Territory Tour and Hunting Help!

Nighthawk quietly stepped out of the warrior's den and stretched. It was early dawn and the air was fresh and it felt nice. Good enough to take Marshpaw on a stroll in the territory to make sure he knew every nook and cranny of Thunderclan. They would also hunt along the way. The dark-furred she-cat stepped into the apprentice's den and looked for the tom. "Wake up Marshpaw! We're going out to learn the territory and maybe hunt as well. Meet me at the camp entrance once you awake." the she-cat said quietly, knowing many apprentices were sound asleep. She walked out and over to the  entrance of the camp to wait for the apprentice.

It was like being a new apprentice all over again. Marshpaw felt the prickle of excitement run through his fur at Nighthawk's words. He had slept uneasily, too anxious and excited at being able to leave camp. To be able to see more of the territory. Get to know his fellow Clanmates more. He lifted himself out of his nest with a glance to Eaglepaw. The tom was snoozing peacefully, and it warmed him to see that reminder that he wasn't alone.

He stepped out of the den with a yawn and a stretch. Warming his sleepy muscles as he prepared himself for a hunt, perhaps a border patrol. He stepped quietly out of camp behind her, with him finding slight amusement that he was larger than her. Larger than all the apprentices since he was older by a few moons.

"Good morning, Nighthawk." He greeted in a curious way. "What are we going to do today?"

Nighthawk chuckled softly. "First we'll be patrolling the borders but we'll also be hunting some prey along the way. I know you already are familiar with hunting and some of the techniques used but i'll teach you some ways we hunt here in Thunderclan. I also have to show you all there is to see in Thunderclan's territory like some of the better hunting spots and the borders as well as some other important places." she explained while beginning to head out. "Are you ready Marshpaw?" the warrior asked with a grin.

Marshpaw nodded at Nighthawk's explanation. It made sense, his own methods of hunting in marshy territory wouldn't work so well in Thunderclan's drier territory. His practice on drier ground was little, even on the long journey back he had preferred to seek out muddy hunting grounds.
"Lead the way, Nighthawk." He tilted his head obligingly. A smile of his own as he relished in being outside of the camp. No longer confined to within the walls. Each stride felt like a burden lifted from his shoulders. His worry about his great nephew tucked away.

The warrior nodded and began to lead them outside and into the territory. Along the way while they were heading to the first border, Nighthawk had been stopping in front certain areas and explaining to Marshpaw what they used them for and what type of prey could be found there. She even pointed out where the path to Fourtrees was and where the Moonstone was from where they were currently. Soon, they made it to the Riverclan border, or more commonly known as the river. She signaled to Marshpaw to look over at the direction of Sunningrocks. "This is the first border we'll check out. While I patrol, why don't you try to hunt a squirrel? They mostly hang out in the trees but can come down onto the ground for food. If you find a mouse, hunt that instead. Mice are a bit trickier to try and search for. You can see if Shadowclan hunting techniques work in this area. After I'm done, I'll show you how us Thunderclanners hunt. I'm sure it isn't terribly different. Maybe you can even catch something with your previous hunting knowledge." The warrior turned to begin looking around for any signs of trouble, leaving the apprentice to hunt for a bit.

The dark tabby tom followed behind dutifully, but curious. There was a great joy to being allowed outside of the camp borders. A chance to really stretch his legs and begin to provide rather than simply be a burden. He caught the tempting scents of prey above the forest floor. He glanced up at the trees above them, bare of their leaves, trunks and branches scorched from flame. His attention was caught by Nighthawk's words as she explained things, listening carefully and taking great care to memorize it all.

"I'll do my best." Marshpaw meowed, his jaws parted to allow him to taste the scents around them. He caught the faint trace of a squirrel and slowly followed it. His dark coat in this environment wasn't too bad of a thing as he slowly stepped around bushes that were half-thawed. His bulk largely hidden by shadow as he sized up a squirrel feasting on its nut stores.

He stepped out carefully, body low, amber eyes focused. His tail low, but it didn't touch the ground. His white tipped paws moved only when the squirrel was distracted by its food. By the time the squirrel realised the danger, it was too late. A leap and a snap later, his jaws were full of a large squirrel. His first contribution back to the clan that took him in, and it wouldn't be his last. He walked back to where Nighthawk had left him with the prize, then set it down proudly.

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

---

'Hunting Dice' : 5

Marshpaw tried not to act like a young new apprentice... but he couldn't help feeling extremely proud that he hadn't forgotten how to hunt. Even though some cats in camp had questioned him, they wouldn't anymore! He followed Nighthawk dutifully after carefully burying his catch to pick up after their patrol finished. The scent of Thunderpath hit his nose like a wall and he stared at it.

A shudder crawled up his spine as he recalled this as the path that had once taken him away. He shook his head of those thoughts. He wouldn't dwell on that. Instead, he focused on the nearby sound of tiny talons scraping on dirt. A pheasant, digging in the ground for seeds. He licked his maw and carefully crept towards the bird. The pheasant looked up when he was a mere tail length away, but he lunged for it. His teeth clamped tight around the bird's neck before it could turn and make it's alarm calls. He padded to the spot Nighthawk had left him again and began to dig to bury his new prey happily. The skinny pheasant would make a good meal despite the feathers.

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

---

'Hunting Dice' : 5

Nighthawk gave him a proud grin. "You're making Thunderclan proud by hunting this well! You should be a warrior already." she proclaimed. "This border is clear too so follow me. I'll help carry the pheasant." she said as she picked up the bird.

The two soon arrived at the Fallen Oak. Nighthawk placed Marshpaw's catch in a safe place so she could focus on patrolling the border. "This is the border we share with Skyclan. You can find birds and squirrels more frequently here." she explained. "I assume you know what to do now." she said quietly and with a smile. The warrior then turned and began to do what she had to.

His amber eyes glowed at the praise as he adjusted his grip so Nighthawk could help him out. The bird was quite a prize, and he couldn't help the pride that swelled in his chest. Marshpaw was careful to observe all the markers he could that outlined the clan's borders carefully. He never wanted to accidentally cross it.

Skyclan's border was a bit more discreet than the other two. The foliage and trees shifted gradually. He nodded at Nighthawk's words, then stepped a few paces away to begin scenting his next catch. A bushy tailed squirrel was resting on a limb that jutted out from a tree. It wasn't terribly high, but he found himself intimidated by the jump he'd have to make. Still, he shifted his weight appropriately and stalked in closer. When he was near the limb, he pushed up with his hindlegs. The launch placed him directly into the squirrel's path as it tried to bolt for the safety of higher branches, only to run straight into Marshpaw's open jaws as he clamped down onto it.

He jumped off the tree and took a moment to breathe. That wasn't something he had tried before, and as he delivered the killing nip, he sent a thankful thought to Starclan. He was blessed to be able to hunt so well, and to be able to give the clan that provided him so much something in return. He placed the squirrel with the thrush and waited patiently for Nighthawk to finish, his eyes observing the differences in bark texture, the way the limbs seemed to suddenly elevate and strengthen in height at the Skyclan side.

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

---

'Hunting Dice' : 3