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Post by niftyshark on May 17, 2019 13:50:55 GMT -6
Days alone with his thoughts was beneficial up to a point. For the first couple of days, Haypaw thought little except to recall his mother’s death over and over and over again. He wouldn’t eat anything that was brought to him, he didn’t react to Beanpaw or any of his friends’ prodding, and he didn’t answer any questions. Even when Coyotestorm escorted them to the WillowClan camp with Dark’s body, he remained utterly silent. He couldn’t bear to even hear their discussion or to be treated for any injuries he had. It was to the point that Bayflower had to practically shove herbs down his throat, and even then, Haypaw resisted little.
A few days after that, and his nest was uncomfortable and his body stiff from lack of movement. His thoughts grew in their intensity, and they shifted from reliving the moment to fragmented speculation. It was almost if he could look down on the situation, separate from himself, and it left him wondering what allowed the tragedy to happen. What series of events led up to the coyotes attacking at the border? What failure in WillowClan allowed Dark to die? How could he avenge her?
It was once his mind started asking questions that he found the will to start moving again. He didn’t know who he could trust or how to start looking for answers, but he wouldn’t find them sitting around. For the first time in several sunrise and sunsets, he stood shakily from his nest. He only had one option, and it took all he had to pursue it.
With stiff, careful pawsteps, he surveyed the camp around him. He ignored curious and pitied looks sent his way as he continued scanning. His eyes landed on the she-cat he was looking for, and he moved over to her. Flareheart was by the fresh-kill pile, something by her paws. He didn’t care to see what it was. “I’m falling behind in my training,” he said without ceremony or pleasantries. “I need to continue immediately.”
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Post by Warrioress on May 17, 2019 17:28:50 GMT -6
Flareheart had felt her heart nearly stop at the news that Dark had been killed by coyote's. She had felt sympathy well up inside her for both Haypaw and Beanpaw but refrained from going overboard in showing it, knowing how much she herself had hated the repeated sentences spewed from her clanmates when she lost her own parents. Instead she had given her condolences and left Haypaw alone for the past couple of days, letting him get thru his grief in his own way.
She had been about to dig into a fish when she heard pawsteps approaching. Not bothering to look up at first, she nearly startled at the sound of Haypaw's voice. Looking up, she noted the way he held himself and the practically stiff way he had spoken. She had a brief thought that training wouldn't be the best course of action but she knew that is also served as a great distraction from pain.
Shoving the fish back onto the prey pile, she nodded in agreement and heaved herself to her paws. "alright, let's head to the training hollow" she mewed before starting out of camp, leaving the pleasantries aside, figuring that at the moment getting right to business would be the best bet.
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Post by niftyshark on May 24, 2019 18:07:26 GMT -6
Haypaw appreciated her promptness. He didn’t wait for her to eat or sit beside her to keep her company like he would have before. All he could think about was falling behind, but even that was a welcome reprieve from the slave he’d become to his thoughts. He followed behind her, eyes fixed ahead of them, and he kept his pace so that he remained behind her. The walk to the training clearing was silent, punctuated periodically by singing birds or the rustle of branches above them. The hollow appeared in due time, and it looked the same as it always did. He gave it a cursory glance before he walked along its perimeter, using a paw to move plants around so he could see behind them. Nothing was hiding anywhere nearby, and the air felt easier to breathe once he confirmed as much. He turned around to face Flareheart expectantly. “I want to practice battle training.” If he could learn how to conduct himself in a real fight... He didn’t let himself finish the thought.
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Post by Warrioress on Jun 4, 2019 21:49:45 GMT -6
Flareheart watched Haypaw inspect the hollow before giving a nod at his words, she settled herself where she stood, casting a glance behind her to spot a small bush there "alright, I want you to try and make it past me to that bush" she instructed, her gaze flicking back to her apprentice "Its always better to see what you can do instinctively and then build on it" she gave as way of explanation as to why she wasn't showing moves right off the bat.
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Post by niftyshark on Jun 17, 2019 7:45:17 GMT -6
Haypaw glanced at the bush behind Flareheart, then nodded. If she wanted him to fight by instinct, then he needed to treat it like a real fight—one he couldn’t run away from or freeze up at. He raised one paw and unsheathed his claws, his only warning that he was treating it seriously, before he ran straight for her. He raised a paw, as if to score it across her chest, but he shrunk back before he did, expecting resistance. His breathing quickened as he tried to avoid imagining the clearing closing in on him, ready to tear him apart with canine teeth.
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Post by Warrioress on Jun 17, 2019 11:05:23 GMT -6
Raising an eyebrow at teh unsheathed claws, Flareheart waited for his attack, only to pause as he shrunk back right before he would have hit. She noted the quick breathing and nearly cursed, she took a step back to give him some space before speaking "Haypaw" she mewed quietly, her voice softer than she could remember it being. Her heart ached at the obvious problems that this young tom was having, more than likely stemming from watching his mother's death.
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Post by niftyshark on Jun 17, 2019 11:17:41 GMT -6
She stopped, and he felt his panic flare up. No! They had to keep going! If he didn’t fight... if he didn’t... He took a step back and took in a shuddering breath. He allowed himself a few moments to continue breathing, steeling himself, before he looked back up to Flareheart. His panic was ebbing and replaced by a collected coolness. “Flareheart. I’m ready. I need to practice.” Haypaw smoothed a few wayward strands of fur on his chest, before resuming a tense stance, implying he was ready for anything.
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Post by Warrioress on Jun 17, 2019 11:21:55 GMT -6
Studying the tom, Flareheart finally gave a nod before crouching, her eyes narrowing before she lunged forward, her paw flashing out, intending to hook under his forepaws and send him sprawling.
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Post by niftyshark on Jun 20, 2019 14:38:30 GMT -6
Haypaw leaped back slightly, throwing his paws up to catch and block hers. He let himself roll back into her tackle, and he grappled with her as they slid. He used his hind legs to kick her, his claws tangling in her fur as he put his pent-up grief behind his blows. Fighting with reckless abandon certainly wasn’t a good idea, but he needed to know that he was capable. He had to shed the fear that lingered in every nerve and bone. He darted away to put some distance between them, then faced Flareheart with a dark expression. “Pretend I’m someone you hate. Fight me for real.” His sense was thrown to the wind with the adrenaline coursing through him, and he didn’t worry for a moment that she might respond with concern.
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Post by Warrioress on Jun 20, 2019 14:58:13 GMT -6
Flareheart had hissed at the feeling of claws tangling in her fur, she very nearly swiped back when Haypaw was suddenly gone, watching her with a dark expression. His words had her freezing for the moment, her mind sweeping to Shrikestar before she shoved it aside "no, I won't pretend that you are Shrikestar, I won't" she mewed determinedly, before realizing that she had just said out loud. *well no taking that back* she thought with a sense of amusement.
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Post by niftyshark on Jun 20, 2019 15:20:57 GMT -6
It took him a moment to realize what his mentor said. He had to process it as the adrenaline subsided somewhat, and he reached for the empty calm he felt before. “You... hate Shrikestar?” He knew they were siblings... why would Flareheart hate her brother? His mind churned, and it was then he remembered sometimes seeing the venomous glances she would send him, the way he would almost ignore her like she didn’t exist. The clarity was just as surprising as the knowledge, but he still didn’t know why. “What has Shrikestar done?” Haypaw leaned closer to Flareheart, interest written all over his expression.
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Post by Warrioress on Jun 20, 2019 15:28:02 GMT -6
Flareheart had a brief thought that she shouldn't tell Haypaw what it is that causes her hatred of her brother but it was quickly shoved away, she truly didn't care if she turned more cats away from her brother. "For starters, he hardly acknowledges that we are family, as I'm sure you've noticed." she mewed, her voice a near hiss as her mind wandered through the many different things she thought of. "But, what really takes the cake is how he has so carelessly treated the warrior code, not bothering to acknowledge or even realize his mistakes" she growled, her tail lashing once.
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Post by niftyshark on Jun 20, 2019 16:11:18 GMT -6
Haypaw’s regard of the warrior code was fluid, and he had already broken some minor rules held within, but there were some that were tried and true no matter how much time passed. He believed there was a difference between breaking it haphazardly and doing so with a discerned purpose, but he wasn’t in any position of power where it truly made a difference. Hearing about Shrikestar though was something he didn’t expect. “What did he disregard?” Ignoring family was worse enough as could be. He could never imagine leaving behind Dark or Beanpaw. If their leader broke the code and his family wantonly, what did that say about WillowClan’s future? He sunk his claws into the earth, Dark’s demise edging into his vision.
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Post by Warrioress on Jun 20, 2019 16:16:31 GMT -6
Flareheart hesitated once more, wondering if she was truly going to reveal the secret she held to herself for the past moons before wondering what it was she wanted to hide it for. "He took a mate from another clan and had kits. I don't blame the kits more as a blame the parents, they knew the warrior code and broke it anyways." she mewed, knowing that she spoke true, it wasn't the kits fault that their parents had broken the code, as long as they themselves followed it. Her own claws dug into the dirt under her. "And as much as I wish that was the worst of it, its not. Our beloved leader is lying to the clan." she said, her gaze steely and cold "Shrikestar never received his lives, nor his name from StarClan. He faked it! He is still Shrikewind!"
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Post by niftyshark on Jun 20, 2019 16:26:44 GMT -6
Haypaw’s eyes widened. “What?” It was enough to force back the haunting visions creeping on the edges of his conscious. He was stunned. They were leaderless? Shrikestar... was still only a warrior? He opened his mouth, but it only hung there as he tried to wrap his mind around it. His mentor’s vehemence finally made sense. How did Flareheart find out? But more importantly, how could he lie to them all? How could WillowClan be protected under someone like that? How could he avenge Dark and rest her memory knowing what he now did? “That is... a problem,” he said, voice low and dangerous. “That’s something we need to change.” He looked in Flareheart’s eyes squarely. “How did you find out? And how much more do you know?”
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Post by Warrioress on Jun 20, 2019 16:34:21 GMT -6
Flareheart's ears flicked once at Haypaw's questions, she knew that the way she had found out wasn't exactly against the warrior code but it wouldn't be looked upon favorably. But she knew that she would have to be honest with Haypaw, her eyes flicked once before she spoke "I know it wasn't right but I never trusted my brother after finding out about his kits. I never understood why Floodfield chose him as deputy, and Shrike-Shrikestar's behavior before he left for his ceremony gave me pause." She explained, deciding to use Shrikestar, just so she didn't slip in camp near other warriors. "So, when he and Bayflower left, I followed them. I waited and then listened as Shrikestar told Bayflower that he saw a couple of familiar cats. One of whom was my former mate, but the other.... the other he mentioned was our brother, Zephyrpaw. But that is impossible because our brother is alive, I met him by the border only a few days before the ceremony. It gave me pause as to why he would lie about who was at his ceremony, unless his ceremony never happened and he was trying to make it believable." she finished, waiting for both judgement and Haypaw's reaction.
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Post by niftyshark on Jun 20, 2019 17:30:46 GMT -6
At that point Haypaw didn’t blame Flareheart. Breaking the code to pursue truth, that was something he could understand, and he took it to heart. But was even more startling was remembering that medicine cats escorted leaders—in other words, Bayflower was there. Was he in on it? Was he gatekeeping lies, just like Shrikestar? His lips pulled back in anger. How much of the upper echelons of the clan were corrupt? Was Marigoldflare in on it, too? Who could they even trust? His gaze dropped to the ground as he struggled to lift the weight of knowing WillowClan’s doom. And what about StarClan? Why didn’t they try to stop what was happening? Was Bayflower ignoring signs? There were too many questions, and he almost felt dizzy by them. He looked back to Flareheart. “Thank you for sharing this with me.” He smiled genuinely, the first time in what felt like forever. “We know things that others don’t. We have to stop it.” They were alone, and they didn’t know who was reliable.
He was struck by an idea then, one so profound and simple that it seemed like the obvious course of action. “We’ll do it,” he said firmly. “We’ll stop this corruption before it spreads. And I know how to do it.” He took a deep breath. “I will take over from Shrikestar. Will you help me?”
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Post by Warrioress on Jun 20, 2019 17:51:10 GMT -6
Flareheart would take it to her grave that she was relieved that Haypaw didn't seem to judge her too harshly for what she did. She listened and let Haypaw sort through his thoughts, noting the curled lip and could understand the anger. She nodded when he mentioned they had to stop it, she couldn't see any other path. She was a bit surprised at Haypaws plan though, but after a moment she could agree that someone had to take over, and it wasn't something she wanted to do, she preferred to be in the background, listening and waiting. She met his gaze steadily, a small smile on her face "yes, he's gotta be overthrown." she agreed "I'll help you, but we gotta start slowly, have to make a gradual anger at him subtly before we overthrow him" she mewed, she knew it wouldn't be an easy task, and that not all of the clan would agree.
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Post by niftyshark on Jun 20, 2019 18:45:02 GMT -6
They both had one ally now. That was better than trying to do it alone. He nodded his agreement. They needed to stay out of Shrikestar’s attention. They would also need to find like-minded warriors, and that would take time. He knew his denmates enough that perhaps he could find out their standing... or simply that they would support his endeavor. However, he was also prepared to work without their support. Maybe all of WillowClan would misunderstand and they would hate him. He would risk that to bring WillowClan out of the shadows that settled over it. Even if the clan’s memory decided him an outcast and slandered his name, he wouldn’t shy away from walking the path necessary of him. “It will take time. But we’ll do it right.” He was confident of that.
(fin)
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