Ooc; Got the mentor/apprentice pairings up~ Tell me if there's something off. ^^

Aspfang stretched under the warming pre-daw sunlight, his brown pelt highlighted by the rays. Letting out a ferocious yawn the deputy rose to his paws and padded over to the fresh-kill pile, noting with satisfaction that it was fairly large this morning. Choosing the first piece of prey on top, not being picky, Aspfang carried the shrew over to a small shaded overhand next to the warriors' den, intending on waking them up after his meal if they didn't get out before then. Chewing on his breakfast the dour tom suveyed the camp silently, his amber eyes unwavering. Turning his head to the entrance he noticed a certain brown tom making his way through the gorse tunnel, jaws stuffed with prey. Flicking his tail Aspfang swallowed his food and let out a short call for his brother, tilting his head as the other tom flicked his own tail in reply and dropped his prey off by the fresh-kill pile before trotting up to him.

"Good morning Snakeheart," Aspfang meowed at the nearly identical tom in front of him, his voice strangely genial. "I see the prey runs well this day."

Nodding and letting out a yawn Snakeheart curled up next to his brother, fatigue evident in his body. "I guess," the infallible tom muttered drowsily, blinking his amber eyes slowly. "It's almost as if the prey wishes to be caught." Snorting Snakeheart closed his eyes and prepared to fall asleep, though he was only welcomed by a sharp jab to his flank.

"Get up," Aspfang ordered with a grim look on his muzzle. "If you're that tired you can sleep in the den, Snakeheart. And wake up the other warriors while you're at it." Satisfied that Snakeheart would comply as the other tom had gotten up stiffly and was walking away with a look of annoyance on his muzzle, Aspfang crunched up the rest of the shrew and contemplated on today's patrols.

--

Snakeheart, thoroughly disgusted by his brother, stomped into the warriors' den and growled at the nearest warrior, it being Leafmist. "Aspfang wants you guys all up," he meowed loudly, then made his way to his own comfortable nest, sinking into the heap of soft moss and bird feathers, purring loudly. Closing his eyes he ignored a few irate mews coming from the woken warriors, already drifting into sleep.

--

Ashwhisker let out a mumble of complaint at Snakeheart's brusque awakening and blinked her tawny eyes open, twitching her ears at the sound of him settling comfortably into his nest. "Mouse-brained tom," she muttered irritatedly, her usual affectionate nature displaced by her rude awakening. Struggling out of her nest the gray she-cat wound through the othe cats gracefully, heading for the exit of the den. Glaring at Aspfang she went to get breakfast, her pelt ruffled from a restless sleep. Letting out a gaping yawn as she sorted through the prey with bleary eyes. Choosing a plump squirrel she settled down right there and began eating it, planning her day's teaching for her apprentice. 

Leafmist let out a violent hiss, something very out of her character, when she was jerked awake by the rude warrior. The nest beside her was cold. Thornfire must have left early, as usual. He had always counted on becoming the deputy once Spiralstar or Aspfang had died. Leafmist rolled her eyes and heaved herself up, sneaking up to the sleeping Snakeheart and swiping at his ear with a sheathed paw.

"Mouse-brain." She mewed, escaping out of the warrior's den before Snakeheart could get up. Leafmist retreated to her littermate, who was by a rock, watching the apprentice's den.

"Ah, you're up." He said, nimbly leaping off the rock. "That means the apprentices should be up too."

"What does that mean?" Leafmist asked her brother, feigning hurt. Thornfire rolled his ice-blue eyes.

"It means that you're usually the last one to awake." He retorted, before stalking off to the apprentice's den. "Come on, I'm sure Windpaw would appreciate seeing you today along with Shimmerpaw." He mewed. Leafmist sighed and followed her brother, both of them poking their heads into the apprentice's den.

---

Coalpaw had a good night's rest, his dreams consisting of chasing butterflies throughout the gra-ssy fields. His eyes, however, flew open when his sensitive ears picked up rustling in the den. Coalpaw saw two cats looking into their den. Unable to see them properly through the dark, Coalpaw sprang up and screeched "INTRUDERS!", causing the two adult cats to propel backwards in surprise. Coalpaw was both relieved and terrified when he found out the cats weren't intruders, but Thornfire and Leafmist.

"We're not intruders, Coalpaw." Thornfire seemed to repeat the apprentice's mind in a gruff voice. Leafmist merely looked amused, though she quickly gave him a slightly annoyed look when the she-cat found out her pelt was slightly messed up. Leafmist started to smooth down her pelt, leaving Coalpaw in the paws of the probably annoyed apprentices and the grumpy ginger warrior.

---

Dove scrambled through the forest, terrified at each sound and rustle she heard. It had been at most two moons since she had been lost. Still unable to identify scents and differentiate the smell of cats from prey, Dove had unknowingly crossed into PebbleClan's territory. She was only a short walk away from the camp, when Dove decided to hide near a bush, where things had quietened down. She gave her chest fur a few quick licks to sooth herself, sighing. The forest was amazing, sure, but the novelty of it soon wore off when a cat was stuck in it for what seemed like seasons. 

Spiralstar pushed his way through the lichen that shielded the sun's rays from entering the Leader's Den. His jaws parted as he breathed in a long-lasting yawn. The burly tom blinked his amber eyes and sat down to let the sun wash over his dust-colored pelt. His gaze landed on Aspfang as the tom snapped at his brother to wake the other warriors up. Spiralstar chuckled and padded over to his deputy, nodding to himself as he pa.ssed the fresh-kill pile.

"Good morning, Aspfang. I see most of the clan is up and about," he mewed, a playful twinkle in his eyes. "I'd like for you to set up a dawn patrol right away," he said as he brushed his tongue across his chest.

<Fail>

~~

Shimmerpaw wound her way through the nests that lay in the apprentice's den and crouched down near her brother. She prodded him softly with her paw and he muttered a few incoherent words. The she-cat grinned and found his tail, which had been curled up near his eyes. She grabbed it in her jaws and bit down hard. Silentpaw sprang awake and barrelled into Shimmerpaw, causing the two to tumble around the apprentice's den and roll over anyone that happened to be nearby.

~~

Emberfur woke with a soft yawn and a subtle stretch of her pelt as she woke. She shook out her long ember fur and padded out of the medicine den. Currently, there weren't any sick cats in the medicine den and hadn't been for a while; she had become quite lonely. She padded over to the fresh-kill pile and took a plump mouse for herself. She found Silvertail; Shimmerpaw and Silentpaw's mother, dozing in the sun with a half-eaten magpie by her side.

"Good morning, Silvertail." The medicine cat said as she approached and settled down near the silver she-cat.

Silvertail blinked open her eyes and sat up, giving Emberfur a warm greeting as she did.

"Of course Spiralstar," Aspfang meowed, ever so serious. Flicking his ears the deputy thought for a moment, before coming to a swift decision. "Thornfire, Ashwhisker, Shimmerpaw and Silentpaw can take the dawn patrol," he mewed firmly. Thornfire's attitude on wanting to become deputy was bothering the usually taciturn tom and Aspfang was determined to put the younger cat in his place. "Snakeheart already hunted this morning, so he can sleep in. Leafmist can take her apprentice out and Flamestrike can take his out. I'll leave it up to them who hunts where." Letting out a yawn to indicate his lack of sleep the night before Aspfang glanced around the camp with a sigh. "I'll head the evening patrol," he murmured. 

Pausing for a heartbeat Aspfang realized he'd missed something. "Oh, and good morning," he meowed with a rough rumble of laughter, the sound out of place with his stern appearance.

--

Windpaw let out a muffled noise of protest as Coalpaw yowled and Shimmerpaw played with her brother. "You're like a bunch of overgrown rabbits," she mewed in objection, her tail flicking in response to her annoyance. Getting up with a light grunt the small she-cat began licking her fur into some semblance of order. "Is Leafmist looking for me?" she meowed, though her question was answered when she noticed that said she-cat was right by the entrance. Purring, Windpaw stood up and stepped over the other apprentices, making a rude noise in Coalpaw's direction. "You're so jumpy," she teased, before heading for Leafmist.

Yawning and stretching out in the sunlight Windpaw looked at her mentor once she was done. "What're we doing today?" she mewed excitedly, gold eyes wide. At the sight of her tailtip in the corner of the eye Windpaw suddenly jumped up and began chasing her tail, collapsing from fatigue after a few moments. "Sooo?" she prodded impatiently, giving Leafmist a demanding look. 

--

Ashwhisker, overhearing Aspfang's orders, gave the leader and deputy a meow of acknowledgement before padding over to the apprentice's den. Stretching out in a matching movement to Windpaw's she nodded at Thornfire before looking into the den for her own wayward apprentice. "Silentpaw," she meowed gently into the gloom, eyes amused at his antics. "We're patrolling today." Turning around to face Thornfire again she purred. "You and Shimmerpaw are coming along as well," she prompted in a friendly tone, tawny eyes cheerful.

"No mention on what border though," she realized with a wry purr. "I suppose we need to go question Aspfang until he gives up this information." Sitting down to wait for Silentpaw, Ashwhisker scratched her neck quickly, the action bringing back memories of her kittypet upbringing. In retrospect, it hadn't been too bad.

Coalpaw glared at Windpaw, trotting out of the den shortly after she left. Coalpaw wandered through the camp in search of Flamestrike. Coalpaw poked his head shyly into the warrior's den, much like what Leafmist and Thornfire did to theirs.

"Flamestrike?" Coalpaw mewed nervously, afraid to disturb any cat still asleep.

---

Thornfire sighed loudly. He had planned to hone Shimmerpaw's battling skills yet again, but it seemed like she had to practice other skills too. The ginger warrior nodded at Ashwhisker and went back to the apprentice's den, only to find his apprentice playing with her brother.

"Shimmerpaw, we've got a patrol coming up. Stop acting like kits with Silentpaw." He said in the usual gruff manner. Thornfire turned around and sat outside the apprentice's den before she could react.

---

Leafmist rolled her eyes and sighed, prodding Thornfire in the stomach.

"Sometimes you're too mean, Thornfire." She mewed, getting an irritated mew in return, as expected. Leafmist curled her lip and turned away to face Windpaw.

"Patience, Windpaw." Leafmist said in her normal, airy yet soothing voice. "Today, I'll let you choose. Would you prefer to hunt, or do battle-training?" Leafmist looked up at the sky.

---

[[mrr someone go bother Dove]] 

Silentpaw shook his silky fur out and narrowed his eyes at his sister. She stuck her tongue out at him and he lunged for her, easily pinning the scrawny she-cat under his weight. He pushed his paws into her shoulders and she spat in his face. "Shimmerpaw, you are the most annoying she-cat I've ever met. Stop messing around and-" he said, but broke off when he heard his mentor calling his name. He pushed himself off of Shimmerpaw, obtaining a clawing at his tail when he spun around to leave the apprentice's den. "Shimmerpaw!" he hissed, but he didn't turn back.

He stepped into the light of day and blinked his icy blue eyes, sun spots dancing across his vision. "Sorry, Ashwhisker," he muttered, feeling a bit foolish for being lately; it had been Shimmerpaw's fault. He pushed the thought away when his mentor told him about the patrolling; this brightened his mood up.

~~

Shimmerpaw indignatly followed her brother out of the apprentice's den, giving a slight huff when she saw her brother. She missed the good old days when they were just kits and Silentpaw would take the time to notice her around camp. Now, he just wanted to ignore her. She sighed, knowing she wasn't being fair on her brother's part. Instead, she twitched her whiskers and set to smoothing her fur out after their tustle.

Her tongue rasped along her silken fur as she listened to the coversation. Her ears perked when she heard they were on border patrol. "Border patrolling! Yes, I can't wait," she mewed to Thornfire.

~~

Flamestrike blinked his amber eyes and stood up from his nest, quickly shaking out his fur as he heard his apprentice calling his name. He pushed his way through the entrance of the Warrior's den and smiled good-naturedly at his apprentice. "Good morning, Coalpaw." he purred as he glanced around the camp. It seemed a border patrol was getting ready and they hadn't been called so he a.ssumed he would be able to take Coalpaw out for practice today.

"Coalpaw, seeing as we're not a.ssigned to a patrol, I'd like to work on your battling skills," he meowed as he curled his tail around his paws. "We can leave after you've eaten."

Windpaw let out a loud purr, arching her back as she stretched out luxuriously. "Everyone's going on patrol. Can we do some battle training?" she mewed curiously, though she wasn't really eager for it. At this time of the year her pelt was like a beacon signaling danger to wary prey and Windpaw wasn't ready to set herself up for failure. If it was winter it would have been another matter. Nibbling on one paw to rid her claws of some gathered up dirt the she-cat settled down patiently, waiting for her mentor to respond.

Glanincing around she couldn't help but purr with amusement at the antics of the two littermates. Silentpaw was probably blaming Shimmerpaw for Thornfire's stern reminder. Shrugging her shoulders to relieve the tension in them Windpaw's tail twitched, a gesture to her previous hyper attitude.

--

Ashwhisker shook her head ruefully. "As long as you acknowledge your mistakes and faults, it's fine," she purred soothingly. "I'm not mad at you. Quite the contrary, in fact. But there is a time for stopping and thinking." Turning to Thornfire, Ashwhisker let out an impatient sigh. "You're so....rough with them," she hissed quietly, leaning in so the apprentice's wouldn't here. "Lighten up and pay attention to their feelings sometimes. They're young cats, for Starclan's sake!" Having suitably admonished the young tom, Ashwhisker glanced around the clearing for Aspfang.

Luckily the deputy had realized that he hadn't mentioned which border and was already on his way towards the small gathering outside the apprentice's den, tail twitching with impatience. "Ashwhisker, Thornfire, you'll be taking the PineClan border. They've been acting up as of late and I want to make sure they're keeping their paws on their side of the river." Whiskers twitching he left the two warriors on their own, expecting them to carry out his orders in a suitable manner. 

The deputy could feel his paws itching as he neared the gorse tunnel and he shrugged, heading out of the camp. Perhaps a quick hunt would clear his mind. Turning his head slightly to work out a kink Aspfang slowly headed in the opposite direction of which he had sent the patrol, knowing that not many cats would try to hunt in this area. It wasn't particularly prey rich. Opening his mouth Aspfang felt an odd scent flood over his scent glands. It was cat, and definitely not Clan. Eyes darkening he felt the fur along the back of his neck bristle as he searched the area for the intruder. 

Coalpaw's whiskers twitched excitedly. The small black tom wriggled on the spot, bounding towards the fresh-kill pile. He paused and looked over his shoulder.

"That sounds great, Flamestrike!" He mewed enthusiastically, rushing back towards the fresh-kill pile and picking out a mouse. Coalpaw settled down and tried to wolf it down, wanting to start training as soon as possible.

"Immf readfffyf!" He tried to mew through a mouthful of mousemeat.

---

Thornfire sighed softly, watching his apprentice wriggle eagerly. He padded towards their deputy, nodding in his direction. 

"Sounds like a plan, Aspfang." He mewed, ignoring Ashwhisker. Thornfire's tail twitched and watched Shimmerpaw from the corner of his eye, making sure she didn't run off. Thornfire saw a small black tom in the clearing, eating a mouse near his own mentor.

"Perhaps the apprentice should eat first..." He muttered to himself, reconsidering everything. Even Leafmist seemed happy with Windpaw. 

---

Leafmist purred in amusement, her dappled tail twitching. 

"Well, sounds like we've got the morning planned out, Windpaw." She said, nodding in Coalpaw's direction. "Why don't you go get a quick meal first, then we'll start? I'm sure you would be hungry." Leafmist nudged her apprentice towards the fresh-kill pile.

---

Dove settled down in her tree, letting out a sigh. She nestled comfortably on her branch, ears pricked and finally alert. Dove's eyes started to droop, when she felt a prickle down her pelt. That feeling was never good. She mewed nervously, peering over the branch. Nothing down there - yet. 

Flamestrike twitched his whiskers with amusement and cuffed his apprentice playfully around the ears. "Why don't you swallow that mouthful of prey and then we'll see if Leafmist and Windpaw want to join us for training," he said as he flicked his tail in their direction. The tom padded over to Leafmist and dipped his head in greeting. " I see you and Windpaw are not going to be on the dawn patrol. Would you like to cover some battle training with Coalpaw and I? I think he needs another apprentice to pit against," he said.

~~

Shimmerpaw eyed her mentor with a silvery blue eye. Her tail twitched as he caught her staring at him from the corner of his eye, probably knowing she would run off at first chance. Her paws shook with excitement as she thought of going out on th dawn patrol. She heard Silentpaw talking with his mentor, Ashwhisker and she purred softly to herself when she heard him taking the blame.

Though she still acted like a kit, Shimmerpaw was close to becoming a warrior. Her rippling muscles hid under her lithe and lean pelt. Her silvery fur clung to her sides uncomfortably in the heat. "Hurry up, Thornfire," she muttered.

~~

Silentpaw let out a soft purr and dipped his head to his mentor. He cast his gaze around camp, a bit bored as the apprentices waited to leave. His stomach growled at the mention of food and he raised his gaze to Thornfire's in a bit of hope.

"Good idea," Ashwhisker conceded, her whiskers twitching with embarra.ssment when she realized she'd missed it. Despite his brusque attitude, Thornfire definitely had a good eye. Licking her chest fur to hide her clumsiness the she-cat went on like this for a few heartbeats before glancing at her apprentice. "Well, go on," she chided with a light tone in her voice. "I'm sure us two warriors have the patience to wait for you two to eat." This last lighthearted comment was directed at Shimmerpaw, as Ashwhisker had caught the mutinous whisper moments before.

Pausing as her own stomach grumbled Ashwhisker let out a small mreowr of amusement. "I'll come along, come to think of it," she decided, and got up with a long stretch. Suitably loosened, her muscles rippling under her ash-gray pelt, the she-cat started off towards the fresh-kill pile, knowing that the two littermates would soon follow.

[I was thinking maybe Ashwhisker could like Thornfire~ c: Just a thought though, love.]

--

Windpaw bounced once before padding over to the fresh-kill pile, swerving around Ashwhisker neatly with a flick of her whiskers. "S'cuse me," she mewed before ducking her head into the fresh-kill pile and coming up with a mouthful of mouse. Getting a better grip on her meal she trotted back to Leafmist, head held high to avoid dragging the mouse, and settled down next to her mentor. "Aren't you hungry?" Windpaw queried before grabbing a large chunk of mousemeat, chewing quickly and swallowing with a loud gulp.

"I didn't see you eat yet," she added as she finished off the last of her breakfast, swiping a long pink tongue around her jaws and sitting up to clean off her paws.