Closed Thread What Better Day to Hunt Then Today?

Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
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Cloudflare had been spurned from his heavy thoughts about the clan and how they would present themselves at the Gathering later that night. Yet it didn't take much to convince the tom when Aspenberry invited him to go out hunting with her. It was always nice to be considered - he felt as if he had done the inviting much as of late, and appreciated her consideration, both as company and to rustle him from his slump.

Cloudflare's stocky frame was more suited towards stalking as running didn't always suit him. Aspenberry seemed keen to chase after something, and he was willing to help her flank prey that ran into his clutches. While he was still nearby he meowed over towards her, the flash of his copper eyes catching hers. "I can stalk ahead and wait for you to draw something over to me if you want a run." He suggested with a twitch of his whiskers. His body was hung low as he peered from the heather bush, pinkish flowers tickling over the moorland where the two would be free to hunt.

A few robins were pecking at the ground for worms and he could hear a mouse scurry between clumps of grass. If nothing else they could try listening and digging for moles on the hill.

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
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With her gaze flitting over the grass, trying to pinpoint a mouse they both seemed to have been able to sense, she noticed that her and Cloudflare seemed to be on the same wavelength.

'Just what I was thinking' she said quietly, flashing him a quick smile. If done right, a strategy like this was practically fool-proof, for any prey being chased would not expect to be running right into another predator's claws. Her pale eyes quickly focused on a patch of rustling grass, far away, but close enough that it could be seen by eye. She gave Cloudflare a quick flick on the shoulder with her tail, hoping he would turn his head towards her so she could indicate what she was going to go after. If he understood, he would stalk ahead like he suggested, positioning himself, waiting for his target to fall right where they wanted it to. 

With one last peer over the heather bush, while trying not to sneeze as the small pink flowers tickled her nose, Aspenberry quietly crawled off, spotted, lithe frame disappearing gracefully into the grass. She took a route that flanked the mouse while keeping an appropriate distance. 

She settled back down into the grass just as she had done early, looking to see if her friend's red tabby pelt had stalked forward at all. If he had, it was her turn to go. Her whiskers and tail tip twitched with anticipation, and she shuffled her back paws on the ground, adjusting herself to be ready for a swift takeoff.

Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
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Finding a bit of relief that she seemed to be planning the same thing, Cloudflare allowed her to take the lead - she seemed so effortlessly driven towards prey, and his nostrils followed the scent of vermin in the grass. A rustle here, and few bending stalks there among the bushes, but all and all he didn't need much convincing to figure out which she decided to go towards. The corner of his maw turned into a smile and took a deep breath. Here goes nothing!

A slow smear of red could be seen if one looked hard enough, but frankly if he was picking whiskers he'd suggest that Aspenberry was at the most disadvantaged as her stark white pelt contrasted with the green-leaf greenery. But all you really needed was not to make a sound, and prowling forward, the stocky tom made his way to a stalwart position.

Extra careful not to give any indication of his approach as he flanked the chosen victim, he weighed every step down to the curl of his toes, finding purchase on the soft ground and not on a wayward stone or stick that might give away his position.

Once his form was partially hidden in the underbrush, he held his breath, eyes flashing towards the she-cat as she also crept into position.. As close as posible until the very last moment! While excitement was clearly glittering in his gaze, he didn't let it affect his outward appearance and kept his tail stilled. Whenever she was ready he'd be there to support her with eager claws!

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
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Once she could see Cloudflare's faint flash of red as he prowled forward, Aspenberry began her hunt. Creeping forward just a little more, she soundlessly placed one paw in front of another, her belly fur merely missing the ground. With her patterned face now visible, she looked like a true huntress, a creature solely driven by desire. She let out a quiet exhale before pushing her hindlegs deep into the ground, springing forward with remarkable acceleration. 

The mouse was quickly startled, something that Aspenberry had expected. It ran away in a flash, in the opposite direction of the spotted she-cat, and right towards her red-tabby hunting partner. With her paws thumping on the ground as she chased after, she felt the wind stream past her whiskers. It was a feeling that never didn't feel good. She knew that she could both pick up her speed, or make a leap towards the mouse and catch it herself, but there was a chance it could spontaneously change direction, heading into the undergrowth where neither feline would be able to reach it, so she followed at a constant pace. 

As she neared Cloudflare, the rodent seemed completely unaware of its fate, for it was heading straight towards the clutches of another. At the last moment, she picked up her pace, and then skidded to a stop next to Cloudflare flashing him a grin as the mouse ran to his paws. 

'Too easy' she said with a little puff, her chest rising and falling rapidly from her quick burst of speed. She wasn't tired, but it was pretty normal to be out of breath after a sprint. 'We should find a hare or something. Will give me more of a run and will feed the clan better, especially with the gathering tonight. If I can't keep up then you should come in from the side, and we could try drive it somewhere' she offered. While she did go on hunting patrols, she still usually hunted solo during them, so having someone to support her while doing so was a little weird for Aspenberry. She wouldn't say she disliked it, for she liked having companionship along with deciding a strategy, but it was another thing to distract her and she did not want to embarrass herself, especially in front of a friend. Thank the stars I didn't fall over at the end! Because if she did, who knew what Cloudflare would think of her.

Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
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A long limbed she-cat was better equipped for sprints, and Cloudflare was a firm believer in taking advantage of strengths while acknowledging weaknesses. He was a decent sprinter, but only for short term bursts. After hunting his fare share of moorland rabbits he figured they would have more success together than solo. For now, though, he focused on the task at paw, eyes narrowed with focus as his frame poised ready to strike.

The mouse was expertly corralled, ending with a fleeting bit of footwork from Aspenberry as she galloped effortlessly towards him. It wasn't a very fair hunt, honestly, and Cloudflare was almost sad for the tiny, helpless creature as it scurried into his waiting claws. He thumped it once to stun, and while it didn't know what had happened to it, Cloudflare's fangs found purchase on its soft spine, ending its life quickly.

"I certainly wouldn't say no to some hare hunting." He mewed, a bit apprehensive. Instinctively since he had slipped one too many times in hot pursuit of the flighty creatures. This would definitely be something he'd be more comfortable with a hunting partner. "As long as we don't end up driving ourselves over the gorge, I'm game!" It had nearly happened once before hunting with Doveflight, and he was keen to keep all of his paws on the ground.

He rose from his crouch, mouse in jaws before his front paws worked at a patch of dirt beneath a heather bush. After lifting a few pawfulls of earth he nestled the creature in the spot before covering it again to save their catch for retrieval later. "With your long legs and my girth we'll be sure to stop any hare in their tracks." He chuckled at himself, wondering if she'd find the self-blow reassuring or concerning, but it helped to know your own flaws!

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
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'Are you sure? You seem a little skeptical', she replied 'Doveflight told me what happened, surely that hasn't scared you off hunting hares?' she said, a humorous gleam in her eyes. While she did find it a little funny, she knew an experience like that could be traumatizing, and if Cloudflare wanted to hunt something else, she wouldn't care at all. 'Also, don't worry, if you fall, I'll be there to catch you!' she said with a smile. She hoped her clanmate trusted her, and she wasn't stupid enough to chase a hare near the gorge anyway. 

She watched as he buried their first catch. He didn't seem as apprehensive anymore, so she guessed they were going to go through with what she had suggested. After his last comment, she couldn't help but chuckle, 'Stars your not that large' she said, cuffing him over the ear. 'If I had a build like yours I would feel unstoppable. Instead I got my sire's lanky, awkward body. Fits a WindClan cat though I guess' she said with a shrug. While Aspenberry found Cloudflare's self-blow funny, she really did hope he didn't think of it as a bad thing. If the two ever had to fight, Aspenberry was pretty sure she would come out loosing, squished like a bug under his muscular body.

'Ok, time to concentrate now' she said, flicking her ears towards a faraway rustle. She parted her maw, attempting to pick up any scents of a hare. Like she had guessed, she picked up little. Any nearby prey was likely scared away from her previous sprint, so they would have to move spots. 'Let's head the opposite way of the gorge. I've probably scared of everything nearby with my running, and my yapping' she said, leading the way to a more center part of the moor. They could run any direction safely now. She neared a small collection of rocks, and leapt up onto them with ease. It would give her a good view on where she might choose to hunt, plus she just wanted to admire her home. The gentle breeze rustle the bushes of heather, creating a slow swirling sea of purple. The sun was out, pouring a golden glow over their moor, illuminating the cats pelts. 'Cloudflare, come up here. Look how beautiful our home is..'

Hares could wait a few heartbeats, for in this instant, Aspenberry had just pure admiration for her home. 

Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
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He met her humor with a bit of a sheepish grin. Of course being a Windclan cat, chasing after fluffy tailed hares flowed through his blood. They were mealy animals that could feel a great many cats, and they were fortunate so many denned and raised their kits here. "Knowing me I'll still find a way to blunder it up, but how could I say no to hunting hares? They are much easier to deal with with two cats in tandem." He tried to assure her, all the while whiskers twitching with amusement at her statement that she'd catch him if he'd fall.

It was true, though, he wasn''t that large. Narrowly avoiding the swipe of a playful paw, he jerked his head back, tail tip giving an adder like twitch as it mimicked a snake in the grass. "My sire is as bold and blocky as they come." He mewed, in regards to Emberback who was a heavy set, muscular cat. His allowed his voice to settle, becoming quiet as she directed the trajectory of their hunt back to business. He gave her an affirmative nod, head craning above the grass to see if he spied anything loitering and nibbling at greenery, but was unimpressed.

"Maybe." He agreed lightly to her bit about her 'yapping' but there wasn't a single note of spite in his voice, and seemed content to follow her as she broke apart, trotting after her until he saw where she may stop to survey a different facing part of their territory. With a contented sigh, his copper eyes blinked serenely towards the picturesque scene. With a small wiggle of his rump, he leaped onto the rock beside her, staring out as a small purr caught in his chest.

"Fallkit's a lucky kit to end up in Windclan. It's no question that here is one of the most beautiful spots in the forest." he spoke with a soft cantor, glancing at the she-cat besides him while noticing just how nicely the sun played off her pale pelt. "I'm definitely biased, though."

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
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'I wouldn't put it past you' she snickered in response. She hadn't hunted with Cloudflare all that often, and while she highly respected him and his skills, it wasn't hard to imagine him slipping up on a hunt.

At Cloudflare's mention of his sire, Aspenberry thought back to the elders. It had been a while since she had had a good conversation with them, and Brightmaple too. Well, if she wasn't too busy tomorrow she knew what she would be doing. A visit to the elders den it would be! 

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Cloudflare had now joined her on top of the rock, and she nodded her head in agreement. 'For sure, and maybe we are biased, but we are biased for good reason. Who wouldn't want to live here?' she paused for a heartbeat before continuing, 'I feel bad for him though. Brightmaple is doing a wonderful job at caring for him, but to be abandoned and then ripped apart from your siblings? It's horrible... In my opinion, one Clan should have just taken them all, I don't care which one, but its better for the kits. The bond between cats is not something you can shatter so easily.' she said with a huff, clearly irritated about the topic. Shaking off her irritation, she realised she was yapping yet again.

If she had it her way, Aspenberry would sit up on this rock, enjoying the view and chatting to Cloudflare for hours. But she was the one who had asked him to hunt, so they had to at least bring back a little more than a measly mouse. 'Sorry. Ok time for business, for real this time' She hadn't looked at Cloudflare once since jumping onto the rock, and realised she should probably give him a little attention. She turned her gaze away from the moor, and towards Cloudflare, oblivious to the way he looked at her pelt. She parted her maw, attempting to pick up and any scents of a hare. The wind made it a little harder, blowing her whiskers all over the place, but she thought she might have picked up something. 'Can you scent anything? Maybe over there?' she said, flicking her head towards a more shrubby area. 

Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
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Cloudflare was quick to comment about the wayward kits. "I don't disagree with you, but imagine yourself in Starclan's paws. Giving all four to one clan could be seen as favoritism - and who knows, it might have been the safest choice for the forest to keep peace." Starclan needed to seem unbiased for they represented the all four clans. One couldn't be favored over the other, he just wished it could have been easier on the four siblings. "No kit deserves to have their kin separated like that - which is why I'm trying to get to know the little guy. I can't wait to see the look on Fallkit's face when we bring him a fat hare for him and Brightmaple to share."

It was business as usual for Cloudflare, and with Aspenberry he hoped to bring back something to show for their efforts. "You don't have to apologize. It's a thoughtful consideration - and a good sentiment, but we can't change the past." As he walked by, his stocky frame aimed to shoulder an affectionate bump across her flank. His eyes were already searching the moorland below, and padded down slowly, half crouched as he scented the open field.

He spotted movement before he caught its scent. A plump rabbit nibbling on some heather stalks near the bushes below. The tip of its ears had flicked to give away its location, and he pointed his snout towards it. "There." His mew was barely a whisper. He then continued to give the creature a wide birth before flanking it to hide in wait behind a nearby rock. He would be ready for a chase, but hoped for an effective pounce. They had only wait and see.

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
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'Yes, but not everything is about StarClan. These kits are living, StarClan is dead.' Aspenberry was a little shocked at her own blatant disrespect for the starry cats, and would probably regret uttering such words later, but, she wasn't exactly wrong, was she? If I were at that gathering, I would have at least tried to say something. But, I guess what matters is they all now having loving homes, and Fallkit will get some new siblings soon! I can't wait to meet the little furballs!'

Aspenberry let out a quiet purr at Cloudflare's flank bump, flicking his ear with her tail. She turned her gaze to follow his, looking to see where he had located. She watched as he moved to flank the rabbit. For now, Aspenberry would stay and watch, waiting to see what Cloudflare's move would be, but before either cat could do anything, something started the rabbit and it was off, pelting perpendicular to where Cloudflare was hiding.

Aspenberry spat a curse before speeding off after it. It would be a hard chase, practically impossible for her to catch up, and she hoped that Cloudflare knew what to do if she managed to round it back towards him. She actually had no idea where he was as she chased after the rabbit. He could have chased after it with her, stayed still, or slinked off somewhere else to try catch it with surprise later on. All she knew is that, if she didn't catch up to it, Cloudflare would be there as backup, and if not, waiting back at their original stop, probably laughing at her pointless attempt. 

Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
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Cloudflare had barely made it to his hiding spot when he sensed movement. All at once Aspenberry was after the hare. The creature had gotten spooked by something, and for a moment believed it could have been the prowl over to the bushes that might have carried his scent somehow. Still, there wasn't much time to ponder the what ifs and instead knew he had to act. A blur of white caught his copper eyes as they followed the chase, and without a word, ducked forward into a sprint of his own.

Heavy paws thumped hard against the ground, kicking up debris and dust as hoped the catch the rabbit in his crosshairs. Bounding, he pounced into view, which caused the hare to switch directions, momentarily spinning around to take off in a arch that gave Aspenberry a chance to catch up if she cut the corner by the heather bush. With both cats after it now it only seemed a matter of time before the hare was cornered and run down as Cloudflare did his best to drive the creature back into Aspenberry's awaiting claws.

Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
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Cloudflare could feel his heart hammering in his chest as he attempted to drive the hare, as unpredictable and swift as a hare was, closer to Aspenberry. He felt lucky that he had her by his side, because he knew that he wouldn't be able to push himself that hard for that long - Starclan shine hope on them. They were going to need it.

As if the starry cats above had hear his plea, his copper eyes caught the collision between white and brown, a tumble in heather bushes and kicking of grass before the hare was still. He didn't even know he was holding his breath, his muscles tense and ready to pounce at Aspenberry's defense if the hare turned violent and kicked out, but it was over.

Cloudflare softened his stride, from gallop to trot as he approached, tail held perpendicular to his body, body heaving. "We ...did it." he gasped quietly, trying to catch his breath. It wasn't the hottest day of Greenleaf, but it was still taxing after such a hard run. Within the partial shade of the heather bush, the stout tom was haggard, but clearly pleased.

"I can keep going!" he uttered playful assurance before Cloudflare unceremoniously flopped onto his side, a paw reaching out to her. "If you need a break though...!" An airy laugh escaped him as he panted peacefully in the grass.

Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
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Cloudflare hadn't a clue what had spooked the hare and caused such a hard chase. He was hard wired to run after prey, but such a hard run was rough on the both of them. Maybe it wasn't worth it, but Cloudflare wouldn't say. He knew the prey would be appreciated, and he would be pleased enough to provide as long as he wasn't injured. Just a bit winded, was all.

"I'd rather them be easily spooked than scheming to try and lure another cat to their doom!" he chuckled a bit to himself, pleased to share a quiet moment with Aspenberry as they laid side by side. hunting live, wily prey wasn't really on his to-do list, but he visually perked up once she mentioned grooming - and gathering heather.

His belly warmed when he imagined them sharing tongues. Probably just the heat settling in his gut... Still, he smiled at her, head upside down as he watched her grab the hare to join them under the bush. "Heather seems suitable prey for us after such a thrilling hunt! Even if it doesn't last very long, I'll grab our mouse and some heather and you can bring back the hare. Sharing tongues sounds nice right about now, after a good drink."

He flopped onto his other side, the swirl of his ginger tabby patterns clinging to stray grass as he rolled. When finally he found his feet underneath him, his tail thumped playfully before lifting himself up. "It is nice, here, though too."

Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
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A successful hunt was only a few pawfalls and a stalk away, but Cloudflare was done prowling around in the sun. He was much more concerned about getting back to camp and relaxing some more. If he spent too much time loitering in the shade then he'd have a harder time getting around to do anything else productive. A little break was good, and he relished the time ahead, so he chuckled at her gentle prod.

"Miss you? It's a good thing you're my clanmate then." No sooner than the statement left his lips, Cloudflare inwardly winced. He pushed himself up to shake out his pelt, not looking to face her as he departed from underneath the bush. All that talk had unearthed Clovershine from the depths of his mind. He couldn't be caught wondering how she was doing, and instead blankly focused on the task at paw. When he reached the small pile of disturbed earth, he scooped out a few pawfulls before he picked up the mouse in his jaws.

Greeted by heather tickling his paws, he paused to pluck a few flowers from their stalks, tilting his head sideways and lurching none too gracefully as his teeth were full of prey too, but before long he returned with both. His brows shot up, and his tail wiggled like a worm in the air as he couldn't be burdened to talk with his mouth so full.

But he was ready!

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
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As Cloudflare let, she spotted she-cat let out a little chuckle, noticing his tiny wince. She wouldn't bring it up, but at least it made her laugh. He had seemed a little distracted as he left, as Aspenberry wondered what had caught the tom's mind, but she was in no place to nose her way into his own troubles. At least, not right now. Maybe she could ask him if everything's alright later on, once back at camp. 

She enjoyed her laying position in the dirt, but had to get up, for she had heather to catch! She wouldn't be able to hold much while having the hare as well, but she was sure she could fit a little. She shuffled her feet underneath her, standing up and moving a few paw steps so she waws in reach of the heather. Carefully gnawing where she wouldn't damage the flowers, she managed to collect a small bunch before Cloudflare returned, rather ungracefully. She waved her tail in the air in response to his little wiggle before speaking up, 'Shall we get going, valiant warrior?' she said with a light hearted snicker before picking up her few pieces of heather and the large hair. Thank the stars Aspenberry wasn't the size of an apprentice anymore or she might have tripped over her own paws trying to drag this thing home! 

And then she was on her way, padding side by side with Cloudflare as they made their way home.