tell me, does it hurt? [c]

The tension in Heatherpaw's shoulders hardly released as she padded along the moorlands with Stoatpaw. It had been sometime since the pair of siblings had found themselves on a similar task. Apprenticeship had kept them busy. She felt more agitated with the associated grunt work, something she detested all the more knowing that their littermate already resided in the warrior's den.

Moments like these she remembered how fanciful dreams of this life had been as a kit. She couldn't wait to serve the clan, and yet, some deeply rooted part of her missed when it could be some glorious ideal as her and the rest of the kits tussled at Fennelbreeze's belly. Casting a quick glance to her brother, Heatherpaw disappeared into the snow-covered earth. The tunnels weren't used often but staying near the fringes allowed chances for easy hunting.

While her tongue wanted to work of it's own accord, Heatherpaw stayed silent and bit back the complaints mounted there. If her were to ask, the other apprentice was certain to get and earful. Instead, she opted for something simple for the time being, "We should probably hurry beforeit gets any later."

"Windclan will be happy either way, but I'm sure Sootstorm and Tigerstar prefer their hunting patrols to be timely." The apprentice quipped back, tense measures of bitterness in her voice. Cool dirt sprinkled onto her pelt as she was swallowed by the earth. Life underneath the moorland was quiet, more peaceful, and sometimes she wondered why the clan didn't fully utilize the tunnels more often. The answer, at least to her, came quickly as she shook out her coat. In no time at all she would be looking like a ragged mole. Heatherpaw wanted to growl at the thought but pushed it away for the time being.

Instead, her eyes peered through the darkness, ears perked as she measured her steps and made sure to keep track of how close they were. She wasn't sure if her father would be upset or proud of his kits for rooting about beneath the surface. The pale-furred apprentice glanced back over her shoulder to make out the outline of Stoatpaw. Did he notice the way in which she referred to their kin, as if he was no more than their deputy? Some might have taken it as a matter of respect, and while she loved and respected Sootstorm dearly, she couldn't help but feel the ways in which he had become more leadership than kin.

Ah. There it is. Her brother's voice was stifled slightly by the soft earth and she whipped around, perking her ears as the thought of hunting was abandoned. He was right after all, what hunting could be done with shoulders as tense as hers. The response started with a snort, "You going to take on Tigerstar for me? I'd love to see that fight." Despite her soured attitude, the words were light and teasing in nature. Heatherpaw appreciated the support of her littermate and given their relationship felt he was one of the cats she could speak genuinely with rather than staying guarded behind a mask of pleasantries or fierce outward judgement.

"I'm sick of being treated like I'm not better than a kit. No matter how hard I train or work for the clan, I've had to sit in the apprentice's den while Crakeburn gets a warrior's name for wandering into an enemy cat." The admission sounded ludicrous out loud and she almost wanted to swallow back the jealous words, "It's like Tigerstar doesn't even see me when our littermate's wild blows impress him so easily. Sootstorm could have at least said something. Instead I'm stuck as a -paw and left collecting bedding, clearing nests, and tending to elders for... Starclan knows how long. If I were to talk to Sootstorm he'd probably just repeat what he did when we were kits. 'All in due time'. Like that does anything."

Between the pressing walls of the tunnels, Heatherpaw felt abnormally comfortable despite how much her pelt itched. It was freeing to admit the things that weight on her chest, a feat near impossible to imagine given how guarded the she-cat was. However, here, there were no scorching eyes or straining ears. Here, there was just the support of Stoatpaw. A sense of relief washed over her at his own admission, one that mirrored her own and only further added to the security she felt in this moment. The realization was coupled with guilt, notcing how distant she'd become from her own brother.

"You're great too, Stoatpaw." She declared after a brief pause, letting his words settle in the air. There was a particular tension in the air, of her own design, as she weighed what to say next. Heatherpaw wasn't known for her deep emotional intuition but rather a fierce devotion and drive. Family was important to her, kin above all else. Her ear flicked, a motion that likely went unnoticed in the dark as she leaned closer to her sibling, "You're great too and no cat, not even da-, not even Sootstorm can take that away from you."

The boiling in her veins was for more than just herself, it now churned and writhed for her brother as well, who felt just as passed over as she did. Her feathery tail flicked his pelt in a show of reassurance. Even if the rest of their kin felt far away at times, they had each other. Determination lit her eyes as she decided it was only fair to show those who looked down on her and Stoatpaw what they were capable of, "We'll make the best of it. We will show them the type of warriors we are." Heatherpaw's meow was decisive. They could train together, hone their claws. Soon, the clan would see the great warriors in their midst.

Heatherpaw hadn't thought about the way in which she had become physically distance from her siblings alongside the emotional distance. It dawned on her as Stoatpaw's tongue rasped affectionately against her cheek. A purr of familiarity, comfort, rumbled in her chest. The contented noise had become rarer as the days passed, often left out for a cold indifference towards most cats. Regardless, her undying loyalty for her kin had not died away so easily. Even as she contemplated jealousy, bitterness, and frustration.

She peered at him through the darkness, pride blossoming in her chest at the determination in her brother's voice. His enthusiasm filled her own. Claws flexed into the soft earth, churning it up in a comforting manner, rather than in anguish. At the question, she shrugged. Did she miss it? Heatherpaw had never really quite thought about that. Maybe sometimes she did but not often. Was that a bad thing? Her tail flicked, almost unwilling to be honest, despite the trust flowing between kin within these tunnels, "I mean, he's are deputy before our father. That's his duty. It's just the way things are."

The member 'Grohiik' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 2

A soft frown flickered across her maw as she noticed the resignation in her littermate's voice. Perhaps, beneath all the simple acceptance of the natural order of things, there was longing for the days of deeper familial bonds. Heatherpaw blinked away the thought as she kept close to Stoatpaw. Her maw parted to taste the air as she nodded in agreement. Not a moment later, there was a quick thudding of paws, as he quickly dispatched the approaching rabbit. She wanted to congratulate him on such a flawless catch, a true display of his skill as a hunter, however, there quickly came another erratic thumping. A warren meant multiple rabbits.

At least, that was what she assumed. Instead, the pawsteps were lighter and faster. There was a flash in her peripheral vision as something shot past the she-cat. Heatherpaw tried to pull away only to realize her tail was being yanked into place. With a hiss she whirled around in an attempt to batter away the enraged creature, "Stoatpaw! Fox. Looks like we weren't the only ones looking to take advantage of this warren."

Heatherpaw attempted to catch a rabbit. It is.... unsuccessful. [-3sp] A Weasel has appeared!
Weasel uses Gripping Bite, dealing 7 damage and using 15 stamina. Weasel is hanging onto Heatherpaw's tail for two turns.

Heatherpaw
HP: 13/20
SP: 57/60

Weasel
HP: 20/20
SP: 120/135

The member 'Ripped' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 10

Stoatpaw used Front Paw Strike, costing 7 SP and doing 6 damage!
Stoatpaw
HP: 20/20
SP: 53/60 [-7]

Heatherpaw
HP: 13/20
SP: 57/60

Weasel
HP: 14/20 [-6]
SP: 120/135