(( I could never remember if it was half or quarter-moon. Either one is fine with me, not that it affects my characters much because none of them are Med cats. xD ))
Thrushwing lay in his nest, his forelegs tucked inder his chest and his eyes drawn closed to nothing but slits. He knew his failure earlier to catch the young squirrel affected the clan little for the time being, after all there was plenty of prey running in the woods and stocking the fresh-kill pile. But it had dampened his spirits with the knowledge that if he didn't improve his hunting skills before Leaf-bare, he was be next to worthless to the clan. With an angry hiss he flopped over, taking care to unsheathe his claws and tear at the moss before curling up and drifting off into a light, troubled sleep.
---
"Take the right side, I'll get the left," Thistlepaw muttered to Rainpaw, staring ahead at their deputy's brown pelt. He was underneath a willow tree with long sweeping branches, brushing the ground gently in the light breeze. Rainpaw flicked her sister's shoulder with the tip of her tail, and slipped off, pausing briefly to check that they were down-wind of Hawkfeather. Thistlepaw departed heartbeats later, carefully circling around the tree. With any luck the two she-cats would be able to surprise their deputy, and on the way back to camp, they could ask to be placed on the patrol that would leave around sun-high.
Thistlepaw was now in position. About fifteen or so feet across from her she could see Rainpaw's icy eyes looking out at her. Checking their position and the wind once more, Thistlepaw tensed and prepared to give the signal.
---
Rainpaw watched her sister carefully, waiting for her to give the go-ahead. She bunched her muscles, preparing to leap, but just then Thistlepaw disappeared, and Rainpaw sat up in surprise. This wasn't part of the plan, where was her sister going?
---
"You stupid furball! What are you doing here?!" hissed Thistlepaw, glaring angrily at the dark-furred tom in front of her.
"Oh nothing much. I was taking a stroll you see, when I scented you two apprentices and Hawkfeather. I came to see if there was a patrol, you know, as that's when the best conversations take place. The cats are alert, and usually thinking while they're on patrol, so the conversation usually gets further than normal," Nightfrost replied smoothly, looking through the undergrowth at Hawkfeather.
"What is wrong with you? You sound like Thrushwing," the apprentice snapped back, much to Nightfrost's amusement.
"Me? Oh I'm nothing like him. I can hunt, after all. Besides, I need to keep you talking. I can't just let you go and ambush the clan's second-in-command now can I? That wouldn't be very nice."
Thistlepaw snarled, and made as if to fling herself at him, but at the last second hooked a bunch of leaves in her claws and hurled them at his face. She then took the opportunity to dart off, while he batted the plant matter away. Pelt bristling, Nightfrost darted after her, coming up under the willow tree to see the two she-cats charging at the deputy.
"You crazy kit! That's not very respectful now is it?" he called after Thistlepaw's retreating back. Thistlepaw skidded to a halt at his voice, and her sister followed suit, peering curiously at the visitor from Hawkfeather's other side. "You always have to ruin it don't you?" she meowed back over her shoulder as he padded up beside her. He glared at her for a second, then glanced at his deputy, still keeping his head low out of respect.
"Sorry sir, I told her not to go through with her little prank, but she wouldn't listen. I suppose I should take these two back to camp where there's more cats to keep an eye on them?" He heard Thistlepaw's growl and Rainpaw's stifled gasp, and immediately felt a slight twinge of guilt. These two were still just apprentices, they deserved to have some fun every once in a while, and he knew he had not only spoiled their prank but probably kept them from being selected for the patrol as well. He bent down and muttered a quick "Sorry" into Thistlepaw's ear, but she just sat there taking no notice of him, looking expectantly at the cat in front of her.
(( This post has a bit of a fail ending, but it could always be worse. I feel even worse for Hawkfeather now, what an awkward situation, lol. ))
Normal User
Normal User
Normal User
Normal User
Normal User
