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Post by Fawn on Jan 28, 2017 0:36:11 GMT -5
 22 MOONS LIGHTNINGCLAN WARRIOR Tabby-and-white paws kicked up a spray of snow as Harestrike halted before a tunnel entrance. Having chased his namesake across the snow-covered moors, his flanks moving rapidly, his breath steaming in front of his wide muzzle, Harestrike had expected to catch it by now. However, he'd underestimated the depth of the snow in places, and had struggled through the frosty pockets of sedge and heather that the snow had covered so well.
Besides, hunting had never been his best talent. Harestrike had worked so hard on his fighting skills, surpassing his brother Thrushwhisker with ease, that his hunting skills had been neglected as a result. He was still good, he just wasn't great. But he also didn't give up easily. With a whisker-twitch and an irritated tail-flick, he turned back to his hunting partner, Icefeather. "Want to go in after it? If we're lucky the dumb thing'll get itself cornered."
Harestrike wasn't fond of moving around underground. He may have been named after a burrowing animal, but that didn't mean he liked burrows. Having the dark earth above, below and on either side of him made his stomach tie itself into knots, and put a tenseness between his shoulder blades that wouldn't shake loose for all the effort in the world.
But, as much as he disliked going into tunnels, he hated losing prey more. It was leafbare, they couldn't afford to let that hare get away. Besides, with any luck, the animal would get cornered - and then turn to fight them. If it didn't die of fright first, that is. The tabby tom shifted around on the snow, impatient to track their quarry if they were going to or not. You know what? She can just follow me in. He was a few moons older than she was (only 4, but that was enough), Icefeather would follow his lead. Invoking whatever seniority he had because of his four more months, Harestrike waved her in with his tail as he stepped into the dark tunnel's mouth. "Let's go."
He could remember exploring this place as an apprentice with his brother, Thrushwhisker, and then later with his friend Blazefang - back when they'd been close, back before Blazefang had disappeared for nearly two seasons and gotten so... twitchy. But whatever. That wasn't important right now; nostalgia couldn't catch rabbits.
Word Count: 387 Words Tags: @jet I CAN'T SLOW DOWN, I WON'T BE WAITING FOR YOU XD He's so hasty, sorry |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2017 23:04:22 GMT -5
 18 Moons - LightningClan - Warrioress
I love the name of honor more than I fear death.
Icefeather's thin fur coat miserably failed to protect her from the howling winds that sprayed snow all across Lightningclan's vulnerable hills. It's freezing! She thought wretchedly, most of her body numb from the frigid gusts; the only thing keeping her warm was her pumping limbs and a strong rush of adrenaline. The chase was on. Her heart beat in short, quick bursts. The snow was deep enough to hinder her sprinting, so she decided to clear ground in leaps and bounds. The two lone warriors charged across the plains in pursuit of what could be one of the most generous catches the clan would have had in weeks, though they were constantly showered in droves of frost, and their senses were frequently muddled with facefulls of snow and ice. Unfortunately, the creature had managed to wiggle it's way into the vast network of tunnels beneath Lightningclan territory, leaving the two brown and white cats at the foot of a dark, tight hole.
This moment, at the entrance of the dreadful tunnels, was undeniably the coldest and most fatigued Icefeather had felt all winter. She sniffed with her stuffed up nose and squinted through watering eyes. It smelled cold, it felt cold, and it sounded cold. Being stuck struggling through snowdrifts had left the petite she-cat soaking wet and freezing, though the thought of tunnels made her cringe. Icefeather admired Harestrike's persistence, but the tunnels? That was worse than a trip to the dark forest. By the stars, I hope we don't have to go in there. She silently pleaded to herself, though she knew they couldn't afford to lose the hare. They had been out all day, and this was one of the few creatures they had been able to find. This and that scraggly looking quail. She thought grimly. With much effort, the she-cat attempted to conceal her discomfort about the tunnels with a placid posture, though her faint, hazel eyes leaked anxiety.
"Want to go in after it? If we're lucky the dumb thing'll get itself cornered."
She knew Harestrike was adamant about finding the hare and bringing it back to the clan. If there was one thing Icefeather learned about this cat after one day of hunting with him, it would be his intense dedication. And his arrogance. And his... She paused and yanked herself out of her thoughts, watching as Harestrike strutted through the tunnel entrance. Pushy furball. She huffed, flattening her ears to her head. Icefeather glanced nervously to her left and right before reluctantly squeezing through the musty, black tunnel entrance. At least he didn't ditch me in the snow today. Starclan knows his legs can cover twice as much ground as mine. She thought thankfully. He's loyal, I'll give him that.
When Icefeather entered the tunnels, she tried not to focus on the dissipating light and the increasing discomfort rattling her usually light-hearted spirit. The tunnels were just like she remembered. Earth crumbled every time her fragile body grazed the sides. They were pitch dark, and as the two cats traveled deeper, it felt like the tunnels were wrapping around her delicate body and squeezing her into an inescapable blackness. She stuck to Harestrike's heels like grass does ground. Icefeather's heart was beating rapidly as unsavory memories flashed in her mind. Why did I ever come back into this horrible place? She thought dreadfully.
"Are you sure we're on the right path?" The young she-cat breathed nervously, voice hoarse from the cold weather. I can't smell a thing with my nose all stuffed like this. She grumbled silently. As soon as Icefeather finished her thought, she heard a scuffle up ahead. Her heart skipped a beat.
Thank Starclan! The she-cat thought extatically. We found it!
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Notes: Lol he's great! Icefeather isnt fond of tunnels herself. Why? Idk, building history, haha. X) |
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Post by Fawn on Feb 2, 2017 14:08:41 GMT -5
22 MOONS LIGHTNINGCLAN WARRIOR The deep earthy smell of cold air stung his nose the moment they entered. Harestrike's whiskers twitched, disliking the sensation - but it wasn't meant to last. There was a reason why prey animals lived in burrows during the coldest months. The deeper into the tunnels he and Icefeather went, the less noticeable the cold became.
If we don't find that piece of freshkill soon, I'll go crazy. It wasn't just being underground that he didn't like. It was the uneven quality of the tunnels. Sometimes they seemed to narrow in on the two cats, and he felt claustrophobic, forced to shut away any defensive hissing he might've made if he were in here alone.
Utilizing his hearing as well as his sense of smell, Harestrike raised his tail to stop her. Realizing she might not be able to see it, he swept the tabby limb back to touch her shoulders, the gesture clear. Wait.
"I can hear it," he whispered. "More than one."
With any luck, they'd just found not one but two hares. There was stillness in the den up ahead. Harestrike narrowed his eyes, trying to pinpoint the prey animals in the dark - and trying not to think about what would happen if they got stuck down here. If he focused hard enough, he thought he could hear the sound of a quickly beating heart. It was his. Suppressing frustration, Harestrike lowered into a crouch and let his jaws part. The hare-scents flooded in, and he tried to distinguish the old from the new.
Found it. The hare was tucked into a corner.
And it was a lot bigger than he'd first thought. No, not bigger. Two of them. He wasn't an expert on prey tactics, but he had a hunch that even if they caught one, the other would bolt for a second tunnel - or slip past them somehow. Harestrike's claws unsheathed. They were going to miss their chance unless they attacked right now.
"Now!" Harestrike burst forward, his eyes narrowed into slits as he let his sense of smell and hearing guide him. He battered at a soft light-brown body, grappling with one of the hares in a tangle of kicking legs and prey-shrieks. The sound was horrible, so he fought harder, trying to silence the stupid thing before he went completely deaf.
Word Count: 386 Words Tags: @jet I CAN'T SLOW DOWN, I WON'T BE WAITING FOR YOU |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2017 9:15:33 GMT -5
18 Moons - LightningClan - Warrioress
I love the name of honor more than I fear death.
It felt like they were walking for days underground. It used to be a good feeling, being in the tunnels. Icefeather thought uncomfortably, pushing forward swiftly and silently. Despite her initial fears, the deeper into the tunnels she traveled, the less edgy she was. Her heartbeats slowed along with her pawsteps as good memories flooded back. I remember this tunnel! I caught my first piece of fresh kill here with dad! Icefeather buzzed, completely rapt with the new tunnels jutting off of the one they were on now. She had a bounce in her step as she started picturing where each tunnel lead to. Some she knew, but much had changed here. There were more tunnels, thus the maze was most likely filled with even more dead ends. It's been moons since I've been down here. She thought, feeling hurt creep into her heart like a spark on dry leaves. Ever since my father died. Before she could delve into sad memories, Harestrike brushed his tail across her shoulder. Game time. Icefeather dispelled her emotions quickly, trying to glance past Harestrike, but unable to see anything in the dark. Her ears flitted to and fro, trying to catch where ahead the prey might be. Nervousness hit her harder than an avalanche of rock and dirt. We can't afford to lose this go around.
"I can hear it, more than one."
Icefeather heard Harestrike's quiet comment and smiled. If we could manage to catch two grown hares, that would feed the whole clan! She thought ecstatically, her heart beginning to patter against her chest as she crouched readily behind Harestrike. The tabby and white she-cat felt her stomach clench in hunger, her eyes drip tears of cold, and her nose run relentlessly, no matter how many sniffs she sniffed. The long leaf bare had hit her already fragile body quite harshly. She was practically a bag of bones, and her ribs stuck out like unsheathed claws. But I'm lighter and quicker on my feet. She concluded, energy tingling her pads like melting frost. There was a moment of stillness and silence as the two warrior cats crouched in the shadows. It's probably dark outside. She noted to herself. We might not have time to catch the other hare, but we need it! But we're hunting partners...partner stick together, right?
"Now!"
Icefeather saw Harestrike charge forward after his hasty signal, darting towards one of the hare's tucked in the corner of the small cavern. The other hare darted for the tunnel two tail-lengths to the right. Her heart split two ways, and ultimately, Icefeather took chase after the second hare. Her chest grew heavy as she heard Harestrike tumbling with the first shrieking hare. I'm sorry! Her heart fluttered like the wings of a hummingbird, but her paws were light and swift. That just means I have to catch this one. She could feel the hare ahead of her. It's a big one! Icefeather's thoughts fueled her pursuit. The hare was fast, but she was faster. Just as the hare was ready to dart into a separate tunnel, Icefeather was able to trip it before it could attempt another sharp escape. She fell on the flailing creature with claws unsheathed. Her jaws clamp around its throat, though a well aimed kick from the dying quarry sent sharp pains rushing down her left side. The hare slowed and grew limp under her hungry grip, but Icefeather's breaths were shallow. She released her prey and crouched beside it, her tabby tail tucked beside her frail body. The brown and white she cat attempted to catch her breath. I got it! She beamed.
Now...where exactly am I? She thought wearily. Icefeather glanced around, drinking in her environment like a tree starving for water. Only a few moments had passed before dread began swamping her like fog. Right in front of the tabby and white she-cat was an achingly familiar mound of fallen stone and soil. She fluffed her fur and grabbed her fresh-kill. It can't be... Horrible memories replayed violently before Icefeather's eyes. With the hare in her jaws, she began backing away, her eyes wider than the full moon, her tail tucked close to her body, and her ears plastered to the back of her head.
It can't be...
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Post by Fawn on Mar 3, 2017 21:51:37 GMT -5
22 MOONS LIGHTNINGCLAN WARRIOR The prey-shrieks ended, and Harestrike released his grip on the hare's throat, dropping the dead animal so he could catch his breath. And dislodge the dirt clods from his ears; some of the cold soil of the den's ceiling had been loosened in the scuffle. Shaking his ears to clear them, Harestrike looked around, bright-eyed with triumph, for Icefeather. Hey where did she--
The dying squeal of another hare answered his question, and he grinned, striding after her to congratulate the she-cat on a good kill. The satisfaction dwindled, however, as he caught sight of Icefeather cowering, her tail tucked, her posture so low to the ground he thought she was trying to sink through the soil.
What? What is it? Where? Parting his jaws, he let the scents rush in - Icefeather's fear-scent among them - and the fur along his spine prickled, bristling like an agitated hedgehog. Claws unsheathing, he took a protective stance in front of his Clanmate; he would give her enough time to pull herself together and back him up. Unless it was a badger, Harestrike was confident - cocky - that he could handle this.
That's what all that training was for. All the days and nights spent pushing himself to get stronger.
But only stillness greeted the cats in the tunnels. Harestrike's muscles evened out as he pressed himself close to the floor, slinking closer to a dark shape further ahead. It was a pile of stones and soil, not animal. Harestrike's fur lied flat, and the end of his tail twitched irritably. Good job, you just ended up looking like an idiot.
Turning on Icefeather, he sheathed his claws and stared at her. "What's wrong? Why are you so freaked out?" It's justs rocks and dirt. "Nothing's here." Harestrike kicked a clawful of soil over the mound to prove it. Why was she acting like she'd seen a Dark Forest cat? More confused than annoyed, Harestrike cocked his head, impatiently waiting for her answer.
Word Count: 338 WordsTags: @jet I CAN'T SLOW DOWN, I WON'T BE WAITING FOR YOU OMG I'm so sorry it took me almost three weeks to reply! I was finishing up a class, and then got some high ranks threads that needed to be done. adfhkl; I'll reply more quickly next time. Thank you for being so patient. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2017 1:02:07 GMT -5
18 Moons - LightningClan - Warrioress
I love the name of honor more than I fear death.
"What's wrong? Why are you so freaked out? Nothing's here." The brown and white tom said, swiping at some soil at the base of the collapsed tunnel.
In truth, Icefeather's anxiety had dissipated when she felt Harestrike brush past her, though in its stead came intense waves of shame and sadness. She was crouched down with her head bent, eyes staring at her white paws and the deep gouges they made in on the tunnel floor a few moments before. I am a coward. I trembled at a pile of dirt as if I was faced with a mob of foxes. Heat pulsed through her. She was truly embarrassed, though her heart beat violently, like an enraged beast caged in a fragile cell. The brown and white she-cat suddenly became overcome by exhaustion, her shoulders and eyes drooping wearily, like a tree weighed down by snow. The cold and wet had finally turned her in. The small she cat didn't look up when she spoke. Instead, Icefeather turned her head away, refusing to look her clanmate in the eyes out of sheer pain and indignity.
"I thought I saw something. Like a fox...or something." She muttered fictitiously. Icefeather twisted to pick up her hare. A sharp pain in her left side caused the small she-cat to inhale quickly, yet softly. What in the name of StarClan was that about? She cursed to herself, though despite the discomfort, she bent down slowly, wrapping her jaws gently around the scruff of her prey. We need to get out of here. The tabby thought tiredly. Although Icefeather was hungry at the beginning of the day, her appetite now was severely wounded. In fact, the scent of death made her stomach twist in disgust. She was faintly trembling, though it was hard to say whether it was because she was wet, cold, and weak from a rough leafbare, or whether it was because of the mental stresses brought about by an unexpected visit to her father's grave. Unfortunately, instead of accepting her tragic history, Icefeather has buried almost every memory of her father in the deepest depths of her sub-conscience. The wound incurred by his death has been festering for over half her lifetime.
The small, damp, and bedraggled she-cat began to dragging the hare a few steps, trying to forget how flustered she was in front of her clanmate at the place of her father's untimely death. I bet you his bones are still here. Icefeather didn't have enough energy to shutter at her grotesque thought. She felt bad turning away from Harestrike, but the last thing she wanted was someone's pity. He doesn't seem quite like one to show sympathy, but I'd rather not take my chances. She thought meekly. Icefeather paused, turning her head to see if Harestrike was following. Even at a standstill, it felt like kits were hanging from each one of her legs, weighing her down. I just want to shrink into nothingness. She thought piteously. Icefeather was glad that they had already taken the quail back to camp at the beginning of the day, though at this point, she didn't have the energy to go bounding through snow up to her neck carrying a hare as big as her. She knew her pace was slow. and she hated holding cats back. I've been slowing Harestrike down all day. She felt guilt tear at her heart like a buzzard ripping up roadkill. You know what? Let him go ahead. I can find my way back without him. She turned towards him, feeling another sudden pain, but still managing to ignore it. Icefeather was too haggard to complain.
"Hey, I'm kind of tired. You go on ahead without me." She murmured, her hazel eyes unusually distant and somber. This time, her expressionless and haunted gaze met his. "I can make it back on my own."
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Notes: Sorry it took so long! I love the new table and I'm hoping it boosts my muse for Icefeather!!! |
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Post by Fawn on Mar 30, 2017 9:24:27 GMT -5
25 MOONS LIGHTNINGCLAN WARRIOR "Not a chance," mewed Harestrike around the scruff of his prey. "Redscar would flay me alive if I came back to camp without you." The tabby warrior's eyes were resolute. He hated going slow. Hated it. Even though he had worked hard over the moons to pack on muscle for the purpose of gaining an edge in fighting, running was still his passion. Feeling the wind in his fur.
But this time, the wind was working against him. Harestrike wasn't anxious to reach camp with frozen paws, but he wasn't stupid. It was better to get to camp at a steady pace than try to race back. The cold would catch up with him. The fatigue would catch up with him. Besides...
She still looks like she swallowed a pinecone. If he left her now, would she even make it back home? She was trembling like a leaf in a storm. Harestrike's tail flicked in thought, the gesture bordering on irritated or pent-up energy. Carrying back these stupid hares might kill us.
"We should bury one, then take turns carrying the other back to camp. Redscar, he can send some warm bodies out to get it."
That wasn't accepting defeat. That was strategy. His paws were starting to sting from the belly-high snow drifts, and he scowled, picking up his prey again. Because of his partner's struggles, Harestrike took a few long strides, positioning himself a head of her in single file. She could walk in his paw-steps. It might make it easier on the wearied she-cat until they got closer to camp.
One fat hare was going to feed the Clan for a while. Two fat hares was going to make them heroes. Even if Redscar sent someone else to fetch their kill, Harestrike was going to make sure every cat in the Clan knew he and Icefeather had caught them in the first place.
He couldn't stand some cat taking credit where credit wasn't due.
Word Count: 329 WordsTags: @jet I CAN'T SLOW DOWN, I WON'T BE WAITING FOR YOU  No problem! |
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2017 9:08:47 GMT -5
18 Moons - LightningClan - Warrioress
I love the name of honor more than I fear death. Icefeather felt her heart drop to her paws when Harestrike dismissed her, but she was past that now. Dragging the hare's body through the snow was grueling, as her usual agility was no use to her. This was a test of strength. After Harestrike's comment about burying one of the hares, the tabby and white she-cat mewed in approval and started to follow him, a spark of hope lighting up her watery eyes. The tom made a path for the smaller cat to follow, which she was extremely grateful for. I don't know how he's still going on like this. Icefeather thought emptily, hauling the prey after Harestrike a few paces before setting it down on the white earth. I'm just going to bury it off the side of this ragtag path, right here.
The she-cat reared up on her hind legs and started pummeling the snow along the path. The top had frozen into a thick layer of ice from the wind, but with a hint of determination, he she cat managed to make a nice, deep cavern in the snow for the prey to rest until another patrol came. She rolled the hare in and packed snow around it, concealing the body with powder and ice.
Icefeather felt freed from the burden of the hare. She was so thin and light on her feet, that she was actually able to walk along the top of the film of ice that had frozen over the dense snow beneath, though she wasn't about to let Harestrike struggle through the snowdrifts alone. The she-cat, now without the burden of a hare, pushed in front of the tom and focused her efforts on clearing the snow for an easier path. He's been doing it for me all day. I think I owe it to him. She thought guiltily.
After several minutes of snow clearing, she turned to Harestrike and looked at the prey he was holding. Hunger gripped her stomach in its jaws and her mouth started watering, though that doubled up her determination to get back to camp. With a look as sharp as ice and as strong as oak, she looked Harestrike in the eyes and spoke calmly.
"It's my turn now. Let me take it. You've been backing the weight of that hare ever since we left the tunnels. You can take it back when we get closer to camp."
I'll carry it to camp, but he can take it through the entrance. Icefeather thought. He's earned it more than I have.
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Notes: Sorry again for the late post. New horses have been difficult and time consuming.  |
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Post by Fawn on May 2, 2017 10:04:04 GMT -5
22 MOONS LIGHTNINGCLAN WARRIOR "It's my turn now. Let me take it. You've been backing the weight of that hare ever since we left the tunnels. You can take it back when we get closer to camp."
Really feeling the effects of the cold and having to exert so much energy on an empty stomach, Harestrike gave up the prey without complaint. Selfishly, he relished the feeling of no extra weight pulling him down, and he put on a burst of speed, reaching the well trampled path that led to LightningClan's central camp.
Harestrike gave himself a good shake, feeling his heart pumping extra hard to make up for leafbare's cruel grip on his body and the exertion of running, but he felt better. Breathing in puffs, Harestrike hovered near the entrance. She can carry it in for me, reasoned the tired voice in the back of the tom's mind. He pictured his mother's disapproving face. The way she always pushed him to be better. To be a winner.
Winning wasn't reaching camp first with nothing in his jaws; winning was hauling the prey inside for the whole Clan to see. With that deciding his next course of action, Harestrike waited until he could see her cresting the small hillscape two foxlengths away, and rejoined Icefeather. Shivering, he wordlessly took the hare from her and marched into camp, but not without keeping the end of his tail on Icefeather's left flank to make sure she didn't stumble or lose her way.
Finally. Harestrike dumped the body onto the pitiful looking fresh kill pile. Finally we're home.
Word Count: 268 Words Tags: @jet I CAN'T SLOW DOWN, I WON'T BE WAITING FOR YOU Thread finished! Whoo! |
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No problem!