.:Winterpaw:. / .:Tanpaw:.
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Winterpaw lifted his head more than just a little bit pleased that his plan had worked. It had been very swift thinking, and had he really stopped to think, he was sure he would have opted for her to go with plan 'C' as well. He had not given him self however and here he was, and here she was. The company would not be to much of a drag. "There is a little stack of rocks just a little way out, not all the way out of clan territory, and not a real cliff .. I am not an idiot, but the illusion is the same. Don't worry, I've been out here several times, and come home in one piece with out being caught, Dragging Tanpaw along mind you." He stopped and gave a small wink.
Tanpaw gave a loud sigh, but said nothing. Unlike his brother, he was not comfortable with the idea of bringing along Rainpaw. Not only was he uncomfortable with the idea of having another liability, his brother often being reckless - but she was another cat. And that, in general bothered him.
"Besides" Winterpaw continued, not noticing, or not caring about Tanpaw's Discomfort "You're the medicine cat apprentice, if we should get hurt, you can fix us up brand new .. that's your job isn't it?"
He finally stopped talking as the reached the pile of rocks. He jumped up one, and then another, with out looking back once again. Climbing was the one aspect of his life he truly did not feel handicapped by his small size. He loved the rocks, and he loved the feeling of freedom, and flight that jumping provided. He was just as capable of climbing, if not better than most cats, small or large. Exhilarated he stopped at the very top. He waiting only a few seconds for his companions. He looked out at the surrounding areas, most marred, and blocked by large trees .. but if he squinted his eyes and really tried hard to imagine, he could picture himself on the edge of a real cliff, the open valley's below - the excitement and fear, and exhilaration that would provide. He smiled to himself. "Do you ever wonder .." He spoke now, more to himself to himself, not to any cat in particular "What it would be like to be really free .. No borders, no rules. Pure Freedom" He sighed shutting his mouth. Knowing even at a young age that he was speaking blasphemy .. but he could not help himself.
.:Leopardmoth:.
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Leopardmoth smiled at the playful words of the elder, but also noted the darker undertone. "Yes." He sighed slightly "I am sure there are points in every cats life where their judgement, and motives deeply need to be questioned." He watched the small group, just now noticing the new arrival of Snowleaf "Words are not a problem for me however, and have yet to fail me, there is a time and a place for every thing .... and right now sound like a very good time for food." He stood turning his back to the small gathering, trying to displace the darkened mood, but he knew the elder was right. There would be times in his life were he would have to question his own beliefs, and every thing he stood for. He hoped that, that time would not be soon, but the woods had been quiet for a long time now. The cats had been very prosperous, and often with great wealth, came great destruction ..