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Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2014 13:21:20 GMT -5
 The air was thick with the scent of leaf-mold. Under paw was damp, the fallen foliage slippery and spongy with decay. It was hard to silence her steps, almost impossible, as each footfall brought with it a thud or snapping of a twig which nestled itself somewhere beneath the leafy layer unseen. Her head was in a daze, and the tabby wasn't sure if she was trying to run from something or find it. The forest she plodded through was unfamiliar, the trees strange and twisted, almost leaning into her path. Their thick, dark canopies hid the sky, and Shiverbreeze could not tell if it was day or night that prevailed. The entire forest was a shadowy, dusky brown that swirled with thin wreathes of mist. She wasn't sure how she had come to be here, just that her uncomfortable skin crawled with the panic to get out.
Out of the dark in the near distance a screech erupted, and the she-cat immediately dropped to the ground in pain. The horrifying noise didn't cease until her eardrums felt pierced through and through. Retching from overwhelming fear and sickness, she laid heaving on the open pathway, daring to look upward as massive gusty flaps echoed above her. What looked to be a giant owl flew overhead, ebony talons shining in the dim light. Catching her breath the warrior rolled off of the path into some bordering ferns, which were very dark green in color. Hopefully dark enough to hide her from the monstrosity that lurked above. Her heart's pace quickened, illuminated amber eyes darting in every direction. I have to get out of here She thought desperately, the cloudy daze she had been in fading. Pushing her large form to her paws, the she-cat hastily blundered through the brush, panic seizing her senses. All she cared about was getting out.
Picking up speed the branches of bushes were slapping her pelt, brambles snaring and ripping at her skin, as if trying to hold her back and keep her in this forsaken place. The ground began to decline, her large paws scrambling for a hold in the black dirt as they began to lose footing. Half sliding, half falling, the slant dumped her upon barren ground, the warrior a heap of panting fur. Face grounded into the earth, she spit a mouthful of soil out disgustedly, using her paw to wipe her face clear. Managing to sit up, Shiverbreeze found herself at the edge of a very small pond. The water was crystal, and still as death. Her mouth was like a desert, and greedily she crouched and dipped her head to drink. Her tongue outstretched, she froze, paralyzed in fear. Staring down at her reflection, another cat looked back at her. A cat that looked like her, but it was dirty and matted, scars traced it's face and patches of fur missing - the skin looked to be rotting away. The horrifying feline's lips twisted into a hideous grin, teeth yellowed and long. Shiverbreeze uttered a low moan, the nightmare coming to life as it lunged forward out of the water and bit deep into her neck, dragging her into the icy depths. The surface of the pool thrashed, and then smoothed, still as death.
With a loud gasp the she-cat awoke, silver tabby fur bristling like knives, heart pounding right out of her chest. Her nails sank into her soft mossy bedding as she leaned over the side and vomited until her stomach was empty of bile. Quickly she whipped around, making sure no one else was in the sanctuary. Burning with embarrassment the warrior kicked sand over her sickness as if it was her dirt and fled the den, pacing out into blinding sunlight. It took a minute for her eyes to adjust, when they did she could see the clan was busy around her. Apprentices were bringing the elders fresh-kill, the warriors were weaving their way in and out of camp. Even the queens were busy breaking up rough play-fights by their kits. But the panic of her nightmare was still raw, and she felt compelled to make sure the ghastly reflection held no truth. Paws thundering out of camp the tabby she-cat raced through the camp stream, throwing water aside. They carried her like a fleeting storm, swiftly through stream-side reeds and them flinging her over the rushing water, tail streaming in the air behind her. Hitting the ground it was an immediate takeoff, charging up the slope and into the area of the territory known as the wooded cove. She fought her way though the barren foliage, stricken by leaf-bare. Halting before the pool that was terribly similar to the one in her dream she nervously peeked over the edge, a familiar face looked back at her. One that was beautiful from all angles, and held not a flaw. Sighing with relief, Shiverbreeze plopped down onto the brittle grass. One of the she-cats worst fears was something happening that took away her beauty. She liked to rest solemnly on the throne of vanity, it fed into her power and control. She needed to be beautiful. Just like she needed a lot of things. Shaking off the last remnants of her nightmare, the light silver tabby lapped at the water, feeling rather refreshed. Her eyes brightened considerably as she peered about. "I'll go for a hunt, the clan probably needs it." She murmured, white tail tip flicking as she licked a black paw. Giving her winter coat a shake, the warrior turned into a huntress and stalked into the undergrowth. The woods wasn't a common hunting ground for her clan, but she preferred it over the river. And since it was leaf-bare, no one was picky. It wasn't long before the female came across the scent of mouse, and she immediately dropped into a crouch.
Stiffening, she tried to pin-point its location. They were in a depression, or a very shallow ditch. Leaves, bushes, grass, and the roots of an old tree left the prey many places to hide. Amber eyes scanning each place carefully, a flash of brownish grey moved among the tree roots. Shiverbreeze crept forward, hind end low and weight on her haunches, making her steps light as a feather. The mouse didn't feel a single vibration, and nibbled innocently on a withered seed. It was thin, probably a lot worse off than her. And for a moment the predator felt bad for her prey. But she had not only herself but a clan to feed, and so was the circle of life. She pounced and hooked the rodent with her claws, flinging it into the open. It tried to scramble away but the huntress was faster, pinning and delivering a lethal bite. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2014 0:30:55 GMT -5
Timberwing
The Fox of Rainclan
And you, you bring me to my knees, again
All the times, that I could beg you please, in vain
All the times, when I felt insecure, for you
And I leave, my burdens at the door
It wasn't unnatural for the rather large, russet she-cat to be out and about by herself, stalking through Rainclan territory, looking for prey to bring back her adoptive clan. She preferred the quietness of being on her own when hunting through the reeds or among the willows father along in the territory. With Leafbare already upon them, it was wise to get as much prey stalked up as possible. If it were to freeze over like it had last leafbare, it would be bad news. Not only did they suffer hunger throughout the clan, but they also lost several good cats to the flood once it thawed, due to them being weak from lack of food in their empty stomachs.
Wide ears swerved atop the head on a narrow snouted she-cat, her amber eyes, almond in shape, watched for the smallest hint of movement throughout the reeds, which had become dried and shriveled in the cold winds. The only thing that pleased the older she-cat about this weather was that the ground was no longer moist and soggy. Being born of Nightclan, this adopted Rainclanner couldn't stand getting her large, flat paws muddy and wet. It just wasn't natural to her, and still wonders how her fellow clanmates can take dips in the stream like it is second nature.
Something else caught her attention however, as the long furred feline shifted her weight from paw to paw, glancing over her shoulder from her hiding spot to catch scent of another cat. Shifting the position from which she was crouching, Timberwing pulled her plume of a tail being her silently, making sure not to rustle any dead reeds or cattails. Pinpointing the other cat with her narrowed amber eyes, the older, fox colored she-cat went to step forwards, before catching sight of how the other she-cat was acting.
Hunting.
Turning her head to watch the show, Timberwing made sure her ears flickered around to catch the sound of anything else that might make it's way around here, prey or predatorious. The older she-cat watched at Shiverbreeze advanced on what seemed to be a mouse, scavenging or munching on food that it might have found. Eye's narrowing slightly, she watched with careful eyes, each slow and perfect step that the pretty young she-cat took to bring herself closer to her prey before leaping.
Almost lost her pawhold.
It ran across Timberwing's mind as if breathing would. With her being an older and more experienced warrior, she tended to notice little things like a mentor would with an apprentice. Which thinking of, her own apprentice should be receiving his warrior name soon. However, despite what little flaw the russet red warrioress saw, Shiverbreeze caught her prey with perfect precision and cunning.
It was then that Timberwing's ear twitched, pulling her attention to the sky when the faint sound of a flapping wing echoed in the still air. Amber eyes narrowed until she caught sight of the culprit.
Owl!
It's talons were stretched out as if it was the one who was planning on catching Shiverbreeze's prey. With her ears flattening against the top of her head, the large warrior leaped forwards from her spot among the reeds, claws unsheathed as she raced forwards. "Duck!" She yowled as she leaped forwards, intercepting the bird as it swooped down towards the younger she-cat. There was an earsplitting screech that echoed through the air as it's talons were firmly hooked onto Timberwing's shoulder.
The fox colored she-cat sank her fangs into it's brown and spotted wing, yanking it off her and throwing it to the ground, hissing when blood whelped up from the wound on her shoulder. Squaring off to face the downed bird, Timberwing lashed the white tipped tail before leaping forwards, her flat paws landing heavily on the wounded wing as it tried to fly away, screeching again before the Rainclanner sank her teeth into it's neck, ripping out feather to silence it.
The bird's screech fell to a gurgling silence, though the earsplitting sound still rang in Timberwing's ears as she pulled herself away from the owl, who fell with a thud to the cold ground. Shaking out her long, thick fur, the old she-cat turned her attention to Shiverbreeze. "Are you ok?" She asked in a raspy voice from age.
But I'm on the outside, I'm looking in
I can see through you, see your true colors
'Cause inside you're ugly, you're ugly like me
I can see through you, see to the real you
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2014 18:19:50 GMT -5
Lifting her head from the killing bite, time seemed to slow down. All of a sudden the she-cat found herself bathed in shadow, the outline two outstretched wings - an angel of death - its flapping awakening her nightmare. Shiverbreeze's gaze rose, the fire in her bright amber eyes burning with horror at what she beheld. An owl was diving straight towards her prepared to strike, shiny black talons outstretched. Its come from my dreams to take me back She thought, spine quivering from the chills running down it. The tabby crouched there paralyzed, looking up with an expression that twisted from shock to terror as the bird was about to engage her. And then, time sped up. "Duck!" A yowl from the nearby undergrowth erupted, and what looked like a ball of fire in the sunlight catapulted toward the air born predator, intersecting it. The she-cat watched as the owl's claws pierced the cat, and how the feline in return clamped onto its wing. The two fell onto the hard ground, and badly wounded the owl became the victim as the red-orange warrior ripped its throat out.
Shiverbreeze was still wide-eyed, but her wits had all but returned. She burned from embarrassment, I can't believe I just froze! she snarled internally at herself. That was not like her at all. The she-cat was cold, fierce, vicious, and brave...not a helpless and frightened kit scared of dreams. She had recognized her heroine as Timberwing, an older she-cat she had shared little to no words with before this. Standing tall, the silver tabby didn't have to try to make herself look any bigger than she already was. She was large for a female, as was Timberwing. "Thank you," Shiverbreeze meowed, eyeing the she-warrior carefully. "My head was still caught up in sleep I suppose. Are you injured badly?" She could see her shoulder was wounded, but wasn't sure of the extent. Everything had happened very quickly after the older cat had leaped to attack the bird. Reminded of her mouse, it seemed pitifully puny and unworthy of all that had happened over it. She kicked dirt over it casually, figuring she'd come back for it later if she continued hunting. If not, the pretty female still didn't want her savior to see it's size. She'd probably scoff at it. Her thoughts were bitter, and insecure. It was leaf-bare, but Shiverbreeze still wanted to only present the best.
Padding over to the owl with a seemingly superior air, she examined the dead predator with a cold stare brimming with hatred. It's eyes were glazed and unseeing, head cocked in an awkward position. It's wing wound and throat were no longer oozing as the blood coagulated. Unanimated the creature looked inferior, and the light she-cat took no pity on it. Stupid beast She spit on it's corpse, lashing her tail in anger, teeth clenched so tightly they ached. "They say owls are an omen of death..." She whispered, strangely hushed. I hope Starclan receives this omen that's been sent back, and that they know I'm coming for them. Having been staring almost through its lifeless body, Shiverbreeze again entered reality, and looked up at Timberwing as if she had been awakened.
"Some catch to show off when you get back to camp!"
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