Sunheart was pointing, and blinked at Maplekit. She then smiled again. He looked very lost and lonely, and it wouldn't do any harm to let him stay. "He can stay," she mewed. "I shall announce it to the clan." Yowling for the clan's attention again, she nodded to Maplekit. "Whilst we were gone, Solsticesong picked up a kit on our territory. He has been given to Sunheart to nurse and has taken the name Maplekit. We will make him welcome."

[(aurora) of the problematique]

_{Sunheart dipped her head in gratitude. "Thank you," she said quietly, turning away from her grandmother. She heard Grayfalcon's voice. "I know, my love." She walked over to the nursery and ran her tongue along Maplekit's ear. She looked up at her mate. "Go talk to them..." She looked downward at the little tomkit she had adopted, nuzzling him affectionately.}

[fernie. (:]

Fernpelt padded into camp slowly, following her friend Solsticesong. She waved her tail back at the large femme as she did to the deputy, and then watched the ceremony with heavy lids. She padded across to Beacansong, twining her tail with his. 'Ooh, your first apprentice! I hope Maverickpaw won't be as much of a handful as you were!' she joked, smiling at her mate.

Costanokit scented his mother from the nursery, and padded out tiredly. 'Hullo mummy. Grebekit was so angry before that there was steam coming from her earies! Hahahaha!' he said, giggling.

[/size]

[blair]

sometimes i still wonder who you are

[/center][/color]

Maplekit's thin, silver body heaved almost proudly as the leader announced the small, almost insignificant change to the clan, adopting him proudly and almost without hesitation as the leader saw the lonely shadow that made the five moon kit. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he truly wanted to make a difference for the clan-to be nice to Sunheart, and his little nursery mates-yet one who is a shadow seems to always be a shadow.

Tabby ears twitched as his foster mother tried the best to comfort the solitary lad, yet he couldn't quite help almost shaking when she touched him, as if the feeling was just not comfortable yet. Yet... the small kit thought determinedly, his mothers own frame coming in his mind, her voice looming into his little head 'Make ma proud Maple...kit make ma proud!

Maplekit seemed to nod, as if accepting some great task.

[/left][/color]

[(aurora) of the problematique]

<sub>"Well, little one, do you want to go over there and play with Auntie Petaldance's litter? Grebekit's rather fiery; Lilakit's gentle; Kinkajoukit's shy, kinda like you; Costanokit is rather random; and Cobaltkit is a grump sometimes," Sunheart said, smiling down at Maplekit. "And if I'm not here, Petaldance is going to take care of you, okay? She's my best friend and I trust her." Sunheart nodded for him to go forward and meet the large family.

"Oh StarClan," Solsticesong grunted dryly. "That's just what we need: another Beaconsong." She spat out the leaf in her mouth to begin grooming her leg. When she was done, she looked up at Fernpelt balefully with the expression of what next?</sub>

[blair]

one must understand, maple's not always sweet

[/center][/color]

Maplekit mewed something under his breath as his youthful deep green orbs stared openly into the area with all the older cats-the leader, warriors, and the apprentices-all gathering around having their say, even the Queens in the nursery! For that matter, the elders even had their say as the most respected member of the clans, weak maybe, but wholeheartedly respected from every cat-kits-kits had no say in anything. He looked up to the Queen, Sunheart, with hollowing optics "I miss Maverick...paw" he added weakly, almost saying kit in replace of his paw.

"Okay though..." a muffled respond came later, silvery paws shuffling, and a thin kit body moving torwards Petaldance's litter, avoiding Grebekit lamely, as he let his orbs wander from Petaldance to Kinkajoukit, then Lilakit, and Costanokit... they seemed safest, from what Sunheart-he almost thought mom, until the sad figure of his mother appeared in his head, a looming shadow of dying love-had said to him.

[/color][/left]

[SHADE. :D]

Beacansong smiled at his mate, licking her ear. He then peered back at Maverickpaw, his new apprentice. The skinny Rex warrior then looked up at Solsticesong, not sure whether she was serious or not. He felt a little hurt, and his tail drooped. He distracted himself by watching Petaldance's litter bounce around her. Beacansong licked his paws, trying to distract himself from Solsticesong's eerie gaze. Somehow he got the feeling she did not approve of him, serious or not.

[(aurora) of the problematique]

<sub>"Oh now don't give me that look," Solsticesong said, raising her brows. She had caught Beacansong's hurt expression. The sarcastic EclipseClanner pushed her tail under the tom's chin, raising it up so that her gaze met his. "You should know by now that I was kidding." Solsticesong was practically Fernpelt's shadow. The big femme laughed out loud and turned to call out towards Petaldance. "It looks like I've got some kits to hide in my pelt!" She smiled at Fernpelt before lunging over towards Petaldance's litter with a rambunctious meow.

Sunheart smiled at Maplekit. "Don't worry, Maplekit. He'll visit the nursery. He's StarClanbent on maintaining his role of 'king of the nursery' now that Grebekit's entered the scene," the little Rex said. She heard Solsticesong's yowl and grinned, urging the little one to hide. "Hurry! Hide! The big, bad Solsticesong is coming to get you!"

Grebekit let out a loud mew of surprise. "Noooo!" she meowed, running around in circles trying to get away from Solsticesong who was playfully "squashing" kits with her long, shaggy belly fur.</sub>

[kee :]]

[ ew ]

Toweringkit took a step from the den, the nursery, his home for the past moons and looked around the clearing. He would be leaving this place for the rest of his life. Rosemarypool had told him earlier that Stonesky had told her that he would be mentoring Sphinxkit. And since she was Toweringkit's sister, he knew it was his time soon, too. He, personally, wanted to stay here forever with his mother and the younger kits. To be carefree and happy. But now it was work and training set ahead of him. At least, he was given Spicetalon, a respectable warrior who knew what he was doing. And he touched noses with the tom, without a word before watching the rest of the ceremony as well as the Clan, almost feeling a bit glum.

Crowpaw had been sitting in his corner. It was a usual day and the gathering had been boring and frightening. Overwhelming was a better word for it. And his sister left him alone, which wasn't normal for her, to go off and chat with Brokensoul. As the meeting was called, Crowpaw watched from his spot and surprisingly, his sister came and sat beside him but he didn't speak to her. He just kept his cold icy yellow gaze on Amethyststar, blocking out the kits and the apprentices... It just wasn't his day.

[blair]

playing is for... kits

[/size][/color]

Maplekit mewled meekly in response to his foster mother, his orbs almost dancing on her for a moment as she told him to hide, as if an expression like asking 'Where?' or 'What?' it has seemed like a long time since the small, silver tabby had played anything-much less thought happy things-since he had been... abandoned.
'Wait... I was abandoned?' it all seemed to dawn on the small kit in such a rush, it was almost painful, and he ended up facing Solsticesong with the large, frightened optics of a frightened kit, though the glassy pools deep down showed sadness of some not even experience by a warrior-one whom has obviously lived quite a cushy lifestyle-but possible nonetheless.
Blinking a few times, he avoided the gaze of his foster mom and ran in an unknown direction, unsure of what he was running of, but sure it was something crazy... to do with mushy feelings...

Like himself

[/color]