~Walking Blind~ (RabbitxCedar) G

[Cloud of Diamonds]

He needed to discuss a few things with his deputy. So, he'd asked Rabbitstep to come with him on a walk where they couldn't be heard by eavesdroppers. Not that Cedarstar was suspicious of his Clan, but accidents happened and he needed to discuss matters of a sensitive nature.

He stopped at a patch of particularly tall grass, and sat, expecting the striped tom to do the same.

"There are a few things that have come to my attention lately that I would like your opinion on, Rabbitstep.

The first of which is that your kits are nearing their sixth moon and need mentors. I would like to be one of them myself, and consider Stormclaw or possibly Gingerstripe a good choice for another. What do you think? Any suggestions? And Fawnkit..." Here his voice trailed off awkwardly. The small blind she-cat had been a subject of concern to him, especially considering she has his deputy's daughter, and he didn't want to offend Rabbitstep.

"...I think I'll let her train as a warrior, if that's what she wants, but I just don't know." The big tom sighed. "What do you think she'd prefer?"

He felt the familiar feeling of jealousy rise in him, but it was not as strong as it had been before. After all, he had Gingerstripe now. His heart warmed at the thought of the orange she-cat. They would have a family, in time. But not now.

Cedarstar's voice became brisk again, but with a note of worry in it this time. "I've been hearing mutterings lately that I am not treating non-ForestClanners fairly in our Clan. Selecting you as deputy, for example. And, ah..." He coughed. "Gingerstripe." Rabbitstep would catch his meaning sure enough.

"What do you think we should do about this?"

[[ hardyrex ]]

ooc; man have i been wanting to role play rabbitstep. o.o

Rabbistep padded beside of Cedarstar, lagging slightly as to not completely next to him, but not behind the large tom either. It felt like the correct way to walk next to a leader; The leader leads and you follow. However, the tan tabby doubted that Cedarstar wanted to discuss the correct way of walking next to one of higher rank than yourself, so he threw the useless thoughts away. None of that walking mattered anyway as Cedarstar sat on some grass with Rabbitstep coping the MeadowClan leader's actions.

The matters weren't quite as extreme as he thought they would be, minus the non-ForestClanner problem that seemed to be rising. Mentors were always a tough subject to reach a decision, one that Rabbistep is glad is not normally one of his duties. Luckily, he has an advantage, as these are his own kits and the tom knows them like the back of his paw. Shrewkit was a fighter, more of a 'Claw first ask questions later' type of cat. The brown kit tries to act 16 moons when he is only six. He'll need someone who can stand nonsense and will be quick to correct it, and teach the young cat some manners. "Prehaps you should mentor Shrewkit. He needs someone who can keep him in line, and I don't think Gingerstripe or Stormclaw could be hard enough on him." Rabbitstep meowed, but quickly added "Not saying you are snappy or anything, Cedarstar." with a bit of embarrassment.

Sootkit was turning out to be a bit like his current self. An easy cat to train. Gingerstripe needs an apprentice like that to build some self confidence in training one. "...And Gingerstripe can mentor Sootkit."

Fawnkit. His tail tip involuntary twitched when he heard his only daughter's name. Yes, he loved her like any father would, but... she was blind. His heart told him to let her train as a proud Warrior of MeadowClan, but his brain knew such a dream would be for nothing. Eye sight is a key factor in being a Warrior, so much that Fawnkit had very little hope in ever being one. "Fawnkit can..." Rabbitstep trailed off, searching for something, anything for his daughter to do for the Clan. "What about medicine cat? Surely she could be one. No fighting is involved or anything, and she has a sense of smell for herbs."

"Mutterings?" The tabby tom echoed, frowning. He hadn't heard of such things since he was appointed deputy. "I haven't heard anything of the sort. I mean no disrespect, but are you sure you aren't being paranoid?" The tabby found it hard to believe such a thing would come up. After all, this was no longer ForestClan, but MeadowClan.

[Cloud of Diamonds]

The brown tom listened to his deputy's speech, alternately smiling slightly, chuckling a bit, frowning, and shrugging with an neutral expression on his face. Hmmm...

He addressed the deputy's first words, well, first: "I see. Perhaps you're right." He said with a hint of a smile. "Stormclaw would be too gallant with him - and Gingerstripe would be too kind. I'm not offended, Rabbitstep. I know I'm a hard taskmaster." The MeadowClan tom chuckled slightly. What else did you call a cat who had changed the lives of so many by leading them on a long, dangerous journey to escape from what he thought was wrong? He was proud of leading them all, even though he would never forget the hardships they'd all endured, all the pain and criticism. But he'd been right in the end.

The yellow-eyed cat nodded again. Indeed, from what he'd noticed Sootkit was more like his father than his brother - in other words, obedient. He would be good for Gingerstripe, who he knew wasn't so sure of apprentices, so it would be a good experience for her, learning how to teach. And he could always help her if need be.

Then his brow furrowed. True, the green-eyed tom had a point; she be would well off as Sandstream's apprentice. But was that what she wanted? Powerful as he was, he did not know. He'd assumed her father would, though. Yet it seemed he didn't, or didn't care, which was unusual. Yes, her sight would hamper her abilities...but he didn't want her to feel resentful or singled out, or forced into a job just because she was blind.

"If that's what she wants, yes. Have you talked to her about it? If not, do so when we return to camp."

Then he was a bit disgruntled. Of course he wasn't being paranoid! He recognized discontent when he saw it, and from what he'd heard from Gingerstripe...

"No. I'm positive on this. I've seen signs of it myself, but Gingerstripe has also told me about it."

[[ hardyrex ]]

Rabbitstep inwardly sighed when Cedarstar told him he wasn't offended. One of the worst things he could do was to insult his leader after being made deputy not long ago, and was thrilled to see Cedarstar would love to knock some sense into his son. After all, the young tom had lots of potential, and the deputy didn't want to see it ended by some foolishness. Sootkit, he could trust to do what was right ( Hence the reason he suggested Gingerstripe ), but Shrewkit was... different. For now, at least.

"I haven't spoken to her about it. I'll make sure to speak with her as soon as possible." The tan tabby nodded.

Rabbitstep flinched slightly when Cedarstar's attitude changed with his comment on the Non-ForestClan cats. Doubting the tom's thoughts weren't his best idea, but if there really were no thoughts on the matter, the deputy didn't want to start some un-needed trouble. But what could you do about it? Cats aren't always going to agree with your methods of leading regardless of what you do and are going to think what they want. "We don't want to start up any trouble or anything, Cedarstar. Maybe we should just avoid the subject." But that's not going to fix anything! "Or you could have a Clan meeting, just ask what cats think. If they say anything, we can start a plan from there." Yeah. Terrible ideas. But they were something.

ooc; urg. dreadful.

[Cloud of Diamonds]

He nodded. "Good." He said, with an air of finality. He'd have to speak to Sandstream, too...he needed to do that. And then Sandstream needed to talk to Fawnkit...he sighed. So complicated. Yet none of it was the little she-cat's fault at all, it was only fate that made her without sight. StarClan protect her, he prayed.

His brow furrowed further. True, avoiding the subject would save feelings...for a limited amount of time. But eventually it would need to be confronted, lest fights break out. He doubted that it was that serious right now, but he'd seen for himself how resentment could build and escalate faster than one ever imagined. That was what had happened with Brownstar and him, after all. Because no one had had the courage to try and settle things out, it had been up to him to make the hard decision to rebel, to go away in search of an uncertain future, but a future without corruption.

So this must be solved as soon as possible. He did not want something similar to happen in his Clan. But Rabbitstep was right...he did not want to seem paranoid or accusatory...maybe it really was best just to let it be right now. Try and help it if he could.

"I shall let it rest for now...but if worsens, or if serious provocations arise, I must attend to it immediately, and I bade you tell me if any signs of rebellion from those who were not ForestClanners reach your ears. Inform Dappledflower, if you feel it appropriate, but otherwise do not speak of what we have said to others and instruct her to do likewise. I am going to meet with Sandstream when I return...perhaps he will have thoughts on it."

Saying so, MeadowClan's leader rose and turned in the direction of camp, beginning to walk home.

[Crowzerplorodon]

Shrewkit didn't think. Shrewkit never thought.

So that was why the moment Dappledflower fell asleep, he skipped out of the nursery, feeling pretty smug that he could get passed his blind sister and mousebrain of a brother. Actually, that was no reason to feel smug. But again, Shrewkit never thought, he only acted. And right now he was acting on his most basic impulse – get the hell out of here. So he did, without thought, and raced into the open part of camp with his ears pricked playfully. If there was one thing he loved more than Fawnkit, it was the open air! StarClan, this was great! You could feel the wind rushing through your fur like it was some sort of living creature – brilliance.

Shrewkit didn't think. Shrewkit never thought.

His tail twitched and he dived into the warriors den, running straight through the moss and feathers that made up their nest. Being relatively small, he didn't actually cause much damage. But he did manage to wake up several sleeping giants, including a very ticked Tigertail who proceeded to curse off at the young tom. Shrewkit only stared in wonder, then repeated back every darn thing Tigertail had said. Seconds shattered, and the warrior smiled. He liked this kit. “Dun yellat me!” Shrewkit hissed, crouching down as he imitated Tigertail's accent. The warrior just laughed, then sent the kit on his way.

Shrewkit didn't think. Shrewkit never though.

When he escaped Tigertail, the brown tabby jolted out of the den, making a beeline for the camp's exit. Since he never thought, Shrewkit didn't even consider the badger that was still out there. His tiny paws carried him farther than he'd ever gone – which really wasn't that far – until he found himself zooming by his leader. “Hi Cedarstar bye Cedarstar!” He said in quick succession, snapping to a stand still next to his father.

“Woahhhhh.”

[/blockquote]

[[ hardyrex ]]

Rabbitstep merely nodded to show Cedarstar that the tan tabby understood what he was to do. If Sandstream approves, then Fawnkit could become a Medicine Cat and walk with his -- and her own starry kin. His mind quickly went to his family back in ForestClan, unable to make the journey due to young kits. Every time he thought of his family, so far away, his heart broke a little more. Yes, Dappledflower was able to make The Great Journey, thank StarClan, but there was no place like home...

The Deputy forced stay thoughts out of his mind as the powerful tabby began to speak once more. Perhaps he could check for the rebellious cats when he assigned duties. Maybe some dirty looks, twitching tails, anything. "Yes, Cedarstar." Rabbitstep meowed. His mind began to debate whether or not to tell his mate of the Clan's problem as soon as the MeadowClan Leader started to walk away, when a familiar scent made him peer to where Cedarstar was leaving.

...Shrewkit? It was his scent, yet he was being watched by Dappledflower and safely back at camp, ri--

“Hi Cedarstar bye Cedarstar!”

Wrong.
"What do you think you are doing out of camp?" He hissed, embarrassment making his tabby pelt hot. His own kit breaking the rules in front of Cedarstar. His tail tip twitched as he remembered the badger was still not caught and very much alive, hissing out "Have you forgotten that there is a Badger out here, just looking for a stray kit to snack on?" before hearing Sootkit's thud into Cedarstar.

Now he knew how his father felt when he was young.

Rabbitstep

As soon as his ears picked up his brother's pawsteps, Sootkit knew Shrewkit was up to no good. Again. Oh, but did he wake Dappledflower and tell her that Shrewkit had left once more to go off to StarClan knows where? Of course not! The gray tabby soon learned that wherever Shrewkit went, chaos soon followed. His favorite pastime. So, when his his brother's pawsteps faded, he sneaked out of the nursery himself, spying Shrewkit running like his tail was on fire to the Camp Tunnel. He was going out of camp, and because Rabbitstep and Cedarstar had left he was going to get caught and there was no way in StarClan he was going to miss this.

Flicking his eyes back and forth to make sure no one was watching, he slide over to the Camp Tunnel and dash after Shrewkit, smelling the air for Cedarstar's or Rabbitstep's sent, so he would know to slow down before he would run into them. Now, all he needed was an excuse to be out of camp running to StarClan knows where. Let's see. Telling to bring Shrewkit back to camp? Hm. It could work. Time to wait until Shrewkit found Rabbitstep and/or Cedarstar.

He didn't see what was blocking his path, but Sootkit sure as StarClan felt it. Hard. After his mind got back on the tracks, the tabby saw that a quite... angry-looking ( To him, at least ) MeadowClan leader standing there in mid-walk. Shrewkit was standing next to Rabbitstep, who looked like he was trying to burn a hole into the kit's brother.

Oh, boy. He was going to get it now.

Sootkit

[Cloud of Diamonds]

At first, when his deputy's sons ran out and one crashed into him and the other into their father, he felt an odd desire to laugh, though he did not let it show on his broad face. But this was quickly replaced by irritation and a feeling of being stern. He would punish them, but not too harshly. He must not seem at all amused when he spoke to them. He wasn't, really - though it was slightly comical, he had to admit.

Assuming a stern and leader like tone, he stared down at Sootkit and then Shrewkit. "Kits, you have broken the warrior code. I therefore sentence you to five sunrises' confinement to the nursery. You may only leave to go to the dirtplace and for emergencies. Rabbitstep, you will escort your sons back to camp and inform their mother of their punishment."

Having said so, he turned and stepped away from the little gray tabby, padding back into his camp. Now to find the medicine cat...and Gingerstripe, too, he mused. She would want to know of the deputy's decision - and his suggestion, of course. He hoped she would be happy...he knew she was not very comfortable around apprentices, and he sought to change that, because he knew what a good warrior she was.

He wondered if he ought to announce the kits' punishment to all the Clan, so they would know...no, he would simply mention it. Though he was keen to see them learn their lesson, he would not embarrass them in front of the whole Clan. He would win little loyalty from them that way.

And he needed to have their loyalty, as well as respect. They did not need to like him, but they must learn to respect him as their leader. The same was true for Fawnkit, though he hoped she would find it in her heart to not hate him for his decision. How could she? Still, though. He did not want resentment from the torbie. And hopefully Sandstream, too, would not his apprentice being picked for him.

He came into the network of underground dens, and headed towards the herb-filled one.

OOC: He's in camp now, so he's out of this thread. ;P