Greenleaf {open skc hunting patrol}

Greenleaf had bloomed as wonderfully as Leaftwirl imagined it would. The sun peeked between the rustling leaves ahead, dotting SkyClan camp in dapples of white light. The new warrior's brown and white tabby pelt looked even more intricate with the added layer of patterning, and she gazed at her clanmates as the light touched their fur as well. The days had been brighter, and her headspace seemed to clear. Her clanmates didn't seem to be as shocked when she went out for a fourth patrol yesterday, her determination had simply found a place beside her bubbly personality. Now, instead of being known as "Leaftwirl the fluttery" or "Leaftwirl the klutz," she hoped her friends saw her as "Leaftwirl, the helpful." Something to give her a bit of validation, so she could flash it to StarClan above, so they could be proud. A small sparrow sat at the she-cat's paws and she finished it off with one last bite, taking a few moments to bury the remains. Feeling full, the warrior decided a walk would be nice perhaps, and maybe she'd be able to catch something on the way.

Sunflower was ever the friend, and their talk a few sunrises ago had been interesting. Leaftwirl found herself giggling with his cowardly nature. But a friend was a friend, and he was fun. Amberdawn was ever busy in the medicine den, and Swanpaw was still learning the ways of the warrior. Foxpaw had seemed to recover from his past grief well, and Leaftwirl had come to terms with the new kits - now apprentices - that swarmed around the camp. Firflower had her paws full. Life carried on as it always did, and it felt good to sit and peace and listen to the leaves brush together, their whispers carrying through the forest. Leaftwirl was content. But her patrol wouldn't be fun if she trekked out on her own. Feeling the need for some company, Leaftwirl stopped by the entrance and asked; "I'm off to hunt! Does anyone wanna come with? It's gonna be fun!" Her yellow-green eyes crinkled in a grin as she gazed around, noting each and every one of SkyClan's cats. Today would be a good day.

Burningpaw's bright orange head popped up at the sound of Leafwhirl calling out. The young apprentice was desperate to help her clan out, unknowingly to her, much like Leafwhirl herself. The she-cat bounded up to the new warrior that she had shared a den briefly with. "Hey Leafwhirl! Can I join you? I'm not very good yet, but with the prey running so well, now is the time to learn!" The apprentice flicked her tail in excitement, and peered around for her mentor. Would Sunflower be joining them? Already she quite liked her mentor. Though quiet, he was kind. She loved spending time with him. Well, him and all of her clan mates, actually.

After some looking around, Hawkstrike got up with a soft huff and walked towards the newer warrior and apprentice. Nobody else looked willing to join the two and he wasn’t going to let them go out on their own…not at the current time. In the back of his head, a soft voice of reason told him he was being paranoid, but he was quick to dismiss it.

“I will join you two” His voice was firm and made clear he wouldn’t take a no for an answer, even if not exactly intentionally. He wasn’t about to admit it, but he was at least slightly stressed. He had seen how calm the clan was lately, how friendly they were towards other clans, and deep into his somewhat twisted and darkened mind, he couldn’t help but see that as opening an enemy could notice and use.

He probably would need to do something about it, especially if Tinystar continued to let the death of his mate drag him down and ignore his duties as leader. Yes, he wouldn’t blame the smaller tom for feeling down, he had lost several close ones in the past too…but he needed to put himself back together already…