{golden afternoons}

[snowtuft]

Icefur looked at him with curious eyes. Hello, Cloud- She stopped as he suddenly started to walk away quickly. Well that was rude. She snorted softly. But a good opportunity to start a game. She stalked after him and leaped squarely on his shoulders. Beware intruder! You have been caught! Icefur growled victoriously and, with a hind paw, swiped at his back legs, hoping to trip him. She giggled and jumped off his sturdy shoulders, spinning in mid-air and landing in front of him, legs slightly spread apart as her belly brushed the ground, her fur bristling, and her teeth bared. You shall not pass! You are in LeopardClan territory without authorization! Do you have any last words? She growled playfully, throwing herself at him once again. She laughed as she missed and flopped on her side, standing up and shaking her pelt out. She snorted. You seem nervous. Is something the matter? She asked, concerned for her clanmate. She flicked his ears with her fluffy tail and nudged his shoulder softly. And don't worry Cloudclaw, if you try to run I'll only have to repeat that embarrassing act of which I had just shown you. She purred, trying to lighten the mood a bit.

[Bast]

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[atrb=background,http://i51.tinypic.com/ev9nox.png] "OOMPH!" THE wind rushed out of Cloudclaw's lungs as he found himself suddenly shoved face down into the dirt, a heavy weight pushing onto his shoulders and making his front legs buckle. Spitting out moss and dust, the male leopard wriggled wildly to get out of his "attacker's" hold. He heard Icefur say something about "intruder" and inwardly groaned. It was deja vu of his meeting with Littlepaw. For a moment, Cloudclaw had to wonder when all the members of LeopardClan had been turned into kits, but pushed the thought away has he picked himself up. Giving his silver pelt a brisk shake, he tried in vain to have some dignity about himself. Considering he was a cat with fairly little dignity, it wasn't very impressive. WHEN he'd finally righted himself, Cloudclaw tried to frown it Icefur as she lounged in front of him, her tail flicking his ear and making it twitch. She was grinning and looked so comfortable with herself that Cloudclaw couldn't help but feel a little jealous. How could some cats be so confident and sure of themselves when their decisions could so easily be wrong? His had been...What if when she pounced on him, he actually attacked her? It was just like with Littlepaw, there could have been serious injury involved! Why did it seem like he was the only cat in the clan that understood these things? It was probably because he was the only one that had lost his best friend, his own blood, to a stupid decision. They didn't know because they hadn't lived it. By the time Icefur had come around, Cloudclaw had been drawn into himself too much for her to know he'd ever acted any different. RECLINING on his haunches, Cloudclaw looked into the undergrowth instead of at Icefur. "Nothing's wrong," he insisted, though he didn't sound too convincing, even to his own ears. "It just seems I must have a target on my back, it seems like everyone's been jumping on me lately." HE wanted to disappear, knowing his ungraceful crumpling wasn't anything of what was expected of a warrior. Then again, Cloudclaw had thought wrestling stopped when one became a warrior! The last time he'd had to really watch his own back against his clanmates had been when he had been a new apprentice and the older apprentices used to hassle him and tackle him, claiming to be helping him practice his battle skills. Longwhisker had swallowed that lie hook, line and sinker. Cloudclaw knew it had just been to pick on him, but it had eventually stopped once he got a good swipe at one of them and left a nice scar on their muzzle. When he'd done that, Longwhisker had had him cleaning the elders den for nearly half a moon but at least it had stopped. These past few days though, it seemed to have become a common thing again. He hadn't been expecting an "attack" from Icefur so she'd caught him off guard. If anyone heard about that though, he'd be in for it, without a doubt. Tagged;; Icefur Word Count;; 514 Background Song;; "I Gotta Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas Notes;; he's embarrassed!

[snowtuft]

Icefur looked sympathetically at Cloudclaw. Look buddy, I know how to read people. You are down about something, you can tell me. I'm your clanmate, and I can keep secrets! Curiosity was biting Icefur in the haunches as she swiped a wet paw over her ears and whiskers. Something has been bothering me too, you know. I can tell you! You see, my hunting has been pretty poor lately, and its never poor! She sighed. I don't like to boast, but I'm one of LeopardClan's prime hunters! It didn't seem to be working. Icefur switched tactics and decided to maybe use her beauty and sweet personality. But, then again... you don't have to tell me. He batted her eye lids as she brushed against Cloudclaw, circling him and brushing his shoulders with her long, silvery tail. She waited for a response as she looked him over. Big. Strong. Handsome. She purred as she brushed against him one more time before flopping in the dirt and rolling on her back. Then it struck her like a blow from a LionClan warrior. It's about that apprentice you were talking to earlier, isn't it!? Icefur squealed, springing to her paws. You know, Wrenstar is his mentor. Lucky cub! She growled irritably. Wait... Your his friend, aren't you? Are you worried Wrenstar is too hard on him? She asked softly. Well don't worry! Wrenstar can go swallow a buzzard! She is pretty mean. Icefur sighed. Come on, Cloudclaw! Play with me. Icefur offered, crouching on her forelegs with her haunches waggling playfully in the air, her long, poofy tail waving like a flag in the air.

[Bast]

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[atrb=background,http://i51.tinypic.com/ev9nox.png] CLOUDCLAW stared at Icefur, struck speechless by her bounciness, befuddled by her constant motion and left in the dust by her rapid talking. She was three sentences in before he even began to process what she was saying. It was like trying to keep up with a tornado or listen to the babble of a fast flowing stream and make words out of it all. She brought up Littlepaw and then insulted Wrenstar all in the same breath, figuring out exactly what Cloudclaw's problem was before he could get a word in edgewise. He could neither deny nor validate her accusations at the rate she went. In fact, when she finally went quiet, Cloudclaw barely noticed because he was still caught completely off guard by her. It was...disorienting, being around this overly pretty leopardess. WHEN she circled around him, Cloudclaw truly hoped she couldn't hear his heartbeat pick up pace. It stuttered and jumped when she swept her eyes over him in an almost appraising, appriciative manner. No she-cats had ever looked at him that way, in all honesty. He wasn't a large, burly leopard like most of them liked to oggle and he wasn't particularly lean. Medium sized, he considered himself pretty average. Cloudclaw was a strong jumper and powerful climber, skilled at tracking and an alright hunter, but otherwise unimpressive. Pushing the thought away, Cloudclaw tagged it as a tactic to get him to tell her things so she could feed the gossip mill and get him in trouble with Wrenstar. That was what most other warriors would do anyway, he didn't know Icefur well so he couldn't tell either way. Better to be safe than sorry though. "NOW hang on a second," Cloudclaw said finally, trying to sound firm. "You can't talk that way about Wrenstar, she's your leader! If Wrenstar's hard on him, it's because Littlepaw needs it and now I can't...play with you, we have to hunt and do the patrols or Wrenstar really will be mean to all of us." It felt like he was scolding an apprentice! This whole conversation was insane! Heaving a sigh, Cloudclaw looked at the pretty leopardess across from him. "If you want help with your hunting, I could help you, but everything else is my business. You don't have to worry about it." THE last time he spoke, it was in a gentler tone, not as scolding as before. Icefur wasn't an apprentice, as much as she seemed to act like it and she didn't deserve to be treated like one. He'd never personally known her or been around her for long. All he knew was that she was pretty and a lot of toms in the clan liked her. He'd heard she was energetic but this was just silly. She was an almost exact clone of Littlepaw! Well, except that she was female and older, but other than that, they could have been family! Regardless, she was a clanmate and deserved his respect. Anything less would have made his parents ashamed. Tagged;; Icefur Word Count;; 504 Background Song;; "Another Day in Paradise" by Phil Collins Notes;; :)

[snowtuft]

Icefur jumped slightly at his harsh tone. Nobody ever yelled at her like that. Well, nobody yelled at her period. She lashed her tail. I can talk about that rude flea-bag anytime I want! She hissed, her fur bristling slightly. All she ever does is sit around, order her warriors around, and occasionally go on patrols. She turned on her heels and stamped away. And if you ask me, she doesn't deserve Littlepaw. She snarled, looking ahead of her at the forest. You do. She snorted. Lets hunt. Icefur growled, disappearing behind a wall of ferns with a flick of her tail to hold the path open for Cloudclaw. She turned to look at him. And Cloudclaw, don't tell me you don't want him as an apprentice. I can see you do. She shrugged, holding the ferns open with her shoulders now as she balanced on her hind legs, her haunches on the ground. I would. He is so sweet and energetic. A lot like me. I'd be glad to have him. She mewed before disappearing. Behind the ferns, Icefur crouched with a large, plump raccoon in sight. She circled it quietly as she got downwind. Suddenly, her paw snapped a twig and the coon looked around, fear in its eyes. When it didn't spot the threat, it paniced and bolted. It's lumbering body was no match for Icefur's speed as she bolted at it and pounced, snapping its neck between her teeth. She sniffed it and looked around for Cloudclaw. For some reason, she wanted to share with him her victorious kill. The first kill she made in three full days.

[Bast]

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[atrb=background,http://i51.tinypic.com/ev9nox.png] AGAIN struck dumb by the forwardness that was Icefur, Cloudclaw stammered unintelligantly as she snapped back at him. Laying his ears back, he ducked his head, his usualy response to being snapped at, backing down without a fight. He couldn't deny her after all, she wasn't far from wrong. He liked Littlepaw and wished Wrenstar would train him more. The young tom had a lot of promise and only wanted to please his clanmates and show them what he could do. If Wrenstar gave him the chance, there was no doubt he'd someday be great. Sadly, that wasn't his decision. It was Wrenstar's and Icefur didn't seem to understand that. Then again, it didn't seem like anyone did. Between Icefur and Littlepaw, it would be amazing if Cloudclaw didn't go mad within days. SHAKING his head in amazement at Icefur's straight forwardness, Cloudclaw silently followed her through the undergrowth. He stayed a few tail lengths behind her, wondering if he'd been mad to offer to help her. She was without a doubt a finer hunter than he was, though many claimed he was one of the best in the clan, he'd never accept the title. Still, he couldn't take back his words so instead, he observed her as she stalked a raccoon. In his eyes, it seemed like she became too focused on the prey itself and forgot about the land around her. Also it seemed she rushed her kills. It wasn't uncommon for Cloudclaw to stalk his prey for nearly an hour before striking, especially if it was big game. Regardless, she managed the catch, but if it had been a mountain goat or deer of some sort, it would have been long gone in moments. KEEPING to the undergrowth, despite Icefur looking for him, Cloudclaw caught a scent trail. It was a young deer, just out of its first year and a doe by its scent. On silent paws he slipped through the shadowy undergrowth. His paws had thick fur between his toes which muffled the sounds of his pawsteps, but he kept his mind open and all senses alert as he drew closer and closer to the young doe. He didn't look for Icefur, but instead kept his mind on the prey. To avoid noisy dry bracken or dead ferns that would crunch underfoot, he kept to the lushest and thickest greenery that slipped over his fur with only a whisper. The doe grazed in a clearing, unaware of its death creeping through the shadows. Big game was Cloudclaw's speciality. WHEN he struck, it was with the speed of a viper. Springing from the foliage with a feral snarl, Cloudclaw pounced high and sank his claws into the deer's side and his fangs into its neck. All four sets of claws sank into some form of flesh, hundreds of pounds of fur and muscle suddenly on the doe's side, dragging it to the ground. It bleated in fear but was quickly silenced as blood surged into its throat and its windpipe crushed in powerful jaws. Thick hide was shredded by sharp claws and with a final jerk, it went limp. SWIPING his tongue around his lips, Cloudclaw unlatched himself from the dead doe, paws silent on the mossy ground. Raising a bloody paw to his maw, he gave it a few licks before putting it back down. Easy. Hunting was easy, especially deer. Few risks were involved with does, especially when they were young and panicked easily at the sight of a predator or froze in fright, too afraid to flee. Tagged;; Icefur Word Count;; 594 Background Song;; "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor Notes;; he's jus gotta show off xD

[snowtuft]

Her kill forgotten, Icefur bounced over to Cloudclaw after he took down the deer. Great kill Cloudclaw! Icefur purred. She was too optimistic and friendly to hold grudges for more than five heart beats. She was a highly social creature, Icefur was. Being ignored and being angry at someone bothered her. You know what, Cloudclaw. While I was hunting, I thought about you and Littlepaw. I could talk to Wrenstar about it! You know, say I want Littlepaw's training to go to you. I will blame for it if she gets mad. I don't mind! Icefur said, bouncing around Cloudclaw. You don't have to say a word, you don't even have to be there! She mewed. It's a perfect plan.May not work, but I think it's worth a try! She chided. Come on, Cloudclaw. You can't deny you don't want him as an apprentice. I see you two around camp, you guys are like, good friends! I'll make sure she gives him to you. If she doesn't... Her voice dropped and her eyes darkened. I fight her. I know how much you mean to Littlepaw. I can see it in his eyes. Before Cloudclaw could respond. Icefur went to her coon and raced toward camp with it in her jaws.

[Bast]

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[atrb=background,http://i51.tinypic.com/ev9nox.png] "ICEFUR wait a second!" Cloudclaw called as the snow leopardess disappeared into the trees with her kill. IT was no use. She was going to get him into a world of trouble! Growling in frustration, the male abandoned his dead deer and took off after her. Icefur was energetic and swift, she flowed through the trees like quicksilver, but Cloudclaw wasn't a slowpoke. Finally getting the she-cat in sight, he leaped onto a boulder and used it to spring up and over Icefur. He landed with a thump in front of her and whirled around to face her, determined to stop her from either getting him in trouble or making him look like a fool. "ICEFUR hang on a second, please," Cloudclaw pleaded. "The last thing I need is Wrenstar being mad at me because she'll figure out why you're asking, she'll think I wanted you to ask. I don't even think I could train him properly! And what would the clan think? It's unheard of to change an apprentice's mentor when a mentor isn't dead! I don't even think it can be done. It's a waste of time so let it go. I can barely keep up with you, I'd never be able to handle Littlepaw with all this energy." NEVER in his life had Cloudclaw so clearly spewed out so many of his insecurities. Then again, he'd never had this many at one tme before. Sure he had moments when he missed something and became wary of doing it again, but this was the matter of an apprentice's training. Yes, Wrenstar was too busy to do it, but no that did not mean Cloudclaw should take it from her. A more experienced warrior should do it so that Cloudclaw didn't have to handle the backlash of Wrenstar's irritability or the clan's gossiping about bad luck or some such nonsense. Was there even a ceremony for giving an apprentice a new mentor while the old mentor still lived? In his thirty-nine moons of life, Cloudclaw had never seen or heard of one. It was almost like changing a warrior's name after they'd been given a warrior name, impossible and rediculous to even think of. Why Icefur entertained such ideas was beyond Cloudclaw. SIGHING, Cloudclaw shook his head. "We can't do anything about Littlepaw's training. Wrenstar will train him, she's trained cats before. He'll become a fine warrior and then this will all have just been a waste of time." Meeting Icefur's gaze, he spoke softly, "please Icefur, let it go." Tagged;; Icefur Word Count;; 422 Background Song;; "When Rain Falls" by Chris Botti Notes;; bah...early...