The Heat of Black Embers (Open for Thinny Thin-Thin)

Blackpaw was hunting down a small mouse near the Thunderpath. He dropped low, tail thrashing. Unbeknownst to the mouse, Blackpaw's glaring blue eyes were watching him from the ferns. He then sprang, stance failing. By pure luck, his claws got caught on the mouse's smoky grey fur. He clutched it in his mouth, and began to pad away. Yet his nostrils were filled with the mingling scents of exhaust, and a milky scent.

A newly apprenticed cat walked along the side of the Thunderpath, she gulped. Running across as she did know she was crossing territory. But she had to for...reasons...She really loved practicing her hunting skills and she sometimes crossed territory without knowing until the prey had gotten away or she had killed it. She ignored the Thunderpath though, as she was lucky to not get hit without trying to not get run over, well she tried a little bit but not a lot of work when into it.  


She crouched down, her claws unsheathed and her jaw just waiting to bit down on the flesh of the vole. She slowly walked towards it, being a great hunter was the only thing that had her going on her apprenticeship. She loved voles, they tasted great. But she had to admit that rabbits were better. Getting too far into her thoughts she shook her head, looking back at the voles. Leaping up she pounced onto it with a strong grip and trapping it. She bit down on its next as the sound of fluttering wings bounced through the air. She noticed another cat in the morning fog, she squinted her eyes and smiled as she saw a tom, not willing to fight though.

The much larger apprentice walked to the edge of the Thunderpath. It was docile today, there were no monsters spilling down the asphalt roads. He saw a beautiful calico, obviously from a different clan, and yet he had no intent to attack. The she-cat walked gracefully along the path, and Blackpaw could see the worry in her deep amber eyes. Blackpaw gave her a warm look, before wondering what he was doing. Mouse-brain! She isn't allowed on your territory! Yet he stood completely still.

Emberpaw planned on saying hello but was pretty shy on doing so, she was thinking for a long moment What are you thinking! He's gonna attack you if you're not careful...Stop acting as if he were in your Clan! she thought to herself, a strike of anger hitting at her. She couldn't get her paws to move but she just stepped forwards without a notice, bringing the mouse with her in her small mouth. She dropped it down and looked at the older apprentice "Haha, I uh..." she mewed awkwardly, trying to explain on what had happened and why she was on ThunderClan's territory.

"I understand." Blackpaw interrupted, and though he sounded quite ominous with his deep, warrior-like voice, a sheepish smile played at his muzzle, and he strained to resist stammering. His large appearance and curling tail made for him to look strong, his eyes glinting. "I-I won't tell anyone you're here," he then promised, tone getting quieter, and more embarrassed.

Emberpaw laughed and closed her eyes "You better not, fur ball" she purred with amusement before climbing onto the apprentice like - but not fully warrior sized - cat. She pawed at his head, acting as if nothing had just happened and she forgave him just like that.

Blackpaw let out a forgiving purr, that surprised even him. He allowed the smaller cat to tackle him to the ground, muzzle pressing against hers. His tail swayed, and he forgot about the fact that she was in a different clan. "I won't, I won't!" He laughed, squirming beneath her grasp playfully. His blue orbs shone like stars in the night sky, ruffling his inky black pelt as he rolled around with the WindClan she-cat.

Emberpaw pressed her muzzle on his and smiled, she honestly really started to like this cat. She didn't yet know his name but that was the mystery that she liked about meeting new cats. Not knowing their names was fun because well, they could be anyone! Her whiskers twitched playfully as they 'play-fought'. She hadn't met a lot of cats but right now, she knew that this tom was a good cat and she would meet him again at some point.

Blackpaw pressed his nose to hers, feeling himself warm inside. He placed his paws over hers, eyes shining with happiness and joy. He had never met a cat like her. He brushed his pelt with hers, drinking in her scents as they tussled around playfully. He bat at her ear gently, claws sheathed, yet a playful gleam appeared in his eyes. He pressed his underbelly to hers, her soft coat making him feel comfortable.

Emberpaw giggled and ran off, over near the edge of the Thunderpath. She curled her tail around herself and batted her paw in the air, running up and around playfully.

Blackpaw ran towards the edge as well, not too close, he was careful, and he swiped at Emberpaw's nose with his tail. He giggled and played with a small leaf, feeling like a kit again. He felt energized and refreshed. He was careful that he nor Emberpaw went onto the Thunderpath.

Emberpaw laughed, still feeling the kit side of her. She continued trotting in circles, laughing. After time she did speed up, laughing more. She did want to know who was faster, him or her. But she didn't know his name, she looked up "What's your name?" she asked, a smile on her face as she was still running.

"Blackpaw," Blackpaw replied, pads skimming the edge of the grass that bordered along the Thunderpath. "What's yours?" Blackpaw had begun to like this she-cat, tail waving joyously as he trotted along, finally remaining beside her. He lay his tail neatly in front of his sleek, snowy white paws.

Emberpaw smiled "Emberpaw" she mewed gracefully, speeding up a tiny bit more and going in front of him, a challenging smile across her sweet calico face. She liked the name Blackpaw, it was pretty natural for him due to his fur color - besides his white paws though -. She was going to complent his name but then went for saying something a bit different "Its nice to meet you, Blackpaw. I like your name, it sounds cute and goes well with your look" she purred, she just ended up combining both together instead of saying them apart.

Blackpaw's face lit up bright red, shuffling his paws. "Th-Thank you..." He stammered shyly. He flicked an ear, blinking affectionate blue eyes. "Your name is absolutely beautiful, as well... Like you..." He whispered the last sentence to himself, although possibly a tad too loud. His tawny and white spots irradiated in the bright sunlight, sitting at the edge of the Thunderpath. He enjoyed Emberpaw's company, her spunky, astute personality shining like a light in the midst of darker times.