[Please Join] Sniffing Around

[[tansy]]

[PLEASE JOIN!]

Tansypaw opened her eyes at the sound of scuttling across the den's floor. Her golden eyes were like slivers of the sun in the darkness as she peered towards the source of the noise. Keeping as still as possible she watched the rodent scuttle towards the herbs. If it managed to get into the stores, they would have to get rid of all the herbs for fear of contamination. It was her job, as the medicine cat apprentice, to make sure that never happened. So far, Tansypaw felt that the medicine cat Rainfall didn't think very highly of her.

Slowly and carefully, the tortoiseshell she-cat pulled her legs under her and dug her claws into the sand until she reached the peaty earth beneath it. A simple tug was all it took for the apprentice to make sure that she would have a quick and powerful pounce. The rat began to make its way towards the pool of water at the back of the den and Tansypaw followed its movement with her eyes. When its back was turned, the black and orange she-cat inched her way around again so that she was facing the rat. Digging her claws into the sand once more, she readied for her pounce. Soft padding could be heard outside the den and Tansypaw flinched, hoping that the rat had bad hearing.

It stopped, sniffing the air and perking its ears. It had scented the cat and heard the pawsteps. Its nose twitched and whiskers moved through the air. All at once it sprinted towards the entrance of the den. Tansypaw pounced after it, missed and kept attacking. The moonlight cast a soft glow along the entrance of the den, and a shadow interuppted her hunting. Its darkness put the apprentice into a blind state for a couple of moments, but it was long enough for the culprit to escape.

[[White n' Nerdeh]]

[[Crap. That was supposed to be me saying that. D: I was on Scarred's accounht by accident DX]]

[ƒoxclaw]

[I'll join! :3 -thinks up a reason for her cat to be there-]


Sunhigh hadn't been kind to the she-cat. While she had allowed time to pass, the pain couldn't be ignored as it grew to a dull ache in her pad. She moved herself forward across the clearing and toward Rainfall's den with steady, long strides. In little time the swift cat found herself nearing the entrance. Just as she was about to peek inside, a dark shape shot out past her front paws. Instantly her hackles rose, tail fur bristling in shock. Her hiss was followed by a harsh spit as the petite warrior scented rat. Her eyes turned to watch it as it disappeared into the tall grass. Relaxing once again, she nosed a cat.

"Tansypaw." Her soft voice spoke with affection for the apprentice. Smiling down at the youngster, she folded her hind legs and wrapped her tail around her front paws, tucking it neatly. Her words were at a whisper as she watched the annoyance on the cat's face. "Sorry for ruining your hunt. I suspect you would have killed that rat if I hadn't come to pester you." To quell any hard feelings between them, she leaned down and gave the apprentice a gentle lick between her ears.

Foxclaw peered into the den behind Tansypaw with mild interest, wondering why there had been a rat in the darkness at all. Perhaps after the stores; it was the only answer that made sense. Though Tansypaw seemed determined to prove herself, the she-cat doubted that she could have captured the rat and brought it inside to finish it off. Or maybe she had caught it, and didn't know it wasn't dead until she let go? Amusement flickered in the young warrior's eyes. It didn't last long. The she-cat turned up her chin to speak, "By any chance, is Rainfall nearby?" She had not scented the medicine cat, but didn't want to alert Tansypaw to that. This could be good training for the apprentice. Scenting was vital, after all.

Though she obviously wasn't the young one's mentor, Foxclaw hoped one day to have an apprentice of her own. With her clever way of thinking, she knew she'd do well with the task. For now, while she served the Clan alone, she took every chance she could to give a paw to the training of apprentices. Tansypaw's bright eyes gave the quick warrior hope for the future. Under Rainfall's guide, she knew that the little tortoiseshell would do splendidly one day.

Status: Finished.

[.Jester.]

ooc. Ooey, me join! First post with my boy >3 -tackles everyone-

The sun pooled steadily in thin shafts of light, catching drifting flakes of dust as they passed the sleeping felines. The bracken and emerald frondescence that made the warriors den was indeed a comforting and secure place, however it could not help but be home to a few flaws, the sunlight drifted in through cracks and fell deftly upon the tortoiseshell tom, his icy blue eyes closed rigidly shut to such oppositions, tiredness overwhelmed him for during the comfort of night dreams had disturbed him, memories of his youth drowning out tantalising sleep. His mind had been cast back to the times of his kithood, that day when his parents had taken he and his sibling on their first venture within the wildly massing forest of Thunderclan, the day he had gained his name, his scar. A mere five moons old and the badger had struck, brandishing his mother unfit for battle another day and scarring the young tom. Even now sometimes pain tweaked his old injury, those three long gashes upon his right side, half covered by his short mahogany and beige mottled pelt.

Blue irises diluted and cut into slits flickered open, the sun brightening his pelt and causing flares of amber to merge with other such colours on his being. To his surprise his hackles were raised and short subtle tail fluffed up, the only reason being his dreams no doubt, stretching wide his jowls hot carbon was released in the form of a heated yawn, a silent mew accompanied it. Flickering back and forth his blackened ears Badgerclaw arose, although painstakingly alert due to his sleepless night drearily he stepped over the other sleeping forms of Thunderclan warriors, pushing forth into the main opening of the clans camp he cast his tentative gaze around. Arching his back and stretching forth his tall form his body lengthened, tiredness stimulating his stretching haze. Scythe like claws became apparent and needed the hard packed terrain as grooves appeared below from his procedure.

Moving into a neat sitting position Badgerclaw noted all but two other felines had awoken, both situated close the to the medicine den, lithe figure arose into a dignified stature, long powerful limbs carried him forth at a jog like gait, sweeping up the earth in a few strides the tom found himself at his destination, nodding his handsome head in recognition and greeting the dark tortoiseshell sat. His tail slithering behind him like a treacherous adder flickering at the tail tip. Situating himself so that he could see both the warrior and apprentice concern tweaked briefly at his expressionless façade, why was Foxclaw visiting the medicine cat? Was she ill? Scents ruffled his nasal, fresh and invigorating yet the only medicine cat in sight was that of Tansypaw, [Good morning Tansypaw, Foxclaw. Everything alright?]

[[tansy]]

A hiss made the apprentice nearly jump out of her skin and she fluffed up her fur. Knowing that it wasn't an enemy, Tansypaw struggled to name the scent that belonged to the cat. She recognized the voice of Sunhigh. "Don't worry about it." the medicine cat apprentice smiled even though she wished she could have caught the rat. Her vision was adjusting and she could just make out the shape of another she cat warrior. "Hello Foxclaw. Rainfall? I haven't seen her. She told me to guard the herbs." she mewed with a flick of her tail towards the stores. Taking a quick glance to make sure that no other rodent was trying to contaminate the herbs, she saw none.

Faint pawsteps could be heard approaching and the torti she cat quickly located the source. A dark shape was emerging from the warriors den. Blue eyes reflected the sun's early rays as Badgerclaw trotted towards the group. "Good morning Badgerclaw." Tanyspaw mewed respectfully. For some reason, she wasn't quite sure how to address him. The young apprentice always felt nervous around the deputy or leader.

[ugh]

[ƒoxclaw]

The warmth of dawn crept like a kit on a cricket, giving the she-cat a reason for stretching her tail behind her and arching her back in comfort. Dawn had always been her favorite time of day. With a quick glance to Tansypaw, she nodded in agreement to the apprentices claim. Though the warrior wondered where the medicine cat had taken off to. Perhaps to gather more herbs for their stores? Foxclaw had only been inside the den once, as a small kit who's leg had twisted during an accident in her play. Her mother had carried her here, to tell Rainfall of her foolish mistake herself. A lesson in embarrassment that the cat never quite forgot. Lifting her chin to speak again, Foxclaw found herself interrupted by a scent that pushed her ears to peak.

"Badgerclaw," she mewed. Turning to watch the warrior's approach, she smiled warmly. She watched him settle himself, then turned back to Tansypaw as if testing her reaction. Amusement flickered for a moment, as the tom's voice pulled her attention back to him. She hesitated for a short while, before bringing herself to speak again. Knowing her audience now included two instead of one, she tried to remember to speak louder than she normally would to be heard by them both. "I am well, Badgerclaw. I stepped on a sharp stone while near Snakerocks and cut my pad." With a quiet purr, she turned her gentle eyes on Tansypaw. "I was hoping Rainfall would be here to see me, though one as talented as a medicine cat apprentice shouldn't have a problem with my simple need." With a flick of her tail that lay still on her front paws, she watched Tansypaw with care. "What do you think, Tansypaw?"

She couldn't help but feel a rush of pride settle in her gut and rise to her throat as Foxclaw smiled inwardly at her luck in timing. This could be a practical chance for the young apprentice to use her skills. The she-cat's peaceful nature kept her from her boasting, and with Badgerclaw's watchful eyes behind her, she tried to keep her posture like a noble warrior. After all, being only 19 moons, Foxclaw was still considered young. Without any real scars or marks on her pelt, she was thought of as weak from some who's bodies shown with experience and knowledge of warfare. To some, the calico female wasn't much of a warrior; darting through the shadows and climbing tall trees to scout the passage ahead. Due to her small body and long legs, she didn't look like she was able to hold off even a kittypet in frontal combat. Some skills are more valuable than others. Her mentors voice rang through her mind, remembering her visit to Fourtrees with him, on her first day as an apprentice.

Status: Finished.

[.Jester.]

Observing both the young she-cat and the elder feline Badgerclaw noted that both indeed had noticed his greeting and approach. Smiling inwardly to himself the young tom relished silently in his knew position, many of the clan cats had shown a new respect to him which in due course had boosted the wise Badgerclaws confidence, now of course with every good thing comes another more worse consequence, this being for our young tom that not all wished him well wishes for his position, a few would quite gladly take the role from him, clearly unnerving him. Yet growing up the tortoiseshell feline had never really had any close companions, no one but his mother to confide in, so thus Badgerclaw had to take on these new conflicting emotions by himself, like the warrior he strove to be. Momentarily closing his eyes the tom relished in the warmth of the beating sun, his dark pelt awash with glistening hues, a slight rumble of a purr started up deep within his gullet, icy blue eyes opened wide he looked on.

Allowing his mug to stretch into his ever so in-famous lopsided grin Badgerclaw nodded back to the warm greeting of Foxclaw, raking his steely gaze unto the young apprentice he dipped his head once again showing the utmost respect to both, a good warrior and Thunderclans future medicine cat. Watching intently with an inquisitive outlook his dark ears twittered like an agitated bird atop his cranium, brow furrowed ever so slightly as he followed the she-cats words. [I’m sure our talented young apprentice here shall have no problem with such a meagre strain, ‘tis but a small cut I’m sure, nothing a strong warrior like you cannot suffice with.] amusement flickered over his façade as slowly his purring began to gain height.

Running his blue eyes over the sight of Foxclaws sleek elegant unmarked body the image twanged at a chord of envy, his brutal scars had followed him through his life, even though he gained them from a young age, a mere five moons, an unlucky scrap with a stray badger ending with the young kit maimed and his mother unable to battle. Subconsciously twisting his lean body the handsome young feline ran a rough tongue over his ugly scars, washing down the hair around them in a feeble attempt at making the four marks unnoticeable. Regaining his posture the regal male warmly smiled to Tansypaw, how much indeed did Badgerclaw lust for kits of his own, even at the tender age of 28moons those small bundles caused colour to rise to his pelt.

[[tansy]]

Tansypaw took a glance at Foxclaw's injured paw. "Oh. I can get that out. I'll be right back." the apprentice mewed, trying to disguise her excitement. It was her first real injury to treat, all the others Rainfall had guided her through. Finally! she thought to herself happily.

With a flick of her tail, the young she cat darted into the cool medicine cat's den. Herbs were piled high on the stone walls. Quickly going over her training in her head, she picked out Cobwebs, Poppy, and Marigold. Looking over the tiny pile of herbs once more, she quickly wrapped them in a leaf and carried the bundle back outside.

Gently placing the bundle on the ground, Tansypaw looked at the stone sliver. She could see the entry point and decided it was best to pull it out the way it went in. Taking a deep breath, she bent her head towards the paw and deftly pulled the rock out with her teeth. Spitting it into the dirt pile, she began to chew up the herbs. "Lick your paw to get it clean and stop the bleeding. If it doesn't stop, put the cobweb on it."

The tortoiseshell finished grinding the herbs and spat them out onto her paw. Marigold for infection, Poppy for pain. she silently recited in her head as she made the marigold poultice. "Here, put this on your paw to make sure it doesn't get infected, but I doubt it will." Tansypaw hopped over to Foxclaw with the poultice.

[ƒoxclaw]

"I’m sure our talented young apprentice here shall have no problem with such a meagre strain, ‘tis but a small cut I’m sure," Foxclaw purred in agreement with Badgerclaw, keeping a watchful eye on the young apprentice. "Nothing a strong warrior like you cannot suffice with." As Badgerclaw finished his speach, Foxclaw's attitude shifted. With an annoyed twitch of her ear, she narrowed her eyes and glanced to the forest. She could feel heat rising in her ears, and her heart jumped. His words held a different meaning to the she-cat, probably different than the deputy had intended. To her, it held a message of her incompotance as a warrior. Nothing a strong warrior... She held back a hiss. This wasn't how she normally behaved, but Foxclaw was hurt just the same.

As she felt the touch of a cat, she turned her head. Anger washed away from her face, and as she peered down at Tansypaw, her eyes softened. She flipped over her paw so the youngster could see. She nodded once as the she-cat bounded back into the den, leaving her with Badgercalw's company.

She knew she should speak to the warrior, but the words wouldn't come out. They were trapped in her throat. Oh, this is stupid. With a sigh, she turned her keen eyes on the deputy with kindness flashing across her face and echoing in her body stance. "Congradulations on becoming deputy, Badgerclaw. I doubt a finer cat could take the role, even if StarClan themselves sent one forward." Her words were not hollow, Foxclaw was an honest cat. Feeling foolish for earlier, she allowed her smile to show.

Tansypaw's voice broke her thoughts. Moving her attention from Badgerclaw to the apprentice, she nodded appreciativley, and flipped her paw over again. This time, the young cat took hold of the stone in her teeth, and Foxclaw noted that it didn't seem to take the she-cat too much effort. With a quick flick of the tip of her tail, Foxclaw bit down on the sharp jolt as it slid out. She calmly obeyed the apprentice and bent her head down to give her paw a thorough clensing. As she neared completion, and most of the blood was lapped away, she accepted the poultice with a nod and placed her paw back down. The pain that was there had ebbed away into a slight ache. The smell from the mixture at her paws told her of Marigold, yet she knew very little about the plant. Only when Tansypaw explained to her did she understand it's worth. With a purr, she took the bundle in her teeth and turned to leave. As a second thought, she lowered it again and lifted her chin to speak. "You did a wonderful job, Tansypaw. I'll be sure to let Rainfall know of my faith in you." She bowed her head slightly to Badgerclaw and left with her parcel.

Status: Finished.
((Foxclaw has left the thread.))

OoC:
Spell Checker didn't want to work for me, and I don't have MS Word. Sorry for the errors.

[Az]

((OMG guys sorry ;; I haven't been able to get on this site much in the past few weeks, but I'm active now. If you don't know me I'm the RPer of Rainfall. Anyway, if this thread is still active, I hope you don't mind if I join? :3))

Irritation could hardly be used to describe Rainfall. The ThunderClan medicine cat had had a terrible day today. It started out with her unable to get an unusually small thorn out of a stuck-up warrior's paw; the conflict that followed had not been pretty, what with the warrior calling her ugly, an unworthy medicine cat and Rainfall doing everything she could to refrain from ripping the warrior's eyes out. The warrior had gone on to insult her about herself, her abilities as a medicine cat, and even her apprentice. That was one thing Rainfall would not stand for. Though she didn't show it often, Rainfall took tremendous pride in Tansypaw, her fast-learning, quick-witted apprentice. Rainfall knew that one day Tansypaw would be a respected medicine cat and the thought made her happy. She never criticized her apprentice or snapped at her. If Tansypaw made a wrong move Rainfall would gently correct it without humiliating the younger she-cat. That was just the type of cat she was. However, Rainfall never sugar coated her comments or hid the truth from her apprentice, which led some people to believe she was harsh and unfriendly. But in all truth Rainfall was a sweet she-cat even to strangers and cats outside her Clan.
But now her usually welcoming pale blue eyes were sparkling with anger. She had ordered Tansypaw to guard and arrange the herbs and stalked out of camp to cool off. It was the only thing she could do, just in case she snapped at a cat or was so heated she couldn't do her work properly and could overlook something potentially fatal. It was a one in a million chance, but Rainfall had always been an especially careful she-cat, one of the reasons she had been considered a valued medicine cat apprentice and medicine cat.

Rainfall had at first wondered what would happen if an injured cat arrived at the medicine cat den asking for her, but then she remembered how effecient Tansypaw was and her worries were put to rest. For now. After about an hour of collecting herbs in the forest, the she-cat had slowly made her way back to the ThunderClan camp. While coming back to camp Rainfall had happened to turn her head in the direction of the warrior's den. What she saw made her freeze.
It was Thornfur -- the cat she had fallen in love with so long ago and been forced to reject because of her medicine cat path. He was with another cat, a she-cat. As Rainfall watched bitterly, the tom caught sight of her too. At first he looked a little surprised, but then his face twisted into an ugly sneer and he turned away, back to the she-cat he had been previously talking to. It was a blatant insult and it bruised her pride. Rainfall forced herself to look away and padded towards the medicine cat den with the air of someone who has just been crowned leader. She gave no hint that the cat who had played the most important part in her mental downfall had rejected her, just as she had rejected him so long ago. Except that she had actually had a legitimate reason.
Halting a few yards from her den, Rainfall saw her apprentice and Foxclaw, a fellow ThunderClan warrior. Tansypaw was treating what looked like a small but deep cut on the warrior's pad. She could not suppress the look of pride that passed over her features; Tansypaw was having no trouble and seemed to assess the entire situation calmly. Which was what an experienced medicine cat would do.
She felt an almost motherly pride; Rainfall was still young, only 34 moons, but Tansypaw was barely a kit, only 7 moons. Rainfall, with her slender body, had been treated like a kit when she was a warrior and didn't like it at all, so she treated Tansypaw like an adult. Rainfall had deep empathy for her clanmates and always tried to please them, usually succeeding. Unlike some cats, like the one who had yelled at her this morning, behind Rainfall's pretty face wasn't a shallow, selfish mind -- it was the mindset of an intelligent, willing she-cat.

Rainfall padded over just as Foxclaw was leaving. The needle-like stone sliver that had been lodged in the she-cat's pad was laying near the den; Rainfall gripped it in her jaw and with an experienced flick tossed it into some brambles near the medicine cat den so that no cat would get hurt stepping on it. Her dark mood was slightly improved now that she saw that all her training had paid off, even for a simple matter like a stone in a pad. "You did great, Tansypaw. I'm glad that you're my apprentice." Nodding her head in acknowledgement of the newly appointed deputy standing nearby, Rainfall continued, "Hello, Badgerclaw. Congratulations on becoming deputy." Her attention was turned back to Tansypaw, her eyes now bright instead of bitter.

[/size]

[l†‡Blaze‡†l]

A golden tom lay under a nearby tree. He got up and stretched, before walking over to see the commotion with the group of cats. "Congradulations Badgerclaw, you've worked hard for Deputy." He said, in a sweet but serious voice. His gaze turned to Rainfall. "Why hello Rainfall. Hows training the new apprentice? Is she learning well?" Cinnamonpelt asked looking over at Tansypaw.
His pale green eyes, turning to Rainfall again. He smiled, as the warriors eyes seem to turn to sea water, slowly shining in the breeze.

"Rainfall, don't mind me asking, but would you like to go hunting with me sometime?" He asked the she-cat. "I know you have your duty, but.." He stood up a little straighter, feeling the warm sunny breeze walzting by him, dancing with his golden pelt. His eyes came to a curious stage, waiting for an answer.. hoping it was the one he wanted to hear. He did'nt like her like that, but he needed some tips on hunting. Seeing.. he was only 15 Moons. He had'nt exactle "learned" from his mentor, so he wanted some tips. Maybe he could even learn a few herb practices too. He shook his head, as it gathered with positive thoughts. Before facing reality of her even saying she can't.

[[tansy]]

Tansypaw looked past Badgerclaw, when a dark shadow appeared at the entrance. It was her mentor, Rainfall. Worry flooded her heart when she realized that her mentor actually was back and that there might be problems if she found out about the escaped rat and the wounded warrior.

Tansypaw bowed her head respectfully, "Thank you Rainfall." The tension ceased and the tortoise shell was happy once more.

[sorry, no muse, my parents are limiting computer time, so much stress. ]