Defy the Danger

[maplepaw]

Maplepaw moved along the edge of the gorge. Paw after paw carried her as swift and graceful as the river down below her. Tail was out for extra balance, as were the claws that were sinking into the rough ground at every step. Yet she felt thrilled at how close she was to danger. The she-cat suddenly stopped, cocking her head to one side like she does when confused or trying to catch a sound better. Shrugging off whatever made her stop, the apprentice picked up the pace again. Soon enough, she was basicly pelting along the edge, at one with the elements, even if only for a moment.

[Birdsong]

Birdsong caught sight of Maplepaw and blinked. What was the apprentice doing out here, at the Gorge of all places? Curious, she padded over and mewed a soft greeting so as not to alarm the young she-cat and send her toppling to her death.

[maplepaw]

Maplepaw heard a call and turned to see Birdsong. Spinning around with ease she came back across the edge and moved closer to the warrior.
"You called?" She teased.
The apprentice sat down, tail curling around her paws. A pink tounge flashed out as she proceded to clean her wind ruffled fur.

[Wolfy//June]

Leopardfrost silently padded up to the two young she-cats. "Hello, you two. I don't mean to interrupt, but I think it is time for another lesson, Maplepaw. You too, Birdsong." he guided them farther away from the gorge and sat down. "Now then. I have a story to tell..."

[maplepaw]

Another story? Maplepaw wondered what this one would be about. The apprentice settled herself onto the ground, tucking her paws under her body. She cast a glance to Birdsong as she laid down.
What is there for both of us to know? The she-cat thought, tail tip twitching for a moment.

[Birdsong]

Birdsong sat down and folded her legs beneath her, looking at the other warrior curiously. What could she need to be told? She licked one paw and drew it over her ear as she waited patiently for Leopardfrost to begin.

[Wolfy//June]

Leopardfrost cleared his throat and began. "Before Wolfstar joined the clan, he came across the gorge. He came too near the edge and fell. That is how Fernstar found him and asked him to join the clan. But, the point is that the gorge is really dangerous. Wolfstar took many moons. This is a cruel lesson that sometimes is learned the hard way." the tom looked away, sadness deep in his eyes. "Three moons before this happened, my parents went on a patrol... together....alone. They went missing and their drown bodies were found on the river bank the next day. My mother had a snapped neck and my father's paws were tore and bloody. One of them had tried to save the other and they both were killed. I still grieve for them."

[Birdsong]

Birdsong blinked once or twice in shock. Why would Leopardfrost tell her and Maplepaw this? But then her shock turned into sympathy, and she felt horrible for her fellow warrior. Poor Leopardfrost, she thought forlornly. Even though her own mother, Roseleaf, had suffered an injury that would probably never go away in the fox attack that had killed Birdsong's brother, at least she was still alive.

[maplepaw]

Maplepaw found herself looking at the ground, examining it with to much intrest for it to be real. When Leopardfrost stopped talking, she raised her head and looked at her mentor. Rising slowly to her paws, the she-cat shrunk the distance until she stood by the tom's side. She gave his shoulder a gentle lick, the sympathy from Birdsong reflected in her own eyes.
"Im sorry." She muttered.

[Wolfy//June]

The tom shrugged. "I try not to think about it, but I remember seeing them by the river. They were truely in love. Watching them that night brought the shock of how close two cats could be. My mother, sh-she was expecting kits before she died. I-it was horrible!" Leopardfrost shouted, looking at the sky as though he thought it was all Starclan's fault.

[Birdsong]

Birdsong was shocked when Leopardfrost looked up to the sky, as if blaming StarClan for what had happened to his parents. "I'm sure they had a reason for passing just as all of us do." She wasn't sure he believed her; in fact, she was fairly certain he hadn't even heard her.

[maplepaw]

Maplepaw flickered her ears and glanced rather nervously at Birdsong. This was far from the Leopardfrost she was used to. She nodded vigorously to the she-cats words.
"Yes, you'll see them again some day." She added.
The apprentice was lost for this kind of thing. She had never seen someone so wracked with greif like her mentor was now. One just learned to move on, after all, it is only a goodbye for now.

[Wolfy//June]

Leopardfrost bent over and licked Maplepaw on the top of the head. "They were both amazing cats. My mom, the most beautiful she-cat you would ever meet. She had a shiny black pelt and a silver underbelly. She also had these, bright, inviting yellow eyes. Dad, he was brave and skilled. He was a large ginger tabby with these amazing green eyes. They were both warm- hearted and loved each other very much." he meowed.

[Birdsong]

Birdsong bowed her head as Leopardfrost's reminiscing brought on her own. She thought with a pang of her brother, Frostkit. If it hadn't been for the fox, he'd still be alive. He'd be a warrior by now, just as she was. Birdsong always pretended that she couldn't remember anything from that day, but the truth was she could recall every tiny detail. Birdsong hadn't told a single cat about the event; her own mother wasn't aware of how much she remembered. But oh, she remembered.
"I, uh, have to go," she mumbled, her heart feeling heavy and painful in her chest. She stumbled away into the trees, hoping that a good run and maybe some hunting would help clear her mind and lift her spirits.

[maplepaw]

Maplepaw rose to her feet when Birdsong took off, but didnt go after her. It seemed like one of those times when being alone was better then having someone try to drag what was wrong from you. So, insted she swung her head around and ran her tounge over her back a couple of times before looking at Leopardfrost. She smiled at him, trying to bring a cheerful emotion back into the gloomy atmosphere.