Private Thread Danger on the Wind

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧

Following closely behind the red and white tom, Aspenberry kept alert, ears pricked and eyes narrow. The ground slowly became rougher underpaw, slightly uncomfortable, but nothing the deputy wasn't used too. She flicked her gaze over the stones, now having picked up the faint scent of the marten. 

Aspenberry approached Cloudflare, keeping herself close so she wouldn't have to speak very loud for him to hear, though she might have been a little closer than necessary, out of fear and comfort, or an excuse to brush her pelt against his she didn't know. 'Sounds good, though first  are we killing it or driving it out? I would rather it dead, and I think we can do so but if you aren't so confident we can just drive it away, and keep an eye on these rocks the next few days.'

To kill something that was only trying to survive just as they were slightly twinged at her heart, but she had no room for feelings in times like this. The clans safety came first, herself second. 'I don't want us splitting up just yet. We go onto the rocks together as we need each others backs incase it manages to get to us before we get to it. Heavy paw steps should draw it out... or further in' she added on quietly on the end. She gave Cloudflare a little look, not exactly sure if what she had said was the best way to go.

Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞

Cloudflare considered Aspenberry's words, his mind racing as he weighed their options. He felt the tension in the air, both of them fully aware of the risks involved. Her closeness was a comfort, and he took a brief moment to appreciate the solidarity in their partnership.

“Let's go for the kill...” His voice was calm despite the scent lingering in the air. “Driving it out might only delay the threat, and we can't afford to have it lurking around our territory.” He nodded in agreement with her strategy. “We stick together. If it tries to retreat deeper into the rocks, we’ll be ready.”

He flicked his tail, signaling for them to move forward. “Please stay close” His voice a reassuring rumble. “We’ll make enough noise to flush it out, but we need to be ready for anything.” Cloudflare took the lead, his steps deliberate as he guided them over the uneven terrain. His senses were on high alert, every rustle and shift of the wind catching his attention.

As they approached the cluster of boulders, he could feel the weight of the task ahead. The safety of their Clan depended on their success. Cloudflare steeled himself, ready for the fight. “We’ll strike together. No room for mistakes.”

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧

She nodded at her friends words, following closely as they made their way towards the target. A mixture of scents washed over her now, yet there was one on particular that stood out. They scent the two were hoping to erase. 'I'm not going anywhere' she said softly back, reassuring Cloudflare, and herself. 

Instead of her usual soft footed, graceful movements, Aspenberry placed her paws heavily onto the ground, shuffling them slightly across the boulders. The vibrations should drawn the marten out soon enough. At each paw-step she look around with a watchful gaze, her fur pricking up in anxiety ever so slightly. Not knowing when or where it would come from was the scariest part, as if they got it wrong it could be all over for one of them. With one last glace towards her companion, Aspenberry hoped to catch his copper gaze with the tiniest sprout of fear that it might be the last time she sees it.

All it took was another hard pawed step from the spotted she-cat before the slithering form of a brown pelt flashed in the corner of her eye. It was slightly to the side of Aspenberry, closer to her than it was to Cloudflare; but close enough for any of the three to strike. 'There!' she yowled, spinning almost instantly towards the flash of fur. Adrenaline pumped through her body as she did a swift low leap towards the pine marten, claws outstretch and teeth bared in a snarl. 

While the marten may have been coming at her originally, it noticed her movement just as quickly as she had. It was quick and slippery, moving out of the way as Aspenberry's stark white paws hit the ground with a thump. She didn't give herself even a moment to think, quickly adjusting herself as it now pursued Cloudflare. At the same time, just like he said. She waited for a heartbeat, ready to strike the instant her red tabby companion did. 

Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞

Cloudflare's pulse quickened as Aspenberry's warning echoed in his ears. He barely caught the flicker of brown fur before the marten darted toward him, its sharp eyes gleaming. The creature was fast, its movements almost a blur, but Cloudflare was ready. His muscles coiled like a spring as he prepared to meet the threat head on.

The marten lunged, aiming for Cloudflare's exposed flank. But he was quicker. With a powerful twist, he pivoted on his hind legs, claws slashing through the air. The marten veered off course, narrowly avoiding the strike but leaving itself open for a brief moment.

"Now, Aspenberry!" Cloudflare barked, his voice filled with urgency. He lunged again, this time aiming to drive the marten toward his companion. He knew they had to work together, their timing perfect if they wanted to bring down the slinking stoat.

The creature hissed, its sharp teeth bared as it realized it was trapped between the two warriors. They had to kept up the pressure, Cloudflare's movements deliberate as he herded the marten into Aspenberry’s waiting paws. The thrill of the confrontation surged through him, but he tried to remain focused, every instinct honed on protecting Aspenberry and ridding their territory of this intruder.

With each heartbeat, Cloudflare trusted Aspenberry’s skill and courage. Together, they would end this threat.

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧

Thankfully Cloudflare had moved in time, his swift, precise movements one to admire. In what was now all a blur, Aspenberry could sense the slowness of time, the split second opportunity where she and Cloudflare would be able to strike at the same time, and at the sound of his voice, that's what she did. Cloudflare lunged and so did she.

The marten drove towards her with a panicked hiss, and she could see the frustration and fear in its eyes. It tried to dodge once more, practically curling its body around as it swerved left, but Aspenberry was too swift and her claws caught fur. With it slightly pinned, she dragged it towards her as it thrashed around in fury. A stray claw sliced her forearm, but the spotted she-cat barely reacted baring her teeth in a snarl. For such a small creature, it was strong, and Aspenberry had to use her entire weight to keep it pinned to the ground as the two creatures tussled. With a last hiss, Aspenberry dived her head down towards its neck, praying the martens claws or jaws wouldn't reach her own. Lucky for her, her teeth met flesh and the thrashing stopped beneath her. She let go, glancing at the bundle of fur on the floor with a dull gaze for a few moments. She then switched her focus to Cloudflare, ears flattening slightly as she glanced over his body for any sign of injury. 

Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞

Cloudflare’s breath came in quick bursts as he watched Aspenberry wrestle with the marten. The creature’s ferocity was evident in the way it thrashed, but Aspenberry held firm, her determination shining through every movement. he was ready to assist should it wriggle free and dash away. When she finally landed the killing blow, Cloudflare felt a rush of relief, the tension that had coiled tight in his chest beginning to unwind.

He stepped forward, his copper eyes scanning the marten’s still form before shifting to Aspenberry. The sight of blood on her forearm made his heart skip a beat, but she didn’t seem too shaken. She had fought with everything she had, and the marten’s lifeless body was proof of their combined strength and teamwork.

“Are you alright?” Cloudflare huffed, his voice tinged with concern as he moved closer, his gaze checking her for any further injuries. He could feel his pulse still racing, the adrenaline from the battle slow to fade.

He couldn't help it and was propelled towards the she-cat, headbutting her flank, offering silent reassurance. “You were incredible...” A note of pride in his voice. “We did it... It was over so fast, but we did it.” The weight of what they’d accomplished settled in, and he felt a surge of gratitude for having Aspenberry by his side. “Let's bury it and head back to camp."

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧

She glanced down at the small wound on her forearm with a shrug before giving it a few quick licks. On Aspenberry's bright white fur, wounds were pretty obvious, meaning it looked a little worse than it actually was. 'Just a scratch is all. Should heal in a few days.' she reassured him, holding out her front leg to show it was a shallow cut. 

At Cloudflare's headbump on her flank, Aspenberry was shocked for a moment, almost stumbling back, but she returned the gesture quickly, resting her chin atop of his head. 'You perfectly drove is straight towards me, it was hard not for it to be over that fast. Things like this prove to me over and over again just how important teamwork and trust is. If one of us tried taking it down ourselves, it either would have escaped, or left us injured and alone. Thank you, Cloudflare; for trusting me.' Finally releasing the tension from her body, a small purr rumbled from her throat, and she closed her eyes as her head pressed against Cloudflare's for a brief moment. 

The cooling body of the marten was still there, and Cloudflare was right. They should bury it and head back. She needed to report to Fawnstar, but part of her just wanted to enjoy the peace for a moment more. 'Too bad we can't eat these, for it would feed plenty. Probably tastes horrendous.'