MISTAKEN IDENTITY - SUNSTRIKE -

[batwing]

She woke before the dawn patrols had even left. It was like this most days, when her dreams were filled with harrowing images of her brother - hurt, alone, and in need of help. Batwing had night terrors about him frequently, and in her waking moments, she split her attention between Newtpaw and her duties to her Clan, and any moment in between was pure torture for the inky black she-cat. She was worried, and she knew her sister was worried. But she'd done everything she could - and truth be told, poor Newtpaw should have been preparing for an assessment soon, but instead was left to deal with a mentor who was dragging her paws. Batwing felt awful about it, because Newtpaw never seemed to complain. The tom was as quiet as a mouse.

Most morning, she would wander out into the territory (or if she was on the dawn patrol, she would simply wait for the others to wake), and though she liked to pretend it was only because she wanted to get a breath of fresh air, or perhaps catch herself something to eat, or even just be on her own for a while, she usually found herself scenting for her brother, or peering off into the distance, as if she might catch sight of him. But her brother disappeared three moons ago now. Batwing wasn't sure she'd ever find him - dead or alive. Or even that he wanted to be found.

She spent the morning searching for ghosts, before she finally decided to return to camp. She'd made it a considerable ways away, and if she wanted to be back for evening patrol, she had some hard decisions to make. Batwing often avoided the twoleg home with the dog - she wasn't afraid of much, but dogs were one of them. But if she wanted to get back to camp, she'd have to at least skirt by in order to make it back in time. As her paws drew her closer to the foreboding stone building, she found herself sinking lower and lower to the ground, hackles bristled and fur puffed out as she crept past the high stone fence, ears and eyes alert for the sound of the dog. As her amber gaze focused on the wall, she almost missed the crackle of a twig off to her left. A rustling of leaves. The she-cat froze, eyes wide and searching.

And then she realized she was being ridiculous. She wasn't going to cower like a kit and wait for the dog to find her. Standing up slightly, but still mostly crouched, Batwing's expression darkened, determined, as she crept into the foliage near the wall and closer to whatever was creeping on the other side. Bursting out of a low shrub, Batwing lunged with a yowl of fierce determination, and immediately regretted the decision. She soared right into the big, orange figure and felt herself collide solidly with the much larger cat. Too late, she recognized the stronger smell of her own Clan, and realized who it was she'd just attacked. Leaping away, Batwing felt a wash of embarrassment rush underneath her pelt. "Sunstrike!" Was her greeting, a mixture of surprise and apology all rolled into one. "I...uh, I thought you were the dog." Looking at the large, long-furred tom, Batwing realized how ridiculous that was. Dogs were loud, drooled too much, and were quite stupid. An image flashed into her mind of Sunstrike trampling through their territory, drooling and making loud noises, and suddenly a bemused smirk cracked across her apologetic expression. "I mean, I didn't - well, I heard the twig snap, and I was just - well it doesn't matter, right? Did I hurt you?" Batwing gushed, trying to hold back a grin and laughter at the ridiculousness of the whole situation.

Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen

Glitch Sunstrike | SUNWING2K17

[Sunstrike]

Sunstrike

TURN YOUR FACE TO THE SUN

    It was an early, warm newleaf morning when the massive tom dragged himself from his nest, picking his way around his clanmates sleeping forms and breaking out into the watery morning light. He was always up early for the sake of finding himself on the dawn patrol. This rang particularly true during the warmer moons, as the handsome tom's thick, heavy orange coat that kept him so warm and safe in leafbare and battles, also was a curse this time of year, when the sun frequently attempted to cook him from the inside out. Refusing to laze about, however, he threw himself into dawn and dusk patrols with a frenzy, resting when the sun grew high and hot.

    With his morning patrol over, and the warriors accompanying him retreating to the camp to go about their own business, Sunstrike branched off on his own, hesitating only for a moment in order to look for Ferretcloud- nowhere to be seen, and then continue on his way. Though he usually appreciated her company when he roamed the forests, this day, he found a tinge of pleasure to be found in the idea of spending time to himself. He loved his sister dearly, but on occasion, he found her a tad smothering, constantly needing his aide, but if he was to be completely honest, he relished it. He felt important, and more importantly, Firestep stayed far away knowing that Sunstrike was frequently within shouting distance. She was a warrior, though, and he knew she could handle herself while he took a moment to himself.

    Leaving camp for the second time, he made a beeline for the shadowed, cooler parts of the forest, intent on doing a little hunting to pass the day, and perhaps deliver some back to the clan. This was an iffy plan though, given that the tom's hunting ability, while not absent, definitely didn't align well with his size, a trait that made him deadly in combat, but a little bit of a big, barreling klutz when trying to perfect the finesse of a hunting crouch, or the silence necessary to sneak up on a skittish mouse. Coming up on the old stone monument of a twoleg nest that sat, a silent giant in the quiet woods, he slowed and listed carefully, freezing when he noticed a small, long creature basing on a chunk of rock that appeared to have chipped from the twoleg dwelling, and now sat in a patch of sunlight, appearing the perfect place to bask to the small brown lizard warming itself in the light. He dropped into a crouch and began to creep towards the prey, getting just within pouncing distance and holding his breath. Another step forward. One more. Snap. The lizard darted away before Sunstrike could even blink, disappearing into the shadows of the building.

    Curing under his breath, he straightened and stared after the creature. The second lizard to get away this week. I'm getting rusty. Suddenly, a scent filled the air and he turned his head towards the source. ShadowClan for sure, but who? Thicketwhisker frequently sought him out, or even more likely, Ferretcloud. He opened his mouth to greet the arriving cat when suddenly a black blur shot from the undergrowth. He attempted to side step and avoid the blur, but it was a quick, sudden move he was unprepared for. The full force of cat slammed into him, dropping him like a rock on to his side and causing the air to rush from his lungs. He had barely inhaled and focused on the warrior from his place on the ground before she began to speak rapidly. "Sunstrike! I...uh, I thought you were the dog."  He groaned and coughed. Dog? He absolutely was no dog. A little less than precise in his hunting, and by far not the quietest cat in the forest, but certainly not as bad as a twoleg's dog. He blinked up at the she cat, recognizing her as Batwing, a pretty little thing, looking just about as shocked and embarrassed as he felt.  "I mean, I didn't - well, I heard the twig snap, and I was just - well it doesn't matter, right? Did I hurt you?" Oh that twig. That pesky, pesky twig. It had lost him his lunch and left him with bruised ribs. Well, likely not literally bruised, his thick coat having given him plenty of padding from the much small, and weaker, she cat's blow. Hurt? Him? Oh not a chance.

    He stayed on the ground however, rolling on to his back and grinning at her. "Oh, the hurt, the pain, the misery. I'm dying Batwing, save me." Chuckling now, he rolled back over and sat up on his haunches, inspecting his new company. His smile turned sly and he gestured to her with a giant forepaw. "You can tell the clan the dog killed me, you killed the dog. You'd be a hero." His teasing really did know no end, as he was sure Ferretcloud would agree. He had apprenticed with Batwing, considered her a friend, and that only increased his ability for sarcasm and joking. He sobered a little before continuing, "I'm fine, though. Not much get's through this fur, not even the breeze. What are you doing all the way out here?"

883 words

batwing

sorry if it's word vomit, my brain is still fuzzy but I HAD TO POST BECAUSE SUNWING 2K17

ulla

[batwing]

Batwing, for a moment, thought she might have actually hurt the giant tom. Watching as he rolled on his back and called in mock-agony, the black she-cat perked her ears and prepared to apologize yet again, and then the tom spoke. "Oh, the hurt, the pain, the misery. I'm dying Batwing, save me." Scoffing, the she-cat leaned forward as he sat up and swatted at his ear playfully. Truly, she should have hurt him just as a point. "I'm too busy to be saving every damsel in distress that I find, thank you very much." She replied with her own teasing tone, watching the tom sit and give her a mischievous look. Batwing considered tackling him again and teaching him a thing or two of playing too much, but Batwing herself was much too playful in her own right. Instead, she gave him an affectionate swat once more. "You can tell the clan the dog killed me, you killed the dog. You'd be a hero." Sitting on her own haunches, Batwing neatly curled her tail around her paws and puffed out her chest, rolling her eyes. "Oh, Swampstar, it was just awful. I arrived too late to save the brave Sunstrike, but I did manage to kill the dog with a single swipe. Why, yes, I would gladly accept the offer of supreme ruler of ShadowClan." She purred, her tone loud, as if she were projecting it to all of the Clan.

"I'm fine, though. Not much get's through this fur, not even the breeze. What are you doing all the way out here?" The she-cat straightened, her fur lying flat now as she drew in a breath and tilted her head, considering how to answer his question. With a breezy air, Batwing shrugged a shoulder. "Well I don't doubt that - you're fur's so thick I worry sometimes not even oxygen can make it through, and perhaps it's suffocating your brain. Poor, poor tom." She teased, her tail tip twitching in playful amusement. The smile on her face faltered for a moment, but she brought her expression back to the playful grin and stood, flicking her tail out in the direction of camp. "Just enjoying the breeze. You see, my pelt is just perfect for allowing in the cool wind. I went on a walk, and was heading back so I could join the evening patrol." She didn't mention her brother, or her nightmares. It wouldn't be fair to lay all her burdens on the tom, even if she wanted someone to share in her misery. It was Batwing's job to find her brother, especially since it appeared even her leader wasn't concerned for his safety.

"What about you? Choked on all that fur and woke up, did you?" She asked, purposefully focusing the conversation on anything but herself. Standing up, Batwing stretched and flicked her tail across the tom's shoulder. "We should move away from the twoleg nest, though, in case the real dog does decide to join us. Want to walk me back to camp?" She asked, "I bet those big, blundering paws couldn't beat me back." The she-cat challenged.

Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen

Glitch Sunstrike | SUNWING2K17

[Sunstrike]

Sunstrike

TURN YOUR FACE TO THE SUN

    Sunstrike was extremely pleased as the glee drew across Batwing's face as she realized he had been simply kidding around, and even got a hearty chuckle out of her mock self praise, proclaiming her success to an imaginary Swampstar, and lamenting his loss. "Well I don't doubt that - you're fur's so thick I worry sometimes not even oxygen can make it through, and perhaps it's suffocating your brain. Poor, poor tom." He recoiled in mock hurt, feigning severe offense to her words, even as he summoned up a daft expression and channeled the voice Ravenfrost frequently used when telling stories of warriors of old with more muscle than brain, "Whaaa? Sunstrike no dumb, Sunstrike smart cat!" He even stomped his paws for added effect to punctuate the last two words. He paused, cringing, "Oh, maybe I'm a little too good at that. Maybe the heat, my fur, it is damaging my brain!" False horror marred his handsome features before being reduced back to laughter. His laughter stilled however, and he once again sobered as his question seemed to strike a nerve. 

    For the briefest of moments, he studied her, noting that  her face fell, her smile dying, her mood plummeting. Concern filled him, and he contemplated asking, but when she almost immediately forced her smile back and the moment passed, he decided against it. He may have been loud mouthed in the clan, but only in the face of unfairness or wrong doing. This she-cat, a friend of not, had something on her mind and, for now, it was none of his business. He wouldn't pry. "Just enjoying the breeze. You see, my pelt is just perfect for allowing in the cool wind." He scoffed again, rising to his paws and strutting around like a rooster, circling in front of the she cat with his coat fluffed and his head held high. "Oh I see. You know, Batwing, the sun may make my life a little warmer than usual this time of year, but you know when I'm also warm? Leafbare." He grinned cockily, finishing his strut and display, ending up back in the same spot he sat. "And you'll all come running to me then, oh Sunstrike, let me cuddle close, let me leech your warmth." He turned haughtily, with his back to her, and sat again, beginning to groom his coat that was both a hindrance and a blessing.

    "I went on a walk, and was heading back so I could join the evening patrol." He glanced back at her, eyeing the black female carefully, thoughtfully. He didn't know that he believed her simple, oh I'm just on a walk, not given her hesitation in answering him, not given that she did it nearly every morning, regardless of weather or time of year. Again though, while not hiding the doubtful expression, he didn't question her or become nosy. Perhaps another time. He offered her a wide grin, standing and turning back to her. "If you must know, I was out... for a walk." He answered sarcastically, with a little bit of a knowing tone, though not enough to try to push her. On top of this, did he really want to admit to the pretty little thing in front of him that he had been trying to hunt after his patrol, and so far failed miserably? Oh, absolutely not. "And now, I'm heading back to join the patrol, too. It's easier to get those done when the sun isn't turning me into an uncomfortable fire ball." That was entirely true, at least. He was eager to get back before he missed it, so he could say he pulled his fair share even if he didn't manage to catch anything, or go on a sunhigh patrol every now and then during the hotter months. "We should move away from the twoleg nest, though, in case the real dog does decide to join us. Want to walk me back to camp?" Oh, absolutely he did. It wasn't every day a she-cat put him flat on his back, but he found he sort of liked it. Besides, he was the protective sort, and figured if he could be there to keep an eye on potential dangers, he would be. "I bet those big, blundering paws couldn't beat me back." Oh, less of a walk then, more of a run. He suppressed a groan. Running in this heat, with this pelt, with these indeed big, blundering paws, at his size- powerful muscle yes, but far from extreme nimbleness, of course his smaller clanmate would win, and he'd never hear the end of it. He was not, however, one to turn down any challenge, even one with a disadvantage.  Perhaps he wouldn't play fair- it was ShadowClan after all. "You may just be right, but we'll certainly see, won't we?" A mischievous glint caught his eye and he smiled.  "Last one to camp is a rotten mouse?" He backed a few steps towards camp, winked, and suddenly spun, tearing at a breakneck speed towards camp. Head start or not, he mused, I'm probably the rotten mouse now.

854 words

batwing

I love how flirty he is omg he's gonna get worse too

ulla

[batwing]

Batwing couldn't help but let out a bark of laughter the moment Sunstrike began to act like a complete dunce. The black she-cat shook her head, amusement dancing in her eyes. For some reason, watching the large tom act like a young apprentice would made her brush away all her worries. While he looked on, horrified of his skill, Batwing couldn't help but pause for a moment and admire him. Charming, funny, and he certainly wasn't rough on the eyes. Yeah - Batwing could certainly appreciate Sunstrike. She'd known him since forever, but the two of them hadn't had much alone time. The life of a Clan cat was a very busy one, especially when cats were going missing left and right. There was a brief moment that Batwing felt guilty - her brother was missing, and here she was, flirting with a tom and making jokes. But there wasn't much she could do in the time being to find him, and it wasn't as if Ratfang was an incapable warrior - he was twice as good as her at fighting, and fairly smart - though Batwing would never admit those things out loud. Breaking away from her thoughts, she caught a confident smile from Sunstrike, who was preaching about his fur once more.

"Oh I see. You know, Batwing, the sun may make my life a little warmer than usual this time of year, but you know when I'm also warm? Leafbare. And you'll all come running to me then, oh Sunstrike, let me cuddle close, let me leech your warmth."

The black she-cat shook her head once more, matching his grin with a smirk of her own. "Well, Sunstrike, the good thing about having black fur is that the sun usually tends to keep me warm, even in Leafbare." She paused, and let out a soft purr, "Or is that just your way of offering to share a nest with me?" She teased, blinking her bright amber eyes at the larger cat. The flirtatious flair was quickly snuffed out when she caught the look he gave her - as if he wanted to question her answers, but was smart enough to know that she probably wouldn't answer him truthfully. Batwing wanted to let out a sigh of relief when he carried on, answering her own question. "If you must know, I was out... for a walk." Her smirk softened into a bemused smile at this answer, but she wasn't going to press it. She was pleased to find that he wasn't going to back off from her challenge, and her tail flicked up to express her pleasure with his answer. But in the next moment, he was challenging her back, and then lunging off into the forest. "Oh, I see how it is!" Batwing called after him, before lunging after the large tom. It wasn't hard to follow him, considering he was so large, and she could hear him - pushing herself, her lithe, nimble paws carrying her through trees and around rocks, Batwing finally caught up to him. "Got you!" She cried, kit-like and ecstatic, as she leapt a the tom and landed gingerly on his shoulders, cuffing him playfully - claws sheathed - around the ears. "Admit defeat!"

Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen

Glitch Sunstrike | she's so playful it hurts ok

[Sunstrike]

Sunstrike

TURN YOUR FACE TO THE SUN

    "Oh, I see how it is!" Sunstrike heard the she-cat's shout behind him even as he tore, breakneck, through the forest. Low hanging pine branches slapped across his face and muzzle, and the oppressive heat scorched his lungs, but he continued. He didn't expect to win, he had no hope of that. When it came to raw, brutal strength, he succeeded by far, showing up the competition every time, but when it came to speed, agility, cutting through the forest like a bullet, he knew Batwing had him beat, as did most cats. That meant nothing to the headstrong tom though, even when the odds were stacked against him, he liked to give it his all- even if he made an ass of himself in the process.

    The heat hadn't even began to get to him, he wasn't slowing, or tiring, when Batwing caught up, he just was legitimately a slow cat. Her cry heralded her rapid approach, "Got you!" He briefly flung his head back to glance at the streak of black coming up hot on his flank, before turning back forward and attempting to put on a burst of speed. It was futile. This became even more evident as Batwing leaped, and before he could even attempt to move, he felt the solid weight land on his back. He slowed, but didn't stop, or crumple. Cocking his head back at her, he grinned slyly, "A lady after my own heart. Oh frisky, frisky Batwing. I didn't think you liked me like that! I also think you're doing it wrong, sweetheart." Sunstrike continued on at a steady walk, even as he cracked a terrible joke that most she-cats would whack him for, once again strutting like a cock, as he carried her on his back, making a show of not being weighed down by her. His strength was apparent, yes, but he also couldn't help but note that she was feather light, and very, very feminine. So far he was truly enjoying their short period together, and internally cursed himself for not spending more time with her when they were apprentices. They could have been close. He supposed they still could be, but warriors had busy warrior responsibilities, and Swampstar seemed to preach all work and no play, so unlike when he had been young and spent so much of his time goofing around, playing with Thicketwhisker and Ferretcloud. Before Firestep was a threat to every cat he called friend. Though, had that stopped him thus far? Sure, Ferretcloud needed his protection and guidance, and was already in Firestep's sight regardess, and Thicketwhisker could handle himself. But this, this was the sort of fun he needed to have again, to make his life meaningful. What was life without laughs?

    Especially laughs with the intriguing and pretty she-cat clinging to his back. He strolled along, staring this way and that, seemingly on an absentminded walk as if he didn't even notice her anymore, humming to himself, beginning to weave in and out of the trees as if he was just exploring, just enjoying the weather. Suddenly he stopped, glancing back over his shoulder at her again, looking surprised. "Oh, right, you got me. Sorry I forgot." With a far too over dramatic wail, he collapsed on to his belly, twitching a few times for good measure as he rolled around as if in agony before settling on his back, legs tucked close to his body and paws dangling. "I've been attacked. Killed! Someone avenge me, someone stop this... this cruel monster who has vanquished the noble Sunstrike twice in one day!" His bellyaching ceased and he glanced her way. "I likely have more lives than any StarClan blessed leader, you know. At least... twenty. Can you keep up with that? That's like eighteen more to go." His fluffy tail flicked dismissively and he rolled towards her, swatting playfully at her shoulder. "You know if you keep murdering me, I may just end up liking it one of these times." He shrugged a big shoulder, "Who knows, maybe you can recondition me. Firestep always used to make claims about warriors who were in so many brutal battles that they began to like the pain." He cocked his head thoughtfully, "Oh those were the best stories to go to sleep to." His voice dripped with sarcasm, but his attention turned to her with a flirty wink, "Like I said, if you keep trying, I may just have to eat my own paw on those statements."

    He bounded to his paws, swaggering a few steps away, halting, and swinging around to crouch a fox length in front of her, his voice going low and serious. "You know, if you keep showing me up, I might have to give up my warrior name and go back into training." An intensely mischievous glint filled his gaze. "We just can't have that." With a ridiculously exaggerated battle cry that probably scared away most of the forest, he pounced with claws sheathed, attempting to bowl the she-cat over and pin her- though he truly did try with all his might to not harm her- that would just be a mood killer.

868 words

batwing

I literally couldn't resist all the dirty innuendos and stuff he's just such a terrible flirt he thinks he's so funny (I think he's so funny, I'm a bad person)

ulla

[batwing]

As she landed on his shoulders, Batwing considered the fact that Sunstrike may not have been as playful as she was. She tended to overdo it on her playing, and most cats found that irritating - so she was relieved when the tom looked back at her with that handsome grin of his. Batwing gripped with her paws, which wasn't hard with the tom's voluminous pelt, as he continued to keep moving even with her on his back. "A lady after my own heart. Oh frisky, frisky Batwing. I didn't think you liked me like that! I also think you're doing it wrong, sweetheart." Batwing let out a delighted purr that ended in a burst of laughter, shaking her head as if she'd gotten water on her fur. She reached out to swat playfully at his ears once more, her purr vibrating in her chest, and consequently against Sunstrike's back. "Oh, but this move gets all the toms!" She replied, her tone more delighted than it'd been in days. For a moment, the black she-cat could forget about her brother, or her duties. She was simply in this moment with this much too large orange fluffball, happy and playful. It had been three long moons since Batwing had felt anything close to this happy, and even then it had been an exhausting battle of keeping up with duties. There was something about being wild with others that made having fun even more....well, fun.

Her ears perked as the tom casually strolled through the territory, and she leaned forward, trying to peer around and catch his eye, as if to remind him that she was still currently riding around on his back like a kit. Her amber eyes narrowed as he glanced back at her, "Oh, right, you got me. Sorry I forgot.", and let out a loud wail. Quick as lightning, Batwing leapt away from the tom, laughing as he threw himself to the forest floor, lamenting about his defeat. "Cruel monster am I?" Batwing commented, cocking her head at him as he calmed and turned to announce that he had even more lives than a leader. Snorting, the she-cat shook her head, but once he'd asked his question she gave him a non-commital shrug. "I don't know, that sounds more like work than play." She teased, "Surely I'm not the only one who'd like a piece of you." Batwing let his large paw bat her shoulder, as the action was hardly a violent one, and she let out a playful mrrow in response to his antics. Listening to him talk about Firestep - Batwing had been there to see the disastrous fight between the two toms - reminded her about their duties, and briefly she wondered if they should start heading for camp. But also, Batwing was enjoying this little slice of peaceful playtime. It made her feel like a kit again, with no duties other than to grow and thrive. "Oh, Sunstrike, I do happen to have a way of killing that I think you'd just find delightful." Batwing purred, her tail swishing back and forth behind her.

And then the tom was on his feet, and his tone was suddenly very low. Batwing felt anticipation bubbling in her chest, and her muscles tensed as her heartbeat hammered away in her head. "You know, if you keep showing me up, I might have to give up my warrior name and go back into training. We just can't have that." Batwing probably could have leapt out of his way, but where would be the fun in that? Sometimes a girl had to lose in order to get what she wanted - and what Batwing wanted was a wrestling match - plus, it didn't hurt, rolling around with a handsome, funny tom like Sunstrike. Batwing let out a squeal of surprise as his body collided with hers, and her automatic reaction was to begin battering his belly with her hind paws - though she was careful to keep her claws sheathed. Purring happily, Batwing reached up and hooked her paws around the tom's neck, pulling him in close so that he couldn't back away from her kicks, which thundered against his belly but were more than likely cushioned by his hefty pelt - and it wasn't as if she was using her full power, anyways.

Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen

Glitch Sunstrike | SUNWING2K17

[Sunstrike]

Sunstrike

TURN YOUR FACE TO THE SUN

    She could have moved. He could see the playful glint in her eyes for the split second he was in the air though, and he wasn't surprised when his big body collided with hers, bringing her to the ground and straddling her chest and purring triumphantly. He moved to rear back and begin to boast at his prowess,  when suddenly he felt her paws lock around the nape of his neck and hold him stick as she thundered at his belly with her hindpaws. He didn't feel much of it, his thick fur a fantastic insulator to both the weather and her blows- all blows really. One of his greatest strengths in battle, next to his size, was how enemy warriors gawked as his took blow after blow and most landed, and did nothing. Almost nose to nose with Batwing, he cocked his head and smirked, keeping intense eye contact, "Is this your delightful method of killing me? Well, it is certainly lovely." He gave her a small, pointed smile to emphasize his point before taking control.

    He rolled with her across the forest floor, tussling and letting out playful yowls and mrrows for a solid while, until finally rolling off and staring up at the pine canopy above head. Pine needles stuck from his coat like a porcupine, and his sides heaved with effort and the heat burning under his coat- though the air was cooling and the shadows were shifting. The light, though still bright, was beginning to to turn orange with the lowering sun, and he huffed. If they started back now, they likely wouldn't make the patrol, and even if they caught it before it left, well, there would probably be plenty of cats already on it. He glanced at Batwing, admiring the she-cat. She was lovely indeed. On top of that though, she was certainly an interesting one, very unpredictable, and yet it was sort of like looking at his own reflection. How many cats could he tease, play with, joke with, and have them play along completely? How many cats wouldn't screech at him starting a race early and pounce him after a head start? How many cats would fearlessly launch themselves at a dog- though the dog hadn't even been a threat, and instead a clanmate? A reckless one, probably, but reckless was his kind of crazy. He realized he was staring, and had been for some time, but found that he didn't care if she noticed, even as he hoisted himself to his paws, and began striding in the opposite direction of camp, calling back over his shoulder.

    "Well, no way we'll make it back for patrol. Might as well have some more fun, yeah?" He pricked his ears forward as he scanned the forest as he walked, looking for any little bits of movement, figuring that maybe with the cooling evening, he could bring back a few bits of prey to make up for skipping the patrol, or at least catch something to make up for his earlier failures. Or, he considered as he glanced off further in to the woods, they could just explore the forest, seeing if they could find anything of interest. He turned his head back to his companion, flicking his tail, "We could hunt? Or would you rather just wander? Or are you already full of taking walks?" Briefly he wondered if he could get the she-cat to talk about her so called walks, or what had soured her mood for a second earlier, but he still wouldn't press. She would open up when she was ready- at least he hoped.

605 words

batwing

Shorter, whoops. 

ulla

[batwing]

"Is this your delightful method of killing me? Well, it is certainly lovely."

Batwing realized she'd been right - her small paws against his bulky, fluffy belly, would do nothing to harm the tom - which only made her try harder, back paws thundering against his fluff as if she were a motorized machine, made for battering a cat's belly. She let out a cry of delight as he rolled them, purring so loud she thought she was vibrating. She struck out with well-aimed paws, careful to keep her claws sheathed so as not to turn this from fun wrestling to outright battle. Once the large tom rolled away from her, Batwing leapt to her paws, sitting down and letting her tail flick across the forest floor. She had a few pine needles here and there, but certainly nowhere as bad as Sunstrike. Letting out a mrrow of laughter, Batwing shook her head at the tom. "You should have been named Pricklestrike, with a pelt like that." She teased good naturedly.

Turning slightly, Batwing ran her tongue over her pelt, cleaning it off as the two settled into a comfortable quiet. She liked Sunstrike - though she wasn't certain of her emotions at times, she could recognize that he was both handsome and fun to be around. Why she had never tried to befriend him before - actually befriend him, rather than just being cordial clanmates - was a mystery to her. He didn't call her crazy for accidentally attacking him, or think she was too abrasive. He didn't tell her to calm down, or be more warrior-like. She felt free to act like herself around him, which was in fact just pretending she was still an apprentice. Plus, he was quite handsome - his dark amber eyes and thick, burnt ginger pelt. Once Batwing was satisfied with the state of her pelt, she turned her gaze back to Sunstrike, only to find the tom staring at her. She froze, like a prey-animal that knew it was about to be caught, but then offered him a sly smile as the tom stood and began trotting away.

"Well, no way we'll make it back for patrol. Might as well have some more fun, yeah?"

Batwing's ears pricked as the tom stopped and looked around the forest, and she felt her sly smile growing into a soft, bemused grin. As the tom continued to speak, she realized that he wasn't an idiot - but she also wasn't quite ready to go revealing all her deepest, darkest fears to anyone. Maybe Sunstrike could help her find Ratfang, but it would also mean weighing another cat down with her issues. That would just ruin this magnificent evening. Batwing told herself that, if she finally found some clues, and needed some back up - then, then she'd go to Sunstrike. He seemed like he'd be up for an adventure, anyhow. Purring, Batwing padded after him, walking past him close enough that her pelt brushed his, and she flicked the underside of his chin with her thin tail. "I love walks, actually. I'm starving though, and it probably would soften Swampstar's anger if we showed up with some nice fresh-kill. Let's do a bit of both? Wandering, and hunting?" She suggested, glancing over her shoulder at the tom as she moved further into the pine forest at a much slower pace. Turning her gaze back to where she was placing her paws, Batwing lifted her muzzle and parted her jaws, scenting for prey.

The faint scent of lizard filled her nose, and Batwing turned to Sunstrike with a smile. "I bet if we head towards a clearing, we'll find some lizards sunning themselves in the last rays of today's sunlight. Easy pickings, even for you." She teased, a purr in her words.

Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen

Glitch Sunstrike | SUNWING2K17

[Sunstrike]

Sunstrike

TURN YOUR FACE TO THE SUN

    He felt the she-cat suddenly come up to his side, brushing past and flicking at his jaw. He watched her stroll away, a soft, amused expression on his face. "Let's do a bit of both? Wandering, and hunting?" Wandering sounded great, hunting though, hunting just invoked images of him collapsing in a heap while pouncing a mouse. He hesitated for a minute, she continued forward, pausing just to scent the air, and he followed to stand behind her. "I bet if we head towards a clearing, we'll find some lizards sunning themselves in the last rays of today's sunlight. Easy pickings, even for you." He glanced over her head, staring off into the dappled forest distance, and cringing subtly. Lizards. His arch-nemesis. Just this very morning he had had a failure with one of the slippery beasts, and honestly he found them some of the worst creatures to hunt. And now, his pride was at stake. Regaining his composure, he grinned smugly and brushed past her, calling back, decided to try self deprecating humor to lessen the blow of failure when it ultimately came, "Easy pickings? Oh, sweetheart, you just haven't seen me hunt."

    As he passed her, he cringed again, staring straight ahead as he marched with false confidence and bravado, heading slowly, and with the relative silence his heavy body could afford, through the trees. He reached the edge of the closest clearing, where the scent of lizards filled his nose, and immediately dropped into a crouch, his focus shifting entirely to the immediate area. At first, he didn't see anything, some scattered pine needles and a few medium sized rocks littering the ground. He scanned for a heartbeat, and then located his quarry- a small brownish grey lizard laying flat against one of the larger of the stones, indeed basking up the last dying rays of the sun on the warmed surface. He glanced back at Batwing, shrugging, and then focusing on the small reptile, his whole body tensing. Carefully, he took a step forward, and then another, his paws landing silently on the cushioned forest floor, his movements deliberate and gentle, until he was within pouncing distance. There had never been anything wrong with his skills per sey, Ravenfrost had trained him well, but you can't throw a bull in a china shop and expect him to gently dust the dishes. His size was a hindrance in this sensitive craft, unless he could find something larger and slower to take down, like a toad. This was not however, a toad, and not the prey Batwing had dangled in front of his sensitive ego. Besides, toads, he had learned from a young age, were disgusting.

    His muscled form uncoiled and he launched himself at the lizard, claws outstretched, aim glorious, trajectory on point, and he swore, swore, the little beast still had time to look at him as if bored, roll it's eyes snarkily, and casually walk away. Of course, it hadn't truly, but that's what played in his mind as the creature darted off the rock faster than a flash, and disappear into a nearby hole in the soft soil at the base of an old pine's gnarled roots. When his paws made contact with the rock, he swore under his breath softly, and then sighed dramatically, padding over to the small hide in the shadow of the tree. "Tah-dah." He called sarcastically, sitting down and glaring at the hole- until a fantastic idea filled his head. Why not just dig it out? How deep could it have gone. Bracing his back feet, he began to tear at the ground at the entranced, digging like a cat possessed. Clumps of dirt flew out behind him in a spray, and with painful slowness, he quickly began to realize just how deep this lizard's den must have gone. He was determined though- perhaps stubborn, and made painful progress, wincing only as he felt the sting of a wrenched claw from his excavation. With a triumphant cry, he shoved his muzzle down into the damp earth, rooting around until he pulled back with a limp body in his mouth. Pride made his eyes shine as he swung around to his newfound friend, chest puffed up, a few pine needles still in his coat and, worse now, dark loam streaking up his paws and across his muzzle, ignoring the ache in his claws and forepaws, he presented her with the hard earned prey. "Tah-dah." He mumbled around the reptile, dropping it with a dull plop, and exaggeratedly batting his eyes, posing and presenting his now dirty body, "Am I pretty now, Batwing?"

772 words

batwing

Sunwing2k17

ulla

[batwing]

"Easy pickings? Oh, sweetheart, you just haven't seen me hunt."

The slim black she-cat flicked her tail through the air as she watched the large tom take the lead, throwing those words over his shoulder. Batwing could understand - Sunstrike was a very large tom, and big cats in the woods tended to make a lot more noise than small, dark cats like her. Still, Batwing knew she couldn't ever fight as well as Sunstrike - so in a way, they all had their benefits to the Clan. "Oh, don't be too rough on yourself." Batwing replied, a smile on her muzzle as she padded carefully after the tom. She followed at a leisurely pace until they reached the clearing, and then she calmly sat down just within the forest's edge, offering Sunstrike an encouraging nod as he glanced back at her. Her amber gaze had already located the lizard he had, and she was hoping it was too busy sunning itself to notice the large orange tom slinking it's way.

As he crept closer, Batwing nervously shuffled her paws, her body jumping with anxious nerves. She wanted to be out there, hunting with him, but if they both went slinking after the same prey, they'd only get in each other's ways. Instead, Batwing watched with wide, focused eyes as the tom crept closer and closer. Even still, she grimaced as he leapt, missing the lizard and seeming quite frustrated about it. Smiling softly, Batwing's ears perked as the tom sat down to pout at the hole the lizard had disappeared into. She opened her jaws to say something reassuring when the tom suddenly threw himself at the whole, digging like a thing possessed. Batwing shot to her paws, tilting her head in confusion. He was digging it up? Batwing padded out into the clearing, careful to avoid any flying dirt. When he finally turned back to her with the lizard in his jaws, she gave him an affectionate shake of her head, part disbelief and part amazement.

"Am I pretty now, Batwing?"

A chuckle tore from her throat, and Batwing nodded her head. "Much prettier than when I first met you. And you smell much nicer." She teased, leaning in to take a whiff of the tom, who smelled like dirt. Giving the tom a once-over, she shook her head. "We could have found more prey, you know. Have you hurt yourself?" She asked, nodding her head towards his paws. "Our claws aren't exactly for digging, you know." Batwing shook her head, though she was more amused than exasperated ."Let me find some prey, and then we can start heading back. But who knows, with that show you just put on, we'll be lucky if our whole Clan didn't run in fear at the noise." She purred, teasing once more. Flicking his nose with her tail, Batwing turned and padded away from the tom and the excavation site, jaws parted slightly as she scented for prey. Her dark, dainty paws were silent as she slipped across the clearing, amber gaze sharp and peering for any sign of prey.

She caught sight of a slithering movement - a dark, slim snake. It wasn't as large as an adder, but it was big enough to be considered good prey - and it didn't look as fierce as an adder, either. Flicking her tail, Batwing dropped into a stalking stance, her belly fur brushing the ground and her body going still as she watched the snake for a moment. It was poking around at the base of a rock, as if it had just finished sunning - which made sense, as the sun's final rays were beginning to disappear - and she knew if she lunged too quickly, the snake would more than likely disappear, just as Sunstrike's lizard had. But she was less willing to dig a whole to catch something that could bite her. Slinking forward, Batwing carefully placed one paw after the next, silent and dark as a shadow slipping through the space between her and her prey. She was only a fox length away when she saw it begin to slip into a small hole beneath the rock. Frowning, the black she-cat pounced, bunching up before launching herself forward. She was fast - hence her name - and that was probably the only reason she caught the snake. Striking out with a forepaw, she dug her claws into it's body and jerked it towards her. The snake retaliated by attempting to bite her, but Batwing met it halfway and closed her jaws over it's head, snapping down with her fangs. There was a satisfactory crunch and the taste of blood, and the snake went limp in between her teeth.

Turning with the snake still held in her mouth, Batwing trotted back over towards Sunstrike, delight glowing in her amber gaze. Dropping her snake next to his lizard, she sat, chest puffed and pride written over her features. "Well, if I do say so myself, that was a fantastic catch." She bragged, purring.

Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen

Glitch Sunstrike | SUNWING2K17

[Sunstrike]

Sunstrike

TURN YOUR FACE TO THE SUN

    Her laugh was contagious, and Sunstrike couldn't help but chuckle along with her as he once again sat down, cocking his head as she spoke. "Much prettier than when I first met you. And you smell much nicer." She dipped her head to sniff him, his pelt, certainly smelling heavily of rich earth and spicy pine sap, and he grinned at this, rising and shaking his coat hard, spraying bits of loose dirt and residual pine needles in an arc around him. He glanced at her, his expression smug, "So this is how I smell nice? I suppose that's how I'll attract all the pretty she-cats- I'll take a roll in the mud before I attempt to flirt." Her gaze traveled along him briefly before focusing on his muddy forepaws, "We could have found more prey, you know. Have you hurt yourself?" Pausing he shifted his weight and flexed his tender claws, wincing almost imperceptibly before giving a disinterested shrug. He was a tough cat, and while it did ache, he certainly wasn't going to whine to the world about it, especially not to Batwing. "A wrenched claw or two is nothing I can't handle- but my ego being bruised? That would have hurt. I couldn't let the little beast just show me up like that, you know?"

    "Let me find some prey, and then we can start heading back. But who knows, with that show you just put on, we'll be lucky if our whole Clan didn't run in fear at the noise." He pondered the idea for a moment, ShadowClan, terrifying and powerful, the story queens told their kits at night to make them behave, the boogeymen- at least in stories of old, running in terror from his feverish excavation of the lizard's den. It was an amusing thought, and absolutely ridiculous, but he found himself nodding in agreement. She flicked his nose with her tail, the light tickle and irritating dirt drawing a sneeze from him, and he was pleased to find his sinuses now clear of soil. He continued, "You're right, they should be afraid of me and my deranged antics," he reconsidered for a moment, before being overcome with quite the thought, "But you know, if they all took off, we could just start our own clan, rule the lakeside. Sunstar and his mighty and terrifying deputy, Batwing."

    He watched her stroll away, her movements quick and graceful, her gaze hunting the shadows. He searched and spotted nothing, until a quick movement had him focusing on a snake, making it's way into the forest for the evening. From his position, and it's shadowed location, he couldn't make out it's species and he bristled somewhat. A venomous snake would be a death trap for his clanmate, and he nearly called out to stop her, or approached to intervene, but he stopped himself mid stride, though his body protested. She was a smart cat, she could handle it. True to that belief, she moved lightening fast, faster than the snake, and faster than he certainly could have gone. The next thing he knew, the snake was hanging limp from her jaws, and she was striding back to him, clearly pleased with herself. With a dull thud, she dropped her prey.

    "Well, if I do say so myself, that was a fantastic catch." He beamed, thoroughly impressed, relaxing fully now. "I must say I am in full agreement. That was marvelous." He purred, rich and deep, his burnt orange gaze locking on to her eyes for several long heartbeats, his thoughts swirling. He hadn't had so much fun in what seemed to be eons, his outings with Thicketwhisker usually bland, Ferretcloud usually nervous, and the rest of the clan... well, they just weren't Batwing. He flicked his tail and motioned towards the camp, his eyes finally wandering up to search the sky, now beginning to change to pinks and purples, the first faint stars making their appearance. "Perhaps we should head back..." He trailed off, then scooped up his lizard, beginning to stride towards camp, "You know, before Swampstar starts sending patrols after us."

701 words

batwing

You wanna wrap this up after you reply and move forward?

ulla

[batwing]

"But you know, if they all took off, we could just start our own clan, rule the lakeside. Sunstar and his mighty and terrifying deputy, Batwing."

Batwing couldn't stop a chuckle as she headed off to catch her snake, and as she returned with it, she gave him a playful glare with narrowed amber eyes. "Who says I don't want to be Batstar, though? We might just have to break off into two Clans, and battle it out for whomever controls the forest." She teased, before he commented on her catch. His deep purr felt as if it vibrated into the earth and then up again into her legs, and Batwing suddenly found his intense stare almost too mesmerizing - her pelt prickled slightly, feeling a chill run along her spine. She dropped her gaze to the snake, pawing at it. "Well, yes, that's the only way I hunt. I'm always marvelous." She quipped, glancing back up at him and smirking. She watched as he flicked his tail towards camp, and gave a nod as he suggested they return to camp.

"Nah, she'll come herself and skin us alive." She commented, grabbing her snake and trotting after him, walking close enough that her midnight black pelt brushed his fluffy, sunburst orange one.

Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen

Glitch Sunstrike | We can end it here!