Together as Warriors (For RainyHeart)

Finchstream's golden eyes flicked intently as she slowly fell into a crouch and crept around the other side of the red-chested bird, shifting her gaze between her friend and the creature to see what would happen next.  In a flash Nutfur pounced, but the silver tabby she-cat couldn't quite see what was happening from the angle she was at.  Standing up, she yowled; "Did you catch it?"  In case her friend called for help though, her paws remained light and ready to attack.

The bird had dodged Nutfur's claws just in time, but she refused to be discouraged. She lunged forward and bit into its wing bone like how she would bite into a fish's back. Now constricted from moving far, the robin flailed wildly and tried to escape. The warrior's claws swiped for its neck, trying to land a lucky killing blow, but its constant movement made that impossible. Determinedly, she held on and kept trying. At Finchstream's words, she realized that her friend would be needed for this catch to work out. Without unclenching her teethe, she tried to yell 'Help please!', but it came out as "Helth pleave!

(occ: feel free to have Nut question this C;)

With a small rumbling growl, Finchstream launched forward on quick paws and with one sharp swipe, knocked the robin from her friend's jaws and onto the ground, stunning it.  Quickly, the petite she-cat tried to crack the bird's spine between her teeth, but to her shock the winged creature's bones seemed to be a lot stronger than a fish's.  Her stomach churning apprehensively, she screwed her golden eyes shut tight and sunk her teeth into the robin's throat, the metallic tang of it's still warm blood on her tongue triggering a wave of nausea.  Once it was dead, she pulled back quickly and bounded over to the river wordlessly.  Lowering her muzzle into the water, she feigning the action of drinking and washing soft down feathers from her face while she really was just trying not to hurl.  It's my own fault...I suggested hunting land prey, what did I expect?  The all too familiar feeling of shame burned in her chest as Finchstream grabbed up her two fish and turned back towards Nutfur, her gaze fleeting.  "That um...this seems like a good haul for today, why don't we head back?"  Her heart pounding, the silver tabby warrior turned her paws back in the direction of the camp, her eyes burning with the effort of holding back tears.  You're such a coward...

Nutfur grinned as Finchstream swiped the bird out of the air and tried to bite into its spine, just as she would have done. However, she was quick to notice that her friend's technique wasn't quite working. Before she could say anything, the other warrior figured it out herself and bit into its neck, instantly killing the robin. As she was about the congratulate her, the other she-cat was racing away towards the river. Confused and concerned, the chestnut warrior followed after her, sitting down upon reaching the river. Though at first it seemed like she was just drinking, or maybe washing her face, there was obviously something else she was doing that she couldn't quite put a name to. As her friend rose and suggested heading back, she nodded and padded over to her fish. However, she paused before picking them up.
"Are you okay, Finchstream? You just seem a little on edge." She hoped she wasn't going to make Finchstream uncomfortable, but she really was concerned. Picking up her fish, she padded after her.

Finchstream stopped walking, the fur along her spine and neck prickling as tension coursed through her body; she wasn't surprised that her friend was asking curious questions after that odd display.  She turned her head slightly, so that Nutfur could see her face, but the silver tabby warrior didn't meet her gaze.  Her mind raced, panicked...but also strangely calm.  She contemplated, why didn't she just tell her friend about her problems?  She knew deep in her heart that Nutfur wouldn't judge her for her fears, she was too good and loyal a friend.  Maybe she could even help her, with either hiding the issues or...even getting over it, as impossible as it felt at the moment.  Yes...she would tell her friend about everything.  About seeing that apprentice at the Gathering, her horrible fear and constant anxiety, her insecurity and faint whispers of disloyalty...but she paused.  She hesitated, like she always did.  What if...what if her friend wasn't so okay with it?  What if she ran and told Ivystar, what if Finchstream was kicked out of the clan, labeled a liar...a disgrace?  No....no."I...I'm fine Nutfur."  She could've come up some sort of an excuse, but her mind was so weighed down with guilt and shame she almost couldn't think straight.  With a drooping tail and dull eyes, Finchstream turned back onto the path ahead and kept walking.  Maybe I'll tell her...some other day.

Nutfur didn't reply. Finch stream was obviously lying. There was no doubt about that. But why? This was obviously something that was really bothering her friend, not just an embarrassing little secret. For a moment she wondered if everyone, including her best friend, all had the same kind of secret that she had. One that would make others doubt her loyalty. Looking at the nervous she-cat, she let out a sight. Though her secret probably wasn't as bad, it was probably to the same level. She continued towards camp, when a sense of deja vu hit her. This was just like their last time, when they had been apprentices. They had been having fun until something happened, Finch got upset, and then they walked back to camp in silence. Had this been going on for that long, and she had ignored it until now? Guilt clenched her stomach, and she wondered if she should just talk about it at that very moment. But that would probably make it worse. Maybe sometime when her friend wasn't as upset about whatever it was. And maybe then, she would admit her secrets too. She kept walking, hoping that the opportunity would come sooner than later.