winding paths [reflected]

[fernpaw]

She hated being idle. She hated being idle more than anything in the entire world. She hated it more than the stench of monsterpaths or the way her sister was sleeping the morning away in her nest. When Fernpaw rose at first light to poke her sister awake, she groaned and rolled over. "Gingerpaw, get up. You look like a mole." The only response was Gingerpaw's claws lashing out through the air, woefully missing their target. Fernpaw grunted in irritation, flicking her tail and turning on her heels. She, for one, was not going to waste her apprenticeship. She was going to be the youngest apprentice elected a warrior, that was for sure.

Fernpaw shook her pelt out as the heavy, hot, greenleaf air hit her full throttle in the face. She inwardly groaned at the heat, though forced herself to keep walking toward the fresh kill pile, observing what little was left of it. She mentally sighed, very aware that they needed to go out hunting. Her mentor was M.I.A at the moment though, either out hunting or on a patrol. Either way she was left to her own devices and that sure as heck wasn't good enough for her. Fernpaw made the quick decision to go out hunting by herself. She would be in and out long before the sun reached the middle of the sky.

My mentor won't even miss me, she thought derisively, weaving out of the camp and toward the rocky terrain. She kept her footing, occasionally threatening to tumble although able to keep her cool. She stalked quickly, her eyes on a squirrel that was just ahead. With no breeze whistling through the trees, she dropped to a crouch and wiggled her tail, vaguely aware of the scent of another cat approaching hitting her nostrils. Fernpaw, however, ignored this as she leaped through the air like a hawk, pouncing messily and hitting the ground with nothing to show for it except empty paws.

Maybe she needed a little practice.

[reflectedrain **]

the cool mountain streams provided much appreciated relief from the heat of greenleaf, and the tom was reluctant to wander very far from its bubbling shallows. but alas, there were things to be done, and he wouldn't return to camp with empty paws. he was a warrior, for starclan's sake! so instead of running in and out of the water like he had been, reflectedrain took off for the forested part of territory, rocks dotting the land here and there, hinting at the truly rocky terrain that loomed just up the mountainside. it reminded him of their old home, and a nostalgic smile lodged itself upon his tabby marked maw.

a soft-colored cat entered his field of vision, her pale tabby stripes gracing her bodice. her form was terrible, and the tom couldn't help but grin. but then he saw the slithering animal next to her and his heart skipped a beat. the tom acted quickly, shifting his weight back and launching toward the apprentice, bowling into her and doing his best to cushion her fall with his own body. "watch out..." he panted. "there's an adder!" he mewed pointedly, gesturing toward the nearby rocks where the snake sat poised to strike. reflectedrain rolled over, stood up quickly, and waited for the adder to uncurl. it did, slowly, and the tom leaped again, pinning it down close to its head and quickly dispatching it with a quick and calculated nip to its spine. his cerulean eyes twinkled as he looked back up at the young she-cat. "saved you." reflectedrain teased, a small smirk resting upon his face.

ooc: HAHA WOW OOPS if that's too much power play just let me know, i totally understand, i kind of went NUTS

[fernpaw]

Fernpaw jerked her head up, vaguely aware of the tom entering her sight. She scowled at her grin, opening her maw to shoot some kind of sarcastic comment to shut down that silly smile, but instead she closed her maw as a weird look crossed his face and he spoke urgently. She shook her head in confusion, tail flicking with frustration. "This is no time for jokes, R-" Her words ended in a gasp as he launched himself at her. Fernpaw braced for impact, turning on her heels to try and leap out of his way only to be grabbed. The breath was knocked out of her as he cushioned her fall. She scrabbled for footing, dirt flying in all directions as she rolled away from him.

Hissing and spitting, she rose to her paws, shaking out her fur and blinking away the dust. As she did so, she had just enough time to watch Reflectedrain grab the snake by the neck and deliver a quick and easy death blow. Her sides heaving as she fought to catch her breath, she couldn't help but blink in admiration at the way he so easily took the adder down. Fernpaw drew her tongue over her chest bashfully, embarrassment at her own stupidity keeping her from spitting at him for surprising her so suddenly. She knew she had to be grateful, but she was beyond angry that she had not seen the snake herself.

"Starclan, you scared me," Fernpaw finally breathed out. She stared right back at his eyes, the fur along her spine rising as she stared at the dead snake. "Is that safe to eat?" She murmured to herself, dipping her head as his teasing smirk spread across his face. Red hot rage caused her face to flush with heat, eyes narrowing as she forced an acceptance of his antics. "Thanks," she said shortly. "I guess I would've been in trouble if you hadn't..." she trailed off, still visibly shaken by the incident. "I could've done the same thing," she said hotly, whiskers twitching as she turned away, looking dolefully in the direction of the prey she had been chasing. "I was so close. Foxdung! You didn't see any of that... before did you?"