LURKING IN THE DARK -OPEN-

[mossheart]

The night shrouded WindClan territory like a blanket. Mossheart was padding along the Moonpool stream, having just left a night-time meeting with Lionclaw. He looked good, made some jokes, and Mossheart couldn't get the sound of his deep chuckle out of her head. Instead of heading straight back to camp, she'd turned and started heading up the stream, towards the Moonpool. She'd probably never get to see it - a place reserved for medicine cats and leaders, but she wondered about it sometimes. What it would be like, to walk where her ancestors had. To lay down and dream with them. If she'd had any inclination to it, she might have tried to become a medicine cat. But that wasn't something that a cat chose - it was something that chose the cat. And Mossheart was happy, to be a warrior. Longstride had trained her well. Plus, she hoped to one day have kits of her own, and that simply wasn't an option available to medicine cats. The tortoiseshell she-cat paused by the stream to lean down and lap at the water, the cool liquid hitting the back of her throat and reminding her that she was actually quite hungry. She was supposed to be on the dawn patrol, but she'd gone nights without sleep before.

Flicking her tail, the she-cat lifted her head and parted her jaws to draw in the scents of her area, searching for prey. Instead, the scent that filled her mouth was the cloying, familiar scent of her own Clan. That must mean a clanmate is nearby. She mused, closing her mouth and peering into the darkness, curious as to who was out so late - and why. Turning away from the stream, away from ThunderClan's forest and the Moonpool farther on up, Mossheart trotted forward into her own territory, in the direction of camp, but still following the scent of her clanmate. Cresting over a hill not far from the camp, she finally spotted a familiar pelt, and she move down the hill a few paces before raising her tail in greeting. "And I thought I'd be the only one out this late." Mossheart spoke, friendliness in her tone, though her curiosity was piqued.

and now I'm covered in the colors

TAGS | feel free to jump in!

[Deleted]

The moon shimmer up above in silverpelt, a beacon for those who travel in the night. Windclan's moors, the place they called home, gave its cats an untarnished view of this breath taking site each night. Other clans had trees, large stocky plants with leaves that covered the sky's; Windclan did not have this barrier between them and their ancestors. On cloudless nights like this a warrior could feel at one with their ancestors, those who have died. The white and ginger tabby had no one to mourn, no one close to her atleast, but she liked the stories of the cats before her.

Taking careless steps through the grass towards moonpool stream, Cherryspot recapped on today's events. Waking up to share tongues with Crookedwing, she loved that cat like a mother even more so than the actual cat who birthed her Antstep. Then she Lionleap and Rowanwing went on a hunting patrol with a few other cats, she had caught a rabbit and a sparrow. This was followed by cleaning up the camp a bit. Now she was here just walking, in reality she wasn't sure why but she did enjoy this moment of calm. She didn't smell Mossheart coming, the wind blew her sent towards the fellow clan mates but not the other way around. Only when the other cat spoke up did Cherryspot come to realize the other cat was there. 

A smile appeared on the smaller she-cat's face as she raised her tail in a similar greeting, bounding a few fox lengths to close the gap between the two. "Oh hey Mossheart, yeah I guess I just couldn't sleep. Thought maybe a walk would help burn off what energy I have left. What about you?" Cherryspot replied nonchalantly, she knew Mossheart after all but only clan deep. The tortishell had been a warrior for as long as Cherryspot could remeber so the younger of the two never had much reason to seek the cat out.

[mossheart]

The small tortoiseshell she-cat purred as Cherryspot closed the space between them, happy she hadn't run into one of her more...well, grumpy clanmates. Though Mossheart didn't know much about the younger she-cat, Mossheart had been there to see her become a warrior. It was one of the things Mossheart loved the most about being in a Clan - the connection. Even though she wasn't related to Cherryspot, and she wasn't her close friend, there was a bond there. The warrior had no clue how loners, rogues, and kittypets survived without that connection. "Oh, well that's a shame." Mossheart commented, sitting down on her haunches and curling her tail around her dainty paws. "But it is a beautiful night for a walk." The she-cat's pale green gaze flicked up to the sky, where the silverpelt shined brightly. Her ears twitched at the question that was aimed her way, and she dropped her gaze back to her companion.

I was out hanging out with a ThunderClan tom, of course. Nothing horrible. She wanted to say. Mossheart would never understand why it was so horrible to have friends in other Clans. She wasn't doing anything wrong, and she was still loyal to WindClan. Smiling fondly, Mossheart tilted her head. "I happen to have a hard time sleeping, too. I took a walk to the stream..." Too close to the truth. Mossheart glanced over her shoulder, in the direction of ThunderClan and the Moonpool. "I wonder if one day I'll get to see the Moonpool." Of course, when she joined StarClan she probably would. But she wanted to see it now. "I hear it's breathtaking."

and now I'm covered in the colors

@trick | notes

[Deleted]

Cherryspot mimicked Mossheart and sat down next to the elder warrior, a ginger tail curling around her own paws. Watching the tortishell intently, taking note of the slight tilt of their head when they replied to the question. Following Mosshearts gaze over towards the border, she watched as the water glistening in the moon light. Personally she disliked water, or rather the feeling of being soaked, but respected the seemingly endless rivers that fed the lake. When Mossheart spoke again Cherryspot was brought out of her train of thought. Seeing the moon pool seemed like an interesting idea, looking back to her company the ginger and white tabby replied. "I don't see why you can't, it's basically in our territory." It didn't seem like to much of a problem, it wasn't like they would need to pass into any other territories to reach the sacred spot. In fact by the look of it, traveling to the moonpool from where they sat would be easier than walking along the lakes edge from camp to the horse place. "It isn't even that far really."

[mossheart]

Mossheart's ears twitched at Cherryspot's response, and she considered it for a moment in silence. Would StarClan be angry with them, for visiting a place that was sacred, and meant only for leaders and medicine cats? As far as she knew, there were no express rules against going to the Moonpool. And Cherryspot was right, the Moonpool was on neutral territory, and they wouldn't even have to cross another Clan's territory to get there. The tortoiseshell she-cat's green gaze flicked up the stream, in the direction of the Moonpool. "You're right, Cherryspot. But it's a sacred place. Warriors like us aren't meant to travel there. It's not the path we've been given." Mossheart finally decided, turning her gaze back to the younger she-cat. "There's no telling what might happen if we did go there. Maybe nothing. Or maybe we might anger StarClan for laying eyes on a place not meant for ours."

Standing, the she-cat stretched out with a content purr. "When I join StarClan, then I will see the Moonpool. For now, I think I'm hungry. Do you want to hunt with me?" She offered, smiling over at her companion. "We can find something for the Clan, and then something for ourselves."

and now I'm covered in the colors

@trick | notes

[Deleted]

Hunting didn't sound like an entirely good idea, if she was restless wouldn't running around only overexcite the two she-cats leading to both them not sleeping. But then again it almost felt as though Mossheart was challenging the younger cat. Then again it could all be in her head, but non the less Cherryspot couldn't neglect a challange. Puffing out her chest the smaller of the two mewed, "Bet I will catch more prey than you." solidifying the challange between the two. Bringing herself to her paws she waited for Mossheart to follow suit and stand with her. 

Glancing out towards the out stretching moors before them, Cherryspot took a moment to sent the air. Parting her mouth slightly as if to taste it in hopes of senting prey near by. In addition to senting amber eyes scored the land before them, trying to pin point any possible prey.

[mossheart]

The tortoiseshell she-cat couldn't help but chuckle softly at her clanmate's challenge. Mossheart was no stranger to challenges - as she did, of course, have siblings - so it seemed more fun than a challenge would normally seem. The older warrior flicked her tail, giving Cherryspot an appraising look. "We'll see about that, Cherryspot." She replied, her tone good-natured and her expression an easy friendly smile. Mossheart stood and followed after the younger warrior, her ears swiveling on her head as she listened for the tell-tale sounds of rabbits. WindClan's prey of choice could be quite loud, especially when frightened, and their scents so distinct that they weren't usually hard to find - in fact, many an apprentice had stumbled into their tunnels before. Parting her jaws, Mossheart scented the air, before flicking her tail against the ginger-and-white she-cat's side. "I smell some rabbits over that way." Mossheart announced, nodding her head. "Let's head in that direction and break up." The she-cat suggested, before trotting in the direction that she'd indicated.

and now I'm covered in the colors

@trick | blah short post is short, I'm sorry!

[Deleted]

Cherryspot decided to follow Mossheart's lead, trusting the more experienced warriors judgement. The agile warrior kept her paw steps light and steady, even if a hare was easy to tack they possessed large ears perfectly evolved to hear oncoming danger. Within a few fox lengths from where they originated Cherryspot stopped, they where at the base of another rolling hill. Stopping in her tracks the smaller of the two lifted her head and scented the air once again, from what she could tell a small group of two or three rabbits rested in the grass on the other side of the lump of earth. The wind deciding to move in the two's favor billowed towards them, keeping their sent from reaching the skittish creatures before the cats did. Splitting up from the other warrior, Cherryspot moved around the left side of the hill in hopes of catching the creatures of guard.

Now the warrior became the huntress, keeping her small body close to the ground the tabby glided forward without a sound. Each step was practiced, almost silent as paw met ground. Tail stayed low trailing behind the tabby, shoulders hunched, legs ready to spring at a moments notice. Once a rabbit was with chasing distance it was done for. Finally rounding the hills edge, the feral creature spotted its prey the rabbit moved around with a slight limp but looked healthy. It seemed to have injured itself recently, but moved like an injured meal all the same. This would be an easy kill for sure.

All at once Cherryspot took off after the creature, a unforeseen tension seeming to snap as all rabbits scattered. The hunter cleared the tail lengths between it and it's meal witin moments, and just as quickly as it began it was over. Now a dead rabbit hung from the Warriors jaw, her fangs rapped around the limp beings throat.

[mossheart]

Mossheart was pleased to feel the wind blowing towards them, which swept the scent of rabbit into her muzzle, but kept their scent away from their prey. Glancing over her shoulder at the younger warrior, Mossheart gave a quick nod before moving around the right side of the hill, slinking low to the ground so that her belly fur practically brushed the grass. In the night, the wind curled around her body like some physical force, and though it was very dark out on the territory, Mossheart could smell the rabbits. Moving closer, the tortie she-cat finally spotted a flash of white. A large rabbit raised it's head, ears alert and nose twitching. It was a dusky grey color, but Mossheart could see that it was plump beneath it's dull coat.

Stalking closer, the she-cat tried to pinpoint her companion, not wanting to ruin the hunt for the younger warrior by leaping out. The dark she-cat waited for a moment until she spotted the ginger-and-white pelt of her clanmate darting after her own rabbit, and Mossheart's gaze flicked back to catch the plump rabbit she'd been stalking darting straight towards her, frightened by Cherryspot's movement. Smiling to herself, Mossheart leapt out from the darkness, dashing forward in a short spurt of speed to intercept the rabbit. It gave a loud, terrified squeal as Mossheart bit down on it's throat, cutting the eerie sound off shortly after it began. Hefting her prey, the she-cat trotted over to where her clanmate was, dropping the rabbit between them. "Nice catch, Cherryspot! We can take one back to camp, and share one, if you like. I can't eat a whole rabbit on my own." Mossheart purred, pleased that they'd both been able to catch such nice fresh-kill.

and now I'm covered in the colors

@trick | notes

[Deleted]

Looking around after a successful kill, Cherryspot quickly spotted Mossheart with her own catch. Smiling through a jaw full of prey the she-cat stood as the elder warrior came forward dropping the rabbit at her paws. Setting her own prey down, Cherryspot listened to what Mossheart had to say. Hearing the duel coated warriors praise made the smaller she-cat puff out her chest, proud of her accomplishment. "Congratulations on your catch as well!" Cherryspot purred in reply, these two rabbits would make great additions to the fresh kill pile.

Smiling at her fellow clan mate, the ginger and white tabby challenged playfully. "Last one to camp is a pile of rabbit droppings!" Quickly picking up her, the smaller leaner tabby darted towards camp purring with delight.

(Note: Wanna end it here? In the next upcoming days I'm gonna get even busier and I don't wanna have you stuck with this thread.)

[mossheart]

Mossheart was happy that the warrior seemed to be so friendly. Even some of the cats in her own Clan seemed to act as if they weren't all supposed to work as a unit. "Thank you, Cherryspot." The older warrior replied, before purring and letting loose a laugh as the ginger and white she-cat grabbed her rabbit, and took off towards camp. Mossheart figured it wouldn't hurt to let the she-cat beat her by a little bit, so she paused for a moment before scooping up her own prey and darting back towards camp, tail streaming out behind her.

and now I'm covered in the colors

@trick | That sounds good! I literally am the worst tho for not replying to this sooner