like, where's the prey?{open}

[☮iSLY]

A tall, dark tabby tom cat could be seen over in the sleeping area. It was about almost noon, and it was scorching hot outside for some reason. But their was a breeze, so it wasn't too bad.

The warrior,who's name was Rushinghawk, woke up with a yawn plastered on his face. Getting up slowly, the warrior blinked acouple times to get used to the light shining down. His paws dragged him drogily towards the middle of the camp clearing, green eyes slowly geting into focus when....

TRIP!

Next thing the tom knew he was flat on his face. He had tripped over a lone stick just sitting there!
"Ow..." He meowed outloud, now fully awake.
He scrambled up like a newly made appentice, and regained his composure; atleast tried to. His fur was even more ruffled; since he didn't bother to groom it yet. His head hair was sticking out like crazy, so he shook his head in order to try and smooth some of it down.

"Starclan.." He murmmered, as he glanced around; leting out a small sigh.
okay...time for some- Rushinghawk began to think but saw that...well, their was no food! Where was the freash-kill pile?!

He stared over where it should have been, mouth agape.
where's the patrol? Shouldn't they be back...? The poor, confused tom-cat wondered as he stumbled his way over towards it, just staring at the place the prey was always dropped off.
just my luck.. he thought, sitting down, tail flicking back and fourth. A goofy looking expression crossed Rushinghawk's face as he stared at the spot, it was his thinking look;which looked quite comical to any cat.

[CHARZERZ]

Charredstar padded up behind rushinghawk, willing himself not to cuff him over the ears. The tom was staring at the empty fresh kill pile, his faced screwed up as if he was trying to conjure prey up from nothing. The large gray tom simply stood behind the warrior for a few long moments before deciding that the tom didn't plan on moving. "Warriors! don't just stare at the fresh kill pile all day, rather they look for a clanmate to hunt with so the clan can be fed." He said icily, the first word a yowl to get the toms attention. Charredstar put on a scowl as the other tom turned suddenly to face him.

[ḞḶIṆṪ]

The sent of prey hung like a dark cloud around Ridgepaw. Head low, and on big paws, his too thin tabby from pulled itself from the thorn walkway. Though he had no official mentor it appeared he'd just gone hunting and was perhaps successful. Certainly his smooth face didn't look displeased. It had the expression more of a cat who didn't want to be seen.

Normally, this wasn't a problem. Thick black stripes rolled down his sides, beneath were brown and silver strands of fur. The whole thing looked dull though. Not much shine to be found anywhere. Brambles stuck on his tail and bits of sage brush were poking from his ears. Clearly he'd been up to some rough stuff for his pelt was smooth as if it had at one time been cleaned and was now dirty from whatever he'd been doing.

Ridgepaw eyed the clearing. Some other warrior was staring at the ground. His lips twisted in a sneer, suddenly glad the thrush he'd caught had been eaten. Obviously it was too much for this trained warrior to go without food. The look fell from his maw quickly and Ridgepaw fell away around the camp edge, making good progress back to the apprentices den.

[☮iSLY]

Eyes widening instantly, and fur standing on end, Rushinghawk let out a loud yell of surprise and jumped about a fox-length into the air when he heard the voice behind him.

He landed back on the ground, claws un-sheltered and shaking. Turning to see, Charredstar.

"Ch-ch-charredstar?" He mewed in a paniced voice, tail low and twitching.
He backed away alittle bit as if to escape his leader's harsh icy stare.
Finding his voice, finally, the excuse for a warrior put on a cheesy innocent grin, "I-I just woke up..." He meowed, his shaking stopping, but his fur still ruffled like a messy kits.

His paws shuffled abit on the grassy floor and he started, "Who should I take?" Hoping Charredstar would reccomend someone, it seemed no one was around....
He tried not to fidget, but Charredstar's scowl was unpleasent to look at...
How many times had he seen that scowl...like sixty times?

Rushinghawk stared at his leader skeptically, his wide green eyes glowing.

[ḞḶIṆṪ]

Sprining back, several crackles and snaps could be heard as Ridgepaw crashed into and furiously tried to rip himself from the clans barrier. Now scowling for real, his vicious yellow gaze clamped down on Rushinghawk. Did he just figure out nothings there? His mind hissed, ivory teeth flashing momentarily. So startled had he been by the outburst that Ridgepaw had sprang away, strait into the twigs that were currently digging beneath his fur.

Digging his black claws into the dirt, there were several loud snaps as Ridgepaw broke free. Now with the added thorns and twigs, he positively looked awful. Like he'd just got in a fight with a patch of weeds and lost. It didn't improve his mood that he was completely aware of this, and it didn't give him any warm feeling toward Rushinghawk either. He's disdain continued to fester as he watched until Charredstar, who was also present, mentioned getting someone to go hunt.

Quickly gathering himself up, Ridgepaw made to depart. It wasn't like he expected to be sent of hunting or anything, but he also didn't want to be noticed. There was clearly no food present yet he still smelled like breakfast. Now would be a bad time for a chat. Was his conclusion and, not wanting any real confrontation, Ridgepaw again attempted to reach the apprentices den.

[CHARZERZ]

Charredstar let his green gaze burn into the tom's pelt for another moment, and then scanned the clearing for prospective hunters. He could use a stretch himself, and he wanted to watch Ridgepaw, to see who to assign to teach him to be a warrior. He would do it himself, but he wasn't a fool. Ridgepaw was dark already. If Charredstar taught the young, fiery apprentice himself, it would surely end up in something that the clan didn't need. The cat needed a caring cat, still fiercely loyal, but one who can be his friend, perhaps quell the flames in his heart with the waters of kindness. He cursed himself for thinking in such...un-warrior like terms, but it didn't change the facts.

"Ridgepaw, hunting, come." His icy voice penetrated the light voices speaking around the clearing with ringing clarity. he turned back to the lazy tom, and simply growled, nodding at the entrance. He would whip Rushinghawk into a warrior yet, it just won't be easy.

[☮iSLY]

Rushinghawk could scent another cat had come into camp, knowing it was Ridgepaw already. Atleast he had a good nose right?

Jumping slightly as the apprentice came in through and made a bit of an uproar. He looked to see what had happend and saw him glaring at him.
What'd I do? He thought momently, before his gaze snapped back to where Charredstar stood.

He blinked and heard the leader tell Ridgepaw to go hunt...wait, with him? He couldn't handle an apprentice! No no no no no!

Unless Charredstar was coming too?
Oh brother... Rushinghawk thought as he jumped slightly as Charredstar growled at him to go to the entrance.
Speedwalking it to the entrance, before Charredstar had a chance to slap him over the face, Rushinghawk stood by the exit. Tail twitching, he looked to the young Ridgepaw.
"Hello." He greeted, trying to be friendly, his voice cracked abit, since he was scared out of his fur just moments ago.

[ḞḶIṆṪ]

His back turned and form low and slinking, Ridgepaw froze. Had he heard right? There was no way anyone could know he could already hunt. Warning tickled down his spine. He didn't have any interest in getting close to the clan leader. Or for that matter the fool a warrior who was with him. Still unchanged, his large ears flattened, the fur on his shoulders even started to bristle. Rushinghawk was the kind of cat that made him dislike so many of the warriors.

Moments slipped past and it occurred to him he still hadn't moved. His limbs were staring to ach from the position and with effort, Ridgepaw straitened himself out and turned to face the older pair of cats. Teeth biting his tongue, he miserably tried to think of some excuse for the slight sent of bird about him. Perhaps Charredstar wouldn't notice but Ridgepaw didn't count on it. As if rocks were tied to them, he moved like a prisoner over to his new hunting partners. As he grew close he circled wide of Rushinghawk, though the other cat spoke to him. He came to a halt still a bit away from Charredstar, with his bright gaze locked on the ground and nodded.

In no way was his form eager. But this wasn't why Ridgepaw didn't look up. If he wasn't giving himself away already, he knew his eyes would. The muscles of his expression he could do with as he wished but his eyes. Ridgepaw had no control over them. Sitting with a dusty thud his neck started to hurt from being bent so long and he didn't feel inclined to say anything.

[CHARZERZ]

Charredstar eyed the young apprentice with interest. The young cat was a fighter, he could tell by looking, but he seemed to be even more anti-social then himself. "Considering youv'e already helped yourself to a thrush from the pile, I think it's time i taught you how to hunt, perhaps while I think who would be a suitable mentor. His gaze flicked from interest to distaste as he glanced back at Rushinghawk, drawing circles in the sand with his claw. He sighed inwardly and made a noise something like he was trying to free a bit of prey caught in his throat. "Yes, I'll be coming, I'm not to sure you even remember how to hunt anymore..." he sighed, before padding out of the entrance slowly, expecting the other cats to follow.

[☮iSLY]

Rushinghawk blinked and stared at Ridgepaw as he circled him, and then went to go stand by Charredstar alittle ways off.
what's with him? The tabby wondered, his ears twitching curiously.
He paused and scented the air, wondering where that scent of bird was coming from....It was very faint, but if it was prey, he could smell it. He glanced to Charredstar, who seemed to be really pissed at the moment, and then looked at the apprentice agian.
wait a second...it's Ridgepaw! He concluded, his tail thumping the ground as he stared at the young tom.
did he hunt already..? Rushinghawk casually padded over to stand by Ridgepaw.
Rushinghawk was so tall, poor Ridgepaw looked like a kit to him somewhat.

The warrior knew that Ridgepaw must have eaten before the clan while he was out. The scent of bird was freash on his lips. Deciding not to say anything, he wasn't the one to get others into trouble, no matter who they were.

Putting on a smile, Rushinghawk prodded Ridgepaw lightly on the shoulder. "Aw, cheer up little dude." He meowed cheerfully, trying to get Ridgepaw to lighten up.

That's what was good about Rushinghawk, if others were in a bad mood, it would turn out he wouldn't be, so he'd be the...encourger so to speak. The cat to make everyone turn their frown upside down!
Everyone but Charredstar that is....yeah....he couldn't make Charredstar happy. Well, he could, but he wanted to countinue living; because probably geting killed or run-over by a two-leg monster would make the leader veryyyy happy.
The thought of Charredstar's happy face while his life-less corspe lay in the middle of the thunder-path gave Rushinghawk horrible thoughts.
Now seeing Charredstar leaving; realizing the leader had scented the prey on Ridgepaw as well; Rushinghawk blinked as he watched him leave.
I do remember how to hunt.. He thought in a silent whine, hearing what his leader had said. Looking back to Ridgepaw, he waited to see what the tom would say.

[ḞḶIṆṪ]

For a couple moments Ridgepaw didn’t move, turned out to be regrettable though. Charredstar moved off, ready to lead the way out the tunnel. And then Rushinghawk padded up. Ridgepaws pads burned to move off, itched to get up and scoot away as his shoulder was brushed. The skin there twitched at the touch, it had been a long time since anyone had been close, he would have preferred it not have been now. Ready to get up and spring away, Rushinghawk spoke to him again. Hind paws slid back and shoved him to his feet, eyes meeting the much larger toms. They no longer showed anything but general discomfort. Yea. He answered with a mumbled breath and glanced at Charredstars sooty fur disappearing. Better catch up. Charredstar will make the cheer thing difficult if I don’t get up there.

Sliding around the tabby warrior, Ridgepaws charcoal pads could be seen as he gratefully trotted away, happy to leave his words behind. They weren’t spoken much above a mutter and had been severely lacking energy. He didn’t want to talk to either of them, preferring to keep to himself and the silence. That’s not what Rushinghawk plans clearly. The outer walls passed away. Ugh He sighed remembering this hunt would be filled with Charredstar watching him, looking to pick out a mentor eh? A toothy grin came over him, no one was going to take that job, Charredstar might as well give up now.

No matter what I won’t make it easy for them. He tried to imagine all the warriors but gave up. He didn’t want to have to learn from any of them. They all had a problem, they were warriors and Ridgepaw had little faith in any warrior, no matter the clan. What had they done for him anyway? Already he could catch prey from watching rouges! Distantly he looked up for the first time in awhile, eyes scraping over the horizon. No cat forms were there now. No loners or rouges were present. Smart enough to move on I bet