YOUR{lips}ARE*poison* (Firefly)

[xx snakey]

Ghostwalker

Ghostwalker stalker through the tall grass, his tail waving to clear the way for Ravenpaw, who was following behind him. The young tom was almost fully grown now, but still lacked the features of an adult. His paws weren't as clumsy as they used to be but his ears were still too big for him and he still tended to stumbled around. His voice cracked sharply, and the odd tuff of hair that sprouted from the top of his head and hung down over his eyes was getting dangerously long on one side. The apprentice weaved through the weeds after Ghostwalker, his head low and everyonce and a while he'd stop to lick his wrist. Ghostwalker knew of his... scratching habits but truly didn't care. The poor thing had had a miserable kithood, his father dying in battle and his mother jumping into the gorge and all, Ghostwalker didn't blame him for comforting himself in pain. But that was old news. Today Ghostwalker was supposed to be training him, since Iridescentsight had a thorn in her pad. He led the way confidently through his own territory toward the old gnarled tree where he'd teach Ravenpaw how to climb. Even though Windclanner's didn't need that skill, if he were ever to be caught in battle with a Thunderclanner, climbing trees was a valuable skill. He glanced back at the young tom, his cobalt blue eyes indifferent. He almost smiled, the tom had looked so crestfallen ever since Ghostwalker had told him that he was mentoring him today it almost made the tom smile. Looks like someone has a crush. He thought, smirking.

Ravenpaw

Ravenpaw looked up to see Ghostwalker smirking at him, a knowing look on his face and did everything he could not to snarl and say something snide and rude. But he remembered Ghostwalker was the clan deputy, and held his tongue. He just wished he was training with Iridescentsight today, she was so much more... He looked Ghostwalker up and down and snorted. She's definately easier on the eyes. He thought, purring in amusement before he quieted himself again. He flicked his head to the side, brushing his hair out of his yellow orbs before it fell back in place. Starclan above! It was so annoying! He grumbled something obscene under his breath while they padded into the clearing around the old tree. He looked up its twisted, leafless trunk and sighed. What in Starclan's name did Ghostwalker expect to teach him here? He walready knew how to climb, he and Sunflowerkit had climbed this tree a million times. He'd even taught Shiverpaw how to climb here. Thinking about Shiverpaw made him sigh again. She'd been his only true friend, maybe he'd even loved her, but the day she became a warrior she'd left him. He wasn't good enough for her. Shaking the memories away he looked at Ghostwalker, raising an eyebrow. Thunder rolled over head and he glanced toward the sky, the scent of rain filling the air. Dark clouds billowed over top of the two, looking like angry elders twitching in their nests. Ravenpaw shuddered at the antisipated storm. This better be quick, I do NOT want to go to sleep with wet fur tonight.

[FireFlyDragon]

[Rootpelt]

The stalks of tall grass rustled ever so slightly upon Rootpelt’s movement, thankfully not enough to alert prey that anything strange or dangerous might be about. Which at times was true, especially in late leaf-fall like this drowsy morning. So far he had spent most of the day on hunting duty, taking his time with stalking and in turn making this a slow paced, yet relaxing day. His destination at this time was the oak tree, one of his favorite places just to be around, it was especially a fun place when mentor battle trained there and Rootpelt felt almost a yearning to be an apprentice again just to have those sessions. Rootpelt wasn’t quite sure what had drawn him to this place today, maybe it was just the memories of battle training here or maybe because it was the only place he hadn’t hunted around yet.

Either way Rootpelt doubted any prey would be out and about, considering that he had just scented two WindClan warriors around the area. Always reserved the cat slowly set his head just above the grass’s tips to find their location. Spotting them not far from the tree’s gnarled trunk he quietly slithered about the tough bunches of grass as he got closer. Not the Rootpelt was spying on the pair; he just didn’t like to introduce himself when not needed. Now just before the edge line of the cover he stopped, and laid upon his stomach, wondering when the two would notice him. From this distance Rootpelt could now see the warriors’ well warrior’s and apprentice’s faces. Well it was none other then Ravenpaw and Ghostwalker, two very important cats…Well one soon to be in a very important position.

He remained still though, still wanting to abandon his little test quite yet, after all he was still a young warrior, and he figured he might need a little stalking practice every now and then. The increasing wind was still blowing towards him and the rustling of drying grasses might have masked his previous approach. Well, he might as well watch until they noticed him, he had brought back plenty of prey already. More then his share some would say.

[xx snakey]

Ghostwalker

Ghostwalker padded up to the old oak and smirked again, stretching up to rake his claws down the trunk and then yawn before turning back to Ravenpaw. He settled down, taking a minute to get comfortable, then he flicked his tail to the tree. "Climb that." He said, his voice steady and calm. It was going to be fun watching Ravenpaw fail numerous times.

Ravenpaw

Ravenpaw sighed, looking at the tom with a slight hint of malice. Walking up to the tree casually, he launched himself up the twisted trunk with easy and slithered over the branched until his was situated on one of his favorite look out spots. He looked down at the disbeleif on Ghostwalker's face and smiled. "Now what?" he called, a coy smirk twisting into his expression. Taking a minute to look around he spotted ever so vaguely the pelt of another cat. It was brown, and sort of reminded him of Sandclaw. But she was in the Elder's den now, what was she doing out here? Taking a minute to perch himself on the end of the branch, he sprang off toward the other figure, his tail whirling wildly in the air to keep himself balanced. He landed just a scant tail length from the other, and took a minute to shake of the impact from his fall. He looked at the other tom, now who he recognized as a Windclan warrior. Ghostwalker was by his side that next moment, sniffing him over and checking for injuries, but there were none surprisingly. "What are you doing here?" He asked, his tone casual, almost friendly.

[FireFlyDragon]

[Rootpelt]

Rootpelt watched as the pair approached the tree, Ghostwalker using it momentarily as a scratching post. Rootpelt felt his tail twitch with slight amusement, it looked like the older tom was just waiting for the apprentice to fail as he let out unheard words while his tail motioned towards the tree. Ravenpaw, though a little unwillingly launched himself up with such speed that even Rootpelt was a little impressed, not that he wasn’t very hard to impress, just that he didn’t often show it with a cock of his head.

Taking a moment to study Ghostwalker’s look of complete disbelief his neck bent backwards as his vision switched back to the young tom situated proudly upon a barren bough. As his own orbs found Ravenpaw’s face the tom was suddenly staring strait back at him. Letting out a purr as the realization that he had been spotted was true, and this was seemingly a correct thought as the black apprentice leapt off from the branch, landing not paw steps away from the lounging warrior.

As Ghostwalker appeared at the apprentice’s side Rootpelt stepped out from the cover of the grasses, his pale orbs seeing with almost a look of indifference, though thats what most took his usually look for. “Hunting.” The tom replied shortly, his voice was quiet though one wouldn’t take that he was shy, or at this time acting on that emotion. Instead he was looking upon Ravenpaw with his head cocked to the side. “But I decided to practice my stalking. And if you’re up to it shall we do some climbing?”

Most cats would be surprised that Rootpelt would even talk this much, especially to a cat he really didn’t know very well, though he never really got to know any cat as he did actually talk much. He was more or less complementing Ravenpaw on his climbing skills by even mentioning it, and he wondered if the black tom would catch it. Turning to Ghostwalker he dipped his head ever so slightly to show his respect though he said nothing in a greeting. He figured the tom wouldn’t need one, as he thought of him not wanting a sentence every time he meet another of his clan.

[xx snakey]

Ravenpaw

Ravenpaw nodded a greeting to Rootpelt, recognizing him now. He'd thought for sure it was Sandclaw, but maybe not. Not that he missed his former mentor... Or maybe he did, he didn't know. But he jumped at the thought of climbing with another cat. None of the other apprentices liked him anyway. "Sure!" Then he paused and looked at Ghostwalker, his yellow eyes curious. "If it's okay with you, of course." He tried to look hopeful, but he and Ghostwalker weren't particularly close and he didn't know the tom very well. He hoped he'd say yes.

Ghostwalker

Ghostwalker flicked his tail, but that was the only aknowledgement he gave to Rootpelt. Sure the brown tom was one of his clan mates but he'd talked to him very much. He thought about the prospect of watching Rootpelt climb, which might be slightly amusing. He shrugged. "That's fine... I may even join you." He mused, then lashed his tail, dismissing the idea. He nodded toward the tree. "Go right ahead. It'll be good practice for Ravenpaw. And with that he padded away to find a comfortable spot to watch. He was too old for this, he thought, even though he was a scant five moons older then Rootpelt. Oh well.

[FireFlyDragon]

[Rootpelt]

Rootpelt watched with pale eyes as the two cats before him took their actions. Ravenpaw replying to his offer eagerly, but not before remembering that he needed the mentor’s permission. The deputy merely gave a flick of his tail to acknowledge the tan warrior, but that’s all he needed. He seemed to muse over the thought, and eventually gave his reply as a yes. Rootpelt’s gaze then returned to Ravenpaw’s and his tail flipped towards the gnarled trunk of the tree, signaling that they could start. Then turning he trotted off towards the large base, hopping over misplaced roots and such along the way.

Now resting upon his haunches the warrior could now recall how big this old tree was, and he mentally marked the highest he had ever got on it. He vaguely wondered if he could reach his old record, after all he hadn’t climbed this tree since he was an older apprentice. His mother thought climbing trees was in a way an insult to WindClan blood. Why would we need such a skill if our clan will keep WindClan territory!? Rootpelt remembered her fiery tone when she had spoken those words, and how he had then vowed not to climb for her sake…But overtime he had begun in secret again. He always felt guilty about going behind his mother’s back but…He wasn’t breaking the warrior code by climbing, and it could prove useful. One could really never know.

He shook himself from these thoughts with a twitch of his ears, turning back to let out a few words to the hopefully following Ravenpaw. “Just say when” His muscles felt ready, and Rootpelt felt ready to with his heart already starting to pound with awaiting excitement and his paws tingling to start the ascend upwards. He crouched lightly, throwing most of his weight onto his back limbs in preparation for the leap forward. Oh yeah, Rootpelt was defiantly ready to climb.

[xx snakey]

Ravenpaw padded after the other tom eagerly, watching him prepare himself. He smiled, he hadn't climbed trees with anyone in ages, the last time he had, he remembered, was when he'd stayed for a short time in Riverclan. The trees in that territory were much harder to climb though, with all the leaves and twigs in the way. He prefered this gnarled old oak.

Walking around the tree once, he finally settled himself at the base and through his weight back onto his haunches, so that he was almost sitting up right, his toes brushing against the ground. He didn't know why he sat that way or who'd taught it to him, he just remembered that it got him higher up the tree faster. He looked at Ghostwalker for a signal to start.


Ghostwalker lay lazily in a patch of clover off to one side, watching the two with a bemused expression. At Ravenpaw's questioning glance, he assesed whether or not both toms were ready. They looked ready. He smiled, just a twitch of his lips and then raised his voice for them to hear. "Go." Was all he said, but it was enough to send Ravenpaw up the tree.

There was a moment where the sensation of flying tingled in Ravenpaw's stomach before his outstretched forepaws grasped the trees peeling bark. The hooked in, jerking him to a momentry stop while his hind legs caught up, and then propelled him another tail length or so up the tree and onto the nearest branch. He paused there, his heart pounding in his chest and took a minute to find where Rootpelt was.

[FireFlyDragon]

[Rootpelt]

As Rootpelt readied himself the young tom who had hurried up beside him was doing the same, sitting up upon his haunches as he studied the towering oak for a mere moment before his gaze drifted to Ghostwalker; most likely waiting for the word. Rootpelt could feel his stomach churn with anticipation, and his haunches tighten as they began to shift their weight impatiently. As his ears flicked back, just waiting for the signal his orbs distanced himself from the trunk, making sure he was prepared as Ghostwalker’s voice sent his body propelling forwards and up.

As his front claws hooked deep into the tree’s twisted bark his hind legs curled beneath him, for a mere second his body weight was supported by his upper half, which was larger and more muscular then most WindClan cats. As his haunches hit the flaking bark he clawed upwards with his front limbs, he did this continually until he reached a branch with enough space so he could sit back upon his hindquarters easily. And as he pulled himself up that’s just what he did, giving himself a quick shake before looking about to find Ravenpaw’s position.

The black pelt of the apprentice was at first difficult to discern from the tree’s own dark coating, but it wasn’t long before Rootpelt caught him in his sights. A small purr left his throat as he saw that the tom was barley a branch below him, looking pretty comfortable on it too. “Pretty good Ravenpaw.” He called, hoping that the apprentice could hear him over the still harsh wind. “Lets see who can get the highest shall we?” Rootpelt was in the mood for a little competition, though he could feel that his muscles were a little unused to such fast movement as they already felt a little exerted.

[xx snakey]

Ravenpaw smirked at the challenge, nodding slightly and then readying himself to climb upward. He sprang up onto the twisted trunk again and hauled himself onto the next highest branch. He didn't stop to look back at Rootpelt. He lept toward the next branch, his claws finding purchase on the twisted bark. But then it slipped away from the weathered wood. Ravenpaw scrambled to cling to the branch, adrenaline pulsing through his veins as his back legs flailed uselessly in the air. He hissed in frustration, pulling up hard with his front paws and gasping as pain shot through his wrists, white dots sparkling in his vision. He'd opend an old wound, his blood dripping onto the branch he was so feverantly trying to grasp. "H-help!"

[FireFlyDragon]

[Rootpelt]

The black tom speed off as quickly as he could, his claws bringing himself upwards as he passed Rootpelt. The tan tom then launched himself after the apprentice, his back legs pushing his form ever higher as his muscles flexed and pulled, always tense as he continued up the tree. Upon pausing to catch his breath while crouching upon a thick branch the tom took the moment to locate the other cat, his gaze falling upon the black apprentice as he hurled himself once more off his own support to cling to a branch higher up.

Rootpelt felt himself faltering as the tom lost his paw hold, his hind limbs dangling precariously in the air as he feverishly tried to find his footing. The tom hesitated, worried that the cat would loose his grip and fall back to the earth but he remained motionless for a moment longer. His mind battling on a decision.

As the apprentice’s words reached him he instantly flung himself over the tree, his claws digging deep into the bark as he shimmied across and then up to the apprentice’s location. A little breathless the tan warrior hauled himself up on the struggling cat’s purchase, hurrying along its length until he was positioned above the smaller form. “Don’t struggle.” He ordered shortly; his jaws latching upon the young cat’s neck fur as his body above strained to hold everything still upon the thinning ledge.

Slowly, and no doubt cautiously the tom slid his hindquarters to the side, closer to the base of the extending limb as he tried to pull his cargo to a thicker area. It was now that the smell of blood shifted through the air and the tom for a moment wondered if his teeth had gone father then just the fur on the younger cat’s neck. He didn’t have time to contemplate the possibility as he continued to haul the cat upward. Maybe now the tom would be able to regain some footing as his shoulders and neck strained from his weight, thank goodness he was a little stronger then most WindClan cats at the front half.

[xx snakey]

Ravenpaw felt releif wash over him as Rootpelt's teeth grabbed him gently around the scruff. His back claws soon touched the branch and he pushed himself back up onto the branch, teetering for a moment and then slowly scrambling acrossed to the thicker part of the branch infront of Rootpelt. He dipped his head respectfully. "Thanks. The bark slipped right out from under me." He stopped to inpect his legs, gave them a few quick licks to staunch the blood flow, and then glanced back at Ghostwalker.

Ghostwalker had stood, concern crossing his gaze for only a minute as the black apprentice struggled, but now he could see he was just fine. He'd never doubted the tan colored warrior for a second, knowing his clan mate would help the apprentice. "Are you alright?" He called up, though Ravenpaw only looked a little shaken, nothing more.