Applespice arrived at camp, only to have Silverfox come up to her, looking concerned. "Are you alright?" He asked quietly and the tortie queen frowned, looking towards the silver tom. In the background, she heard Smudgedpaw thank her and she smiled at the young apprentice, nodding softly before turning back to Silverfox.
"Of course," the older queen purred. "I decided to get out and do some hunting. Smudgedpaw is turning into quite the hunter. I'm afraid I'm out of practice." She narrowed her eyes. "Why did you assume something was wrong?"
Silverfox sighed and nodded to Harpypaw. "They were made apprentices while you were gone. The queen's eyes widened and her fur bristled. She had missed their own ceremony!? Applespice shook her head, looking at her paws.
"I...I didn't know," she whispered and Silverfox nudged her gently. She was one of the few cats he could talk to willingly and he didn't enjoy seeing her so upset.
"It wasn't your fault. They did very well on their own...I don't think they are mad, perhaps worried," he assured her and the queen sighed, looking over at her oldest son. He was there, talking with Ratpaw. Of course. He definitely had a thing for calicos...much like his father...
Spiritpaw brightened up at the sound of that and padded alongside Rainstar eagerly. She had so many questions but didn't want to overwhelm the leader. The dark ginger tabby observed their surroundings, taking note of places she would want to explore later. Perhaps some of the apprentices would like to come along with her as well. Spiritpaw wanted to try and make more friends since they would be living together in a den for the rest of their lives. It also was nice to talk to someone other than her brother.
Harpypaw noticed Smudgedpaw slip into camp with prey hanging from her jaws, followed by his mother. HIs ice blue eyes narrowed at the queen, his tail tip twitching. Huffing, he decided that Spiritpaw would disapprove of his anger and really, causing a scene now wouldn't benefit him in the slightest. He was a strong, brave cat and didn't cause worthless fights like kits did. His blue eyes glanced down towards Ratpaw, who seemed way too excited to be talking to someone.
The young tom put on a charming smile and nodded his head. "That would be great! I can even make a nest for Spiritpaw for when she gets back. I suspect she will be tired from roaming all of the territory," he added with a purr, dipping his head as he got to his paws. "Show the way."
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Pounding. Pounding head. My head...AH!
The black and gray creature lumbered down the forest pass, groaning and shoving his head against the ground, rubbing it against the soft dirt. The badger snarled as the pounding in his head increased and the creature staggered, his vision blurring. His sides heaved considerably and his jaws were opened, panting heavily. The male badger stumbled again, making another sound of aggravation.
He had been out about three moons, looking for food when suddenly his mate came out nowhere and attacked him. She had bitten him in the shoulder before lumbering off. When he returned tot he den, the cubs were gone and she was dead. He concluded that a fox had taken them when his mate had went after him. The male didn't understand what had happened. His mate had been one of the gentlest souls and it was odd for her to attack him.
The only connection he could make was when she was bitten by a strange, mad cat that came out of nowhere as well. That had been two moons before he got bitten and his mate had often complained of not feeling well. It wasn't until this past week she had been more volatile and violent...
And now, he was feeling the same. Wandering around since then, the male could feel himself fading faster and faster. His large paws tripped over himself and he growled in frustration. Lifting his large snout, he caught a faint smell of cats. The scent hinted they were some distance away. A large group of them. Normally, if his mind was clear, he would have second guessed about attacking a large group of felines. However, his mind was pulsing and his stomach rumbled. He was hungry. He wanted food. And kitty sounded wonderful.