Golden Clouds[C]

Gender: Male
Rank: Apprentice

("Feral Language")
("Forest Language")

Wigglepaw trotted after the rest of the patrol, his dark eyes flitting back and forth as he scanned the undergrowth for prey. He couldn't find anything though, and his anxiety seemed to heighten as Cloudychase caught and thrush. Then, Goldenfern caught a squirrel, and he could feel his heart pounding in his chest and his blood raging in his ears. He was the only one who hadn't caught something yet and with every passing moment, his worry grew. Cloudychase would be so upset with him if he failed once again. The moment Cloudychase laid his eyes on Wigglepaw, the tantalizing scent of a rabbit caught his attention - much to Wigglepaw's relief.

The young apprentice glanced awkwardly at the two warriors before splitting off in search of the fluffy-tailed creature. Rabbits, unlike hares, had more meat on their bones and were more common the forests of Thunderclan's territory. He had learned that to catch a rabbit, he would need to be quick and very quiet. Despite having never attempted it before, he desperately yearned for his mentor's affection. Anything, even a nod of approval would make the effort worthwhile.

With his ears pricked, Wigglepaw crept after the scent, edging closer and closer to his quarry. His legs trembled slightly as the scent grew stronger. The rabbit, a brown creature with a fluffy white tail, came into view and Wigglepaw tried to remember his training as he slunk around a flowering bush. It was a risk, but one he had to take! Though, just like his first attempt at hunting, Wigglepaw's nerves got the better of him. His paws seemed suddenly much too large for his body and his legs so long and gangly. Regardless, Wigglepaw pressed on and just as he got close enough to strike, the wind shifted, taking his scent right to the rabbit.

There was no time to lose! The spotted tom sprang forward and raced after the rabbit, but he'd hesitated a moment too long. Within seconds, the rabbit vanished into a burrow and Wigglepaw tried to squeeze in after it. He stretched his claws, reaching further into the burrow, but the rabbit was gone, and he was too big to fit. With a frustrated, guttural hiss, Wigglepaw whirled back around and made his way back to the rest of the hunting patrol, the fur along his back bristling with disappointment.

He should have ignored the rabbit and looked for easier prey - something he had actually had practice hunting. Now, all he had succeeded in was making a fool of himself. "It gotted away." He scuffed one paw awkwardly into the leaf litter, his eyes cast downward. Cloudychase would surely have something to say about his failure - he deserved it - what kind of cat was so horrible at hunting?

Gender: Male
Rank: Apprentice

("Feral Language")
("Forest Language")

Wigglepaw averted his gaze, nodding slowly as Cloudychase reprimanded him. The white warrior was right - he had made a mistake by hesitating, and it had cost the clan a huge rabbit. If he had simply done better or even let one of the more experienced cats handle it, the queens would've eaten well today. The young tom furrowed his brows as Goldenfern spoke and lifted his head to stare incredulously at the older she-cat. She'd just cut off Cloudychase! One look at his mentor made it clear how upset he was at being interrupted. Uncertain, he smiled back at Goldenfern, but not wanting to draw Cloudychase's ire more than he already had, Wigglepaw dipped his head humbly. "Is okay Goldenfern. C-Cloudychase is right. Will try to do better." He had to do better. Thunderclan depended on it.

He glanced over at his mentor, hoping for any sign of approval, but was distracted as Goldenfern began speaking again. He followed her gaze to the shape of a nearby mouse huddled beneath the leaves and opened his jaws to let the scent flow over his tongue. Was this a good idea? Wouldn't one of them have better luck catching a mouse? Regardless, she had asked him to try, and he couldn't refuse a direct order from a warrior. "Okay. Will not let down." With a nod, Wigglepaw turned away, his pelt prickling self-consciously from the weight of Cloudychase's gaze on his back.

Taking deep, steadying breaths, Wigglepaw lowered himself to a crouch. His paws and legs were still a little too long and big, but he would grow into them someday - for now, he just had to try his best. The white warrior didn't have much faith in him, but why would he? He'd done nothing but fail so far and had done little to prove himself to his mentor. Mottlestar hadn't apprenticed him to Cloudychase on a whim - she knew what she was doing...he was certain. He needed Cloudychase to be a good warrior, Cloudychase was stern, yes, but it was necessary! Goldenfern didn't know what she was talking about. Mistakes got cats killed and forced clans to go hungry.

Regardless, Wigglepaw was being given another chance to right his mistake and he wasn't about to pass it up! Paws light on the earth, the dusky brown tom crept toward the mouse, careful to stay downwind this time. Wigglepaw froze, uncertain, but pressed on, knowing how angry Cloudychase would be if he messed up again. Claws digging into the soil, Wigglepaw pushed off, shooting toward the mouse. His paws closed around the rodent, and everything seemed to fall into place with ease as the apprentice bit down on the mouse's neck.

Warm blood hit his tongue and Wigglepaw fought to restrain himself from devouring the mouse then and there. Trembling slightly with excitement, he got to his paws and padded back to the two warriors, the mouse dangling in his jaws. With a purr, Wigglepaw set his kill down at Cloudychase's paws, his dark eyes glimmering. "Cloudychase! Did you see that! I caught a mouse! It was-" Wigglepaw stiffened, suddenly realizing that he'd accidentally slipped into the feral tongue. Laughing awkwardly, the apprentice cleared his throat before continuing. "Erm...caught a mouse! Did see?" He blinked up at Cloudychase, hopeful.

Gender: Male
Rank: Apprentice

("Feral Language")
("Forest Language")

Wigglepaw's tail lifted slightly, the pause making him hopeful that Cloudychase had something good to say. Then, he looked at Goldenfern and took in her shocked expression. The spotted apprentice hardly got a moment to register that he was in trouble before Cloudychase opened his jaws, furious. Fur on end, Wigglepaw backed away from the quickly advancing warrior, muttering frantic apologies in an attempt to appease his mentor. It was no use though. Cloudychase was angrier than a fox. Grasping as twigs, Wigglepaw planted his paws, expression placating.

"Y-Yes! W-Will get m-" Cloudychase's claws caught the mid-day light and Wigglepaw froze. He blinked and, in that time, the white tom lashed out, two of his claws nicking his ear. A warm, burning sensation radiated from the apprentice's ear, followed by a slow, steady stream of blood. Wigglepaw stared at Cloudychase, shaking slightly with both shock and fear. What had just happened? Even when he play-fought with his littermates, it never hurt like this. He wanted to say something - do something - but his paws wouldn't move and he couldn't force his jaws apart. Somehow - he wasn't sure how - but somehow, this was his fault.

Wigglepaw watched Cloudychase's retreating back, tail-tip twitching. Finally, when the older tom was out of sight, his heart seemed to start beating again and he stumbled slightly before turning to look at Goldenfern. She had just witnessed all of that. His pelt burned with embarrassment and as she moved closer, he backed away. She didn't seem upset like Cloudychase, but he didn't want his other ear to match the left one.

Swallowing, the brown apprentice averted his gaze before shaking his head aggressively, trying to get rid of the odd sensation of blood trickling into his ear. Droplets of blood spattered to the ground and Wigglepaw fought not to stare at the bright red substance. "Am okay...Cloudychase is good mentor." He hesitated for a moment, considering Goldenfern's proposal. As much as he wanted to take her offer for assistance, he knew that if Cloudychase found out, he would be in even bigger trouble than he already was.

"Can catch more." He could do it - he would catch more than any other cat in the history of Thunderclan! With a firm nod to himself, Wigglepaw spun around and padded in the opposite direction of Cloudychase. If he was going to catch more prey, they had to be spread out. Before long, the scent of a healthy squirrel caught his attention and Wigglepaw zeroed in on the tree-dwelling creature with narrowed eyes.

With adrenaline still pumping through his veins, Wigglepaw closed in on the squirrel until he was within pouncing distance. Heart pounding in his still-stinging ears. He couldn't afford to mess up again - Cloudychase would be even more disappointed in him. Finally, when the squirrel began snuffling through the leaves once more, he kicked off and, this time, it came easier to him. One paw slammed down on the squirrel's back and, without hesitating, Wigglepaw sank his teeth into its neck.

Wigglepaw shook his head once more, grimacing at the stinging sensation in his ear. Cloudychase obviously hadn't meant to hurt him - he probably hadn't even realized that his claws had been unsheathed. Yes - that was it. Once he saw what he'd done, he would surely apologize. With that thought in mind, Wigglepaw dropped his catch at the base of a tree, kicked some leaves over it, and turned away to search for more prey. Cloudychase was right - he needed to catch a lot to make up for what he ate.

Gender: Male
Rank: Apprentice

("Feral Language")
("Forest Language")

Wigglepaw looked up abruptly at the sound of Goldenfern's voice, his tail-tip twitching slightly with discomfort. He had already failed Cloudychase twice today, accepting the she-cat's help would only make things worse. Thankfully, though, as she continued to speak, the brown apprentice realized that she was just offering some tips. His dark eyes narrowed uncertainly, but with Cloudychase gone for the moment, surely no harm would come from listening to what she had to say.

Dipping his head, Wigglepaw committed Goldenfern's advice to memory. "Stalk like Thunderclan? Okay...my thanks, Goldenfern." His voice was soft, so as not to attract Cloudychase's attention and, with little else to say, the apprentice lifted his muzzle, trying to pinpoint more prey. The undergrowth was quiet; however, any nearby prey likely having been scared into hiding already. He couldn't give up though! Cloudychase and the rest of the clan was counting on him!

Inhaling deeply, Wigglepaw finally caught a whiff of what seemed to be vole - and several of them at that. His whiskers twitching, Wigglepaw shot a thoughtful glance back toward Goldenfern. He wasn't talented enough to flush out an entire nest of voles on his own, but with her help, they might just be able to get the job done and bring home enough prey for everyone!

Gesturing in the direction of the scent trail, Wigglepaw turned to fully face the golden warrior, his gaze on the ground. "Lots of prey Goldenfern. Is okay if hunt together?" Yet again, the young tom found himself hesitating to ask for assistance. Though, it was once of those scenarios where he might get in trouble either way. Though, Wigglepaw liked to think that Cloudychase was just trying to prepare him for the tough life of a fully grown warrior.

Gender: Male
Rank: Apprentice

("Feral Language")
("Forest Language")

He watched carefully as Goldenfern seemed to think about his offer. He hadn't really asked for her help, he'd just done what any sane cat would do when there were a bunch of voles around. It made no sense for one cat to try to catch them all alone, but with two of them, they might just get the job done! Besides, Goldenfern seemed to like his idea and he cracked a small smile. What a relief, he wouldn't know what to do with himself had she turned him down.

Wigglepaw's smile faded as he noticed Goldenfern's hesitation, however. What had he done to make her wary of him? Then, she strode forward, hesitation gone, and his shoulders relaxed. He'd probably just been imagining it. Cloudychase had him a little on edge, that was all. Humming, Wigglepaw gestured in the direction he had scented the voles and checked the air to make sure they hadn't left. One, two, three...four? It was hard to differentiate one vole from another, but what he could tell, was that there was a whole nest of them to catch!

"Smell buncha voles that way." He angled his ears toward the den of rodents, hoping Goldenfern would confirm his suspicions. "Goldenfern, sneak up on burrow...er...scare 'em out, yeah?" He craned his neck to peer over the undergrowth and spotted a small, dark hole in the ground. That must be where the voles were hiding. "Will be behind burrow to catch what Goldenfern misses?" He scuffed his paws awkwardly, waiting for her to say something.