Adrenaline to the Heart {Closed}

Late evening found Hailpaw sitting on the riverbank. The fluffy apprentice sat silently in the darkness, with only the sporadic twitch of her tail tip. Her faintly glowing, yellow eyes were fixed intently on the swiftly flowing current before her. Gentle waves lapped hungrily at the gravelly shore, just a tail length away from her paws. The rushing of water was almost melodic, hypnotizing. As unsettling as the white she-cat found water, it seemed that she did hold some degree of interest for the river. Simply sitting beside it was strangely relaxing. What lay beneath the surface of the water? Fish, perhaps? What did the bottom of the river feel like?  As her gaze lightly skimmed the river's surface, her mind had begun to wander. She soon found herself thinking about questions that were particularly Ridgepaw-esque. With a huff of amusement, she realized that her littermate's influence was greater than she had expected. Her "older" sister was always wanting to know everything. It would be nice if she could provide the answers Ridgepaw wanted, but she knew that the pale calico would rather seek them out herself.

Staying in camp had been absolutely suffocating. There was little of interest to do. As soon as Hailpaw had the chance, she had made a break for the forest. She would rather wander the vast territory then help change the elder's bedding. There were other apprentices who could take care of that. Sudden movement across the river caught her attention. Her internal monologue broken, she glanced up with curiosity. ...A cat? Across the water lay RiverClan territory.

A young calico bounced along the well-worn patrol route. Where grasses were bent towards the water that ran not far from them. Her mother padded steadily ahead, with barely a flick of an ear towards stepping stones as she padded along. Blossompaw stopped abruptly at them, the flash of another pelt on the other side of the shore catching her eye. She looked up with wide green eyes as she saw Hailpaw sitting there, then sat on her side with a level look. Was this thunderclanner going to try to cross? If she did, she'd be in RiverClan territory. She turned to call to her mother, but she was a silver glimmer in the distance.

Well, she knew she'd have to tell off a cat at some point. Her ears flattened uncomfortably at the realisation as she stepped out towards one of the stones with a look she hoped was more firm than worried.
"You'd best keep walking thunderclanner." She spat, her pelt slightly spiked as her claws tried to dig into the rock beneath her.

Across the river from Hailpaw stood a calico apprentice. Even from such a distance, she could smell the strong odor that wreathed about Blossompaw, seemingly bleeding into the wind. It was a scent that she had grown somewhat familiar with, the scent of RiverClan. "You'd best keep walking, Thunderclanner." As the threat registered within her ears, a wide grin spread across Hailpaw's face. It was not a pleasant grin, but one of a hungry cat who had found prey. She'd come out here to escape boredom, only to run into a lone RiverClan apprentice. What luck! If StarClan were not currently silent, she would have thought that this encounter was one of their gifts. Slowly, the fluffy apprentice stood. "I'm still on ThunderClan's side of the river, aren't I?" She called back. Despite the other cat's hostility, Hailpaw's tone seemed fairly casual.

A little distance away, a series of stepping stones peeked out from the flowing current. Hailpaw made her way over to them now. Hop, hop, hop, hop. Each step was carefully taken; to fall in the water would be the absolute worst. In a matter of moments, she had crossed the stones and stepped onto the opposing bank. "Not anymore, though!" She exclaimed cheerfully. "I'm trespassing on RiverClan territory right now. According to the Warrior Code, you'll have to chase me out, yes?" Launching forward, she landed atop Blossompaw; sharp claws dug into flesh. Her weight forced the calico to the ground. "Do entertain me." Her bright yellow eyes were sparkling with excitement.

Hailpaw used Leap and Hold, dealing 6 damage and costing 10 stamina.

Hailpaw
20/20 HP
70/80 SP

Blossompaw
14/20 HP
80/80 SP

Blossompaw is pinned for one turn.

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

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'Effect Dice' : 1

The look that Hailpaw shot her caught the young apprentice off guard. Her reaction only confused Blossompaw more as she actually proceeded to cross the river! Her jaws parted a tiny bit in a helpless gaping expression as the fluffy white apprentice reached her shore, then quoted the code at her. As though she was supposed to just attack. It seemed she didn't even need to answer however as she was suddenly launched into and pushed down by Hailpaw.

"What the heck is wrong with you!?" Blossompaw yowled as her claws bad touch over the ground in an attempt to find a pawhold to get loose. "Are all ThunderClanners this violent! No wonder everyone in camp hates you!" She spat as she twisted her head to try and bite Hailpaw, but the other apprentice was out of range for the tactic. Her fur spiked out furiously as her green eyes caught Hailpaw's yellow ones before she finally managed to twist out from under her. A clump of grey fur falling from her flank as she shook her head and glared at the other.

"I'll chase you out, but I won't make it entertaining." Her friendliness finally evaporated, Blossompaw wasn't going to just take Hailpaw's attack. She'd show the other apprentice a thing or two about messing with RiverClan.

The calico she-cat seemed completely taken aback by Hailpaw's actions. It was no surprise; that reaction was one to be expected. While Hailpaw might have seemed normal enough around her littermates, she had another side to her that occasionally revealed itself. As Blossompaw thrashed beneath her grip, she could not help the wild laughter that slipped from her jaws. "Nah, I think it's just me." She stated in a bright tone. Curling her claws deeper into Blossompaw's shoulders, she watched with amusement as crimson beads of blood welled up. "I'm feeling pretty bored right now. So give me something interesting to do." The RiverClanner twisted about, jaws snapping, but Hailpaw was out of reach. At last, after a violent struggle, Blossompaw succeeded in escaping her hold. In that moment, their gazes met--one enraged, one exhilarated.

Hailpaw exhaled slowly, facing the smaller(?) she-cat down. "Are you saying that you're stronger than I am?" She asked, flashing a twisted smirk. "You're going to have to try a lot harder, then." She was going to be ThunderClan's strongest fighter--stronger than Leafstorm, stronger than Blizzardshine, and stronger than Artemis. Ever since she had been a kit, fighting had been the one thing that she was interested in. She darted forwards again. Ramming her shoulder into Blossompaw's side, she simultaneously swept the other she-cat's paws out from under her. As a result, the RiverClanner stumbled and fell. Taking advantage of the opening, Hailpaw pounced on her and raked her hind legs down the calico's exposed belly.

Hailpaw used Belly Rake, dealing 7 damage and costing 10 stamina.

Hailpaw
20/20 HP
60/80 SP

Blossompaw
7/20 HP
80/80 SP

When Hailpaw broke the staring contest between them with the question, Blossompaw wasn't sure what to say. She had never liked the idea of combat, never did particularly well in training but this other apprentice seemed intent on pulling her down. With a fierce hiss, she attempted to dodge the other she-cat's movements. Cringing as her shoulder buckled and she fell onto the forest floor with a painful grunt. Attempting to get up cost her an opening.

Enough is enough. A battle yowl tore from Blossompaw's throat as she ripped herself away from beneath Hailpaw. Pelt stinging from the wounds, gathering herself together to finally strike back in a huge leap that put her claws deep into Hailpaw's shoulder in a similar way to what she had done at the beginning of this bout.
"Stronger or not, at least I have decency and respect towards other cats." She snarled as her claws sank deeper into the thick white coat beneath her. "I guess I expected too much of ThunderClan."

Blossompaw used Leap-and-Hold. Hailpaw is stunned for 2 turns

Hailpaw
14/20 HP (-6)
60/80 SP

Blossompaw
7/20 HP
70/80 SP (-10)

The member 'Candy Corn Cays' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Effect Dice' : 5

The RiverClan apprentice seemed to be truly angry now. Her cry rung fiercely through the still air. Sensing that she was unable to hold her opponent down any longer, Hailpaw hurriedly sprung backwards. She stumbled, losing her balance for a split-second. In that moment, Blossompaw flew forwards. Claws penetrated Hailpaw's fluff and sunk deep into her shoulder. The white she-cat released a sharp hiss in response. Her legs buckling, she ended up sprawled on the ground beneath the calico apprentice. Just like she had done in the beginning of the fight, her opponent was pinning her down. Wincing from the pain, she somehow managed to grin. "Oh? Are you only getting serious now? You should have done that earlier. A little late, don't you think?"

The snarl was an ugly thing as Blossompaw glared down at the pinned cat beneath her. The mockery about not being serious in the first place digging under her skin. Just because she hadn't sought out a fight in the first place, didn't mean she was weak. He eyes darted to the river, watched as it flowed so close to where her white paws were pinning down the white apprentice. The thought that flashed through her mind made her feel guilty for all of two seconds.

It was her own fault. While Hailpaw was pinned, Blossompaw leaned down to adjust her claws as they sank further into Hailpaw's pelt until she wrenched them both into the shallows of the river. Her hindpaws comfortable on the slipper rocks, her weight pushed Hailpaw's belly and jaw into the water with her nose just above it's surface, terrifyingly close to pushing the other apprentice's whole head in. "You're lucky I'm nice, or you'd be getting some hard lessons in swimming by now." Blossompaw snarled.


Blossompaw used Leap-and-Hold. Hailpaw is stunned for 1 more turn

Hailpaw
8/20 HP (-6)
60/80 SP

Blossompaw
7/20 HP
60/80 SP (-10)

Hailpaw realized a second too late what was on Blossompaw's mind. She can't possibly...! Along with that realization, alarm flooded through every fiber of her being. Her struggling increased sharply by twofold, panic lending her strength. The white she-cat barely felt the pain caused by Blossompaw's claws twisting in her flesh. Still, the RiverClan apprentice prevailed. Once, as a kit, Hailpaw had stuck her paw into the river. It was out of curiosity. She had regretted it almost immediately; that one single moment had been enough for her. She was not going to be pushed into the water by this weak, fish-faced she-cat. "Let go of me!" She yowled, a tinge of fear seeping into her voice.

As was to be expected, Blossompaw did not. With a splash, Hailpaw was dragged mercilessly into the river. When she opened her mouth, flooded in. She could feel the wetness seeping through her thick pelt, more uncomfortable than any other sensation she had ever felt. Her panic amplified to greater levels. Unsheathed claws tore deep furrows on the soft bottom of the river. She was going to drown. She was going to drown. She was going to drown. She was going to-- except she did not. With a start, she realized that she could still breath through her nose that was above the water. Blossompaw's words registered faintly in her mind. It was at that moment that something snapped within. This apprentice... actually dared to threaten her? Steadily, fear transitioned into boiling anger. Hailpaw went still beneath the calico she-cat. Just as suddenly as she had stopped, she then renewed her thrashing. Wrenching her head above the water, she unleashed a screech of fury. She thrust the RiverClan apprentice off and stood up in the shallow water. Water trickled slowly down her pelt, dripping back into the river. Her bright yellow eyes, fixed upon Blossompaw, glimmered with a murderous light. "You'll pay for that." She snarled. Her voice was lower than it had been before, with no trace of amusement.

The sudden relaxing of Hailpaw's muscles made Blossompaw look down in concern. Her claws withdrew slightly just before the sudden thrashing. Scrabbling, she tried to hold on, her grip slipped and she fell into the water of the river. Hissing, she rose from it and glared at Hailpaw who was still standing above her own spot in the river. The calico she-cat glared the white she-cat down in an even match. Hesitation and gentle nature gone for the determined and fierce cat that rose in it's place.

She leapt first. Her bounds in the watery terrain were sure and swift. The current seemed to work with her as she leapt to the side to avoid a blow before ramming her shoulder into the ThunderClan she-cat's, pushing her into slightly deeper water as her hind claws extended and raked at the she-cat's belly with a furious blow while she twisted and tried to cling onto Hailpaw by the scruff and shoulder. Tiny trickles of blood falling from both of them as she was willing to do anything to win if she could. This ThunderClan cat might have started the battle... but she would finish it.

Blossompaw used Belly rake

Hailpaw
1/20 HP (-7)
60/80 SP

Blossompaw
7/20 HP
60/80 SP (-10)

Tension and hostility crackled between the two cats, like electricity through the air. Both were dripping wet by now; Hailpaw had been pushed into the water, and Blossompaw had fallen in. Neither one of them was in the mood to hold anything back. The calico apprentice made the first move. As a RiverClan cat, she was at home in the river, a fact that quickly became evident. While the water seemed to restrict Hailpaw's movements, it provided no such hindrance for Blossompaw. The white she-cat had her guard up now. The close proximity to a possible death had her on edge. When her opponent drew closer, she lashed out forcefully with a clawed paw. Blossompaw sidestepped it easily, before ramming against Hailpaw from the side. Unable to withstand the blow, the ThunderClan apprentice went sprawling. The water level had gotten deeper; a realization that chilled her heart. As the two tussled in the river shallows, their blood turned into red trails in the water.

A vicious growl emanating from Hailpaw's chest, she finally broke away from Blossompaw's hold. She had accidentally swallowed river water in the struggle and now coughed violently. Her paws were slipping on the muck and pebbles. Take a careless step backwards, and she would likely end up in water too deep for her to stand in. She was all too aware of that fact. This fight was only going to worsen her fear of water. Hailpaw lunged forward again. Unlike Blossompaw, her movements threw up large splashes of water. At the last moment, her jaws closed tightly around the other cat's tail. She yanked Blossompaw sharply backwards, using her full body weight.

Hailpaw used Tail Yank, dealing 2 damage and costing 10 stamina. Blossompaw is stunned for one turn.

Hailpaw
1/20 HP
50/80 SP

Blossompaw
5/20 HP
60/80 SP

Yowls and growls clashed against each other as the mighty she-cat apprentices fought. Neither one refusing to give so much as an inch to their opponent. Blossompaw's claws only slipping when Hailpaw stepped backwards, throwing her balance off. The current tugged at her coat as she was forced to let go and slashed out viciously towards the she-cat's neck. Her little claws raking through the white pelt as she balanced pecariously on the river's stony bed for a moment.

The waves made by the she-cat threw her off briefly, but it was enough. Hailpaw's teeth dug into her tail and Blossompaw screeched angrily as she felt herself hauled towards the shallower parts. Where the other would have the advantage. Her limbs felt stunned from the abrupt pull, and for a moment, she had to regain her balance. But in a battle like this, a single moment was everything.

Warm, metallic blood seeped into Hailpaw's mouth from the puncture wounds in Blossompaw's tail. Mixing with the texture of fur, it wasn't a particularly pleasant taste. Her move worked out just as she had wanted it to. For a brief second, the RiverClan apprentice was thrown off balance. As she stumbled, her enraged screech rang out in the open air. The white she-cat pounced on her chance. Hailpaw's already bloodied claws swept across her opponent's side, slashing deep wounds. "It's over." She snarled. Leaving Blossompaw to process her words, she rammed her head into the calico's shoulder. The headbutt provided just enough force to knock the other apprentice into the water. Hailpaw was left standing, her sides heaving in ragged breath. As she stood over her defeated opponent, the hostility that shone in her eyes had not diminished in the least. Just one swipe. Just one precisely-aimed swipe through the throat, and everything would be over for the RiverClanner. As if arisen from the Dark Forest, a little voice whispered a tempting suggestion in her ears. No one would ever know.

What was she thinking? The red haze of fury clouding Hailpaw's mind cleared just enough for a rational thought to slip through. With a start, she took a step away from Blossompaw. Blizzardshine would be devastated if she were really to do so. Her enemy was already unable to fight; she was the victorious one. As the adrenaline of battle was slowly ebbing away, pain from her accumulated wounds seemed to attack all at once. Wincing, Hailpaw staggered. This was enough for today. She had to get home. "Looks like I win this battle." She stated coldly. "See you around, Whateveryournameispaw."

Hailpaw used Front Paw Strike, dealing 6 damage and costing 10 stamina. Blossompaw is KO'ed.

Hailpaw
1/20 HP
40/80 SP

Blossompaw
0/20 HP
60/80 SP