Yawn [Private]

[Deleted]

| For Ashfrost |

Maplefrost stretched stiffly in his nest. It was still very early, but the old tom wasn't training his apprentice today. Since he didn't need to be anywhere, he would be getting the whole day to relax.

Sitting up in his ragged nest, the calico glanced about with a sigh. So many of the cats here were young. It wouldn't be long before he moved out of the warriors' den for good, though.

Deciding that he'd grab a meal to stop his stomach from rumbling, Maplefrost stood up and started carefully making his way toward the den entrance. However, he wasn't careful enough. The Maine Coon accidentally stepped on a tail, immediately recoiling as he realized what he'd done.

"Sorry," he whispered with a frown. Hopefully this cat wouldn't claw him for that.

[Ashfrost]

~Never Too Early To Start~

A paw jeered Ashfrost's tail and drove him from his sleep. He heard the tom apologize as Ashfrost climbed to his feet. He was met face to face with another warrior. This one looked to be a senior one. Ashpaw nodded at the other cat recognizing his apology. "What's your name?" He asked in a low voice shaking his pelt. He wasn't going to get more sleep anyway. 

Since he was a warrior now and had no training or apprentices he had all day to do anything. 

[Deleted]

Well, at least the younger cat didn't feel like getting angry. The tricolor cat twitched his torn ears. "I'm Maplefrost. You must be new; I don't recognize your face," he commented. It was a good thing that there were more younger warriors now... IceClan had gone through an awfully long period of time when the queens hadn't had any kits. However, now Maplefrost had no idea who many of the cats in the den were. Might as well get to know them.

[Ashfrost]

~Little Steps Backwards~

Ashfrost nodded. "I just became a warrior," He said. "I'm Ashfrost," he said. He made his way outside so he didn't disturb the others around him. he steppe over cats and finally made it outside. Then he turned back to Maplefrost to see if he followed too. 

[Deleted]

His suspicions were confirmed when Ashfrost mentioned that he had recently gotten his ceremony. That explained why he wasn't already out training apprentices.

"It's good to meet you, Ashfrost," the calico meowed. Trying to step more carefully this time, he made his way outside into the clearing. "Feel like sharing a piece of prey?" Maplefrost offered as he headed for the fresh-kill pile.

[Ashfrost]

~Never To Late~

"I could eat," Ashfrost nodded trotting over to the freshkill pile. He picked a piece of moss out of his pelt, from his nest and sat down by the pile. 

[Deleted]

Maplefrost sniffed at the pieces of prey, searching for something that could feed two cats. Eventually he settled on a plump crow. The old cat seized the bird by the wing and tugged it free of the pile, then set it down between himself and Ashfrost.

"Nothing like a tasty crow. So, tell me about yourself," the tricolor tom meowed as he took a bite of the feathery creature.

[Ashfrost]

~Never been Simple~

Ashforst considered this for a moment. "Well I grew up like any other cat would. I have a brother named Stormpaw." He started. He really didn't know what to say. "Ummmm...yeah...." he finished awkwardly. "What about you?" He asked. 

[Deleted]

"Stormpaw? Nice name. I haven't met him yet," the Maine Coon commented. Spitting out a feather, he tilted his head a bit to one side before speaking.

"I have a brother too, actually. His name's Birdshadow. I have a lot of other half-siblings, since my family tree is a little messed-up. See, my mother is Shadefrost - the queen who just returned to her warrior duties recently. But my father is Hawkstar, formerly Hawktalon of FireClan. Long story there." Maplefrost didn't yet know that the former RockClan leader had retired, but then again, that news was still spreading.

[Ashfrost]

~That Feeling In The Pit OF Your Stomach~

Ashpaw found himself shocked at the long history of the cat next to him. he took another bite of the crow as he considered everything. When he swallowed he asked, "So did you ever want to go with you father?" he asked. Curiosity pricked at him so the words came out. He knew he should have been more cautious with them. "Sorry," He muttered. 

[Deleted]

The tom bared his teeth in anger, but it wasn't directed at Ashfrost. "CloudClan, no. He tricked me once, and I'd rather kill him than live in his Clan. Thanks to the cat who dares to call himself a father, I was held hostage in FireClan for moons." Maplefrost's expression darkened as the past replayed in his mind.

[Ashfrost]

~Never Gonna Turn Back~

Ashfrost recoiled at Maplefrost's response. He wondered what it would be like to have a history like that one. Though he wouldn't want to try it. "Well I'm glad you are happy in IceClan. They are lucky to have you," he said. He didn't pity this cat, but rather considered him strong.

[Deleted]

Lucky to have me... Am I really valued here?

Sighing quietly, the calico tom relaxed his shoulders. "This has always been my home, mixed blood or not," Maplefrost murmured. Although he had failed to kill his father, at least he would be looked after here during his retirement.