§Mistpaw && Sootclaw§ [BATTLE TRAINING]

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Mistpaw's tiny face lit up with joy. She had done well! She purred enthusiastically as her mentor licked the top of her silver head. She squinted up at him, her tail curling in delight as he implored that battle training was over. Not only had she managed to do a good job, but now she was going hunting! She thought the day could not be any better.

"Hunting? Awesome!" Mistpaw jumped to her paws. Her tiny nose and tail quivered with excitement. Hunting was one of the only things Mistpaw knew she could do well. Tottering over to the edge of the clearing, she felt immense energy surge through her. I love being an apprentice! she wanted to yell, but kept her thoughts inside her brain. She realized, however, how childish she must look, shivering with anticipation and bouncing around like a little kit. Keep going like this, and you'll be one forever, she told herself dolefully.

Spinning around and facing Sootclaw, she mewed quietly. "Where are we hunting?" Her almost silver eyes locked on him as she continued. "Well, i'll just follow you." With a bright smile on her face, she could not hide the happy feelings eminating from her as she bounced over to him, rubbed her cheek on his, and fell into step next to him.

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[Whiskers]

Sootclaw smiled again, the second one in less than one hour. Amazing how her kittish joy and kind eyes made it easier for him to show what he really felt. He tried very hard to appear as if he had everything under control-- with Mistpaw, though, it seemed she knew how to crack through all that. He purred again, a deep rumbling sound, at her excited mew and then motioned for her to follow him.

"There's really no destination planned," he meowed casually, and he soon slowed his gait so he could walk beside her rather than in front of her. "We'll just wander about...see where our paws take us..."

Sootclaw looked back toward Mistpaw, his head tilting slightly. His ears were flicked forward, like he was listening for prey, when really he was concentrating on Mistpaw's figure. Something about her... something about her made him comfortable, relaxed. He couldn't really put his paw on it. Was it really just because of her fine silver fur, a trait that Mistpaw shared with all three of his younger sisters?

Yes, it was that. It was that and the spark in her eyes. That reminded him of Anka. And her quiet voice was much like Halina, while her quick movements mirrored Berta's endless energy. She was all three of them at once. That's why he acted like Alecksander around her rather than Sootclaw.

He dropped to a crouch and then focused on the bird in front of him. As he stalked forward smoothly, he murmured rather casually, "Mistpaw, you remind me so much of all my sisters, did you know that? It's very unsettling for me...as if they are there, in front of me, rather then miles away..."

He leaped and caught the bird in between his claws. It fluttered for a moment, but he pressed down on its neck and it died quickly and painlessly. He lowered his head a bit and muttered a small prayer before sitting down and shaking the feathers off his paw.

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[laur]

Mistpaw trotted next to Sootclaw, taking two small steps for each of his big strides. Her eyes darted around the thin forest, from plant to plant, up to the sky, and down to the dirt. She wasn't nearly paying enough attention to where she was going, for her short silver pelt brushed against Sootclaw's, making her jump and turn to face him. He had stopped, and was now stalking a bird. She took a few steps forward, but stopped when Sootclaw spoke.

"Mistpaw, you remind me so much of all my sisters, did you know that? It's very unsettling for me...as if they are there, in front of me, rather then miles away..."

Mistpaw's pale eyes widened. She stood, dumbstruck, as if her tiny paws were frozen to the ground. "R-really?" Even her voice sounded shocked. "I didn't know you had any siblings..." her voice trailed off.

Why hadn't she known?

She never knew he had any family at all, let alone a few sisters. But it all made sense. Is that why he seems so... different.. around me? she asked herself. She may get distracted sometimes, but she was not thick; Sootclaw had an air about him around other cats that was nothing like the friendly, happy Sootclaw he was when training Mistpaw. Her eyes were glued to his black pelt as he caught a bird.

"Good catch..." she mumbled, lost in her own thoughts. Well, why would he just blatantly tell her he had siblings? Like it was her business to know everything about him. Her thoughts traveled to the siblings she left behind. Instantly her ears felt hot and her eyes were wet. Maybe he knows what it's like? she thought desperately, to be separated from them? Maybe never see them again? Her heart pounded, but it was a comforting thought -- knowing somecat she was already so close to could feel just as she did almost every day.

Carefully, tenderly, Mistpaw padded silently over to Sootclaw and sat by his kill. Her green, almost silver eyes rested on his face. "What happened?" She asked him tentatively, careful not to upset him. "I... think I can relate." Her eyes shot down to look at her tiny paws. She didn't want to hurt him... especially not emotionally. She knew what it was like. She knew how hard it was... to cope. A flash of brown was visible out of the corner of her eye, and Mistpaw shot around, catching the mouse with a thin white claw and tossing it up. She caught it, disposed of its life, and turned back to Sootclaw, the look on her face one of complete sympathy.

We can cope together, her whiskers twitched with the comforting thought. If he wants to open up, we can cope together.

[Whiskers]

The tall black tom stared down at the bird as he mulled over Mistpaw's shocked reaction to his spontaneous statement. "R-really? I didn't know you had siblings...

[/s] It made sense for her to be confused-- he told no one that he did because it seemed stupid and trivial and it didn't even have a place in his new life. He figured that, after the death of Tessa and Sky, it was best to become a new cat altogether, one with no connections with any cat. True, he was finding it very difficult and cringed every time someone called him the wrong name. He couldn't seem to leave the past in the past.

When Mistpaw approached him, her eyes innocent and careful, he was surprised to hear that she wanted him to bring the past back up again. It shocked him so much that he drew back suddenly, as if she had clawed at him again.

"I... I think I can relate."

His eyes grew round and he stared at this tiny thing in front of him, a cat that was the only thing in this new life that he actually cared for a bit. He did want to say no to this creature; he hated the idea of dragging up memories and opening hearts when he was supposed to keep his closed. Alecksander, be careful about your emotions. Show them to no one for they are weakness, his father meowed in his head. Remember, you are a tom cat. You are powerful and you should never show you care.

Ah, Mistpaw made that so hard. He wanted to say no; but he couldn't. It was like he was a little kit again, back in the two-leg home. And Mistpaw was suddenly his Anka, begging him to go look for bugs with her. He couldn't dismiss her.

"It's a long story, really, one I should not waste time on," Sootclaw sighed and he shook his head, still smiling, but smiling sadly. "But... yes I had sisters. Three, and all of them were younger and silver-furred like you. One of which went with me when I set out to find these clans... but we got separated and... I believe she's dead." He kept it brief and as painless as possible, refusing to mention Tessa or Sky. "Though there's no way to know for certain, I found it's best to try and move past that which weighs you down." [/center][/size]

[laur]

Mistpaw watched her mentor with unblinking green eyes. She could tell, as he explained about his lost family, that he was keeping details hidden... but she didn't mind. She knew how it felt to lose those closest to her. Mistpaw stood up, her gaze resting on Sootclaw, and she flashed him a sympathetic smile before stretching up to lick his ear.

"I know what you mean," she told him, "except I don't honestly know if my family is alive or not." Mistpaw knew. Now was the first time, the first time ever, she was going to allow her past to blurt from her mouth. But she knew Sootclaw is trustworthy; she knew he would still be there for her at the end of her story. She took a deep, steadying breath, and began.

"I used to live in a two-leg place, with my two sisters, brother, and mom. I never met my dad, apparently he was taken away before I was born. But one day, a bunch of new two-legs entered the house and took away one of my sisters. I realized that they were going to take us away, too. So I ran." At this, Mistpaw shivered. The words of her mother echoed painfully in her head as she paused. "Run, Sonya. Get out. No matter where you go, you will never see any of us again. Choose your destiny, and be free." Her eyes clouded, but she continued.

"I slipped out the door and headed to the forest. I was roaming only for a little while before joining the clans... but I never saw any of my family again. I really miss them... I don't know if they're okay. Especially my mom, Tessa. But I suppose you're right," Mistpaw finished, mistaking the look on Sootclaw's face for something else, "you've just got to move on. It's really hard, but I'm trying. I know what it's like, Sootclaw."

Mistpaw shuffled her paws in the dirt, emotions washing over her in waves. What's he going to say? I hope he doesn't begin to treat my like a baby, thoughts swam crazily around as her chest began to pound, because I'm not! I can cope... I'll get through it. I know it. Her piercing, light green gaze rested on Sootclaw as she hoped, wished, desperately, for a good sign.

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[Whiskers]

The comforting lick on his ear softened his heart a little; Mistpaw was not playing fairly. He already melted whenever he looked at her (damn that silver fur, damn those green eyes...) and now she was giving him more than he gave her. She truly did care about him, he knew that, and he knew he truly did care about her. She was all he had now that he was Sootclaw. And she was barely more than a kit... at least, in his eyes, she seemed that way right now.

As she told her own story though, he was even more suprised and his heart was seized in his chest. Mistpaw did know what it was like. She had gone through the exact same thing as him. Her siblings had been taken away. She had to run. Just like me, he thought. Only he had his grandmother, Aniela, and his sister with him. And even when they were gone, he had still been with Sky and with--

Tessa.

The moment she said the name, his claws shot out and dug into the soil to steady himself. Tessa. Any other word after that name was lost. Tessa. She was suddenly in front of him again and Sootclaw didnt know why he had seen it before. Was he blind? Was he stupid? He was all of those things. Tessa.

His eyes searched for her in Mistpaw's eyes. Her words were suddely back as well, in his head, falling into place with a click. Yes, I had to leave my children behind. I only took Sky, for she was so little and I thought she could not manage on her own... couldn't risk her being taken away by the two-legs as well...

"Tell me about them anyway," he had asked. And Tessa had smiled and told her about Sonia and the others.

"Sonya, I think, is alive. I can imagine her. She is happy, I hope."

And so, though Sootclaw had many questions in his mind and was struggling to contain the sudden feeling of hope that burst in his chest, he only muttered one word. He looked down at Mistpaw, a questioning look on his face, and if Mistpaw looked deeper, she would see his fear as well.

Sootclaw asked tentitively, "Sonya?"

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[laur]

Mistpaw stared into Sootclaw's gold-orange eyes as she finished her story. The look on his face was one she has never seen before. Is he okay? Her face was full of concern. Did she say something wrong? Her tail uncurling itself behind her small body, she sat, waiting. When is he going to say something? Mistpaw began to worry. Her head drooped, as if willing him to speak. Her tail tapped the ground rhythmically, as if keeping her patience in line.

"Sonya?"

Mistpaw sprang back and into a menacing crouch; her ears flattened completely on her small head and her almost silver eyes grew wide with... anger? fear? She did not know herself. All she knew was that something... something's happening. Her immense eyes never left Sootclaw's face. It felt as if a bolt of lighting struck her straight on the head, and was now zapping every part of her as it coursed through her veins. Heart pounding, her tail kept cautiously still as every part of her body seemed to freeze up.

No one knew her old name. No one! How did Sootclaw know? Lucky guess? But then again... why would he guess her old name randomly like that? There was something he didn't tell her. But she didn't want to know. Gaining feeling back in her paws, the only thing she thought to do was turn and run.

"What are you playing at?" she hissed, and for a small cat, it was still quite demanding and powerful. Without waiting for an answer, she spun around and took off through the forest as fast as she could. She let her paws take her, speed gradually building. She did not stop. She did not want to stop. She kept going, her lithe form slipping through bush after bush, dodging trees and rocks until she had to halt.

In front of her gushed a large, blue-green river. Panting, she knew not of what to do besides that she was not going back. She sat, her silver and russet tail lashing her emotions around left and right. She was lost. Lost in thoughts, lost for words, lost. Utterly confused. Sitting by the stream, she drooped a tiny grey forepaw into the water and closed her eyes -- wishing, willing, the river to wash her away.

[Whiskers]

Sootclaw didn't know what he was expecting. Her name had sprung to his mind and it was something he felt he needed to say, to confirm. Was she the daughter of Tessa, was she the sister of Sky? If he didn't know how, he would go crazy. For if she was, then Sootclaw felt as though he could finally be forgiven by Tessa, though she was dead and gone. He could say "Tessa, look, I found your daughter and I will never let anyone hurt this one. I will protect her." Then he could fall asleep without guilt and without the loneliness.

Her reaction was definitely spontaneous and very surprising. Instantly, Mistpaw was not... not the Mistpaw he knew. Her eyes flashed fear and her entire body trembled with confusion as she crouched and questioned him with a sharp hiss. He opened his mouth and stepped forward to explain, to do anything he could to get her to stay put. But she didn't give him a chance. Her tail brushed his muzzle as she whirled around and disappeared from view.

"No! Sonya, wait, I can explain!" He yowled and then darted after her, cursing his larger size for once. Mistpaw could slip easily through the forest, but he had to slow down so he wouldn't run into any thing or get thorns stuck in his pelt. It didn't help that Mistpaw really was quite fast, more like a sparrow than a cat. She could flit here and there and all he could do was attempt to catch her. Most of the time, his attempts were futile.

He pushed on anyway, and slowed down when he saw her up ahead, staring at a river that ran through Streamclan territory. He approached with caution. The last thing he wanted was for her to jump into the water. Though he was sure she could swim, he really didn't want to risk it...

"Sonya, please," he murmured carefully. "Just listen. I know your name because of your mother. Our Tessa." The image of the aging she-cat flashed in his mind and he closed his eyes to preserve it for a second longer.

"I met her while I was travelling here, to the clans. I was younger then-- not by much, but still, young enough to act foolishly around her and her daughter, Sky. Yet she did not seem to mind me... she let me stay with her. We grew close. She told me... she told me a lot about you, and your other siblings," explained Sootclaw. "We were going to come here to the clans together as a sort of make-shift family..." He sat down by Mistpaw's side and stared into the water. His reflection stared back.

He didn't want to go on because going on would involve him telling Mistpaw that her mother and sister were both dead. And he could have saved them. He fell quiet, unable to find the words, to find the heart, to tell the silver she-cat who sat beside him.

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[laur]

Slowly, Mistpaw opened her green-silver eyes as she heard Sootclaw approaching. Her tail quivered, she didn't know what to expect. Running away... well that was dumb of her. But I'm so... confused.. She told herself, what else was I supposed to do? She flicked her ears gingerly to acknowledge Sootclaw arriving. She could smell that he was upset; she owed it to him to listen. Pulling her silver paw out of the rushing river, she cocked her head and watched him closely as he spoke.

With every word, Mistpaw felt her eyes widen with shock. Mum escaped? She had another daughter? Sootclaw met her? Her brain was jumbled from so much information. It's been moons since she even heard a fragment of speech about her family. Now... it was almost too much. But she had to listen. She had to know.

When he finished, Mistpaw took a deep breath and shifted her body to face him. "So... you met my mom? And you were together?" she was blurting things out of her mouth as her brain tried to put it all together. She knew this was right so far. But.. where was she now? Mistpaw hesitated in asking. Did she want to know? Probably not... but it would be best if she knew now.

Preparing herself, she turned her gaze directly into Sootclaw's bright eyes as a single tear rolled into her silver fur [if cats cat cry xD]. "Sootclaw.... where is she now? Where's my mom?"

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[Whiskers]

He didn't move for the longest time and he couldn't speak either. He knew he had to tell her that Tessa and her sister were both dead. It shouldn't be that hard to say. The hard part would come later when Mistpaw had to mourn them both and he had to be there for that. Sootclaw didn't want to cause her any unhappiness.

He wanted to see her smile, not cry. He wanted to hear her laugh. And most of all, he didn't want her to hate him because he didn't save her mother...

He couldn't stall any longer though; he could only hope for the best. He took a deep breath and tore his gaze away from the pool and to Mistpaw, who looked so scared and sad that it already broke his heart. He leaned forward and licked her chest, nuzzling her as gently as he could. "I'm so sorry, Sonya..." he murmured. "But... they died before we arrived here." He pulled away and looked at her. Was she okay? Would she eventually be okay?

He knew that Mistpaw might not believe what he believed... but whenever he felt sad, his belief always made him feel better. "But they are still here... maybe not in the form of a cat. Tessa is here, though, and she'll looking over you as best as she can. And I'll look over you too."

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