hunters of the dark [c]

Leopardstar had found herself on more patrols, lately. Not always leading, but participating: tagging along with the hunters or with border patrols when she could spare the time, a break from meetings and consultations. She'd always been a hunter, a fighter, and spending so much time in camp felt like it was dragging her down.

"I hope the evening finds you well," she greeted to her patrol partner for the next while, Quillsplash. One of the cats who had vanished and returned, not so long ago. Their absence was short, but felt nonetheless. "Is there some place in particular you'd like to hunt?"

the gods can judge me when i'm dead || code (c) kieer

I feel like I’m waiting for something that’ll never happen

Quillsplash hadn't quite been expecting to find himself on the same hunting patrol as Leopardstar. It was also with a start that he realised that this would be the first time he was left in the leader's company without at least half the Clan present. Weird to think about, considering that they slept in the same Camp, even if not in the same den. He supposed the leader had simply been busy with this or that, though he couldn't quite fanthom what would occupy the she-cat so thoroughly. From what he knew, she had no apprentice currently, and she had a full council-- which was finally larger than a single cat, Quillsplash noted dryly-- to help her with decisions. Not that there was much to decide other than the occasional WindClan drama... which wouldn't have taken half as long if Leopardstar had bothered to actually listen to anyone other than Pineblossom.

Regardless, Leopardstar was here now, as was he, and he had to be on decent behavior, if not his best. He felt no drive to impress her; he had a feeling she had already made up her mind on him, and her opinion of him mattered little to him anyway. Quillsplash dipped his head in greeting to the she-cat, echoing a similar greeting to her. What a strange question to ask him. "The Pine Grove's always made for a good hunting spot," He replied simply, but made no move to head in that direction. StarClan knows what Leopardstar had in mind for them to do.

Leopardstar nodded, and when Quillsplash made no move in that direction she started leading the way herself. "Prey is usually plentiful there," she acknowledged. "Especially in Greenleaf. And it's nice to visit drier land, from time to time. Are you more fond of mice than lizards, then?"

Soon enough they arrived at their destination, and the leader fell into a hunting crouch, tail swaying lightly as she set her sights on a rarely-spotted rabbit. Unusual, and a challenge. A good catch, if only she could manage it. She was more used to the waters of the marsh, but far from unskilled on any part of ShadowClan's land; and the amount of time the Clan had spent away from their home in her lifetime only served to better her skills in unfamiliar terrain anyway.

She crept closer and closer, finally pouncing and landing her catch.

"This will be a treat for the elders, I think. Or do you think there's some better use for it? The queens, perhaps."
Leopardstar caught a Rabbit, costing 2 EP!
198/200 EP

the gods can judge me when i'm dead || code (c) kieer

I feel like I’m waiting for something that’ll never happen

Quillsplash nodded, offering little words as Leopardstar led the way. "I'm fond of squirrels, mostly," He answered simply, and made no move to further the conversation. They were in the territory now, anyway, so if he did choose to say anything it would likely come with the result of their prey hearing him and scattering. He was going to use that as his excuse, at least.

The tortoiseshell tom moved away silently as Leopardstar began her hunt. She was capable of hunting on her own, nor did he want to assist her in anything. He didn't hate her; he felt far worse about plenty of other cats, Wolfpaw, for example, or Sablestrike. But the spotted she-cat hadn't exactly tried her best-- or tried at all, really-- to appeal to her clanmates. If it were not for Pineblossom being a sound voice-- or rather, a sound voice that Leopardstar actually listened to-- the entire Clan would be marching towards war right now. She would have willingly put Hedgepaw, Pineblossom, Snaildance, Fishpaw and all their other clanmates in danger in the name of justice. His tail flicked at the thought of any of them charging into war. He knew Pineblossom had fought in battles before, but he couldn't imagine it-- his mentor, her, being one to inflict harm willingly on another? And not out of self-defense, but the want to hurt? Surely not. And Hedgepaw... oh, Hedgepaw... he hoped she would never have to ever set eyes on the aftermath of a battle.

Quillsplash dismissed his thoughts swiftly as he spotted a mouse some distance away. Right, he was on a hunting patrol. Dropping into a low crouch that really mirrored the way he had hunted before joining ShadowClan than anything that was taught here in the marshlands, he crept forward, slipping through the shadows silently as he neared his prey. He slid past a fern, brushing perhaps a bit too quickly, and the leaf rustled far too loudly. Foolish mistake, he should've known better. The mouse sat up, alert, and though he pounced in the next heartbeat, the creature was already no where to be found when his paws met the ground. With a disappointed hiss, the warrior returned to the patrol, shame rippling through his pelt at having to return empty-pawed. No matter, he'd simply get something later on. More disappointingly, Leopardstar stood there with a large rabbit. At least they had something to feed the Clan. "Perhaps the queens will enjoy it," He murmured in agreement, already half-turning away in search of more prey.