Originally Posted by Lonestar23 (Post 1151) Cloudpaw nearly jumped again and caught herself just in time. "Oh! Smokepaw, you startled me. I was just...waiting for you," she smiled a little sheepishly. Did he see me earlier? she wondered, although she didn't speak her question aloud. She gave a small smile and a chuckle, and fell silent a moment afterwards. She appeared to be deep in thought, although her mind was racing to figure something to say to make the situation less uncomfortable for herself. Smokepaw, on the other hand, seemed to be feeling great! He looked as though he were feeling a lot more confident than he had when she had first met him. "Yeah, I'm ready," she answered after hearing his question. She grinned broadly, her eyes sparking with an almost mischievous glint. "So, how's it been going?" she asked, beginning to head further into the territory once more. Her senses were still as heightened as before, and nothing was escaping her notice. She was careful not to ignore Smokepaw however, glancing over towards him to make sure he was following. It wouldn't do at all to leave him behind...no, that would be very embarrassing indeed. Cloudpaw yawned, suddenly tired although she wasn't quite sure why...perhaps it had been too early of a morning for her. The white she cat glanced back at Smokepaw once more, letting her guard down on her senses and hoping that nothing would sneak past her...that would be even more embarrassing than her previous slip up. Oh well, I guess I should be thankful I didn't forget his name, she mewed with a slight shrug. That was one thing about Cloudpaw; she always seemed to be looking on the bright side of things. It helped her stay more confident and focused.

~bump for Sleet~

Crimsonmoon refrained from looking up when she heard another splash in the water. She didn't want to get distracted by her competition when the time was running out quickly. Though nothing came and she could feel her chest tightening with anxiety. They had both caught two fish, but whose would be the larger amount of prey? She licked her lips and tried to see through the dark murky water but it was impossible with how little daylight remained. A small sigh escaped her maw and she finally sat up and looked across the river. It was even hard to pick out Pastblaze's body along the dark river edge. "I can't see anything anymore, I think it is time to be done. Need help bringing your catch over?" The last sentence was announced in a mocking tone almost. More of a nervous tease that she needed to get out to break the silence and try to instill some last bit of confidence in herself. Maybe it would make him more nervous than she was to see who the winner would be. Though she had caught a fair two fish, one dull green that was smaller and a nice fat rainbow trout. They would make nice meals, if there was plenty of prey on the fresh kill pile she would take the trout for her own meal. Well half of it anyways, it was big enough to feed two cats easily.

Crimsonmoon refrained from looking up when she heard another splash in the water. She didn't want to get distracted by her competition when the time was running out quickly. Though nothing came and she could feel her chest tightening with anxiety. They had both caught two fish, but whose would be the larger amount of prey? She licked her lips and tried to see through the dark murky water but it was impossible with how little daylight remained. A small sigh escaped her maw and she finally sat up and looked across the river. It was even hard to pick out Pastblaze's body along the dark river edge. "I can't see anything anymore, I think it is time to be done. Need help bringing your catch over?" The last sentence was announced in a mocking tone almost. More of a nervous tease that she needed to get out to break the silence and try to instill some last bit of confidence in herself. Maybe it would make him more nervous than she was to see who the winner would be. Though she had caught a fair two fish, one dull green that was smaller and a nice fat rainbow trout. They would make nice meals, if there was plenty of prey on the fresh kill pile she would take the trout for her own meal. Well half of it anyways, it was big enough to feed two cats easily.

When the tom climbed ashore she first wanted to assess his amount of prey, but she was kept from doing so when he shook out his fur. It sent droplets of water flying towards her, forcing her to turn her face away so that it wouldn't get in her eyes. She made a small growling of annoyance and glared at him when he finally stopped. "You don't get out often do you?" She mumbled grumpily, pointing out his bad manners. Her tail twitched back and forth behind her, displaying her temper. Though her eyes dropped to his smaller pile of prey and a sly smile came across her face. She pushed her two fish forward, hers just a bit larger than his own, thus making her the winner of their little competition. She met his gaze again, her flaming red eyes were huge and black as she tried to make out his facial features in the night. "Looks like I win." Her voice wasn't as teasing as it had been, nor as harsh, more just matter-of-factly. She didn't feel the need to rub her victory in, she found gloating to be disgusting. Simply proving you were better was all you needed to do, just state the fact and have it be a fact.

{For Beau!}

Ears perking up as he heard the two choices he had to pick from for what exactly they would do, just him and Seapaw, he paused beside her, weighing his options. Both of them sounded like they could provide loads of fun, playing pranks on a Thunderclan or Shadowclan patrol, already he could imagine the looks on the other cats faces, but then again he thought about the riveting danger that would ensue with going off to check old Badger dens, one of his favorite things to do.. I might get in trouble if I try to prank the border patrols though.. Hickorypaw thought with a slight frown, tail flicking a bit as that thought passed through him. And exploring badger sets is so fun! Heck, maybe I can make another secret hideout that just me and Seapaw know about! A stupid grin spreading on his muzzle, he nodded his head and turned to look at his best friend, tail sticking straight up. "Lets go look for a badger set! I want to make a secret hideout and plus, maybe we'll even find an old badger to beat up and chase out!" He meowed out excitedly, that silly grin of his still plastered on his muzzle as he looked to his best friend for confirmation of his thoughts.

It was relieving that she had won the small competition between the two of them, if not a little lackluster as he didn't seem to be too bothered by it. He simply looked frustrated, pinned his ears and moved on. Though she supposed she appreciated that, sore losers were low. When he suggested they get back to camp she gave a nod. It was getting incredibly dark and there wasn't much moonlight out tonight. A cold wind blew through the forest, not that she minded however as her thick dry coat kept her nice and warm. Though she couldn't imagine Pastblaze could be dealing too well with the cold when he was so wet still. Though she made no comment. She simply picked up her prey and padded alongside him. She found herself watching him out of the corner of her eye a lot, catching when he glanced over and hurriedly looking away. She didn't want him to think that she was staring or anything, it was rude to stare she knew that much. The crimson cat couldn't help but think of how exhilarating and fun their competition had been, though she wasn't sure she wanted to admit that yet. Maybe she would, it depended on how she was feeling when they dropped the prey off and headed to sleep. If he was in a bad mood she wouldn't as she didn't want to make things awkward between them. The silence seemed to drag on as they padded through the territory, though it would be nearly impossible to talk anyways with mouths full of prey.
(want to post in the clearing?)

{For Beau!}

Ears perking up as he heard the two choices he had to pick from for what exactly they would do, just him and Seapaw, he paused beside her, weighing his options. Both of them sounded like they could provide loads of fun, playing pranks on a Thunderclan or Shadowclan patrol, already he could imagine the looks on the other cats faces, but then again he thought about the riveting danger that would ensue with going off to check old Badger dens, one of his favorite things to do.. I might get in trouble if I try to prank the border patrols though.. Hickorypaw thought with a slight frown, tail flicking a bit as that thought passed through him. And exploring badger sets is so fun! Heck, maybe I can make another secret hideout that just me and Seapaw know about! A stupid grin spreading on his muzzle, he nodded his head and turned to look at his best friend, tail sticking straight up. "Lets go look for a badger set! I want to make a secret hideout and plus, maybe we'll even find an old badger to beat up and chase out!" He meowed out excitedly, that silly grin of his still plastered on his muzzle as he looked to his best friend for confirmation of his thoughts.

Seapaw twitched her tail as Hickorypaw thought. She watched him closely, the corner of her mouth tilting up at his perked ears. The molly noticed him frown and then begin to grin foolishly. Seapaw couldn't suppress a grin of her own at the sight of his silly facial expression, and when he turned to her, a broad smile shined from her face. A little shot of happiness passed through Seapaw at the sight of her best friend's tail held straight up. It was funny, but she also liked that he was so excited. It was one of those underrated happy moments that no one ever seemed to notice. Chuckling, Seapaw purred, "Alright, badger it is! I could use some fur in my nest." The she-cat took a step forward before turning to look at Hickorypaw again with a glimmer of mischief in her eyes, "Your ginger pelt would be a nice addition once a badger rips it off." Sticking her tongue out, Seapaw dashed off in the direction of the loner territory, laughter tinkling behind her shoulder and drifting towards Hickorypaw.