Snakes, Snails, and Kittypet Tails [open]

[KAZZER]

Though ShadowClan’s swamplands rarely hosted mice, Yarrowtail entered the camp with two dangling from his jaws. The two rodents had not yet reached the plumpness of ideal prey, but they would do their part in feeding a hungry Clan regaining weight from leaf-bare. With all the respect the warrior code demanded for fresh-kill, the bodies were deposited among those already brought back by the rest of his hunting patrol. Ignoring his own catch, the tomcat grabbed out a sizable frog to eat. The taste, abhorrent to some, made his moth water. Not only had he been raised on the taste of frog, but Yarrowtail was fond of his food and would never turn down a meal.

Taking the frog towards the warrior’s den, the ginger warrior laid down on the cool ground and began to enjoy his meal. The ThunderClan camp was alive with sounds: elders complaining about leaf-bare, warriors discussing their latest patrols, apprentices gossiping as they waited to go out, and queens allowing their kits out of the nursery to enjoy the warm sunshine. These last two groups were quickly blocked out Like any warrior, Yarrowtail would give his life to protect the future of ShadowClan, but that didn’t man he had to fawn over every kit and listen to the mindless chatter of the apprentices who were often more trouble than they were worth.

Taking a particularly vicious bite of his fresh-kill, the ShadowClan cat wished his sister was around the camp to eat with. She always had a knack for taking his mind off of things. But she had left on patrol after he had and would not return for a while yet, leaving Yarrowtail to the whims of his own mind.

[{ THE CREEP }]

W I L D S T A R

leader—male

Wildstar was beginning to understand that the world was truly a bad place. Just the knowledge of the vicious battles between Riverclan and Thunderclan was enough proof. Cats were greedy, and though Wildstar was no exception to that, it disappointed him. Surely everyone could get past their disputes and be peaceful?

Maybe it was just him. Maybe life was better than he thought. But then the thoughts of his sister, the battles of Riverclan and Thunderclan, and Skyclan's eviction caught up to him and dimmed his view.

Leafbare was over, something Wildstar was grateful for. With Newleaf brought prey, something his stomach was content with. He refrained from eating, though his stomach begged. He would wait until everyone else got their fill. It was his duty to care for his clan, and no cat would go hungry. If there was truly nothing left, he would go and hunt for himself.

He scanned the clearing, making sure there were no problems before sitting near the warrior den. He kept his ears and eyes sharp, but let his muscles relax. Though he wasn't exactly new at being leader for Shadowclan, he was not a veteran and wanted to be sure he wouldn't mess up.

He caught sight of one of the warriors eating. It was Yarrowtail, a tom he didn't know as personally as he would like. He had heard of him abandoning his kit to another queen, and while it was none of his business, he felt a tad irked. He would not act on his feelings; they were feelings after all. But maybe... maybe he could strike a conversation.

"How was your hunting patrol today?" he asked offhandedly, as if it was of no importance.

[KAZZER]

As he ate, Yarrowtail enjoyed the strong taste of frog. He had always had a liking for the strong flavor. He remembered getting a fish from his mother once when he was still a kit in the nursery. Smallclaw, Smallkit then, had refused to touch such smelly, unfamiliar prey. Yarrowkit had been the first to try the prey and had helped his mother finish it. He’d asked Goldenfur if he could have fish again the next day, but she had just laughed. “ShadowClan cats don’t usually eat fish unless other prey is scarce. You might not ever have one again.”

Indeed, he hadn’t tasted fish since that day. He had tried to fish when he was a new warriors, but always ended up getting wet and looking like a mouse-brain. Yarrowtail’s dignity quickly won out and he gave up on ever getting a fish again. Besides, even if he did eat one, his Clanmates would never let him live it down.

Looking up, his golden eyes caught sight of his leader, Wildstar, who seemed to have entered the clearing during Yarrowtail’s meal. He remembered the tom as a younger cat; he had been different in those days. Still, Yarrowtail had never been close to the younger tom , but had respect for him as ShadowClan’s leader. When the colorful tom approached Yarrowtail’s spot, he blinked. He couldn’t remember having much in the way of casual conversation with Wildstar and wondered if the leader was coming to ask him to go on another patrol or help with some other duty.

In response to being addressed, Yarrowtail gave a respectful nod. “It went well. We split up and all brought something back. They prey is as happy to see the warmer weather as we are, it seems. Do you need another patrol?” Glancing at Wildstar, he thought back to the last Gathering. Since the decision to drive out SkyClan, more than one cat had voiced doubt about Wildstar. Personally, Yarrowtail was unemotional about the whole thing. If StarClan had disagreed with the decision, they would have sent a sign. Besides, one less Clan meant more prey for the other four and less bickering at the borders next leaf-bare.

[{ THE CREEP }]

W I L D S T A R

leader—male

Though twolegs were a known menace to the Clans, their destruction of Skyclan's territory was unexpected. Wildstar almost felt sorry for them. Almost. Despite their pleas for territory, Shadowclan could not afford to give any and that was final. They had the smallest territory, after all.

He did what was best. Was it right though? Starclan had let Skyclan's territory be decimated. He would be mouse-brained to believe that Starclan could actually help Skyclan, but he still felt a tinge of betrayal. What if it were Shadowclan that had to face such tragedies? He would never forgive Starclan or the other Clans.

Wildstar glanced at the fresh-kill pile. His Clanmates were coming and going as they pleased, grabbing a mouse or lizard as they passed before settling and sharing tongues with their friends. The pile was slowly but steadily becoming smaller, but Wildstar had no doubt that everyone would get their fill for the day.

Kits outside of the den frolicked in the mud and bush, occasionally scolded by their mother. The sun was nearing the edge of the ground, the light sluggishly dimming. It would be time for another border patrol.

"Good. The weather is taking a turn for the better," he agreed. He pulled his full attention back to Yarrowtail. "A border patrol should be due. Can you organize one?"

[ooc: sorry for such a short and slow reply]