Getting Into Shape (OPEN PATROL)

Smokeface blinked sleep away as he crawled out of the unfamiliar make-shift den he was now sleeping in as an outcome of the blasted flood. He shook his fur of cold water from the rain and yawned. He had been mostly lazy lately, and he needed to get back into shape, despite he utter wish to not do it. The smoky tom trotted towards the exit, hoping that a quick patrol to see how the territory was after the flood would be helpful to the deputy.

Fracturedpaw had seen Smokeface rise from his den, and just like any other eager apprentice, he jumped to his paws and trotted after him. "Smokeface!" He called to his mentor, "going on a patrol?" He called, all while trying to not slip on the mossy rocks. The young tom was desperate to get out of the crowed make-shift camp.

Shellpaw bounced out of the apprentices' den, eager to start training. She found her mentor at the new camp's entrance- getting ready for a patrol, she supposed. "Here and ready for a patrol, Smokeface!" her clear, happy voice bubbled over with enthusiasm.

"I'll come too," Tawnystorm said with a slight grumble. She'd been awfully distraught since Crowclaw's death, but she tried not to let it show. Maybe a patrol would help get her mind off it - it would be useful to the Clan, and maybe she could sort things out with Smokeface. "We'll go check out the damage that's been done."

"Y-yeah, sure." she agreed with the older warrior awkwardly, then flicked his tail towards his two apprentices and led them to out towards the territory. The ground was muddy and puddles were formed eveyrwhere, water brushing the belly of the patrolling cats. "Remember to keep closer to the root of larger trees. They absorbe the water and the ground will be more stable." he explained as he walked, turning especially to Shellpaw, which he knew to be more excitable and young.

"Wait, wait!" Fallowpaw yowled, as she scrambled up to Smokeface. She wore a sheepish grin when she was face-to-face with the grey tomcat. "Sorry, uh, i-is it too late to join?" The apprentice stammered awkwardly, craning her neck to give her chest a few nervous and vigorous licks.

Shellpaw nodded, having to fairly jump around the territory to walk and not swim. She couldn't swim well enough yet. Her mottled paws squelched in the mud, making her giggle a little, but she followed Smokeface and the others without geyting too sidetracked.

"Fine, but be careful." Tawnystorm turned to Fallowpaw, knowing how excitable she could be.

(mobile and stuff)

Fallowpaw nodded more calmly than usual, skipping ahead of Tawnystorm excitedly. Luckily, she could contain most of her excitement this time.

Fracturedpaw glanced back, fearing a familiar voice. A smile appeared across his muzzle, overjoyed to see that Fallowpaw would be joining the patrol. "Hey, Fallowpaw!" He called, alerting her of his presence.

Smokeface smiled and snorted at the greeting apprentices. "Stay alert. If a fox's den got flood nearby, it will probably be looking for a new one." he said and kept his eyes around himself, looking for the best places to put his paws, so he won't get dirty or slip.

Shellpaw nodded, brown eyes wide open. A fox? Those were really dangerous. Her mother Brightstream had told her that two RiverClan warriors, Halfmoon and Reedfang, had been killed by a fox on a patrol. She moved inbetween Fracturedpaw and Smokeface, suddenly a little, tiny bit terrified.

Fallowpaw smiled and purred at the sight of Fracturedpaw, nodding to the black-and-brown tom who made her even more jolly to join the patrol. She joined him, padding forwards happily, with her tail high and waving. It drooped to the ground when she heard Smokeface's warning. "No.. Not a fox!" Fallowpaw pleaded, fur prickling fearfully.

"Yes, a fox." Tawnystorm nodded, remembering that day when she'd been attacked by one on a patrol. Reedfang and Halfmoon had been killed by it. "They aren't fun to fight, believe me."

Fallowpaw nodded hastily, pawsteps silent so she couldn't alert said fox. If it was even there. She was alert, anyways.