danger, danger [c]

Through Leafbare, the nights had been quiet and cold. Since the first signs of Newleaf, however, the crickets had returned, the owls were more active, and night time in general held an allure that Sunpaw just couldn't seem to shake. Despite his light colored coat being a disadvantage in the dark, Sunpaw liked being out at night... it was quiet, and desolate, and deliberate. You didn't run into others nearly as much. And that's why Sunpaw had chosen darkness - and this night, specifically - for this adventure... because tonight, there was no moon, and the sky was covered in dark clouds that gave perfect cover. Slipping into the apprentices' den, Sunpaw weaved around and through the nests until he found the cat he was looking for: Juniperpaw. Gently, he tapped her with a paw, leaning in to whisper. "Juniperpaw... wake up. We gotta go."

There was one fox remaining, and Sunpaw thought he knew where it was hiding. Tonight, he and Juniperpaw would bring it down, and rid SkyClan's territory of the beast for good. As he waited for Juniperpaw to stir, his eyes flicked over to his sisters, curled beside each other not far off. Part of him wanted to rouse them, too, and bring them along... but he had a purpose tonight. He wanted the glory of killing that fox and dragging its bloodied pelt back to SkyClan. And if things went right, well... maybe he could impress Juniperpaw along the way.

Sitting back on his haunches, Sunpaw rolled his eyes down at Juniper, flicking one ear back in annoyance. Why did she have to be so slow and second guess everything? They were going to have a good time tonight... an unforgettable time, in fact. Not just for them, for everyone. When they brought that fox back to camp, it would be legendary.

"Yes, I'm sure," he hissed at her under his breath. "Now hurry, before we wake someone else up."

Sunpaw glanced around, making sure none of the other apprentices seemed to be waking, but so far, they were in the clear. Once Juniperpaw was up and about, he nudged her towards the entrance of the den and then slipped out into the darkness of the camp at her side. He paused there, eyes sweeping the clearing, his breath frosting in the air between them as he lowered his head to speak to her. "Okay, follow me."

For days now, Sunpaw had been clearing a tiny but useable path through the barrier branches that protected SkyClan's camp, and the loud alarm system outside it. It was small enough for the two apprentices to squeeze through - provided they didn't mind a few bramble scratches - and as he led her first through there, then around the sticks he'd moved as well, to make their way unannounced, he practically held his breath. "Walk exactly where I do," he breathed. "If you step off the path I cleared, everyone will hear us." It was dark, but Sunpaw had memorized the escape route specifically for this purpose, and he hoped that Juniper was skilled enough to at least follow his lead.

Eventually, they were clear, and he let out a sigh of relief, turning back to wait for his companion to meet him. "This way," he instructed, and then took off at a slow lope in the same direction they'd fought the last fox.

Thankfully there was no more naysaying or complaining on the way there, and the quiet was welcome. Sunpaw didn't want the fox to hear them coming - or, anything else for that matter. Together, they picked their way through the brush, with careful calculation... making as little noise as possible. Until, that was, Juniperpaw opened her mouth to point something out. He snapped his head sideways to growl a quick, "Be quiet!" but the damage had been done... and as Juniperpaw's gaze widened, he followed it to see what exactly she was gawking at.

A low growl sounded from the treeline, and Sunpaw's ears instantly slicked back at the russet creature that stepped out of the shadows before them. It occurred to him then, that the fox had been ready.. There was no way Juniperpaw's words had woken it, or drawn it out... not when it was so close, already without them even having heard it. In fact, if she hadn't seen something, and alerted him, they probably would have walked right ahead, into the ambush.

It had been hunting them this whole time.

Adrenaline quickened his heart, and blood pounded in his ears as his body prepared for the fight. This fox looked... bigger than the other one they'd fought. Or perhaps not quite as ragged, since some time had passed since the incident in camp. This one had had time to heal and recuperate. Without taking his eyes away from the fox, Sunpaw moved forward diagonally, placing himself in between it, and Juniperpaw. They stared at each other, yellow eyes on yellow eyes, neither moving.

"Follow my lead," he said lowly. "I'll distract it. You go from behind."

Fearless, Sunpaw narrowed his gaze. His nostrils flared, his tail lashed, and then, as the fox swapped its gaze from him, to Juniperpaw for the briefest of moments, Sunpaw charged. He barreled forward, and mid-run, leaped forward at the fox who by now had turned its attentions back to the dappled apprentice. Sunpaw slammed into it from a sideways angle, his claws catching it on the side of the neck and latching on. He was bigger now, and though he was more powerful he was also heavier, and unable to keep himself atop the fox the same way he had the first time. He clung to its side, raking and biting as it thrashed in a half-circle, trying to buck him off.

Sunpaw used Jumping Strike on the Fox, dealing 9 damage at the cost of 7 stamina.

Fox
51/60 HP (-9)
180/180 SP

Sunpaw
20/20 HP
53/60 SP

Juniperpaw
20/20 HP
60/60 SP

The fox had been surprised by the larger of the snack-sized cats' brazen attack, but that surprise quickly turned to anger as she felt claws set in her flesh. Thrashing around, she managed to dislodge the dappled yellow tom, sending him to his side in the grass. The fox snarled, shaking her head, and licking her lips as she advanced on him, jaws open, slavering.

That's when the other cat made contact, and the fox let out a yelp as teeth met in her collarbone. Instinctively, she whipped her head around, feeling jaws close around fur and flesh. This cat was smaller, lighter... easier to crunch. The fox bit down hard, shaking her head back and forth and whipping the she-cat around.

Fox used Thrash on Juniperpaw, dealing 10 damage at the cost of 15 stamina. Juniperpaw is stunned for 2 turns.

As the fox bucked and kicked him away, Sunpaw hit the ground with a thud. The wind was knocked out of his lungs, and in the brief moment it took him to recover, the fox turned on him. He saw open jaws, dripping saliva... Sunpaw slicked back his ears and hissed, unafraid... and then Juniperpaw came out of nowhere. He watched, face dropping in horror as the fox turned away from him, and snapped its jaws around her. Instantly, blood permeated the air, and, galvanized into action, he rolled to his paws.

Leaping forward, Sunpaw set his teeth into whatever flesh he could find, desperate to free Juniperpaw.

Sunpaw used Snap on the Fox, dealing 6 damage at the cost of 7 stamina.

Fox
39/60 HP (-6)
180/180 SP

Sunpaw
20/20 HP
46/60 SP (-7)

Juniperpaw
10/20 HP (-10)
60/60 SP

The member 'JJ' has done the following action : Dice roll

---

'Effect Dice' : 6

His attacks worked - the fox shook Juniperpaw a final time and then released her to fall in a heap of creamy fur like she was nothing. Before the creature could advance, he'd blocked its path, every hair on end, his eyes wide and furious. Fight me, you heartless beast. I'm the threat.

Sunpaw spared a split-second glance over his shoulder, desperate to see the rise and fall of her chest, to prove to him that she still drew breath, but the fox was upon him in an instant, finally deciding that he was more interesting than Juniperpaw. They battled it out practically on top of her limp form, Sunpaw holding the fox back with well aimed strikes and swipes. But it wasn't enough... this fox was more than enough of an opponent for the two of them. He'd been a fool to suggest they could take it on their own.

Almost as if sensing this sudden realization - that its victory was imminent - the fox backed off. Sunpaw stood a tail-length away from his companion, chest heaving, heart racing, his head hanging low between his shoulders. His legs trembled, and several torn and broken claws thumped dully with pain. The fox prowled back and forth, just out of reach, searching for an opening. Sunpaw never took his eyes off it, his expression a mixture of righteous fury and determination. The tom shivered. The fox barked and yipped at him, and it sounded almost like a laugh. The mottled yellow apprentice hissed a defiant challenge, and then, as the fox paused to observe him for another moment, he said quietly. "Forgive me, Juniperpaw."

Then he sprinted forward, yowling. The fox rushed in to meet his charge, and they clashed. The beast was significantly larger, but Sunpaw was more agile - as he felt its jaws close around his midsection, he twisted and writhed, nearly freeing himself. But escape wasn't his goal here... escape wouldn't make the fox leave. Pain burned where the fox's teeth gnashed, but he ignored it, twisting until he had a clear view of his target. For a moment, as he adjusted, the only thing holding him airborne was the beast's teeth... but then he set his tattered claws into either side of the fox's face, opened his jaws wide, and plunged his fangs into the fox's eye.

Its shrill screech echoed, deafeningly, in the small clearing, and the fox thrashed its head in a manic frenzy as it attempted to tear him to shreds. It no longer wanted to kill Juniper, that was for certain.

Sunpaw used Leap and Hold on the fox, dealing 6 damage at the cost of 15 stamina. Fox is stunned for 1 turn.

Fox
33/60 HP (-6)
180/180 SP

Sunpaw
20/20 HP
31/60 SP (-15)

Juniperpaw
10/20 HP
60/60 SP

[Fox is stunned for this turn.]

The member 'JJ' has done the following action : Dice roll

---

'Effect Dice' : 1

Thornstalker had caught hint of the apprentices sneaking out as she stepped out of the warriors den. It was a small glimpse, just a tiny one but enough to pull the warrior from her tired haze. Blue eyes blinked a couple times trying to make sure she saw everything correctly. Juniperpaw.. and Sunpaw? Right? She stepped over to where the two cats were, and their scents made it clear.. Just what were they doing?

The small warrior followed their scent, keeping a decent pace, hoping that they were just hunting and nothing else, but when she heard the snarls and growls of a fight in the distance. Quickly the warrior gave up on following the scent and broke out into a sprint directly towards the sound. Once the orange fur came into view with Sunpaw clinging to its form, blue eyes narrowed into slits. She didn't see Juniperpaw right away, but right now the Fox was a bigger threat. Thornstalker used her momentum to bound off the side of a tree and tackle the creature to the ground.

Thornstalker used Jumping Strike dealing 8 damage, -7 SP

Fox:
25/60 HP
180/180 SP

Sunpaw:
20/20 HP
31/60 SP

Juniperpaw:
10/20 HP
60/60 SP

Thornstalker:
50/50 HP
113/120 SP[/b]