ShadowClan Territory

[Empress Of Evil]

Originally Posted by Duskflight

No one would blame Mistpaw from turning around, it was a common feeling that Hannibal had an eerie look to him, that he truly did look like some sort of monster with those hellish eyes and emotionless face. But she made a lethally bad mistake by running away, she may have lived if she had tried to talk to him, might have walked away to breath another day, but no, here they were running, the Syndicate cat quickly gaining on the half-blind apprentice.
Several moments passed and time seemed to slow as he closed the distance so quickly, those lean muscles rippling with ease beneath that grey cloak of fur he wore, tail streaming out behind him, his claws already unsheathed. Hannibal's head was completely devoid of thought, completely clear from any distraction, his eyes focused on her, the ground closing in between them, soon came the calculations for his jump. While he made these calculations, the apprentice whispered to herself and seemed to attempt to try and give herself courage. Too bad that wouldn't help her now, nothing could really help her unless there was some cat around to prevent her untimely death. But alas, there wasn't. Not that Hannibal could smell. And so, with the calculations out of the way, he leaped and landed right on his mark, crashing into Mistpaw's back and flattening her to the ground. Breathing out slowly, he carefully sunk his claw into her shoulder blades as he looked down at the terrified heap of fur he caught. For a moment the young cat appeared to be frozen in place as she swiveled her head around to look at him, his burning gaze looking coolly down at her, the tip of his tail flicking slowly back and forth. He knew she would say something, cats always said something on the verge of death, whether it be a plea to let them live, or a question as to why he was doing this, or a great number of predictable things, so he simply waited, allowing the apprentice time to think up something. There came two questions, fairly common, and then the most common of all statements that come from cats that are about to be killed. Please don't hurt me.

Sighing out, Hannibal watched her, not taking his eyes off of her, not breaking eye contact.
Should I bother? I suppose I can give her the satisfaction of knowing before her death and I have time to spare now that she isn't raising an alarm. It was a risky decision for him to not kill her right away, but sometimes a risk was needed in order to find an interesting situation. Besides, wouldn't it be rude to simply ignore the question?
"My name is Hannibal and I am of the Dusk Syndicate. I came here for my own interests which I unfortunately don't feel that I should indulge you with. As for not hurting you? I'm dreadfully sorry dear, but you've shown me that you can't be trusted and I can't have you scurrying off to warn others about me. I give you my word it'll be quick, but you will not be walking away from this spot alive. So before I do kill you, do you have a preference in the way you wish to die? Or any last words you'd like to divulge to me?" The tom spoke as coolly as if he were speaking with a fellow member of the Syndicate on a warm sunny day in the clearing, like he wasn't about to kill this apprentice on her own territory, like what he was doing was.. Normal.

Mistpaw shuddered inwardly as Hannibal sighed out. Was there anything not creepy about this stranger? He was quite a large cat, he had fire coloured hues and he sighed in a way that sent shivers down the apprentice's spine. Why did this happen to her? Why did it have to be in the territory so far away from the camp? There was no way anyone would hear her even if she tried shouting for help. Plus, if she did, she probably wouldn't live to see if anyone had hurt her. Mistpaw jumped slightly as Hannibal spoke again. Hannibal. Even his name was creepy. Despite her situation, a pang of realisation hit her. That's why she had never seen him before. That's why he didn't smell like a clan cat or a rogue.
He was of the Dusk Syndicate.
Mistpaw didn't know much about the Syndicate. She had only learnt from rumours, that they were an evil bunch of cats and you didn't want to bump into one. For a few, very short moments, the ShadowClan apprentice felt rather sorry for SkyClan, having to live next to a group of such terrible cats.

Mistpaw could feel herself struggling to breathe as the weight of Hannibal was crushing her. Any preference in how you want to die? Any last words? They were just words that Mistpaw would expect from a murderer like Hannibal. He had an eerie aura that just seemed to be telling Mistpaw about what he might say or do. Well, considering this was her last few moments of living, she might as well go along with it. Fear shone in the apprentice's purple eye as she prepared herself to talk. Her blind eye stayed as lifeless as ever. "I would pruh-prefer t-to be killed qu-quickly," Mistpaw stammered. The young she-cat could feel tears threatening to spill over, but she refused to let them. If you're going to die, at least die without crying, Mistpaw thought to herself, though it was harder to actually accomplish it rather than just saying it. "It would also be greatly appreciate it if you could do it in a way where I wouldn't have to feel so much pain," Mistpaw had stopped fighting. She had no more words of hope to speak. She knew she was going to die. There was nothing that could save her. She was speaking her dying words. She was going to lose her life.
Mistpaw stared into the fiery pits that were Hannibal's eyes. They made her want to shriek, just looking at them. Whilst Hannibal may be calm, his calm look was still extremely chilling.
Mistpaw quickly searched for the last words she wished to say. What words did she want to say. Something about her parents? No, she didn't want to put them in danger. Her Clan? No, same for them. A few seconds passed until finally Mistpaw made her decision. Using the air she still had in her lungs, she spoke her very last words.
"Please bury me once i'm dead."

[graves]

Originally Posted by Suspiciousmindz

Jaguarclaw was padding out into the territory. Perhaps to hunt or perhaps to find something exciting to do. Since Marbledface went missing, he was lacking in his excitement aspect. The Bengal's reasoning for leaving camp was unknown, but he allowed his large paws to guide him through the familiar territory. His tail flicked behind him as he began to think about his apprentice's training. Where should he start with battle training? What moves should be learn now? Should he merely focus on hunting techniques? You'd think this was the warrior's first apprentice, but it wasn't. Risingpaw was his second apprentice and Jaguarclaw was determined to train him better than he did his last one, Ibisprowl. Ibisprowl was his best friend's kit and the warrior felt like he failed them both despite their training going fairly well. Perhaps it was just Ibisprowl's attitude towards everything?
Anyways, as the warrior walked aimlessly through the territory, he allowed himself to come back to reality for a moment. In that moment he noticed an unfamiliar dark shape lounging on a rock nearby. She had Shadowclan's scent so obviously she was a fellow clan mate. A welcoming smile crossed his lips and he causally made his way towards the ebony feline. "What's a pretty little kitty like you doing out here all alone? Don't you know it's dangerous in leaf-bare?" he spoke, a teasing note to his voice. Nothing about Jaguarclaw was meant to seem intimidating, but do to his breed, he was a bit larger than average. It may not seem like much, but that's enough to scare some warriors away, or kits for that matter.
@wolybro

Amber hues immediately stared back at the tom as she jumped from his sudden voice. She jumped from the rock she was settled on,sky gazing. She was slightly clumbsy with her long limbs,tripping to the ground with a huff and a few yelps. She stood up fast though,shaking off and white snow that was on her pitch black fur. She thought about what the tom had said for a moment,ears twitching.
Pretty?
"O-oh you gave me quiet the scare silly!," she gave a nervous smile,pelt heated with embarrassment from the fall as she stared at him. "Well I...," what had she been doing out here? Well,she didn't have that many friends to begin with,so being cooped up in camp sometimes got rather lonely. Training with her apprentice was going well,and they had been working hard so today was an off day. Training was the only thing that kept her busy besides warrior duties,and she had done them,so here she was..."I-I was just skygazing is all. Such a pretty day."

[doghouse]

Originally Posted by Lost Illusion

Ratpaw noticed Tawnypaw's anger and folded his ears back. "Did I say something wrong?" He asked carefully. I hoped he didn't offend or hurt the she cat. His tail swayed back and forth uneasily and his fur began to bristle.

Tawnypaw shook her head, her fur bristling uneasily as she watched the tom. Flicking her ears, she averted her gaze from him for a second. “No, no. . . . I was just confused, that's all.” she said quickly, hoping that he wouldn't detect the lie. It wasn't about being confused, it was being suspicious towards Ratpaw. Wondering if he, like so many, hated her mother's name and had falsely placed his faith in StarClan. StarClan was the very cause of her family's demise, and she hated it. The anger didn't leave her gaze, but it wasn't directed specifically at him.

[BluBunnie]

Originally Posted by Spirited Darkness

Tawnypaw shook her head, her fur bristling uneasily as she watched the tom. Flicking her ears, she averted her gaze from him for a second. “No, no. . . . I was just confused, that's all.” she said quickly, hoping that he wouldn't detect the lie. It wasn't about being confused, it was being suspicious towards Ratpaw. Wondering if he, like so many, hated her mother's name and had falsely placed his faith in StarClan. StarClan was the very cause of her family's demise, and she hated it. The anger didn't leave her gaze, but it wasn't directed specifically at him.

Ratpaw tilted his head. He could tell she was lying, but he wasn't sure why. He shuffled his paws with nervousness. He thought back to the few moments before Tawnypaw seemed to show anger. He remembered she questioned it when he said 'they.' He had meant Starclan, meaning they always take away the good cats and always punish him. He hated Starclan, his mother was bitter towards Starclan but she still trusted in them. She hated that they gave her a 'useless' kit like Ratpaw but prayed they would make him useful.

Before Tawnypaw and him could continue the conversation he wanted to try and clear the air. "I don't know how you feel about Starclan, but I don't trust them or anyone who follows them." He said. "When I said they I meant that they always take away the good cats in life and if they don't take them away they make good cats lives terrible." He said.

[judas]

Darkoak walked through the pine trees, flicking his ears. His claws dug in the ground. His green eyes flicked around, watching for any mice that might dash out. He sniffed the air, the earth under his paws held still for a moment. His head began to hurt, the screams of the cats came back to him. Yowls, him and Moonfang, the kits. Nightfang, blood. Cold, under the log, Moonfang and the kits close to him. Crystalpaw. He blinked, and it was gone. The tabby shook his head, walking along.

[Willowpillow]

Originally Posted by Moonfur

Darkoak walked through the pine trees, flicking his ears. His claws dug in the ground. His green eyes flicked around, watching for any mice that might dash out. He sniffed the air, the earth under his paws held still for a moment. His head began to hurt, the screams of the cats came back to him. Yowls, him and Moonfang, the kits. Nightfang, blood. Cold, under the log, Moonfang and the kits close to him. Crystalpaw. He blinked, and it was gone. The tabby shook his head, walking along.

Raccoonsnout leapt out from a nearby bush and reached his paw into the sky. He slammed his claws down to reveal a small raven. Dinner! He purred triomphantly before his proud gaze spotted Darkoak. "Oh! Where you hunting the raven too?" He questioned as his ears perked in alarm. Is the other tom Shadowclan? It was unusual for Raccoonsnout to meet a fellow clanmate that he didnt know. With a quick scent of the air, his muscles relaxed as he recognized his own scent, Shadowclan.

[doghouse]

Originally Posted by Lost Illusion

Ratpaw tilted his head. He could tell she was lying, but he wasn't sure why. He shuffled his paws with nervousness. He thought back to the few moments before Tawnypaw seemed to show anger. He remembered she questioned it when he said 'they.' He had meant Starclan, meaning they always take away the good cats and always punish him. He hated Starclan, his mother was bitter towards Starclan but she still trusted in them. She hated that they gave her a 'useless' kit like Ratpaw but prayed they would make him useful.

Before Tawnypaw and him could continue the conversation he wanted to try and clear the air. "I don't know how you feel about Starclan, but I don't trust them or anyone who follows them." He said. "When I said they I meant that they always take away the good cats in life and if they don't take them away they make good cats lives terrible." He said.

Tawnypaw glared at him for a few moments longer, then stared at her paws. She wished things were different, and she wished that she was back in the leader's den with her family than out here with cats she was unsure about. She grabbed a twig in her claws and began to shred it, venting her anger into her work, clawing it apart. Then she looked up at Ratpaw, watching in silence as he began to speak.

She stared at him for a moment, then nodded. “And you're right not to. Thanks to StarClan and all who follow it, all but two of my kin are dead, and what do they do? They celebrate.” she growled, glad that he didn't follow StarClan. She had no faith in StarClan. She held her faith in the Place of No Stars. Her eyes were dull with grief and fury towards ShadowClan.

[BluBunnie]

Originally Posted by Spirited Darkness

Tawnypaw glared at him for a few moments longer, then stared at her paws. She wished things were different, and she wished that she was back in the leader's den with her family than out here with cats she was unsure about. She grabbed a twig in her claws and began to shred it, venting her anger into her work, clawing it apart. Then she looked up at Ratpaw, watching in silence as he began to speak.

She stared at him for a moment, then nodded. “And you're right not to. Thanks to StarClan and all who follow it, all but two of my kin are dead, and what do they do? They celebrate.” she growled, glad that he didn't follow StarClan. She had no faith in StarClan. She held her faith in the Place of No Stars. Her eyes were dull with grief and fury towards ShadowClan.

Ratpaw let out a sigh of relief when Tawnypaw agreed that Starclan could no be trusted but he was also sad for Tawnypaw when he heard that Shadowclan celebrated the death of her kin. He met her eyes and got to urge to comfort her. He took one step but then stopped, he didn't know Tawnypaw quite that well yet and he didn't know how she would respond with him acting like he was a close friend of hers.

"What was the names of your kin that passed away? If it is okay that I ask?" he said. He wondered if he knew her kin, he didn't know a lot of his clanmates but his mother gossiped a lot so maybe he heard their names from her.

[doghouse]

Originally Posted by Lost Illusion

Ratpaw let out a sigh of relief when Tawnypaw agreed that Starclan could no be trusted but he was also sad for Tawnypaw when he heard that Shadowclan celebrated the death of her kin. He met her eyes and got to urge to comfort her. He took one step but then stopped, he didn't know Tawnypaw quite that well yet and he didn't know how she would respond with him acting like he was a close friend of hers.

"What was the names of your kin that passed away? If it is okay that I ask?" he said. He wondered if he knew her kin, he didn't know a lot of his clanmates but his mother gossiped a lot so maybe he heard their names from her.

Tawnypaw sighed inwardly, her shoulders slumping. She was very relieved that he didn't follow StarClan, but also rather disappointed. Not in him, but in herself. She was disappointed in herself for believing that all her Clanmates were bad. Already both Ratpaw and Bugpaw had proven her wrong. She closed her eyes, then blinked, lifting her head.

She watched him, wondering if he actually cared, then she shook herself. Why would he? she scolded herself, sitting down promptly. Then she hesitated, wondering if she should tell him. “Well . . . my father and two of my brothers, Burdockpool, Blackkit and Mountainkit, are only missing. But I'm pretty sure they're dead. My mother is—was—called Blazingnight.” she muttered, lowering her gaze. It wasn't that she wasn't proud of her family, to the contrary, but her grief for all of them was very strong in her heart. “What was your father's name?”

[BluBunnie]

Originally Posted by Spirited Darkness

Tawnypaw sighed inwardly, her shoulders slumping. She was very relieved that he didn't follow StarClan, but also rather disappointed. Not in him, but in herself. She was disappointed in herself for believing that all her Clanmates were bad. Already both Ratpaw and Bugpaw had proven her wrong. She closed her eyes, then blinked, lifting her head.

She watched him, wondering if he actually cared, then she shook herself. Why would he? she scolded herself, sitting down promptly. Then she hesitated, wondering if she should tell him. “Well . . . my father and two of my brothers, Burdockpool, Blackkit and Mountainkit, are only missing. But I'm pretty sure they're dead. My mother is—was—called Blazingnight.” she muttered, lowering her gaze. It wasn't that she wasn't proud of her family, to the contrary, but her grief for all of them was very strong in her heart. “What was your father's name?”

Ratpaw moved a bit closer to Tawnypaw and moved his ears foward a bit. He listened to the names carefully, he thought he heard the names Mountainkit and Blackkit before. But the name he recognized the most was Blazingnight, he knew she was the old leader and his mom didn't like her much. "Oh, your mom was the old leader? I am really sorry." He mewed and frowned. He couldn't imagine his Clan mates celebrating the death of his father, it must've really hurt Tawnypaw. "My fathers name was Hawkheart, I am not sure how he died but my mom told me a fox killed him, I am not sure I believe her."