[A]ffecting [A]ll [T]hese LIVES

[Mossmask]

[When we took on the world]

Emerald-green eyes, just like his father's, were vivid in the dim light of the rising moon as they stared at the darkening curtain being pinned up by StarClan's warriors. As silent as the winking stars, those eyes told no stories, unreadable as to what the young male thought of his supposed destiny.

Bramblepaw still wasn't sure how he could become the leader of ArcticClan; he wasn't even twenty moons old yet! He had never gotten his warrior name, let alone an apprentice. His mother would never lie, he knew that, but... Perhaps she was delirious in her grief for his father? But she had been out of camp when Foreststar died; how did she know that he passed away? Having Foreststar speak to Mossmask in a dream was a bit abnormal, admittedly, but it was an explanation as to how she found out. Foreststar could have picked Bramblepaw to succeed him.

The brown tabby shook his head to himself, figuring that he would find out what was in store for ArcticClan one way or another once he got to the Moon Pinnacle. StarClan surely would speak to him even if he wasn't to be the next leader. His ancestors wouldn't turn him away, would they?

[When we were young and brave]

As Bramblepaw's paws steadily walked onward, he glanced at the two young toms flanking him, a small smile gracing his face as he thanked StarClan for granting him the pleasure of having their friendship. To one side was the silver-and-black furred Cherubimpaw, the newest member of ArcticClan who had an uncanny resemblance to Copperpaw in personality.

And eyes,

[/color] Bramblepaw thought wryly. While Bramblepaw believed that Cherubimpaw was his own cat, there was a tugging at his heart that told him that Copperpaw had sent Cherubimpaw to them, and Bramblepaw was certain that Copperpaw more or less hijacked Cherubimpaw's body when Mossmask had first told Bramblepaw that he was to be Bramblestar. Cherubimpaw, despite his loner roots, would make a great ArcticClan warrior, Bramblepaw was sure. The way Cinderpaw allowed herself to grow so close to Cherubimpaw also foretold good fortune, and, if Bramblepaw wasn't the tom to make Cinderpaw happy, he was glad that Cherubimpaw was the tom for the job.

[We got secrets that we'll take to the grave]

Sprintpaw, on Bramblepaw's other side, would never know how grateful Bramblepaw was for him. The spitting image of his late mother, his dark tan pelt, coupled with his speed and agility, made him formidable in the shadows. Bramblepaw was certain that both Hunterstealth and Tawnysong up above would be proud of their son for all of his accomplishments even as an apprentice. His warrior name was definitely overdue.

Bramblepaw, going with the idea of becoming leader, allowed his mind to race with warrior name possibilities for Sprintpaw, for his sisters, for the other apprentices who greatly deserved their warrior names. He also needed to give Cherubimpaw and a few other older kits and younger apprentices mentors, making a note to take one for himself in an effort to stick as close to the traditional methods of becoming leader as possible.

A deputy was also needed. Bramblepaw mused on how both Cherubimpaw and Sprintpaw would be ideal for the position, but both were too young, while Cherubimpaw also still had to get used to clan life. Bramblepaw, being only a few moons older than Sprintpaw, was sure that the clan would appreciate a senior warrior as the deputy, someone who knew what he or she was doing. Having two inexperienced cats playing the highest roles in the clan would be asking for disaster, not support.

Let's see if StarClan actually believes I'm fit to be leader first.

"So,"[/color] Bramblepaw said abruptly to his two companions with a crooked smile, "it may be a bit of a walk to the Moon Pinnacle. After spending moons with our denmates, I'm not used to the quiet. Either of you got something to talk about?"

[And we're standing here shoulder to shoulder][/blockquote]

"Just Older," (c) Bon Jovi

((When Bramblepaw gets his nine lives, if there are any other admin/members with StarClanners who would like to give Bramblepaw a life, please let me know via OOC here so everyone can see. I would like my Flowerbloom to give him the gift of protection, and perhaps Foreststar could give him the gifts of nobility, certainty and faith like Bluestar gave Fireheart...? Would any admin mind if I do that? Spotty, would Copperpaw like to give Bramblepaw a life? ))[/i]

[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

THIS IS GOING TO BE HORRIBLE

Cherubimpaw trotted beside his foster brothers. He Wasn't one to complain and he wasn't one to let others see his concern but he was tired and smaller than his companions. He flicked his tail and lifted his paws stretching them further and further than they had in the past steps until he had caught up again to his brothers. He looked at Bramblepaw, and flicked his ears toward him to listen before he answered. "You should probably get used to the quiet Brambelaw...In your new den you will be all alone, unless of course you invite Runepaw." He said with a sly smile.

Sprintpaw wasn't in the mood to pick about love lives. He flicked his ears slightly and smiled softly but only half heartedly. He flicked his ears again and looked at his brothers. His eyes were sad and uninterested. He flicked his ears again and smirked. "How do you know for sure if she likes you?" He asked, speaking of course of Flowerpaw. His foster sister whom he had begun to fall in love with. "I just don't know how to let her know, that I care about her." He said and flicked his tail up over his head.

[Mossmask]

[This skin I'm in, it's alright with me]

Bramblepaw blinked at Cherubimpaw's words and paused for a heartbeat or two in his walk at the strange comment.

"Runepaw?" he echoed, taking up the walk again, but at a slightly slower pace. No need to waste all their energy getting to the Moon Pinnacle, right? "Why did you mention her in particular? I have no problem letting her, or any of you, see the inside of the leader's den, if that's what you mean..."

The young tom knew that didn't make much sense. "I mean, it's not like the leader's den was totally off-limits to us, anyway," Bramblepaw said, frowning slightly in confusion. Adopting Cuckoopaw's blunt way of talking, the brown tabby nudged Cherubimpaw playfully and asked again, "Why did you mention her?

"And are we still talking about Runepaw?" Bramblepaw said after Sprintpaw spoke. "You like Runepaw?"

[/color]

The eldest of the trio fell silent as he pondered on a response for Sprintpaw's question. Granted, Bramblepaw never had a serious relationship with any cat, although he did have his feelings for Cinderpaw to work with. A crooked smile touched his mouth as he glanced at Cherubimpaw, knowing that the other tom knew how lucky he was, and did his best to wrestle his feelings for Cinderpaw as if she were another of his sisters.

"Well,"[/color] Bramblepaw said after a few silent heartbeats, "have you ever tried just telling her, Sprintpaw? I advise doing that before it's too late..."[/color]

[It's not old -- Just older][/blockquote]

"Just Older," still (c) Bon Jovi

((It wasn't horrible, Spotty! It came to the point much quicker than my post did. xD I wasn't so sure how to start it, so I just let Bramble's thoughts ramble.

So far, for lives, I have:
? -- Courage
Ringedpaw -- Justice (played by Sootie)
? -- Loyalty
Copperpaw -- Tireless Energy (played by Spotty)
Flowerbloom -- Protection (played by Moi)
? -- Mentoring
? -- Compassion
? -- Love
Foreststar -- Nobility, Certainty, and Faith (Spotty said she'd play him)

So... He needs five more lives. I can make up some other cats as well, but does anyone else have any other ArcticClanners that want to give lives? Did anyone play a former medicine cat or anything? Perhaps Banditfrost? *throws out other names of previous ArcticClanners*))[/i]

[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

((Thanks Mossy this one is going to be bad too...only cause I don't have much time...))

Sprintpaw shook his head wildly ands turned as if he had just noticed his brothers for the first time. He fell into step with Bramblepaw, adn flicked his tail. "NO I don't like Runepaw..." He rolled his eyes once, then glanced at Cherubimpaw. Bramblepaw can be so clueless. He thought hearing his comment about seeing the inside of the den. "She seems sweet on you though big brother." He said with a sideways grin. BUt then his face dropped and his expression changed. "I was talking about Flowerpaw." He said softly and shook his head slowly. He looked over at Cherubimpaw who was smiling wildly and looking at both of them with an amused grin on his face. He flicked his tail and Sprintpaw's ear turned to hear Bramblepaw's comment. "I have tried to tell her...but she doesn't understand what I mean."

Cherubim let his eyes fall to the ground and flicked his ears slightly. He hadn't known that Sprintpaw had been falling for Flowerpaw, but now looking back, the signs were all there. He looked over his face in a wild grin, and glanced at Bramblepaw, noticed the concentration on his face and let his pace fall in with theirs. "What's eating you? we are about to go to the moon pinnacle, and you look like you just had the worst bit of crow food." He said flicking his brother with his tail before smiling at Sprintpaw again. "I don't know if seeing the inside of your den for us is the same as it would be fore Runepaw." he said without looking back at his paws his mind drifted to cinderpaw and he missed her terribly.

[Mossmask]

[I'm not old enough to sing the blues]

Bramblepaw blinked at his foster brothers, his ears turning slightly red at their words. "She does? Runepaw? Really? How can you tell--?"

He suddenly broke himself off and glanced at Sprintpaw with amusement evident in the twinkle of his eyes and the twitch of his whiskers. "And you're asking me for advice about love...? I apparently don't notice she-cats that well."

Or maybe it was because you were always thinking about Cinderpaw...

The brown tabby realized that he was only slightly surprised at Sprintpaw's confession to loving Flowerpaw. Bramblepaw had always known how close Sprintpaw had been to Flowerpaw, of course; he supposed he had also missed the point where Sprintpaw's love for a sibling turned into infatuation.

"When did you tell her?" he asked Sprintpaw. Pondering on the subject for a moment, he said, "I always did think of Flowerpaw as the first of us who would probably get a mate... She's so much like Mom that way... However, I don't think I've ever really heard her pining about having kits or a mate. Not that that means anything. Actually, that seems like something she would talk to Cuckoopaw about...

"What's eating me?" Bramblepaw echoed Cherubimpaw. "I dunno... I look like something's wrong? Perhaps it's because we're going to the Moon Pinnacle. I never expected to go there for this reason..."

[But I wore the holes in the soles of these shoes]

still "Just Older" -- it seems fitting for this thread. xD[/i]

[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

[It ain't about how fast you get there]

Cherubim felt his eyes narrow as words poured from his foster brother's mouth, but there was nothign different about their tone, just that they came so fast, and so full of everything. He shook his head and let his eyes fall to the ground as he thought through the barage of words. "I think she does, and I notice things like that." He said with a wink before turning to look at Sprintpaw who seemed just as downcast as before. He shook his head but turned his attention to the words which Bramble paw had last recited. He looked at him and shook his head slowly. "YOu are the eldest son of the greatest ruler this clan has ever seen." He lifted a paw and swung it at Bramblepaw's ear. "You shouldn't be asking why you are leader, but rather; how can I best serve my clan. Starclan has given you this chance, Do not spit in their face by worrying whether you are qualified." He paused here and then lifted his eyes toward heaven and spoke softly but powerfully, "Starclan does not call the qualifyed, they qualify the called."

[It Ain't about what's waiting on the otherside]

HIs ears twitched as Bramblepaw spoke and a wry smile lit up his face. He flicked his tail and turned his orbs, yellow and glowing as they were toward Bramblepaw. "You may not notice, them but I can't keep them out of my head." He said witha smirk and then the question regestered. Told her? The scene raced to the fore front of his mind and he spoke as it played back, "We had just said good bye to FOreststar, and she was getting ready for the hunting patrol, I said I loved her and she looked at me like I was insane, then said 'I love you too brother...' I mean really?..." HIs eyes found the dirt under his paws again and he watched it rise with each step of his agile feet. He flicked his tail again and then looked over as Cherubimpaw spoke. "I guess they really do have a plan for us don't they." He mumbled and shrugged his shoulders. SOmetimes Cherubim sounded like he should be a starclan cat...and Maybe that is why everyone felt he was Copperpaw.

[Snow ;; in the lost & found]

(( I LOL at their gossiping. ALSO... Snowstorm could give the life for "Love". If you still need another I have Dreamsongs who can give Compassion ))

[Mossmask]

[You can roll the dice 'til they call your bluff]

Bramblepaw's vivid green eyes, stolen from his father, flashed toward Cherubimpaw at the younger tom's words.

"Ever since I have been able to form a coherent thought, I have asked myself how best I can serve my clan," he said steadily. "I'm offended that you suggest otherwise.

"Perhaps I should have been clearer," Bramblepaw said. "I meant that I was just surprised to be going to the Moon Pinnacle for this reason; I was always more than content with serving ArcticClan as a warrior. I am, however, trying to sort out all that needs to be done by the new leader -- you know, new deputy, making a bunch of us warriors while giving the younger apprentices and older kits mentors -- despite the chance that Mossmask may have been a bit... delirious from Foreststar's death. There is the possibility that StarClan may not want me at all; we must keep that in mind."

After Sprintpaw responded to Bramblepaw's question about Flowerpaw, the older tom blinked.

"Wait a minute..." Bramblepaw mused on the answer for a few heartbeats before speaking again. "You tried to tell her you loved her as she was mourning for her father? Well, I don't think it's that big of a surprise that she didn't understand what you meant, then. That definitely was not a time that her mind would even come up with the idea of a mate; it was too preoccupied with the fact that her father was... was dead. It was a time when the rest of the family was together, and that's probably why she thought you were talking as a brother.

"I suggest giving her time to adjust to this new life first,"

[/b][/color] Bramblepaw said. "She needs to adjust to life without her father in a strange land with new responsibilities as a warrior." Nudging Sprintpaw, he added, "Flowerpaw knows you're always there for her. Try again when the setting is right; lots of she-cats like that romantic stuff. And don't give her a chance to think that you're talking as a brother; she's a bit naïve like that sometimes.

"Cherubimpaw, as the one who basically has a mate anyway," Bramblepaw grinned deviously at him, "do you have any advice to offer Sprintpaw?"

[But you can't win until you're not afraid to lose]

still "Just Older" lyrics[/blockquote]

((Snow, you are amazing! xD Snowstorm and Dreamsongs would be perfect!

Bramble's lives:
? -- Courage
Ringedpaw -- Justice (played by Sootie)
? -- Loyalty
Copperpaw -- Tireless Energy (played by Spotty)
Flowerbloom -- Protection (played by Moi)
? -- Mentoring
Dreamsongs -- Compassion (played by Snow)
Snowstorm -- Love (played by Snow)
Foreststar -- Nobility, Certainty, and Faith (Spotty said she'd play him)

If no one else pops in with anyone else, I can make up some cats.))[/i]

[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

Sprintpaw's golden yellow eyes darted from the ground to Bramblepaw and then back again several times before his brother finished speaking. He flicked his ears and sighed knowing he had been stupid in his timing. He lashed his tail back and forth across the sky his mind dancing with the new possibilities. The last words struck a chord in his soul and it wasn't a harmonious one. It felt like claws across granite in his head and he shot Cherubimpaw a look so dark and full of envy it even scared him, and was gone in a heartbeat. He was jealous that this newcomer had fallen so easily into clanlife that he had found a mate in Cinderpaw, but something else bothered him as well. It wasn't merely that he was an outsider, it was more that he seemed to be an insider without trying to become one. He flicked his ears and tail again pushing the thoughts of the young tom's real soul from his mind. the matter was too difficult to expect. He had paid little or no attention to his brothers aforementioned words on whether or not Mossmask was sane, he was too torn by his own inner turmoil.

Cherubimpaw on the other hand was not about to let the words slide. He looked calmly at Bramblepaw and lifted his ehad so that it was almost to his chin, and spoke, "I do not accuse you of not wishing to serve your clan, but I cannot either let you accuse or question Mossmask's sanity. She wasn't aware of Foreststar's death when she tore back into the camp, except by the dream she had had. She had not been distraught, she had been sane before she left and who are you to say she wasn't the same when she returned with your father's name on her lips?" His words were not accusing or condemning, but rather they were calm and understanding, endearing almost. He had compassion for his siblings, for though he had only met Foreststar a handful of times he had respected the tom more than any knew. He had seen him as a father, and didn't know why except that that is what it seemed all the apprentices saw him as. He flicked his tail at Sprintpaw and opened his mouth to speak again but he turned his head and came to a dead stop staring up at the Moon Pinacle. He stared opened mouthed and flicked his ears as something whispered to them. it was as if they were drawing him in calling him, each caress of the wind was like another name to his ears.

((oh and I can make up one or two more if you need me too also mossy))

[--|Sootie|--]

//Didn't I offer one of my ancient cats? I think it was Applequake who was tortured to death by Ridge and company? For courage?

[Mossmask]

[To stand out in the rain]

"Who am I...?" Bramblepaw's voice was hardened with grit, but not with an insulting or accusing bite, as he responded to Cherubimpaw's words, the older tom's emerald-green eyes as steady as his tone when he looked into Cherubimpaw's copper-hued orbs.

"I am Bramblepaw, the eldest son of Mossmask and Foreststar. I am the one who was there when my brother was snatched from us too soon, was there when Mossmask lost the spring in her pawsteps from losing her son. I am the one who was watching over his siblings during the Great Move when Foreststar was busy watching over the rest of the clan. I am the one whom Mossmask leaned upon during the travels when her mind didn't stay with her. I am the one who was with his distraught mother when she discovered my father's cold body, the one who saw the sparkle completely dissipate from his mother's eyes because of her lost mate!"

[So no one sees me cryin']

The tom had to pause in his steps to stop his body from shaking before continuing on. "I am the one who knows that Mossmask isn't the same, has never been the same for moons... I am the one who knows that her mind is starting to deteriorate. I pray that she stays with us for many more moons, but..." He licked his muzzle, trying to quench his dry throat. "She always dreamed that one of her children would succeed Foreststar one day, either myself or Cuckoopaw. Flowerpaw never took to the idea too well," his eyes briefly flickered toward Sprintpaw for an instant and moved back to concentrate on the path, "perhaps because she does want kits one day. I am the one who needs to take that idea of hers into account for my name being on her lips..."

I always wanted to be the one to follow in his pawsteps... But not like this... Not this soon...!

[To try to wash away the pain]

[/i][/color]

Bramblepaw's sides were heaving now, and a hint of tears were shimmering against the moonlight. "I am the one who must consider all possibilities of what could happen to ArcticClan, because I am the one who was suddenly thrust into this leadership position, the one who never had enough time to properly mourn his dad or to even think about what the heck is going on--"

His mouth stopped as the ground beneath his paws suddenly became damp. Looking up, Bramblepaw rapidly blinked away his tears to gape at the brilliant silvery rock tower, frosted with glistening ice. The stars were mirrored in the pool surrounding the Moon Pinnacle, their radiant reflections dancing to the wind's sweet whispers with the moonbeams as their spotlights.

"... Are we here?"

[...Mother...Father...][/blockquote]

"Keep the Faith," (c) Bon Jovi

((I didn't mean for this to end up so... angst-y, but I think it works. I didn't realize that Bramble had bottled all this up...!

And, yes, Sootie, you did, thank you. Apparently I didn't revise the list. >>' Spotty, you played Tawnysongs, right? Would she like to give a life? Or, if you want to make up someone else, that's cool too. XD

Applequake -- Courage (played by Sootie)
Ringedpaw -- Justice (played by Sootie)
?Tawnysongs -- Loyalty (played by Spotty)?
Copperpaw -- Tireless Energy (played by Spotty)
Flowerbloom -- Protection (played by Moi)
Hawktalon -- Mentoring (played by Moi)
Dreamsongs -- Compassion (played by Snow)
Snowstorm -- Love (played by Snow)
Foreststar -- Nobility, Certainty, and Faith (Spotty said she'd play him)

Hawktalon is someone I just made up; I'll make him be Mossmask's previous mentor or something. Thanks guys! ^^))[/i]

[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

His eyes narrowed, as he studied the spire.he didn't hear Bramblepaw speaking, he didn't hear Sprintpaw's gasp of wonder. He only heardthe whispering song of the starclan cats.
"Come into the circle child,
Though you've traveled long
Come with heart so meek and mild,
lift your voice and do no wrong.

Forest's die, and Brambles come,
Hold on tight, for winter's all but done.
Come little one to hear our tale,
Lift your heart and let it sail.

Black as night or brave as gold
We tell a tale of life and death,
these are the hearts both young and old.

Come to the circle and let it be
Lift him up and then you'll see
What we have seen since his first breath
Both father and son the same footsteps."

He wasn't there anymore. Cherubimpaw, was standing in the water, it was up to his paws, but he couldn't feel it, He wasn't seeing the spire anymore, he saw an open field. Kits, apprentices elders were all playing there. He wanted to joiun them but knew he couldn't. It wasn't his place...not anymore. Anymore? He had been here be fore then. He knew he had been, this place felt so at home, so peaceful. He couldn't hear his brother's calling to him, because the words were to great, to loud and powerful for him to understand. He flicked his tail, but didn't move another muscle until the song was finished. He blinked once and the images began to disappate and the song began to fade. He blinked again and the song was gone and the field all but. "No!" He cried and leaped forward only to find himself face fist in the water. He stood and shook himself off before turning to look back at Bramblepaw and Sprintpaw. "Did you see did you hear?" his eyes were shinning ansd his voice was cracking. He wanted them to experience what he ahd. He didn't know what it was but he figured he would soon.

Sprintpaw stared open mouthed as Cherubimpaw moved out into the water, seemingly being drawn by something ahead of him. Sprintpaw stared in awe at the changing lights on the moon pinacle. He watched as faces from past and present seemed to stand there for just a moment and then were gone again. The wind seemed to pick up and on it he could smell scents from all the clans, but they were together as if they were on the journey again. He looked over at Bramblepaw and then back at Cherubimpaw, who was standing knee deep in the water and going deeper. He began to call him. "Cherubimpaw! come back! Stop!" But nothing heeded him. He looked to Bramblepaw and spoke his words worried, but calm all the same. "Call him back!"

((Hope that was ok...I had a little more in me than I thought I did...))

[Mossmask]

[Welcome, you gotta believe]

Bramblepaw heard neither Sprintpaw nor Cherubimpaw. Instead, his eyes were glazed over, the forgotten tears falling heedlessly down his muzzle until there were no more, as he stared at the Moon Pinnacle. The winds caressed his pelt, whispering sweet music in his ears as they beckoned him to come forward with their song of invitation. His paws hesitated no longer as he strode into the shallow water. When the liquid soothed his weary paws, Bramblepaw laid down on his belly and gently closed his eyes.

His body stayed frozen, but his spirit was ripped away, being borrowed by the StarClan cats. The mingled scents of all four clans assaulted Bramblepaw, but he swiftly grew accustomed to them. Looking around, the young tom urged his anxious and excited breathing to calm down as he watched the stars fly together to create the images of cats.

[That right here, right now, you're exactly where you're supposed to be]

"Welcome, Bramblepaw," a chorus erupted around him, and he could only dip his head to the great warriors of the past while simultaneously try to pick out cats that he had known. "The time has come for your rightful position in your clan... You are ready."

There it was: the approval. Bramblepaw's heart skipped a beat at hearing StarClan believe that he was ready to lead a clan. His stomach suddenly twisted itself into knots, but he stood up tall, ready to meet the StarClan cats. He mentally braced himself as nine cats stepped toward him...

[Welcome to wherever you are]

"Welcome to Wherever You Are," (c) Bon Jovi

((*squeals over the awesomeness of the StarClan song* XD

I'll PM Sootie and Snow about the thread now. However, Snow hasn't been seen in a while, so, if she's not here within a reasonable amount of time, I can do the two lives that she was going to give. Shall we go in the order that my little list is in? Sootie's two, then Spotty, then me, then Spotty again?))[/i]

[--|Sootie|--]

Hey, man I'm alive

Applequake's gold and ginger fur was speckled with star light. His dark green eyes also glittered, although that could have been the reflection of the water at the moonpool somewhere far down below. He had stepped forward with the other cats chosen to give Bramblepaw his lives. He looked up now at the new leader of Arctic Clan, both of his eyes functioning normally. 'Welcome Bramblepaw. It's good to meet you, we've all heard so much about you and your family.' Applequake looked over to Foreststar a smile twitching at the corners of his lips. 'Lets us just make it a long time before you have to join us here. You know why you're here, you know why we're here, so shall I begin?' He looked to either side to check that none of the other ghostly benefactors were going to volunteer themselves for first life. His rich gold-and-fire pelt rippled with the movement; no traces of wound or scars having been brought to Star Clan. He looked again at the young cat before him and visualised his last moments as an Arctic Clanner. He'd been out hunting and had smelled blood. He found a cat covered in blood, and went closed ready to help. Help wasn't what this cat wanted. It wasn't his blood. Totrure followed for Applequake as he fought, trying to protect his clan from this twisted, vicious rouge. He blinked his memories away, the feeling staying with him as he stepped forward to Brablepaw.

I'm taking each day, a night at a time

'I give you this life of courage. I hope you see how to use it well to best defend your clan. There will be times when you are all Arctic Clan has as its defence, and you'll need courage to stand up to whoever or whatever is threatening them. Courage.' Applequake stepped back and watched how Bramblepaw would recieve the life. Courage meant pain. Sometimes being courageous meant giving everything over in effort to protect and defend sometimng you believed in. Chances are, Bramblepaw was feeling the battles and hunts and arguements which came as part of defending his clan. Applequake had learnt what courage meant in the face of an enemy, now the young leader woul be too. During his observation, Applequake had rejoined the circle of cats surrounding Bramblepaw. He looked on, waiting for the next part of the ceremony.

Yeah I'm down, but I know I'll get by

_{Music by Bo Jovi, Someday I'll be Saturday Night}

[Mossmask]

[Everyone's a miracle in their own way]

Bramblepaw knew that gaining his lives wouldn't be easy. He had no idea as to how leaders were granted their lives, of course; those kinds of meetings were only known between the new leader and StarClan themselves. Bramblepaw had always imagined that there would be some sort of trial or two, perhaps one to test his body's physical limit and one to test how sharp his mind and wits were. Never had he imagined that a leader is granted his or her nine lives from simple nose-touches between him- or herself and members of StarClan.

Of course, the instant the ancient ArcticClan-smelling warrior's nose touched Bramblepaw's, the young tom banished the thought of this process being "simple."

Pain and fear coursed through Bramblepaw's body, making his legs weak and colored spots assault his eyes. He refused to buckle under the intense feelings, knowing that with courage came these emotions. He would have to be courageous in the face of danger and perhaps even facing certain death right in the eyes.

A gasp escaped the brown tabby as Applequake stepped back to his spot in the ring of StarClanners. Bramblepaw took deep breaths, attempting to brace himself for whatever life came next.

[Just listen to yourself, not what other cats say]

still "Welcome to Wherever You Are"[/i]