~An Awkward Hunt~

[♦ stormeh ♦]

Spottedpelt followed Jaggedstripe through the camp entrance and shook the loose thorns from her pelt. Jaggedstripe only waited patiently for her and Badgerstep to announce they were ready, and twitched his tail in apprehension. The air around them felt tense, and awkward. He gave his chest a few brisk licks to hide is uneasiness. "What are you waiting for?" Spottedpelt snapped at Jaggedstripe, and he looked up to see them sitting in front of him. He quickly rose to his paws and flushed a bit in embarassment. "Er, right. Let's go." he grunted, turning and padding off toward the direction where the usual hunting trail was. Spottedpelt only rolled her eyes and fell into step beside Badgerstep.

[.:|Fawnzie|:.]

[atrb=style, width,110px][atrb=style,padding: 0 0 0 15;][atrb=cellpadding,0][atrb=cellspacing,0] [style=border-left: 4px solid #000;][/style] [style=border-left: 4px solid #000;][/style] [style=border-left: 4px solid #000;][/style] notes credits made by cheshire ♥ of the golden age. don't you dare steal.

[atrb=border,0,btable][atrb=style,width: 350px; padding: 10 10 0 10;] [atrb=cellpadding,0][atrb=cellspacing,0] [style=border-right: 4px solid #000000; background-color: #ffffff; overreached flow: auto; width: 315px; height: 415px; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; color: #222222; text-align: justify; padding: 15px;] Badgerstep smirked at Spottedpelt as they walked. She had her eyes on the ground for a while, then glanced up to make a comment. "He's acting a little awkward, don't you think?" she whispered, loud enough for Jaggedstripe to hear. "Wonder what that's about," she added, trying to annoy him, then stopped before they upset the tom and started a fight. Flicking her tail, she then asked Jaggedstripe something. "Can we hurry up? This is taking forever." Then Badgerstep licked her chest, smoothing the fur on it that was sticking up. [/style]

[♦ stormeh ♦]

Jaggedstripe twitched his ear at Badgerstep's deliberate remark, but said nothing. There was no point in starting an arguement when there was prey to be caught, especially when the prey was slowly disappearing. Though when she spoke up again, Jaggedstripe couldn't help but roll his eyes in annoyance. "You look like you're in a hurry," he snapped, casting Badgerstep a brief glance over the shoulder as they walked on. Suddenly, he heard a scuffling sound coming from the roots of a tree ahead of him, and he crouched down. He silently krept forwards, but just as he was about to pounce, Spottedpelt leapt past him and killed the mouse with a swift bite to it's neck, carrying it back to Badgerstep.

The calico warrior buried her catch by a heather bush and turned to frown at Jaggedstripe. "You waited for too long.." she mewed awkwardly. She felt strange pointing out a warrior like Jaggedstripe's mistakes. Jaggedstripe felt his ears grow hot in embarrassment and didn't meet Spottedpelt's eyes. "Good catch." is all he muttered, and he turned to continue on their hunt. Yep, today was a bady day for him.

[.:|Fawnzie|:.]

[atrb=style, width,110px][atrb=style,padding: 0 0 0 15;][atrb=cellpadding,0][atrb=cellspacing,0] [style=border-left: 4px solid #000;][/style] [style=border-left: 4px solid #000;][/style] [style=border-left: 4px solid #000;][/style] notes credits made by cheshire ♥ of the golden age. don't you dare steal.

[atrb=border,0,btable][atrb=style,width: 350px; padding: 10 10 0 10;] [atrb=cellpadding,0][atrb=cellspacing,0] [style=border-right: 4px solid #000000; background-color: #ffffff; overreached flow: auto; width: 315px; height: 415px; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; color: #222222; text-align: justify; padding: 15px;] Badgerstep rolled her eyes. "I might be named badger, but I'm in enough of a hurry not to be as slow as one." Snapping the brisk reply at him, she looked over her shoulder nonchalantly. "Looking for someone?" The warrior asked Jaggedstripe, smirking. As he crouched to pounce at the mouse, Badgerstep had the same idea as Spottedpelt. She started towards it, but her friend had beat her to killing it. "Nice one, Spottedpelt!" she mewed brightly, smiling at her friend. Twitching her whiskers, she padded a few pawsteps farther into the marshy territory, smelling a black bird. she crouched down, seeing it on a low branch a little bit away. [/style]

[♦ stormeh ♦]

Spottedpelt grinned and nudged Badgerstep in the shoulder as a "thank you". As they walked on, she noticed that Jaggedstripe's shoulders were hunched as his tail kept twitching anxiously. Then her eyes rested on Badgerstep, who seemed to appear satisfied, and even have a smirk on her face. Before Spottedpelt could ask any questions though, her friend had already scented a blackbird just as she had. Spottedpelt stepped back and waited for Badgerstep to bring back her prey. It was surprising that they had already caught two pieces of prey, with it becomming scarcer.

[.:|Fawnzie|:.]

[atrb=style, width,110px][atrb=style,padding: 0 0 0 15;][atrb=cellpadding,0][atrb=cellspacing,0] [style=border-left: 4px solid #000;][/style] [style=border-left: 4px solid #000;][/style] [style=border-left: 4px solid #000;][/style] notes credits made by cheshire ♥ of the golden age. don't you dare steal.

[atrb=border,0,btable][atrb=style,width: 350px; padding: 10 10 0 10;] [atrb=cellpadding,0][atrb=cellspacing,0] [style=border-right: 4px solid #000000; background-color: #ffffff; overreached flow: auto; width: 315px; height: 415px; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; color: #222222; text-align: justify; padding: 15px;] Badgerstep slithered, close to the ground, towards the prey. Her pawsteps were light, but that didn't stop her from snapping a branch when she accidently stepped on it. "Foxdung!" She yelled, leaping onto the branch in time to hook the bird's outstreched wings on her claws. Biting it's neck, she picked it up and trotted over to her friend. Looking around, she dug a small hole next to a tree. Dropping the dead bird in it, she covered it lightly with some dirt and returned to the other two cats. [/style]

[♦ stormeh ♦]

Jaggedstripe wanted to give Badgerstep some advice on her hunting technique, but knew he'd better keep silent if he didn't want his ears shredded. As soon as Badgerstep buried the blackbird, Spottedpelt padded up to her. Casting a glance over her shoulder, she saw that Jaggedstripe had started toward another route, and called out, "I'll look around over here." Turning back to Badgerstep, Spottedpelt frowned at her friend. "Badgerstep, why are you acting so strange toward him? You're supposed to like him; not look like you want to tear his guts out." she snapped, a hint of mischief in her eyes. Then she relaxed a bit, and her voice came out gentler, "Give him time, 'hun." Spottedpelt knew she wanted Jaggedstripe to feel the same way about her, but first she needed to calm down and let him think.

[.:|Fawnzie|:.]

[atrb=style, width,110px][atrb=style,padding: 0 0 0 15;][atrb=cellpadding,0][atrb=cellspacing,0] [style=border-left: 4px solid #000;][/style] [style=border-left: 4px solid #000;][/style] [style=border-left: 4px solid #000;][/style] notes I decided to add the words at the bottom. o3o I might take it out depending on if I like it orr not. credits made by cheshire ♥ of the golden age. don't you dare steal.

[atrb=border,0,btable][atrb=style,width: 350px; padding: 10 10 0 10;] [atrb=cellpadding,0][atrb=cellspacing,0] [style=border-right: 4px solid #000000; background-color: #ffffff; overreached flow: auto; width: 315px; height: 415px; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; color: #222222; text-align: justify; padding: 15px;] Badgerstep's eyes followed Jaggedstripe as he walked away. Then she frowned back at her friend.. "I know," she said, then continued. "It's just... annoying?"The she-cat finished, not knowing what words to use. Looking at Spottedpelt, she added a small statement to that. "Y'know..." she mumbled. Glancing around, she decided they might as well go hunt some more. "Let's go. The clan needs as much prey as it can get," with that, she headed off in the direction Jaggedstripe had gone. Badgerstep Don't judge me by where I come from Judge me by who I am [/style]

[♦ stormeh ♦]

Spottedpelt snorted and rolled her eyes. "All toms are annoying, you just have to get used to it," she teased, nudging Badgerstep's shoulder. When she declared to continue the hunt, Spottedpelt followed without question. As they neared Jaggedstripe, she leaned forward and whispered in her friend's ear, "Be nice," Jaggedstripe heard the rest of his patrol approach, and turned around only to greet them with a blunt expression on his face. "I can't find anything else, there's no prey-scent from here to Fourtrees." he reported, twitching his tail tip expectantly.

[.:|Fawnzie|:.]

[atrb=style, width,110px][atrb=style,padding: 0 0 0 15;][atrb=cellpadding,0][atrb=cellspacing,0] [style=border-left: 4px solid #000;][/style] [style=border-left: 4px solid #000;][/style] [style=border-left: 4px solid #000;][/style] notes credits made by cheshire ♥ of the golden age. don't you dare steal.

[atrb=border,0,btable][atrb=style,width: 350px; padding: 10 10 0 10;] [atrb=cellpadding,0][atrb=cellspacing,0] [style=border-right: 4px solid #000000; background-color: #ffffff; overreached flow: auto; width: 315px; height: 415px; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; color: #222222; text-align: justify; padding: 15px;] Badgerstep snorted quietly; and to herself. "There has to be at least one prey-scent inbetween there. We just have to look for it," she smiled, twitching her tail and brushing closely past Jaggedstripe. She stopped for a moment when their pelts were brushing and blushed. "You coming?" She asked, then moved ahead of him, feeling that they were too close for comfort. Padding into the forest without waiting for an answer, she opened her jaw so she could smell better. No prey's scent came to her, so she kept going. Her whisker's twitched as she went. Badgerstep Don't judge me by where I come from Judge me by who I am [/style]

[♦ stormeh ♦]

Jaggedstripe heard Badgerstep snort and braced himself for a stinging retort, but it never came. Instead, he glanced over to see her smile, and he instantly relaxed. Maybe things wouldn't get too uncomfortable on their patrol after all. When she stopped beside him, he felt her warm fur brushing against his, and for a moment he locked eyes with Badgerstep. He had never noticed how mysterious they were, how interesting it was to look into them. Though when Jaggedstripe found her blushing, he suddenly blushed too and looked away as she moved away from him. "Y-yeah," he muttered, feeling Badgerstep's unease returning. Spottedpelt watched from behind the two, smiling slightly with a twinkle of amusement in her silver eyes.

[.:|Fawnzie|:.]

[atrb=style, width,110px][atrb=style,padding: 0 0 0 15;][atrb=cellpadding,0][atrb=cellspacing,0] [style=border-left: 4px solid #000;][/style] [style=border-left: 4px solid #000;][/style] [style=border-left: 4px solid #000;][/style] notes I decided to add the words at the bottom. o3o I might take it out depending on if I like it orr not. credits made by cheshire ♥ of the golden age. don't you dare steal.

[atrb=border,0,btable][atrb=style,width: 350px; padding: 10 10 0 10;] [atrb=cellpadding,0][atrb=cellspacing,0] [style=border-right: 4px solid #000000; background-color: #ffffff; overreached flow: auto; width: 315px; height: 415px; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; color: #222222; text-align: justify; padding: 15px;] Badgerstep sat paitently, blushing. She hadn't expected Jaggedstripe to sit there, watching her eyes. When he answered her, she was a little distracted. " 'Kay, then do you want to lead like you have been? Or am I doing that?" She asked, her unease slowly going away. Maybe things won't be so awkward, she mused, looking back at the tom. She smiled slightly then flicked her tail. Badgerstep Don't judge me by where I come from Judge me by who I am [/style]

[♦ stormeh ♦]

Jaggedstripe felt his ears growing hot in embarrassment and scrambled to his paws, a little too clumbsily. "Right, let's try hunting by the burnt sycamore," he suggested, feeling more relaxed now that Badgerstep seemed to have forgave him. He recalled the ancient tree that had been struck by lightning moons ago, and how apprentices were trained there to learn how to hunt at night and stalk through the undergrowth. He quickened his pace, and when he thought he was going to lead the patrol, he was instead matching Badgerstep paw for paw. Spottedpelt padded on their heels, and kept her senses alert for prey instead of the two lovebirds in front of her.

[.:|Fawnzie|:.]

[atrb=style, width,110px][atrb=style,padding: 0 0 0 15;][atrb=cellpadding,0][atrb=cellspacing,0] [style=border-left: 4px solid #000;][/style] [style=border-left: 4px solid #000;][/style] [style=border-left: 4px solid #000;][/style] notes I decided to add the words at the bottom. o3o I might take it out depending on if I like it orr not. credits made by cheshire ♥ of the golden age. don't you dare steal.

[atrb=border,0,btable][atrb=style,width: 350px; padding: 10 10 0 10;] [atrb=cellpadding,0][atrb=cellspacing,0] [style=border-right: 4px solid #000000; background-color: #ffffff; overreached flow: auto; width: 315px; height: 415px; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; color: #222222; text-align: justify; padding: 15px;] "Sure, the burnt sycamore," she agreed, and kept padding on. As Badgerstep and Jaggedstripe fell in sync, she unconciously drew closer to him. She didn't get too close to him though, and kept going. Up ahead, she saw the lightning-struck tree come into view and she smiled, remembering training there as an apprentice. "Let's hope we can find some prey here..." Badgerstep Don't judge me by where I come from Judge me by who I am [/style]

[♦ stormeh ♦]

Jaggedstripe barely even noticed Badgerstep slowly padding closer to him with every step, and didn't mind when she was a few whisker-lengths away from him. Instead, he felt strangely comfortable and relaxed. When the burnt sycamore came into view, he saw Badgerstep smile from the corner of his eye, and the brightness in her eyes almost made him want to smile too. Shaking the strange thoughts away, he almost immediately caught scent of a mouse not too far ahead, scuffling among the roots of the sycamore.

He was already crouched low to the ground, his belly fur barely lifted along with his tail, and his paws moved swiftly as he slithered around the ancient tree in a wide half-circle. When he was on the other site of the sycamore, he gestured with his tail for Badgerstep to run at the mouse - and if his plan worked - straight into his claws. Spottedpelt sat farther off, watching in amusement and concentration.