Grim Hunting Part 2

Swiftheart walked behind Nightstrider on their hunting patrol.  Nightstrider had taken lead of the patrol, that was fine with her, he was a natural leader. She wondered if he would ever want to be deputy one day (Hopefully that would not happen for a long time for Frostgaze's sake).  Nightstrider was leading them toward the Pine Grove, a good idea since it usually faired as Shadowclan's best hunting grounds.  She knew she wanted nothing to do with such roles, as much as she was a friendly extravert, Swiftheart was not happy having everyone look to her to make decisions on things. Nightstrider was good at it though he was able to get cats to follow him and cooperate she was glad he was on her side.  She still felt bad about the whole Buriningwing situation, at first she thought so highly of Burningwing but she was not sure anymore, had Burningwing really let an owl attack her brother? Perhaps Buringwing was just in shock for a couple seconds that could happen to anyone.  Or maybe the cat that had reported that simply got the report wrong? In either case she wished she could comfort her brother more on it, but he was really sensitive about that topic and it was best to leave it alone.   All the same she wished he knew that he could always talk to her about these things, sometimes it was alot easier to talk to a peer/sibling than a deputy or parents about such things.

She walked alongside Ratpaw who had luckily been able to join them she thought back embarrassed on how awkward she had been in camp... hmm well maybe Ratpaw would just take it as excitement in general, that wasn't really a stretch given that Swiftheart was always very excited and sometimes still acted about how a kit would.  She did wish she could just tell Ratpaw how she felt about him, it would be a relief to get it off her chest. Being direct was one way to do it, it's probably how Mistyfalcon or Nightstalker would do it... But it would hurt way too much if he didn't feel the same way and it would be weird living together in the warrior den after that...  Swiftheart didn't want to put either of them in a weird spot. For now probably just best to get to know him even more, besides that meant getting to hang out with him. There was no need to rush this. She could however make small talk on their way to Pine Grove, as long as it stayed quiet so as not to scare any prey away.

Hey :) she whispered quietly smiling. Hows training going? You excited to be a warrior? she added on but constantly reminding herself to keep it in whispers.  Prey was already hard enough to catch without them being heard.

It was freezing out, the hard ground covered in either snow or ice. The forest seemed dead, nothing was crazy enough to be out during this season, except for them it seemed empty.

When they got to Pine Grove Swiftheart smelled the air hoping to catch any scent of prey that might be about.  Nothing! the forest was void of life it seemed. She walked silently forward ears listening for anything at all that could help to feed her clan.  The fresh kill pile had been constantly low or empty due to the harsh season.

She heard tiny rustling and turned her head toward the sound, she instantly saw a little rodent, its fur not blending in well with the snow gave it away easily. It was next to a small puddle amount of water that had not frozen over yet around the edges, thirst was the only thing that had driven it out of its safe den.  Swiftheart lowered into the hunting crouch and stalked closer to it.

OOC: Rolling Dice a 1-5 results in catch (base of 3 +2 from the pine grove) 8-10 results in an ambush by predator.

Swiftheart leapt forward claws out. The rodent did not stand a chance as she hit it square on, killing it quickly.
Oh thank starclan! she whispered happily holding it in her jaws. It was so tempting to eat it now, it smelled so good and she had not eaten in a long time from the shortage of food going around. She resisted the temptation though, no a kit or elder would need this much more than herself and her clan had to come first.

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 2

Ratpaw trailed easily behind Nightstalker, yellow eyes bright in the night. The pine grove was, the small tom thought, a good choice. Ratpaw had been here not long ago, and managed to snag a few rodents between his patrol. Barely, but it showed they were there. It was also… oddly beautiful, in its own dangerous way. The trees were imposing and thorn-like thin, with dark points as leaves that never loosened or shed; trees, certainly, but unlike those in other territories. Distinctive to Shadowclan. And nestled beneath the snow lay their roots: the leaf-bare homes of small, warm-blooded creatures.

In a distant, yet niggling way, it reminded him of the warrior stalking ahead. Nightstalker’s ears were thin and his fur swept into points, and there was… a dark angularity to him. (A beauty.) Nightstalker had definitely grown into himself: the slight clumsiness was gone, as was the need to be thrown about by hares as big as he was. The warrior tom was decisive, if not graceful. And his strides were sure, long, and purposeful.

His clanmate — friend? — certainly looked like a true warrior of Shadowclan.

The smaller tom’s tail flicked. Are we friends? Ratpaw glanced at Nightstalker’s white counterpart: Swiftheart was effervescent, friendly, and Ratpaw felt she easily counted him as a friend.

Her brother, though… Ratpaw felt less certain. But they were here, and Nightstalker didn’t seem like he would tolerate company he didn’t like.

It was a warming thought.

Ears alert for sounds of prey, he immediately turned at Swiftheart’s voice, usually quiet. It still conveyed her enthusiasm, though — if tamed. Am I excited to be a warrior?

“I am,” Ratpaw replied at the same volume, and he realized it to be true: he was excited to be a warrior. While being trusted on his own came with age — Webshadow, as dutiful as he was, did give him room as an older apprentice — it would be… a mark of something. Of pride; how far he’d come. All the cats I admire are warriors. Murkystar, Webshadow. My mom. It gave him the certainty that one day, he would be like them too. ”I’m really excited.”

Ratpaw… truly smiled, then, eyes glowing.

Ratpaw wasn’t always the most full of emotion, but he really was. Walking with the two young warriors — who he’d trained alongside — only made him feel it more strongly. Duskflight had always been older; it was only natural he’d receive his name well before younger Ratpaw. But these two… it kept Ratpaw aware of how close he was. You’re the best, Swiftheart, he thought.

And then he saw her stalk and then snatch a rodent, swift and in a flash of her fangs. Nightstalker isn’t the only true warrior.

Perhaps he wanted to be equal to them, too — not only in spirit, but in rank. To be free to go where he wanted.

(And Ratpaw thought he didn’t care about these things. He flushed.)

A sudden whim — to tackle the tom and his sister, like they were all kits again — hit him. Swiftheart had definitely been playful as a kit, he remembered, and yet Ratpaw hadn’t been. Not at all. Perhaps because he was an only kit, perhaps because he’d just been — curious and wondering about other things. And yet the sudden burst of anticipation, the reminder, made him want to. Made him feel what it was like to want to!

It was deathly cold, right then, if you were out too long. And all of them had hunger clawing at their bellies. But just then, Ratpaw felt light — lighter than in ages — and glided forward on his paws, wind in his fur.

He flashed Nightstalker a genuine, bright-eyed smile as he passed, and then sharply darted left.

The catch was seamless.

And brilliant, and beautiful, and what a rush it was. A white rabbit moved, suddenly darting from the undergrowth and it was acting under pure instinct that Ratpaw pushed into a run. The trees had him weaving, the flash of white like a bird in the sky, and then—

The rabbit turned, sharply, to evade but Ratpaw was already bearing down upon it — jaws snapping around its neck and fangs sinking in, decisive. It kicked and fell limp — perfect — and Ratpaw let himself tumble to a stop, snow spraying, the rich taste of prey on his tongue and the thrill of it thrumming in his veins. Letting the rabbit fall, Ratpaw sprawled out in the snow with a giggle in between breaths. ”I did it!

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 1

"Great job Ratpaw! Swiftheart! Starclan has truly blessed us on this night." Nightstalker praised, giving his sister and Ratpaw a genuine smile as he appraised both their catches. "I couldn't do a better job myself." The young tom bent down to give the white rabbit a sniff before giving a sharp couple of nods with a sound of approval. "I've got some fierce competition then, let's see what I can get." Nightstalker closed his eyes, his ears perking and mouth cracking open as he tried to pinpoint something living. Ratpaw's scuffle with the rabbit though was sure to have scared most of the stuff in the vicinity away, but a rabbit was a magnificent catch and would feed all the elders for moons. Something woody wafted across his scent glands, his eyes opening as he turned to find it.

A rodent would not be a bad catch, not the best of the bunch, that honor would go unchallenged to Ratpaw he was sure. Luck like that would not be his tonight, but anything in these trying times would be a blessing. They've already caught more than the last patrol. Nightstalker zoned in on the mouse, cleaning its paws under a dried, dying fern, unaware of his presence. Perfect. Lowering into a crouch, Nightstalker unsheathed his claws and crawled forwards, completely focused on the animal in front of him. Nightstalker launched forwards, claws unsheathed, but his aim was not true for the mouse had sensed him and scurried away before he could catch it.

But maybe... it wasn't him the mouse had sensed, but something else. When Nightstalker huffed, the only thing to betray his frustrations, a rank scent wafted across his nose. Nightstalkers hackles raised as he straightened up and looked around, carefully, he moved his way back towards Ratpaw and Swiftheart, eyes shifting warily. He could smell the scent, stronger this time. "We need to go. Now." his tone was hard and cold, demanding as the situation demanded him to act. He was the leader's son, he was Burningwings apprentice, guided by his noble parents and the stars to make the right decision. To fight in the harsh weather of Leaf-bare, when he knew that vegetation died, and food was scarce, was not the right call to make.

"Take the long way to camp, I'll be right behind you." They could not risk letting whatever it was know how to get to camp, they could send a battle patrol out for it later. "Forget the prey. Get moving." Usually warm, amber eyes were as sharp and cold as the ice that blocked some of their drinking spots. Nightstalker decided that he'd bring up the rear, moral obligations on being the oldest warrior present. Even if he was only a few moments older than Swiftheart by birth.

The scent again, stronger and vile. Foliage crunched and rustled behind them. It was upon them. Nightstalker turned with unsheathed claws and bared teeth, growling as he eyed down a fox. Its thin, vile muzzle wrinkled with glistening teeth, ribs showing with an unkempt coat. Leaf-bare was more than unkind to not just the cats, but the foxes it seemed, and he knew that they were competitors in a similar niche. It lunged for Ratpaw, smaller and close to a rabbit, a better meal than the growling tomcat that was bigger than it.

"Go!" Nightstalker screeched, a caterwaul spitting from his jaws as he flung himself at it, intercepting mid-air as he slammed into its neck, his jaws fastening and claws digging in as he decided that if this was how he was going to go. He was going to go down fighting, fighting for Shadowclan and everything he believed in.

Nightstalker used Jumping Strike! Costing 11 Damage (First attack + Shadowclan passive buff) and costing 7 SP

Nightstalker:
HP: 30/30
SP: 73/80

Fox:
HP: 49/60
SP: 180/180

The fox was hungry.

Very hungry.

Fresh meat wafted across his nose, the scent of live scent coming with it.

Light chirps and whispery chirps, it could hear.

It came across the noisemakers, cats in their deliciously furry glory. But it was not here for the cats, it was here for the cats prey.

But then the tall black one came for it, when it snapped at the younger to scare it away from its prey.

The fox chattered and growled, piercing claws and jaws biting into its neck, latched on like the snapping turtle it had gotten attached to its nose once.

It howled and barked its rage, its teeth bared and snarling as it whipped around and fixed its jaws around the attacking cats back leg, tearing it from its hold on its neck and tossing it into the dirt. The cat made some sort of noise that it could not understand. It approached.

The fox used Thrash! Costing 10 damage and 15 SP, Nightstalker is stunned for 1 turn!

Nightstalker:
HP: 20/30
SP: 73/80

Fox:
HP: 49/60
SP: 165/180

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 7

OOC: Effect Dice Roll

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

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'Effect Dice' : 1

Great catch Swiftheart called out to Ratpaw.  She purred. Wow the apprentice had a rabbit! That was by far the best catch Shadowclan had seen in awhile. This hunting trip was looking up.

She purred happily hearing her brother praise.  Getting a complement from him meant alot to her, although they sometimes had rivalries, she really did look up to him both as a "leader" and as an older brother. She knew he would always protect and look out for her and their clan. He was becoming a fine warrior and had a natural leadership to him.

She glanced back over to ratpaw and saw him giggling at his amazing catch. She grinned it was nice to see him so happy and relaxed. This was turning out to be a perfect hunting trip, she couldnt ask for anything better.

Then the mood shifted. It was a sudden shift.  Nightstalker hissed orders of going back... but why? they were doing so well?  Swiftheart tilted her head in confusion.

She was about to ask why when she saw it a blur of ginger out of the corner of her eye.  She froze panicked as the fox attacked her brother, but only for a moment or two before leaping to action herself.

Normally she would listen to orders from her brother, she looked up to him enough that she would do what he said.  But this was different her brother was in danger and she was not about to leave him to become fox food.  Mistyfalcon himself could not order her away from this fight and he was the cat she looked up to the most. No, they were in this together no matter the outcome.

No we are not leaving you! she yelled and charged forward at the fox.

Swiftpelt was not sure how badly her brother was hurt and was only thinking about ending this fight as fast as possible to get him safe. So she decided to take a risk and go straight for the foxes weak spot.

Rolling for effect 1-3 = fail.  4-6 = pass

She slid low to get under the fox and slid to the perfect spot ha your mine now! she clawed quickly upwards striking its soft underbelly with heavy blows drawing lots of blood from the fox. That could not have gone better. The fox growled in pain.

Swiftheart used Belly Rake:  The roll passed and the move was a Success dealing 15 damage base plus 1 for shadowclan buff costing 25 sp


Nightstalker:
HP: 20/30
SP: 73/80

Fox:
HP: 33/60 (-16)
SP: 165/180

Swiftheart:
HP: 30/30
SP: 55/80 (-25)

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

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'Effect Dice' : 5

Ratpaw laughed, eyes crinkling. Nightstalker and Swiftheart quickly came to inspect his catch — and it was impressive, even to himself! ”Thanks, Swiftheart! Yours too!” He purred softly at the praise, yellow eyes looking into Swifthearts’, the Nightstalkers’. “And Starclan has, haven’t they?”

And hadn’t they? He felt amazing — and hungry, as the richness of the rabbit lingered, but Ratpaw was able to step past it. (It was routine, by now.) The satisfaction of the catch… it was enough. At Nightstalkers’ parting words Ratpaw called out, teasingly. (And wasn’t that unlike him, too? But he felt so good!)

“Just don’t let a hare get the better of you!” — like one seemed to nearly do, back when Nightstalker was as big as one.

As the black warrior left to seek his own kill, Ratpaw let himself catch his breath, a moment. The rabbit lay beside him, still-warm by his side, and Swiftheart wasn’t far. As he glanced at her, he mewed with a smile, “Do you think—?“

And then cut off, suddenly. Nightstalker returned, voice grave; serious and not to be argued with. Much like an older warrior’s — like Murkystar. Something was wrong. But to go back—?

The long way to camp? Immediately, Ratpaw stood, rising to his full height: ears alert and tail high. His height was not, perhaps, impressive — Ratpaw was small and quick, meant for stealth — but instinct has his hackles raising.

That scent in the air… A fox.

He glanced down at the catch at his feet; a small reddish stain in the snow beneath it. It might leave a trail. But I can’t leave it here—

It’d feed the kits. Amberdawn. The biggest catch since… another season, really. And they needed it more than ever.

But then Nightstalker stiffened, and Ratpaw shook his head. No. If it’s a fox, it’s better to let them have it. They could return with a patrol to drive it off — but the three of them?

Ratpaw remembered, vividly, the night Webshadow had found Flamepaw. Parents killed… it was foxes… And Pantherpaw — his predecessor…. Ratpaw’s eyes hardened and he nodded, sharply, and went to move — but his moment’s hesitation cost him.

It was right. There.

Ratpaw skidded back and hissed, truly and fiercely.

The canine’s fur was a reddish-orange, its breathe… vile, and while it was clearly thin, barely fed, it wasn’t small — easily larger than most warriors. And it snarled, lips pulled back and teeth flashing in the distance, and — was it—?

He saw a flash of teeth, tasted foul breath on his tongue. Readied himself and shut his eyes with a hiss—

But then it was gone. Just a wail, a cry — and a distinctly non-feline yelp. Twisting, heart spiking it alarm, Ratpaw’s eyes snapped open to see a blur of black on red. The scent of blood — cat blood — filled the air.

”Go!”

He sucked in a sharp breath. And suddenly, Ratpaw’s head buzzed with that same feeling: of danger, of needing to do something but feeling choked by it. He jerked to rush forward, and yet suddenly felt… weak.

Was this like Pantherpaw? Can we even…?

Mouse-dung! he cursed the sudden drop of fear in his gut. But Ratpaw would not ”go” — Nightstalker hit the ground and Ratpaw scented blood and he felt… angry.

”I would never!”

Swiftheart’s voice rang out then too, fierce, and the wording bolstered him because she knew Ratpaw wouldn’t leave as well. Implicitly. She leapt with a ferocity and deftness and — slid under the fox, claws bloodying its vulnerable belly.

Starclan!

And then he found himself, and with a snarl he threw himself at the fox’s back — digging in with teeth and claws, and throwing his weight to the side. It tasted foul. Bleeding and crying, the creature hit the snow — Ratpaw wouldn’t let it strike Swiftheart, so close.

Ratpaw used Leap-and-Hold on the fox, dealing 8 damage (6+2 Night Finesse) and costing 15 stamina. Fox is stunned for 1 turn.

Ratpaw:
20/20 | 45/60 (-15)

Nightstalker:
20/30 | 73/80

Fox: [pinned]
25/60 (-8) | 165/180

Swiftheart:
30/30 | 55/80

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

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'Effect Dice' : 2

If Nightstalker could gasp, he would have, but the feeling of air getting punched out of his chest and his head slamming against the frozen solid ground left him in a daze. Eyes clenched shut as he felt the horrible wound on his thigh, fur already seeping with blood. The owl had not felt this bad when it had caught his face in its talons, but it did not go nearly as deep as the fox's teeth. Nightstalker gasped quietly as he struggled to regain himself, the stars and blackness in his vision clearing away as he regained his breath, the cries and shrieks of battle ringing in his ears as he lay there stunned. His teeth gritted as the pain rocketed up his spine, throbbing unpleasantly. The most he could manage was to roll over onto his belly and put his paws under him, teeth bared.


Nightstalker is working off his debuff for this turn.

The fox managed to get the first cat off.

But they just kept coming.

It yelped and shrieked, its belly torn and ripped. It had thought that to be the last of it, it could flee now, right?

This would not be worth it.

A rabbit would not be worth this.

It shrieked and lashed as the smaller cat latched onto it! No! It had its own kits to feed!

The fox is stunned for this turn.

Swiftheart was surprised at how much damage this fox could take.

She looked over to see Nightstalker still getting his paws back under him from getting hit around.
seeing her brother in pain made her very angry.

Ratpaw was doing a great job holding the fox down in a pin. But what was that behind Ratpaw sneaking up on him? Swiftheart's heart beat insanely fast as she saw another fox getting ready to leap at Ratpaw to help its buddy fox out.

Ratpaw look out! she cried out.

No there was no time, Ratpaw wouldn't have time to recognize the threat and dodge this.

Without even thinking for her own safety she got out from under the first fox where she had been and positioned herself between ratpaw and the second fox guarding the apprentices back.

She didnt have aton of time to do something fancy, the second fox was nearly on Ratpaw, she clawed at its face as hard as she could hoping to redirect its attention.

Swiftheart used Front Paw Strike with added shadowclan bonus -8


Ahhhh guyssss? we have two now! she called out scared out of her mind. She did her best to keep the fear out of her voice but failed.

How were they gonna get out of this one?
She cleared her head come on think positive here we can win this

The second fox switched focus and growled at Swiftheart. It had not taken so kindly to getting scratched in the face. It leapt forward at her and bit down hard on her shoulder.

Second Fox used Iron Bite! -17 hp

The pain was intense Swiftheart could feel blood gushing from her shoulder and her white pelt showed it very clearly. aaaaahhhh she screamed in pain. This was bad... really bad.


Ratpaw:
20/20 | 45/60

Nightstalker:
20/30 | 73/80

Fox:
25/60 | 165/180

Swiftheart:
13/30 (-17) | 48/80 (-7)

Fox 2:
52 / 60 (-8) | 150/180 (-30)

Ratpaw bit down hard, trying to dig in with his claws, but the fox kept thrashing. Why won’t you stay still?! he thought, with no little amount of rising fear. It had seemed much less frightening when Ratpaw was just angry — and he was — but the longer he kept his hold, the more he realized how strong a fox was. It snarled.

No, wait — that came from behind him. His fox was trying to snap at him. He caught a blur of white, and he heard Swiftheart’s mew of warning. Ratpaw startled, and was abruptly thrown off with a jerk of the fox’s neck. Oh no... The snow cushioned the fall, at least, and Ratpaw immediately got to his feet, hackles rising at the sight of Swiftheart’s second fox.

Ratpaw’s heart felt cold. But something in Swiftheart’s words made him shake himself. No, they couldn’t panic! There were two, but— ”Be careful!”

The first fox was stumbling, and bleeding freely, leaving macabre spills of red in the snow below. But it wasn’t running — was it only agitated now?!

Ratpaw rushed to strike it then, claws raking across its face; in desperate fury, Ratpaw bit down on it’s ear and ripped. And this time, he knew what he was doing: taking flesh with him. Maybe with one less ear the fox would do what’s good for it and run away—!

That’s when he heard a scream — her scream — and his blood turned cold. ”Swiftheart! No!”

Ratpaw used Front Paw Strike and Desperate Blows on Fox 1, dealing 12 damage (6 + 4 + 2 Night Finesse) and costing 14 stamina.

Ratpaw:
20/20 | 31/60 (-14)

Nightstalker:
20/30 | 73/80

Fox:
13/60 (-12)| 165/180

Swiftheart:
13/30 | 48/80

Fox 2:
52 / 60 (-8) | 150/180 (-30)