Stop and STARE (open)

[♥Blue♥]

Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. The leaves crackled underpaw as a coal black tom padded into the small clearing. He seemed calm, serene almost. The cold weather seemed to have no effect on him.

The owl that took residence here hooted once and retreated farther back into its tree. Serpentstrike walked right up to the base of it and sat down, his head tilted upward. "Come," he said, his voice ringing out. "Dusk is near. Prey is out. Come, owl," the tom called. The owl stuck its head out, then it hopped down and landed near Serpentstrike. "Hunt, dear friend," he said sadly. The owl hooted and took off, leaving one feather behind. Serpentstrike picked it up with his tail and brought it to his face. "You, dear feather, are a bad omen," he whispered to it. Serpentstrike tucked the feather inbetween two low branches and watched it being tugged by the wind.

The tom curled up at the base of the tree and lay down his head, but his green eyes were alert for his owl friend to return. His eyes shone sadly. He had passed a patrol on his way here, but none of the cats seemed to take notice of him. So, Serpentstrike had journeyed here unhindered. He was almost disgusted with himself. Almost. Making friends with an owl. He had to fill the empty void by talking to a bird. Serpentstrike yowled out, a low and sad yowl. He then curled his tail tighter around his body and closed his eyes, opening one every once in a while to scan the skies.

[♰Fickle♰]

[glow= green, 2,300]Silverbell[/glow]

"I'm a wandering!" Sang Silverbell as she made her way through the forest, "And it's bright! The moon, it shines tonight! What a difference, does it make! Every breath, each I take. Baited on, holding tight. Hold me close to your heart tonight!" The song had no real tune. It was something she remembered from her kittypet days. Cale used to love music. Singing sometimes made her feel better when she was sad. The curious former kittypet sat down, living with ShadowClan wasn't bad, but she knew some cat's hated her because of her roots. The siamese she-cat sighed heavily, and let her emerald eyes fall to the forest floor. She heard the hooting of an owl and she felt a tug of curiousity. She wondered how an owl flew, how did they hunt? She scanned the night for it's wheeling shape.

[glow= green, 2,300]>> I used to live in a darkened room
Had a face of stone <<[/glow]

[♥Blue♥]

Serpentstrike yawned and scanned the sky once again. He then heard the call of the owl, who soon appeared in the sky, a mouse in its beak. "Nice catch, my friend," he purred. The owl landed by him and happily ate the mouse. It then tilted its tawny head and hooted once, then flew nearer to Serpentstrike. "She-cat? Is she of ShadowClan?" he asked. The owl blinked. "Good. Thank you for warning me," he mewed. He sat up and waited for the cat to not notice him.

[♰Fickle♰]

"Wow..." She meowed, mezmerized by the swooping form of the owl. Her emerald eyes flickered as they caught the reflection of the moon. Silverbell sat down, and twitched her ear. She knew that an owl could carry kits away, but she was big enough to fight him off if she had to. She stared at the owl's dark form, curiousity pricking her paws. "Hey...hey, how do you fly like that?" She meowed. Of course he didn't answer. Silverbell laughed, a pretty tinkling laugh. She began to run after the shadow of the owl, it wasn't until she was pratically on top of Serpentstrike that she even noticed him. She let out an "eep!" of surprise and staggered back. She blinked at the tom, "Oh...um s-sorry." She stared at him, her mouth opening. His name completely escaped her. She felt embarassment, "Erm...sorry..." she hoped the tom could supply her with a name.

[glow= limegreen, 2,300]>>And a heart of gloom
Lost my hope, I was so far gone<<[/glow]

[♥Blue♥]

Serpentstrike didn't budge as Silverbell ran into him. He blinked and looked at her. Ah yes, she was one of the kittypets gone warrior. "Serpentstrike of ShadowClan at your service, Silverbell," he said while slightly bowing. "You followed the owl. Here, friend, she is not a threat," Serpentstrike called to the owl. It hooted and flew out of the tree and landed by the black tom. "Yes, sadly you won't remember even meeting me. I will fade into your mind like a shadow. If you do take the time to notice me, you will remember that the owl is my friend," he said. The owl ruffled its feathers and tilted its head. "He is curious. Why were you following him? You do know he is a bad omen, yes?" Serpentstrike meowed, his eyes peircing Silverbell's.

[♰Fickle♰]

Silverbell tipped her head to the side, green eyes sparking with curiousity. "Are you a ghost?" She meowed in wonderment. "The owl? I don't think she's a bad omen, she's very pretty." She tilted her head as she looked at the beautiful bird, "So graceful and quiet. Wouldn't it be great to fly? Can you fly? Hey! You can talk to that owl right? Are you part bird?"

Cloverpaw had been watching the entire thing. "I will fade into your mind like a shadow..." Cloverpaw felt a twinge of pain. How unfair. Serpentstrike had spent most of his life unnoticed, even by her and she noticed things better than other cats. She was more observant than most of them though. She felt bad for the cat, perhaps she should be his friend. Silverbell was just a twit, formerly a kittypet after all. She wouldn't remember Serpentstrike if he bit her on the nose. Slowly she came forward and said cheerfully, "Hi Serpentstrike. Hi Silverbell!" She came forward staring at the owl. It was a pretty bird. She smiled at Serpentstrike, "That's cool, that you can get her to come out. I've never been able to before." The young apprentice sat down, watching Serpentstrike for his reaction to the familiarity in her meow. Would he be stunned?

[glow= green, 2,300]>>Cryin all my tears
With the curtains drawn <<[/glow]

[♥Blue♥]

Serpentstrike's eyes darkened as Silverbell guess he was a ghost. "I am like one, yes," he whispered. His ears twitched as Silverbell ranted on about the owl. "It's a he, dear she-cat," he mewed loudly.

Serpentstrike looked up as Cloverpaw trotted into the clearing. His tail moved ever so slightly when she said his name. She was one of the few who recognized him when he was seen. But, when he left, she wouldn't even remember him either.

Serpentstrike nodded as Cloverpaw praised him for getting the owl to come out. "Yes, he grooms me when nobody else does, he hunts for me when I am too weak, and he listens well," the black tom said quietly, staring at the appretince. "Here, Silverbell," he suddenly mewed. He leaned down and grabbed the feather that had fallen earlier. "Keep it to enhance your dream of flying," he said while pushing it to her. The owl hooted and fluttered a little, landing on Serpentstrike's head. On anybody else, it would have looked comical, but on Serpentstrike, it made him look majestic.

[♰Fickle♰]

Silverbell tilted her head to the side, "Oh sorry owl!" She meowed, she gripped the feather gently in her teeth and giggled. "That's so nice! Thankyou very much dearest Serpentstrike. Gallant warrior and friend of the owl."

[glow= green, 2,300]>>I didn't know until my soul broke free
I've got these angels watching over me, yeah<<[/glow]

Cloverpaw narrowed her hazel eyes at Silverbell. She tried to smother the snort she made but it was so obvious that Silverbell looked at her, "Sorry." Cloverpaw said, "I was just wondering why a female kittypets flirt with any male they see." Cloverpaw was surprised at herself. She was usually a good natured she-cat that hardly snapped at anyone, and here she was ripping off Silverbell's fur with her tongue. Still the reply that came only made her blood boil.
"I'm no kittypet APPRENTICE!" She pronounced apprentice very clearly and Cloverpaw's pelt bristled, "And I wasn't flirting he just gave me a feather. What are you jealous?"
"NO!" She spat then whirled stuttering to Serpentstrike, "I...I mean not like that Serpentstrike! I don't mean that...sheesh, your hopeless Silverbell!"[/center]

[glow=gold,2,300]>>I linger in the doorway
Of alarm clock screaming <<[/glow]

[♥Blue♥]

Serpentstrike felt a spark of amusement as Silverbell called him a 'gallant warrior'. As if she would ever notice. The owl on top of him ruffled its feathers uneasily. Serpentstrike could feel the tension a moment before Cloverpaw spoke.

He just stared as the two she-cats started fighting. Great. He was confused. Why did Cloverpaw snap at Silverbell like that? She was just thanking him. The owl narrowed its eyes. "No, friend. Let the storm run its course," he murmured. When the black tom heard Silverbell say the apprentice was jealous, he sighed. His eyes closed as Cloverpaw stuttered out an explanation.

"Listen closely, two lovely she-cats of ShadowClan. The owl was going to peck out your eyes and claw you with his talons. Bickering has gotten us nowhere," he said quietly. The owl glared at the two warrioresses sternly. He then took off and flew in his tree. "Cloverpaw, why did you snap back? You are usually fun loving and kind. I view all my Clanmates, even though they don't view me. I remember the time you were training with your friend and she got a thorn on her paw. Even though she continued to complain and carry on, you helped her back to camp. Why did you lash out?" he mewed silently, looking sternly at the apprentice.

[♰Fickle♰]

Cloverpaw stared at the warrior and then bowed her head. "I'm sorry Serpentstrike, and I'm sorry Silverbell, and warrior Owl you too." She sighed and looked at her paws, "I don't like the idea of sharing a Clan with a kittypet." She waved her tail before Silverbell could protest, rather angrily, "Please let me finish. I know the stories about Firestar, and I know that kittypets can be great warriors. But it makes it seem like ShadowClan is weak if we accept cats from outside of our clan! I shouldn't be angry at Silverbell for it, I'm sorry Silverbell..." She paused and then added with a twinge of sadness in her meow, "I miss my mentor too. I'm so stressed I guess because of...of..."

[glow=gold,2,300]>>Monsters calling my name
Let me stay<<[/glow]

Silverbell relaxed after she mentioned the mentor. She was a forgive and forget cat anyways. "Hey, I don't blame you. Your mentor was nice, I'm sorry they died." She actually had no idea who the heck Cloverpaw's mentor was but it didn't hurt to comfort the she-cat. She watched the young apprentice smile at her and she said, "Well look at Serpentstrike, a regular mediator. That's a housefolk word for someone who solves arguments!" She purred and looked at the owl apologetically, "I'm sorry dear owl. I hope I have not lost your respect!"

[glow= green, 2,300]>>Oh watch me go
I'm a happy girl<<[/glow]

<OutOfCharacter: I wish Cloverpaw and Serpentstrike could be friends! I feel so bad for him!>

[♥Blue♥]

Serpentstrike nodded and looked at each of the she-cats in turn. "Good. But I'm afraid the owl isn't coming out again tonight," he said sadly. The black tom looked up at the moon. "Sometimes I wish I wasn't even born," he mewed quietly. A cloud covered the moon and cast the clearing in darkness. When the cloud moved away, both Serpentstrike and the owl had gone. There was no scent, no paw prints, not any sign Serpentstrike had even been there. The owl suddenly appeared above the she-cats, gazed down at them with its yellow eyes, then flew away over the treetops, toward the ShadowClan camp.

[♰Fickle♰]

The two she-cats sat side by side for a moment. Then, they slowly padded off towards home. That was the way things were after all.

[♥Blue♥]

ENDED