[Darktail x Fadedsong]

[Fea Line]

Fadedsong padded back from finishing the last of her chores of helping out changing the bedding in the apprentice’s den and sat down to give herself a brief washing. She had just been made warrior, sat her vigil and now found herself with a whole new array of tasks to undertake and she was excited....if not exhausted.

A faint purr echoed in her throat as she groomed the white tip of her tail, her mind wandering. It felt like only moments ago she was a kit in the nursery playing with her siblings and the Wildkits and now they were all warriors awaiting to be assigned to patrols and hunting parties by Wildflower or other senior warriors. Something she was excited for though not yet haven gotten the chance and was doing her best to remain patient.... though it felt hard. Between wanting to do everything she could for her clan but also wanting to catch up on rest, Fadedsong momentarily found herself drifting into a bit of a sleepy fog.  

[belloblossom]

Darktail had been watching over Shadowstar's kits in his own way. He didn't want to tread on any toes, so he had kept his interactions with them brief. Besides, he had Spiderpaw to shape up, and Minnowflash and Pantherpaw besides. If there were any young cats he was actively concerned about, it was those three.

It surprised him, however, to see how fast they grew up. One day, they were kits, nursing beside their mother. The next, he was watching their warrior ceremonies. One of Shadowstar's daughters now had a next besides his in the Warriors Den. He was watching her now, having been asleep in his own nest when she'd entered and woke him. He noted how big she'd grown now. If he recalled, Foxfur had been her mentor, too.

A strong mentor paired for the kit of a strong leader. He reflected. A good choice of a pair, to be sure. Trust Shadowstar to choose well for her kin. He stared at her for a moment more, before he got to his paws.

"Staring doesn't feed the Clan." He reminded himself under his breath and began to tiptoe around her, as to not to wake her if he could help it. He had work to do, after all. He couldn't just stay here an be nostalgic. He had a ways to go before he was a sentimental old elder.

Fea Line

 

[Fea Line]

All Fadedsong heard was a stern voice and she snapped out of her doze and stood straight up, eyes wide. "I'm sorry! I'll get right on it!" she breathed before realizing she was still at her nest. Glancing around, a feeling of embarrassment and foolishness washed over her and she shrank back down when she caught the figure of another cat leaving.

"Oh... Darktail I'm sorry..." she said sheepishly when she recognized the cream coat and dark points of one of Riverclan's finest warriors. A bit of heat rose to her cheeks as she hoped that he hadn't caught that momentary outburst. How utterly embarrassing. Just made a warrior and already she was making an apprentice out of herself again.

She paused to shut her eyes and steady her breath and let the calm wash over her yet again. "Would you like some help?" she tilted her head, her pale yellow eyes locked on him. She had always admired his strength and resolve but now that she was older...well she found herself staring in different ways than before.

belloblossom

 

[belloblossom]

Darktail turned his head back when he heard a commotion near, only to watch with some amusement as Fadedsong jolted to her paws. Twitching his whiskers slightly, he watched the awakened she-cat.

"No need to apologize." He waved the encounter off with a flick of his tail. "I admire your eagerness to participate in the well-being of the Clan. You are much like your mother in that regard." He mewed with a fond tone in his voice. It was true that when he'd been younger and still calling himself a member of RockClan, that he had fancied the cat who had been elected their leader, with his vote among them. Yet, it was not to be, for she chose another. Still, Russetstorm was a good warrior and they made a handsome couple. He blinked at Fadedsong, accepting her offer to help. They made handsome kittens too, though they were kittens no longer.

"Yes. I was going out for a hunt and eight paws are better than four." He beckoned with his tail for her to follow him as he lead the way out of the Warriors Den. "Now that you're a warrior," He mused as he started across the camp to the exit, passing through the reeds. "How about you take the lead? Where do you think we would have the best luck at a hunt, given the conditions of our territory?" He prompted her, not disguising the fact that he was staring now, for he had a reason to.

Fea Line

 

[Fea Line]

Fadedsong felt proud at his compliment, being like her mother. Her mom was probably one of her greatest idols of the entire clan. Of course, that could be said that she was biased since her mother was also the clan leader but she was pretty confident that even if she had been born to any other cat, she'd still aspire to be like Shadowstar. "That means much to me Darktail, thank you." she purred softly, nodding to his request. "I would be thrilled to hunt by your side!" she meowed, blinking at him a bit before finding herself lost in his unique colored eyes...

A hunt with one of the other top warriors she looked up too as an apprentice though? The excitement was enough to draw her out of her daydreams to instead think about their territory as she took the lead, flicking her tail gently at him, not that she thought she needed to tell him to follow, it was just kind of an ingrained habit. "Well seeing as its still leaf-bare, many critters might still be deep hibernating. We might be able to track a few voles however, if not fish." she nodded, seeming confident in herself. Fish was a common staple in Riverclan so at least there was always that for backup.

Turning back to the tom cat, she purred softly with pale yellow eyes sparkling, trying to see his reaction to her suggestions.

belloblossom

 

[belloblossom]

Darktail couldn't prevent his tail from curling upward at Fadedsong's declaration of excitement to be hunting with him of all cats. While he regarded himself a strong cat and would much rather show off to a younger warrior his prowess in battle, a hunt would have to do. He returned her gaze, noticing with interest that now she was staring at him.

As they padded through the entrance. Again, his whiskers twitched when she flicked her tail against his flank as she took the lead. Listening to her closely, he nodded his approval.

"Both are good ideas. Lead the way, towards the river or the undergrowth." He told her with a smile and flicked his ears for her to proceed forward.

Fea Line

 

[Fea Line]

Fadedsong was still thrilled he was placing so much trust in her. Though part of her had to wonder why? Was it because she was Shadowstar's daughter or was it because he was testing her? She'd much rather the later though the former wasn't all bad she supposed. Still. "Oh but do let me know your thoughts on things as well? It's been a dream to learn from a great cat like you." she mewed softly as she turned around, giving him a bit of a playful grin. It felt like there was renewed spring in her steps and something welled up inside her again. Was this how her mother had felt when first meeting Russetstorm? Whatever it was, she liked it.

belloblossom

 

[belloblossom]

Darktail's eyes gleamed upon seeing the playful look she gave him. His pride stroked with her compliment, though he wasn't entirely certain whether she was being sarcastic or not, he reflected on her inquiry.

"Fish are a staple of RiverClan's diet." He answered. "And fish still swim, even when it gets cold, whereas land prey will hole up in their dens. However, it may take longer to acquire enough fish to feed the Clan, whereas a single rabbit can feed many cats at a time. Both provide its own challenges." He flicked his ears, considering.

"I propose we start with a ground hunt. If we don't find anything among the undergrowth, we can fish." There was a note of his mew that made the idea a final solution, like he had decided it rather than merely expressing his advice. Indeed so it was that he turned away from the direction of the river and moved out. "You're not scared, are you?" He asked over his shoulder with a challenging grin.

Fea Line

 

[Fea Line]

He was smart and handsome, oh what a dream come true! Forestclan, she must be the luckiest she cat in the world right now! "Land hunt it is then!" she purred, catching up and sliding in step with him. She stayed close enough to let her pelt brush against his before playfully teasing his tail with a quick brush from her own. "Scared? Of what? A rabbit? Or of being out hunted? Because neither keep me awake at night." she gave him a wink, parting her mouth to scent the air. Most creatures were probably still burrowed deep down but some had to be stirring right now. "Are YOU scared of little ol' me?" she asked, tossing him a another sly look before padding a head a bit. A scent hit her and she focused in on it, not wanting to lose its trail before it ducked back down into its safety and warmth.

belloblossom

Forgive me for being a failure face