a tangle of branches [closed for grizz]

Cedarheart had been hunting on her own, practicing a bit. She was tired, her and Smallbean’s meetings had caused that, but she needed to provide. Especially now with more elders in the clan, one of which was her father. She wanted to make sure everyone was well cared for. Suddenly, a squirrel ran across the road, and the warrior started to stalk it. But it sprinted away, and she heard a noise, the tread of paw steps. Whipping around, she spotted an unfamiliar cat, one that stank with the stench of frogs and the marsh. She must’ve came over from the Thunderpath, as that was where Shadowclan was. ”Hey, get off the territory!” She was willing to give Tanglerose a chance to flee before attacking. But if the unfamiliar she-cat didn’t, Cedarheart wasn’t opposed to fighting, It was Thunderclan’s their territory after all.

Tanglerose scuffed the ground with her paw as the squirrel escaped her, grumbling angrily. So close, yet so far from her meal. The sound of a new voice made her jump in surprise, giving her two good seconds of panic before she made her decision. "Don't tell me what to do, mousefodder," she snarled. The warrior walked halfway off into the shadows, waiting for Cedarheart's guard to drop by a hair. She twisted around, yowling as she lunged for the ThunderClan warrior, slamming her into the ground before leaping up to her paws. "All you nutty squirrel-chasers are so nosy."

Tanglerose used Shadowed Ambush. [9 HP] [15 SP]

Tanglerose
45/45 HP
145/160 SP (-15)

Cedarheart
51/60 HP (-9)
200/200 SP

Cedarheart tensed as Tanglerose concealed herself, eyes flirting back and forth nervously. And suddenly, with a yowl and a leaping warrior, the she-cat had been knocked to the ground. ”Squirrel-chasers?” she scoffed, getting mad at what seemed to be some sort of insult. ”At least us Thunderclan cats aren’t too afraid to come out from the shadows.” she hissed back. Insults rattled her to the core, she hated her clan being mocked, especially by some Shadowclan she-cat. Swiftly, without notice, she slid under Tanglerose’s stomach and turned to slash at the soft underbelly before sliding out. Waiting for a counterattack, she dropped into a defensive crouch.

Cedarheart used Half-Turn Belly Rake, dealing 13 damage and costing 20 stamina.

Cedarheart
51/60 HP
180/200 (-20) SP

Tanglerose
32/45 (-14) HP
145/160 SP

Tanglerose yowled as the ThunderClan she-cat caught her stomach, leaving her no time to step back and avoid the barrage of claws. She got a sickened feeling in her stomach, as if she may have bitten off more than she could chew. Up close, now, the brown tabby seemed much larger than she anticipated.

That was no reason to back down so easily. The ShadowClan warrior reared up, stumbling backwards a bit. She brought two paws down over Cedarheart's head, drawing blood from between her opponent's ears. She backed up defensively, quickly scooting against a tree to defend her flanks and think of her next move. "You self-righteous kits," she huffed. "You're awfully proud to be led by a cat who can't even climb a rock. When he drops dead, you better pray that feeble she-cat has a bone of leadership in her body. Personally, I don't buy it."

Tanglerose used Rear-Up To Slash. [11 HP] [15 SP]

Tanglerose
32/45 HP
130/160 SP (-15)

Cedarheart
40/60 HP (-11)
180/200 SP

Cedarheart let out a low groan as her opponent struck at her head. Even after many moons of battles and trainings, attacks didn’t hurt any less. Now, she was already mad enough to fuel herself through the fight. But what Tanglerose said next struck a nerve with her. Her eyes narrowed. Oakstar had done so much for her clan, and so had Nettlefire. Leaping at Tanglerose, she pinned the she-cat to the ground.

”Don’t you dare insult Oakstar or Nettlefire. Oakstar is as fantastic leader, greater than any sort of leader you could be. And he’s still going at old age. That’s not bad, that’s just showing he actually cares about his clan. And he came from Shadowclan. If he can still be remotely decent after that, he’s accomplished something. And Nettlefire is more than a capable deputy.” she hissed, emerald eyes staring into the Shaowclanner’s.

Cedarheart used Leap and Hold, dealing 11 damage and costing 10 stamina.

Tanglerose
21/45 (-11) HP
130/160 SP

Cedarheart
40/60 HP
170/200 (-10) SP