It as a sunny morning, the last remains of the leaves were flying to the ground as every gentle zephyr passed by. Cold enough to fluff out your fur, but not to let your retreat inside of a den. The perfect weather when you just wanted to stretch out your legs and take a lap around the territory. Energy shooting through muscles that were perfectly formed and adapted to taking powerful strokes through the deep water that RiverClan found rather comforting.

Scents of fresh kill, cats, the water, and the approaching chill and frost of the morning stirred the day. Sounds of crunching leaves, the gentle flow of the brook, and the click and clatter of branches tapping each other high above their heads. The birds calling to one another, chatting like no other even in this chilly day. All was calm, along all boarders, as the dawn patrol returned nonchalantly. The smell of fresh kill filled their noses as a water vole was dropped onto the frost covered fresh kill pile.

Silverstep, a beautiful snow leapard in miniature as a bengal, broke through the camp barrier. Already the bottom of his front paws were slightly damp at the sign of a failed fishing attempt. Once the boarders had been scouted and scented, they took some time to hunt. It had been mildly successful, but nothing to boast about. Padding forward, green explosions of eyes scanning the area noticed a lone apprentice rather skittish.

Curious, the happy tom padded up behind Cinderpaw, his shadow and scent warning her of his approach. Stopping next to the small one, noticed how she seemed to hold back a lot of emotion. Examining her, almost pondering what to say or do asked mildly. "What are you doing?" It wasn't an accusing tone, but rather innocent. Almost as if she were playing some type of game and he was asking to play along. Always able to get along with the young rather well. Better than some of his fellow warriors.

Stretching his front legs forward, let cream claws scrape against the hard packed earth. Recoiling back into his stance, let the wind whisp around him. The scent of the water vole causing his mouth to water. Thinking maybe he'd take the apprentice out hunting a bit later, asked, "Are you doin' anything? Surely not planning on swimming today." The thought of the icy water hitting his paws made his fur fluff up. Always rather the stubborn when it came to personal comfort. 'Thank Starclan for cozy warm nests.'


{419 Words}
{Listening to 'Beat It'}

Vervedash's body went into a short convulsive shock, the fur along his hidden spine prickling in the image of a porcupine's back. The sensation of his mate's tail close to his was unnerving, and yet somehow simultaneously very comforting. How was it that Silverstep could feed snakes down Vervedash's throat and cause his tummy to tumble, but then make his mind soar higher than StarClan? Love and affection was a curious thing, and perhaps the two warriors were too young to understand such a concept right now. Their relationship was like a kitty cat version of summer love, without the tire swings and cheap truck rides.

Cinderpaw's reaction to Vervedash's absent minded demeanor was a bit shocking, causing the bi-colored tom to be taken aback a bit. How could such a young cat be so snippy to someone of the same Clan, and someone older at that. Well, surely she needed some sort of disciplinary action. Sadly Vervedash was not the type to deal out punishment with extended claws, his mind was much more focused on Silverstep and the idea of running out to play again. Dilly-dallying and stopping to smell the roses were the highest things on Vervedash's to-do list, right next to sleeping in the sun and and pouncing on Silverstep to annoy him. Oh, youth.

"Oh, who cares how far along she is. We should go out and play~" Vervedash impatiently blurted out, suddenly rearing up onto his back legs like a bucking horse before crashing his underside onto Silverstep's body. Bluntly, he was riding him, looking like he was either attempting to rape him, fight him, or dominate him otherwise. The correct answer would be D, none of the above. Resorting back to apprentice-like behavior, Verve would sink his teeth painlessly into Silverstep's scruff, tugging with his neck on the other tom with teasing force. It was as if he was attempting to topple them both over, with Verve on the bottom and his stomach being caved in by Silverstep's back.

There was something about this quirky tom that always set the playful mood. "We'll go hunt fish or name the trees, c'monnn," Verve would whine, his tone muffled and awkward due to a full mouth of, well, fur. Finally releasing his play mate, Verve would shimmy his way father up Silverstep's body, using him as a couch as his four legs dangled off the sides, the tom's white chin pressed atop the bengal's forehead. He appeared to be a bear rug thrown in front of a fire place. He contemplated closing his eyes and playing dead, perhaps to agitate his loved one, but instead simply began purring.

He wasn't going to give up this fight until this trio was out of this camp and frolicking together. He insisted upon it. However, at the same time, Cinderpaw seemed to be a downer, the gray cloud made pompous with rain and fat with cruelty. For whatever reason this she-cat seemed less than thrilled to even exist. What was it that could make such a young feline be such a depressed little foot note on the history book of RiverClan? Vervedash was a little less than pleased to see this girl come with them, now that he really tossed the idea over and over in the clockwork of his mind.

I mean, what if she only complained the entire time?

What a quirk it was to one minute be sitting down, in such a lovely posture with silver fur fluffed out and tail entwined. Then the next moment to have buckle front legs to prevent falling flat on ones face. Ears splaying tot he side, opened his jaw and gave a small mrrrr. Though it wasn't really aggression, rather than a surprised acknowledgment of a cat being over his back. 'I feel like a pack mule.' Though as jaws closed again, shifting shoulder blades gave a small smile.

Tolerating this behavior was rather an act, when in reality Silverstep enjoyed the attention and the close body interaction. It made him feel accepted, welcome, 'Maybe even loved.' Shifting, ducked out from beneath the male, giving a sharp yet infatuated nip on his elbow. Not breaking the skin, or drawing blood, but to let his sand paper tongue run over a small square of fur. Fluffing out fur once more, gave a small grin and started grooming his pelt. Making sure it was absolutely perfect.

Eyes fell to a wet completely messed up patch of pelt. Eyes widening, said in hysterics between licks. "Look... what... you... have... done... to... my... perfect... pelt!" It took twice the amount of effort to make the fur ly flat and partially dry since Silverpelt was continuously licking his paw or chest out of habit. An obsessive compulsive disorder, to make your pelt be perfect at all times, or face the consequences of half a moon of grooming it.

Raising his head again, couldn't help but think that going back into the trees or into the river would be near suicide in this cold weather. THough this over dramatic thinking didn't make Silverstep much of a downer, more of a kit that needed persuading to take his first bite of fresh kill or take the first steps out of the nursery. Sniffing, caught a pitiful glance from the apprentice. Highly affronted, took a sheathed paw and cuffed her around the ears. "Mind your elders." Laughing, addressed Vervedash. "When I'm an elder, I'll be the crankiest one alive! Just for you apprentices."

Standing, let the top of his tail tap Cinderpaw on the rump, "Come on, Vervedash's wishes must always come true. Anywho; we could catch a fish, or climb a tree, or do some other fun activity that happens to appear productive when we're really just goofing off." A small mrrow of laughter issued from jaw, as a purr ran from the pith of vocal cords. Dashing around, glanced at the frost covered, cold, freshkill pile. 'Maybe a warm land mammal as well.'


{432 Words}
{Listening to 'I'm Lonely'}