Fresh Faces [Firepool]

The air was still cold, but it had noticeably been a bit warmer recently. Leafbare was losing its' grip finally, though the odd patch of snow remained in the shade of trees where the sun hadn't reached, still. Wolfblossom was impatiently waiting for it to be gone and for newleaf to bring more life to the forest. Skyclan was growing, with new kits and new warriors, and the clan needed to be fed more than ever. That was why she padded from camp with Firepool, one of the clan's many new warriors.

"So... Enjoying being free of the apprentice den at last?" She asked, glancing toward the young tom.

Firepool wasn't entirely sure why he was on patrol with just the deputy of his clan. It wasn't as if he was upset, but of course, he was nervous, in addition to his usual anxieties. He had been content to remain silent, amber eyes watching the terrain. Wolfblossom's voice caused the young warrior to nearly jump out of his fur. Part of him was thankful his fur was already so wild, so bushy. It was harder for cats to tell he had been surprised. In his usual quiet voice, he spoke. "I- yes, very. It's nice to be a warrior, to feel like I can give more to Skyclan."

Pawsteps continued, instinctively carrying him around loud branches and sticks. "Did you enjoy it, when you left the Apprentice's Den?" Firepool was trying to get better at small talk. He would never really conquer his anxieties if he never spoke, and besides, he would enjoy being able to approach his friends without feeling like he was choking on a squirrel.

Firepool seemed surprised by the question after the pair had been walking in silence... Or maybe it was just his bushy, wild fur.

"I was glad, honestly. More freedom... And more responsibility. You're right that it felt like I was able to better help Skyclan as a warrior than a 'paw, too. By that point I was more mature and had learned to be less headstrong." She responded, a small smile crossing her expression. Learning to be less headstrong and snappish was the result of chaos and grief during her apprenticeship, but becoming a warrior was an accomplishment and something she had taken pride in. "It felt strange to not share a den with my siblings, but the rest of them became warriors soon enough. The change in pace was an adjustment from apprentice training, but one I got used to quickly." Birdstar and Wolfblossom had earned their names at the same time, while Lichensun and Trufflesnap had taken longer - Trufflesnap confined to the medicine den under the watchful eyes of their siblings who had become medicine cats instead. It had been the first time Wolfblossom hadn't shared a den with all of them, however.The deputy gave her head a small shake, watchful blue eyes scanning their surroundings.