hook me a dream [open]

[Acez]

She had heard of the poisoning of the river, and it sickened it her to the bottom of her heart. Two-legs had done this, it was the only thing that made sense. Didn't they know that the river was their main supply of food? The fish was kept the full during the seasons and the river held home to the water voles and some other prey, that Greypaw hadn't the heart to remember. She had slumped into semi-concious, her jaw resting on the rock which was radiating with the heat of the sun.

She should be hunting again, as her last hunt only involved with two mice. She could probably find a vole if she put her heart in it, but she was still tired from the early wake that Ashpelt put her through. Dawn, peh. Only the stupid got up at the time. She eased herself, realizing, that at the mere mention of the waking early had irritated her, rising the fur on her silver pelt. She stretched out, feeling her cheek against the stone. She could feel the crevices and cracks, made through seasons of snow and sleet and hail. She had heard from an elder that someone had hurt their jaw on this very rock. Wars had been fought over for this very spot. Not only was good for elders or queens, but prey lived or rested in the rocks. Which makes it totally worth it. She mumbled half-heartedly, relaxing into a slump.

Still, try as she might, sleep evaded her. Like a teasing wind, it brushed her pelt, making her lazy but as soon as she was ready to settle, it would leap away, making her dizzy and, unfortunately, awake. Really? Just let me sleep, just this once. She hissed, rising to her paws in a sitting position, one eye open in a squint as the sun threatened to blind her. She waited, waited for that familiar feeling of rest but nothing came. Bah to you too then. She hissed, plunking down the sunning rocks to the forest floor, letting out a sigh as she stretched. What now? Hunt? There was nothing better to do. Might as well right? She grumled to herself, aloud, a habit she hadn't the guts to quit.

[Shadow Da Smiffster]

But of course, Greypaw was not the only one about in the early hours of morning. Jadeclaw, a young warrior who seemed to always be trying to repay the Clan for a debt he'd probably settled moons ago with his absolute loyalty, never seemed to be getting any sleep these days. Nightmares had plagued him lately; about the poisoned rivers. He imagined his adopted family dying, his dearest sibling, Rippletail...

The thought sent shudders down his spine as he padded around Sunningrocks. This chunk of territory was infamous for being the most common battleground between ThunderClan and his own Clan. Somehow, that thought sent an uneasy feeling to Jadeclaw's stomach. He didn't like ThunderClan's new leader... and for some reason, he could imagine the brutish tom coming and attacking his Clan at their darkest hour.

And that's why I have to hunt. Bring back enough food to keep us strong. We mustn't let Sabrestar and his Clan think they can take back Sunningrocks when its our only solid source of food right now, the tom thought. At that, he settled into a hunters crouch, and slowly creeped up on a squirrel....

Unfortunately, before he could get the chance to execute his move, rustling in the undergrowth alerted the rodent to another cat's presence, and immediately, it darted up a tree. Sighing, Jadeclaw watched it vanish into the thick leaves, and then turned to see Greypaw approaching.

"Morning Greypaw," he called. "What brings you to Sunningrocks?"

[Acez]

For a moment, she heard nothing. It didn't really matter because she saw his shape emerge and smiled. Ah, Jadeclaw. Someone who made her tired just by looking at him. He was always out there, trying to do his best. It was an admirable quality, and the fact that he was a warrior stung a little, but even so, Greypaw would get there. Eventually. Nothin' much. Just hoping to catch a few more minutes of rest before Ashpelt nags me to go do battle training or something. She smiled, showing off her award-winning attutide.

It's pretty warm outside, so I thought I might as well get the most of it while I could. But enough about me, how about you? She asked, walking to wear the tom stood before settling into a sitting position, tail curling over her paws. She paused, before realizing that she had asked a stupid question. True, she wasn't a morning person, and most cats respected that. When dragged on hunting patrols or border patrols, they shy away and let her rest on a tree and let her slump back to her den afterwards, for a few minutes at least, until Ashpelt or Frostfang decides to drag her out, sometimes literally drag her out. Her father anyway. But the sun wasalready past noon, and it was quite obvious on what most warriors and apprentices were doing.

Right, forgot. Another teasing smile before she got up, tail still slink low to the grassy floor. So, do you mind if I join or was the affair strictly private? She mewed, smiling. She would probably sleep like a rock when she got back to the apprentice's den. Besides, it wouldn't hurt to get some praise from her mentor, would it?

[Shadow Da Smiffster]

"I know the feeling," Jadeclaw sighed. "Sleep hasn't come easy to me either, but what else is new. I barely slept even in the apprentices den." A rare warm smile made its way onto his maw at the refreshing attitude Greypaw brought. Usually, he wasn't too into the sarcasm and whatnot that both Ashepelt and Greypaw seemed to offer, but in these dark times, Jadeclaw was happy to see a bit of the same old behaviors running through the clan. "But otherwise, I'm fine. Well, fine enough to be out hunting...." he trailed off, the worry in his voice evident.

"So many cats are falling ill. I'm worried that the Clans will notice our weakness," he sighed. "I shouldn't worry my head so much. Surely they would be kind enough not to break rules while we are in so much trouble... but..." Jadeclaw paused, turning his gaze to the ThunderClan boarder. "I can't help but worry...."

Shaking his head, he focused again on Greypaw, forcing himself to forget about the ominous feeling settling at the pit of his stomach. So, she wanted to join him in hunting? Fair enough, it wasn't necessarily a one-cat sport, "If you can keep up with a warrior, then sure thing Greypaw."

Jadeclaw knew that she was as capable as he was, but a little nudge in motivation couldn't hurt. Besides, if Greypaw was anything like her mentor, then... well, a little insult like that would surely get that drooping tail off the ground.

[Acez]

Greypaw frowned, because it seemed as though the poisoned rivers had reached everyone's mind. Ever since she had heard and seen the melted, trashed rivers, she had been having nightmares, seeing her twin sister swimming it's depth, crying out to her but she was unable to help. She wished for the dreams where she hunted talking sparrows. It worried her too, but they had to stay strong. The thing is we can't worry. We have survived worse than this. The clans, even if they do know of our weakness, they will admire our strength. She growled under her breath. Weak, that's the last thing she wanted to be seen as. Or they'll laugh at our pride. She thought, before shaking her head.

Her ear twitched as she cracked a smug smile. Oh is that so oh mighty warrior? She spoke, adding flourish in her voice. She gave a bow, her tail swinging to her paws. You are going to lose. She smirked, returning back to her sarcastic, lazy self. Why not make a game out of it. She would be more out-going if it was a competition and it would mean more food for the clan.

She gave a little prance, hoping to get a least a chuckle from the far too serious warrior. If it meant humiliating herself, by StarClan she would do it. Greypaw flicked her ears and then her whiskers before turning around, tilting her head. Let's get going you snail. The silver she-cat mewed, before walking at a leisurely pace away. He would catch up.

[Shadow Da Smiffster]

"Snail?" Jadeclaw scoffed. "I'll make you eat those words Greypaw. I'll leave you in the dust by the end of today!" With that, Jadeclaw bounded forward with energy he wasn't aware that he had. A carefree energy... the enthusiasm of a kit! It felt... surprisingly wondrous to just let everything go for once....

And yet, it was not only the feeling of being so happy that was fueling him forward on his paws, but also the fire in his eyes that stated "I will not lose". He was, after all, a warrior. He was not a senior warrior, but hey, did he need to be to best Greypaw?

A smirk made its way onto his maw as he entertained himself on the thought, until he was brought back to reality by the strong stench of ThunderClan boarder markings. He skidded to a halt, and then with a hiss of disapproval at letting himself get to carried away, turned around and trailed back a bit more towards Sunningrocks. No matter how much RiverClan needed food, Jadeclaw would not make himself low enough to break the warrior code and hunt somewhere outside his Clan's scent boarders.

The serious cat was back.

So much for fun.

Dropping into a crouch, the tom angled his ears back and forth, hoping to catch the sounds of a mouse, a vole, or maybe even a squirrel, but even if he was that lucky, catching them was a whole different story. While he knew how to hunt that kind of prey, it was not his... best skill to say the least. No, it wasn't any of the Clan's best skills. Their best skills were in fishing and swimming, both of which they could not do right now.

I'll just have to try harder, he concluded at last.

[Acez]

For a moment, Jadeclaw was just like a kit and Greypaw laughed, almost tripping over her own paws over the sudden burst that Jadeclaw had suddenly burst. And as they raced towards the thunderclan border, she recoiled at the stench of their river. Their river which had seem to only grow in power and poison.

She snorted as Jadeclaw, who seemed to be radiating excitement, suddenly withered. She shook her head, rolling her eyes. You are way too serious. She purred, before crouching into a hunting position.

She wouldn't lose so easily. Jadeclaw may be a warrior, but she had been working hard, and both had the same tough mentor, Ashpelt. She would work her way to the top, if it took for moons and seasons, she would earn that position in the warriors den.

Ears swiveling, she watched the floor in peaceful silence before crawling forward, breathing softly out of her mouth, tail twitching. There, she could see it. A small mouse which seemed to be chewing some remains of a squirrel's nut. It seemed to be wary, almost aware that something was watching it's every move. She itched forward, before springing, claws outstretched.

The mouse dropped it's nut, scurrying away, but no, Greypaw had it. She bit it's neck, giving it one shake. The silver she-cat turned, flicking her tail before depositing it near a tree, covering it lightly with dirt. She looked for Jadeclaw, wondering what he had caught. But it was wrong to just stop, no she needed to hunt some more. She would not loose to this warrior.

[Shadow Da Smiffster]

"Too serious?" Jadeclaw asked, blinking. How was he too serious? He was only making sure he followed rules. The last time he hadn't followed rules, it had gotten him and his mother taken to a Twoleg facility, where they were locked in cages and where the humans barely fed his mother enough to give him and his siblings milk. In the end, he had been the only one to survive, and was lucky enough to have made it to RiverClan territory. It was here that he was raised by Sableheart, and grew up with his adopted sister Rippletail.

Greypaw didn't know this though. Perhaps she knew a bit of his story, like that he was not Clanborn, however, Jadeclaw didn't expect anyone to understand what it was like to have to prove yourself constantly. Perhaps the only cats in RiverClan that truly respected him for his feats were the senior warriors that had accepted him initially as a kit, and Nightstar.

With these thoughts cluttered in his mind, Jadeclaw missed his first piece of prey, a skinny vole. With a hiss of contempt, the tomcat's fur fluffed out in embarrassment. Greypaw was already besting him!

[Acez]

She was still watching, eyes narrowed. She could hear Jadeclaw off in the distance, and still decided to keep talking. Yeah, I watch you sometimes and you know. Straight as a stick and always so serious. I mean, haven't you ever done something fun or break the rules? She mewed, watching a red squirrel, scratch it's little ears.

She and Cloudpaw occasionally broke the rules when they were kits. Basically sneaking out and talking back to apprentices and warriors. Well, most of the talking back was Greypaw and she had dragged her twin on the adventures, as though she was brave, she wasn't prepared to do anything alone, not without her sister's small voice in her ear, telling her that this wasn't right.

She sprang as she puzzled over how that sounded. The whole watching thing was enough to make her want to dig a hole but as she bit into the squirrel as it struggled to get away, she realized how much of it was true. Jadeclaw had caught her attention. Not exactly a role-model, but someone she may understand. Ashpelt may or may not have talked to her about him, but either way, she watched him. Again, creepy.

Anywho, You should try to have some fun every once and awhile. Rules were made to be broken. She paused, wondering if there was anything she could do. Greypaw missed having adventures and having them alone, wasn't really worth it. We should go on an adventure sometime She purred as she eyed a bird. She could see her other catch out of the corner of her eye.

As the bird spread it's wings to fly, she sprang, but it let out a loud call and she missed, hissing as other birds fled the tree tops. Mousebrain! She thougjht, shaking her head in anger.

[Shadow Da Smiffster]

Jadeclaw crouched, his ears pricked in the direction of a squirrel. Focusing on the small creature, the tomcat knew he would have to use every ounce of his hunting skills to get this rodent. It was close to the base of the tree. Slowly he crept forward, silently, stalking the squirrel on light feet... and then, with the muscles in his legs tightening... he leapt, claws unsheathed, ready to take down the prey so he could keep some of his pride intact.

And it worked. Before the squirrel could even so much as squeak, Jadeclaw had delivered the death blow, and ended up turning his head around to Greypaw just in time for her to talk of them going on an adventure. He dropped the prey at the notion. Break rules? Leave camp and go on an adventure?

"I dunno," he confessed. "I have a reason I stick to the rules Greypaw. I don't agree with them all, but they are there for a reason. I don't think we should leave RiverClan without consulting Nightstar first."

Though she did tell me earlier that I was to go exploring up river. Perhaps I can persuade her to let Greypaw come along? She's a nice enough apprentice, and... he trailed off, not sure where his thoughts were leading him to believe. Shaking his head to rid it of any and all confusion, Jadeclaw piped up, "Though... I suppose we could go to the Seeing Pond. If I tell Nightstar I'd like to visit my old home, I'm sure she'd let you come with me."

[Acez]

Her ears pricked as she looked at Jadeclaw, her eyes rolled. See? She wanted to say, way too serious! But she kept it to herself, only giving him a squinted look. But how can you know if you never try? Those rules may be there to protect us, but they also constrict the way we can act! She protested. This entire thing seemed to similiar, and it was. It seemed as though Cloudpaw disagreed with Greypaw's view. But I guess I see your point. She mewed, turning back to the forest floor in search for her next catch.

But as Jadeclaw continued talking, she turned, ears pointed to the sky and green eyes wide. That would be so cool! Do you really think so? Excitement increased her heart-beat and she flicked her tail in happiness. She had missed dodging the rules or basically finding loop-holes in the warriors, but even so. Even it was permission from Nightstar it would be incredibly exciting, because something was bound to happen.

She twitched her whiskers, remembering the fact that the two of them were on a mission to hunt for the clan, and she had turned it into a competion. She inched forward, trying to find something, while she counted back on the things she had caught. A mouse wasn't it? And a squirrel? She frowned, before snapping out of it as a squirrel flashed her it's tail before streaking into a bush. She growled as she bounded after it, only to stop, untriumphant. She snorted, before she crouched to the floor, looking for anything, strictly focused on hunting.

[Shadow Da Smiffster]

"I don't see why we couldn't go, but don't get too excited Greypaw. Life for Loners and Rogues is quite a bit different than what you're used to. There's no code to protect you from harm...." he trailed off as his ears once again picked up the sound of prey. A finch, it seemed. Jadeclaw was no good at catching birds....

"Greypaw," he whispered. "Loop around to the other side of the bird, I'll chase it into your claws. Just be ready to jump!" With that the young warrior dropped to the floor, his paws moving him silently across the grass but against the rocks so that he was difficult to see. He almost blended in perfectly.....

Ready.... One. Two. Three!

The tom leapt forward, his claws unsheathed. The bird saw him coming, and started to take off, but Jadeclaw managed to catch one of it's tailfeathers before it made its way to where Greypaw was hopefully waiting to make the catch....

[Acez]

GREYPAW

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She scoffed tossing her head with a sniff. I'm not a kit you know! She scolded, shaking her head. I'm practically a warrior! She realized that she was repeating words that every apprentice said, but it was true! She wasn't the little kit that wandered away and broke the rules. Her loss of her sister made her more rigid, more cautious. She hid behind smiles, but just because she was little bold and tempermental, didn't mean she was stupid.

Greypaw knew it was Jadeclaw himself that annoyed her but everyone, her mentor, her father. She wanted... well, she didn't know for sure. But she'd figure it out sooner or later. But thanks for your concern. She said, eyes searching the forest.

She turned to Jadeclaw, confused. eh? She mewed as he stalked away. Not entirely sure what he was up to she did, as he asked, a raised eyebrow on her face. With a flutter of wings, Jadeclaw pounced and it took off. Startled, she jumped, twisting in the air, trying to correct herself. This was a warrior she was hunting with, and although they were once den-mates, she wanted to prove herself. Claws snatched tail-feathers and she pulled the finch toward her before she snapped the back with her teeth, landing with a bumble.

She grimaced as her paw protested against it but she dropped the catch with a smile. That was soo cool! She praised with a smile before she frowned with a sigh. I guess that means you win by default. I was so sure I was going to win too. She sat with a disappointed smile, but inside she was laughing.[/blockquote]