A Blooming Future [c]

Coyotepaw's small frame weaved herself through the shadows of the camp as the sun started to fall down the sky for the moon to rise. They still had time left before the dark would fall upon WindClan and the sky was clear making for a beautiful sunset. Her eyes were trained on the large hunk of Hawkpaw, crouching by the meager prey pile. They had been made apprentices just days apart, spending their lives in the nursery together. In her mind, they were equals. Friends. Quiet, distant friends, but certainly not enemies. The young apprentice was angsty from a day of chores and was determined to show off her acquired skills.

Finally, she stood behind Hawkpaw and cleared her throat. Tail flicking ever so slightly, she tilted her head up to meet his eyes. "Down for a trip to the flower fields? I bet I could run circles around you while you stand there like a rock." Tone amused versus nasty or accusatory, the she-cat didn't wait long for an answer before turning and heading to the camp entrance. He didn't speak much, anyway.

Hawkpaw looked through the prey pile, debating eating. He didn't really need to, and prey was scarce. If he cared about anything, he cared about his clan, so he couldn't rightfully take prey that could go to the kits or elders right now. Suddenly the clearing of a throat took his attention away from food, and he turned his head to look down at Coyotepaw. She wanted to go to the flower fields? Why not. A grunt of acknowledgment came from the tom as he got to his paws, following Coyotepaw out of camp. She was distinctly faster than her, he knew that, so he probably wouldn't try to chase her. He simply followed her silently, a very large shadow to his more excitable friend.

The sun weakly hit Coyotepaw's face as they neared the top of the crest. Thankfully, the wind was soft right now. A nice change from the usual harsh winds of the Moore, especially during leaf-bare. Below them was the expanse that would be the flower fields, apparently. She never got the opportunity to see it in full glory, being born so late in the year. It gave her something to look forward to, to see the flowers for the first time. Glancing over at Hawkpaw, who had finally joined her, and cocked her head. "Race you down? I bet I'm faster than you." She snorted, before facing the decline below. "Ready, set, go!" Without hesitation to her own call, Coyotepaw took off like a blur, snow being thrown behind her in her wake.

Hawkpaw gave a grunt in response to Coyotepaw's immediate sprint down the crest, following as swiftly as he could... which was much slower than Coyotepaw. His large weight though meant more speed as he came barrelling down the hill after his friend, and he finally got within speaking distance again. "That wasn't very fair." He finally meowed, speeding along behind her. Not that he cared for fairness, but he did a little when it was something he was competing in. Not that it mattered, he knew that she would win. If there was a contest of pushing rocks around, or kicking things far, that he could win. His heavy pawsteps left a trail behind him in the snow as he finally got to the bottom, slowing down to a stop with a skid of snow.

The race caused her undersides to get very wet from the snow, causing her to shiver when a breeze came by. Smuggly, she turned to face him. "Oh, I am so aware it was. You're nothing but a big lump." She took a few steps to close the distance between them and flicked his broad chest with her tail. "What are you going to do about it, Hawkpaw?" She taunted lightly, putting a few paces between them and glancing back. The sun and snow glittered on his fur like sparkles, and she had to swallow hard as heat rose in her pelt. What was this feeling? It wasn't welcomed... Was it welcomed? The thoughts in her head swirled, allowing her to get distracted.

Hawkpaw let out a huff from his nose, staring down Coyotepaw. It wasn't with his usual intention for combat, however, this time it was curiosity. She was bold, unafraid to pester him. If anything, she enjoyed it, despite his threats, things that he had proven that he could follow through on. Her tail flicked his chest and all he felt was... a warmth. A playfulness. So he lunged at her, attempting to knock her down. "I'll do that." He meowed bluntly. Why was she like this? Always the playful insults, never serious. Maybe she was serious though, in her own way. She confused him... but it was a good confusion. Like he wanted to learn what it was that confused him.

Coyotepaw giggled, and bounced out of his way, as a light bop just brushed down her pelt. She darted behind him, pawing at his tail. [color:4653=9966ff]"You're so slow." She taunted again, whiskers twitching in amusement. It was fun antagonizing Hawkpaw, but in a different way than most. A special kind of way. He was stoic, reserved. So unlike her, but alike. Different similarities.