Mercuryrose
Shadowclan Deputy
A sigh escaped through her nostrils, her dark green eyes narrowed as she was stalking through the clearing with the usual frown on her face. The large Maine Coon was trying to keep her emotionless face but failed when seeing the dark ginger kit that sat in front of the nursery, looking down at her tiny paws. Mercuryrose’s jaw clenched slightly at the memory of Crimsonkit in front of her deceased parents, crying and screaming. Even Mercuryrose was sick to her stomach at the sight when discovering it, and she had seen enough things in her lifetime to have a strong stomach.
Approaching the kit, Mercuryrose was silent for a moment. Stars, she was good at handling her own children but had no idea how to handle others. But the Shadowclan deputy must try her best, Crimsonkit didn’t have anyone left to look after her. Clearing her throat awkwardly, the black and rose-gold molly had a small smile on her face “Come, I need some help around camp” Mercuryrose said, turning to make her way towards the clearing. The molly didn’t give any time for the small kit to debate, beckoning her head towards the direction of the clearing and watched Crimsonkit go in front of her.
“We just need to send a couple of warriors on patrols, and then we can check out the area. Whatever you wanna go” Mercuryrose said quietly, knowing that it would at least keep Crimisonkit’s mind busy. Ravenpaw used to love doing these kinds of activities with her when she first became deputy and he was still in the nursery.
“Grimrose!” Mercuryrose called towards her best friend, the oriental molly was with Ravenwatcher. Both felines made their way towards her and Mercuryrose couldn’t help but have a small smirk on her face. The pair had been inseparable since Ravenwatcher began courting Grimrose. “You both lead a patrol towards the swamp, wanna make sure that there’s no signs of a mudslide appearing” She said to which the both of them nodded and quickly bounded off to find a couple of clan mates. Turning towards Crimsonkit, she beckoned her head towards Murkywolf “I need you to tell him to lead a hunting patrol.. Make sure that your voice is clear and firm” Mercuryrose said, knowing it would help Crimsonkit.
Mercuryrose
Shadowclan Deputy
A small smile appeared on Mercuryrose’s face when seeing the kit looking at Murkywolf and giving him orders. The black and brown tom had an unimpressed look on his face before turning to look at the black and rose gold deputy. The large Maine Coon arched an eyebrow as if she was challenging him to say anything, thankfully her best friend seemed to had understood and nodded before muttering an ‘Ok’ and flicked his tail in order to call a couple of felines who were nearby while Mercuryrose watched them walking towards the entrance of the camp and leaving to the territories.
“Good.” Mercuryrose said, giving a nod of approval. It was her plan to make sure that Crimsonkit was able to find her voice again, to adapt to this new lifestyle with grace. “You always need to watch everyone and see which patrol they’re better at” Mercuryrose said, her tail flicking in order to signal the kit to follow her. “We have warriors like Cocoaflower and Cloudedmoon who are amazing huntresses, so they’re more into hunting patrols than anything.” Mercuryrose explained her methods as well. It was good that Crimisonkit started to understand things clearly, but Mercuryrose would try to make sure that her childhood was somewhat normal after experiencing such a horrific experience and a lifetime of trauma.
“There is no need to hide, ok? I’ll stay by your side,” Mercuryrose promised the small red kit softly, a rare soft tone in her voice. Watching the small molly stepping away from her side and Mercuryrose grinned slightly, approving the kit’s actions. “Good, let’s go and see Juncostar’s den.. He’s probably outside with Aspenpaw, but I need to see if an apprentice needs to clean it” Mercuryrose explained, leaning down to pick up Crimsonkit gently by the scruff. “Don’t move.” The deputy muttered through the piece of fur and began moving carefully.
Leaping towards the high rock, Mercuryrose landed gracefully on it. Placing the small molly down gently, she watched Crimsonkit slowly getting up before nudging the small kit gently in front of her so she could keep an eye out. She knew that Juncostar wouldn’t mind kits in his den, he enjoyed kits since having his own. “Come on.” Mercuryrose said gently, letting Crimsonkit take the lead. It wasn’t until they stopped in the entrance before she called out “Juncostar, are you in there? I’m coming in.” The deputy called out, in case the grey leader was still inside and was busy. However, Mercuryrose was right and no one was in the den.
Stepping into the den with Crimsonkit, she looked around for a moment before nodding towards Crimsonkit to follow until they were all the way inside. “Here is the leader’s den” Mercuryrose explained before looking towards the red kit. “Although this camp was discovered after a flood, there have been a couple of leaders who had resided here before Juncostar.” Mercuryrose said, remembering the stories of Smokestar and Hornetstar from the elders that Ravenpaw would visit when he was a kit.
Crimsonkit ~ Shadowclan Kit
Life felt like a blur for the small kitten. It was easy to watch others go about their days and tend to their own business, but much harder for her. It almost felt like a curse to wake up every day and find that her nightmares were just replays of the past. Every time Crimsonkit closed her eyes, it was the same image over and over again. The messy fur on her back would stand up and it felt impossible for the trembling in her paws to stop. That's what she was focused on right now. Her orange eyes stared at the tremor in her paws. She wanted to nip and bite at her fur in order to stop it, but a voice snapped her from those abusive thoughts.
"Help?" Her voice was quiet and hoarse as if she hadn't spoken since the accident. Crimsonkit tilted her head at the sight of the molly. She almost gapped at the sheer size of her. It was amazing to think just how big others could get.
A small yelp escaped her lips as Mercuryrose gave her no chance to question further. The tremble in her paws was quickly forgotten as she bound forward, launching herself to be in front of Mercuryrose. It was hard for Crimsonkit to stay ahead, but she was determined to do so. Her small legs leaped instead of stepping. She used her back claws to dig into the dirt as the older molly spoke. Her determination to be faster caused her to continue moving forward. She stumbled slightly but was quick to catch herself and remain by the Maine coon's side.
She watched in awe as Mercuryrose gave orders. It wasn't often Crimsonkit was given the chance to be so close to the warriors. The kitten stuck close to the deputy, hiding behind her leg as she peered. She made eye contact with Grimrose and quickly buried her face within the soft fur of Mercuryrose's leg. Of course, she realized she had done so and quickly pulled her head away. She flashed a quick 'sorry' look to the deputy and looked down, embarrassed by her actions. She was pulled from her embarrassment by another set of orders. This time it was given to her. Crimsonkit looked toward Murkywolf and then back to Mercuryrose.
"Clear and firm?" She questioned more towards herself than the other feline. The kitten gulped before taking shaky steps toward the warrior. She could feel Mercuryrose's eyes on her and she didn't want her first meeting with the deputy to end in a disaster. Almost awkwardly, Crimsonkit stood before Murkywolf.
"You... You need to lead a hunting patrol!" Crimsonkit puffed out her chest and stomped her small paw. Just as quickly as she blurted the words, she turned back to face Mercuryrose. "Did I say it right? Clear and firm!" She chirped and quickly raced back to hide in between her legs.