burn it down [Rookjaw/Pup]

the sun was setting, and there was no better time for a big pawed insomniac to be tromping about the woods, blending into the shadows but for his moon-bright eyes. tall pines cast long shadows as rookjaw veered away from the camp and headed for the old sycamore, long ago destroyed by fire, perhaps from a lightning strike. the bulky tabby moved with little elegance except for that afforded to him by his dusk colored fur.

approaching the husk of a tree, the warrior shuddered as he turned his eyes to it. fire was one of his greatest fears, with its all encompassing ability to destroy. he was glad for the cool mud coating his paws, as it relaxed the prickling sensation that sprung up there in response to his anxiety. there was no danger, so it was fruitless to get so ruffled...

but no, there was danger. rookjaw felt the fur along his spine rising, and too late realized it wasn't because of his fear, but because of the other cat so near to him. the tom parted his jaws and drew in a deep, full breath, as a growl began to rumble in his chest. "looking for a fight, rogue?" as he padded closer, he studied her face, and the scar that marked it. "never mind... looks like someone beat me to it." he tried not to wince at the raw looking flesh, wrinkling up his nose. the she-cat didn't look particularly threatening to him, though she was an outsider, and looks could be deceiving. he could only guess what she'd done to receive such a brand. he'd heard of several rogues lingering about their borders as of the past few moons... perhaps she was one of them?

the dark tabby padded closer yet, so that her features came fully into view. he thought he detected an air of restless anticipation, but perhaps it was simply his own. the moon would finish its ascent soon, and this time of the night was generally when he was most alert. the warrior would admit he was in the mood for a bit of excitement. he narrowed his eyes at the outsider, curious to see what she would do. he should just chase her off, but it was too early yet for the moonhigh patrol to be coming this way, out so far, and too late for most other cats to be wandering.

most rogues, rookjaw reminded himself, were pretty flighty anyway. it was likely she'd take off of her own accord. the chances of a scrapped up tabby like the one before his eyes winning a tangle with a cat so big as he were low, though he'd certainly been tripped up by cats more nimble than his massive frame allowed before. still, her best bet would be to turn and run, rather than risk greater injury. he wasn't too concerned about an invasion; he hadn't smelled any other cats around. she was alone. bold.

the rogue didn't seem too eager to attack, so rookjaw guessed she had an ounce of sense. he wasn't exactly looking to rip into someone just now, but if she made a move to run deeper into the territory he wouldn't hesitate. it was about protecting his clan, even if, at this moment, he was satisfying his own curiosity. what was it about all the rogues around lately, anyway...?

the female stepped up to him, allowing for an even better look into her eyes. rookjaw narrowed his, and anchored himself into the muddy earth with his claws. he snorted at her insolence, posturing as she was, on his territory. maybe she had a death wish after all. her tail tip brushed his jet black nose and he wrinkled it up to show how he felt about that. with just the slightest movement, a flurry of scents, and through it, information, was revealed. 

he ignored her remark about not fighting after sunset, which seemed to be some attempt at a come on or something. "careful, rogue," the dusk tabby snarled, holding his position while fur bristled to show that he meant business. this made him appear even larger and more threatening, not to mention the glower set upon curled maw and narrowed yellow eyes. "you're trespassing on shadowclan territory, as i'm sure even a pretty little rogue like you would know." his tone dripped with condescension, his tone still a deep rumble. 

"who gave you that?" he nodded at her scar. "some other clan cat more hasty than i, i'd imagine." rookjaw rolled his eyes but didn't take them off her. "you do know that trespassing is a dangerous hobby?"