[Deleted]

WARRIOR | TREECLAN | 19 MOONS

Rocktail was slipping through Treeclan territory, the cover of night concealing her in the shadows as she hunted, scoured the land for any piece of prey she could get her claws on. Quarry had become intensely scarce, and it wasn't uncommon for the entire clan to go to bed hungry nowadays. Her stomach growled angrily, but she pressed onward towards the edges of Treeclan, lingering along the border between clan and non-clan territory. Her heart skipped a beat when she heard a shuffling in the woods not but twenty foxlengths past the scent lines on unmarked land. She couldn't scent anything as the winds weren't in her favor, but it sounded like the wings of birds! Rocktail slunk towards the noise, though the closer the got, the more she listened, and the more she listened, the shorter and slower her steps became.

She still pushed forward, until the stench of death hit her nose. Her fur fluffed up nervously, and she became incredibly jumpy. When the scene came into sight, she noticed several vultures picking at a dead carcass.

How unusual to have an uneaten body this time of year?

The scavengers seemed to sense a presence, fluttering noisily off into the trees above, squawking in annoyance and aggravation. Rocktail tiptoed to the carcass, and her chest tightened when she noticed the half-eaten body of a cat no older than ten moons. Dread scuttled up her spine, and guilt drew her deeper into the unknown to dig an unmarked grave for the poor soul. She was grateful to linger out of sight of death, though it was hardly out of mind as her paws worked deeper into the soil. The more she dug though, the more she thought about why the cat died in the first place. What if it was sick? I am not grabbing it in my mouth. She almost vomited at the thought, pausing to take a breath before continuing.

The overwhelming stench of death made her queasy.

The grey and white feline didn't take long to dig the hole, but her pads and claws burned from the hardness of the soil. Rocktail boasted big paws for a she-cat and was quite dexterous with them, but she was at an impasse. How was she going to get the body into the hole? Rocktail stood in thought beside the grave, panting, watching her pallid breath curl and dissipate into the night. I'm not getting anywhere thinking myself in circles. She thought, apprehension slowing her steps towards the corpse. She approached again in disquietude, flinching as the vultures flew off, perhaps angry at the Treeclanner for ruining their meal. Cat's aren't for eating! She felt a spark of anger light her chest. She noticed the cat's tail seemed intact, and although incredibly repulsed, she reached down to grab it. As her mouth opened, she choked on the stench of death.

Honestly, Rocktail was glad she had an empty stomach.

Her teeth closed delicately around the stranger's tail, and she tugged backwards with light, steady pressure. To her horror, the tail had come off the body! Rocktail spat it out and bounced backwards in terror that rapidly faded to dismay.

Don't do it. She told herself, looking around before she nosed closer. Oh Starclan I've got to don't I? The she-cat picked up the tail and dropped it in the grave, going back to the body and pulling at one of the hind paws, laboring to get the carcass in the grave. Finally, after much strife and distress, the she-cat had managed to get the body into the hole and covered it up as quickly as she could. Her skin still prickled with unease as she mounded the dirt.

Quicker than the twitch of a whisker, Rocktail had slipped back to Treeclan territory and left the scene far behind her. A loud shuffle in the undergrowth sent her wheeling towards the nearest water source she could find. No way am I staying back there alone! She sprinted off, not stopping until her paws hit water. The grey and white she-cat washed her paws and rinsed her mouth diligently. She still hadn't found any prey, and her paws ached. She felt a thousand moons old, but knew she needed to notify the clan of her findings sooner rather than later. Rocktail jumped back to dry ground, itching behind her ears subconsciously.

There was no question that she was still on edge. She didn't know that kit, but the face of Leopardpaw, Briarpaw, and the others could have easily been in that young cat's stead.

Judging by the marks in the dead cat's flesh, it was likely a large animal. Perhaps a fox? As a kit, Rocktail's mother told her stories of creatures called wolves, two or three times the size of foxes. The elder's hinted at the existence of creatures called coyotes as well, looking like a mixture between a wolf and a fox, though they traveled in clans.

Rocktail shivered, praying that it was just a one time incident. Praying that it was a leftover fox from the gathering that a Treeclan patrol could put an end to in a heartbeat.

She heard rustling in the undergrowth and whipped around, hackles raised.

"Who's there?" She growled.

Rocktail was unusually on edge tonight, but perhaps within reason.

PAIN INTO POWER

Rocktail

Word Count: 898
Tags: xxx
Notes: xxx

[Abyss]

Finally. A moment away from those foolish cats. Foxfire's tail lashed behind her as she wandered the clan's territory, occasionally catching a brief scent of prey, yet ignoring it and continuing on. She wasn't quite searching for anything in particular, but seemed determined to find something. More than likely, that something was anything that she could use to boost her reputation, which seemed to be her only focus anymore. She hated it, honestly. She was already a good Warrior, yet here she was, her quest to make herself seem like the "perfect Warrior" unending. Sometimes she found herself questioning her father's words. It was a surprise to her, really. He was a knowledgeable and talented cat, despite the clear hate that a majority of the clan showed towards him. What he told her, in reality, was a matter of opinion. But each time he had ever told her something, the more she realized the truth behind his opinions.

If any of them were truly worthy of that position, they would be getting prey for this clan in any way they could, but cats are constantly hungry on a daily basis with the way things are now. She let out a low growl to herself. She would show them. She would show them what a truly capable Lea-

The deep red she-cat's ears perked as the sound of light water splashing filled her ears. It wasn't loud by any means, nor did it sound as though there was a commotion. Something had merely disturbed the surface of the likely freezing cold water. Curious, the fluffy Warrior began pushing herself through the brush off to her left. As she did so, she heard a voice that she recognized.

"Whose there?"

Strange. That voice wasn't typically one that she heard displaying aggression. As Foxfire's head, chest, and front legs emerged from the bushes, she found the dark gray and white figure of Rocktail, one of the younger Warriors. Seeing another member of Treeclan wasn't that odd. What Rocktail was doing by herself and why she was currently so jumpy was another story.

"Rocktail, " she greeted simply, emerging completely from the thicket and approaching the edge of the water, leaning down and taking a few laps at it herself.

Words: 376 | Jet | Notes:
Made by Abyss

[Deleted]

WARRIOR | TREECLAN | 19 MOONS

Her heart skipped a beat when she noticed crimson fur poke through without response, though she cleared her throat and flattened her fur a bit when she noticed it was a cat. She was a cat. Specifically, Foxfire, a warrior older than her, but still in her prime. Rocktail looked at her paws, mildly ashamed of how on edge she was. With another cat around her, she felt confidence seep back into her chest. The ginger she-cat promptly acknowledged Rocktail's existence as she bent down to take a few sips from the water.

Thank Starclan she's drinking upstream. Rocktail thought, holding her tongue for a moment longer.

The grey and white she-cat had begun to realize how chilly it was outside since washing the bottom half of her body in the water, beginning to groom her pelt in an attempt to warm up in the brief silence. She still hadn't caught any prey, and she'd spent twice as long as she wanted to already scouring the territory, though the warrior did feel quite accomplished in a sick, unfortunate kind of way.

Rocktail certainly hated seeing the death of a cat, especially one so young, but she had successfully buried the youth out of reach of the buzzards at least.

She stopped grooming after a few moments and glanced over at Foxfire. Rocktail had regained her composure for the most part, though composure didn't catch prey. Surely that's why Foxfire was out this late as well?

"I take it you're out here trying your luck too?" Rocktail meowed tiredly, flicking some water off of a front paw.

Surely there was no point in bringing up such gruesome topics so early in their interaction? Perhaps she would even wait until she got back to camp to bring it up. I really don't want to go back there until I find some quarry. Rocktail thought, tail flicking uncomfortably. The she-cat's stomach gurgled involuntarily, and mildly embarrassed by it, she quickly followed up with a few more words.

"We might have some luck towards the middle of the territory. That is, if you care to hunt together." She offered, trying to steer clear of the back boundary of Treeclan, the place where she had just buried that sorry soul.

Deep, deep down though, she knew that if she were a piece of prey, uncharted territory would likely be where she would stray.

PAIN INTO POWER

Rocktail

Word Count: 410
Tags: Abyss
Notes: xxx

[Abyss]

As she drank from the stream, cold water rushing down her throat and sending a light chill down her back, her eyes glanced upwards at the other she-cat. She seemed to be by herself, which was odd, especially during Leaf-bare. One shouldn't be alone during the coldest season, considering everything that could happen and having no help available. Granted, she had no room to talk. She had come out here by herself as well, but she had her own reasons for doing so.

Rocktail had began to groom herself, not speaking after her brief greeting. The deep red she-cat involuntarily lashed the end of her tail in the slightest bit of annoyance, but she moved her tail behind her to where this action couldn't be seen. No need to suggest her inner thoughts to this young Warrior. As she finished drinking, her tongue making its way around her jaws to remove any excess water, her gaze fell to the gray and white she-cat once more as she started to speak.

"I take it you're out here trying your luck too?"

It probably wouldn't be the best idea for her to reveal that she had already caught the scent of prey multiple times, but didn't take chase. That was the last thing she needed to tell this cat. "I suppose so." She turned her head, glancing around them. "Though, everything seems to be in hiding."

"We might have some luck towards the middle of the territory. That is, if you care to hunt together."

In all honesty, she had no interest in hunting with another cat. She could hunt perfectly fine by herself. But it would be obviously rude to outright deny the Warrior. There was also the subconscious words of her father that dwindled in the back of her mind. "Build a reputation with the others..."

Foxfire turned, beginning to walk along the river upstream, lifting her tail and flicking the end of it in the direction she was walking. At one point she glanced back towards the dark gray and white she-cat just to see if she was following.

When she noticed that the she-cat wasn't following, she motioned with her tail again. "Coming?" (This is only if Rocktail didn't start following right away. If she did start following, then ignore this xD)

Words: 365 | Jet | Notes:
Made by Abyss

[Deleted]

WARRIOR | TREECLAN | 19 MOONS

Rocktail watched as the crimson she-cat started walking off, unsure if her departure was denial of her suggestion. It wouldn't be the first time a clanmate had left her behind without worry or word. Rocktail pulled herself to her paws, an impassive, gold gaze boring into the ginger warrior's back as Foxfire took her leave. The grey and white she-cat's demeanor was calm and accepting, though deep down, the the jaws of rejection tore at Rocktail's self-image like a pack of wolves.

Well that's just great-

"Coming?" Foxfire questioned, interrupting the youth's thoughts.

Rocktail's ears flicked in confusion. Did the red warrioress actually invite her? The grey spotted cat's gaze darted between the trees behind her for just a blink of time before she followed Foxfire's direction, picking up pace beside her. Despite her proposal being acquiesced, Rocktail didn't feel willing to talk. It is almost as though the she-cat's entity drained the conversation right out of her, even though she hadn't even said a word.

Though sometimes silence was sweeter to the ears. Besides, they were hunting.

Rocktail's senses were searching for even the slightest smell, sight, and sound of prey, her pawsteps lighter than air. After many minutes of walking quietly, she heard a shuffling up ahead. She immediately went to investigate, the scent of rabbit washing over her and making her mouth water. She heard it rustling before her eyes found it, the flashing of a white bobtail making Rocktail's heart skip. Unfortunately, it was within a few feet of a gnarly tangle of brambles. If it made it in there, there would be no hope.

The grey and white warrior glanced at Foxfire, making her way silently around the quarry, hoping to show the older warrior what she could do, or at least send it scurrying right into Foxfire's claws.

It felt like it took hours to fall in behind the small creature, the sharp, thorny bush of brambles making her skin crawl as she slipped through, passing a burrow that smelled of rabbit. Just what she had thought: it would no doubt try to circle back here. The two cats needed to be swift and decisive if this was going to work, with no small amount of skill and luck.

It was a miracle Rocktail was able to get as close as she did to the rabbit without it hearing her, or seeing her for that matter. She had a direct line of sight, watching as the critter busied itself nibbling on some shrubs. When she maneuvered herself into perfect position, she pounced, bursting through the brambles without hesitation. She felt her claws dig into the rabbit's hindquarters as it darted forward, unfortunately with far more intensity than she had accounted for. It squirmed violently. She could feel the bones beneath its fur, sharp as frost on warm pads.

Rocktail sank her teeth in one of hits back legs with bone-crushing strength, feeling the prey's leg audibly crunch. The rabbit squeaked in pain and terror, kicking and flailing as Rocktail hung on trying to pin it down. Its fur was so thick, and the only good hold she had on the rabbit was its hind leg. Her paws tried pushing its haunches to the ground, but the creature had far more fight in it that she had expected.

Regardless, she wasn't going to let go.

I got it! She thought, mildly shocked. At least, part of it. The fear that all she would have to bring back was a rabbits foot made her throat tighten. She harbored a glimpse of hope, hope that Foxfire would leap in and end it before the creature forced its own leg off.

It wasn't a clean catch, but between the two of them, they might just be able to bring back a fresh rabbit for their clan in a time endless cold, where prey was as precious as warmth.

PAIN INTO POWER

Rocktail

Word Count: 667
Tags: Abyss
Notes: Sorry it took so long!!

[Abyss]

After the brief exchange of word, Foxfire had continued to walk forward, not even noticing that Rocktail was following until she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. She remained quiet, though, her eyes constantly looking in every direction for sign of movement, not moving her head though. It was best to avoid moving as much as possible when hunting after all. Didn't want to alert your prey, should there be any.

Just as she glanced back to the other side of the river where Rocktail was walking, she noticed the signs a cat would typically display when they had their sights set on something, usually prey. Perked ears, a tense tail, focused eyes, and a look of almost determination in their step. As much as she hated to admit it to herself, Fox noticed these features in even the most cowardice of the clans. But she knew that this meant that the brown and white Warrior had found something. As Rocktail turned and began to slowly approach where the prey was, Foxfire walked a little bit further, finding a spot to cross the river without getting the cold water on her. But just as she got across the river, she took a few steps forward and then was gone. Out of sight. Her red coat, which would usually stand out against the bright snow, was nowhere to be found.

In truth, she had used her claws to make her way into the nearest tree, walking across the branches and occasionally switching trees. She soon stopped when she found herself on a somewhat low branch that was almost hovering above the brambles. If one looked upwards, they would very clearly see that she was there. But the now-spotted rabbit wouldn't have been smart enough to do something like that. She carefully and quietly climbed down to a somewhat lower branch just as the she-cat accompanying her burst through the brambles, claws digging into the rabbit's hind legs. She watched for a moment, assessing the situation, as well as the choices that Rocktail was making. She had to give props to the younger Warrior, for she wasn't going to let go of the rabbit unless it forced its way from her claws. Still, Fox did not move. She watched. Waited. Just when she saw the rabbit attempt to give one final pull away from the cat, Fox pushed with her back legs away from her perch and down into the brambles. She felt some thorns tug at her fur, a few catching her skin as she descended, but she ignored them. As she landed, her claws outstretched, she landed almost directly on the rabbit, though she did technically miss. But she quickly recovered and smacked her large paw down on the rabbit's head, lashing her head downwards to wrap her jaws around the rabbit's neck. There was a crunch as she bit down, the rabbit's struggling then stopping.

Fox lifted her head and removed her paw from the rabbit's head, some blood beginning to stain the fur around her muzzle. Though, her fur was already a dark shade of red, so the blood didn't seem too much different than any of the darker spots of her coat. Her amber eyes glanced out of their corners over to Rocktail, her tail curling behind her and her claws just barely sheathing.

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Words: 560 | @jet | Notes: