stand by me [o]

[rowanstreak - *]

"One whisker, two whiskers... three whiskers..."

He unsheathed his claws, feeling them latch into the well worn bark of the archaic oak tree. His paws curled, claws raking further under the bark until they were securely fastened in the wood. Rowanstreak eyed the base of the tree, spotting ancient marks from cats before his time, both old and fresh - each set of scratches with their own story.

"four... five..." The warrior's green orbs promptly shut and he held firm on his hind legs as a particularly strong gust of wind buffeted against his short fur, sending leaves tumbling to the forest floor. They swirled around his feet and Rowanstreak took a deep breath, continuing his counting mantra under his breath.

He knew that he could do it. "six mice, seven mice..."

There was nothing to fear. He was just being irrational. "C'mon, you sorry excuse of a cat." The dark brown tom's whiskers twitched as he ridiculed himself, eyes darting open as with a heave, his front paws tugged upwards and his hind legs were propelled forward to catch the tree. Rowanstreak's crooked tail waved behind him, a constant reminder of his previous failed attempt to successfully climb the tree. "There's elders out there with more heart than you!"

Rowanstreak's mind was reeling. His claws scraped as he continued to pull himself higher up the tree. He could remember it vividly. None of the other apprentices believed that he could do it and being the loner he was, he went out on his own despite their beliefs and made it to a branch - or, he would have made it to the branch if he hadn't fallen. The bird had startled him and he lost footing...

"eight squirrels, nine stones..." His voice rasped more than usual, his ears were pressed flat against his skull. The fear scent rolled off him in waves and in that instant, he just knew that he was going to fall. The sensation of having nothing but air beneath him left him shivering, his clasp on the tree steadily loosening. The breeze gently caressed him and Rowanstreak gasped as it tickled at his face, air whisking up his nose.

Apparently, StarClan was telling him it would be in his best interest to get down.

...Even though he was hardly a fox-tail up the tree.

And there, Rowanstreak froze. He refused to look down at how far he had come - which wasn't much at all - though his instincts were screaming at him to leap down and never try again. But never, wasn't in the tom's vocabulary. That stubborn sense of bravery of his willed him to keep it moving... even if that meant at a slower pace.

Surely, the tom would probably look odd to any passing cat, snugly holding onto the Ancient Oak for dear life, but then again, Rowanstreak was just 'strange' at times.

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[Sandpaw]

SANDPAW

Sandpaw padded through the forest headed to the Ancient Oak. She hoped she could be able to bring a few mice back to camp, maybe a thrush even! Her lithe body wove through the undergrowth, her ears twitching to catch the slightest sound. There! She froze as the soft chattering of a wood mouse rustled the crackly leaves only a fox-length away. Crouching down, she placed her paws as light as a feather down on the forest floor steadily making progress on the mouse. She paused a tail-length away, wriggling her haunches she tensed her muscles to leap upon her prey. A split second later, she hurled herself forward, pinning the suprised mouse under her forepaws. She ended it's life with a sharp bite to the neck. She decided to continue to the Ancient Oak and bury her prey there, along with anything else she may find.

Arriving at the Ancient Oak, Sandpaw gazed up to the topmost branches to find a thrush preening near the middle of the great tree. Flicking her tail, the thrush fluttered off deeper into the forest. She gazed angrily after it. Get over it Sandpaw, she thought to herself. You'll find some more mice in no time. Even better than that thrush. This on her mind, she dug a shallow hole for her prey and set the mouse inside and padding the earth on top of it. Getting to her paws, she continued to search for the next unlucky piece of fresh-kill to cross her path. Creeping closer to the Ancient Oak, she crouched down to wait for the familiar chatter of mice. A faint scent caught her nose, Rowanstreak? Inhaling deeply, she discovered the scent was coming DOWN on her. He is in the tree?
She snorted.
Toms.
She was about to continue her hunt, but she caught fear scent mingled with Rowanstreak's. Her paws tingling, she crept her way to the oak, expecting to find the warrior climbing the tree in pursuit of a thrush, or squirrel perhaps?Maybe he spotted enemy warriors? ShadowClan? WindClan? Instead, she came to a halt as she gazed up at the horrified tom barely a fox-length up the tree. Ears flat to his head and his eyes wide. Her tail flicking in amusement, she unsheathed her claws and latched onto the tree herself. The bark was thick and soft, perfect climbing material, she thought. Her long sandy tail flicking to keep her balance, she scurried up the tree. She had taught herself well how to climb trees, by keeping her paws spread just so she could easily keep her balance.
In seconds she arrived next to Rowanstreak. So, she began with her most innocent voice she could muster. What'cha doing?

WC: 445
ooc: Sorry, she had to have something interesting happen today. Figured that finding a tom in a tree was exiting enough for this kitty!

[rowanstreak - *]

He couldn't go up or down. How embarrassing. His heart began to race in his chest as he heard movement below him. Focusing, he took in a quick breath and recognized it as another ThunderClan cat... a she-cat... but he was too unsteady to really tell who. Rowanstreak put on a brave face, brows furrowing, whiskers twitching, mouth now adorned with a frustrated frown. The warrior heard claws latch onto the bark and he prepared himself to be laughed at until...

"So, what'cha doing?"

It was only Sandpaw. He sighed, eyes closing before opening again. Rowanstreak looked over at her, conjuring up his response, hoping his voice wouldn't betray him. "Hunting, obviously." Rowanstreak grumbled passively, averting his eyes towards the upper branches. "See, there was a bird up there. It got away. Probably heard you coming and flew off." The brown tom reached one paw up, clasping onto the bark before inching up just enough so that he could swat his tail at the similarly colored she-cat's head. The small shift up the tree had caused him to panic again and now that he wasn't alone and in the presence of what seemed to be an expert tree climber...

"Sandpaw, I take it you're good at climbing trees," The warrior stated awkwardly, hind paws scraping at the bark, sending small pieces dropping to the bramble covered ground. He could tell that the apprentice was still close to him and with a breath, he rasped quickly, "How do I get down?" Rowanstreak's ears pricked as the same bird that previously flew off flitted towards one of the branches, shaking the thin limb and sending leaves showering them. The bird tweeted and Rowanstreak swore it was laughing at him. "Right, real funny, huh? A cat that can't climb trees. You better not tell anyone, Sandpaw." The warrior growled, just wishing that there was some easy secret to climbing that he just didn't know about.

Being off the ground was really doing a number on him. Sure, Rowanstreak wasn't usually social, but never would he sound so... hostile. The fear-scent was enough to tell any passing cat however that the warrior was in distress. "Do I just... hop down?"

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[Sandpaw]

SANDPAW

Sandpaw chuckled good-naturedly. But she couldn't help but feel a little compassion for the rust-colored warrior. She remembered how frightened she was when she didn't know the trick to smooth climbing. She cast her gaze downward as she heard the light thud of a bark landing on the forest floor. She twisted her head to look at Rowanstreak, a look muddled with compassion and amusement lit her golden eyes. Here she was, eleven moons old and she was showing a warrior how to get out of a tree.

"Do I just...hop down?"

The rusty warrior was definitely not used to heights, she thought. Otherwise he would know that 'hopping down' will most likely involve an injury of some kind. So in response, she shook her head. Contemplating whether to show him or instruct him. Show him won.

Her feathered tail flicked his flank lightly, she could sense his frustration and embarrassment as obvious as the tree itself. She decided to show him the best way to grip the tree, allowing better stability, especially on the way down. "Just do what I do and you'll be down in no time." Indicating with her paws, she spaced them almost a tail-length apart, her belly fur just grazing the bark and her muscles knotted under her sleek pelt. "If you spread your paws just so, you can stabilize yourself better. But to tight and it'll be rough getting down. Make sure your belly just touches the bark, ok?" Sandpaw's hind legs and forepaws moved in opposite rhythm. Left forepaw, right hindpaw, right forepaw, right hindpaw. Easing herself down to the gnarled roots of the tree, she called up to him. "Just holler if you need any help. I'll be waiting right here." Lowering her haunches to the thick roots of the Ancient Oak, she decided now was the time to wash herself clean of the brown dust of the old oak that clung to her fur. Curling lustrous tail over her paws, she proceeded to do just that until Rowanstreak proceeded down the old tree.


ooc: Short post.

[rowanstreak - *]

He knew for sure that after this, he'd be putting in a good word to Sandpaw's mentor. The tom spotted the mild entertainment in her gaze, but was easily able to spot the tender feeling in those brown eyes. At least she cared enough to give an example, urging him to mimic her movements. The warrior felt his fang dig into his jaw with nervousness as he watched the apprentice scale down the tree after explaining the separated paw trick.

After only a few seconds, she had made it down and that prompted him to start. Spreading his paws apart just as Sandpaw had shown him. He noticed how tight his grip was on the bark and relaxed ever so slightly, already feeling the difference. He could feel the Oak's familiar shell rubbing against his belly and now that he had finished prepping for his descent.

In opposite succession, just as the she-cat's limbs had tread, Rowanstreak slowly began down the tree. His tail was as straight it could get beneath him, the tip twitching anxiously. A small smile lit his features as finally, he lowered his left hindpaw and felt... "Land!"

Almost too quickly, he detached himself from the tree, angling his body with feline precision to land a bit shakily on his paws. He could still hear his heart pounding in his ears and excited, olive green eyes flitted towards Sandpaw. Rowanstreak nodded his head thankfully, always the polite one, "That was quite a scene... but you know me, Rowanstreak the Great wouldn't be great at all without making an entrance." Despite the she-cat's grooming, the rusty colored tom had always been fond of the younger generation and couldn't help but to share a head nudge.

His paws were still trembling from nearly reliving another fall, but he wasn't sure it was from the thrill or fear itself. "What brings you out this way?"

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[Sandpaw]

SANDPAW

Sandpaw's eyes lit up with amusement and couldn't bite back a purr that rose through her throat. "Oh, but Rowanstreak the Great wouldn't be great without including Sandpaw the Pesky Apprentice!" Her tail flipped neatly over her paws, trying her hardest to look innocent. Though she know she must have had at least some look of humour about her.
Finished with her grooming, she allowed her paws to sit neatly against the cool bark of the Oak. She would have liked to climb back up and possibly leap to some of the topmost branches. Someday she would have to teach Rowanstreak how to climb up. But Rowanstreak continued,
"What brings you out this way?"

Sandpaw's tail flicked from the top of her paws and angled to where a neat hole had recently been dug. "Hunting. I was trying to catch something for the elders. Or at least something for the fresh-kill pile." Her eyes softened. "Would you like a mouse? I can catch more here. All the prey will be out to collect nuts or something." She paused, "I'm sure your hungry after your expedition." Leaping to her paws, she trotted over to the mouse she had caught earlier. It was a plump mouse, and would probably satisfy a hungry warrior. For a while at least. Picking up the mouse neatly in her jaws, she leapt back onto the roots of the Oak. She leaned forward and dropped the fresh-kill at Rowanstreak's paws. A smile crossed her face.

At sun-high, the sun shone brightly turning her sandy fur to silver and it's rays warming her leaf-fall chilled fur. She closed her eyes in contentment. Suddenly remembering she was sitting on a root.
In the forest.
In front of a warrior.
She straightened quickly and tried to appear less dreamy.
"So," she said, flicking the mouse closer to Rowanstreak with her feathery tail. A new tone of briskness appeared in her voice as she continued. "perhaps when you finish that mouse we can hunt together?"

[rowanstreak - *]

Rowanstreak the Great and Sandpaw the Pesky Apprentice, huh? The brown warrior smiled faintly, his legs now devoid of any of his fearful tremors. The cat didn't feel as awkward around the apprentice, despite her seeing his helplessness in the tree and his words felt more natural, and less forced as he spoke with her. "Sounds like we're the best duo ever known to cat-kind." It was a cheesy sentiment, but then again, Rowanstreak wasn't known for his humor.

When Sandpaw mentioned she had been hunting for the elders, Rowanstreak's heart seemed to drop. Had he distracted her from her tasks ? In no way would he send her back empty-pawed, but knowing that the time she spent helping him could have been used for something of greater importance... Rowanstreak paused in mid-thought as he was offered a mouse. His eyes were rimmed with surprise and before he could even kindly decline the prey, Sandpaw was already up retrieving it.

It was dropped in front of him and there was no way that could say no to it anymore. "Thanks, Sandpaw," His mouth watered at the fresh scent of the mouse and as he lowered his muzzle down to it, he could still feel the seeping warmth of the rodent. Rowanstreak lifted his eyes to glance at Sandpaw, seeing that she had spaced out in some sort of daze. He blinked, staring, and quickly shifted his eyes as she snapped out of her dream-like state.

"A nice hunt to stretch my legs and work off this mouse will be good," He began, "But I won't be eating this alone." Gingerly, Rowanstreak nudged the mouse towards the roots of the trees and closer to Sandpaw, taking a well-sized bite for himself. He tilted his head towards the prey, a signal for her to take a mouthful. "Go on. I couldn't just eat in front of you."

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[Sandpaw]

Sandpaw purred in amusement. "Alright," she meowed. She swept the mouse closer to her paws. Eyeing Rowanstreak with an amused, yet impressed gaze she ate the rest of the mouse, which was smaller than she had previously thought. Though it was juicy. Licking her chops after it was finished, her golden gaze locked to Rowanstreak's in a silent, unspoken question.

The she-cat rose to her paws and averted her gaze up into the branches of the Oak. What it would be like to climb into those topmost branches... to feel the wind in her fur... She dug her claws into the root on which she was standing on in order to keep her paws on the ground instead of scrambling up the Ancient Oak.
A soft crackle broke her out of her trance. Squirrel! She slowly lowered herself into the hunter's crouch and flicked her ears at Rowanstreak to be still. Silently, she positioned herself so her scent wouldn't carry.

The squirrel was nibbling on a acorn just outside the gnarled roots of the great tree. It was large and plump. Nearly the size of Harmonypaw! she recalled teasingly.
The squirrel took a step towards the waiting apprentice, searching for a second nut. Sandpaw's muscles tensed. but she did not rustle a leaf. As the squirrel took another few paces towards her, she lunged. Swift as a snake, she pinned the surprised squirrel beneath her forepaws and took little time to give the fatal bite to the rodent's neck. Flicking her tail happily, she picked up her prey and lugged it towards Rowanstreak.

After burying her squirrel, she leapt back onto her perch atop the roots of the Ancient Oak. Her gaze held no pride or superiority as she gazed at Rowanstreak. Only warm determination. Her tail flicked over her paws. "You ready? We could hunt here a minute or two, then make our way out." Suddenly, she remembered she was only an apprentice, and she had no right to give any advice to a warrior. But the words were out and she couldn't take them back. She only hoped that Rowanstreak wouldn't think she was ordering him around. She flicked her ear self-consciously.