Too Intent on Hunting [Doveclaw & Tigerheart]

[. s p o r e l e t t ♪]

<--- Yaay! Thank you, Cai. ^u^

Doveclaw strode quickly over the moors, heading away from the gorge and deeper into WindClan territory, where the prey would be running the thickest. She had split up from Thrushtail a short while back, saying that she would try hunting a little bit closer to Fourtrees and promising to meet up back at camp. Her chat with their three RiverClan friends had left her feeling excited and determined, despite the fact that she had no idea where she should start looking for a mate. Sure, there were lots of eligible toms in her Clan to choose from. Firepool was always sneaking teasing remarks her way, and there were few more respectable warriors to court than Harewhisker. She had never been particularly attracted to either of them before; mostly she just regarded Harewhisker as a loyal Clanmate and Firepool as a bit of a goof. But perhaps it was because she hadn't been looking. And in any case, there must be at least one tom in the Clan who she could tolerate well enough to want to take as a mate. It was just a matter of looking, she decided.

Coming back to the present, Doveclaw realized that her paws had taken her on a route that was closer to the RiverClan border than she had intended. Instead of heading deeper into WindClan territory, she had simply headed towards Fourtrees, on a route that was parallel to the RiverClan-WindClan border. Shaking her head at her own distraction, she lifted her muzzle and scented the air, wondering of there was any prey this close to Fourtrees. Cats might not hunt here as often, so it was still possible that she could make a few decent catches despite her wandering paws. Drawing in a deep, slow breath, the slender she-cat was rewarded when the warm aroma of rabbit flooded her mouth. After a moment's searching she spotted the creature easily, and proceeded to stalk quickly toward it, avoiding dry stalks of grass and heather as she drew ever nearer. The rabbit was sniffing around in a small bare area of earth, unaware that its doom was close at hand.

Doveclaw grinned fiercely as she got within pouncing range and then sprang forward, closing the distance quickly as she arrowed toward her prey to make the kill. As she drew near and stretched her paws toward the rabbit, however, her claws closed on empty air. The pale-coloured tortoiseshell swerved and darted off after her prey, which had sprung away at the last moment and began haring away over the moorland. Determined not to lose her catch, Doveclaw shot after it and stayed doggedly on the creature's tail as it zig-zagged across the grass. Intent on her prey, she didn't notice the ground underfoot soften and green as she crossed the border into RiverClan. Her flanks were heaving with the effort of keeping up with her quarry, but she was still determined not to let it get away. Doveclaw bunched her muscles and put on an extra burst of speed... just as the rabbit darted to the left and shot speedily into its burrow.

The she-cat's paws came down on nothing more than empty air, and she hissed with frustration, digging uselessly at the burrow entrance for a few moments before regaining control of her emotions. Straightening, she blew out a short breath and looked around in annoyance, then stopped and scented the air tentatively as she realized that she was in unfamiliar territory. Doveclaw blinked with surprise as foreign scents flooded her jaws and told her exactly where she was. She had been so intent on her chase that she had left WindClan territory far behind; the dappled cream and brown she cat was now standing right on the border between ThunderClan and RiverClan.

[:c a i:]

((*Screams with excitement like little girl*))



Tigerheart had left Swallowfang, Softpaw and Patchpaw to take all their combined catches back to camp while he stayed out a little longer. He wasn't quite ready to go back to camp, but he knew his apprentice deserved a bit of time to relax before they trained again and so he went out by himself. Besides, Patchpaw had to bring that vole to his great furball of a brother. Out in the open air, Tigerheart felt calm and good-tempered. It was a nice morning for sure, and the big tom was happy to just amble through the forest, headed vaguely in the direction of RiverClan.

He decided he might as well check on the border whilst he was so close to it. No point in anyone else having to come out this far today. With a relaxed yawn, Tigerheart squinted into the distance, gazing over into RiverClan territory. Everything was at it should be... Except... Tigerheart blinked, startled. There appeared to be some sort of oversized rabbit streaking over RiverClan's territory, running at full pace. He tipped his head in surprise, realising when the cream-coloured blur drew closer that it was not an oddly large rabbit, but really a cat.

Whoever it was was so engrossed in their chase that they obviously had no intention of stopping, even as they streaked towards the ThunderClan border. Tigerheart waited, watching with curiosity more than concern as the cat drew in closer. It was a she-cat, and by the smell of her, she was WindClan. Very far from home. Tigerheart loped over to her, having watched her miss the catch she had worked so hard to follow, cautiously approaching.

"Must've been a fast rabbit to bring you all the way out here." Tigerheart's voice was conversational, as if he saw strangers come charging over his border every day. He eyed her up and down, summing her up with a sweep of his golden gaze. He took in a breath, then released it slowly as he decided what to do. There was no point in being ridiculously confrontational, since this she-cat clearly wasn't doing anything suspicious, but he couldn't very well leave a strange WindClan cat on the edge of ThunderClan territory. He waited patiently for the she-cat to reply, sitting back with an expression which was more interested than anything else.

[. s p o r e l e t t ♪]

How did she get all the way to the ThunderClan border? That rabbit seemed to have led her halfway across the entire forest, and now she had to go all the way back to WindClan territory and hope that no cat found out where she had been. The slender she-cat continued to pant heavily; the sun was out in full force, and she had been running hard. And it was even more irritating that she had nothing to show for it except for an accidental trip into the middle of enemy territory. Tilting her head back towards the moorland, Doveclaw was about to start heading back when she heard pawsteps approaching from the direction of ThunderClan's land. Mousedung! she thought, swinging her head around to determine the imminence of her discovery. The slight warrior spotted a large tabby tom making his way unhurriedly towards her and cursed her luck. It was painfully obvious that the warrior had already seen her; running now would only look suspicious.

And besides, she still had her pride at least. No warrior was going to send her fleeing back to her Clan like some scared mouse. Turning fully to face him, she kept her head high and her eyes level as he spoke to her. Contrary to what some cats might think, WindClan cats were as brave as any others, and Doveclaw was certainly proof of that. "Fast enough, apparently," she conceded at his comment, keeping sharp blue eyes on the powerful warrior. "What about you? Patrolling your borders alone, are we? Is ThunderClan so small now that it can't afford to send more than one warrior to patrol its borders?" Doveclaw smirked a little at the warrior, refusing to let herself be intimidated even though she was alone on enemy land with a large, powerful tom. It wasn't in her nature to be meek, not even when she was as out of her element as she was now. Doveclaw had killed her own father in self defense and hadn't batted an eye about announcing it to her Clan; there probably wasn't anything left in the forest that could scare her any more.

[:c a i:]

It would have been a lie to say that Tigerheart was not at least slightly irked by this she-cat's words, since she really ought to have been more submissive, considering she had just been caught a long way from her territory by a tom who was quite a bit bigger than her. On the other hand, a part of Tigerheart was always able to acknowledge and enjoy courage in other cats, and it was this part of him which stopped him from replying curtly.

"On the contrary. ThunderClan's warriors are so strong that they have no need for large patrol groups. And isn't it lucky that I did come out here? We can't have WindClan sneaking onto our territory when we aren't looking, now can we?" Tigerheart's words were lighthearted, conveying the suggestion that he was perhaps not intending to make a great scene out of this. He always gave cats a chance to tell their side of the story, so he decided he would listen first, then act. "Well then, I rather think it's you who ought to be justifying her presence. After all, I am within my own borders. I don't suppose RiverClan would be too happy with you crossing not one, but two of their territory lines." Tigerheart kept a level gaze upon the rival warrior, his demeanour deceptively relaxed as he lashed his tail casually. He was, in fact, readied to respond to the slightest sign of trouble from this she-cat, though it was unlikely that she would do anything foolish.

She seemed too intelligent for that. And certainly... Strong-hearted as well. There was no fear in her, even though she was in a situation which would unnerve most cats. Being alone in enemy territory was not a particularly comfortable place to be. Still, this she-cat would be able to see the futility of trying to fight her way out of the territory, though she also didn't seem to be about to flee either. Well, the next move was hers. Tigerheart made this clear as he sat back expectantly, waiting for her to start talking. It would be interesting to see what she came up with to extricate herself from this situation.

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Typical ThunderClan cat, Doveclaw thought, running her eyes up and down the powerful golden tom. So cocky and self-assured. She raised her chin and stared defiantly at him, daring the warrior to further insult her Clan by implying that she might deliberately trespass on ThunderClan land. "It's no concern of mine how ThunderClan chooses to manage their borders," she said offhandedly, following her remark with a smirk. "I justify myself to no one except my leader. I have taken no prey and harmed no cat." The tom's comment about RiverClan took her mind back to her earlier conversation with her four friends. She wondered what would happen if Gingertail, Robinwing, and Littlestream found her chatting on their border with a ThunderClan cat, and found herself grinning widely at the notion. Most likely they would come to some foolish conclusion involving her meeting him secretly to share a few private moments, especially with the recent discussion about finding mates.

She would never have chosen a cat from ThunderClan, though, and she thought that her friends would understand that too; they certainly knew her well enough. Still, he was a rather good-looking tom, in that large, muscular way that most ThunderClan cats had. And she had to give him points for not being an aggressive dolt, despite the fact that they were bound to be a bit paranoid about their borders with so few cats to defend them. "I'd be more worried for your safety than mine, if RiverClan found us chatting on your border," she drawled, flicking her dusty brown and cream tail. "I'm fairly well-known among RiverClan. But a ThunderClan tom lurking about on RiverClan's border... who knows what he could be up to?" She eyed him with a glint in her sky-coloured gaze. "You look like a capable tom, though. I'm sure a one-cat-patrol like you could handle yourself if RiverClan attacked us on suspicion of plotting in secret."

[:c a i:]

"I justify myself to no one except my leader." Fair enough. Tigerheart could say the same about himself. He looked past the she-cat for a moment, a funny smile brushing his features as he thought over what she was saying. She was a little different from most WindClan cats he had met, as they were often calm and noble like the breezes after which their Clan was named. This cat was fierier, prouder, bolder. Seemingly one with a heart which knew no fear, though there was no telling what really lay underneath the bravado on the surface. At least she was a bit more interesting than your average cat since she was willing to respond with a bit of fire. So much so, thought Tigerheart with amusement, that she is apparently unrestrained by formalities or rules.

It made him think about all the she-cats he knew. She didn't fit into the mould of any of them; not really. Still, there were no two cats who were exactly the same, so this was hardly surprising. A pause stretched out as Tigerheart considered his next words, sitting back on his haunches as he wondered whether the she-cat was being sarcastic or serious. It was difficult to tell whether he was being complimented or derided, but he just dipped his head at her.

"So then, wayward WindClan warrior. Care to tell me your name? Just so I know who to shift the blame onto if an enraged RiverClan patrol accuses me of conspiracy. It should be no problem if you're... Well-known in RiverClan, was it?" He smiled a little as he said this, the glimmer in his gaze letting her know he was only teasing. He added in a more serious voice. "I haven't seen you before. At least let me put a name to the face." There would be no way I would forget her if I had met her. He thought wryly. Indeed, she did not seem like the sort who would let anyone forget her.

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Doveclaw leveled her eyes at the ThunderClan tom and assessed him critically, taking in every bit of his appearance from his short golden fur to his strong muzzle. He looked about her age, perhaps a couple seasons younger. He was also extremely well-built for a ThunderClan cat, she noted, large and powerful without being bulky, and he seemed to radiate confidence. But for all that he seemed the last cat to blend into a crowd, she couldn't ever recall having seen him before. There weren't that many warriors in ThunderClan, were there? There couldn't be more than a dozen. She decided that it must have been the relative peace that the Clans were experiencing recently. Every cat seemed content to lounge within their own territories, and on the occasions that Doveclaw went to the gathering, she usually spent her time conversing with her friends from RiverClan rather than looking to interact with strange warriors.

Blinking speculatively at the other warrior, she switched her tail casually at his request. "So long as I learn your name in return," she shot back with a fierce grin. "I never give anything away for free." Doveclaw wondered what the strange tom would think of her name... it was a bit of a paradox, the first part peaceful and meek, but combined with the suffix that her sharp tongue and fiery demeanour had earned her during her apprenticeship. Would he be one of those who raised their eyebrows at her kit name, or nodded over the appropriate suffix? "My name is Doveclaw," she said at last, regarding the ThunderClan tom with mixed wariness and curiosity. "And you might be...?"

[:c a i:]

"Seems a fair exchange." Tigerheart nodded in amused agreement, waiting for the she-cat to reveal her identity first. Doveclaw. And it seemed to fit her perfectly; a combination of the free-flying bird and the strength of a cat's natural weapon. Tigerheart briefly gave a genuine smile, mulling over the fact that he was standing on the border having a civilised conversation with a WindClan she-cat. It wasn't hard to see why Doveclaw's mother had given her the name she had, but Tigerheart couldn't help but feel the contrating, yet somehow balanced prefix and suffix meshed together to sum up the she-cat very accurately.

Still half-smiling, Tigerheart fulfilled his side of the bargain and dipped his head once. "I might be Tigerheart." He replied. "And I'm glad to have met you, Doveclaw. It's been most interesting." The relaxed amusement found its way back into Tigerheart's voice as he took in Doveclaw's mixed expression. He was fully aware that she had looked him over thoroughly and wondered what she made of what she saw.

Most cats in the other Clans were familiar with all of ThunderClan's warriors, yet Tigerheart knew he and Doveclaw had never even laid eyes on the other. It was most likely because he had missed the last couple of Gatherings and hadn't had a chance to talk to many non-ThunderClan cats for a while. He would have to ask Flameclaw about her later; perhaps he knew of her. He was rather curious about this unusual WindClan she-cat now.

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Doveclaw blinked her sky-blue eyes, thinking to her self that the name suited him perfectly. He was obviously quite large and strong, and confident as well. And his striped golden coat resembled the legendary cats almost perfectly. Her whiskers twitched in a suggestion of amusement at the way he had phrased his reply. Getting smart, are we? Ah, well, she couldn't stand talking to cats who thought with their tails. Any cat with no brains to speak of usually quit talking to her after she got irritated and sent them away with a few well-aimed barbs. She nodded slightly to the other warrior; the nod of an equal. "It's been an adventure running into you as well, Tigerheart. It's not every day that I wander out of WindClan territory and meet a ThunderClan warrior."

Glancing back over her shoulder, the slender she-cat thought to herself that she had better make her exit. Despite her assertions, she didn't doubt that there would be trouble if RiverClan cats found her loitering on their side of the border. "I'd best get back to my side of the border if I want to bring anything worthwhile back to eat. Ravenstar will have my hide if he finds out I've been lazing about chatting with some ThunderClan cat." She blew out a short, impatient breath. Curiosity made her reluctant to go, despite the obvious reasons for her not to stay. Maybe it was her ingrained stereotyping of ThunderClan cats, but she had thought that they were more... well, unreasonable than this one. Oh well, it couldn't be helped. She cast one last curious look at the ThunderClan warrior, hesitating before she headed back to her Clan. "Give my regards to Ashstar," she meowed, formally, tipping her head.

[:c a i:]

"No, I wouldn't recommend wandering out of WindClan every day. Next time you might meet a cat who prefers to talk with his claws." Tigerheart smiled slightly, returning Doveclaw's nod, eyes locking on hers. He could think of a few cats in his Clan who wouldn't hesitate to strike any stranger who entered their territory. He himself, however, preferred to be reasonable with even the warriors of other Clans. Tigerheart took in a long breath, tilting his head to one side. It was time for Doveclaw to go.

It was fair enough; the day drew on and it was time she returned to her territory. Hopefully without detection from RiverClan. It would seem suspicious to any cat who happened to see him conversing with a WindClan warrior over RiverClan's border, so it was probably wiser to say goodbye now. Tigerheart had to admit, though, that he had rather enjoyed this meeting. It was the little, unexpected things in life which made it all the more interesting. Doveclaw was a strong character to say the least, and one whom Tigerheart doubted he would get bored of. He supposed that she was the sort of cat he would naturally gravitate towards as a friend, although it so happened that Clan separation would prevent that in this instance.

"I would give her your regards-" Tigerheart raised an eyebrow, amused. "-but that would provoke some questions which may have difficult answers. Such as why I was talking to a WindClan cat when they share no borders with us and went on to allow her to escape my clutches." He flicked his tail jestingly before nodding a farewell, accompanying it with his trademark half-smile. "Still. I think we'll meet again." One way or another, they were bound to cross paths again. Perhaps not for a while, but some day. "I hope the prey runs well for you." Tigerheart rose to his own paws as Doveclaw turned to return to WindClan, watching her go from afar, looking out into the distance.

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Doveclaw replied to the tom's raised eyebrow with a rolling shrug. "Difficult questions are sometimes best answered with the truth," she replied. "If Ravenstar wants to know why I took so long to go hunting, then I see no reason to deceive him. You are in a better position; you're the tom who spotted a WindClan cat on your border and merely made sure that she left without taking any ThunderClan prey with her." Caustic and sharp as the she-cat often was, deception and dishonesty was not in her character. She respected her leader, and owed him her loyalty and obedience. Though she didn't think he needed to be bothered with the knowledge that she had accidentally wandered out of their territory, if he asked about it, then she wouldn't hesitate to tell him. "Hopefully it won't run so fast as the one that led me here," she replied, waving her tail slowly. "May prey run well for you as well, Tigerheart." Turning, Doveclaw cast a wary glance around her surroundings and bounded away through RiverClan territory until she was over the scent markers and within her own Clan's boundaries once more. This morning had proven to be an interesting one... First a chat with her four best friends, then a surprise conversation with an interesting ThunderClan tom. Now she could just catch a few rabbits and share one with Thrushtail, and her day would be complete.