Open Hunting Patrol

The snowflakes, which seemed tentative and awkward at first, had begun to fall at an alarming rate. Leafstorm knew that soon, the ground would be completely hidden behind a heavy blanket of snow.
There was no use waiting any longer. The snowstorm wouldn't stop, but there was prey to hunt and a clan to feed. Sullenly, Leafstorm struggled out of the Warrior's den and immediately stumbled, thrown off balance by a particularly strong gust of wind. His large paws helped balance him though, and after a couple uncertain steps, he found that if he spread his toes, he could walk comfortably on the top layer of icy snow.
The fluffy tom shook vigorously as he walked, trying to throw off the heap of snow that had gathered on his back. With a grimace, he looked around for his fellow patrol mates. Surely Leopardclaw would only send the cats with the thickest fur and heaviest build to brave the storm ahead. Besides, there was much to do in camp, so more than a few cats could be sorely missed.

Nightpaw struggled to keep on her paws. The wind was heavy and the air was cold. That wouldn't stop the persistent she-cat. She noticed her father a few lengths away. "H-Hey! Dad, can I come with you? This weather can't keep me in the camp!" she said while glaring at the sky as if to scare away the chilly wind. She stumbled around as she began to find her footing on the soft snow that was building up. Once she was next to her father, she pressed against him with a grin.

Birchpaw had spent much of her morning clearing out the nursery entrance that had a pile of snow growing in front of it. When she spotted Leafstorm searching for patrol members. Finally! She could get out of camp and do something more exciting than cleaning duty! Pouncing through the snow in bounds, she dipped her head to her father. "Can I come along? It's so dreeaarryy here. Oh!-" a gust offset her balance and she wobbled for a moment before righting herself and giving him an embarrassed smile.

Violetpaw leaped out of the apprentice den, sinking into the snow when she landed. With her excitement about the snow, she barely noticed the icy Leafbare wind. She struggled over to where Leafstorm was forming a patrol. "Can I go with you?" she mewed.

Robinpaw noticed Leafstorm organising a patrol. Well, she saw other apprentices, so why not? Robinpaw stepped outside the apprentice den, immediately fluffing out her fur against the icy winds. She padded over, keeping on top of the snow because she was very light. When a gust of wind came, she allowed herself to sink into the snow so she wasn't blown away. Robinpaw padded up to them. "Hey, can I come?"

Weedblaze, also sensing the urgent need for prey, decided to join up with the forming patrol.

Leafstorm flicked his tail as a horde of apprentices stumbled towards him, accompanied by a rather young warrior. He sighed softly. 'It looks like I'm gonna have to take care of this lot...' He thought to himself, doing a quick headcount.
A plan began to form in his mind. Surely they wouldn't be able to split up, or even go a few foxlengths away. The weakest of the bunch, the ones with the thinnest fur, might even get lost.

Weakest in the middle, strongest on the edge.
"Right. Violetpaw, Nightpaw, you two stand close to me, okay? Birchpaw, Robinbaw you two can go on their other side. Weedblaze, I want you to trail behind us. Once we reach a more sheltered area,
we'll begin hunting. Until then, stay together!"

Robinpaw nodded and moved to her assigned position, her tail flicking in excitement.

Violetpaw shuffled through the snow to Leafstorm's other side. Her soft, thick pelt protected her from the worst of the winds, but she still felt the chill. Today, though, not even a blizzard was going to stop her from hunting. Apprentice duties had filled her morning, and she had a feeling that if another warrior spotted her unoccupied, she would be cleaning the elders den before she could say mouse. She shook gathering snow from her pelt and nodded at Leafstorm.