We are, we'll always be the wronged.

[shadowclaw]

There's nothing to let go,
Only time will let you know if you're worth anything

The silver tabby limped idly across the grass, no real thoughts crossing her mind. It was almost empty, clear, peaceful. She knew she shouldn't be out of camp. She knew she was confined there due to her leg. That leg, she hated it more than anything. It kept her from doing anything worthwhile. She couldn't hunt, she couldn't fight. She could barely walk without grimacing. Shadowclaw's tail flicked sharply in anger as her claws unsheathed, digging into the ground below her and ripping up bits of grass in her wake.

Soon, she heard the rushing of water and she had a feeling she'd gone too far from camp. It'd hurt to go back now. Sighing, the dark tabby pushed forward until she saw the clear water of the river before her. It was just that time of day. Not night, but not day. In between - and the water looked beautiful right at this moment. Her pale green eyes lit up with almost sheer amazement. The sun reflected from the water in a way just perfect enough not to blind Shadowclaw, but that made the river water look... soft. As if one could curl up on its cushion and sleep for an eternity. But, in an instant, the beauty was lost. All returned to normal again.

Stretching her neck, Shadowclaw lay down on the grass beside the water to rest, with her crippled leg stretched to the side as was comfortable for her. She'd need to regain her strength to go back to camp. She hadn't realized she went so far, and so now was almost stuck. Even though she'd lost her memory, she knew that before her fall, she had the reputation of having one of the cruelest dispositions. And now that part of her was showing again. She didn't need anyone's help. She was perfectly fine on her own. She could take care of herself.

She hated be crippled. Worthless. Useless. The wronged.

Giving up way too early, let the axis turn you free
And destroy everything you love.

[~Ravenwing~]

[bg=2E0B00] Ravenwing had just gone done with a hunting patrol. After a successful trip, two mice and a bird, she decided to head down to the river. Her legs still ached slightly from the patrol, but the river always calmed her down after a long day. Luckily for her, her long legs could get her toe the river quickly, but too fast that the walk wasn't peaceful. Ravenwing could hear the shrill calls of birds above her in the trees. She could soon hear the sounds of the river sloshing around the rocks and the shoreline. But what she didn't expect was another cat laying beside the water. Once she got close enough, she figured out that it was Shadowclaw, a fellow RiverClan cat. But why was she at the river, she was supposed to be confined to camp... "Aye! Shadowclaw, why are you out here? Ravenwing mewed as she padded up beside her. She narrowed her eyes and examined Shadowclaw's leg. It still looked pretty bad. And even if she was supposed to be stuck at camp, who was she to tell her to go back? Ravenwing had just come out here for a little time at the river. She bent down to the river to get a little to drink, then sat down beside Shadowclaw, but not too close. Ravenwing didn't really know the she-cat that well, but she didn't want to be rude. She curled her fluffy tail around her paws and looked at Shadowclaw to see what she would say. Why would someone want to come out here if it hurt them to do so?

[/blockquote]

[shadowclaw]

They offered their blood and we left them so parched,
I don’t know if I can give you anything you want

Shadowclaw's front paws were outstretched - just enough to have the very tips of them in the water. She lay her head down and let out one, long sigh. Pain was crawling up and down her hind leg, but she was so used to that that it didn't bother her. It was more an annoyance than it was painful, something which sent a jolt of rage through her body, and she seem to almost twitch as she slapped the water with her paw before shaking her head. It just wasn't fair. The worst part is, she couldn't remember. Did she fall? Did she jump? Was she pushed? She would love to remember how she did this to herself - who she was to blame. That's what she needed; somebody to blame. Somebody to pin all her problems on.

Shadowclaw's ears pricked at the sound of a flock of birds noisily fleeing, followed closely by the pad of another cat's pawsteps. Her pale green eyes closed and she tried to make out the scent (She was still working on re-remembering all her clan-mates' scents). It wasn't until the cat came into view that Shadowclaw could put a face to the scent, and she at least knew the face. The she-cat before her was a long-haired calico with eyes almost amber, but stronger. She had dark calico fur, with a white chest, paws, and underbelly. Her fur was long and glossy, with two small tufts of white atop her ears. This cat was Ravenwing, and she had a queen-like feel about the look of her.

Which reminded her of her poor kits. They were old enough to become apprentices, right? Then why weren't they yet? Was Swishstar busy? Just lazy? What was the hold up? Shaking her head, Shadowclaw pushed the thoughts from her mind momentarily, turning her pale green gaze now on Ravenwing. Aye! Shadowclaw, why are you out here? The calico she-cat mewed, making Shadowclaw almost breath a sigh of relief. Good, she sounded more curious than angry. This was good news for Shadowclaw. She still needed to rest a bit before she could get up and walk again. Shadowclaw's heart then dropped as she noticed Ravenwing's yellow-green eyes flick to her crippled leg. Great, she thought disgustedly, what am I, just a freak now? She stretched her neck to the side, ripping her gaze from Ravenwing to hide the annoyance in her gaze.

She heard a small puff in the grass as Ravenwing sat down beside her, yet respectfully keeping her distance. Either this cat was just way too nice, or she had heard about Shadowclaw's temper. Almost instinctively, the dark tabby she-cat's gaze softened. She nodded before speaking. "Aye, I know. I should be in camp. But can you blame me for wanting to get out? I haven't been out of camp in around two moons, give me a break." Her tone was lighthearted and somewhat joking, but with a soft undertone of seriousness. She didn't want to stay in camp for the rest of her life. She was still young! There was plenty she had left to do. She could do anything she wanted. Her leg wasn't going to stop her.

Go on and give me the gun
Nevermind what I've done., they left me no choice.

[~Ravenwing~]

[bg=2E0B00] [Before]Ravenwing could tell that the she-cat was examining her as she approached. At first, it irked her. Why was she always being looked at? It drove her crazy when all the RiverClan cats just payed attention to her because of her looks. Shaking her head, she tried to get rid of that thought. Shadowclaw was just looking to see who had walked up to her. She would have done the same thing if it was any other cat. [After] Ravenwing smiled. Shadowclaw seemed to be a bit anxious around her. She had heard of the she-cat's harsh temper, and didn't want to do anything that would irritate her. Ravenwing liked to keep the peace everywhere she went; she wasn't one for uncomfortable situations. But she was just an all-around nice cat anyway, and figured being too close to Shadowclaw would just bug her. She knew she didn't like her personal bubble being invaded! "Aye, I know. I should be in camp. But can you blame me for wanting to get out? I haven't been out of camp in around two moons, give me a break." Ravenwing nodded to Shadowclaw's response. She couldn't even fathom how any cat could stay in camp for more than a night or two. While she did pity the young cat, she didn't let this show through her expression. She could tell that Shadowclaw was not the type of cat who wanted pity. She was a little afraid that any comment that had a slight note of pity would piss the cat off. "I wouldn't be able to stand that. I know I need to get out to the river, at least every other day. If you ever want someone to hang with, I'm here." Ravenwing replied with a smile. She had a shortage of friends herself, and even if others said Shadowclaw was fierce, Ravenwing figured she'd be able to handle that. A nice balance of too-nice and angry would make for an interesting friendship. That was if Shadowclaw was interested. Most weren't into the idea of being friends with Ravenwing. She wasn't really sure why, but she was done with feeling lonely. She wanted to make friends, and this was her first step. Besides, if Shadowclaw did have to stay around camp more, she could come visit her. Maybe bring her a fresh fish so she didn't get as sad about not being able to visit the river as much. Ravenwing smiled, perhaps her life was turning around.

[shadowclaw]

This is not your place, no
This is not your playground, it's my heart

The calico she-cat nodded as Shadowclaw spoke. For a moment, the dark tabby believed to see a flash of pity, but it lasted for a mere second and was gone. If it was pity - something of which Shadowclaw wasn't entirely sure, it could have just been her imagination - then she admired the she-cat for hiding it. It wasn't the easiest thing to do, since some others always think pity is what she wants. Pah! As if. It just made her feel like some sort of freak show, to be honest. She hated being different. It was just something she'd never get used to. She snapped back to the present as she heard Ravenwing's voice.

I wouldn't be able to stand that. I know I need to get out to the river, at least every other day. If you ever want someone to hang with, I'm here. The calico she-cat's lips formed a smile as she spoke. It's been said that smiles are contagious, and that was no less true in this case. Shadowclaw's lips twitched into a small smile, her pale green gaze looking now to the river in front of her. She couldn't say she missed coming here and hunting - she couldn't remember was it was like. But it sure must have been nice coming to the river with a normal leg. She let out a sigh and returned her gaze now to Ravenwing before speaking.

"That's very sweet of you, Ravenwing." She said evenly, "But would you really want to hang around a crippled fool like myself? I mean, it took almost all of my energy to get here on this leg." Her pale green eyes flicked now down her own slim body to that leg. If one pictured a bolt of lightning as it is stereotypically depicted, a zigzag line, that's what her leg looked like. Crooked. Making it shorter than the rest of her legs - it just barely grazed the ground when she stood up. In her eyes now was nothing but hate. How could one bad leg cause so many problems?

We were stupid, we got caught,
But nothing matters anymore.

[~Ravenwing~]

[bg=2E0B00] Ravenwing breathed a mental sigh of relief. Shadowclaw had smiled at her offer. She never knew how anyone would react to her words. She wasn't that used to speaking to cats in the first place. Shyness was her bread and butter; so to speak. "That's very sweet of you, Ravenwing. But would you really want to hang around a crippled fool like myself? I mean, it took almost all of my energy to get here on this leg." Ravenwing smiled even more. "It really does not matter to me. For one thing, why would having a hurt leg make someone not want to to hang around you? I don't really have many friends...And for me to say I didn't want to be around a cat with a bad leg, would make me as bad as foxdung. The other cats may think I'm some stuck up she-cat...But I'm really not. Ravenwing nodded after saying all this, just to emphasis her point. Why would Shadowclaw think that being crippled made her bad company? Why, that was just plain rude if one of her clan-mates thought that about her. "I'm sure no one is looking down upon you Shadowclaw. Why would they? Something could happen to them at any time and they'd be in your same predicament!" Ravenwing exclaimed, suddenly worked up. She knew just how it felt to be left out; to think that there was something wrong with you. She had spent so much time being miserable, she had forgotten why she was sad in the first. Ravenwing did not want this to happen to Shadowclaw.

[shadowclaw]

A merry minstrel with his fingers fast
Playing his Flute charming every lass

Ravenwing's smile grew as Shadowclaw spoke. It really does not matter to me. For one thing, why would having a hurt leg make someone not want to to hang around you? I don't really have many friends...And for me to say I didn't want to be around a cat with a bad leg, would make me as bad as foxdung. The other cats may think I'm some stuck up she-cat...But I'm really not. The silver tabby she-cat purred in amusement. "I know you're not," Shadowclaw said gently, "But look at me - I'm useless. You could be doing more productive things than making friends with someone like me." Her eyes were light with almost an amusement in them. She didn't mean what she said in a bad way, she just knew that most warriors would just... rather do something else.

I'm sure no one is looking down upon you Shadowclaw. Why would they? Something could happen to them at any time and they'd be in your same predicament! Shadowclaw smiled at these words. Ravenwing was so sweet compared to the others. "They better not!" The silver she-cat snapped almost furiously. If anyone looked down on her, she would show them just how much better they were than her. Her ears flicked and she looked back at the river. "Very true though," She continued, her voice now even like it was before. "If only I could remember why I fell..." She trailed off, her pale green eyes now staring absentmindedly into the water. Why did she fall?

Joins the troop with a glitter in his eye
"Shall I find fame - or shall I die?"

[crystaltear]

||C.R.Y.S.T.A.L.P.A.W||

...I know what they think, why don't they see?...

As the two Riverclan warriors befriended each other, Crytalpaw on the other hand was busy trying to occupy her own bored mind as she crouched on a river stone just inches above the water watching it intently. The young apprentice knew that she shouldn’t be out here alone without a mentor, but Crystalpaw was just a little harder to put into place then other apprentices. It was almost as if the she-cat had a mind of her own…that was soon to change once she began her serious training in becoming a warrior…right? She always wanted to have an adventure—changing the elders moss was most certainly not the kind of adventure she was looking forward too. Although she had already finished her duties having the elders content with new bedding. Crystalpaw had found her new excitement recently; the river. Perhaps it was the fishes or the calming gurgle the water produced that attracted her attention so much to it, but as if now it was her favorite destination. Other apprentices where brought to the exact spot to train—though Crystalpaw lacked a solid mentor at the time being.

A slender paw came to lightly tap the rushing water softly over the top. Right when her pads made contact with the cool water a silver fish flickered out of the water, leaping right over the stone on which she stoop landing sloppy on the other side splashing her dappled fur. thingying her head at the direction she retrieved her paw and watched the water again…truth being that darn fish kept playing the same game for the past 15 minutes! Crystalpaw already had it decided that she was going to catch this fish and bring it to its rightful doom.

Ears flicked forward then backwards as she steadily let her pink tongue lick over her muzzle. Emerald eyes caught movement in the water, instinct caught the best of her as she dashed her paw down into the water barely making a slash. Razor claws helped scooped the fish as she brought it firmly against the stone. Grasping it in her jaws she TRIES to get back to shore…the fish wiggled just a tiny bit more then it should Crystalpaw losing her hold and dropping it right back into the water! Clawing the air hopelessly the slender apprentice lost her balance on the stone plunging straight into the current. Completely underwater she went as her light weight was carried just a little bit further down the river then she was. Emerging her head out of the water she began to paddle toward the bank…but the current was just a bit stronger then what she was experienced with sweeping her farther away from land and deeper into water. A disgusting panic began to fill her usually calm confident bodice as she urged harder to reach the bank. The more she tried the more exhausted she was getting. ”HELP!!” Crystalpaw screeched loudy as she fought to keep her head above water. Ooooh boy was she going to get it when she went back to camp…we should say…if she does.

...that i will be the best anyone could be...

[occ; i hope you guys dont mind if i joined!]

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[chantal]

With a yawn she woke up in the warriors den as sun filtered through the den's entrance. As she looked around she was glad to find that she wasn't the only Warrior who had decided to take an afternoon nap. Carefully not to wake anyone else Stormflower padded out of the Warriors den to seek out a nice, juicy piece of freshkill.

She thought of her dream as she ate a plump vole and made herself believe that it was nothing to worry about. She made herself comfortable in front of the Warriors den and started grooming her fur until it shone in the sunlight and noticed that Crystalpaw was heading for the camp entrance and disappeared without any warrior for company.

With a frown she rose to her paws and made to follow Crystalpaw out of the camp. It was her duty as a warrior to make sure that no apprentice or kit went out alone. Who knew what could happen to them? If they accidentally crossed a border they could cause additional Clan rivalry. Crystalpaw's fresh scent wasn't hard to follow and Stormflower spotted Crystalpaw easily as she had made her way down toward the shore.

Stormflower spotted Ravenwing and Shadowclaw talking to each other on the other end of her vision and wondered whether Crystalpaw was heading toward them. Stormflower herself would not mind the company of other cats right now and was ready to place her paws in the warriors's direction.

A splash and a call for help made her whirl around and she ran toward the river's edge searching for its source. With a rising surge of fear she watched as Crystalpaw was carried down the river, fighting against the current. Being a RiverClan cat, Stormflower did not hesitate and jumped into the water so that she could travel faster through the current. "I'm coming Crystalpaw!" She yowled as her powerful legs carried her even faster through the current and downriver to where Crystalpaw was flailing helplessly.

[~Ravenwing~]

Ravenwing enjoyed having someone to talk to finally. It felt refreshing to feel happy, a emotion she wasn't quite used to.
"But the thing is, I want to make friends with you!" Ravenwing mewed joyfully. She found nothing wrong with Shadowclaw. Luckily, she was a cat who tried not to prejudice or judge no matter what. And especially not because of a hurt leg. Before being able to respond to Shadowclaw's other statements though, she saw Crystalpaw padding towards the river, a little ways away from them. Shaking her head with a "you know apprentices" look, she turned back to Shadowclaw. But once again, she was interrupted.
"HELP!" A shriek that seemed to pierce her heart yanked her from her converseation. Whipping around she saw Crystalpaw flailing around in the water. It had become more violent, the current tugging the small apprentice around. Ravenwing jumped to her paws in a second.
"I'm coming Crystalpaw!" A yowl came from behind them as another cat, Stormflower plunged into the river. Cats were coming out of nowhere! Her instincts kicked in and she ran to the river's edge.
"I'll help you Stormflower!" Ravenwing mewed loudly as she too jumped in to help Crystalpaw. For her, the water was merely tugging on her, she was experienced when it came to swimming, as all RiverClan cats should be. Helping Stormflower with the heavy apprentice, she grabbed her scruff with her teeth. Just like a mother caring for a kit, she thought. Ravenwing could feel the fear pulsating from the apprentice's body. She was heavy, even more so with all of the water adding to her fur. But she knew with the help of Stormflower that they could get her to safety.
"Let's head to the bank, grab hold of her!" Ravenwing yowled to Stormflower.

[OOC: sorry this kind of sucks. i blame the muse-less brain. sorry it's taken a while too! o.O]]

[crystaltear]

||C.R.Y.S.T.A.L.P.A.W||

...I know what they think, why don't they see?...

Crystalpaw was now beginning to feel hopeless. Her body was becoming numb as he prepared herself to sink into a deep slumber, in which she would not awake from. Front paws lashed out at the water in front of her as she kicked her back legs trying desperately to keep her body elevated enough to actually keep her head out of the water. Deep in the back of her mind she heard her name being called…although at this point in time she just thought it was Starclan simply inviting her in. Crystalpaw didn’t notice when Stormflower jumped in, part of the fault being of exhaustion & of the water that was absolutely draining every bit of strength left in her.

The young dappled she-cat saw bits and pieces of what had been her life, as she pictured herself becoming a great warrior. She was assigned nobody better then the Clan deputy herself…although of ever getting that high in her placing was just a dream that not everyone believed in coming true. Pictures of the nursery & her queen came and went; giving her just a little bit of hope that she will get out of this one alive. Giving one last effort to get out of the water, she grew numb as she simply gave up. There was nothing else she could do as everything had now magically gained a hundred pounds. Her mind went black as she didn’t notice both strong warriors jump in to her rescue. When she was finally dragged out to the bank, her fairly thin muscular bodice didn’t give a sign of life, only if you watched closely could you see the faint rising and falling of her sleek sides giving the lightest sign of hope that the apprentice was indeed alive.

...that i will be the best anyone could be...

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