"Why hello there Ottersplash!" Mewed robinstar cheerily, "Something to do? Well, if you want you could go join Troutsplash and whomever he is with on their hunt, or perhaps find someone else to go with. We are always short on prey around here"

-

Jadewing smiled at Brokentail, "Hi." she mewed quietly, yet friendly. "I'm pretty good today, how are you?" Her voice was quiet, but her eyes were shining with excitement for the day ahead.

--

"I know" Troutsplash shook his head, "Morale is low around camp." Trying to change the mood he mewed, as cheerfully as he could, "A quail qould be amazing! Or a rabbit or two."

[That's what I thought. <3 It just, clicks with them. ;)]

Sweetpaw took a deep breath and tried to calm her mind, closing her eyes and stilling her shivering body. "It coud be fox," she said with a hint of a snarl in her throat. It smelled as if some terrible carnage had gone here and she wasn't feeling well-disposed to whatever had caused it. "But you know, this isn't like carrion. Just...death." Sighing the she-cat shook her head. "We need to tell Robinstar or Wavepelt now," she meowed urgently, turning her frightened blue eyes on Silentpaw.

--

Leopardwind chose her words carefully, knowing Fallenbane wasn't the type to trust whoever fell on their paws in the forest. But to tell the truth Leopardwind couldn't really see any harm and anger in the rogue. Simply mistrust and determination. Not exactly terrible qualities. "I don't really think he means any harm whatsoever, but honestly, how does he know there are more of us?" she growled anxiously, catching the tom's little slip-up. Glancing at Fallenbane she knew the warrior would try to be fair, but to tell the truth fair wasn't really the first thing on any cat's mind.

--

Spider sighed, realizing the cats were deciding his fate. Honestly, did those cats really think he was doing anything wrong by existing in this place? Cutting back a growl he ground his teeth, ears twitching with anticipation. "If you try to kill me," Spider meowed suddenly, his eyes glowing fearlessly. "I'm not afraid to fight back. I'll just let you know it would be on your conscience to kill me though." Giving them a crooked grin he shut his mouth.

--

"A quail would mean Starclan still favours us, not that they don't," Dawnrush meowed wryly. Shrugging she nodded at the tom with a quick smile before leaping ahead, landing neatly on a small shrew that had been scuffling around some rocks. "First catch to me~" she mewed teasingly, her eyes glowing.

Silentpaw nodded, taking a deep breadth to calm his nerves and try to think straight. "I don't think it's a fox." He meowed, remembering a past time when Leopardwind had pointed out a foxes nest. Theirs was sortta like what he was smelling now, only less strong and lined with darkness. Nodding, he turned and gently nosed her shoulder to silently say 'lets go.' Staying close to the ground, though the scent was less strong, he made his way back to the camp and looked around to make sure nothing happened while they were gone. Spotting Robinstar, the apprentice swiftly padded to their leader, suddenly unsure. "I hope he beleives us." He meowed to himself, slowing down as he got closer. 

---

Panthergaze looked to tom over a second time, noting that what Leopardwind said was ture. There was not a lot of hostility to him, though had he been confronted with a few unknown cats he'd probably be a little flightly as well. Standing up straight, muscles in a more relaxed position to show he himself meant no harm, Panthergaze gave the rouge a nod. About to speak, he sighed as Fallenbane beat him to it. "You would not be the first rouge i'v killed." The ginger cat hissed, crouched low in a defensive position. Unsure of how tro handle the situation, because to him it seemed Fallenbane was less then a hairsbreath from flinging himself at the rouge, Panthergaze shot Spider a 'tread carefully' look. 

"How do you know there are more of us?" He asked suddenly, laying his tail tip on Fallenbane's shoulder to try and calm him.  

Sweetpaw nodded quickly and trotted after her friend, ears flattened as the memory of the scent refused to go away. "He has to," she whispered in a fleeting voice, blinking and holding her eyes closed for a moment. Glancing around she sighed when she noticed most of the warriors were not at their temporary resting place. It was unnerving without the Clan's main source of protection so far away. Shuddering again, her nerves frayed to a breaking point, Sweetpaw settled behind her friend and waited, hoping that Robinstar would treat their words like the truth instead of a silly apprentice trick.

--

"And you won't be the first cat I've killed either," Spider meowed back in a calm tone, neither cowering nor challenging. Turning his flat, almost slate gray eyes tinged with blue on Panthergaze he shrugged cooly, noting that it was the black tom who was trying to defuse the situation. The she-cat was a bit neutral - protective but not overly so, and the other ginger tom just wanted to tear him to pieces. It's strange, he thought idly as he opened his mouth to answer the black tom, how many different cats you can find in one place. "I've been following you," Spider meowed frankly, blinking slowly. "I was curious as to why such a large group of cats was moving through this territory, and I wanted to know what you were like. Though, judging by you three, I'm getting very different impressions."

Looking over his shoulder to where they'd just come from Silentpaw shivered. "Yeah." Starting again towards Robinstar the apprentice made sure no other cat was within hearing distance before he approached close enough for their leader to hear. "Robinstar?" He asked, dipping his head in repsect, amber eyes cautious. He hated talking to higher up's; but at least Robinstar was not as bad as some. "I found a scent not far from camp; it's filled with blood and death." He left Sweetpaw's name out for the time being, not wanting her to get in any sort of touble if this back-fired and the warrior's thought they were only trying to gain attention. "It was...bad." Blinking, he pointed with his tail where he'd first sented it. "I thought you mightlike to know in case any other cat came upon what ever kind of creature it was."

---

Hissing, Fallenbane swiped a paw towards Spider's face, claws unsheathed. He knew he was not close enough for the blow to land, but he wanted the threat to be shown. Panthergaze scowled, itching to stand between the two toms. "Please." He meowed, trying to keep a steely edge to his voice. But stopping confrontation was not his strong point. "You could have just come out and shown yourself. The leaders would have stopped any warrior from attacking until they knew what you wanted." At least he hoped so; he was no leader. The rouge had a steel backbone, that was for sure. He reminded Panthergaze of a warrior for some reason, though he'd not admit it aloud. To bad he was not born in the clans. He mused to himself. "And do not mind Fallenbane," He flicked the older warrior's face with his tail, earning a hiss. "Most of us are not like that unless threatened." Leaning closer to Leopardwind, he knew the ginger tom would be of not help; him being blind sided. "What do you think?" He asked the she-cat, voice low. "Should we take him to Robinstar? He does not seem much of a threat."  

  Ottersplash smirked and jumped lightly a bit and rushed towards Troutsplash and Dawnrush. "Hey Splashy, hey dawnie! Mind if I join you guys? I heard you're going hunting from Robinstar." Standing with the group of cats he smiled cheerfully.

 Snowpaw purred and nodded. "Alright. Thanks for leting me help." she mewed lightly and picked up some of the dead herbs padding away to store them in a place no cat would find them.

((OOC; Kind of a bad post...but it's somethin and I woke up not long ago. XD)

Troutsplash looked from Dawnrush to Ottersplash, asfter congratulating her on her catch. "Sure Ottersplash. I've got no problem with it. The only thing is, we have to stay quieter, the prey hasn't been disturbed here." He then made a silly face at his friend and lifted his nose to sniff the air.

--

Robinstar looked at the young tom and flattened his ears to his large head. He sighed, "Come on, show me where you found this scent." He shook his head and thought, Too many things happening today, right now. "Alright. I'll foloow you"

Starpaw made a soft sighing sound from behind the mound of herbs and followed the other apprentice, trying to keep up with her gait. He scowled as one of his too long back legs collided with a front one, sending him stumbling along the muddy ground. Getting back to his paws, he flushed in embarr*censored*ment and hoped no cat had seen his folly; then again his fur was now covered in a thin la
yer of mud, so it was some-what obvious. Ducking his head he started after Snowpaw again, concentrating on keeping himself from falling yet again. Once a decent place came into view he dropped the herns and spread a pile of leave over then, masking any scents. "Thanks for helping." He meowed to Snowpaw, smiling slightly; awkwardly. "Er, if you want you can come with me to gather herbs." He flinched slightly. "Not that you have to gather then that it; but if you'd like to hunt then it would be a good excuse for being out without a menotr or another apprentice." He added quickly, scuffling his front paws. Now he kind of understood why he faired better talking to older warriors, they made him feel less awkward and like some deranged runt. 

---

Silentpaw felt a small grin blooming across his face, even though the leader seemed less then enthusiastic about following. At least he believed him! "Alright." He meowed quickly, turning back towards where him and Sweetpaw had just come from. Giving the area a good sniff over, he recognized the thorn bush that had served as a reminder to where he found the smell. But much to his dismay and chargin it was gone. The rain had washed it away. With a horrified look at his leader Silentpaw was suddenly glad he'd kept Sweetpaw's name from coming up. He had no proof anymore. "It was here." He insisted, nosing thorugh the leaves. "It's his fox-dunged rain!"

Midnightflowers ears twitched and she turned her blue eyes behind her, where she saw her little apprentice. She looked away, rolling her eyes, wondering why they would ever gave her an apprentice. "Would you look who finally decided to get up." she said before she turned her head to look at the little cat. Thronclaw turned his head for a moment to look at him, feeling sorry for the poor apprentice, having to have a mentore like his sister.

"Would you excuse me." she said looking back at the warriors, bowing her head slitghtly before she stood and padded over to the younger cat. "C'mon Painfulpaw, lets go. Let's see if any of the other apprentices are practising."

Brokentail turned his orange eye back and looked at Jadewing. Who had just asked how he was feeling. "Alright, aside from being wet, I feel pretty good." he said.

Ottersplash stiffled a laugh at his slight disturbance to the undisturbed prey and nodded. "Thank guys." he mewed quietly and smirked sniffing the air. Dropping to a hunters crouch he lightly padded towards bush that shook lightly as a small creature ate. Preparing to pounce he stayed as silent as a mouse, much to starclans surprise, and waited for his moment. Without warning he jumped and landed upon a small skinny and young rabbit. Taking it out of it's hidding spot he smirked in triumph to his catch. "Haha! I het 'ou didn' 'atch shen' o' dis!" he muffled between him and the rabbit.

  Snowpaw smiled at Starpaw and nodded hiding the dried plants with leaves and dirt. "Alright! I'd love to help." she said as she waited for him to show her the best places of finding the herbs. "I'll follow you this time. I don't know where the best herb spots are." she normally wasn't as honest as she was now but she knew there was no point in hiding this fact, blushing a bit, she had never liked admiting things like that but it was no use in getting them lost and getting any further embar*censored*ed.

   Painfullpaw flinched a bit but smiled and followed after his mentor. Shaking with anticipation for the day before him. Looking over his shoulder he nodded to the warriors as he was taken away.

Robinstar sighed, "It's gone." He shook his head. He looked at the young tom, he looked perfectly upset, " I know Silentpaw, the rain has been horrific lately. I believed you I really did, there's just so much going on."

ooC; Sorry for the literary failure :P

Seeing the worry flash across Silentpaw's muzzle Sweetpaw let out a huff of annoyance and swatted at the rain with one paw before trotting up to Robinstar. "It was there," she mewed solemnly, looking at the leader with big eyes. "I scented it too..." She paused and shuddered, cringing slightly. "But what Silentpaw said, the rain must have washed it away." Shrugging Sweepaw looked away in embarra.ssment. 

--

Dawnrush snorted and scuffed dirt over her own mouse, giving Ottersplash a consternated look. "Don't go shouting about dear," she meowed in a mild manner, though her eyes flashed with amusement. "You'll scare all the prey away." It was funny how Ottersplash could simply...brighten up everyone's day. Crouching down she whipped her tail back ad forth before leaping upwards and onto the base of a tree, twitching her whiskers at the stunned squirrel that lay under her paws. Biting it swiftly on the eck she carried it over to her mouse and buried it next to it.

--

"I live a solitary life," Spider meowed in way of explanation. "And I never intended to join your group or stalk you all the way to the end of your journey if there is one, I only wanted to know your purpose. Once you were gone you were gone." Shrugging he sheathed his claws and slipped farther out of the undergrowth, giving the ginger warrior a good glare. "And you're in my territory now. So I'd rathernot have any bloodshed." Again his voice was mild, calm.

Sighing, Silentpaw nodded in the way of agreeing. Thogu he hated it,. But at least the leader did not think of them as stupid kits. Shooting Sweetpaw a slightly annoyed look the tabby apprentice sniffed one more time before sitting down; though was forced to shift uncomfortably at the soggy ground. "Are we going to start travelling then today?" He finally asked, words curt. Looking over at his friend Silentpaw rolled his eyes at the thought of more walking, a flicker of amusment in his amber eyes. Maybe they'd find whatever gave off that smell. 

---

Fallenbane scoffed keeping his amber eyes slitted on the rouge as if in a challenge. "Then why follow at all? Living alone getting to be a bit boring?" He asked in a clipped voice. Panthergaze gave his former mentor a 'look' but swiftly turned back towards the rouge. Again he had the feeling that this rouge tom would be a *censored*et of some sort to the clan. Maybe he was just setimental. "We want no bloodshed either." He stated, shifting a leaf with a twitch of his tail. "Have you not ever wondered, though, what it was like not to be alone all the time?" Panthergaze asked, a friendly smile on his face. He hoped to off balance Fallenbane's clear hostility. "To have cats to count on and to become friends with?"

OoC: Fail posts. >> 

"We will start our travels soon after the hunting patrols come back.' Robinstar mewed, "Hopefully they have brought enough back for many cats" His large paws squished in the mud and watery grounds as they headed back to their makeshift camp. Quickening his pace or a few steps he stepped off the dirt and mud and unto the gr*censored*, still wet, but less squishy.

--

Sweetpaw shrugged at Silentpaw's irritated look, smiling back with her trade-mark sweet look just to bother the serious tom. "Well, I guess there's no point in cleaning my paws up now," she meowed lightly, looking down at the offending bodypart with a sigh. Shaking her head slightly to wipe off more water droplets Sweetpaw realized she tended to be the cat who made light of the situation, seeing the bright side in a world of darkness. Now that she knew this she felt a sudden weight on her shoulders. Maybe she should be a bit more serious, like Silentpaw. It couldn't hurt. "I'm sure they'll bring back enough," she meowed after a short pause. 

[Fail...e_o] 

--

Leopardwind shook her head at Fallenbane's agressiveness. Honestly, was the warrior going to hold a grudge against every stranger. Turning her flat, emotionless eyes back on the rogue and bit back a curt retort when he mentioned 'his territory,' and instead opted for blinking her eyes slowly and licking her paw thoughtfully, making sure the rogue saw her claws. "So, rogue," she meowed with a slight emphasis on the word rogue, "what name do you go by?"

--

Spider was definitely getting bothered by the ginger tom. The rogue understood being protective, even defensive, but outright hostility to strangers when strictly speaking you weren't in your home territory? It bordered on stupidity, that was for sure. Curling back his lips in a low growl he flicked his ears. "I go by the name of Spider, on account of my spindly legs and speed," he meowed softly. "And as for your question," he meowed towards Panthergaze, "Perhaps I have. I don't remember my mother or father, and my littermates are dead or gone. This isn't a hospitable place for the faint of heart." Shrugging his shoulders Spider wondered why the 'Clan cat' was asking such a direct question. "And friends can't be trusted when you're a rogue. It's one cat for himself...or herself, of course." 

Lips quirking up slightly at Sweetpaw's remark, Silentpaw flicked one paw towards her that was slick with mud, aiming to slpash some of the droplets onto her pelt. "If this rain keeps up we're all going to become mud warriors." He mused, looking up towards the pouring sky. To his embarr*censored*ment his stomach gave a loud growl, complaining. Letting his slightly care-free grin drop from his face, the apprentice gave his pelt a shake. "Perhaps we should go back to camp and wait for the hunting patrols; we don't want to get left behind." The very thought of being alone made his fur rise. Starting back towards camp he looked behind him to make sure Sweetpaw was keeping up. Because she was smaller he seemed to see her almost as a younger littermate; a sibling almost. 

---

Looking between Leopardwind and the rouge, or Spider as he stated, Panthergaze silently listened. He was impressed by the normally docile she-cats aggressive look. He'd never have guessed. "Of course." He muttered sarcastically to Spider's last comment, voice low so that only he could hear. Sighing, he lets his tail flick back and forth in impatience. "Robinstar is probably waiting for us to return with the prey. There are many hungry mouths to feed including a queen." Turning his green eyes towards Spider he nodded slightly. "Your rigfht, this place is not hospitible, and rouge's can't be trusted. But we're leaving soon and we're not rouges; perhaps you should give it a try." He shrugged, ignoring Fallenbane's sudden snarl of fury. "Of course that's our leaders call, but he's quite a bit more leninet then most cats."