The Trees and the Birds

[Cloud of Diamonds]

Well...a multitude of emotions were swirling around in her mind. A frown creased the large queen's face once more as she considered what to say. Doubtless it would be awkward and unpleasant, whatever she came up with. She grimaced.

But, at least she could tell her son that he could work with Lynxpelt; it was sure to make him happy.

"Well, Crowkit, I can grant your wish. Lynxpelt was just asking me if you could train as Redclaw's apprentice, and I told him yes as long as you agreed, and since you pretty much have, you've got yourself a place as a medicine cat apprentice. Congratulations, you now have now have one of the hardest jobs in the Clans, though I hope you enjoy it. It has flowers."

She half laughed, half sighed. Now there was the matter of Elmkit to deal with.

"Otterfur's right, even though I suspect Elmkit was just joking; you know what he's like. Mmm, your father will do a better job of explaining it to him than I will. And trust me, being a warrior is more about getting pain than giving it. But it's also about some of the rare, better things in life like loyalty...and love."

She mewed the last two words more quietly than the rest of her little speech.

[glowlynose]

Blue skies smilin' at me.
Nothin' but blue skies do I see.
Bluebirds singin' a song,
Nothin' but bluebirds all day long.

Crowkit gazed up at his mother curiously. How could being a medicine cat be one of the hardest jobs in the Clans? Not only did you get to be around good smelling things all day and use them to help others, you got special rights. What could be so hard about being around flowers and leaves all day? It would be so much harder to have to protect things all day, to attack at the whim of a leader and take away somebody's life. Crowkit knew that warriors didn't always die in battle because of something called the Code, but some still did. Those were the ones that he'd be paying for with his medicine skills. In fixing the cats that were still living, he could begin to pay back the dead for the crimes of his clan. Maybe those cats in the stars would like that... but, of course, they were only imaginary. All those times he'd imagined his mother with stars on her fur had just been his subconscious working, right? They couldn't possibly exist? After all, his entire clan scorned the thought of cats being anything besides cats. But it was such a nice thought, maybe there was some truth to it. Maybe he'd find out as a medicine cat! That would be awesome.

"So you agree with me, Dad? I didn't think either of you would, because... yeah. Warriors. RAWR." Crowkit looked down and scuffled his paws. The sad thing was that he'd honestly been shocked that his parents had agreed with him. As far as he was concerned, they professionally ruined lives to preserve their own. But he must've been wrong, because they saw things his way. They actually thought that ripping someone's guts out was wrong. So why did they do it whenever the leader got angry?

It then occurred to him what his mother had said. His eyes popped open and he stared for a few moments in blank shock up at the dark grey queen. Had... had she actually said he could train to be a medicine cat?

"I don't have to grow up and attack everybody? Cool! I can play with flowers all day! I love you guys," he squeed in glee. He then proceeded to dash over to his brother and lick him on the ear. A grin was stretched across his whole face, and he couldn't stop chanting about flowers and happiness and JOY. He was so happy! It spilled forth from the depths of his soul, took up wings, and fluttered about the entire camp like a beautiful butterfly. Just to be sure that everybody got the message, Crowkit added in a few hops to spice things up.

"Guess what, Mister Lynxpelt? I get to work with you and... Redclaw! That's 'er name, Redclaw. Isn't it great? It'll be sooooooo much fun!" What Crowkit's mother had said about loyalty and love completely passed him by for the moment. He was too busy being ecstatic about his new position. When would he meet his new mentor? Would he have to have a ceremony before his siblings? What would they think?

Never saw the sun shine so bright,
Never saw the world lookin' so right.
Watchin' all the days hurrying by;
When you're in love, my, how they fly.

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[Crowzerplorodon]

“Not all warriors are all... Rawr, Crowkit,” he said with a laugh, wondering where the kit picked up that word. Though a lot were. Otterfur could name a few right off the top of his head, which disappointed him. Hopefully he would never end up like that. He may have been good at fighting, but that didn't mean he enjoyed it. Fighting was just one of those things that seemed necessary to him, Otterfur would never actually give in to it, though. The warrior didn't like the idea of becoming violent, especially when he had a mate and kits to worry about. Even when the kits were older he'd still worry about them, too.

Otterfur watched Crowkit scuttle off with an odd look. So he was going to be a Medicine cat apprentice? Well, it fit the small, black tom cat more than warriorhood did, in Otterfur's eyes. But it was a strange feeling, knowing that his flesh and blood was going to become a healer. How strange... The secrets Crowkit would learn escape him completely. For some reason, Otterfur felt as though his son would be missing out on a huge part of life. Training with fellow apprentices... His siblings... Growing into a fine young warrior. Otterfur couldn't help the tang of regret that he would never see the excitable young tom become a warrior. But one could be just as proud of a medicine cat, right? Besides, there was always Willowkit and Elmkit, they would be strong warriors one day.

“So... Medicine Cat?” He asked, turning to face his mate with a slightly forced smile. “He seems happy about that. Who's idea was it?”

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[prowler.]

LYNXPELT

✖ Lynxpelt watched the scene before him unravel, giving a slightly distracted nod in the direction of Swallowpelt as she spoke asking for time and going over to see to her mate and kit. His optics curious now, he saw the trio discuss before Crowkit jumped up with evident surprise and delight. Lynxpelt smiled, Swallowpelt must've announced the news, he hoped at least - and it had been taken very well by the young cat. He knew however that it was only a matter of time until the trivialities of medicine cat apprentice and distance he would gain from his siblings would truly test Crowkit. The first thing would be the immediate apprenticeship - as they had a more extended regime of training (i.e., in Lynxpelt's ideals, a heck of a lot more to learn) medicine cat apprentices always started as soon as possible, often continuing long after a typical apprentice's training duration also. Still, he was not surprised by Swallowpelt's reaction - it was hard to let go when the kit was so young, particularly when Crowkit would come to learn things of PineClan and herbs that his parents never would, never could really, secrecy was a major part of the medicine cat lives after all.

✖ Lynxpelt momentarily forgot he was about to speak to a kit, not an adult when he went to reply, only to remember immediately when Crowkit's words bubbled forth and his demeanour beamed up at the older medicine cat. Lynxpelt gave a rueful, slightly-weary smile, before cautiously responding, deep, growling voice somewhat soft, lightened by the excited youth of the kit. One of the things now, he was sure would be difficult was not learning not to fit in, but instead learning patience. Ah yes, it had taken time even for Lynxpelt to learn such a thing. 'You have accepted my offer then, young Crowkit? Yes, Redclaw will become your new mentor,' he said, crouching slightly so as to appear less intimidating than he typically did, 'the role you are going to take up is one that you must make alone though, Crowkit, are you - and, indeed, your parents - sure that this is the life you wish for? There is no going back once we begin.'

✖ Lynxpelt's tone was serious and pressing and failed in coming across as light as he had wished it, intend turning somewhat severe as he looked over to the two parents. He did not expect this to be easy, after all.

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[glowlynose]

Crowkit's excited bouncing ceased immediately after Lynxpelt's tone grated on the little tom's sunshine. Then the gravity of what he was choosing dawned on the black kit. What he was about to do would rock his relationships with everyone that he would ever meet. His family would be cut off from him in ways that he couldn't possibly imagine, not that he particularly cared if he saw a little less of Elmkit and Willowkit. It would be nice to sleep in the night and not worry about being clawed because his siblings' dreams were so violent. Then again, he would barely see them at all unless they chose to visit him. His mentor, his colleagues, would become like a family to him instead of his actual family. His brother would probably be blazing mad at him for this, and wouldn't speak to him for moons.

On the upside, he would be able to help anyone who needed it. His isolation would be good; it would keep him from getting distracted by the dramas of family life. He would miss his family, of course, but some things were more important than seeing your family constantly. He would learn about the mysteries of the world as a medicine cat. He could go places, do things that normal cats couldn't because of the ignorant stubbornness of clan life. If he became a regular apprentice, no such things would happen.

"Yes, Lynxpelt. I am sure that this is what I want. I understand what it means, and I have made my choice." Determination burned fiercely in Crowkit's eyes. From now on, he would be more than just a PineClanner. He would be special. His parents could truly be proud of him. The night-pelted tom would not be reduced to the vulgar lows of violence that other clanmembers were. That had to count for something in the big scheme of things, right? The sacrifices he was making for his position in the clan would be replaced with more bounty than anybody could fathom. There was no doubt in Crowkit's mind that this was the right choice.

Crowpaw: Medicine Cat Apprentice of PineClan. Yes, it it had quite a ring to it...

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