{losing my faith today}dragonstar

[Bast]

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[atrb=background,http://i54.tinypic.com/2qxq1kk.png] A steady drizzel accompanied Willowleaf as her paws thudded on the ground, muscles flexing smoothly under her pale pelt. Pearly grey clouds swirled overhead, emitting a growl of thunder from time to time as the lioness bounded through the rocky mountainside territory. She was bounding through the foothills of some unnamed mountain, weaving between trees and jumping boulders as she half ran, half fell with grace down the mountainside. The soft patter of rain accompanied the she-lion, but she didn't hear it. Her mind was spiraling off as it always did when she was hunting alone, pondering her dead siblings and missing her parents. She pondered her clan's distaste for her pelt's lack of golden color and remembered the gossip and taunting she'd faced as a young kit. It was a lonely train of thought, but one Willowleaf had followed often enough as she'd grown. Her clan was her clan, one she was faithful to without fail, but that did not necessarily make them kind. CLENCHING her jaw at the thought, the white lioness pushed through the wet underbush. She'd chased a deer through LionClan territory, accidentally crossing the border into outsider lands before she'd given up on the prey. After losing her catch, too ashamed to turn back to her clan so soon after another lost kill, she'd roamed idly. Half of the time she'd actually been searching for the border, the other half she'd been looking around and soaking up the change of scenery. She'd run off the plains where she normally hunted and into forested foothills and now, trying to retrace her steps, she remembered why her ancestors had preferred open savanna. Forests were so crowded, full of foliage so much so that it almost made Willowleaf feel claustrophobic as she bounded through it. She had to admit though, at first it had felt nice to see, smell and feel so many living things like the soft ferns that brushed her paws as she passed or see her pawprints left in the blanket of moss underfoot. After the rain had started though, Willowleaf had begun to regret lingering so long as her scent faded and got her turned around. All the trees looked alike and her own scent path was fading with each drop of rain. SKIDDING to a halt in a small clearing, Willowleaf's stormy blue eyes swept the clearing. Trees all around, like silent soldiers frozen in bark. They all looked alike. Tail twitching in despair, the white lioness heaved a tired sigh. She was supposed to be the finest tracker in her clan and here she was, turned around just because of a little unfamiliar territory and some silly rain. How could she have even let herself get so carried away with the hunt that she'd crossed the border so far? She had to be close, she'd only run so far into the woodland. Sighing, Willowleaf reclined to sit on her haunches. Wrapping her tail around her haunches and front paws, the lioness tipped her head backward to regard the stormy clouds swirling over her head. It was a miserable day. Not only had she lost a kill but she'd also gotten lost. What kind of warrior was she? Tagged;; Dragonstar Word Count;; 535 Background Song;; "Hero" by Skillet Notes;;

[crush]

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[atrb=background,http://i53.tinypic.com/30vyq83.jpg] [scrolly:h(166),w(275),sy] He shouldn't be away this far, he knew that. He was their leader - they depended on him to be there. But, here he was. Out of his clan's boundaries and into the lands he'd come from. The very lands, actually. His eyes may have not been open much, but the landscape and the smells had been burned into his memory. His paws slowly trod the path they had taken so many seasons ago when he'd been a little cub, half-blind. Beaten, battered, bruised. Abused. There was no other word to describe it, save, perhaps, torture. He paused, distracted from these thoughts by a noise. A deer, dashing right past him, too terrified to notice him, and he was still anyway. His eyes followed it for a moment, before he glanced down the path it had come. His mind leaped to the possibility it may have been the rogues he'd been born to, that perhaps he could finally get his revenge upon them. This thought forced his paws onto the path, following the deer's scent as it got fainter, staler, however slight the difference. It began to mix with the scent of a lion, and he shifted to that path, tracking it with what seemed like a bloodlust in his eyes. He didn't care if it was a lion, or a tiger, or whatever other species. He knew the rogue group had been mixed. A soft growl rumbled in his throat as the scent grew stronger and he got angrier with each step as the memories surfaced and played over and over. The hunger, the pain. He quieted his growl and his steps, slowing as he got closer, paused in the brush to peer at the lioness. White, an unexpected color for a lion, just like his coat was white rather than orange. That made him pause. He glanced around, scenting the air for others. There were none. It didn't make sense, not if she was one of them. There was a soft, annoyed growl as he realized she was just another lion, as her lionclan scent finally reached his brain. It had always been there, of course, but he'd been too blind to notice. He stood from his crouch and shook. If she had heard the growl, there was no point scaring her off by staying hidden. He stepped out, watching her cautiously, carefully. They were both in the same boat, though. Outside their clan's territories. Forests are trickier than they seem. It takes different tactics, tactics you don't have. He was already halfway through his little talk before he even realized he was speaking. He didn't do that often, speak to strangers. He hardly even spoke to his own clan members, not beyond pure business. He wasn't good at that sort of thing, the conversations. They were awkward, staggered between random little topic switches that jumped so often and so abruptly that most couldn't follow, or didn't want to. His right ear, nicked since cubhood, flickered to aim more at her as he settled onto his haunches, tail tip twitching, but never quite touching the ground despite the rest of his tail resting against the earth. [/scrolly]

[Bast]

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[atrb=background,http://i54.tinypic.com/2qxq1kk.png] ROUNDED white auds twitched as somewhere in the foliage, leaves shifted. It was a soft, quiet sound, but to a lioness born to slip through shifting tall grasses, it made all the difference. Opening her mouth slightly, the white she-cat drew the wet scents of the woodland across the scent palate on the roof of her mouth. Instantly she was bombarded with the heedy scents of rotting leaves, the washed out smell of rain and the stale odors of various animals that had passed through this very clearing. It was disgusting. How any cat could live like this was beyond Willowleaf, it was too cluttered and jumbled. Still, she tried and focused. There. The scent of another cat. Subtly Willowleaf felt her shoulders tense under her pale coat. She was ready to leap away from the danger, whirl around and face it. If it was a loner, she'd give it a chance, a rogue she would gut with ease. Anything else was impossible because surely she was the only clan cat dumb enough to get lost outside of her own territory, right? Satisfied she was prepared, Willowleaf lowered her gaze from the pearly grey sky and let her blue eyes sweep the undergrowth around her. "Forests are trickier than they seem. It takes different tactics, tactics you don't have." A deep growling voice floated to Willowleaf before the speaker actually appeared. When he did, the LionClan she-cat was taken aback by his appearance. WHITE. That was the first fact that sank into her mind, as it always was when she stumbled across another cat similar to her. The next thing she saw were his stripes. TigerClan. Laying her ears flat, Willowleaf leaped to her feet, taking two or three steps back as he advanced and reclined. She tensed, ready for him to lunge at her, the scent of his clan raking across her nose. It would only serve her right, being slaughtered by a tiger outside of her own lands. The clan would never find her, but they would happy to be rid of her. Some of the older warriors were still superstitious, claiming her pelt being free of deep gold was unlucky or a bad omen from StarClan. "I won't need them, I won't be here long," Willowleaf told the unnamed tiger with confidence. She wasn't staying here and she would be leaving. He wouldn't stop her, if that's what he thought he would do. "We're outside clan boundries, we don't have to fight," she cautioned, wary of starting a fight with this male. THERE wasn't much of a difference between lions and tigers when it came to males. That meant he easily outweighed her. Add to that, his apparent knowledge of this sorts of terrains and she would be screwed. She'd been lucky enough to find a tiny pocket of openness, but it wasn't nearly big enough for the type of fighting LionClan cats were taught, so used to using the openness to their advantage. Also...it may sound odd, but Willowleaf didn't want to fight this tiger. His pelt was more snowy white than even hers, excusing the black stripes. He was like her. When she peered into his eyes, she saw walls, guarded and recluse. When he spoke, it had seemed like he did it but surprised himself by doing it. Maybe he was someone like her, even if he was a tiger? Tagged;; Dragonstar Word Count;; 566 Background Song;; "Get Out Alive" by Three Days Grace Notes;; bah...too early in the morning =_=

[crush]

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[atrb=background,http://i53.tinypic.com/30vyq83.jpg] [scrolly:h(166),w(275),sy] He noted the caution, though it was shown with confidence. A brave little lioness, then, if she thought to warn him despite him having almost all the advantages. To some, it would be considered stupid. He didn't see it as such. He'd been the same. A young cub, eyes hardly open, and running away into the forest on his own, injured and only half alive. That was stupid too. But it had worked. He'd become free. Free from the pain. So, he wouldn't condone her for it. Sometimes the stupid things worked. He turned his head to watch her, though he a while he said nothing, not even a single word. Then, finally, a smile smile played across his lips as best it could and there was a soft mix between laughing and chuffing. It isn't me you should worry about fighting. There are rogues in these woods. He murmured softly, not stating how he knew this. She could ask, of course. He wouldn't bite her head off for asking, only for pushing the issue when he wouldn't answer. And he knew he wouldn't answer. It was too close to home, to close to all the reasons why. If he didn't trust his own clan with that information, why would he trust her? Just because they were similar didn't mean she was trustworthy. He wouldn't fool himself into thinking she was. Then, just like that, he jumped topics. He had a habit of that. It made sense to him, though not to most others. I've not seen you at the gatherings. There was no question. It was simply a statement, a fact he ended up pointing out with no real reason, other than to speak. To try and fill the awkward silence. [/scrolly]

[Bast]

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[atrb=background,http://i54.tinypic.com/2qxq1kk.png] ROGUES. The knowledge of them didn't really surprise Willowleaf, she was outside of clan lands after all. The male saying it though, that made her tail twitch warily. Was he one of them? Maybe he'd trespassed in TigerClan territory long enough to have thier scent on his striped pelt? Willowleaf flexed her claws subtly, slightly nervous if there were rogues. At the thought however, she mentally tisked at herself. She was a LionClan warrior! Here she was in front of another clan cat acting like a wary kit just out of the nursery! For shame. Drawing herself up a bit and smoothing over her composure, she reclined on her haunches. She used the mask that she wore when fellow apprentices used to pick on her and her siblings about their paleness. It was a face that said she didn't hear it, that it didn't hurt, that she was a proud lioness that feared nothing and wasn't intimidated by a TigerClan cat. "I can handle rogues," Willowleaf assured the white tiger in a cool, calm voice. Her ivory tail, darker at the tip, curled around her paws. Its tip didn't quite touch the ground, resting instead against her front paws. HER words weren't meant as a threat per say. The tiger hadn't attacked her on sight, so he possibly wasn't so bad. He seemed sensible and his eyes looked familiar. Not familiar as in she'd seen them before, but familiar as in she'd looked through them before, guarded and angry but not wanting the world to know. She'd been that way as an apprentice and hated the memory of it. Willowleaf liked who she'd grown to be, well, kind of. She was still half formed, confident to the world but aching with old scars on the inside. Looking at the tiger across from her, she wondered if maybe, just maybe, he was someone like her. UNLIKELY, but hey, the girl could wish. "I'VE not seen you at the gatherings." TTHE he statement, not question, threw Willowleaf for a loop. The blue-eyed she-cat blinked at him for a moment, astounded that someone would notice her absence, and then chiding herself mentally. Of course someone would notice. She was a white lioness. How many of those were roaming around the clans? Whoever this tom was though, he must be someone important because he made it sound like he'd been to quite a few gatherings. He didn't look old, nor did he look particularly young, so he must have been close to a clan leader or deputy perhaps. "NO," Willowleaf replied coolly, "you wouldn't have seen me. I don't go to them. I went to one as an apprentice, that's all, so I'm sorry to say, I don't know your name." If it was one thing Sunstreak had taught all her kits, it was the importance of a name and how it was polite to give yours first if you wanted to ask someone theirs. "My name is Willowleaf." The white lioness inclined her head for a moment, not enough for him to break her neck if he tried, but enough to be polite, before sitting back and regarding him with cool blue eyes. Tagged;; Dragonstar Word Count;; 529 Background Song;; "Ask the Lonely" by Journey Notes;; The posts'll bet better as I get more into her character :)

[crush]

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[atrb=background,http://i53.tinypic.com/30vyq83.jpg] [scrolly:h(166),w(275),sy] In the numbers they roam in within this particular stretch of land, any lone cat would be wise to just run the other way. He muttered, not quite to her, but not to himself either. There was a bitterness in it, evidence of some personal experience that he didn't go into discussing. There was no invitation for him to talk about it, and he wouldn't jump on the chance either even if there was one. However, he watched as the mask slipped on. One he was familiar with wearing, though his was far from identical. The other clan members had never bothered him, but he masked the anger during his small fits. He used to lash out at anyone that came near during those; now, when they didn't avoid him, he contained it. Hid it away so they never knew. He chuffed in amusement at her confusion. Even though the action itself may be rude, he couldn't help himself, nor was he well-versed in proper manners. He'd missed most of those lessons during his cubhood, and been too focused on succeeding for it to ever come up during his apprenticeship. Her name finally came and confirmed what he'd already suspected. She was a warrior. No deputy or leader could get out of going to the gatherings, not so consistently, and she was surely too old for an apprentice anyway. He caught the hidden question easily enough. It wasn't difficult with her offering her own name first. And mine Dragonstar. There was no haughty pride to it like some leaders might have. He had earned his way, but he didn't brag about it. He never really had been one to brag, least of all about his position as leader. He still rather feel like he belonged, had others he could trust, a pseudo-family. But he had never felt that way amongst the clan. He respected each of them, and he knew they would not harm him, but that did not make them family or friends. His head tipped slightly, curious now. Most enjoyed gatherings, she seemingly did not, though she didn't openly say it. He didn't say anything though. He didn't like when others pried into his life, so he made a habit of not often prying into theirs. Instead, he brushed his curiosity aside and turned his attention to listening to their surroundings and filtering the scents, as he had his whole life. This time, though, was not out of habit, but out of caution. Just in case. You could never be too careful. [/scrolly]

[Bast]

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[atrb=background,http://i54.tinypic.com/2qxq1kk.png] DRAGONSTAR. THE name made Willowleaf's spine stiffen slightly and her fur prickle uncomfortably as she peered at the male tiger. She didn't frequent gatherings, but she learned the gossip surely enough. That included knowing the names of leaders in other clans and if she wasn't wrong, Dragonstar was TigerClan's leader. She couldn't remember when he'd gotten his leader name, she didn't listen to clan news that closely, but she knew he was a but unusual. A few LionClan warriors had once referred to him as a "dirty" leader because he was supposedly born outside of the clans. Apprentices would occasionally talk about how awe-inspiring leaders in other clans were, how threatening and impossing they looked. A few of them had avidly described all the leaders to her because she was one of the few warriors with enough patience to sit and listen to their excited youthful babble. If she remembered right, they'd said Dragonstar looked scary and like he was never happy. Willowleaf could clearly remember laughing at the remark and telling the apprentice that it was impossible for Dragonstar to never be happy. Even she was happy sometimes, surely everyone could be? NOW though, looking at him, Willowleaf had to wonder. He looked...different, almost like someone uncomfortable in their own skin or someone that was holding something in. Willowleaf hesitated, wondering what she should do. Excuse herself and go find the LionClan border? Keep talking? He looked like a cat that was easy to irritate and the last thing Wllowleaf wanted was to make enemies from a clan leader. She was easily desposed of, no one important, no one worth being an enemy to. So, Willowleaf made her choice. A small smile caressed the white lioness's face. "It's nice to meet you Dragonstar." Dipping her head again, Willowleaf stood up. As she did, her stomach rumbled, reminding her forcefully of the deer she'd lost. Ears laying back for a moment in embarrassment, Willowleaf peered down at herself and laughed lightly. "Seems it's time for a hunt. Since we're outside of clan lands, would you care to join me, Dragonstar?" WILLOWLEAF decided to leave out the fact that she was an abysmal huntress. Her pale coat gave her away unless frost laid heavy on the ground, but she would try her best if Dragonstar chose to accompany her. He seemed like a gruff, unmoving cat, but at the same time she'd heard rough chuckles and seen the flickers of amusement in his eyes. Whether he found her amusing because of her incompitance or otherwise, it didn't bother Willowleaf one bit. At least, if he hunted with her, she might get the chance to make him smile. He seemed like a cat so used to being angry or closed off that it made Willowleaf sad to think of being that way. It reminded her of apprentice days, when the world had been black and white: her against them. Maybe that was how Dragonstar still felt? Clan laws or no, she would try to ease him out of that mindset. Tagged;; Dragonstar Word Count;; 510 Background Song;; "Run Devil Run" by Ke$ha Notes;; murr post >.<

[crush]

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[atrb=background,http://i53.tinypic.com/30vyq83.jpg] [scrolly:h(166),w(275),sy] It was impossible to not notice her reaction to his name. He held back a growl at the reaction itself, though his lips still pulled back in a very small snarl. Yes, he was gruff, rude, awkward to talk to, and he wasn't known to be particularly friendly. However, that didn't mean he liked the reputation he'd earned. It was fine among his own clan; they knew the details and they didn't exaggerate them. He could not say the same of the apprentices and young warriors from other clans. He would not put it past them to expand on the stories, make up their own, elaborate on the tales they heard from the Tigerclan members. But then she pushed that reaction away and he watched her all the more because of it. Her stomach rumbled, and he heard it clear across the silence. His ears flicked back the way the deer had gone. The scent trails had crossed, it must have been her failed attempt. He didn't purposely mock her, but he could not help the words that slipped out. Words that could be taken as harsh, though there was no cruel tone to them. Only the word choice itself took on that feel. You could probably use the help. There was a momentary pause as he pondered his words, then realized how terrible they sounded. His ears flattened slightly, the vaguest sign of being apologetic. However, he got to his feet, shaking the bit of debris off. Hunting in the forest is different, but the sheer amount of coverage helps hide a white pelt. You'll have that, at least. He corrected himself as best he knew how, rather sounding like a mentor speaking to an apprentice. However, considering her lack of expertise in such conditions, he sort of was in a similar position. He raised his nose to the wind and taking in a deep breath, flicking the tip of his tail in the direction of the freshest scent; a chital deer. They weren't exactly all that different from the deer she'd been chasing, not in anything more than appearance really. She wouldn't have seen one before; they far preferred the forests. The trick is being aware of where each part of your body is in relation to the branches and plants, even if you can't see them. Otherwise, you brush them too much and get yourself noticed. Don't worry about scents or others - find your prey, focus on that scent alone. There's more distraction here; don't let it distract you, and you'll do fine. With those words of wisdom, perhaps speaking more at a time than he had in a rather long time, he set off silently, following the traces of the scent. It carried them away from the boundaries, but there would be no harm done. He knew these woods better than he would ever admit and even if she got turned around, he would not. She would not be lost and alone today; he would not allow it, even if she was from another clan. [/scrolly]

[Bast]

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[atrb=background,http://i54.tinypic.com/2qxq1kk.png] ROUNDED auds swerved to catch Dragonstar's gruff words, his tone a bit harsh at first, as though she was being scolded by her mentor. Sadly however, he wasn't wrong. She did need help. In her own territory, where savannas and plains ruled the landscape, it was easy to hunt. There was space, clear scent trails and tall grasses to mask her. She might still be a klutz and failure huntress but at least there she knew the land. This forest, with its many scents and sounds, was simply too confusing. All the scents got confused in her head, musty due to the recent drizzle and vivid with plant growth. Dragonstar however, was in his element, or at least he acted like he was. Willowleaf had never in her life been in the confines of TigerClan territory but she assumed it must look something like this forest if Dragonstar knew so much about how to hunt in such territory. "WELL, you seem to know what you're talking about," Willowleaf said with a grin, lashing her tail from left to right. "And it's true, I do need help hunting. Our patrols tend to hunt together rather than alone. Hunting alone feels random and awkward, like running on three paws." Willowleaf refused, point blank refused, to admit it was because she normally had to find thick foliage ot hide in because her white pelt was spotted by the keen-eyed antelope of the plains. THINKING about it now, Willowleaf couldn't imagine that hunting here must be any easier. Sure, Dragonstar was confident, but surely the same thing was done for white tigers? Surely their pray caught sight of them long before they were near enough to lunge? She had always assumed all the clans ate similar food, antelope or deer of some fashion. There wasn't a deer on earth blind enough to miss a white lion or white tiger. How he and the other white tigers of TigerClan managed it, Willowleaf had no idea. WHEN Dragonstar turned and began to pad into the undergrowth, the LionClan she-cat had a moment of hesitation. Would it be considered disloyal to hunt with another clan's leader? There was no direct rule about it in the warrior code, or at least none that Brokenclaw had ever taught her. She wasn't going to run off with him to TigerClan so, perhaps it was alright? If someone caught wind of this though, it would be all over the clan before dusk. Willowleaf's ears laid back against her skull. She could tell Blackstar that it was just an accident, that she hadn't realized it was Dragonstar, but she'd still be in trouble for hunting with anyone that wasn't clearly a member of LionClan. White tail weaving from side to side, Willowleaf looked into the foliage where Dragonstar had disappeared. Taking a deep breath to steady herself and firm up her resolve, Willowleaf began to move after him. HER strides, long and quiet, excentuated the simple grace that was a big cat. Each muscle moved with ease, nearly silent paws in a ceaseless rhythm that would swallow ground and shrink the distance between herself and her prey with foolish ease. She didn't try to move past Dragonstar, too used to being the lioness at the back of the hunt, keeping instead about level with the end of his tail. She kept her claws sheathed and tried to follow the tiger's pawsteps so she wouldn't step on hidden twigs or move stones or leaves with her feet. Determination set in on Willowleaf as she strode along behind the leader of TigerClan. She wouldn't mess this hunt up, not if it killed her. That was the last thing she needed, was to give LionClan a bad name and give TigerClan an ego boost. Though she didn't think Dragonstar looked like a gossiping sort of tom, there was still the fact that he would always know if she messed up, he would always remember her as the poor huntress of LionClan. Somehow, that thought was more painful than an entire clan knowing her failure, perhaps simply because Dragonstar wouldn't tell. SHAKING her head, confused by her own odd thoughts, Willowleaf breathed in the scent of the deer they were tracking. It was an unfamiliar scent, but she assumed Dragonstar knew what it was, so she followed along. A fern plant caressed her side as she slid past it with a soft whisper. Her blue eyes intent, Willowleaf tried to expand her senses and find the deer as she could on the plains. The problem was, winds didn't blow in the forest like they did on the plains. It was confused and cramped and the further they tracked, the more Willowleaf wished she hadn't left that tiny clearing. It hadn't been much but at least it had been open, or as open as the forest got anyway. Tagged;; Dragonstar Word Count;; 811 Background Song;; "American Honey" by Lady Antebellum Notes;; dad's rushing me >.<

[crush]

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[atrb=background,http://i53.tinypic.com/30vyq83.jpg] [scrolly:h(166),w(275),sy] He doubted hunting alone was the sole reason she had failed, but he let it go. He refused to be like the ones he hated so much, refused to stoop so low as to push at a topic she clearly did not want to discuss. She didn't make it as blatantly obvious as he did, perhaps, but it was obvious enough to him. Anyway, they were on a hunt. It was wiser to be quiet. So, he let the silence take over, noting her hesitance to follow, then the determined look in her eye. He wouldn't have caught it had it not been for a quick glance back to make sure she was following. He had told her to focus solely on the one scent they were following, but he hardly followed his own advice. Then again, he was used to sorting scents like this and one of them needed to keep a feeler out for any rogues. Loners weren't going to be much of an issue, he knew, but rogues... Now they could cause a problem. However, there was nothing. At least, nothing fresh. It was quite some time later when he pulled to a stop, one paw still raised in the air, hesitant to be put down. The scent was strong now, and he could have sworn there was a slight movement, there, to the right and up ahead. Finally, his hovering paw touched the ground as his eyes narrowed, watching more closely. Then came the shifting of white spots as the brown spotted deer moved. He pulled into himself, curling to look at her, motioning silently with his tail to look. A hushed whisper, almost too quiet to be heard, slipped past his lips. I'll distract, you go around to the other side. It's close to the ferns, so you should be able to get close. If it bolts, steer it here if you can't catch it. He didn't mention how he'd distract the deer - it was a tiger tactic, a particular noise they could make that would help. He also gave no signal that he could have taken the deer out within seconds starting now. She'd lost her prey earlier; although he'd never admit to it, he'd give her this one, let her feel like she'd played a crucial part in this small hunt. He didn't have to, he knew, but he was used to silently helping others in the slightest of fashions. A way to make up for all his bad moments when he'd nearly bitten off quite a few tails and ears, he supposed. He waited until she'd crept off to begin his distraction, the flat call echoing through the forest, close enough to a deer call that it caught the chital's attention, and not in a bad way either. It was curious, trying to spot this invisible deer that it could call a friend rather than a foe. The poor thing just would never find what it was looking for. [/scrolly]

[Bast]

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[atrb=background,http://i54.tinypic.com/2qxq1kk.png] FOLLOWING behind the male tiger, Willowleaf tried to keep herself focused. It wasn't easy, but she managed and alright job, considering the environment wasn't to her liking. When Dragonstar came to a stop, Willowleaf froze behind him. She kept her paws firmly on the ground, flexing her claws subtly. This wasn't like in the plains where her claws sank into the dirt. Instead, leaf litter caught in her claws making her grimace, but she ignored it in favor of peering through the foliage in search of the deer. A flicker of movement, brown and white through the vivid green, drew Willowleaf's blue gaze. The tip of her tail twitched as she watched it, missing Dragonstar's tail flick until it brushed her foreleg. Looking at the striped tom, she barely heard his softly whispered instructions. For a moment longer she stood, completely still, looking at the deer's exact location before she began to move away from the tom. SHE knew Dragonstar could do this alone if he wanted to. Most cats could. It was a bit despairing to think that he was pitying her and letting her do something. She felt like an apprentice following its mentor for its first hunt. In fact, when Brokenclaw had taken her on her first hunt, he hadn't even let her do anything. She'd had to sit on a fallen tree and "observe". In all it had taken nearly four outings before he began to let her play small roles in the hunt. Still, Willowleaf hardened her heart to the memories and the sting of the blow to her pride, focusing instead on the hunt. JUST as she was slipping through the foliage and circling around, she heard a strange echoing call came from where she'd left Dragonstar. The sound brought her up short, paw raised to step. Turning her head, she peered through the undergrowth. No one else was there. It was just Dragonstar. Willowleaf tucked the information about the weird call away in her mind. She'd have to ask him about it, but for right now she had to hunt. SLIPPING into the ferns and flattening her belly to the ground. Soft moss and dead leaves brushed the soft fur of her stomach as she began creeping through the foliage. She had to bite back a soft growl from rising. It was just a habit, a byproduct of adrenaline from the prospect of a kill. Dragonstar had gotten to show her his little trick. Now it was her turn. Lions were destinctive in their kills, strangling their prey or suffocating it. So, creeping forward as the deer raised its head, looking toward Dragonstar to try and find the unusual sound's source, she moved. Muscles flexing and stretching, Willowleaf let out a snarl and sprang from the undergrowth. Long hooked claws extended as the deer bleated and tried to flee. Willowleaf sank her claws into the deer's shoulder and put all her weight onto the herbivore, sinking her long sharp fangs into the animal's neck. THE claws of her hind feet hooked in the animal's fur as she pushed it over, using hundreds of pounds of muscle and fur to unbalance the deer. The tangy taste of blood flooded Willowleaf's mouth as she bit into the throat of the deer, only dimly aware of hitting the ground. Unhooking her hind claws from the deer, she stood, throat still clutched in her powerful jaws. Giving it a firm shake, Willowleaf felt the spine crackle and nearly break. Long legs of the deer jerked and twitched but Willowleaf let go only when the deer ceased moving. WHITE muzzle smeared red, the blue-eyed she-cat turned to look at Dragonstar. Tagged;; Dragonstar Word Count;; 612 Background Song;; "Unknown Soldier" by Breaking Benjamin Notes;; :)

[crush]

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[atrb=background,http://i53.tinypic.com/30vyq83.jpg] [scrolly:h(166),w(275),sy] He hadn't stayed hidden from the moment she'd leaped. There had been no point to it, the chital deer had known she was there and seeing another large cat wouldn't affect things. It was already in a blind panic. He didn't rush in to help though, just slowly stalked closer, watching for if she needed help. He didn't figure she did, so he left it be. The deer was dead within seconds, though as always they seemed agonizingly slow. But he waited, patient, letting her have the whole moment. Then, the deer's life was gone, she let go and looked up. He blinked, dipping his head ever so slightly, a praise that was not meant to belittle her, simply let her know she had done well for the whole hunt, not just that part. She wasn't used to this terrain, it was a compliment. As much as she'd probably ever get, anyway. He stepped closer, nudging it toward her. Eat. You're hungry and you'd never be able to explain it if you brought back a forest deer like this one anyway. He took none for himself. He'd have enough food back at the clan, seeing as prey was running well in his territory. He wasn't about to inform them, or any other feline in or out of the clans, that she was eating before feeding her clan. He may be a leader, and he may follow the warrior code for the most part, but even he knew sometimes it was unrealistic. Perhaps that was just him, with his rogue blood, but he saw flaws within the clan logic. He believed in starclan, yes, but who wouldn't believe in a greater power after being saved as he had? That did not mean he thought they were always right in their ways. So, with not even a nibble, he spun, trotting towards a tree and slipping up onto its lowest branch with ease, claws digging into the bark as he climbed and while he settled down on the branch. Even then, they dug in slightly as a reassurance. He settled his head down on his front paws, watching her although his other senses stayed alert as to their surroundings. He was the knowledgeable one here, and seeing as she wasn't trespassing on his territory, he would make sure she came to no harm. Perhaps that wasn't right, perhaps it was something he shouldn't do. She was from a rival clan, after all. But he couldn't help but feel it was his responsibility. She was somehow similar to him, and he wasn't about to let that get taken away by the foolish mistake of letting down his guard. He'd never met someone who he felt was similar to him, after all. It was strange, and new, and rather intriguing. [/scrolly]

[Bast]

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[atrb=background,http://i54.tinypic.com/2qxq1kk.png] DRAGONSTAR'S urging for her to go ahead and eat caught the she-cat by surprise. Willowleaf was used to feeding the clan first at all times. Anything she managed to catch, went into the freshkill pile. Never, not even as a young apprentice, she'd never taken food for herself before giving food to the clan. Looking at the unfamiliar deer, she was unsure if she should follow his advice and fill her belly. This was her kill and they were outside of the clan territories, not to mention his point. If she took this back, the clan would be suspicious about where she'd hunted it and, frankly, how she'd even caught it. Normally she wasn't that successful as a hunter, especially with big game. Smaller game was usually more to her liking, but still, she had lost the deer before. She should take this back to make up for the loss. It was food the clan needed, no matter how her own belly protested and how much Dragonstar seemed content to let her take it. She'd just have to explain to the clan that she'd chased one deer out of the territory and come across this one on the way back. They would be wary of it, but with luck they would take it. Some of them might not even notice. DECISION made, Willowleaf looked up at Dragonstar as the tiger settled himself in the tree. "Thank you for the offer, but I lost the deer before, the clan needs this more than I do." MOVING toward the kill, the white lioness sank her fangs firmly into the deer's tough spotted hide. It would be a long trek, but she would have to make it. Lions were a powerful breed so, the deer wasn't extremely burdensome, but she did warily think about how far it was to the border and then from the border to camp. Pushing the troublesome thought out of her mind, Willowleaf focused instead on the task at hand. With luck, she'd make it back quickly and be able to sate her own hunger. Then she could forget about her meeting with Dragonstar. After all, she'd never see him again. She never went to gatherings, even when the leader or deputy offered. They knew her answer well by now, but sometimes they liked to offer anyway. DRAGGING the dead carcass to the edge of the clearing under the TigerClan leader's perch, Willowleaf released her burden. Tipping her head back, blue eyes peered up at the white and black male. "Thank you, for everything Dragonstar," Willowleaf told him, nodding politely and smiling genuinely. "You've done more than you know for me." HE would probably think she was being silly, not only trying to drag the deer all the way back to LionClan, but also because she was thanking him, but that was okay. A lot of her own clanmates thought she was silly on a daily basis so it was something she was used to. He could think she was silly but Willowleaf knew she wouldn't quickly forget meeting him. He hadn't said a lot but he'd helped her confidence in her hunting abilities, and given her company when she usually spent her days mostly alone. Tagged;; Dragonstar Word Count;; 537 Background Song;; "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)" by Nine Days Notes;; she likes him, she's jus not sure what to do about it

[crush]

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[atrb=background,http://i53.tinypic.com/30vyq83.jpg] [scrolly:h(166),w(275),sy] His shoulders shifted slightly in a shrug. If she'd rather come up with a clever scheme to make them not wonder about her catch, than that was her decision. He'd given her the option or opting out. He wouldn't have told a soul. But, perhaps she didn't believe that. After hearing some of the things that were said about him, he wouldn't be surprised if she thought that he'd let her eat it and then inform others. He never would have, not unless there was good reason to, but still. She could think what she wanted. He was used to having others judge him. When she looked up, he lifted his head from his paws, craning his neck to look down at her, seeing nothing but truth. He'd almost label it an innocent sort of truth. He made no noise, not even a soft huff of breath. At least, not at first. She was partially into the brush before his conscience got the better of him and he shook his head and leaped down from his perch. He padded softly through the foliage, though he didn't bother to try and mask himself. That was for when you you were trying to not be noticed by the one you were following. He honestly didn't care. He sighed softly, easily catching up and slipping just in front. He didn't say what he was doing, though he picked out a path that would be easier to drag the carcass along, bending the stiffer plants out of the way before she reached them. A silent guide back to her territory. After all, there were still rogues in these woods. Dangerous ones. At least if he was with her, they'd focus on him. The cub who got away. She could get away, live her life, even if he lost all nine of his. He'd rather lose them fighting the ones who had ruined his cubhood than to sickness anyway. [/scrolly]

[Bast]

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[atrb=background,http://i54.tinypic.com/2qxq1kk.png] IT didn't take someone with ultra keen senses to notice when someone was following. Willowleaf twitched her ears when she heard motion in the foliage. Letting go of the deer's shredded neck, Willowleaf looked around. Baby blue eyes caught sight of white black-striped fur. Shrugging, assuming the leader was just going back to his own land now that she wasn't going to be hanging around to provide whatever odd amusement he got out of her, she lowered her head to grab the deer again. Before she could though, ferns rustled softly and another flicker of striped fur made her look up again. There he was, Dragonstar, striding past her through the undergrowth with purpose in mind. Willowleaf stared at his flicking tail as he began pushing aside plants and bending back stems, clearing a path...for her? Willowleaf blinked in surprirse. What was he doing? She was from another clan and yes, they'd been friendly toward each other, as friendly as he got, but why would he help her traverse the land back to LionClan? Abandoning the deer, Willowleaf bounded after Dragonstar. "DRAGONSTAR!" she called, skidding to a halt just behind the progressing leader, damp leaves scattering under her paws. "What...what are you doing?" THERE was genuine confusion in the lioness's face and voice as she watched him push back troublesome ferns. He had that same guarded, neutral look on his face but there was something in his eyes that she couldn't identify. What was going through his head? Frowning slightly, the white lioness took a step forward. "YOU don't have to help me." IT wasn't meant as a rude statement, it simply felt like something Willowleaf felt the need to say. Some would think it silly to decline assistance but Willowleaf was a she-cat used to doing her own thing, making things work when there was just her. She'd never had a ton of friends in the clan, though they all knew her, so recieving aid from a rival clan's leader was really throwing her off balance. Was he doing it to belittle her? It didn't seem like it, there was nothing mocking about his speech or posture. Was he expecting something from her? She'd die before she gave LionClan secrets away, not that she knew many of them. From the talk apprentices and young warriors always were full of after gatherings, he didn't seem like the kind of cat to just do good deeds just because he had nothing better to do. The only thing Willowleaf could figure was that he wanted something or expected something from her. Be it clan secrets, good intentions or otherwise, Willowleaf wouldn't move before she got a straight answer from the cryptic leader. No one had ever helped her, not since her siblings passed away. Why would a rival clan's leader start now? It wasn't like they'd known each other well...she hadn't even recognized him when they met! To the loner of LionClan, it didn't make sense. "REALLY Dragonstar, I'll get back to the clan alright." Tagged;; Dragonstar Word Count;; 503 Background Song;; "Defying Gravity" from Wicked! Notes;; poor willow is so confused xD