Light and Shadow

The rain had muddled the scent that Dewlight was following. She had heard the reports that a fox was seen wandering near the river at night, so she had come during the day to try to pinpoint where it was coming from to report back to RiverClan. If they could find where it was sleeping, they could launch a solid counter-attack. The warrior grumbled, however. She was used to water in her pelt, the way the rain streamed off of her fur was nothing she was concerned about, in fact she didn't even notice it. What she did notice, however, was the lack of a scent trail. She had been tracking it just fine before the rain started, and now that she was at the river's edge it was gone. Backtracking to where she had last scented it, she spotted a small clump of red fur caught in the reeds by the water's edge. Had it crossed the river? That would certainly explain the way the scent seemed to disappear... But why would a fox cross a river almost every night? She sighed, scanning the far edge of the river. Luckily it was around sunhigh, at least she thought it was, so there was some light emanating from the hazy clouds overhead. Still, the rain made it difficult to see anything. Lowering her nose, she sniffed at the rocks. The faint scent of fox met her nose and she sighed. It had definitely gone this way.... Perhaps she should just wait for a patrol. Which clan was on the far side of the river? ThunderClan or SkyClan, she thought. Where was their border again? ThunderClan may be friendlier, but... The she-cat huffed, sitting on the bank and scanning the far side of the river. Of course the wind was blowing away from her. Just her luck. Hopefully some cat would be by soon, and they'd be willing to answer her question.

Tornshadow had decided to move on from the rock that her and Dawnhawk would usually meet at. She had debated leaving something for a while just to see her father again, before ultimately decided against it. Something in her gut told her now wasn't the time. As she moved closer to the river, she froze. There was a strong scent of Riverclan. It took her a moment for her to realize that it was just a patrol or warrior patrolling the border, not someone who actually crossed due to how strong it was despite the rain.

Azure eyes scanned the territory before spotting a warrior just sitting beside the border, obviously waiting on someone. Was it her place to ask? She stepped closer, her voice loud enough to carry over the sound of the rain. "Are you waiting on someone?" Did this cat happen to catch Dawnhawk crossing onto their territory? Was she waiting to tell someone? Dread filled her. God she hoped not. She didn't need more patrols going out to hunt Dawnhawk down.

A voice emanated from across the river, and Dewlight jumped a bit. Peering through the rain, she spotted a lone figure and a wave of relief washed over her. Shaking the rain from her eyes, she stood and mewed back, loud enough to carry over the rain, wind, and river. "Actually, yes! Anyone really, not any one cat in particular though. A fox has been spotted on our side of the river at night. The trail ends right here. I believe it's crossing the river around this area every time. Can you confirm if there's fox scent over there? I didn't want to just cross to confirm, so I thought I would wait for a patrol." She admitted, tail swishing behind her. Hopefully her suspicion would be confirmed. If not, she would have to retrace her steps and try to figure out where the fox went... If he was crossing the river, they could set up an ambush for as soon as it got out of the water, that would work in their favor.

Oh. A fox huh? She didn't really scent anything on the way here.. Maybe it was the scent of Dawnhawk and his trips over here? She wasn't too sure. Tornshadow shook the rain off of her face, giving a small grimace at the water in her fur. It was just something she had to deal with. "I don't recall scenting anything, but the rain could have washed it away already.." The chance of a fox being on the territory was very real.  The white and gold warrior opened her mouth to scent the area trying to find any sign of a trail or if the creature lurked nearby, but over the rain it was hard to smell anything. "Do you think it could be nearby?"

The cat on the far side shook out her pelt, stating that she hadn't noticed anything. Dewlight's ears dropped a bit at the news, she had been hoping otherwise. "Fish scales...." She muttered, ears perking as the other cat continued. She instinctively looked up, only to be greeted by the clouds that covered the sky. She noticed they were getting darker, was a storm on the way or was the sun setting? It was so hard to tell... "The fox is usually seen around sunset on our side of the river... I'm not sure where it comes from or where it goes, but... Well, if the sky is getting darker because the sun is setting it could be getting close. Either way, we probably don't have long, if it's not the sun setting it will be a storm brewing that's making the clouds dark." She stated, tail flicking from side to side. After a moment, she called out again. "My name is Dewlight. What's yours?"

Tornshadow shook out her fur again, sighing as the water just started weighing down her fur once again. It was certainly a little bothersome. The fox returned at sun fall? Azure eyes flicked to the sky. It was certainly getting darker, though she wasn't as in tune with weather like this as Riverclan was. She didn't even want to be out here right now, but she was stuck here. "I'm Tornshadow. It's nice to meet you Dewlight." It was a bit of a relief really, to meet someone outside of all the mess that was Skyclan. "Would you like me to stick around in case the fox shows?" She didn't mind hanging around a little longer. "If it's wandering between territories, we should work together to take it out."

The she-cat introduced herself as Tornshadow, and Dewlight lowered her head respectfully, smiling across the river. "I like your name, Tornshadow. It's a pleasure to meet you, certainly." She thought for a moment, considering what the she-cat had offered. Taking a couple steps forward, she waded into the water a little bit. "If the fox shows up, help would certainly be nice... I don't think I can take a fox on by myself. Like you said, if it's crossing over, there's a real chance it could be a threat to you and your clan as well... Would it be okay if I swam to your side? I'll stay in the water, unless the fox comes this way. If it's on the far side, I'll know where to go to track it further, and if it's here, I won't have to swim all the way across when it shows up. Is that okay with you?" She asked, waiting for permission from the other cat before swimming across the river.

Tornshadow didn't want to make things difficult for the Riverclan warrior, so she was quick to agree to letting Dewlight cross the border. "Sure, I don't mind you crossing. Like you said it would be easier this way." If someone was going to get mad, then she would take the blame, and prevent any issue that would arise between Skyclan and Riverclan as best as she could. Though she was certain once she explained that they were tracking a fox, then Wolfstar wouldn't complain. If he did then, oh well.

"Good to have you on my side." She said with a grin, enjoying the small joke she made.

Dewlight purred, slipping into the current as Tornshadow voiced her agreement. When she reached the far side of the river, she stepped out of the water and onto the rocks, her already water-laden pelt now fully soaked with the water from the river. It streamed off of her to the ground below, and she didn't bother shaking out her pelt. One, she didn't want to get her new companion even more wet, and two... It was still raining. No sense in wasting her time like that. Tornshadow grinned at her, and Dewlight smiled back. "It's a pleasure to be over here! Thank you for your help." She purred, eyes shining with gratitude.

She scented the immediate area, starting to lose hope as she still didn't find any fox scent. The rain mixed with the river made it impossible... She sighed, looking up to Tornshadow when movement to the side caught her attention. She froze, eyes darting to the spot she had seen it. It had been so quick, and she could have sworn it was a dark red color. Her eyes narrowed, and she motioned to where she had spotted the movement with her tail for Tornshadow, just in case she hadn't seen it. Just then, a shadow lunged out of the reeds and Dewlight barely stepped back in time as teeth snapped closed a whisker away from her throat. The force of the attack still knocked both her and the fox into the water though, and as it thrashed she felt wounds opening across her chest and forepaws. Using the water to her advantage, she deftly slid from under it and pushed it's head under the water. Blood dripped from a bite wound in her chest, mixing in the small whirlpools around her paws as she panted and looked to Tornshadow.

Fox used Iron Bite, dealing 30 damage and costing 20 SP. Dewlight used Underwater Clinch, dealing 11 damage and costing 10 SP. Fox is stunned for one turn.

Fox: Stunned x1
79/90 (-11)
260/280 (-20)

Dewlight:
30/60 (-30)
190/200 (-10)

Tornshadow had seen it but she wasn't quick enough to act. Regret filled her at seeing her new friend being attack but she was quick to jump into action. Azure eyes study the two, looking for an opening in the fighting. She bunched her muscles in her hind legs, getting prepped to tackle the fox to the ground. Once she saw the opening she leapt, her paws out stretched, barreling into the orange creature.

Tornshadow used Run and Tackle dealing 9 damage, -10 SP

Fox: Stunned x1
70/90 (-9)
260/280

Dewlight:
30/60
190/200

Tornshadow:
45/45
150/160 (-10)

Tornshadow was quick to jump into the battle, and relief filled the she-cat as she did. The fox struggled against her grip, and she felt her paws slip on the smooth rocks. Before the fox could regain it's balance and stand, she reared up on her hind paws and brought unsheathed claws down on the fox as it started to stand. Claws pierced russet fur, and the fox hissed at the impact, fixing her with a beady stare as it prepared it's next attack.

Fox is stunned! Dewlight used Rear-Up to Slash dealing 13 damage, -15 SP. Fox is no longer stunned!

Fox:
57/90 (-13)
260/280

Dewlight:
30/60
175/200 (-15)

Tornshadow:
45/45
150/160

Tornshadow could feel in her gut that this was going to be a tough fight. Maybe just maybe they bit off more than they could chew with taking on the fox with just the two of them, but she wasn't going to give up and take off when she promised she would help out this Riverclanner. She approached the fox again, following the same motions Dewlight just did, trying to tear into as much skin and fur as she could.

Tornshadow used Rear up to Slash dealing 11 damage, -15 SP

Fox:
46/90 (-11)
260/280

Dewlight:
30/60
175/200

Tornshadow:
45/45
135/160 (-15)

Dewlight glanced to Tornshadow, and saw the same expression that she was wearing on the other she-cat's face. The reports had mentioned a fox, and she had been sent to do what she could.... But this was quite the battle before them. It was a good thing that this SkyClan she-cat had offered to help, otherwise it would have been a long swim to safety, with the fox not far behind. Still, that meant that Tornshadow was in danger as well. Her attention swiftly returned to the fox as jaws snapped just shy of her throat, throwing herself back just in time. Instinctively, she battered the snout of the fox with a paw, attempting to drive it away from her even a little bit.

Fox used Iron Bite on Dewlight, dealing 30 damage for 20 SP. Dewlight used Dodge-and-Fight, negating the 30 damage and costing 15 SP. Counterattack successful for 6 damage.

Fox:
40/90 (-6)
240/280 (-20)

Dewlight:
30/60
160/200 (-15)

Tornshadow:
45/45
135/160

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 4

Tornshadow couldn't help but wince at how close the fox had been at snapping its jaws on her new friend. A slight phantom pain stinging through her body at what could have been. She pushed it aside and made her move. They needed to get this thing taken care of now. If they waited any longer then they were going to be in a world of thorns. The gold and white she-cat moved forward and pounced onto the fox claws and jaws pinning the creature the best she could.

Tornshadow used Leap and Hold dealing 9 damage, -10 SP. Fox is pinned for one turn.

Fox: (Pinned)
31/90 (-9)
240/280

Dewlight:
30/60
160/200

Tornshadow:
45/45
125/160 (-10)