Hunting for Revenge [Rugged-Quil/OPEN]

[spottypelt]

[Ruggedstep and Quilwhisker]

Ruggedstep crashed his way through the dense undergrowth towards Tallpines, Quilwhisker not far behind. Ruggedstep had been sent on a hunting patrol with his former apprentice by the tom who had been made deputy over himself. What a fox-heart! He thought, lashing his tail and flexing his claws angrilly. How DARE Duskstar! I was the obvious choice, I'm bigger, I'm stronger! I'm smarter than that flimsy-limbed excuse for a cat! The two cats emerged into the sparcly covered area. The soft pine-needles, shrivled by the cold, crunched under their paws as they stalked their prey. Ruggedtsep lifted his head, trying to scent anything, a mouse, vole, magpie, anything! But nothing was out; it was too cold.

"Mouse-Dung!" He swore, sitting and ruffling his shaggy coat against the cold. "Nothing's out! What an idiot, of corse nothing's out. Especially not here! What was he thinking?" He continued skulking and mumbling while Quilwhisker twitched her ears angrilly.

"Look," She said, a twist of annoyance lacing her words. "I get you're angry. About the hunt, about the weather, about not being made deputy. The whole clan gets it. But did you ever think that THIS is the reason Duskstar didn't chose you?" She padded over to her former mentor, poking him in the flank with her tail. "You may be strong and brave, but you're as thick-headed as a dog! Stumbleknot won over you because he can see past his own ego!" She sat down and started washing her whiskers. "So just shut up and hunt, OK?"

Ruggedstep had to admit, he did see what she was saying, but it didn't make him any happier. He stood up and began stalking again, but was interupted when a russling in the bushes scared away the only mouse he had scented all day.


((Open for anyone to jump in! And Stumbleknot, no hard feelings, just keeping Ruggedstep in character!))

[boo]

Risingfeather leaped through the bushes after a mouse, and almost collided with Ruggedstep. He swerved out of the way at the last second, and fell onto his side.

"Oof! Sorry!" He meowed, standing up and waving his tail in greeting. "Were you stalking that mouse? Sorry 'bout that, didn't mean to scare it off!" He had to tilt his head up to look at the intimidating Tom, but Risingfeather was completely at ease. He looked arounf Ruggedstep and twitched his ears at Quilwhisker. "Hello! You two out on a patrol? I didn't think you two were friends!"

[spottypelt]

Ruggedstep wanted to rip the ears off this clumsy warrior, but Quilwhisker pushed her way inbetween him and Risingfeather.

"Stumbleknot sent us on a hunting patrol here. He didn't send you here too...did he?" She twitched her whiskers in annoyance. Risingfeather had busted in and ruined Ruggedstep's improving mood! Now the old tom would never calm down.

Ruggedstep pricked his ears. What's that? Stumbleknot made a mistake? Hmm, maybe the deputy wasn't such a perfect cat after all! "Did, he, Risingfeather?" He asked eagerly. "I knew it. He's as mouse-brained as akit. I would have NEVER made such a foolish mistake." He lifted his head and licked his chest fur.

"Great, and now his ego's swelling." Quilwhisker rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to Risingfeather. "What are you doing here anyway?"