{ ` A Different Patrol }

[[ Serpent-tounge ]]

A golden shape slunk of the camp. It's movements were furtive, giving the unknown watcher the idea that perhaps this cat was up to no good ? Doing something it shouldn't be ? The shape suddenly vanished. A nearby Yew bush giving brief shelter. The coast clear, it's light rhythmic pawsteps picked up again, the tentative pace increased.

As the distance increased from the camp, Lilypaw put her head up so that she could take in all the sites of the leaf - bare day. Such ice and frost covered the usually green lands of WhiteClan. The damage to any cat's paws was unbelievable; such biting cold made the pads hard, cracked, even. A stumble, a wince. Her right - fore - paw was injured, slightly, but enough to make considerable damage to her when she walked onwards.

So, what was her plan, after this 'heroic' escape ? Nothing. Such a pointless feat, yet one that was necessary to Lilypaw and her. . boredom. The camp and surrounding territories being so cold, the cats were unable to come and go so freely; apprentices being a major concern. She needed some time away. Her paws ached for it, yet they were already aching. Her fur craved the bitter winds flowing through it, yet her pelt was already so wind - swept. But more than anything, she needed a little space. Just an hour or so would do it. That's all she would ever need. . She padded onwards, having no direction, no purpose to her step.

[GhostFoot]

((Are you in WhiteClan yet or is this your 'induction"?))

[[ Serpent-tounge ]]

[ Induction ? Sorry, I'm failed with words, what's that mean ? ;-;
But no, I'm in WhiteClan. As an apprentice; Lilypaw!
This was just a roleplay I did, soon after my charrie had been accepted. ]

[GhostFoot]

((OOC: Oh, okay. ohhh yeah cus you're my unofficial apprentice ^-^))

RabbitStar, looking for Lilypaw, as she'd left without clearing it with FeatherFall or himself, followed his keen sense of smell, which led him to a dying Yew bush. The bitterly cold snow, although stunningly beautiful, was unfadingly strict in its painful givings. His giant paws had lost feeling, his pads swollen, but he continued forward, it was dangerous for an apprentice to be out in this undpredictably harsh weather alone.

[[ Serpent-tounge ]]

Lilypaw reached the edge of her territory. There, she stopped, content to stand and watch. Her tail flicked with amusement as the cats that bordered her territory, yet were not part of it, came into view. Her intent was perhaps a little mean. Or playful, depending on how you looked at it. She knew they would hate her being there, watching them, and she was wondering as to their response. Lilypaw was aware also, that the other cats couldn't - or wouldn't - do anything about her presence. After all, she was simply standing there. She could even go so far as to say she was. . admiring the view. Her lips curved up into an unusual gesture, which could be defined as one of happiness.

A small crack. She flinched, swinging around, her eyes widened. Panic filled her heart, for the shape heading her way was none other than Rabbitstar; her mentor. Now, despite her teasing ways, she still didn't want to disappoint this cat, for which she felt high regard and even respect for. Ducking down, she decided to wait. Perhaps he hadn't even seen her ? She would hope for the best. Nestling down among the softened brambles, she lay quiet and deathly still; knowing that movement draws the eye. Her golden fur would hide her, also, for which she was grateful. An ear flicked, as she lay there.

[GhostFoot]

He saw her from the corner of his eye as she lay in the shrubbery, he decided that he would have a little fun. He walked past, pretending not to see her and sank lower, camflauging into the dead, yellow twigs that were once plants, dormant for leaf-bare. He managed to circle around her, hopefully she was unsuspecting. Like a jungle cat he slithered, "Enjoying the view?" His voice in high contrast to the stillness

[[ Serpent-tounge ]]

Lilypaw watched him, her normally gentle green gaze, hardened, as she tried to figure his plan of attack. Her head tilted, a movement that was natural and becoming involuntary, when she found herself in stressful or confusing situations. This one required much thought and naturally, Lilypaw became distracted, her thoughts taking over her senses and ability to hear sounds that she would normally hear. She watched the approaching cat, and as she did so, her fur flattened down. He was walking past; good. She dared not move, nor make a sound, so when he went right past her, her teeth bared a little, out of frustration. Now she was not going to be able to see his movements! She wanted to shift her position, but knew that this could be fatal; in terms of being found.

The next thing she knew, a voice, stark in contrast to the gentle hum of activity that had been previously surrounding her, spoke. She flinched. This was a big reaction for her and she was not proud of it. She realized straight away, who it was, and her head lowered in shame. Yet, when she replied, you probably would not have known exactly how she felt. 'Why yes, I am.' Her mew was full of teasing. 'And what about yourself ? Surely you have better things to do, than be spying on your own apprentice! Her eyes glittered, full of mischief, of which she seemed to be constantly causing, these days. She stood up, leaves falling in a miniture shower from her golden pelt.

[GhostFoot]

RabbitStar laughed with his deep, gravel-y voice, "Indeed I am Lilypaw." He plopped down beside her, "But what type of mentor would I be if I let my own apprentice out and about to roam the dangers of our baron territory in the middle of leaf-bare? It would be a terrible thing if a storm were to start and you were to get lost, or worse." He looked forward, eyeing the grounds for any prey to take back to the camp. His hopes were crushed, there was faint scents of field mouse in the air, but they were at least three day old trails.

His ears relaxed along with many of his tense muscles, "I used to love coming out here as an apprentice, it brought such peace, and the beauty during leaf-bare is immense. The snow that lay on top of the dormant twigs. It's breath taking."

[[ Serpent-tounge ]]

Lilypaw tilted her head to one side, in agreeance with Rabbitstar. I'd hate for those things to happen to me. . she thought, anxiously. Especially getting lost. She nodded as he continued to speak. 'You're right, although it's such a nice place to come!' She felt her voice beginning to rise; the first sign she was getting a little agitated. Although, there was no real reason for her to. She instantly stopped herself, closing her eyes and letting the scents and sounds wash over her. This was a technique that always worked.

She realized Rabbitstar was still speaking, and opened her eyes so as not to be rude. 'You'd liked this place too ?' Her eyes were wide, now, and her mood had changed completely. She was both surprised and happy. Surprised at the fact that he had come here as an apprentice. Somehow, she couldn't get it out of her head that he had always been their leader!! Of course, she knew this wasn't possible. Happy, in the sense that she had learned something about him. As her leader AND mentor, she always liked these occaisions. She stood up, her pelt glimmering in the sun. 'Er, I suppose we'd better head back, then ? She looked at him questioningly.

[GhostFoot]

RabbitStar nodded his head and stood up, tall lean and muscular, his long legs made him tower over the long dried brambles and beyond the tall weeds, his dusty coloured hair made him blend quite perfectly, his eyes intense and full of clouded worry, no prey, how was he going to sustain this Leaf-bare?

[[ Serpent-tounge ]]

Lilypaw nodded, her questioned answered, though not with words. His movements were enough, and she followed after him, her shorter legs having to work more to keep up. As he turned away from her, she thought she caught a worried look on his face, reflected in his eyes. Her ears flattened; what was wrong ? Had something happened, that she was yet unaware of ? She decided to keep silent about it, for now, and trotted after him. Of course, her mouth was too big to keep quiet for long, and she soon started generally chatting to him. 'D'you reckon we should catch some prey ?' Her eyes traced over his dusty pelt, and she thought hers probably didn't look much better. 'Are we short again ?'

[GhostFoot]

RabbitStar sighed, "We are." He kept his nose to the wind and stopped when he heard a faint squeal. His ears swiveled, "Stop moving." he commanded quietly, his voice hardly audible. He shrank, crouching as low as possible to the ground, he started shuffling his feet, his footsteps as well almost inaudible. He flicked his tail, signaling for Lilypaw to do the same. His whiskers twitched with excitement, their territory was not known for great feasts in leaf-bare.

On all fours, his belly pressed to the ground he stopped again, sniffing the air and cautiously settling himself down, blending into the dormant shrubbery once again, one ear forward and another focused on the direction of which they'd come from.