Hunting in the Night

Murkystrike's shadowed figure stood out against the dark night, outlined by the light of the nearly full moon. The usual patrols had been sent out already... But as the cool wind blew against her thick fur she looked towards the sky. It wouldn't be long before leaf-bare was upon them... Perhaps an extra hunting patrol would be good. Maybe she would look for some herbs, and help her daughter out. She smiled to herself as she looked to what warriors remained unassigned to patrols. "I'm going hunting, if any of you would like to join me. You can hunt or look for herbs. I'm sure Basilpaw could use some extra herbs." She mewed, waiting to see who came to join her. She wouldn't go out alone - but surely there was someone who would come along.

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OOC: Herb List:

"May I join?" Flintstar stepped from his den into the open camp air, giving a glance towards his deputy. He doubted Murkystrike would turn down his request but even if he was higher rank than her, he knew it was impolite to just...Invite himself to her patrol - if she wanted to head this, then he would let her lead it. Besides, it was less words he would have to speak and it had been a while since he had been out and Freckleface was always pushing for him to get more fresh air than just going to the Gathering. He waited patiently to the side for Murkystrike to speak, scanning the camp to see if anybody else was going to join.

Mistyfalcon lifted his head at the sound of Murkystrike's voice, pulling himself to his paws with a yawn and giving his pelt a shake. The night air held a chill that it hadn't in greenleaf, though Mistyfalcon had found that he didn't mind the change in temperature at all. Soon enough the weather would grow colder however, and that meant herbs would be scarce. Stocking up while they could was a good idea... And Mistyfalcon would be happy to help their daughter however he could.

"I'll join," He volunteered. The rogues were still around, and the more cats on the patrol, the less likely they were to run into trouble. Flintstar was a skilled warrior, and better company- blessedly quiet company- than some. He gave Shadowclan's leader a nod, before his gaze turned back towards Murkystrike.

Dappledpaw was more adjusted to ShadowClan's sleep schedule and was finishing eating something. She noticed a few cats standing near the camp entrance and heard something about hunting. She finished her food and padded up to the cats. As she approached the cats, she recognized Flinstar and Murkystrike. She didn't know the other cat and listened to the conversation for a few moments. "Can I join you?" She mewed to Murkystrike. She hadn't had many opportunities to practice her hunting and she should get to know more of the cats in ShadowClan.

Burningwing's ears perked up when Murkystrike asked for company. He watched with keen interest as Flintstar joined her, then Mistyfalcon. He got to his paws and approached, making it quite clear that he intended to tag along. Then the rogue apprentice joined and a flash of fire blazed in his sulfur yellow gaze. Just when he thought he could spend time with actual Shadowclan cats... this one shows up.

"I would like to assist." He said simply, forcing the growl in the back o his throat to stay quiet. Maybe they'd run into a rogue or two... and Burningwing would kill them in the most brutal way possible. He had yet to display any rogue bodies to the outsider... and he intended to do that at some point soon to prove a point. Rogues didn't belong and they never would. To The Dark Forest what anyone else thought.

Burningwing purposely ignored Dappledpaw after his furious gaze. He certainly wouldn't be the one to save her if she got into trouble. He absolutely refused to soil his paws caring for a cat that didn't belong in Shadowclan in the first place.

"I'll come too!"  Basilpaw trotted out of her nice warm den and was hit by the crisp night breeze, the coolness making her lungs burn for a moment.  A few days after the Gathering she noticed that her heart had been beating slower than normal, and fluttering in an alarming way that made her both tired and nauseous.  Her parents and Batglow had ordered her to rest and get back to normal, but every day had been like torture to her.  She even had to miss her first medicine cat meeting!  She had felt so useless and lazy, but for the last several days her heart had begun to feel normal again and Murkystrike knew that.  She silently begged her mother to let her go with the group, brushing against her father's flank and gazing up at the calico deputy with wide, oh-so-sweet amber eyes.  I know I need to be careful, but I also need to do my job!

Flintstar was the first to approach, and she welcomed him with a respectful nod. Mistyfalcon wasn't far behind, and she moved forward to touch her nose to his neck briefly. A smaller voice chirped up, and she turned her gaze down to young Dappledpaw, smiling as she asked to join. "Of course you can, the more the merrier!" She purred as another voice rose and she looked up to see Burningwing. Her tail tip flicked and her eyes hardened slightly as she glanced back down to Dappledpaw, nodding in acceptance. They were clanmates, whether Burningwing liked it or not. Maybe it was a good sign that he was volunteering to come along... Given his blatant ignoring of the apprentice's presence though, the deputy found herself unconvinced that was the case. A final voice called out, and Murkystrike tensed as she turned towards her daughter. She had been feeling out of sorts for the past moon, and now she wanted to go out? Into the territory? Basilpaw had told her that her heart wasn't so crazy.... Casting a tentative glance to the rest of the patrol, Mistyfalcon in particular, Murkystrike hesitated a little longer before signing. "Alright, you can come. However, you are not to stray too far from Flintstar or Mistyfalcon. Dappledpaw, you stay close to me, alright? There are still rogues in the territory, so we need to be vigilant, and I don't want either of you to be caught unaware and alone. Am I understood?" She had drawn herself to her full height, looking down at the two apprentices with the authority of a deputy, waiting for their answer as she added a final comment. "If either of you stray too far, you will be on elder duty for a half moon, on top of your usual trainings. That goes for you as well, Basilpaw." She mewed firmly, hoping she had made herself clear.