Exploring

[Talonkit]

Talonkit nosed his way into the apprentice den, alone. Starkit had gone off to play with the others, and as usual, he hadn't the muse to join in. So instead, the small grey tom decided to investigate the den tht he would soon be inhabiting.
It smelt strongly of other cats, his clanmates. Messy nests cluttered the dark area, although it was now void of all life other than his own since most of them were out training or hunting. He already could imagine sleeping here, comforted by his sister, off to the edge. Unless of course, Starkit found other friends she would rather sleep with.
He let out a sigh, even though pride swelled in his chest at the thought of serving his clan finally.

[~*-We Will Fall-*~]

Lightclaw stretched in the sun, it was his first day out of his den in a few days and he was enjoying the weather, he was hungry and needed a new test subject, so he walked over to the fresh kill pile and grabbed a mouse, he was gonna pick up another when he saw Talonkit.
"You there, young boy! Could you help me take another mouse too my den?" He called out to the small kit.

[Talonkit]

His eyes widened as he whipped around, thinking he had been caught. But the old medicine cat simply wanted help carrying a mouse to his den. With a tiny sigh of releif, he clammored out of the den, picking up a mouse from the fresh-kill pile, and followed Lighteningclaw into his dean.
Everyone knew the white tom was growing older, and would soon need a replacement. Some said that he was going mad, although Talonkit could not see it. Stupid gossiping clanmates.

[~*-We Will Fall-*~]

Lightclaw walked into his den with Talonkit at his side he walked into his den and sat his mouse down on one of his soft rocks were he sits down.
"Thank you so much Talonkit!" He purred. "You can put that mouse in the back, beneth the moss, be careful though, there are red berries there and make sure not to touch them." He said smiling.

[Talonkit]

He gave a nod, wondering why he wanted another mouse stored with the herbs. For later maybe? Giving a mental shrug, he placed it where he had been told, and careful not to touch the red berries, came back and sat near the medicine cat, before licking his paw and giving his ear a breif grooming.
"The den is nice and shady," Talonkit commented in his soft voice as he always does. It was a rare instant to hear him speaking period. Many thought he was a mute when they entered the clan, but he just didn't feel like there was anything really worthwhile to comment on.

[~*-We Will Fall-*~]

Lightclaw chuckled,
"Yes it is a very nice den." he said purring at the young kit as he licked him behind the ear. "And if I know a kit you want an award?" He said getting up and walking to his herbs, he took some honey into his paw and rubbed it of into some moss, he took the moss and put it in front of Talonkit.

[Talonkit]

He was about to say he didn't need a reward, but the medicine cat had already brough the honey soaked moss. Instantly, Talonkit thought of his sister, and imagined how much she would love it. So he gave a thankful nod, planning to share it with his sister in a moment.
"Thank you Lightclaw. But I didn't do much at all." Honestly, he wasn't about to admit how the mouse had been a tad hard to carry. Although he was growing quickly, the mouse had been half his size at leas, and made him stumble a few times, his paws getting tripped up on the prey.

[~*-We Will Fall-*~]

Lightclaw stepped back,
"Well you could do something." His said with a smile on his face. "You see, in my older state it is hard for me to do some chores." He said, " I have been looking in to it and I think you would be a great assistant!" he said walking to the back of the den. "And you have seen the berries, I would almost say I need you." he said turning his head to Talonkit "Talonkit."

[Talonkit]

He gave another nod.
"I could help out for awhile. It would get me out of camp too. But is it alright if I bring my sister sometime? She's always looking for a reason to get out of camp," he asked. This first time, Talonkit would probably go alone, but it would be nice to bring Starkit out once in awhile. Maybe it would help her keep out of mischeif she seemed to always drag him into.
"So you just need me to go collect some berries?"

[~*-We Will Fall-*~]

Lightclaws ears perked when he heard Talonkit.
"NO!" he shouted. "I-im sorry Talonkit, You cant take your sister with you, and don't, DON'T collect those berries. Only I can collect those berries you see..." He said turning back too the back of his den. "You must do this in secret, just tell your sister that you got in trouble and your doing chores for me, just make sure nobody finds out." He said frowning. "This is very delicate Talonkit, if anybody else finds out my many moons of research will be for nothing!" He said, Lightclaw noticed that he was going a little crazy and decided to wrap things up. "Ok then, come in the morning and I will tell you what herbs you will need to collect, ok?" he said trying to muster a smile.

[Talonkit]

Talonkit flinched back from the sudden outburst, wondering that maybe the others had possibly been right.
"Al-alright, I won't tell Lightclaw," he promised nervously, suddenly unsure about this whole bussiness of chores. But curiosity also shone in his eyes, as any kit's. "But research for what?"
In his mind, he made a deal with himself. If the research proved helpful and good natured, Talonkit would still help. But if the research was for bad, he wouldn't do it. Probably.
Hopefully.

[~*-We Will Fall-*~]

Lightclaws smile died as he heard Talonkit's request
"What is the reasearch for? The reasearch is for...I cant tell you yet, I need to make sure you are loyal, Talonkit become my Apprentice you will be my prodigy, you are my last resort Talonkit." he said cackling.
"Accept and you will know everything, you will become very important. You will lead to the destruction of all our enemy's! Deny and go back to your normal life." He said standing in the way of the door, blocking the only exit. He already knew the answer, he had talked to Starclan the night before.

[Talonkit]

He took another step back, unsure. This cat was obviously mad, crazy and around the bend. But there something about how he worded it made the offer even more enticing. Maybe Talonkit could learn a few of his ways, and morph them to his own standard without cracking under the pressure as it seemed Lightclaw did. Plus, the medicine cat was well respected, although gossiped about frequently. And despite the odd tendencies, he couldn't help but respect him too, and look up to him in a way. Plus helping defeat their enemies would help the clan, right?
So he gave a feeble nod, gaining his confidence back.
"I'll be your apprentice," the grey tom nodded. "But aren't I a bit young?"

[~*-We Will Fall-*~]

Lightclaw's got a big smile on his face as he stepped away from the door.
"Excellent" His smile got bigger, but it lowered back to his normal shape. "You will be an amazing Medicine cat" he mewed. "You are the perfect age, in fact I was younger than you when I started, but of course times were different. In that time we had no wars, we had peace, We were one clan... he rambled on.
"But pointless rabble aside, we shall go to the Crystal cave at the next half moon, until then I shall teach you my ways.. he said, a smirk appearing on his face.

[Talonkit]

Talonkit gave another nod, his mind reeling. He was an apprentice already. He could still serve his clan, but this could be even better.
Now he wouldn't have to share the stuffy den with others. Well, other than Lightclaw, but that was only one cat. And he would get to be somebody. Not that it really mattered, but for once, he wouldn't be that little tyke in the corner that doesn't speak much.
But a thought popped into his head, dousing his happy moment.
"Will I still have free time? I need to still be able to spend time with Starkit. She's my sister, and I won't tell her anything, but I still need to have time with her."