Duskstar let a gust of air whoosh through her nose as she grinned. "Anything would smell better than fish. Except for fox. And ShadowClan." Her eyes sparkled in mirth, her anger not forgotten but left behind, to be dealt with later. Oh, how the clan would have suffered if she did not have Ebonycloud around to relax her. "I suppose the smaller ones have made their escape. Perhaps they will grace this fox-length of forest with thousands of little rabbits."
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"If he dies, then it will be God's will."
"If that was meant to be comforting, it was not."
"Everyone dies eventually. Once you are born, you begin to die."
"That was not comforting either!"
"It is the way of the Creed. Usually our deaths are violent but quick."
Ebonycloud chuckled, "Lets hope so. More prey is always welcome. So, have you had your fill or would you like to continue to hunt?" Ebonycloud's eyes twinkled warmly. Considering that its leafbare it would be best to leave a bit of prey for tomorrow." Ebonycloud sat down just a tail length away from Duskstar. "Hey... Duskstar," he murmured, "Are you really holding up okay? I know its been tough on you since you became a leader." His ice blue eyes filled with a bit of worry. "THe rest of the clan can be a pain but they mean well most of the time."
"The queens could easily share this between themselves and be left full," she murmured, setting the rabbit down next to her as she sat down. Her gaze softened from the teasing mask, from any mask that it ever held. "I'll be fine. I always am...because of you anyway." She smiled softly, her tail flicking the cold dirt behind her. "Sometimes I just...feel like I was forced to grow up too fast. And then I feel bad because I feel like I'm taking it out on the others. Because they're just being young and stupid, like I never got the chance to be."
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"If he dies, then it will be God's will."
"If that was meant to be comforting, it was not."
"Everyone dies eventually. Once you are born, you begin to die."
"That was not comforting either!"
"It is the way of the Creed. Usually our deaths are violent but quick."
Scorchheart looked around the camp. Duskstar and Ebbonycloud had left on a hunting trip,and Shatterstep was buissy collecting more herbs or sprucing up her den. She let out a small sigh. Everyone seemed buissy. She looked around for signs of Paintedleaf and Jaggedpine but found none. "They must still be out there." she said, padding off into the forest away from camp. She opened her mouth to drink in their scents. "So~I guess they didn't leave yet." she sighed. She came up to both of them in a clearing. "Hey you two, come on, let's go!" She laughed. She lead them back to camp, the rest of the patrol following behind. "Yeash, I thought you guys would have gotten to camp sooner." She chuckled. She let them be, waiting for Jaggedpine and Paintedleaf to enter the camp. "Awe, come on guys! I didn't scare you off did I?" she asked in a mellow and laughing tone.
Ebonycloud sighed softly, "Well they will see just how important you are to them soon enough. Let them act like fools when they need to but they will come around." The tom tossed a glance her way, "You werent allowed to just relax after your training but it has served you well. I dont know anyone else that could have taken on the stress that you have bourn since your deputy ceremony. To have one so young be the next in line to be leader... Its rediculous if you look at it but then again... Who could doubt that it was right decision after seeing how fair and justly you have lead this clan." He flicked her side again with his tail. "So cheer up Duskstar. Things could be worse right?"
Jaggedpine laughed and tackled Scorchheart, bounded to his paws, and raced into the camp. "Beat you!" he called, laughing hard. He turned back and strode into the camp. His eyes were full of contentment and his strides were even as he headed to the fresh-kill pile. It was medium. He took a mouse and ate it fast, then went to the middle of the camp. "Anyone want to go on a hunting patrol?" he called out. Swatpaw bounced up to him, and then looked back to his mentor, Pouncetail. She nodded and came up to Jaggedpine. "We'll go," she said, tail waving. Swatpaw was wrestling with himself on the ground when Bluepelt came up and nodded to him. Jaggedpine nodded back. "We need a few more," he whispered to himself, looking around the camp.
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I am Jaggedpine. Just thought I should let you know.