[ take me away ] HarexFire

[Pyro]

Is it wrong to feel this way?

To feel like...there was nothing else in the world that truly mattered? Like life had an answer, a cause, a purpose? Harepaw mused that on the surface, it seemed perfectly fine. But she was a PineClanner. And the two things she was seeking were definite no-no's. She wasn't supposed to believe in StarClan, even if only a little. She wasn't supposed to look to the stars and see something more than just the beauty of the night. She wasn't supposed to feel the comfort of knowing she was never alone, that her family was still with her in their own way...

She was not supposed to be looking across the border for something she could never have.

The more Harepaw thought about it the more she realized she was coming dangerously close to falling in...the word couldn't even be mentioned. Sure, she had flirted with toms before. But those were passing favors, no more thought given to deeper feelings than the wind to the river as it brushed the water. Her eyes narrowed as she stared into FogClan territory. She tried to be angry at Firepaw for pulling her farther and farther away from PineClan. She tried to summon some amount of hatred for the way he stayed in her thoughts, something that was not in any way acceptable. And yet...she couldn't. Whenever she thought of him there was something different there. A feeling she was neither comfortable or had any experience with. She sighed. "I shouldn't be here. Not alone." Not left to my own devices.

Perhaps her confusion would have been less severe if she wasn't faced with two new ideas. StarClan and...Well, she'd just focus on StarClan for now. The way Firepaw spoke about them...It was becoming hard to think that she considered not believing in them. He made them sound so wonderful. Like something she always needed but could never find. Still, would they care for her even though she was starting to believe in them late? Would they care for someone who still had shreds of doubt? Would they care for someone who danced on the edge of breaking the code they so proudly represented?

[Whiskers]

"I felt it, Dad! I really did-- I felt Them! And my mom too. She was there. I know she was there."

He watched as his father's eyes grew large and glossy and before he could stop his father, he was being nuzzled as though a kit. He immediately pulled away of course-- "argh, get off me, I'm a warrior now"--but he smiled. He couldn't help but smile. Starclan had been with him.

"I've never been so proud, my son."

The memory of his warrior ceremony would not leave him alone and the buzz that he had gained from it had yet to fade. It had been a few days, yet it felt like it had happened sooner than that. Other times, Firestorm would blink and wonder if that really happened to him-- if he had only been dreaming again-- if he was still just Firepaw, just one of the sons of Rowanheart, just another apprentice. Because, come on, what was happening to him now was unbelievable. Patrolling with warriors, eating before the apprentices, heck, he slept in the freaking warrior's den now with his dad. Part of him-- a very small, miniscule, rarely-thought-about part-- missed his old life, but only because he was starting over. As an apprentice, he had been the oldest, large and in charge. Looked up to. As a warrior, he was the newbie. He was as green as grass, rough to the touch. But he wasn't out of place and soon enough, someone else would get their warrior name and he wouldn't be the youngest anymore.

There were a lot of perks that came with being a warrior, but by far the best was being able to just get out of clan without asking permission or informing his mentor of his whereabouts. He could just pick himself up and go hunt or go on a walk or something. He was definitely taking advantage of that and he avoided the camp as much as he possibly could, exploring Fogclan territory with experienced paws. It was weird how everything was kinda different--but still familiar-- when he looked at it through warrior eyes. It was probably all in his head but...who cared? He was flipping Firestorm. He ruled.

Today he was out again, running through the woods, hunting as he went (because he still had to serve his clan), when the wind picked up and he smelled her. Firestorm's whole body did a double-take. Ironically he had been chasing a rabbit and had ran into a bush when he caught the scent, the sweet-yet-spicy aroma buzzing in his head like a bunch of bees. He untangled himself as quickly as he could, before he took off in the direction. He didn't even think about it really, though as a warrior, he should have. And what thoughts he should be having definitely did not include Yay, Harepaw's close by!

He found her easily, but he did not immediately approach her; instead he took refuge behind a bush. She wasn't even trying to hide herself it looked like. She was practically perched on the border, her small paws innocently poking the border line-- not quite over it, but sososo close. She sat with perfect posture, her back perfectly straight and smooth. Overall, Harepaw looked peaceful, her expressions drawn carefully, though such placid behavior didn't sit well with Firestorm, who was so used to...to...something else that he couldn't really...put a paw on. Liveliness, he guessed.

He stared at her for a bit longer than necessary, and only realized it when the wind shifted and he knew his cover was going to be blown, for even he, Firestorm, warrior of Fogclan, could not stop the wind from betraying his Fogclan scent. It would be really embarrassing to be caught staring at her creepily, as if he had nothing better to do than observe the curve of her flanks and the dip of her shoulders. And he had...better things to do, he really did.

So he came out of hiding, and he was surprised with how happy he was that he was seeing her, how amazing it was she was here, just when he wanted to tell her of his most recent victory. Not that she would care-- well she might-- or that he would care if she cared-- though it would be nice if she did.

"Are you eying our rabbits again?" Firestorm teased and he practically pranced his way toward her he was so proud of his news. "I don't blame you and I would hunt one down for you but...that's against the rules and all."

[/size]

[Pyro]

Harepaw smiled as she scented Firepaw. Not exactly the appropriate reaction. She blamed her cheerfulness on his seeming boundless happiness. She'd never seen him so excited in the short time they'd 'been seeing each other'. The she-cat was curious as to what pushed him out of his normally moody and serious shell...well. He was still proud as all get out. Maybe even moreso now if that was even possible. Harepaw didn't think his chest could puff out much more than it already was. Obviously something very good had happened to him.

But what? She grew slightly panicked. Had he found another she-cat? Wait. Was she even his she-cat? Was he her tom? Harepaw resisted the urge to shake her head. Such wrong thoughts. Whatever had made him so happy, it was probably something else.

Harepaw giggled a little at his tease. It seemed like it at been seasons since their first encounter...had it really happened only a few moons ago? She thought back to that first time. They had nearly ripped each other apart. Well. She had done most of the ripping. Now they were almost..no...they were on friendly terms. Odd that two apprentices were accomplishing what older, more experienced warriors thought impossible. Perhaps all PineClan and FogClan needed to do was talk a bit together. Maybe then they'd find out they weren't so different--aside from their beliefs. Who knew. Maybe peace was possible. No...she turned her thoughts to FogClan's new leader, Miststar. She didn't like the look of that she-cat...the way FogClan now so openly stared coldly at PineClan at the gatherings. At least during Owlstar's reign it had been nothing more than indifference...and FogClanners and PineClanners had even talked with each other a few times. Mostly the medicine cats...but now it was as if there were snakes crawling around in PineClan's place, rather than cats. Now she did shake her head. She was with Firepaw now, and she wouldn't let such dark thoughts interrupt a good moment.

"Ha!" she tried to look haughty as she answered Firepaw. "As if I would steal a FogClan rabbit when PineClan rabbits are clearly superior...So what's gotten intah you? Don' think I've ever seen you this excited."

[Whiskers]

Firestorm hadn't thought his happiness, already all-consuming, could grow, but when Harepaw asked about why he was so excited...that excitement grew tenfold and his grin must have stretched across his entire face. He felt almost a little foolish, being this excited, not about being a warrior, but about telling Harepaw he was one. He didn't know what to expect from her; she could laugh at him, snort, say 'Is that really all?' Though if she did do such a thing, he wouldn't give a piece of crowfood, really, because all she was was one of the many cats he happened to be acquainted with. Her opinion mattered in no way whatsoever and his happiness did not depend on what her reaction would be.

It would just be really really really really really really nice for her to...he didn't know. Appreciate it? Yeah, that would be enough, if she just cared-- no wait, nevermind. He didn't want to care about what she thought. After all, he was the freaking warrior here and she was still stuck in lame Apprenticeland, so ha ha ha, Harepaw take that.

Wow, you're insane, Firestorm growled at himself, in his head of course. You're worrying over no-- oh my Starclan, you're turning into Finchpaw. Holy hedgehogs, you need help.

Firestorm threw away all thoughts of what Harepaw would think and decided to just tell her. Once again, his excitement mounted and the glimmer returned to his eye-- though it had never really left, only faded momentarily.

"Weeeeeeell, let's just say that you are now looking at the newest warrior of Fogclan!" Firestorm said and though originally he had wanted to say it cool and smooth and totally calm, the last part of it was rushed and it was clear he could barely stop himself from running around in circles.

"That's right, baby, I'm Firestorm now," he crowed and fell into a battlestance, though clearly it was meant to be playful.

[/size]

[Pyro]

So that's what he was so excited about. He was a warrior now, her senior agewise and rankwise. She felt a little off-put at first...After all, she had secretly hoped to become a warrior before him, despite the age difference...perhaps because of it...if only to have a bit of an edge on the haughty tom. But it was hard to stay disappointed when Firepaw...Firestorm was so happy. She didn't want to bring him down. She didn't want to quell his storm...not that she thought she could.

Firestorm.

The name suited him. He was fierce like the thunder of a storm. Just as moody too. Harepaw smiled. Perhaps that was one good thing that had come of FogClan's inner turmoil. A leader who had the sense to name Firepaw for what he truly was: A fiery storm.

But a promotion didn't make him not be the same tom she knew. He was still the same. Just as proud, just as...fire...as he always was. Probably just as reliant on brute force in a fight. She could take him. They'd never finished that fight in any case.

Harepaw dropped into a crouch to match his, grinning wickedly. "Noble Firestorm the warrior now, eh? Ah'm happeh for you...Buuuut I bet yah still fight like Firepaw."

[Whiskers]

Firestorm recognized the challenge immediately. Usually, at least back in Fogclan, Harepaw's challenge would have brushed him the wrong way. He would completely overlook the amusement in her voice, the fun in her eyes, her dainty, wiggling toes and her tail, as it waved back and forth with the enchanting quality of an animal, something he wanted to--

Whoa, where was his mind going?

Anyway, the point was, he would have reacted with a haughty air and a fire that burned on his need to prove himself. To protect his pride. But it wasn't like that this time. He recognized all those little things he usually overlook and found that he was...excited. He wanted to fight Harepaw and he wanted to do it to have fun. And he didn't care about his ego. Huh. That was weird.

But it was sorta...awesome at the same time. Yes-- Firestorm liked not caring for once, liked having his fight fueled by fun, excitement, kittish wonder-- he missed that.

"Oh you poor mousebrained she-cat," Firestorm said, grinning, taking a few steps forward. He was absolutely radiating confidence at this point. "I wouldn't suggest underestimating me."

And then he pounced.

[/size]

[Pyro]

Harepaw feigned indignation at Firestorm's insult. "No more mouse-brained than you, you Kitstorm." Her retort was said in good jest and mirth twinkled in her mischievous eyes. Her legs tensed as she prepared to pounce, but this time she wasn't the first one to attack. She jumped t the side, smiling with satisfaction as Firestorm landed beside her instead of on top of her. Turning slightly, she swiped a paw at his legs, trying unbalance him.

Of course, Firestorm was larger than her and this proved to be an impossible feat for her. Instead, she went with something more head on, jumping into him like a furry cannon-ball.

ooc: Fail post is fail. ;3;

[Whiskers]

Harepaw's mock tease did nothing to distract Firestorm this time. He moved with strength and confidence, a streak of red in the green forest. Was it just the way his warrior name fit him so well that helped him be, for lack of a better word, graceful? Or was it just because the twinkle in Harepaw's eyes made him want to be better? Whatever it was, Firestorm knew he had produced enough power to knock little, lanky Harepaw off of her paws. Oh he was so going to win this fight. He would have Harepaw on her haunches by the end of this, begging him for mercy. He rather liked the sound of that.

The second he collided with Harepaw, the both of them went rolling from the force of their collision. It wasn't the biting-scratching-hissing type of rolling, when cats went for the necks and raked their claws down backs and stomachs. Firestorm was moreso...clinging to Harepaw, and her to him, no claws involved, laughing exploding from his chest without his permission. Though he would never admit it, there was a second he felt like he was flying, despite all the dirt and rocks underneath his body.

Only when this initial rolling ceased did Firestorm make a real first move--body still (blissfully) entangled with Harepaw's, he moved himself so he was on top. He tried to do this quickly-- readjusting his paws so he could pin Harepaw down, moving his legs so they were on either side of her-- but Harepaw was so skinny and fast that it was possible she would just slip out from under him before he could use his brute strength to keep her down.

[/size]

[Pyro]

Harepaw recalled the time her father described an avalanche. She never could wrap her mind around such a display of ferocity and power from something as serene as snow. But of course, there were two sides to everything. As Firestorm rushed her she knew she couldn't dodge...and some part of her didn't want to. His attack was an avalanche, nothing to run from, just to accept.

The wind was knocked out of her as she was bowled over by the large tom. She was pinned in no time. Or was she? Gasping for breath she wriggled under him, trying to escape before he could trap her for good. She couldn't let herself be beat by Firestorm so quickly, even if the fight was started just for fun.

Finally Harepaw managed to flip around, albeit not very gracefully. Once on her back she began to pummel his belly with her paws, a difficult task considering how beautifully constricted the space between them now was. "Geh' off me you big lump," she said, giggling.

ooc: Why are my posts so faaail. ;;

[Whiskers]

Harepaw didn't dodge his attack. That was the first surprise. Someone as fast and graceful as her, with the ability to move like a rabbit on springs-- hell, he was expecting to run into a tree. But no. He hit her head on, full force, all or nothing, the wind rushing in and out between the two of them, leaving him utterly breathless. There they went, rolling, two kittens collecting moss and leaves in their fur, laughing though there was really no breath to laugh.

Couldn't this be forever? Rolling around, paws on each other, heat between them, the sun above? The world was beautiful, Harepaw was beautiful--

The rolling stopped.

Harepaw, still laughing, squirmed around like a helpless little mouse, so skinny underneath him. He wondered if Pineclan fed their apprentices or what, because seriously, her legs, as long as they were, could be twigs. She pawed uselessly against his chest with those (beautiful) twig legs of hers and he just grinned. He had her.

He had her so close that he could see everything about her face. He could hear her laugh like it was the only sound in his ears, bouncing around, an endless echo. He could smell her sweetness, so thick he swore he tasted her too (and he wondered, briefly, what it would be like, to taste her).

"Big lump? Excuse you, but this is all muscle. And I'm not getting off until you beg me to get off, and admit that I am THE best warrior in the whole forest. I promise it won't kill you," he grinned, having way too much fun. Nothing could make this day better.