this one's a bit ODD [deerpaw.cc]

[deerpaw]

D E E R P A W;;
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There was no doubting it; it was simply Deerpaw-nature. Ever-eccentric as she was, the small tabby stood out very plainly compared to the normal-acting apprentices of the other clans, especially RavineClan. Where most average young cats her age took joy in hunting and patrolling for their clan, Deerpaw took immense joy in the small flash of a smile, or he sound the tall, gold grass made when the wind ran through it. She was her mother's entire odd-side balled up into one strange persona. That said, it could not be claimed that Brackenwing had born any "normal" kits. After Deerpaw, there was Stagpaw, who was simply happy loping about and cared more about his sisters and mother than life itself. And, of course, there was Fawnpaw. Contrary to her peace-hinting name, the brown tabby was a ball of fiery energy. It seemed she could go for days on end. Altogether, the three made up a rather strange, although loving, family. It didn't help that Brackenwing did nothing but encourage their odd antics.

At the very moment her brother pondered his lack of a good mentor and Ravenflight pondered his lack of Tawnystone, Deerpaw was pondering her excess of stripes. She turned her shoulder, staring down at the myriad of criss-crosses that made up her pelt. Tabby stripes was not an uncommon trait amongst any of the forest cats, but it was particularly present in Brackenwing's little family. All three of the half-grown kits were covered in stripes, despite the fact that their father had lacked them. The mother herself bore the same exact pattern as her long-legged son Stagpaw. Fawnpaw had more brown and a lighter under-coat, while Deerpaw had more mottled patches, where the stripes gave up and became a bed of black speckles atop a base of gray-and-brown. Awkwardly turning about in a full circle, the small she-cat watched her stripes fade to a mottled patch on her lower left side. She sighed to herself and sat down with a gentle thud. There was simply no denying it; she was a tabby.

Conclusion reached, Deerpaw lifted her gaze out onto the rest of the camp. She sat in a little patch of light several foxlengths from the camp's entrance. Just inside the warriors' den, she could see what she automatically knew to be her mother's form, staring out at the clan's deputy. Young as she was, the apprentice still did not entirely understand her mother's sudden interest in Ravenflight. Once, Brackenwing had tried explaining it. The warrior-queen had started by telling the story of how Ravenflight had slowly lost those he'd cared about most: first Nightstar, then Tawnystone. Deerpaw watched a strange sort of pity and sorrow fill her mother's eyes as she spoke. She couldn't possibly understand what would make Brackenwing so sad all of a sudden. Sure, it was sad the two cats had died, but those were the only deaths the clan had seen in seasons-- weren't they? In some ways, Deerpaw shared her mother's concern for the deputy. Ravenflight had always shown an undying love and loyalty to his clan. It didn't seem fair that he should loose those he loved.

But pity and sorrow weren't the only reasons Brackenwing was interested in Ravenflight. This reason Deerpaw understood even less. She vaguely knew her mother loved being a queen, but the small tabby was too young to see that Brackenwing wanted kits again, and Ravenflight was really the only tom left to give them to her. Deerpaw didn't comprehend such things as the distinct lack of older toms. She had once asked her mother why she didn't pursue Redstar instead. Her mother had simply replied, "I do not think he'd agree. Besides, he heart is already in the possession of another she-cat." Deerpaw didn't bother asking what she'd meant.

Not wanting to continue plaguing her mind with what she saw as meaningless ponderings, Deerpaw leapt quickly to her paws and darted over to her brother. In a strange rush of affection, she rubbed her head against his, letting out a little purr. Without saying a word, she blink pleasantly at him.

There exists a difference
Between surviving and living.