Blue Skies and Green Grass

Maplecloud padded in from a long day of hunting, and to her amusement, the prey was finally starting to show up again, and things were as they always were. She had caught two birds, a thrush, and a sparrow. She dropped them at the freshkill pile, picking up a small mouse, much more to her liking. She shuttered when she heard pawsteps behind her, she had been jumpy since the great battle with Sleetfang.

Blacktwig turned around, body aching and his leg smarting. He had been hunting as well, and had successfully caught a squirrel and a robin. He looked surprised, but his gaze softened when he saw Maplecloud, who he had grown closer to since Sleetfang's death and the last Gathering. After he leered at the fresh-kill pile, he decided on a small mouse. He sank his fangs into its juicy flesh. He carried it over, and sat down beside Maplecloud. "Uh..." he began in a small voice, "may I join you?" Blacktwig sat anxious and inert, waiting for Maplecloud's reply. For some reason, however, he felt a strange sense of... belonging around her.

"Of course." The she-cat replied. "Of course." Her silver coat sparkled in the sunlight, she could tell that Newleaf ha finally settled in. She took a small bite out of her mouse, then looking to Blacktwig. "You look tired. Have you been taking it easy like I told you to?" The she-cat had begun to really care about the older tom, and he had a nice warm place in her heart.

He took a nibble out of his mouse, then cocked his head at Maplecloud. "Thanks," he credited softly. At her next words, he looked around, then licking his chest fur embarrassedly. "Um, yeah." lied Blacktwig. In fact, he had been taking it far from easy; he had been hunting extra hard as to not seem slacking to the clan.

"You better," She joked. "What'cha been up to lately, hunting?" She asked politely, her voice joking, but still seeking. She sure hoped he wasn't taking to many responsibilities on himself. She knew Darkstar wouldn't mind if he took a break. Prey was starting to fall right into their paws anyway.

"Mhm, pretty much," said Blacktwig. He wondered if he actually should take a break. His leg was in barely any state to do anything. "Are you sure Darkstar wouldn't mind?" the older tom suddenly queried. He did look fatigued.

"She wouldn't mind at all. You need the rest. All this hard work is starting to show. You only get one body, so you need to take care of it." She took another bite from the mouse, pushing the rest of it over to the side. She licked her paw and brought it over her ear. If she knew Darkstar well enough, she would let him take a break. "I mean, I can ask if it would make you feel better?" She cocked her head to the side, she'd do just about anything at this point.

"Perhaps..." dripped Blacktwig in a slow purl. He glanced around, turning away when his eyes fixed on the resplendent sun. "Fine. But I won't slack off completely." he mewed. Blacktwig felt guilty for giving in to relaxation, but he could already feel the sores on his body protesting. He knelt over his mouse, taking another bite, then looked back up at Maplecloud.

"It's not slacking off, ya know. It's doing what you need to care for yourself. Don't worry, Darkstar won't even notice. I'll work extra hard to cover for ya." She met his gaze, realizing they had the same eye shade. Except his were prettier."You deserve it." She remarked, eyes following his to the bright sun, that was actually beginning to set. When she realized Blacktwig was actually looking at her, her fur rose slightly, her cheek and pelt turning hot. She met his gaze once more, smiling.

"Ah, thank you!" Blacktwig felt a clashing urge to nuzzle her for this, but he didn't, seeing as they were... just friends...? "Well..." chuckled Blacktwig, "I'm still useful for a hunt or two. That being said..." he trailed off, looking around. "It's a nice day. We can go on a walk, maybe hunt something..." Blacktwig noticed his request sounded a tad awkward, so he gave a little smile to compensate.

"Of course!"She followed after Blacktwig, returning the smile gratefully. She followed him to the camp entrance, padding her way into the beautiful territory."Where to?"

Blacktwig slowed his gait to a relaxed wander. "I... I'm not sure." he said, masking his embarrassment around the she-cat. What? Embarrassment!? She's just a friend, right? Blacktwig thought with disbelief. As he looked around, he recognized the territory at this time most from his kithood, and he was surprised at how much he'd mellowed. For the oddest reason, his mind flitted to having more kits of his own, and he nearly froze. I... uh... well, okay. I'll just keep going. Blacktwig felt his pelt grow hot as he fell in beside Maplecloud. "We can go anywhere you want," he offered, a purr mounting in his throat.

ooc;; I've never rped him so awkward XD

"Maybe we could," She thought, she really had no idea where she wanted to go."We could patrol the Thunderpath, then maybe do some hunting?" She suggested, the corner of her mouth pulling up into a smile. "As long as your up for it, I mean." She didn't want Blacktwig to overwork himself, that would stop him from doing anything. But why did it matter so much? She was always hovering over him, what was wrong with her? She had always been so independent, such a lonely cat. But when she was around Blacktwig, everything was just... better.

"Sounds good to me," purred Blacktwig, but upon noticing the sweetness in his voice as he spoke to her, he nearly stopped mid-sentence. What is going on? I... um, it's fine. I'm just returning the favour, since she's so... nice and... pretty... thought Blacktwig. Pretty?! What am I saying?! Well... it is true... he stopped his train of thought, but the happiness he was feeling was so strong right now.

ooc;; do you want me to make the Thunderpath topic?

OOC: Yee, sure

"Alrighty then, lets get going." She replied. It seems like she wasn't the only one that had a strange feeling when they were together. When she brushed against Blacktwigs pelt, it was as hot as her own. Something was definitely going on.