call of the crow [open]

[A lone tear falls]

Crowpaw woke in the early morning, his grey-blue pelt seemingly black in the darkness that had yet to be touched by the light of sun. He stretched, his back arching, as he made his exit from the apprentice's den. He licked his pelt quickly, a scrap of moss falling from his fur, before turning his gaze to the fresh kill pile. It was still well stocked, no doubt, because of the evening hunting patrol leaving him with nothing to do.

He padded in small circles through camp, the camp that was still and silent. The only sound was the sound of the constant patter of rain drops striking the dead pine needles which littered the forest floor. Every cat was still asleep and enjoying their dreams except for him. No one would notice if he left, they wouldn't even care if they did notice. He padded from the empty camp without even so much as glancing back at it.

The ground was wet beneath his powerful paws but he didn't mind. The rain was better then the snow that had yet to come. His ears twitched in distaste for the cold and frozen white covering of leafbare. His muscles bunched and rippled as he lept into the pine tree closest to him. His claws dug deep into the bark as he made his ascent to view the world around him.

His attention was caught when the scream of a crow broke through the paralyzing silence of the air around him. Wondering its cause he moved faster. He spotted the large black bird and hissed in frustration and annoyance when he realized it was just being loud. He crept up on the unsuspecting bird and jumped, landing squarely on its back and silencing its call with a quick killing bite to the back of the neck.

He made his descent swiftly, the black bird hanging limply in his powerful jaws. His paws made no sound as they struck the ground and he padded silently back toward camp. The sun was finally begining to shine light on the still resting world and already there was one less life in it. The call of the crow had been silenced.

[*(SHADE)*]

Behind the apprentice a larger cat prowled. Only slightly larger than the nearly grown tom, this cat had an air of power about him. A bold confidence that was hard to argue with. Charisma. Around them the trees sang a quiet melody of soft brushing, and soft sweet rustling. His fur, a silver blue color, was as alluring as ever in the dim light that harborred the force fo the suns rath. Dark green orbs narrowed as they recognized the familiar scent of Crowpaw, the apprentice that showed had shown quiet a bit of potential.

Already in a hurry to get back to camp? He asked with a sly smile toying over his lips. Alighting his features with a grim surprise and happiness. Those eyes of his were alight with a curious-dullness. Lynxstar couldnt help but prowl around his territory, he hated being stuck in camp. It bored him to no end, and perhaps if he were out he might make a positive difference. His tail lashed, matching the sigh of the trees. His ears, as always, stood on end as he took in all the amplified sounds around him. The bleakness that had covered the sun had offerred a slight chance of rain, leafbare was upon them after all.

[A lone tear falls]

Crowpaw sat quietly as the large and powerful tom appeared. He set the crow down gently before locking his blue eyes on his leader's green ones. "Not really, but if I caught something then I should take it to camp. The clan comes first, does it not?"

His tail curled around his paws as he waited expectantly for his Lynxstar's response. He respected the large tom deeply, in a way he was Crowpaw's rolemodel. The cat he looked up to, the cat he learned from even though he wasn't his mentor. To him, Lynxstar was a wise and fair leader, one that would be remembered for generations to come.

His thoughts flickered back to camp, wondering if anything was stirring or if everyone was still lost in their dreams. He thought of the kits in the nursery, the sign of a strong clan, the future fo their survival. He hoped that when he became a warrior one of them would become his apprentice.

[*(SHADE)*]

The apprentice was learning well, even without a mentor it would seem. Ceremonies are soon. He said, trailing off on another thought train. Many new members to our lovely clan. He said with a smile. His silvery blue fur shone in exhiliration of the fact that the sun may not rise. The cats at camp would sleep for most of the day, mothers would watch their kits grow, all under his watchful eye.

In fact, if they had their way the leader would never leave camp. Not at all. He would stay put right where he belonged, right on top of the high Limb. Or whatever it actually was. Warriors will be organizing patrols and seeing who they want then I will deliberate and speak the final descision. He meant to ask Crowpaw who he wanted, but the larger tom just couldnt seem to speak in such a gentle way.

[A lone tear falls]

Crowpaw nodded in response. "Our clan is growing strong. Kits will become apprentices soon, apprentices warriors. Soon we will be one of the strongest clans here."

His eyes traveled to the crow laying at his paws. He thought it would be fine to eat it since the fresh kill pile was full, the clan had already been taken care of. "Would you like to share this with me?"

[*(SHADE)*]

You go ahead. He said with a smile, allowing the apprentice to eat on whatever this was. Yes, in a moon or two those kits will be apprentice, and the apprentices will be warriors. His clan had grown nicely in his own opinion. Very nice.

[A lone tear falls]

"Okay." His reply was soft and he crouched down and began to remove the feathers. The sun was finally beginnning to bring light to the still darkness. Crowpaw sighed, the clan would be waking soon, leaving no time for quiet thought.