Around The Mountain

Chapter two

(Wolfy here! (Apparently that is my name now, Wings) So I have been lazy for long enough. Here is a chapter. :D)

HAWKLEGS P.O.V.

After the stranger- Swoops- story, the three ofeee the four cats in the room shared a look, as if asking each other whether or not to believe it, while the fourth was looking down at his paws, as if embarrassed or shy. In Hawklegs opinion, the story was a bit farfetched, but she wasn't about to say anything out loud, especially in front of the storyteller himself. Judging by the faces of her clanmates, they were doubtful, too. Shaderoar was the first to break the silence, however, after the three cats in attendance had a rather intense conversation consisting mostly of pointed looks to each other.

"So.... You feel alright, then?" Shaderoar asked, shuffiling neevoiusly with a slightly embarrased look on his face. Swoop looked at him in the biggest is-this-guy-serious look I had ever seen, and I couldn't blame him- Shaderoar was acting quite idiotic. Right now Swoop looked like he was debating whether or not to give a sarcastic remark. He opened his mouth to say something but quickly closed it into a grimace as his body shook slightly. Shaderoar took this as an excuse to silently run off and search for some pain releaving herbs, quickly brushing past both Snakestar and I as he started rummaging through his stockpile.

Snakestar looked like she still wanted to ask some questions about Swoops story, maybe look for a plot hole of some kind as to prove the story wrong, so I quietly asked, "Would it be alright if I were to go hunting for a bit?" In case Swoop was listening, I kept my message simple- but I hoped Snakestar was smart enough to notice the pleading lookin my eyes. With Shaderoar's hasty retreat, the atmosphere in the room was even more awkward. I think everybody felt pitiful on the strange cat, including myself. Snakestar gave a distracted sort of nod, already making a list of questions for Swoop. Deciding to ask about the conversation later, when the atmosphere wasn't so awkard. Plus I felt like I needed to be alone for a while and let his story sink in, and the best way to do that would to be by hunting down some prey to keep the prey fed, especially if Swoop would be staying for a while, and it would also give Snakestar some privacy to question Swoop. Somebody would have to hunt for him and the clan, and right now I had nothing better to do than to fill that position. Plus marmot sounded good right now.

As I exited the Medicine Cat's den, rubbing past Shaderoar, who was still rummaging, as I did so, I glanced skywards to see that the sun was directly overhead. The sunhigh patrol would be going out soon, if they hadn't left already. Briefly I considered asking to join to make up for not really doing much patrolling the day prior, but decided against it. If I was needed somebody would tell me, plus 'guarding' Swoop as he had slept had taken a large toll out of him. If it weren't for the half-nap I had taken, I would most definitively have to be sleeping right then.

Instead, I padded out of the camps clearing, passing the sunhigh patrol as they crowded around the rock pathway, the main way in and out of camp. The patrol included Raccoonpelt, Eagleeyes, Wolfgang, and Brightflame. I gave Brightflame a small smile as I left, though I doubted it reached my troubled eyes. He returned it with a grim nod. Always so serious, I mused.

The mountainside was breezy once again. Taking a deep breath, I relished in the scent of the world around me. Wildlife was returning, albeit slowly, to the mountain, and I had a feeling this year would be plentiful. The grass, already back and growing strong, was just past my shoulders, causing a perfect camoflauge to those who knew how to use it. I glided through the grass, as I had been taught, and routinely checked the air for fresh prey trails. Nothing nearby, I realized with a sigh. No sane animal, prey or otherwise, would stay nearby a warrior camp for long, unless they had a death wish.

But still, I thought, it would be nice if it were that easy. But that was quickly creeping up on kittypet-level lazyness, so the though was quickly dismissed from mind. The grasses swayed in the wind, causing the entire mountainside to sway as if it were made out of green water. Hawklegs took a moment to appreciate then view, a thing she felt like she rarely did, before continuing onwards. There was prey to hunt, I though as I weaved my way through the grass.

The first prey Hawklegs spotted was being quite noisy, making it easy to find. Quickly crouching down into a hunters crouch, my eyes scanned the surrounding area to look for anything that might give away my position. A quick check confirmed that the breeze was blowing from the marmot to me, lowing the chances to getting caught. The space between the marmot and myself was about a taillength, an easily jumpable distance, and the only obstacle between the prey and myself was a few grasses, which helped hide my position. Gathering up my strength towards my back legs, I leaped forward, landing my front legs directly on top of the marmot, efficiently snapping the neck in a single bite before it coiukd let out a warning cry to any nearby prey.

After this, Hawklegs felt pretty good. Swoops story was still weighing on the back of her mind, bu I dismissed it quickly. Prey to hunt, remember? I scolded myself, before looking for a thick clump of ferns to hide the marmot in- I would grab it on my way back to camp. After having found a thick patch and successfully hiding it, I continued onwards. At this point I wasn't paying attention to where I was walking, and was slightly surprised to find myself at the Moonclan border.

The large looming rocks that made up their side of their border seemed threatening, as if daring me to wander inwards. Scowling, I checked the air for any prey. Nothing stood out, except... Wait, was that another cat?

But... Their weren't support to be any cats over here, at least no Stoneclan cats. My mind flashed back, and I remembered hearing Hiddenpounce the sunhigh patrol to check our border with the two legs, as we hadn't been able to the other day. No other patrols had been sent out that might be out now, anyways, and hunting patrols tended to avoid borders, even borders of our allies.

Quickly I crouched down low. Best not to let the other cat know I was there. Briefly I wondered if it would be another cat in conditions similar to Swoop's, but once scenting no fresh blood, the thought was quickly deminished. Plus this cat was making noise. They weren't making any move to silent their movements, so probably not an attack or a hunting patrol. Steeling myself, I boldly stood up and revealed myself.

"Who goes there?" I called out, only to be met with silence.

A/N HIIII!!!!! So yeah, I'm sorry this is so late. :( School started up and I just got really distracted. Plus alokt of stuff has been going to in my life recently, and I decided I didn't want to abandon this. I will keep on making updates, although I doubt it will be as often as I hope. Sorry guys.
-Wolfy

P.S. YES HAHA FIREBIRD YOUR NEW NICKNAME IS NOW WINGS DEAL WITH IT OKAY!!! ):D