Moonless and Shadow Rp

Moonlesspaw, a lovely dappled-gray she-cat, emerged from the apprentices' den, her small fragile paws treading lightly. Blinking and, with a shiver, she ventured into the clearing, fluffing out her fur against the morning chill. Her ears pricked as a weak breeze stirred, which inadvertently caused the trees to whisper among themselves. She extended her forepaws and arched her back in an intense stretch, parting her jaws in a large, gaping yawn before settling down on her haunches, giving herself a quick shake.

Shadowstar golden-green eyes blinked as he lay motionless in his nest, his ears flickered once as he stiffled a yawn. Fur bristled gently as the cold wind blew through the den entrance and caused him to shuffle. He sighed quickly before he pushed himself to his paws and arched his back in a stretch. The tom-cat paused as he slowly sat down, his ears twitching for any sounds but he only caught the sounds of bird's chirping, scuffle of clan-mates around camp and small boises which he persumed as the leaves rustling.

The grayscale she-cat, seemingly oblivious to the hustle about her, raised a small forepaw to her muzzle before tracing her petal-like tongue over it and drawing it rhythmically over her constantly twitching ears. She still hadn't been assigned a mentor, however she didn't mind in the least. Flexing her claws, stretched out a hind leg and drew her tongue over it, flatting the somewhat ruffled gray fur.

Shadowstar's ears flickered as he left his den, toes on the edge of the high-rock as he peered around the clan. He spotted the grey-furred she-cat and flicked his ears again. 'I have to assign the apprentices some mentors..' He added to his thoughts as a memo, he had been so busy recently. He jumped down as his tail swayed against the soft dew-covered grass, "Moonlesspaw." He called, flicking his tail over to her. He might as well take her out for some hunting, even if he wasn't her mentor.

She whipped around, blue eyes growing wide as moons, not her namesake. "Oh, Shadowstar." She dipped her head respectfully with a small smile. Moonlesspaw sat upright, tilting her head. "Can I help you, do you need anything?" She generally grew nervous when a cat with authority spoke to her directly. She was always prudent and careful with her words.

Shadowstar chuckled, his calm-gnetle nature coming through as he strode towards her and sat beside the much smaller she-cat. "Did you want to join me with.. umm.. For some hunting?" He asked, green eyes glazing as he gave a soft chuckle, licking his front right paw and washing it over his ears.

Her grin widened. "Of course!" Already on her feet, she started toward the entrance to the camp, looking over her shoulder to gaze expectantly for him. This was, for Moonlesspaw's nature, quite abnormal. Perhaps just for the time being? Either way, she was honored to hunt beside a warrior, let alone the leader of her clan.

Shadowstar raised a brow as he gave a low chuckle, pushing himself onto his feet to follow her out of the entrance. She was a spunky little apprentice, it amused him and made him think of Dovetail. "What would you like to hunt?" He asked, "Rodents, birds, fish.. Whatever you can think of." He beamed softly.

"Hmm... let's try birds. I've never tried catching a bird before." She was bubbly alright. Moonlesspaw glanced at him, slightly embarrassed, "C-could you tell me how, or give me hints about bird stalking?"

Shadowstar gave a humble chuckle as he nodded his head, "Of course Moonlesspaw." He spoke softly, "What leader would I be if I didn't teach my apprentices?" He chuckled, tail swaying as he perked his ears. "First thing.. Listen."

She let out a slow breath and relaxed her shoulders, pricking her ears up. The rustle of the trees put her off her game, but she would not let that make her liable for catching less prey that she normally would have. Distantly, she heard the early morning carols. Moonlesspaw allowed herself a moment to simply listen to the lovely intervals and choruses of birdsong. Lovely. Alas, there was work to do, and one or two of those birds were going to become prey under her downy-fluffed paws.

Shadowstar watched her as she began to listen, he closed his eyes and let his ears twist, flicker and perk with each sound that crossed towards him. The gentle song of the birds filled the air but it wasn't that he was looking for but rather the sound of flight and the rustle that follwed, a landing bird which in his opinion was the most easiest type of bird to catch. "Second thing is to track them." He soft voice spoke gently.

She opened her eyes a sliver as her ears perceived the sounds of heavy wing-beats. Instinctively she crouched low, just so that her belly fur brushed against the smooth earthen floor whilst keeping her ears trained in the direction of where the noise had occurred. "There's one," she mewed, voice hardly above a whisper. Without waiting for Shadowstar's instructions, she proceeded with cautious steps, tail tip flicking with apprehension. There! The impervious bird hopped about the roots of an ancient oak. Aged from seasons, it still towered overhead. Moonlesspaw paused only, whiskers quivering, when the avian raised its head momentarily, a a worm thick in width clasped within the perils of its gullet. Eww, she thought, Do we actually eat that? Shaking her head to disembowel such thoughts, the gray-dappled apprentice approached further, however she remained ever aware of where she placed her paws. Now she was within a rabbit-length away from her prey. Being so close caused her muscles to tighten with excitement. Moonlesspaw rocked on her haunches, preparing for a pounce.

Shadowstar smiled, ears perked forward as he narrowed his eyes and watched the instinctive apprentice, he crept quietly after her, making sure each pawstep was as quiet as a mouse. He stopped when he could see her, watching thr eager apprentice with the awaiting bird.

Moonlesspaw knew that, from observing birds from afar, birds would see her before one heard her. That gave her the distinct advantage as the bird itself couldn't always watch its surroundings. She had flattened herself so far, that one could hardly she the surface of her head where her ears perched. Moonlesspaw readied herself once more before her mighty leap. Paws flailing she swatted the bird's head, however its wings struck her as it attempted to take flight, which caused her to spin unceremoniously. With a final desperation, Moonlesspaw stretched out her forepaws and snatched the bird mid-flight around the feathered body. It startled her when she realized the avian was far less heavy than she originally presumed and with that, Moonlesspaw fell to the ground though she twisted so that she landed on her rump rather than her shoulders or spine. Somewhat dazed by the incredible encounter, she found herself sitting on the feathered prey, having snapped its neck in the descent.

Shadowstar watched calmly, when the bird bgan to take flight he crept up into a sitting position but continued watching when the apprentice attempted to catch it in mid-flow. He tilted his head to the side 'Ahh.. no..' He thought, ears flickering as the apprentice fell straight back onto her rump. He flicked his ears back and he clenched his eyes close, a second later to open them curiously towards where the apprentice sat. He made his way to her, his paws playing with a feather near her.. "Well.. You caught it.."

She grinned, ears flattening in an embarrassed gesture. "Yes... or rather, my tail did." Moonlesspaw rose and relieved the bird's back of her weight, which wasn't much. "It's a shame songbirds can be prey," she mewed wistfully. She shook her head, mewing, "Anyway, let's find another one, and this time, you show me how to do it so I don't end of looking like an upside down hedgehog."

---

The young, sleek-furred cloudy gray she-cat padded dejectedly into camp, fresh nicks and scratchings marring her pretty light-dappled pelt. Evidence of a harsh scuffle. Her right eye was slightly closed, tears welling at the corners. Moonless–sky, hoping no one would notice her disheveled appearance, half-limped in the direction of the warriors' den.

Shadowstar's ears perked as he heard a new set of paw pad into the campgrounds: someone was returning either from a patrol or a hunt. The tom looked up but frowned as it wasn't what he expected; but instead his former apprentice limping to the warriors’ den. He arched his back, padding swiftly to her before brushing his fur into hers. "You wanna tell me?" he asked, eyes gleaming confidently.

The she-cat nearly jumped out of her pelt, flattening her ears embarrassedly. "Uh... no, no. I'm fine," she warbled, looking nervous. "Just some rogue," she added. Moonless–sky let out a shuddery breath, forcing herself to relax as he brushed against her. It was actually comforting, his closeness. Not that it shouldn't have been. She turned her narrow head to gaze into his eyes, seeking that warmth she had always found there. "Actually," she admitted, "I..." Her ears burned and she bit her lip slightly. "Kinda just fell... again." At that, a meek grin curled the corners of her lips. At this rate, she wouldn't be surprised if he didn't wake the Clan with howling laughter. She always seemed to do something ridiculously kit-like in his presence. Moonless–sky supposed now it spread to all of her daily and nightly activities. What's worse was that she failed to catch her prey also.