november hunting patrol [sc - 2012]

[nightlily]

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[atrb=background,http://i50.tinypic.com/kagxtu.jpg] [style=width: 340px; font-family: georgia; font-size: 9px; color: #4f4f4f; text-align: justify; padding-bottom:20px] The she-cat paused for a moment, ears pricked and eyes alert, scanning the walls of the camp carefully, almost to the point of suspicion, like she was expecting an enemy patrol to leap out at any moment. Not that she was, it was just much too quiet for her liking. The sun was barely up, the dull light only just sinking down through the edges of the dark forest, sending odd shapes dancing across the clearing. Her dark gray pelt, ruffled slightly from sleep, blended into the darkness slightly, sharp green eyes breaking free of the shadows. Slowly, she moved forward, paws placed carefully, a heavy silence around her, not something uncommon however. She'd rather be asleep. It wasn't something that happened often, but it did on occasion, especially when she'd been up the day before on guard until moonhigh. Oh well, it was for the btter of the clan. Plus, she'd never admit it out loud, but leading a patrol was always something she took pride in. It proved her place in the clan, and made most of the work she did to stay on Larkstar and Wolfheart's good sides worthwhile. Scanning the clearing, she sought out the other members of the small patrol, searching for their scents as well as their pelts. Her ears were alert too, trying to trace their movements, or if a wake up call was necessary. She'd made sure Littleberry was away before she left the den. As per usual, he was on a patrol with her. If it wasn't her, it was Mousecatcher or Lionstorm guarding the tom to make sure he didn't make a complete fool of himself. Not that it was intentional. The effort and urge was there, but he just never seemed to hit the mouse right on the head. Literally at times. Coming to a pause near the entrance, Nightlily stopped, glancing around once more being sitting down, still alert. More so than was probably necessary. however, she also prided herself fully on her ability to notice everything. Barely a whisper escaped the she-cat's finely tuned observation, and while half of what she saw wouldn't be voiced, it was there, locked away, ready to be withdrawn at a moment's notice. A yawn broke from the she-cat's jaws as she parted them wide, blowing out the old air and sucking in a new breath, the scent of pines and shadowclan drifting across her sensitive tongue. Hopefully, this patrol would be over and done with sooner , that than later. It was all she could wish for so early on. [/style] [style=style=width: 340px; font-family: small fonts; font-size: 7px; color: #4f4f4f; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase]words: 428 . tagged: cricketmeadow, wolfheart, littleberry . notes: hunting patrol. [/style] [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true]

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[broken]

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the sun was barely beginning to make an appearance on the horizon, barely lightening the grounds of the shadowclan camp. It was a pretty sight, no doubt but its beauty was lost on the bussiness like she at who slunk through the camp, keeping to the shadows like any good shadowclan cat did. Still, she could strut through camp and still hide in the shadows. The medicine cat Had only signed up for this because it was a great opportunity to get others to help her bring back as many herbs as possible? There would be extra mouths and none of them were stupid enough to tell their medicine cat no. At least, she hoped they wouldn't be. She had their respect, having saved many lives and healed many cats. She knew that wolfheart held an interest for what she did and hoped he would do as she said. In turn, she prayed the other two, littleberry and nightlily, would follow their deputies lead. Still, she thought as she rested in the camp entrance, they would help her one way or the other whether or not it was respect or because she forced them to . It would happen one way or the other.

Hidden as she was, cloaked in the shadows, it was no surprise when she didn't see nightlily until she was a mouse lengths away. The grayish blue she cat was the leader of the hunting patrol and would no doubt loathe being forced to help carry herbs instead of prey. Cricketmeadow often thought back on the days when she was sweeter and missed them ever since her mentors death, only her patients received the kindness that she was known for. Her job meant the World to her and she was determined not to loose it as well. Her sister was a good friend but cricketmeadow still felt devastated by the loss of her mentor and felt as though she had lost everything that day. Firemist had been her mentor, but more than that, he felt more like the dad she wanted her own dad to be. Stern, but loving, accepting nothing less than her personal best. It was enough to bring a choked sob to the emotionless medicine cats lips. Yes, loosing firemist had taken all the kindness out of her and left nothing but this former shell of her old self in its place. I miss you she mouthed, looking up at the sky.

.[/style][/style][style=font-size:30;Letter-spacing:10;text-transform:uppercase;Text-align:center;]cricketmeadow[/style][style=font-size:18;Letter-spacing:-1;text-transform:uppercase;text-align:center;width:400;]Winning battles with our wooden swords
But now we've stepped into a cruel world
Where everybody stands and keeps score[/style][/style]

[wolfheart]

The large tom stirred in his nest on the edge of the den. His thick black pelt ripped as he stiffly got to his paws and walked out into the clearing, careful to not step of any of his denmates. Once outside, Wolfheart stretched his strong muscles, yawning wide. With a shake of his pelt, the deputy took his place in the center of camp and organized the patrols for the day. With that out of the way, the black tom made his way toward Nightlily and Cricketmeadow, nodding a respectful hello to them without saying a word. Everyone in ShadowClan, even the kits, knew that Wolfheart was a cat of few words, keeping to himself and only speaking when he had to. He knew there was one other warrior on the patrol. "Where is Littleberry?" He asked, his deep voice rumbling. Wolfheart fell silent once more, wondering if anyone knew the answer to his question. His amber eyes gazed around the clearing and he flicked his black tail absently as he started to groom himself, waiting.

( I apologize that it's not that great, I'm dead tired right now. The next one will be better. )[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[littleberry]

[STYLE=padding:5px; width:350px; height:210px font-family:georgia; font-size:10px; text-align:justify; text-transform: lowercase;]Littleberry was sprawled out in his nest when his sister roused him, and he mumbled out a sleepy complaint, one green eye opening as he waved a paw. He was awake, the gesture said, even as his jaws parted in a great yawn. The small tom watched as Nightlily stepped out into the clearing, not really wanting to move away from his comfortable nest and the warmth of his clanmates around him and venture into the cold morning.

Especially since he was so sure he would make a fool of himself right in front of the deputy. At least Larkstar wouldn’t be coming with the patrol. He couldn’t bear possibly messing up in front of his own leader. Littleberry’s eyes closed, his paws crossing over one another as he tried to calm himself down. He could do this. He can. He was a good warrior. He was getting better with hunting, from what his siblings had told him, and that pleased the small tom greatly.

Taking a deep breath, the gray warrior stood now, arching his back in a stretch. His claws scratched against the ground as he padded out of the den, peering up at the morning sky and smiling gently. StarClan had blessed them with another beautiful day; even if he very much disliked the cold. Littleberry sent a quick thankful prayer towards his ancestors, and swept his gaze across camp curiously, not knowing where the patrol would be meeting up. As soon as he found his sister and Wolfheart near the entrance, he hurried over to them, nearly tripping over his paws.

“I’m here! Good morning!” Littleberry dipped his head respectively towards the deputy and Cricketmeadow, sitting down neatly beside Nightlily with his tail wrapped around his paws. “Where are we hunting today?” he asked curiously, his green gaze switching between his sister and Wolfheart.[/style]

[nightlily]

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[atrb=background,http://i50.tinypic.com/kagxtu.jpg] [style=width: 340px; font-family: georgia; font-size: 9px; color: #4f4f4f; text-align: justify; padding-bottom:20px] Cricketmeadow was the first cat to appear, stalking across the camp with that same emotionless look she always seemed to wear. She could remember when the medicine cat was a lot more tolerable, sweet even, before she'd taken over the role completely. However, the warrior found it hard to do anything but pity the cat. She knew people changed with death, her own father had with their mother's. But certain things like forcing way into a hunting patrol to collect herbs were not the way to make the gray warrior appreciate the medicine cat any more than she had ever other cat. With indifference as long as they stopped cats dying. Not that a word was spoken about it. All the warrior did was flick an ear to Cricketmeadow as she waited nearby. Nightlily kept her gaze toward the warriors den though. How long was it going to take for Littleberry to get his tail out there? Not that she was surprised though, he'd never been a fast mover when it came to stuff like this. Not that she could blame him. Wolfheart was the next over after pulling together the rest of the daily patrols. The she-cat returned the head-dip, letting out a small breath. "Where is Littleberry?" The question that was still on her mind. Thankfully, she didn't need to reply, her brother emerging from the warriors den and making his way over. “I’m here! Good morning!” She couldn't help herself, a small purr broke from her throat as the tom nearly tripped over his own paws. To some, it may have been weird, but everyone knew that despite the fact they were all siblings, Nightlily acted like the mother of the three younger toms. So obvious affection toward them was just an average thing, especially when Littleberry was around, he needed all the encouraging that he could. “Where are we hunting today?” Getting to her paws, the she-cat flicked her ear, glancing once more toward the sky, before around at the tree other cats. "There's an abundance of mice at the shadowed grove right now, I believe that would be our best shot," she meowed, voice level, calm, her gaze flicking toward Cricketmeadow before back to Wolfheart and finally, to Littleberry. "Shall we?" She didn't wait for a response, slowly moving toward the entrance and slipping outside, onto the familiar track leading out of camp. The she-cat took in a long breath, before leading the way toward the shadowed grove, nudging Littleberry's side as they went. "Everything okay?" she murmured to him, green eyes studying her brother. "Took you a bit to get out this morning." The walk didn't take long, and soon enough the four were at the shadowed grove, the scents of prey surprisingly thick and fresh for that time of year. The she-cat flexed her claws slightly, scanning the undergrowth. She'd wait till last to make a move. Littleberry was her priority before doing her own hunting. He needed to go back with something after all. [/style] [style=style=width: 340px; font-family: small fonts; font-size: 7px; color: #4f4f4f; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase]words: 503 . tagged: cricketmeadow, wolfheart, littleberry . notes: n/a . [/style] [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true]

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cricketmeadow's bright green eyes had a ghostly look about them and part of her realized that perhaps finding an apprentice could take away the longing she felt for the days when she was the apprentice and firemist was her mentor. however, even she was not stupid enough to beleive that it was that easy, or that she could just trust someone to get her job done just as good as she did. no, an apprentice was out of the picture for the time being. cricketmeadow shook her head and just for an instant, sadness showed in her eyes, breaking through the pokerface she had worked so hard to perfect.a single tear slid down her cheek an to the floor. but the tear was not to be joined by another. for cricketmeadow regained her composure in time to stop they flood of tears behind her eyes and instead her eyes held an almost hateful gleam, as if she blamed the patrol for everything that had gone wrong in her life.

"Where is Littleberry?" “I’m here! Good morning!” “Where are we hunting today?”

in her own thoughts, she had not noticed that littleberry and wolfheart had finally joined the two who waited. morning her voice was silky smooth, but there was a weakeness to it, a roughness around the edges that she was sure only she noticed. either that or she was completley faking it. when nightlily led the patrol out of camp, cricketmeadow followed soundlessly. the shadowed grove wasn't the best place for herbs but it was great for paw. she smiled, a sweet an innocent smile. perhaps a nice hunt amongst clanmates was just what she needed. she paused for an instant, and parted her jaws, letting the scents flow over them. she smeeled what a medicine cat would smeel, a tinge of horsetail and juniper berries, but she pushed those aside and focused on the prey aspect of the forest. her smile even remained when she smelled the mice nightlily had spoken of. instinctually, she slipped into a hunters crouch. time to hunt.

.[/style][/style][style=font-size:30;Letter-spacing:10;text-transform:uppercase;Text-align:center;]cricketmeadow[/style][style=font-size:18;Letter-spacing:-1;text-transform:uppercase;text-align:center;width:400;]Winning battles with our wooden swords
But now we've stepped into a cruel world
Where everybody stands and keeps score[/style][/style]