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Cobragaze slunk through the foliage of RainClan territory. He did this easily; while he was no master hunter, he knew how to go unnoticed, by other cats, anyway. He thought of two subjects: Lilystream, ever in the back of his mind, and Russethawk, unfortunately also perpetually in his head, as an annoyance. He'd needed some fresh air from the crowds of the Clan camp and ventured out here to get it. He eyed the scenery with disinterest, wondering distantly why Lilystream was letting herself be bothered by such a fool like Russethawk on a regular basis, when she had a tom like Cobragaze willing to do anything for her. And he really would. She just had to ask. Mouth frowning grouchily, he settled in the shade of an overhanging bush, one of the types that tended to grow near bodies of water. He supposed he couldn't really object if someone had followed him, although if he wanted to complain he certainly could. He was a cunning cat, if anyone asked him and he could argue against anything if he so desired. Cobragaze blinked at the sound of approaching pawsteps.

@poptart

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    Blizzardclaw was working hard to change himself for the better of Rainclan, he sought to bring them together as a cohesive whole. He trusted Razorstar, and his judgement in Timberwing, however that didn't mean he trusted the rest of his clanmates. The problem lay in the density of outsiders now calling Rainclan their home, as nobody knew who to trust. The ties that cats would use to lean on each other for support and guidance were not present, and still had to be formed. Many cats believed it was the new arrivals to blame for the clans state, however Blizzardclaw had his suspicions that there were cats native to the clan that were the ones not to be trusted. What everyone needed to share was a common trust in their leadership, and the clanmates they currently have. With all the cats they had taken on there were strong however, if only they could put their extra strength to use.

    There were rare times when Blizzardclaw wasn't with his apprentice, and in these moments he tried to take time out to reflect. Bitternpaw deserved his undivided attention as she was a hard worker, and if she was going to put in the effort he had to match it. Leaving her at camp he decided a short hunting trip was the easiest way to spend time in his head whilst keeping moving, an idle warrior was a detriment to their clan. However as he was wandering through Rainclan territory he stumbled up a warrior that was in fact idle, he observed Cobragaze laying under a particularly shady bush. He was sure the other had heard his approach so he wasn't afraid of spooking him when he asked "You aren't shirking your duties by chance are you?" He didn't expect any cat to live up to his standards as badly as he wished they would, so as long as he had done his patrols today the senior warrior could care less if Cobragaze chose to lounge around.

@moons

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Cobragaze eyed Blizzardclaw. The older tom had once been respectable in Cobragaze's eyes, vehemently against the leadership of non-RainClan-blooded cats like Razorstar and Timberwing, but lately Blizzardclaw had gone soft and accepted their reign like a fool. Cobragaze would never see Razorstar as his true superior, it just didn't click in his mind as something possible. A little flippantly, he replied, "Of course not, what do you take me for?" He raised his chin slightly at what he perceived as a subtle slight; of course Blizzardclaw was only being responsible, but Cobragaze hardly cared. He had no patience for others who questioned him unless they were Lilystream. He almost asked Blizzardclaw why he wasn't with his apprentice and if he was shirking his duties, but he didn't want to give Blizzardclaw the time of day. Saying such would imply that he really gave a mousedung, which he didn't. He didn't move from his position under the bush.

@poptart

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    Blizzardclaw received his answer and many replies seemed to instantly fill his head, until it overflowed with ideas that could have easily turned into quips and nearly did. He checked his tongue however as his suspicions about this particular cats allegiance had yet to be proven as factual, even if he did pride himself on being a good judge of character. Until Cobragaze stepped out of line there was nothing Blizzardclaw could do, and he hoped that he was wrong about the tom as the last thing Rainclan leadership needed was more enemies. He found himself at a loss having no idea how he should proceed, if he wasn't mistaken he got the vibe that the younger warrior wasn't thrilled with his presence. He was on his way hunting however and he didn't want to be rude especially if he had misjudged the feelings of his clanmate. Perhaps he was just offended at the way Blizzardclaw had suggested he might not have pulled his weight that day, and he decided to give Cobragaze the benefit of the doubt. "I meant nothing by it, a harmless joke." He explained before continuing, "Would you care to hunt with me Cobragaze?"

    He had initially planned for it to be alone time of course, however spending time with his own thoughts fell to the wayside when the fate of Rainclan hung in the balance. It sounded over dramatic to say the least but the white warrior knew it to be true, if faith wasn't restored in Razorstar and Timberwing the long life of Rainclan could find itself coming to an end. If Cobragaze was in fact adamantly against said leadership this could be the opportunity to try and bring him around, as impossible as that sounded most days. Warriors were stubborn to say the least, but Blizzardclaw knew he had to try.

@moons

[Deleted]

Cobragaze watched Blizzardclaw's eyes swim with unspoken thoughts. Oh, yes, he knew that the older, white-furred tom was not usually one to keep things to himself, but for some reason, right now he was doing just that. It puzzled Cobragaze. Had Blizardclaw truly lost his mind in some way, that he wasn't even being himself any longer? He inwardly humphed at the thought. More reason for Cobragaze to be considered as next deputy over him. Razorstar and Timberwing simply needed to be gotten out of the way, first. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes as Blizzardclaw waved off what he'd said, then was surprised by his offer to go hunting. What was the point? Was the senior warrior with bees in his brain? There was no way Cobragaze would want to do such a thing. "With a mousebrain like you? I'd rather roll in dirt." It was the first time he'd really insulted someone of higher rank than him in person; he didn't regret it one bit.

@poptart

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    Blizzardclaw was less than surprised that he had received such a rude answer, Cobragaze wasn't known for such things. It was quite the opposite it seemed, he was living up to low expectations he had set for himself long ago, and Blizzardclaw wouldn't be taking kindly. "Looks like you already have, get yourself cleaned up..." He said with a slight grin, pushing on to leave the sour tom behind him. He wondered if he of all cats was being unfair, not too long ago he had been bitter in the same way. He had uttered similar things to Razorstar when he was still a deputy, even if he prided himself on having a bit more class in his word choice and delivery. The senior warrior was close to stopping, wanting to turn and fix the damaged bridge he was quickly tearing apart, however he didn't dare cave. He was one of the strongest personalities in the clan, and he refused to grovel to a cat he could just as easily bring down with a few well placed strikes.


    "It doesn't have to be this way Cobragaze, Rainclan could be the strongest clan in the valley. If only we can learn to work together." He hadn't slowed in the slightest as he left the cat behind, figuring his words wouldn't be dignified with a response. Blizzardclaw still knew the message had to be disseminated through the clan, if they were not they would soon be a distant memory in the back of the remaining clans' minds.

@moons