The Perfect Match (Closed)

The bright dawn sun had just begun to rise above the territories when Laurelsong slipped out of the patch of grass that acted as the warrior's sleeping place, extending her spine in a long stretch and giving her sleek pelt a few hasty licks.  There was no time to waste today on grooming or grabbing a meal; she had an apprentice to train!  Finally...maybe this one won't give up half-way through and be sheltered in the medicine den until green-leaf!  She wouldn't allow thoughts of Mistpaw to dampen her mood today though, she needed to be determined!  She could do this, she was a great warrior, with endless opportunities at her clawtips!  With a energetic bounce in her step, the pale-pelted she-cat trotted over to where the apprentices slept, and quickly picked out Sparkpaw's golden pelt.  Hmm...I hope that doesn't stand out too much against the snow...  "Sparkpaw, training!"  Her voice a low, but sharp, hiss, she prodded the tom's shoulder once with an impatient paw, before backing away into the open, frosty clearing.

Groaning, Sparkpaw slowly crept out of his nest and walked out into the camp, stiff-legged. Why does training have to be so early? he thought to himself. "Can I get some fresh-kill first?" he asked Laurelsong.

(occ: I'm so sorry I've been so slow ':D)

Laurelsong's ears pricked from where she sat a few fox-lengths away from the apprentice's den when Sparkpaw emerged, only for them to droop, her chartreuse eyes narrowing.  "Wouldn't you rather learn to catch your own prey first?"  Her voice was scathing, but with a roll of her eyes she decided to concede.  "Fine, but make it quick!"  Lowering herself onto her belly, the pale-pelted she-cat tucked her limbs underneath her body and set her gaze on Sparkpaw, pupils narrowed to annoyed slits.  For a moment she wondered if she was being unreasonable, but quickly pushed the thought away.  The best warriors give to the clan before they take, maybe he will understand that someday.  Besides, a hungry belly sharpens your hunting senses.

"What ticked her off?" Sparkpaw muttered under his breath. Snatching a mouse from the fresh-kill pile, he gobbled it up and meowed, "So are we going on hunting?"

Despite her enduring annoyance, she was at least grateful that Sparkpaw hadn't taken his sweet time with the meal, and as soon as he was finished the lithe she-cat jumped back to her paws.  Turning towards the camp entrance, she gazed sideways at the young ginger tabby as she answered his question; "Yes, and we'll patrol the boundaries while we're at it.  It'll help you to get to know the territory a bit better."  Without much warning, the pelt-pelted molly set off out of the camp at a run, her sleek muscles sliding easily beneath her short coat.  

As the cool morning breeze whipped against her face and bent back her ears, she felt an uncontrollable smile begin to spread across her muzzle.  This was her territory, her moorland, her home.  She would do anything - give anything - to protect it, and she could only hope to foster that same feeling of responsibility and ownership in those young cats who were put under her guidance.  Skidding to a halt at the top of a steep rise in the land, she glanced back to see how Sparkpaw was keeping up.

Sparkpaw wondered why Laurelsong was running so fast. They had all the day to themselves, but he hurried to keep up with his mentor. "Where are we going first?" he asked. He was tempted to add, and why are you running so fast, do you think something is going to jump out and attack you? but he didn't.

(occ: this was posted before the RiverClan battle so they still have all their territory)

Laurelsong thought for a moment before meowing; "Let's head for the ShadowClan border, and follow it down to the Gorge.  Before we get moving again though, can you scent any prey?"  She could smell a rabbit nearby, and wanted to see how Sparkpaw could handle it.  Her green eyes reflecting the rising sunlight, she waited to see what the young tom would do.

Sparkpaw took in a deep breath. A few scents of mouse and rabbit drifted to his nose. "I can smell some rabbit and mouse, they're fresh. Are we going to hunt?"

Laurelsong nodded, and angled her ears in the direction of the mouse-scent, leaving Sparkpaw to go after the rabbit.  Dropping into a crouch, she crept around the side of a rock until she caught sight of the small creature on the other side, nibbling on a grass seed.  Her eyes narrowing confidently, she took a moment to steady herself before springing forward with the quickness of long practice.  With one hard swipe of a well-aimed paw, it was over.  Picking up the small body between her teeth, she turned around to watch Sparkpaw as he went after the rabbit, wanting to examine his technique before they went on.

The member 'RainyHeart' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 2