&&. Write [me] a Story of Leaf-bare

[azure]

&&. Save for the quietly humming wind that tugged at his ears, the tom noted that his surroundings were perfectly still. He hadn't expected to find anything, but it hadn't stopped him from venturing to the outskirts of RiverClan territory just to be certain. The clan was still hungry, as Leaf-bare still had not released its icy grips on their bellies. No cat was starving, but no cat welcomed the uncomfortable feeling of hunger that always came with this time of the seasons.

&&. He sighed only slightly, but it seemed to echo in the deserted place. His gaze found the Thunderpath, and found that it too was empty. Hardly ever was any monster spotted along it anyway, and it was nothing like the stories he had heard of the home before theirs, where Thunderpath had dozens of monsters racing both ways every minute. In fact, in his whole life, he had perhaps only seen a dozen monsters on this path.
A very lucky thing indeed. he noted silently.
Azurerain yawned, and lowered his body first to his haunches, and then finally, all the way onto the frozen earth. He sat unblinking for a bit, staring about his home. Leaf-bare in its own way could be beautiful, with its sheets of ivory. But it was a nuisance above all, the cold, hunger, and occasional sickness it brought.

&&. The wind picked up slightly, but it seemed like a sudden and very loud change. Now he could hear the tree branches swaying, sometimes cracking, and the low whistle through the air. He wondered if he would perhaps meet any cats out here today. The odds weren't very likely, since this part of RiverClan wasn't the best hunting source, and surely all available warriors and apprentices were out hunting.

&&. Perhaps. he thought silently, as he continued to gaze around, seeking any movement that would lead to a discovery of prey, or any sort of excitement.

OOC; Please excuse any oogly (ugly) writing. D: This is my first role play in nearly six months. It'll take me a bit to get back into routine![/size]

[Fernear!]

After the bustling apprentice ceremony, the silence of the world gnawed at her body lke moths will to fabric. The she-cat was glad to have found some solitary trail to walk upon, if you'd call this frosty forest path a trail. She needed time for her to think about everything. She knew that if she kept up her actions she'd become a depressed wreck of a warrior. Her pride wouldn't let that happen no matter how much it looked like it had already. Silkgrass had gotten apprentice, hadn't she? She was as excited as any new mentor but there was always that unforgiving rope pulling her back from the full experience.

She walked on. Her paws were never dragged, not even once. She would not hiss at and fight the feeling, she would just walk and be comforted by the arriving Newleaf scents and wind, which had just picked up. Her head drew to the horizon to see far off trees gaily dancing among each other's branches and the reeds clicking together, then drawing away. The golden she-cat has always adored this part of RiverClan, no matter how sparse the land or how vile the Thunderpath. She hadn't seen a monster on it anyways.

Stepping lightly off a thick patch of frozen snow, her paws were warmly welcomed by a damp expanse of grass and other green beings that had popped up from their Leafbare hibernation. She couldn't help but smile, and, after a few moments, laughing along with the distant brooks and jumping like a kit with a feather. Her paws picked up speed and soon she was running along the path ahead of her while dodging the occasional bush. Silkgrass was ecstatic, her eyes could clearly show it. Whatever impure thought or feeling she had felt was surely diminished by now.

It must've been about an hour before the jubilant she-cat had stopped. If it was not for a delicate yellow flower she would still be running. But, one had indeed pushed its way up through the chilled land, and by luck it was on her path. Golden eyes were fixated on the little being. She circled it a good many times to catch every angle of it. The petals looked like shaped ice while its stem and leaves were as green and alive as anything. Nothing was taking this moment away nor poisoning it. After her mind wove a little description of the first flower of Newleaf she lay down beside it. Her eyes were gazing at the plant for a few minutes before she closed them. She was happy. It was something that was all too rare for Silkgrass to feel and she would no longer take it for granted any longer.

[/blockquote]

[streampaw]

<sub>She bounded happily away from the camp, her tail a high banner waving. Newleaf would be here soon! It wasn't everyday the young she-cat was this happy. Newleaf meant that the herbs would begin to grow again, and she would no longer fret over her supply. A happy sigh escaped her jaws as she slowed to a gentle walk, paws touching the ground lightly. She laughed softly, thinking of her new apprentice. She had never been a mentor before. Actually, she wasn't much older than an apprentice.

Her bright blue eyes shone brightly as they rested on the form of the silvery she-cat as she lay beside a bright yellow flower, awakening from its Leafbare slumber. "Silkgrass! Silkgrass! It's been far too long!" She called, hastening her pace to a bounding leap once more. Reaching her friend's side, she gazed softly at the flower, seemingly perfect in all aspects. The wind picked up, brushing the scents of Newleaf around her in a flurry. She sighed contently, closing her eyes.

But alas, not a moment of peace was felt in the mind of the Medicine Cat. Minnowpaw would need to be taught, and the herb supply refilled. She opened her eyes, glancing at the sky as to grumble. Her maw twisted slightly with annoyance. "Never peace in the mind of a Medicine Cat, is there?" She growled. She ran over the herbs in her head that they had been low on. It had been a good Leafbare, though it was her first alone. The clan stayed strong and healthy throughout even the toughest times.

Streamheart dropped her gaze to the Thunderpath nearby. Never had she seen a monster charge down it. Never had she heard one roar as it passed. The Thunderpath was silent, and seemingly dead. The blue-gray she cat twitched her tail slightly, glancing around. Suddenly, they rest upon her friend. "Oh, Silkgrass. How have you been? How's the hunting been going for you and the clan? Oh, and are dried oak sleaves still laying around? We need some. Oh, and has the Marigold and Lavender begun to come back? We're still short" Thus began the Medicine Cat's rambles.</sub>

[Fernear!]

Silkgrass, after being woken up from her short nap, let out a gaping yawn. Before her was the silvery body Streamheart. In connection to what the medicine cat had inquired, Silkgrass moved her head about to see if anything caught her eye.

"Hello, Streamheart. I don't see and lavendar, or marigold for that matter. But, a small patch of partially frozen watermint caught my eye and I think I saw some dried oak leaves. They may be a bit soggy from the thaw, though."

Though Silkgrass's eyes weren't to keen at finding herbs amongst small, icy snow banks and dead foliage, her scenting skill was more so than her eyes. The scent was faint but she picked up that trace of watermint. The sweet, lustrous minty scent could be smelt more vibrantly when Greenleaf came around. Then the forest would be filled with far more delicious scents to discover again.

"I'm sorry about the lavender and marigold. Maybe I could help you look for some, and maybe catch up? It's does seem like it's been forever since we've talked."

After her sour mood at the ceremony she now seemed more inclined to be nice and 'blithe'. Taking one last look of admiration at the flower, she then stood up and moved about the plant being even so cautious not to hit it in fear of it crumbling. When she had reached Streamheart her paws were placed firmly on the ground just as if she had been tip-toeing for a short time.

A few moments later she heard a rustling in the near distance. A feeble RiverClan scent was clung to the sound. She held her breath and went around the bend to see if she could catch a glance of the wanderer. She flicked her tail at her friend to say that she'll be back soon for she had left at a poor time. She had left a question hanging.

When the wall of ice, vines and browned marsh plants was passed, she could see a cat of similar colours to Streamheart. Silkgrass did not remember ever meeting a cat from RiverClan that had these grey markings, other than the medicine cat. Naturally, that weak pull gnawed at her, it was telling her to 'go, go, find out who this cat is.' After a minute, she gave in and started towards the cat.

"Hello. You smell of RiverClan, but I've never seen you. So tell me this, are you part of RiverClan or do I have to rip your ears to shreds?"

She didn't mean to sound so hostile, it just came out that way.

[/blockquote]

[Silvercloud]

Minnowpaw stared after her mentor for a moment, debating whether or not she should accompany her new mentor out. She hadn't exactly been invited, nor had she been told to stay in camp. The young calico made up her mind at last and happily bounded after her mentor.

Minnowpaw was quickly lost inside her own territory. She hadn't a clue where she was and on top of that it was hard to pick up her mentor's scent trail. A terrible and rank smell filled her nostrils, making it impossible for her to discern any other scent.

Her eyes began to water and she tried to turn away from the stench. It was over powering and her sense of direction was gone. Her ears were pricked but not much could be heard over the the racket made by what she assumed to be a monster based on the tales she had heard as a kit.

Padding forward Minnowpaw found herself staring across a small river cutting through the land. It was black as the night and smelled terrible. It appeared to be solid and tiny pin pricks of light gleamed off of it in certain places.

The horrible smell rolled off of the surface toward her, carried by the light breeze. Minnowpaw gazed at it with wide and frightened eyes. Curiosity encouraged and drove her to touch it with a fore paw.

Tentatively she reached out and laid her paw gently upon it. It felt rough and warm beneath her paw. As she had thought it was solid. White and yellow lanes were painted on the surface and could not be scratched off. What was this, could this be a thunderpath? If so where were the monsters?

Sorry I got no response so I posted, hope you all don't mind!