Smallpines

[dino.]

[ @Beau ]

It took Buckbranch a moment to catch sight of the squirrel, but when he did his eyes narrowed and he slid out his claws. There it was, perched on top of a tree root twitching its tail as if it owned the whole forest. News flash, squirrel: you DON'T own the forest. He bunched his muscles as he approached, then sprang once he was close enough.

[dionysus]

[ @Slushie ]

Cormorantpaw finally caught sight of the little beast and jumped at it. Suddenly, though, a larger ball of fur crossed his path and stole the squirrel. Cormorantpaw pulled up short but couldn’t stop his momentum and barreled straight into Buckbranch before tumbling over and landing flopped on the ground with one leg propped up on the root the squirrel had only just sat upon.

“Ouch!”

[dino.]

[ @Beau ]

He rocketed past Cormorantpaw with the squirrel's body in his jaws. His eyes widened in surprise as he saw Cormorantpaw leap forward out of the corner of his eye. He tried to stop himself, but his apprentice slammed into his side and sent him tumbling. The squirrel flew from his grip. He sat up with a groan, then turned his head to look at Cormorantpaw with a bemused gaze. "What in the world- how did you get over here from all the way over there? Are you all right?"

[dionysus]

[ @Slushie ]

Cormorantpaw pulled himself sorely to his paws and turned to blink at Buckbranch, laughter bubbling up inside of him. He shrugged at the tortoiseshell tom and moved closer with a laugh and a shrug.

“I don’t know! But, yeah, I’m fine- did I cost you the squirrel?”

[dino.]

[ @Beau ]

With a grunt, Buckbranch hauled himself to his paws. Ouch, that was going to leave a mark. He flexed his legs experimentally, figured he was fine, and nodded to Cormorantpaw.
"No, you didn't - it's right over there. See?" He flicked his tail at the small red body sitting amongst the leaves. "Might be a little beat up now, but it should be fine."

[dionysus]

[ @Slushie ]

Cormorantpaw turned his attention to the figure lying a few pawsteps away and sighed in relief.

“Good! I would’ve felt really bad if we lost the squirrel!”

He still had a few things to catch, though, since he only had blackbird, so Cormorantpaw lifted his nose to the breeze. In the confusion, he’d forgotten his grumpiness and flashed a smile to Buckbranch as he searched for some prey, bounding off a moment later after a hefty mouse and returning with it clutched between his teeth.

[dino.]

[ @Beau ]

Buckbranch tilted his head as Cormorantpaw smiled at him. The young tom seemed to be in a much better mood as opposed to earlier that morning, which was honestly quite relief. Buckbranch hadn't exactly been sure how to deal with an oddly grumpy Cormorantpaw. At least that had sorted itself out on its own.
He nodded approvingly when Cormorantpaw came back with a mouse. "I think that should be good," he said. "What do you say? Want to gather up your other catches and head back?"

[Storm Flower]

Crystal ran to a border she smell other cat

[dionysus]

[ @Slushie ]

“Sure!”

Cormorantpaw trotted off into the trees and returned a few moments later with another mouse and the blackbird. He scooped up his most recent catch to go with them and looked expectantly at Buckbranch, waiting for the warrior to start toward home.

[dino.]

[ @Beau ]

Buckbranch
--------------

The tortoiseshell ducked behind a large bush and returned seconds later with his first mouse. He bent down to pick up his squirrel, then nodded to Cormorantpaw. "Go ahead and lead the way," he invited. "I'll be right behind you."