An Unwelcome Friend (Chipmunk)

it was an unusual sight, to say the least. THE RAther indolent chipmunktooth was actually pulling his weight for once, as he trekked alone through the thick underbrush of the thunderclan woods. now of course as a warrior he couldn't spend all his time lazing about, and so it was with reluctance that he pulled himself out of camp and began the solemn hunt for prey.

it didn't take long for chipmunktooth to spot a delicious piece of quarry, as it nibbled delicately on a blade of grass. it was a rabbit - unusual to see on thunderclan territory. he'd thought rabbits were more suited to the winding moors of windclan. though it wasn't much concern to this warrior. feeling the familiar rumbling of his stomach, the tomcat automatically assumed the hunting crouch and began a slow, sliding creep forward. now chipmunktooth was no natural when it came to hunting, and it was rather obvious that this was not his forte of experience. his movements were stiff and awkward, and his pawsteps felt heavy upon the brittle earth.

he paused, halting his breath, as the rabbit flicked an ear, and stood up. its eyes flicked across the underbrush of which he lay crouched beneath. it was now or never. chipmunktooth was about to fling himself at the rabbit, to attempt a hunt that already seemed at a loss, when there was a sudden, abrupt blur dropping from above. he scrambled back, eyes wide, as pained squeals flooded the forest, before cutting eerily short.

it was...a cat. A LONER, BY THE SCENT OF it. what was she doing so deep in the woods? she froze, and suddenly her voice rang clear; ""who ever you are this is my prey. I caught it fair and square. try and take it if you dare."

the cheek! that was his prey! already the rich tang of blood was taunting his nose. he emerged carelessly from his hiding place, eyes roaming over the she-cat. and instead of doing the obvious - reprimanding her for her intrusion, as a warrior should - he instead sat back, flashed a smile, and purred, "i believe you're mistaken. you see, that's my rabbit! so would you be a dear and give it back?" there was no menace or threat to his voice; he seemed as friendly as one could be. and he truly did believe that the rabbit was his to take, even if he hadn't been the one to catch it.

"Now, now, madam!" Chipmunktooth stumbled back, a little surprised by her cold hostility. He was only being friendly - right? Well, either way, he hadn't meant to get her fur in a ruffle! "Let's just take a deep breath! Breathe in, breathe out - there you go!" As if he were instructing a class, he also participated in the exercises, puffing out his chest and swallowing a gulp of air as mind-fumblingly slow as possible. When he had finished he flashed another of his trademark grins. "Alright. Better now? Calm? That's good. We don't want to be in a flurry over a silly ol' rabbit."

In truth Chipmunktooth really did want his 'stolen' quarry; it looked so delicious sitting there, its warm scent flooding his nostrils, and he felt a slight plop of drool wet his chin. But he hurriedly shook the thought away. He wasn't going to hurt somebody over a piece of prey; that just wasn't the Chipmunktooth way! Live life easy and free, that was his motto. And it was a darn good motto to live by!

"Fine," he relented, with a solemn sigh; "you can have it...You probably need it more than I." It took a lot to give up the meal, but Chipmunktooth finally managed to force his gaze away from the tantalizing food. In a desperate bid to change the tragic topic at paw, he meowed, "so where do you hail from? Kittypet? The twolegs have wonderful garbage y'know. I once tried it myself!"

"Here, eat up, but just because I decided to share with you doesn't mean I trust or like you. For all I know this is all some kind of trick." Her words were as godly as StarClan; with an enthusiastic cry he flung himself forward, and if she hadn't scampered up the tree at that moment then he would've certainly tackled the loner to the ground in an awkward hug. With a rumbling purr he instead immediately settled on the rabbit, relishing as he tore its juicy chunks with flash and tasted the tang of warm blood soaking into his tongue.

"Ohh, fank yew, fank yew, FANK YEW!" he mumbled, words muffled around a swollen mouthful. Swallowing, he breathed a sigh of relief as he felt the edge of his hunger melt away, like ice caught in harsh sunlight. Only then did he remember his manners.

"Ah! I'm sorry! Why don't we share?" He pushed the rabbit forward, his lips hinting upward in a broad smile. "C'mon, don't be shy! I don't bite, promise! I'm just a big ball of happy fluff!"