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Warrior Name: Minnowsight
Warrior name: Minnowsight
Birth stats: 4018
{5 moons old}
She padded slowly along behind Tatteredstar. The large lion had visited her when she was just a newborn cub. Shee remembered him because her mother told her that the giant lion would be her leader as soon as she was 5 moons old. She hadn't understood at the time. But she did today. While playing in her pride's home, she caught sight of the leader. Some exchange happened with the king, and then Tatteredstar had walked over and picked the small cub up by her scruff. Shope said her goodbyes and left with the male.
"Where are we going?"
A rumble left the lion's chest as he padded along. "To your new home, little one. My clan, JadeClan has waited for a cub like you for a long time. You'll be trained, just as I was, to take over the clan someday." Tatteredstar stopped and sat down in the shade of a tree. "Why don't you sit next to me for a few heartbeats."
Nodding, the little cub followed and sat next to the lion's paws, which were just as big as she was!
"Do you have a name, little one?"
A shake of the head. She wasn't sure she liked 'little one' either and hoped that wouldn't be her name.
"Very well... I shall have to think of something fitting for you. But before that, why I don't I tell you about your new home."
The cub sat and listened to wild tales of this clan she was going to be joining. They seemed to work much different than a regular lion pride. But she was okay with that. It would be fun!
After a long rest and too many stories to even remember, Tatteredstar lead the little cub on through the land. They came to a densely packed jungle, and Tatteredstar took a deep breath. "That smell? That is your new home, little one."
She took a deep breath. It was like... many lions all in one place. Earthy overtones covered musky lion scent, but if she focused enough,she could pick out the scent of flowers in bloom from the wet seasons rains. It was lovely! Her previous home smelled of a similar lion musk but this was very different. She tried to comment the smell to memory.
As she continued on into the territory, as the leader had called it, the little cub kept her eyes peeled as they followed a stream. That was when she spotted it. A flash of white at the bottom of the water. She was fascinated by it! So, she broke away from Tatteredstar and dove into the shallows of the stream. The current was lazy and slow and the small cub was able to dive and grab her prize easily. She resurfaced to find Tatteredstar watching her with a bemused expression.
“I guess you really wanted that skull,” the leader laughed. “You dove after that like a little minnow.”
The little cub ducked her head but refused to let go of her new toy.
Tatteredstar then lead the rest of the way to the camp, taking the skull gently in his large mouth when it became too heavy for the tiring cub. She followed Tatteredstar into a break in the trees, just big enough for a lion to pad through. Tatteredstar sat the skull down at the base of a large rock and turned to the cub. "Sit right here. Don't move, please."
She nodded and sat down where the leader had instructed. As she sat, she finally looked up, lions lay all over a small clearing. But before she had much time to think, Tatteredstar's voice rang out, loud and clear.
"Let all those who have found their roar join here beneath The Rock for a clan meeting!" Found their roar? But she hadn't found her roar yet! Should she be here?
Tatteredstar once again interrupted her thoughts after the lions had gathered in a large mass. "Lions of JadeClan, I have a big announcement! We have our deputy." A cheer erupted through the crowd, and it made the little cubs ears grow hot. "She is a tiny thing now, but I know she will grow and be the best she can be for this clan. And because of this." The sentence was punctuated by Tatteredstar jumping down from The Rock and padding up the cub. "You have earned your apprenticeship here in our clan. We will train you as a group, you will learn all you can from all of us. But Berryblaze?" Tatteredstar turned to the only other adult male in the crowd. He was smaller than Tatteredstar. He was a dark black color with pink painting his pelt. "You will take over her patrol training once she is old enough. So befriend her now. You two will spend a lot of time together." The dark male nodded his head and gave a warm smile to the cub.
Tatteredstar turned back to him and smiled at him as well. "Little one. From this moment on, you shall be known as Minnowpaw."
Minnowpaw rolled the name around in her head. She decided that while it was different, she loved it. Though she didn't get much time to think before the crowd before her broke into a loud cheer. For her! For Minnowpaw! Minnowpaw! Minnowpaw! Minnowpaw!" She could feel the welcome on the wind and in the voices. She knew she would fit in here.
A few days passed and Minnowpaw was settling in nicely. The only other apprentices in the clan were Cheetahpaw and Pikepaw. Two older females who she had taken a liking to and called her friends. Though her closest friends were Lostkit and Palekit. They were two cubs still in the nursery but would be in the apprentice den with her soon enough. Then they could train together! Out of the two sisters though, she much preferred to spend her time with Palekit.
She was playing one day with Palekit and Lostkit when Stormfall padded over to her. She had come to know the odd lioness in her few days in the clan and Minnowpaw thought she was strange but liked her anyway. She felt otherworldy and wise to her. But right now... She held a spark in her eye. "Littlemist and I have something for you. Come with me, young Minnowpaw." Doing as she was told, she followed Stormfall to the den she and Littlemist shared. Sitting the back, the small medicine lion waved her tail excitedly back and forth.
"We've spent a long while making something for you. A welcome to our ranks." The small lioness stepped to the side and behind her sat a pile of bones.
"Oh... um thanks..." She paused but tried to sound happy, not wanting to offend the lionesses.
Stormfall chucked. "Close your eyes." Her tail flicked softly across her face as she stepped past her. She again, did as she was told. And in a few moments, she felt something drape over her head and chest. Then another item was placed over her head. Then something was placed onto each paw. "Okay, open."
Minnowpaw opened her eyes and found the rabbit skull she found her first journey to the clan dangling from a cord. And wrapped all around her body were the bones of rabbits.
"Wear them with pride, little Minnowpaw. They show our joy in having you here and the clan's acceptance of you."
{6 moons - 12 moons}
Stats: 4020
Minnowpaw padded out of the camp. She was on her way to the training area for her daily training with Tatteredstar. A new cub had joined their ranks as well. She had joined a few days after the young deputy did. She had been dubbed Cloudedpaw and Minnowpaw felt herself drawn to her. She wanted to be her friend. Still new to the small pack of cubs, Cloudedpaw hung at the back of the group. Noticing, Minniwpaw slowed her pace so that she fell out of pace with Tatteredstar and settled in beside the black and purple cub.
"Hi, Cloudedpaw, how are you?"
She looked up and her eyes held a bit of a nervous air in them, and that was when she remembered that this was her first day out with all the other cubs for her training. "I'm nervous..." Her smooth as honey voice trailed off as she slowed down to be another pawstep or two behind the group.
Minnowpaw dipped her head under the cub's chin and nuzzled her gently. She was older than Minnowpaw by a moon, but she still felt a need to protect her and be there for her. "I know Tatteredstar looks all mean and horrible, but he is rather friendly. It's Berryblaze you have to watch out for." Minnowpaw offered a smile as she joked about her soon-to-be main mentor. "Though he is also fairly harmless. Mostly just worried about feeding himself." Another small laugh left Minnowpaw and she was delighted to see a smile turn up the corners of Cloudedpaw's mouth.
She stayed near her throughout the training sessions. Even when ordered to fight with Lostpaw, who was much smaller, Cloudedpaw quickly put the other cub on the ground but was careful to throw her down so that she landed on a patch of undergrowth to ease her fall. She liked how gentle she seemed. And she wondered if she was too young to comment on Tatteredstar's choice of pride members. Maybe when she was a little older.
More moons passed and with them, Minnowpaw grew more and more into her place in the clan. She was hanging out in the pride's camp one day when Tatteredstar approached. Minnowpaw looked up from the remains of a red river hog that she was sharing with a couple other apprentices and jumped to attention. "Yes, Tatteredstar?"
The giant leader sat down and motioned for the apprentice to do the same. Once Minnowpaw was seated again, Tatteredstar spoke. "I hope you don't mind me speaking about this in front of your friends, but I thought you'd be okay with it. Tomorrow, you are to start your training with Berryblaze. I will take a few pawsteps back, but I will be near if you need me. I may even tag along at times." He gave a warm smile to the apprentice before he spoke again. "I wanted to say this now as well Minnowpaw. You have a very warm and protective personality. And I know your peers have seen this as well." The leader allowed a moment of silence for the other apprentices to voice their agreement.
Cloudedpaw spoke up first. "She stayed near me on my first few days here. She made sure I settled in nicely." The sweet lioness smiled her approval.
Tatteredstar chuckled. "Yes, I did notice that, Cloudedpaw."
Minnowpaw felt her ears grow hot at the praise but made herself stand upright.
"What I'm trying to say, Minnowpaw... is to keep up the good work. This clan will be in your paws before you know it. And I know I can trust you with it." Tatteredstar walked off and left Minnowpaw beaming in a group of her friends.
{13 moons- 22 moons}(1.1 years-1.10years)
Stats: 4023
Berryblaze kept Minnowpaw out from sun up to sun down. She was constantly training. And while she enjoyed the training, it made it hard to join in and hang out with the other apprentices. Especially when a special apprentice joined a few moons into her patrol training. She was a cub that had been born into the clan. Her name was Applepaw. She was the daughter of Whitefleck, a very nice lioness that Minnowpaw enjoyed to learn from as well. But Applepaw was just... something special. Every free moment was spent with the little red apprentice.
Minnowpaw dragged back into camp. She was so close to the end of her training. But she was exhausted!
"Alright, Minnowpaw. Go report to Tatteredstar and grab some supper. That's all for today. We can finish up your training tomorrow." Berryblaze stopped beside the tired adolescent. He rested his soft tail tip on her shoulder. "I'm very proud of you. At 20 moons old, you'll be finishing your training. Same age Tatteredstar was when he finished." The beam that came from the black and pink lion was enough to reenergize the apprentice and send her scuttling off to find Tatteredstar.
"Minnowpaw!" A sweet voice stopped her and Minnowpaw turned with a smile to the smaller apprentice.
"Applepaw," the name left her in a rumble of happiness as she nuzzled her. "How was your training today?"
She bounced around Minnowpaw’s paws. "It was great! Tatteredstar took us for stalking practice."
"And I bet you did the best?"
The little red apprentice shook her head. "No.... Dottedpaw did better than me."
She nuzzled under Applepaw’s chin. "Hey, you gotta remember. She is a little older than you. But you're doing great, too! Have you eaten yet?"
"No, I was hoping we could eat together tonight. If... if you're not busy."
Faking sadness she started to shake her head, but quickly chuckled when she watched the apprentices face fall so hard she may as well have pouted enough for the entire clan. "I'm kidding, Applepaw. Berryblaze is letting me ofs the hook for tonight. Why dont you go find us a place to settled down. I'll go report to Tatteredstar and then come join you." She nodded happily and ran off.
Minnowpaw turned back to her task of searching for the leader. She found her talking to the huntresses, about to send them out for another hunt. Sanding back, Minnowpaw waited until Sterlingshimmer lead her hunting party out of the camp.
"Yes, Minnowpaw."
"Berryblaze and I have returned from our patrol. We found nothing to report."
"Nothing to report? Aren't you about to finish your training?"
"Yes... Berryblaze said we would finish up tomorrow."
"Good job, Minnowpaw. Now, run along... I think someone is waiting, not so patiently for you to return."
Minnowpaw turned around and saw Applepaw sitting staring at the two with a happy grin on her face. Minnowpaw smiled and flicked her tail at her as she walked over to where the pride kept the fresh kill. She drug a half eaten zebra carcass over to the apprentice before dhe settled in beside her and the two started to eat.
{23 moons}(1.11 years)
Minnowpaw woke a few mornings after her last day of training to head out and patrol on her own. Tatteredstar and Berryblaze both trusted that she was capable enough to patrol on her own, and had been sending her out to do just that.
She stepped around a bush at the edge of the territory to hear a growl aimed at her. She snarled back and flexed her claws. "Who dares threaten JadeClan!" From just outside the border a large wild looking lion stepped up.
"What? They let just anything with a claw or two defend a pride's home now?" The lion chuckled and spat at Minnowpaw. "Run along to mom now, little cub."
Offended, but not willing to back down, Minnowpaw snarled again. "I think it's time you left." She watched as the unknown male sniffed the air and started over the border.
"It seems my lunch is this way." The wild male headed off into the Clan's land, his nose in the air.
Minnowpaw ran and stopped in the path of the male. "Leave. This is JadeClan's land. The prey here is for us and us alone." She felt like a leader already, defending her clan the way she should. And while she was lost for just a second. The male stepped around her and stuck his nose into the air again. Once again, Minnowpaw jumped in his path. "This is the last time I'm telling you to leave."
"You're starting to pester me, cub. You got one more time to show me that kinda insubordination before I teach you how a cub is to address her elders." This time, the male stepped past Minnowpaw with a rough shove and headed on.
Not allowing the shove to phase her, Minnowpaw raised a paw and slashed at the Male with outstretched claws. She felt skin tear under her claws for a split moment before she felt a smack cross her face. Her vision turned cloudy with blood, but that didnt stop her. She launched herself at the male. The fight lasted for a few heartbeats before a streak of grey joined in. Followed closely by more lionesses. Once all the chaos had stopped, Minnowpaw sat back and noticed, through the blood that Pikewhisper and her hunting patrol had come to her aid. She huffed her thanks just before Cloudedmist gasped.
"Minnowpaw! Your eye! You need to see Littlemist at once!"
"What?" She raised a paw to the bloody eye and rubbed at it. Blood covered her paw and she stared at it with slightly off vision. "Please tell me she's in the camp!"
The party bolted into camp with Pikewhisper already asking for Littlemist. She came out of the cave with her fluffy mate close behind.
"Into my den now." The medicine lion ordered Minnowpaw, and the young deputy wasted no time in following the order.
Once into the cozy den, Stormfall started to clean the eye with her tongue as Littlemist gathered her herbs. Minnowpaw let her smooth strokes sooth away some of her anxiety. A few minutes passed and Stormfall stopped. "Um... Littlemist? You might want to come check this out."
Within moments the small lion was in front of Minnowpaw. "You know the drill. Lay down." Again, Minnowpaw quickly did as she was told and lay down on the cool stone floor. Small paws prodded around her injured eye and a smooth tongue whisked away more blood as it pooled. "The most we can do is stop the bleeding and infection. I'm not sure I can save that eye. Stromfall, dear, will you work on cleaning and dressing her other wounds?" The fluffy lioness nodded and silently went to work on the other smaller scratches on her body.
"Minnowpaw!" A gruff and worried voice exploded into the medicine den. The medic and her mate had just finished cleaning and dressing all Minnowpaw's wounds when Tatteredstar bolted into the den. "I came as soon as Berryblaze found me. What happened?"
Minnowpaw wasted no time explaining herself. "I was patrolling and came across this wild looking male lion. He seemed more savage than other rouges and kings. I tried to tell him to leave. He wouldn't. And it escalated into a fight. Pikewhisper and her patrol saved me."
"A wild male?" Tatteredstar trailed off for a moment then growled low. "Those damned Savages!"
"The who?"
"The Savages. This drought brings out the worst in lions. Some go so low as to hunt and kill humans. That nature brings out the savages to join in. They are horrible lions." He shook his head and turned to Littlemist. "How bad is her eye?"
"It's bad, Tatteredstar. I dont think I can save it."
"Can she still function with just the one?"
"It will be a learning curve, but yes. She can."
The protective leader leaned down and bumped his muzzle into the younger female. "Do you still feel like you can take over as leader one day?"
Minnowpaw stood up as tall as she could and stared Tatteredstar down. "I'm not letting that savage ruin everything I've trained and worked so hard for. I won't step down as deputy."
Tatteredstar nodded. "Then next moon we will welcome you as a full member of this clan." The leader left with that and left Minnowpaw in silent awe.
Her moment was broken by another yell of her name. Though this time the voice filled her with warmth and then panic. "Dont let her see!" Running, the deputy ducked behind Stormfall and hid her face.
Applepaw barged into the den with worry evident all over her face. "Minnowpaw! They said you got into a fight with one of those savages!"
"Yes.... but please, Applepaw. I'd rather you not see this."
The young apprentice stood her ground. "I don't care what you'd rather happen. Come here now and let me see you're okay."
Minnowpaw swore she heard her stamp her paw onto the cave floor. But with a sigh she stepped out from around Stormfall. "Littlemist doesn't think she can save the eye." She sat down in front of the lioness that was very nearly her adolescent size. She watched her face fall. Minnowpaw quickly leaned down to nuzzle into her. "I'm okay. I'm right here. I'll be fine." She shushed her as her emotions started to get the better of her.
"When they said that it was bad... I instantly thought the worst!"
Minnowpaw lay down and let the lioness snuggle into her side. She heard Stormfall quietly mention to Littlemist that they should give the two young ones a moment of privacy and the two mates stepped out of the den.
For the rest of the night, Applepaw never left Minnowpaw’s side.
{24 moons}(2 years)
Stats: 4084
A moon passed since Minnowpaw's accident and Littlemist had finally stopped insisting that she kept her eye covered in cobwebs and herbs. She had been right, though. All of her herbs had been unsuccessful in saving Minnowpaw's sight in that left eye. But she was adjusting. And Applepaw never left her alone for more than a patrols worth of time. She doted over her and Minnowpaw loved the attention from her. The two had been spending more and more time together now that she was nearly ready to start her hunting training. And Minnowpaw wouldn't have it any other way. They had started to share a nest in the apprentices' den, and both knew that the whole clan was talking, but she didn't care. She enjoyed Applepaw's company and that was that.
Minnowpaw now awoke in their shared nest and quietly padded out of the den without waking Applepaw. In her sleepy state, the apprentice deputy bumped right into Tatteredstar.
"Minnowpaw! Just the lion I wanted to see."
Minnowpaw felt her heart sink. This was it. This was the talk she had been dreading. Tatteredstar was about to tell her that he wasnt going to allow her to be a full warrior or even leader because of her injury.
"Your ceremony will be held at sun high. Make sure to be in camp by then." The aging leader smiled warmly at the deputy.
After a walk through the forest with a sleepy Applepaw, Minnowpaw returned to camp with her now wide awake. Once she stepped foot into the camp, Tatteredstar bellowed.
"Let all those who have found their roar join here beneath The Rock for a clan meeting!" Minnowpaw sparked with happiness and quickly found a place next to Applepaw.
"As you all know, Minnowpaw joined us for the purpose of joining our ranks as the future leader. And today, she takes a pawstep closer to that purpose." Tatteredstar jumped down from his rock and stood face to face with Minnowpaw. The leader beamed with pride as he spoke. "I, Tatteredstar, leader of JadeClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this Apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a Warrior in her turn. Minnowpaw, do you promise to uphold the Warrior Code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
Minnowpaw sucked in a breath and nodded heavily. "I do."
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your Warrior name. Minnowpaw, from this moment you will be known as Minnowsight. StarClan honors your protective ways and ability to keep what's important up front and in priority and we welcome you as a full warrior of JadeClan."
The clan immediately erupted into cheers. "Minnowsight! Minnowsight!"
Minnowsight bathed in the glow of the welcome. Smiling when she noticed the loudest cheer was coming from Applepaw.
Eventually, the crowd disbanded and Minnowsight stopped Tatteredstar. "I want the truth. Did you name me after my injury?" Her voice was blunt and unafraid.
The large leader shook his head. "Well. At least not entirely. At first, yes. Before your injury, I'd didn't have the faintest clue about a name that would suit you. And then the more I thought about it, the more it fit. Your keen eyes that gave you that necklace you wear. The way you never let go of what you wanted. Even as a little cub who only wanted to be the best. To an apprentice who only rivaled my own training. To an injured apprentice who stood tall, even with blood dripping from your eye, that didn't want to back down. You never lost sight of your goals. And that is why I named you Minnowsight."
{25-34 moons}(2.1 years-2.10 years)
Stats:4130
As the moons passed, Minnowsight got used to her new rank within the clan. One of the main duties passed along to her was the organizing of hunting patrols. It was something she loved doing.
"Okay. Sterlingshimmer and Pikewhisper, take Petalmist, Ebonystep, and Briarback with you. Go around the water holes and grassy areas. See what you can find here. Oh, and take Applepaw along with you." She couldn't help the smile that graced her face as she spoke Applepaw’s name. She turned to Sterlingshimmer but was interrupted before she even opened her mouth.
"Why don't you let her take this hunt off. She's nearing the end of her training and can stand to sit out of a patrol or two. Plus, it seems she really wants to spend some time with you if her chattering on the last hunt was any indication." The older lioness laughed and turned to the rest of her party. "Come on girls. Let's go, before she has a chance to think that through." Minnowsight watched the lionesses run past her as they headed out of the camp. Left in their wake was Applepaw. She was just as big as the lionesses of the clan now and according to the patrols, she was holding her own well. She looked overly happy as she sat and stared at Minnowsight.
"Since Sterlingshimmer gave me a little time off, I really hope you have some free time."
Minnowsight nodded and stepped forward to rub her head along hers. The red lioness got lost in Minnowsight’s black chin and chest and rumbled her happiness.
"What would you like to do with our free time? It feels like we haven't had a moment to ourselves in ages." Applepaw was right. Between her training and Minnowsight’s newfound duties, there hadn't been much free time for the two of them.
"We could go to the la-," Minnowsight was cut short by Tatteredstar calling her name.
"Ah, yes, Minnowsight." The buff leader stepped in front of the deputy. "I have some more cubs that need to be dropped off for the reserve today. It's just two little ones, shouldn't be too hard."
Minnowsight heaved a sigh. "Yes, Tatteredstar." She turned to Applepaw and started to apologize.
Following the deputy's gaze, Tatteredstar noticed Applepaw for the first time. "Oh, little Applepaw! Though, not so little anymore. I supposed you'll be finishing up your training soon enough. Why don't you go with Minnowsight? I'm sure she would love if you went."
"I'd love to go!" The apprentice suddenly perked up and stood closer to Minnowsight. "Where are the two little cubs?"
Tatteredstar turned away to the nursery and picked up a small brown female cub and dropped her at the deputy's feet before walking back and returning with a little grey cub. "Both are old enough to apprentice, but we just don't have a need for them and sadly they are not special enough to trade to another clan or pride. But the reserve will take care of them."
Minnowsight nodded, she knew the drill. Tatteredstar was picky with the cubs that were allowed to stay in the clan. The rest were either traded or taken to the reserve. To drop them off would be an entire day's trip, but Minnowsight usually was the one to make the trip now that she was the deputy.
Ushering the cubs along in front of them, Minnowsight and Applepaw padded along so close that their sides brushed as they walked.
"Are you two mates?"
The tiny voice caught Minnowsight off guard, and she stared down at the little grey cub now walking backwards in front of her. "Like Littlemist and Stormfall? I thought only the leader could pick a mate. But my mommy said that Littlemist and Stormfall loved each other like a leader and his mate."
Minnowsight floundered for a moment before staring wide eyed at Applepaw. Were they? It wasn't something they had discussed. Would she be okay with what her leadership would demand of her? Being the only female in clan able to stud and other kings paying for her services for their girls... Not many leaders took on a mate because many couldn't understand or deal with the duties it required. But Applepaw giggles and simply nodded to the cub.
"Yes, we are. Right, Minnowsight?" She headbutted her shoulder affectiontly and smiled warmly at her.
She nodded. "Yes. She's my mate."
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