A Quick Hunting Trip [Open]

Darkpaw waited impatiently for the small patrol he was supposed to go out hunting with, tail flicking lightly. It was nearly nightfall and with Shade still around he couldn’t help but want to get this over with as soon as possible to avoid dangerous encounters with the rogue.

Flurryshine yawned and slipped out of the warriors' den after having given her snow-white fur a thorough grooming, looking beautiful and fluffy as the frosty leaf-bare precipitation her fur was often compared to. She gave the air a quick sniff, scenting the cool moisture in the air. There would be a storm coming their way soon, which meant they would have to make this a quick hunting trip.

She padded over to the apprentice Darkpaw that waited for him. "Sorry for taking so long, sweetie. Are you ready to go?"

Darkpaw flicked his ear a bit with annoyance as soon as he heard the nickname. In all honesty, he had never been a fan of them, not even as a kit when his mom used to give him cutsey nicknames. His gaze stayed fairly neutral and he decided against pointing that out to Flurryshine though. That would most likely lead to an argument and lose precious time he guessed they didn’t have to begin with. Geez, if he wasn’t so desperate to prove himself worthy and receive his warrior name already he would’ve ditched this hunting trip, it wasn’t like if he didn’t have enough excuses for it.

“It’s fine, let’s just hurry…and stay close to camp. Last thing I want is to either cross paths with Shade at night or get caught in the middle of a storm” With his usual desire to lead, he jumped into the water surrounding the small isle first, swimming towards the territory with the grace only a true RiverClanner could have.

Flurryshine nodded in agreement, not wanting to stay out any longer than he did. And he did have a point in staying close to camp; after what happened to Sootwhisper, Tuftkit, and so many other cats from other Clans, she did not want to be caught alone with the murderous, merciless rogue.

Once they reached the other side of the isle, she stepped up in front of Darkpaw. "Don't forget that warriors need to lead patrols. Don't worry, though, in just a few days you'll be able to lead your own patrols as well. It's just to keep you safe." She led him a few tail-lengths from the stream they had just crossed up to the river that flowed closest to camp.

"This looks like a good spot," she decided, nestling down next to the flowing water. After staring down at the clear surface for several moments, she lashed out a clawed paw at the sight of a silver body, scooping out a decently sized fish with ease. Once it landed on the bank, she bit into the back of its neck, killing it instantly.

The member 'Yoshachu Scorchachu' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 4

The fur on the back of Darkpaw raised lightly as he was reminded by the fact that he was still an apprentice yet again, a quick glint of frustration clear as the crystalline waters of the territory in his eyes. He was already the same size and most likely age as any warrior in camp, he should be treated as one too, shown the same respect! How he was supposed to become leader someday if his own clanmates refused to realize that.

He had to quickly shake his fur to get rid of the emotions that made his whole skin feel like if a nest of ants was crawling all over him. He would show them, sooner than later, and then the clan would show the respect he desired, give him the recognition he knew he deserved.

He quickly got near the edge of the water, a couple tail-lengths away from Flurryshine with a plan in mind. He waited until she quickly scooped one of the silver fishes swimming under the surface. Just as he predicted, the small school of fishes rushed in all directions to escape the paw of his clanmate. Unlike her, he quickly pounced into the water with jaws open, not allowing himself to think for half a second before reacting to the quickly approaching silver figure under the surface.

As he closed his jaws he felt the squirming fish get caught between them, making its own escape a deathtrap in the end.

The member 'Ink King' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 8

Flurryshine‘s head shot up at the abrupt sounds of water splashing to see what was going on, and she watched as the apprentice gnashed his teeth into the head of his prey while it was still submerged. Her green eyes glistened with fascination, quite impressed with his tactic. ”That was a great catch. You just may have to show me how you did that some time.” She didn’t completely mean that, it was more of an invitation that he could either accept or decline.

Quickly locking her gaze on a second fish, this time a bronze color, she swiped her paw under its belly and scooped it high into the air. Wanting to practice her aim — and no, she was definitely not trying to show off her own fishing skills... — she leaped up high to grab it between her teeth and claws, flipping in the air and landing accurately on all four paws.

The member 'Yoshachu Scorchachu' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 4

Yes…Yes!!!

That was what he was looking for! That praise! That look of admiration on the warrior’s eyes! He almost could feel his own fur puffing up with pride as he stepped out of the water, placing his catch next to Flurryshine’s. At her request, he actually walked towards her, past and then took a new spot at the other side “No fish will swim towards there anymore, at least for a while” He explained.

While the tactic he had used usually proved to be effective, it had that downside. No fish with any kind of self-preservation instinct would try to swim to save its life towards the exact same spot it just witnessed a fellow fish get caught in his jaws, at least not until they knew he was gone.

A quick idea flashed through his mind. Could this little trick he had created while hunting was truly that unique? Could there be a chance that, just like Flurryshine, none in the clan had attempted it before him? Oh, the idea sent shivers of excitement down his spine, knowing that he could be the potential creator of a whole new fishing technique!

He once more crouched, all muscles tense, waiting for the warrior to catch her own fish and potentially scare a couple towards him. As soon as she did and he saw the very first glint of the shiny figure of a fish swimming towards him, he pounced once more, falling into the water without thinking it twice. Once more he felt the fish get caught in his strong jaws, pulling it out of the water and looking towards his clanmate.

Ha! Apprentice? Well, who is teaching who now, uh?

The member 'Ink King' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 4

"You must've been practicing that technique long and hard. I know that any kit would be lucky to have you as a mentor in their time." Sheesh, why was she feeding any ego the apprentice had? That was saved only for Hillfire! She supposed it was just instinct to praise toms of their incredible hunting or fighting feats. Oh, well, everyone liked compliments anyway, right? Hopefully he would return the favor, at least once. Even the overly egotistical and narcissistic Hillfire offered her credit where it was due.

Ears a little hot from embarrassment now that she was thinking too deeply into things, she forced herself to concentrate on catching one last fish. She wanted to try out Darkpaw's technique, so once a fish came swimming close she aimed with her muzzle instead of her paw. Using her natural quick agility and reflexes, she shot her head underwater and clamped her jaws down hard, and only after a few heartbeats did she register that she had managed to chomp down on the fish. When she pulled it out, however, she noticed she had caught it by its tail, and its squirming and flopping nearly made her drop it. She quickly flung it to the bank to finish it off with a quick nip to the back of the head. "Well, that wasn't exactly how you did it. But it's still pretty fun to do."

The member 'Yoshachu Scorchachu' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 3

Darkpaw looked at Flurryshine as she jumped into the water with attentive eyes, one of his ears twitching lightly as a way of showing slight disapproval given a tiny mistake she did and almost costed her the catch. He smiled a bit at her as she pulled her head out of the water and finished the job on the fish.

He gave a quick glance at the growing pile of fresh-kill, for a quick trip they were gathering quite the nice amount of prey. If that didn’t prove he was ready probably only becoming a war hero would do…he just hoped that didn’t have to happen.

“It was still a nice catch…you took a bit too long though. This technique focuses on fleeing fish that are already swimming away as fast as possible, you took half a heartbeat to aim, to think on where to strike before doing it, that could’ve given the fish the time it needed to avoid you hadn’t StarClan blessed you with your speed and agility” Darkpaw had a tough time giving compliments, as he felt it was a way to admit someone else was on pair if not better than him, but he still tried…

Even if only to stay on his clanmates’ good side. He had to, when he reached leadership in the future he wanted to respected and loved, not feared and even less hated.

He grabbed a stone in his jaws without not a bit of difficulty because of the size “Here, I’ll show you” His words were rather muffled as he approached the water and threw the rock strategically so the fish would swim on his direction, startled by the sudden disturbance on the water. He quickly got in position, knowing he had no time to lose, without thinking he pounced…and then he felt a white hot pain on his back. He could swear that for a heartbeat or two his paws no longer touched the ground before his body reacted to the unexpected attack by struggling and hissing. He fell into the water, too heavy for the predator to hold him while struggling anymore, the red of his blood mixing with the water as he quickly swam to the surface once the shock left his body.

He hissed angrily as his head broke the water’s surface and looked up at an angry owl that was trying to turn around and claim him as prey once more. If anything, this made clear they had pushed their luck too much and now the night predators were wide awake and hunting.


Owl used Talon strike on Darkpaw, causing 10 damage and costing 10 stamina

Owl
50/50 HP
110/120 SP

Darkpaw
10/20 HP
80/80 SP

The member 'Ink King' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 10