follow the river {lupa}

Staying silent Bearclaw followed the scent. It was fresh so it was close by. He spotted it right beside the bracken, the leaves covering some of it. Eyes narrowed, Bearclaw crouched down, tail low. Lightly the tail waved slightly side to side. He took one step forward, careful not to stop on a twig or anything that would make noise. It was difficult hunting with his exceeding large size amidst all the bushes. However here, it wasn't as bad because he was right at the edge of the clearing and the bushes weren't as close to each other. This was why Bearclaw chose this spot to hunt. Here, it would be the easiest to hunt when your so big. However, his hunting skills had improved sightly since he joined ThunderClan. In ShadowClan the ground was so soggy it was difficult to stalk. Here the ground wasn't so soggy and stalking became easier to grip on. If you think Bearclaw prefers hunting in the oak woods than the pine than you would be correct.

The mouse turned slightly to the side. Bearclaw stopped and slowly edged to the side till he was behind it. He was now in the clearing and easy to spot. Bearclaw hoped the mouse wouldn't turn again. Now a fox-length and two mouse-lengths from the target, Bearclaw shifted his muscles slightly to make them limber. He bunched his legs, ready to spring and pounce on the creature. This will be his first catch of the day. Bearclaw narrowed his eyes, all his focus on the mouse now.

"Hunting patrol?" a voice sounded behind him. Bearclaw cringed, it sounded loud to his ears for some reason. Alert, the mouse raised its head and looked back, spotting Bearclaw. Quickly Bearclaw leaped but it was too late, the mouse duck under the bracken in the thickset branches. He swiped at it but all he got were branches.

Growling, Bearclaw stepped out of the bracken. He turned his attention to the one who made the noise. He instantly recognized the grey and white she-cat as Wolfheart, one of his Clanmates. It was easy to recognize her not just because of her scent but her large size. She nearly matched him in size. Tail lashing angrily, Bearclaw growled. "Look what you did! I almost had that mouse and I would have if you hadn't lumbered in here."

tag(s): @lupa
notes:

The grey and white she-cat looked embarrassed as she flicked her ears. "I don't lumber," Wolfheart replied in a cool tone. "Especially if I was quiet enough until I said something..." Bearclaw snorted, he wasn't going to let up that easily on her. Truth be told he hadn't detected her till she spoke and usually it's heard for cats to sneak up on him. It was a ShadowClan thing. "I'm sorry I made you miss the mouse."

Bearclaw scowled. It still irked him that he lost that mouse. He almost had it! He isn't a very good hunter, that mouse could have been his only successful catch of the day. Well maybe it wouldn't. He may not be good at hunting but he isn't terrible at it either. The large brown and black tabby sighed. "Sorry, I said you lumber," he said, not meeting her eyes. Bearclaw knew he shouldn't have said she lumbered. Honestly she didn't make a sound when she came up to him. If the situation didn't feel awkward before Bearclaw could definitely feel it now. Bearclaw spotted some twigs from the bracken on his thick heavy coat. He sat and began trying to pry them off.

"Maybe I can help you catch something else?" Wolfheart asked.

Bearclaw pricked his ears though he didn't stop what he was doing. He glanced at her then closed his eyes, thinking. Does Wolfheart really want to spend time around him or is she just pitying him? Some cats do do that. Wolfheart didn't seem like those types of cats though. But honestly, you don't really know what a cat is like even if you had known them your whole life. Bearclaw's so called friends in ShadowClan he had known and grew up with since he was a young kit, but the moment when they found out he was mixed Clan they turned his back on him. Some sneered at him and called him hurtful names. Others just watched and didn't look at him in the eye.

Bearclaw finished prying off the twigs and opened his eyes. "Wasn't thinking of hunting with anyone today but alright," he said, shrugging. Hunting with his Clanmates could also help gain trust with his Clanmates. It's not like he's allowing the she-cat to be his friend or anything. Honestly, ever since ShadowClan Bearclaw had kept his heart closed from cats so not to get hurt again. He doesn't need friends, he already has a Clan and his father. He doesn't need anything else but the Clan's full support as one of them. Bearclaw may allow cats to hunt or patrol with him, may talk with them during sharing tongue and sleep in the same den but none will be his friend. His comrade yes, but that's all. Let's start here," he suggested adruptly, getting to his paws and walking about sniffing the air.

tag(s): @lupa
notes:

"Yes," Wolfheart replied. "Here's hoping I did not startle all the prey," she added, teasingly. Certainly Wolfheart was large which is a bit odd for she-cats. Most aren't large like she was, the grey she-cat was even bigger than several of the toms throughout the five Clans. However, some of that size had to do with her thick pelt as does Bearclaw's pelt. His size does have something to do with his thick heavy pelt. As the she-cat padded closer to him Bearclaw was more aware of how close in size they were. He was just an inch bigger than her but it was hardly noticeable. Toms like she-cats that are average or small in size but Bearclaw was different. He much liked she-cats that are large and strong like he was.

Nope! He is not going to go down that path. Quickly, Bearclaw rid of those thoughts and sniffed the air, turning his back on her. He could smell several scents, one of them squirrel, other water vole, bird, shrew. Bearclaw could also detect rabbit but when he focused on it he realized the scent was stale. A whole day possibly two when the rabbit was here. Bearclaw's ears twitched in irritation. He never had rabbit before till he joined ThunderClan. It tasted really good, but wasn't as good as frog. He hadn't had frog since he joined the Clan. Bearclaw missed it really, but he knew he could never have one again. The frogs live in the marsh and in ponds, not around rivers or streams. ThunderClan doesn't have any of that.

"Squirrel," Wolfheart whispered behind him. He looked back in time to see her motioning to the tree at the river bank. Bearclaw sniffed and did indeed detect squirrel and it was fairly fresh. Narrowing his green eyes he could see the animal on the tree, perched on one of the branches. Bearclaw nodded to her. She spotted it first, she gets to go catch it.

tag(s): @lupa
notes: sounds good!

The squirrel on the tree scurried to the trunk and climbed down with such speed and grass it never seizes to amaze him. Other animals sure do have their skills and abilities that's for sure. Rabbits are fast and great jumpers because of their hind legs, and their long ears help them hear more. Mice are small but fast, and are sensitive to vibrations on the earth. Squirrels are quick and fantastic climbers; they can even jump from tree to tree. Frogs are fantastic leapers and have such long tongues. It makes it a challenge to catch frogs not just by their leaping abilities but the slippery mucus on their skin. And there are so much more, so many animals with so many different abilities. It was definitely interesting to Bearclaw.

At the bottom of the tree the squirrel began searching the area for food, obviously preparing for leafbare already. Some animals do do that. They would search for food and that for the three seasons in preparation for leafbare. Bearclaw wondered if the Clans ever thought of doing that. Making a cache or storage for food, that way in times of famine the Clan would still have something to eat. It wouldn't hurt to ask Falconstar that.

Wolfheart stalked forward to the squirrel. Bearclaw watched her move. She was silent as she took one step forward then another. The large she-cat wasn't bad. He thought she might even be better than him at stalking. His skills were mostly into battle, not hunting but as he recalled neither was Wolfheart. Maybe she's like him. Just does better in more space than in the cluster of bushes. It could certainly seem so. As he watched, Bearclaw couldn't help but look at Wolfheart. Her thick pelt was indeed thick but among the thickness Bearclaw could see the muscle. Bearclaw blinked his green eyes as she moved.

Getting close Wolfheart prepared to spring. He turned his attention back to the squirrel. It seemed tense, it must feel the danger. The large she-cat sprang and the squirrel dashed off. It had noticed her! As the squirrel began to climb up the nearest tree Bearclaw assumed Wolfheart would give up. He got to his paws and turned back to his surroundings. Once a squirrel reaches a tree the chances on catching it is nearly zero. Bearclaw wouldn't have climbed after it. He was terrible at climbing and hated heights. That was why it surprised him when he looked back and saw Wolfheart climbing after it. He didn't think the she-cat would climb after it! Bearclaw gaped, having a bad feeling about this. The tree was right at the bank of the river. What if she lost her balance and fell in? Bearclaw knew how to swim but does Wolfheart? He watched as she got on the first branch and rushed to grab the squirrel. Bearclaw wasn't sure if that branch could handle such weight... Wolfheart caught the squirrel.

"There, got 'em," Wolfheart mewed.

Bearclaw took a few steps forward, his eyes wide with concern. Was that cracking he was hearing? And the branch it was swaying quite low. "Get off the branch!" he yowled. As he called the branch broke and the she-cat plummeted down into the river. Without thinking or hesitating Bearclaw ran to the river's edge and leaped. "Wolfheart!" he cried out, diving in the water.

tag(s): @lupa
notes: no biggie!