Battle Cry [Karuna/Moss]

The wind ruffled Swiftpaw's fur as the sunhigh patrol moved across the moor, the sky above cloudless and bright. Of her clanmates, Swiftpaw was aware that she stood out the most in the green grasses, but she'd been practicing with keeping the sun at her back and working on catching up to the cats that had been born and raised on the moors. That had paid off today, and she quickly buried the hare she'd caught before turning in search of more prey.

Tawnyflare could complain all she wanted, Swiftpaw wasn't going anywhere.

The apprentice paused, scenting the air, and then her ears flattened. That hadn't been the scent of hare nor rabbit, and Swiftpaw's lips curled in distaste at the putrid scent. Not dog either, though upwalkers, or what the clan cats referred to as twolegs, enjoyed walking them in the fields sometimes. No, the putrid odor belonged to a fox, and Swiftpaw slipped closer to the rest of the patrol reflexively.

"Fox." She hissed softly, though there was probably little need as the scent was blowing towards them. Swiftpaw didn't think the mange-ridden beast had spotted them yet, and it was likely in the fox's best interests it stayed that way.

Sunnyskip padded alongside the rest of the patrol as they moved across the moor. She had been paired with Nightwind a lot recently, and while she enjoyed his company, she was excited about the opportunity to hunt with Lilacstar and Swiftpaw. She hadn't interacted much with Swiftpaw, or Tawnyflare for that matter, but hopefully that would change today. Swiftpaw caught a hare, and Sunnyskip congratulated her on the catch before catching sight of a rabbit on a nearby hilltop. Carefully approaching it, she waited until she was within sprinting distance before she darted forward, attempting to close the distance between them. Her teeth met the rabbit's scruff, and she cut off it's final cry swiftly before turning to return to the group. Just as she reached them, she heard Swiftpaw's hiss. Setting down the rabbit, Sunnyskip scented the air, which confirmed the presence of the fox. The fur along her back started to rise, and she looked to Lilacstar as she quickly buried the rabbit. She would know what to do, and Sunnyskip would follow whatever orders the she-cat gave.

Sunnyskip attempted to catch a Rabbit, catch was successful. -3 SP. (157/160)

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

---

'Hunting Dice' : 2

Tawnyflare dashed along the moor, chasing after a rabbit, and she totally wasn't showing off. Not her! She was a little bit separated from the patrol, mainly because said patrol included Swiftpaw. While she was not acting as though she liked the apprentice, she chose to refrain from cruelness, instead settling for a cold attitude towards the apprentice in the presence of others, such was the case right now. With a final, bounding leap, Tawnyflare managed to pin the rabbit down, bringing a swift end to it through the nip on the neck, allowing it to fall limp before burying it.

At Swiftpaw's call of a fox, her emerals eyes narrowed, and with a taste of the air, was able to confirm her apprentice's claim.

Tawnyflare attempted to catch a rabbit. Catch was successful!

In the same moment, Lilacstar was on the tail of a hare, paws mere whisker-lengths from catching the speedy rodent. She honestly enjoyed being able to hunt like this. It was one thing that being a leader did not take from her, and she was able to spend time with her Clanmates as well. That was always a pleasant experience, in her opinion.

At last, claws met fur, and the hare had tripped with the force of her blow. Before it was able to recover, Lilacstar quickly dispatched it, kicking dirt over her kill.

Her fur stood on end as she heard a call of alarm from the apprentice of the group. A fox? Stars, why now. Still, something would need to be done.

"Alright. Let's get downwind of the fox. We will need to use our numbers to drive it out of the territory. One cat will attack at a time. As soon as you make an attack, get back as quickly as possible, and the next one goes in. If this works, we should be able to confuse and overwhelm the fox enough for it to make a retreat."

Lilacstar attempted to catch a hare. catch was successful!

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

---

'Hunting Dice' : 7, 2

Swiftpaw instinctively slid into a crouch, pale gaze finding the russet-furred creature in the longer grasses after a moment of searching. She was well aware of how her pale fur stood out on the moors, and being the youngest member of the group, that would very quickly turn her into a target for the fox. Something she had little intention of letting happen.

She gave a nod to Lilacstar, showing she understood. The wind chose that moment to shift direction slightly, and Eleos silently cursed at the audacity of it. The fox turned... Settling golden eyes on her for hardly a moment before it lunged forward.

Swiftpaw twisted, lunging out of the way with a hiss, claws lashing out in an attempt to make contact. Not anywhere near lethal, it had been more of a glancing blow at best, but her claws had still come away blood while she was unscathed, for the moment.

Fox used Iron Bite on Swiftpaw for -20 sp, dealing -30 damage.
Swiftpaw used Dodge-and-Fight for -15 sp, avoiding damage. Counterattack (-3 hp) was successful!

Swiftpaw
20 / 20 hp (damage negated)
65 / 80 sp (80 - 15)

Fox
87 / 90 hp (90 - 3)
260 / 280 sp (280 - 20)

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 4

Lilacstar gave the order, and Sunnyskip nodded, stepping in behind Swiftpaw as she carefully approached the fox. Lowering herself to allow her pelt to blend in with the dirt and grasses, she started to get into a position to follow up Swiftpaw's attack as soon as she got out of the way... And then the wind shifted. Immediately the fox noticed them, and turned on Swiftpaw. Lunging forward, Sunnyskip slid under the belly of the fox, slicing up at the exposed skin. Scrambling to her paws on the other side, the warrior tried to put herself between the fox and Swiftpaw to shield her from any further attacks. Lashing out with another paw at the fox's face, she hissed at it. If she could get it's attention focused on her, maybe it would leave Swiftpaw alone.

Sunnyskip used Half-Turn Belly Rake, dealing 11 damage and costing 20 SP. She then followed up with Swift Strike, dealing an additional 4 damage and costing 10 SP. Total damage is 15, total SP cost is 30.

Sunnyskip:
45/45 HP
130/160 SP (-30)

Swiftpaw:
20/20 HP
65/80 SP

Fox:
72/90 HP (-15)
260/280 SP

Tawnyflare let out a hiss of annoyance as the winds began to change, and her apprentice was nearly bit in half. And then, of course, Sunnyskip had to dart in to protect her stupid apprentice, and the whole plan was thrown out. Letting her Asylum training take over, Tawnyflare darted forward and began battering the fox constantly in an attempt to overwhelm it. Normally a cat would be wearing the pelt of a predator to aid with this, as it would make them look more intimidating, but as it was, she no longer had her pelt. Perhaps this fox would become her replacement.

"Are you two trying to get yourselves killed?!?! You guys are insane!"

Tawnyflare used Sanctum Strike, dealing 15 damage and costing 20 stamina. Fox is stunned for one turn!

Swiftpaw
20/20 HP
65/80 SP

Sunnyskip
45/45 HP
130/160 SP

Tawnyflare
60/60 HP
180/200 SP (-20)

Fox (Stunned)
57/90 HP (-15)
260/280 SP

As her Clanmates charged in at the fox, Lilacstar could not help the fear that she felt. Everything was going all wrong. Her Clanmates could get killed from this, and a pit of dread filled her stomach. She refused to lose anyone else.

Racing forward, the leader brought her paws down on the fox, clawing at the predator's face. "We need to drive the fox to the border! Get it off our territory!"

Guess Tawnyflare wouldn't get her pelt after all.

Lilacstar used Rending Front Paws, dealing 20 damage and costing 25 stamina

Swiftpaw
20/20 HP
65/80 SP

Sunnyskip
45/45 HP
130/160 SP

Tawnyflare
60/60 HP
180/200 SP

Lilacstar
120/120 HP
275/300 SP (-25)

Fox (Stunned)
37/90 HP (-20)
260/280 SP

Swiftpaw growled, ears flat against her skull as Sunnyskip darted forward to attack the fox. It wasn't long before Tawnyflare joined in, and Swiftpaw made a mental note of the way her mentor fought. They didn't like each other, but she could still learn from her, and whatever Tawnyflare's faults were, combat prowess wasn't one of them.

The fox yipped and snarled. It had expected an easy meal, to grab the pale-furred youth and run off. Yet the smallest cat had been faster than expected, dodging easily, and the other cats had not run as expected, either. The fox twisted, struggling to make sense of the whirlwind of claws it had found itself the target of. The pale-furred youth was proving to be very, very annoying. Claws dug into the fox's belly, then raked across a russet flank, and the fox wasn't quick enough to avoid all the blows raining down on it. Blood dripped into frantic golden eyes that were suddenly filled with fear.

Maybe, just maybe, it had made a mistake.

Swiftpaw used Belly Rake for -10sp, dealing -7 damage.
Swiftpaw used Swift Strike for -10sp, dealing -2 damage.
Fox is stunned.

Swiftpaw
20/20 HP
45/80 SP (65 - 10 - 10)

Sunnyskip
45/45 HP
130/160 SP

Tawnyflare
60/60 HP
180/200 SP

Lilacstar
120/120 HP
275/300 SP

Fox (Stunned)
28/90 HP (37 - 7 - 2)
260/280 SP

Tawnyflare rammed into the fox, throwing off it's balance before battering it furiously. The she-cat's angry words didn't seem to sink in to Sunnyskip, so focused was she on the battle. If Muddyleap was with them, she would have to keep him safe. What if Swiftpaw was Muddyleap? The fur along her spine rose, and she bared her teeth in a hiss. Lilacstar's words cut through her fear and anger, and she glanced towards the she-cat. "If we just drive it off it can come back. Or go to another clan. What if next time it finds someone else that's not as prepared? What if it finds Muddy? I can't let that happen." The she-cat hissed as she turned her gaze back on the fox. No, one of them would not be leaving this battle standing... And she would be returning home to her mother and brother, of that she was certain. That left only one. Darting forward, she rose up to batter the fox over it's ears with both paws before retreating to give her clanmates space, trying to position herself between the fox and Swiftpaw again.

Sunnyskip used Upright Front Paws dealing 11 damage and costing 20 SP.

Swiftpaw:
20/20 HP
45/80 SP

Sunnyskip:
45/45 HP
107/160 SP (-20)

Tawnyflare:
60/60 HP
180/200 SP

Lilacstar:
120/120 HP
275/300 SP

Fox: (Stunned)
17/90 HP (-11)
260/280 SP

It was with a frustrated hiss that Lilacstar continued her attack. She was partially upset that Sunnyskip was arguing with her, but she knew that the she-cat was right. The fox was weak, and it needed to be put down. Otherwise, cats would still be in danger. So, rearing up, Lilacstar put her whole weight on top of the fox's head. That should be enough to keep the fox down for good.

Turning back to her patrol, she assessed the wounds which had been received, though it seemed like every cat was in good shape. "Let's had back to camp. I will alert Dayspring to have her patrols keep watch for fox scent, but for now, I think we could all do with some rest."

Lilacstar used Upright Lock, dealing 20 damage and costing 25 stamina. Fox is defeated. I am too lazy to write out the current stats now, so just take my word for it.

---

Seeing the fox fall to the floor, Tawnyflare's eyes lit up. "Can I have it?"

Her cry was immediate, and Lilacstar gave her a look of confusion. "Can you have....the fox?"

Right, they probably didn't understand the practice. It was just something they saw from Asylum cats, they wouldn't know the reasoning behind it. "Yes! Back in Asylum, we would wear the pelts of a predator to help us fight, and I got really good at fighting with one on! But I don't have my pelt anymore, so can I have this one? I promise I won't be a burden with it!"

Lilacstar shuffled her paws uneasily. Bringing an Asylum practice to WindClan? But....this was Tawnyflare, not Asylum. What harm could allowing this do? "If you wish, you....may have it, I suppose."

And immediately Tawnyflare raced to the fox, ready to get to work.

Lilacstar brought her weight crashing down upon the fox, and it stopped moving. Swiftpaw eyed it for a moment, a huff of air escaping her.

Swiftpaw was torn between disgust and confusion at Tawnyflare being so eager for the fox carcass. It wasn't something she would think a clan cat would want or agree with, especially considering Tawnyflare's explanation... An explanation that saved Eleos from needing to do anything other than keep the look of mild disgust plastered across her face. The disgust, at the very least, wasn't feigned. Foxes reeked at the best of times, which... hah. It was fitting for Tawnyflare, she supposed. A hint of surprise crossed Eleos' face at Lilacstar allowing it before Eleos' expression settled into something more neutral.

"Where there's one there's usually more. Sunnyskip had a good point about not letting them walk away." It was the rogue's pragmatism speaking, perhaps ruthlessness, but the words slipped out before Swiftpaw could stop them. The clan cats would probably just chalk it up to the wariness gained over moons spent on her own, at least Eleos hoped so.

Lilacstar let out a frustrated hiss, and Sunnyskip winced, blinking as Lilacstar dealt the finishing blow. As the adrenaline of the battle wore off, the she-cat lowered her head. She had defied Lilacstar's orders.... The thought horrified her, and twisted in her gut. She still stood by what she had said, but as the emotions calmed she realized fully what she had done. She only vaguely registered what Tawnyflare had asked, and Lilacstar permitted as she hesitantly approached the leader. Swiftpaw spoke up in agreement with what she had said, but Sunnyskip's ear flicked. "Lilacstar... I'm sorry. I'm... Not sure what came over me. All I could think of was the fox returning... But that's no excuse. I'm sorry." She mewed, her voice soft.

Tawnyflare had dragged the fox away and was on her way back to camp, and she expected the other two to be eager in following suit. After all, this was far from how the patrol had been planned. But Swiftpaw stopped to give some advice, which shocked Lilacstar at first, until she remembered where Swiftpaw came from. "Right, but that is also why we wanted to drive it off. With the fox's scent here, any others could be led to believe this is their territory. We needed the scent trail to lead elsewhere. But what's done is done, I suppose."

As Sunnyskip approached her, Lilacstar couldn't help but sympathize with the she-cat. There were many types of loyalties. Loyalty to your Clan, to your friends. But Sunnyskip had experienced the strongest of them all. Loyalty to her family. No cat could blame her for that.

With a sigh, she rested her tail on the warrior's back, drawing her close. "You don't need to apologize, Sunnyskip. I know exactly what came over you. You were scared, and you wanted to protect your brother. Any cat would do the same. Even I would, had I been in your position."