Last Days [p]

[Ripplepaw]

The Nursery, usually filled with laughter and energy, was beginning to quiet down as the day came to an end. Most of the kittens had gone to sleep, but most did not include Ripplekit, who was nervously pacing around his nest in thought. He was going to go to sleep with the rest of his den mates, but in his attempt to climb into his nest he realized he was too big for it. Obviously, the tom had began to notice that he was growing with each day, but now he couldn't even fit into his nest. Instead of doing the sensible thing and looking for more moss to add, the situation made his mind roam.

Ripplekit was soon to be an apprentice, a thought that made his heart flutter with excitement, but also made it ache in fear. He thought about how much responsibly came with being an apprentice. Obviously, being a warrior was the ultimate goal, but the journey was as important if not more. How would the tom cope? Ripplekit had to mature, but could he mature enough to even become an apprentice? He still played with moss balls and wrestled with his friends. Did that make him childish? He was still a kit, yes, but maybe he needed to start preparing for the future. The small tom shook his head, the thoughts overwhelming him. Maybe he would feel better if he had someone to talk to who would be willing to listen.

The feline made his way through the den, sneaking past dozens of sleeping kits until he could make out a familiar face. He sighed in relief as he noticed Ashkit, but he wasn't sure if his friend was sleeping or not. He slowly crept over to her nest. "Ashkit?" He whispered, hoping if she were awake she would be able to hear him. "Are you awake? Can I talk with you?"

@userashfire

[Deleted]

The ginger she-kit raised her head up from her paws and looked up at the white tom with her bright blue eyes. Her black ears perked forward with curiosity and she flicked her tail. So, he did have something on his mind.. She could tell there was something up, even while they were all playing together the other day. Ripplekit was also pacing around, and she didn't mean to be rude, but she could hear his pacing. She wasn't ready to go to sleep, anyway.

Ashkit decided that if he wanted to talk about it, he could talk to his friends or even come to her for some advice. And, that was what he did. However, if he ended up worrying every single day, then she would ask him what was going on. She sat up and nodded, pawing a spot next to her or he could sit in front of her. "Y-Yes, Ripplekit. Of course. What's up?" she asked and smiled at him.

[Ripplepaw]

The tom relaxed at the sound of her voice and moved to sit next to his friend. "Sorry if I woke you Ashkit,.. You could say I have a lot on my mind." He chuckled timidly, sheathing in and unsheathing his claws nervously.

"It's just, well... I know that sooner or later my ceremony is coming up. And of course, becoming an apprentice and taking that next step is every kit's dream! But the thing is... What if I fail? Or I'm not ready? I mean, I know a ceremony is going to officially make me an apprentice, but it doesn't change who I am. I still play with a moss ball for Cloudclan's sake! He stopped talking for a moment, slightly tilting his head to the side in thought.

"I-I'm probably overthinking things. I need to just go with the flow... I guess change is scary. He mewed, shrugging timidly.

[Deleted]

The ginger she-kit shook her head and smiled at the nervous tom. "You didn't wake me~ I was actually hoping to find a reason not to go to sleep." Ripplekit saved her from boredom and forcing herself to lay there until she fell asleep without realizing it. She listened to him for the most part because her mind would always be somewhere else as well. Her head tilted with ears and she looked at him with concern in her blue eyes. What was he talking about?

"Being a pessimistic doesn't help this situation." Ashkit sighed and looked to her friend that was in some kind of mental trouble. "You can even ask the warriors! I bet they felt the same way as kits but... You just have to believe in yourself. I know that's what a lot of people say but it's the truth. If you can't believe in yourself, then you most likely won't be able to move on. And, I don't think it matters if you still like to do kit things! I'll always be a kit at heart as I grow up."

It sounds awful how I say it... I don't think I'm helping him at all. "Anyway... I think you'll be a great apprentice and become an even greater warrior. The type of warrior you don't want to be is the selfish kind and also not fleeing when your clan is in danger. I will fight for my clan until I die... They are the only family we have whether we are blood-related or not."

[Ripplepaw]

Ripplekit listened to his friend's advice, and he began to calm. "Wow, Ashkit... Thanks so much. You're right! I just need to do my best for Rockclan and go with the flow!" He mewed determinedly. He sighed, feeling quite pathetic for reacting how he had. "Sorry to bug you with this stuff, but I'm glad I can depend on you!

Ripplekit observed the other kits who were sleeping for a moment, before turning back to Ashkit. "So, everything good with you? No worries about the future?" He laughed, although he was being sincere.

[Deleted]

The muscles in her body relaxed and her gaze grew soft. Ashkit was surprised but she was so glad she could help her friend. It worried her that she would make things worse. Phew! I'm glad I didn't sound too harsh... or harsh at all. I was hoping not to go in that direction. Ripplekit looked so much better and Ashkit purred to herself, flicking her tail happily. "Sorry to bug you with this stuff, but I'm glad I can depend on you! Ashkit shrugged her shoulders and nodded her head. "No, it's fine. And, I'm glad I could help a friend in need! That's what friends are for, right?" Her smile grew bigger, and she knew that things would flow good with Ripplekit.

How could his mentor not like him? He was as polite as could be, but Ashkit also didn't want to make him feel like he had so many high expectations from others. Ripplekit was his own being and it was his life. The only controller of it was him. "So, everything good with you? No worries about the future?" "Yes! Things here in the nursery are great. I wish you didn't have to leave so soon but hey, at least Maplekit and I have each other to comfort. We'll see you again soon. I'm sure of it."

[Ripplepaw]

Ripplekit nodded solemnly. "I mean, there's always the possibility you guys will still become apprentices with me!" He pointed out hopefully. "But if not, I promise I'll visit you guys everyday! I'm sure I'll have time, and if I don't, I'll make time!" Ripplekit promised.

He looked around at the sleeping kits, an idea forming in his head. "Do you want to sneak out into the clearing? We could play a game or something! I mean, no time like the present!

[Deleted]

Ashkit nodded, hoping that her and Maplekit would be able to become apprentices with Ripplekit. They just met, and she wanted to learn more about Ripplekit as well as Maplekit. The she-kit giggled to herself and shook her head, looking to somewhere else in deep thought. "What if you can't make time? It's okay as long as you visit every once in a while... I-if you can." It wasn't all that serious to her. They would become apprentices and join Ripplekit soon. There were no worries. Ashkit blinked at Ripplekit curiously and flicked her tail. "Really?" Her blue eyes lit up brightly and she jumped to her paws. She brushed past him and tumbled toward the nursery entrance, looking back at Ripplekit. "Come on!" she whispered.

[Ripplepaw]

'Really?'

Ripplekit nodded at her, and his eyes lit up. When Ashkit called for him to come, the tom carefully stepped past the sleeping kits, catching up to her. Ripplekit looked outside of the Nursery entrance and out into the clearing. The sight made him shiver. It was pitch dark and there weren't any cats around. It reminded him of the stories he had heard some other kittens tell in attempt to scare each other; stories about snakes or badgers lurking around the clearing when no cat was watching, or even a Cloudclan spirit.

Ripplekit shuddered, but shook his head in an attempt to regain his bearings. There was nothing out here! "Right, it's just like the clearing during the day but without light..." Ripplekit realized he had spoken out loud, and the white tom chuckled nervously. "Anyway, have any suggestions on what we should play? He asked Ashkit nonchalantly, hoping he hadn't been paying his last statement any mind. Come on! I'm not a scaredy-cat! The only thing out here is Ashkit and I! Rockclan wouldn't let anything get into their camp. We're better than that!.

[Deleted]

The ginger kitten watched Ripplekit walk around the sleeping kits carefully. That made her feel guilty for just running through there recklessly. Oh, well. Luckily, she hadn't woken any of the kits up. Ashkit took a mental note in her mind to be more careful next time. She actually looked outside at the camp and her black ears pointed back slightly. It was so dark outside. Rarely any kits played outside while it was dark. Maybe they had a reason.

Ashkit stepped out of the nursery and looked around hesitantly. It was kind of creepy, and she hoped they would play a game soon so she could forget about it being dark at all.. unless they wanted to scare each other out there. She turned to Ripplekit and listened to him ask her what they should do.

"Let's see... We could play hide and seek! It would be so cool at night. Orrrrr, hm... we could practice hunting moves and fighting moves if you want. We could look at the stars and make shapes. We could... um... Ooh~! How about we play on the rocks!"

[Ripplepaw]

Ripplekit listened to her suggestions, purring in agreement at the last one. "Okay! Rocks it is!" The young tom made his way over to where the rocks were, and began climbing up them one by one. He paused for a moment and looked out into the clearing. This isn't so bad! He glanced over towards Ashkit. "What do you think it'll be like when we get to go outside?" He asked her, gesturing towards the clan territory with his nose.

[Deleted]

Ashkit giggled and stumbled over to the rocks, looking up at them. Her blue eyes almost glowing in the darkness. Her front paws reached out to a rock and she kicked out with her hindlegs. She scrambled onto the rock and looked for another rock to climb next. It was good practice for them to climb rocks in their spare time besides playing, eating, and sleeping. They were Rockclan cats after all! It was their talent to build up their muscles to climb rocks and run down them. The kit giggled and started to climb another rock when Ripplekit asked that question. "I bet there would be a lot of space to run around. There might even be a bunch of rocks, even bigger ones!"

[Ripplepaw]

Ripplekit giggled as well, attempting to jump for rock to rock. He listened to her and gasped. "Even bigger rocks?!" As if on cue, Ripplekit slipped on the next rock he jumped to, and yelped pathetically as he managed to scramble back onto it at the last second. "I can't even climb these!" He admitted, laughing to himself.

"Hmm, you know, when we become apprentices, maybe we can go exploring together!" He paused for a moment before adding, With a warrior obviously. We probably couldn't go by ourselves."

[Deleted]

Ashkit grunted and lifted herself up, but she didn't have enough strength and plopped back down on the rock she was on before. "Even bigger rocks?!" She nodded to Ripplekit with a smile on her face, perking her ears in the direction of the rock she hadn't completely climbed. I can do this! While she tried to climb the rock again, she glanced over at Ripplekit. "Yep! So, we better start practicing so we can climb those big rocks with no problem at all." Ripplekit let out a yelp and that startled Ashkit.

"Ripple- Ah!!" Ashkit hadn't been paying attention to what she was doing and one of her paws gave out. The kit came crashing down and her right foreleg had gotten stuck between two big rocks that were close together. The kitten yowled and squirmed, trying to get her leg out. "A-Ah! Ri-Ripple..." she cried and whimpered. "My-! My l-leg!" Her weight started to weigh her down and it was pulling on her leg that was caught between the rocks. "Ow! Ow! It hurts so bad!" she whined.

[Ripplepaw]

The small tom gasped and turned to Ashkit when he heard her call for him. His eyes widened and he began to scramble up the rocks towards his friend. "Ashkit? Hold on, I'm coming!" He yowled in panic, frantically scrambling up the rocks to reach her. He let out a sharp intake as he jumped and landed shakily on his paws, but he ignored the pain.

When Ripplekit was finally at her side, he began to breath shakily as he inspected the situation. "Oh no... This is all my fault." He whimpered, thinking of what he should do. He could get the medicine cat, but he assumed he should at least get Ashkit unstuck. "Okay, okay. I need to calm down. A-Ashkit, I'm going to try and pull you out, but if it hurts let's try something else, okay?" He stammered, reaching down to pick her up by the scruff with his teeth, making sure he wasn't biting too hard. Could he even lift her?! He was older, but barely. Hesitantly, Ripplekit closed his eyes and tried to gently pull her out, ready to stop if he heard any sign of pain.