Where Do We Go From Here? (Tagged and Open)

[Wolf]

@stormrose
@nightynight

A lithe young she-cat trotted through the territory alone, green eyes sweeping through the meadow for any hiding prey. Her tabby tail hovered just above the green stalks, making sure she didn't stir anything. Briarspring stopped suddenly as a mouth-watering prey scent filled her mouth. Dropping into a crouch, the tabby queen crept forwards slowly, eyes narrowed in concentration as she stalked the small creature. Less than a heartbeat later, she pounced onto a mouse that had been nibbling on a flower seed, dispatching it with a quick bite to the neck. She sat up, satisfied with her kill, before looking around her - wondering if there were any other cats around.

[Deleted]

Silverleaf padded quietly along the border with sunsetclan. She could see a brown and white shape in the distance. Hmmm, a sunsetclan cat. It appeared to be Briarspring. Silverleaf recognized her from the gathering. She must be hunting, Silverleaf thought, suddenly remembering why she had come this way. I had better go see if I can bring something back.

[Deleted]

~Shadepaw~
'I wish I knew what it was like
To know what's right or wrong'

A dark grey pelt melded easily into the background. Large paws ghosting silently over the landscape as a tom pushed his way towards the border. He didn't bother to scent the air, not caring if cats from other clans were about. He could take care of anything that crossed his path. Long ivory claws sprang unbidden from their sheathes. A dark red tongue swiping eagerly over thorn sharp fangs at the thought of a challenge. Upon nearing the meadow the tom halted. His ears flicking in distaste. He could see a feline form up ahead. A quick sniff told him it wasn't anyone he had much experience with. He lashed his tail in frustration at the delay but refused to alter his course.


Shadepaw strode into the open. He pulled himself to his full height, lifting his tail somewhat in greeting as he neared Briarspring. He knew the queen now that he was closer as a frequenter of the nursery. The apprentice drew level with the tabby she-cat and he nodded brisquley at her catch. "I see the prey's running." He commented, his tail twitching at his paws as he forced himself to remain in a civil mood. Briarspring hadn't done anything to him, yet. Distracted with his clanmate Shadepaw's fur suddenly rose at his neck. His fangs flashed as he whipped around snarling "I know you're out there, show yourself!" The scent of an enemy clan was close though he couldn't see the source.

[Wolf]

Briarspring nodded in greeting to Shadepaw and flicking her tail at his comment. "Surprisingly so for leaf-fall." She replied, eyes narrowing as he snarled at the same moment as she scented another cat nearby. "Shadepaw, easy. We're close to the border so it's expected that we'll scent other cats." The older cat kicked earth over her catch before striding towards the scent of the strange cat.

[Deleted]

Silverleaf noticed another cat, an apprentice, by the looks of it. His fur was bristled, and he looked hostile. This seems to be a cat that I don't have anything in common with, she thought. However, I am still in Leafclan territory, and they have nothing to worry about. I don't want their seafood. Silverleaf shook her fur in disgust.

[Deleted]

                                                              ~Shadepaw~
                                                                                'I wish I knew what it was like
                                                                                    To know what's right or wrong'

With hackles still raised and a grimace playing about his face Shadepaw slunk after Briarspring. He was taken aback by the queen's casual tone. How could she remain so calm, what if it was an invasion? Well, whatever it was he was ready, his claws flexed in and out of their sheathes as he paced behind the warrior. He would follow her lead, if he thought it was the right thing to do. but if that other cat took one step inside their border he'd flay them.


Shadepaw's eyes narrowed as he asked in a clipped, unpleasant tone "Do I get to shred them if I catch them stealing prey, or on our territory, or looking suspicious, or..or..or well you know, being nosy furballs?" He trailed off looking vexed, he just wanted one excuse to start a fight, that's all he needed. His ears pricking eagerly he trained his pale yellow gaze on Briarspring expectantly.

[Wolf]

"Not unless I say so." Briarspring responded curtly. "They have every right to patrol their own border, you know. Not every cat is trespassing just because you smell them." The tabby she-cat mewed as they approached the border. "Hello Silverleaf, how's the prey running in LeafClan?" She called out as they reached the border. Her brown striped tail flicked expectantly and lightly touched Shadepaw's shoulder, signalling to wait to see what the other cat would do.

[Deleted]

"well, considering the fact that it's leaf-fall, prey is fine. I'm sure Sunsetclan is pulling through?" Silverleaf glanced at the younger cat standing next to Briarspring. She noticed that his claws were sliding in and out of their sheaths. A typical apprentice, she thought. Always ready to prove their skills.

[Deleted]

~Shadepaw~

'I wish I knew what it was like

To know what's right or wrong'

The dark grey tom hesitated, as Briarspring spoke. While it was true that other clans had a right to patrol wasn't it his job to protect his borders. His head swam with uncertainty but he remains behind the queen as they stopped at the border. The Leafclan she-cat seemed calm enough but he wasn't fooled. All clans needed prey during leaf-fall he would have bet his next meal the she-cat before him would have taken prey from their side of the border in a heartbeat if they hadn't come along


Unjustified as his thoughts were they still made Shadepaw irritable. Briarspring greeted the other warrior peacfully and Silverleaf responded in turn. He choked back the angry growl threatening to creep up his throat but couldn't help an angry response at Silverleaf's question. "Of course we're pulling through! Not that it's any concern of yours." The prickly apprentice turned his head away after the retort, his fur ruffling in frustration. He wasn't known for his easy going attitude and he wasn't in the best mood that day either. Refusing to meet Briarspring's gaze he glared at the ground remaining still as he awaited the usual condescending response he usually got when he mouthed off.

[Deleted]

This cat was obviously not messing around, but Silverleaf couldn't help but feel a little amused. "I was being polite, something that you would do well to learn in the future." Does he think that I am going to just stride over the border and steal prey right in front of him? She wondered. Silverleaf dipped her head, in a fare well gesture. "I may as well be going," Silverleaf mewed. "Otherwise I may find that leaf-bare is already upon us." Tasting the air for prey scents, she resumed her hunt.

[Wolf]

Briarspring opened her mouth to scold the apprentice but instead nodded at him, not saying anything to the sharp-tongued tom cat. "Farewell, Silverleaf. Good hunting." She nodded a goodbye to the LeafClan warrior and turned to face Shadepaw. "Well done, Shadepaw. Though maybe less hostility next time, okay?" She rested her tail on his shoulder. "You'll make a very strong warrior some day." Her green eyes glowed with gentle understanding and her face showed no anger, nor annoyance.

[Deleted]

~Shadepaw~

'I wish I knew what it was like

To know what's right or wrong'

The sulking tom turned his baleful gaze onto Silverleaf for a brief moment before letting it drift to one side. Studiously he sculpted a look of sheer un-interest, he was growing tired of inactivity. His paws itched to get back to his training. His skin crawled at the she-warrior's words. 'Polite? Mouse-dung, I won't be polite just because some down for brain she-cat from another clan says so!' He thought with a glower. His jaws remained clamped shut as though glued. He had spoken his peace and wouldn't be so undignified as to smart off again. He was young yet, raw and powerful but unpredictable. The apprentice rose to his paws, turning his broad shoulders to keep Silverleaf in his sights as she padded away, obviously returning to her hunt.


Shadepaw stiffened in surprise. Briarspring hadn't scolded him, her words seemed almost gentle as she laid her plumy tail across his shoulders. He twitched his tail to one side, unsure of how to respond to the compliment.  "but Briarspring aren't we supposed to be hostile towards other clans?" He asked after a long moment of silence, his anger having fizzled and drowned as Briarspring softened the blow to his fragile ego. He felt almost vunerable in the gentle queen's gaze and looked away again. Hesitantly he asked "Will you teach me how to catch mice like that?" His tail gesturing towards her buried prey. Shadepaw's tone was a mixture of grudging respect and half-hearted enthusiasm. He wasn't used to acting so civilly around other cats and it showed.

[Wolf]

Briarspring let out a calm purr. "Not unless they could pose a threat to us. Engaging in casual conversation on the border is normal. We're all cats trying to survive after all." She glanced back to her catch as he asked her to teach him. "Sure, why not? I can teach you more than just hunting too." The tabby queen trotted back to where she had buried her prey and twitched her tail as an invitation for him to follow her.

(I'll make another thread for training if you want)