Passing Through the Rainforest ... • {Joust and Backwards} •

[Vivid]

Hawkpaw smiled at rubbed up against Eclipsesun encouragingly.

Echotalon padded up, slinking from nowhere. "Who?"

Cheetahspots snorted, but hid it with a small cough as Echotalon approached. For some reason, he seemed incredibly Lead Warriorish to her.

Larkflight watched Echotalon with a light expression on her face.

[dizzy hurricane.]

Snakestar licked Eclipsesun's nose, and then Hawkpaw's. "I have complete faith in both of you," he purred, and walked out of the den, to his own.

Eclipsesun mewed in response, "Thank you, Snakestar." He was already halfway across the clearing by the time she was able to finish his name. She looked down at Hawkpaw, pleased with her little apprentice.

Dewpaw smiled brightly. "I was introducing Cheetahspots to the Clan members." She turned her attention to the new she-cat. "This is Echotalon, our ... Lead Warrior."

[Vivid]

Hawkpaw smiled and padded out, grabbing something from the Fresh Kill Pile. He brought it to his mentor quietly. "You might be hungry, I thought ..."

Echotalon smiled. "Yep, I'm Echotalon ... the Tailless. I think that's going to be my elder name ..." He wrinkled his nose and shook his head, attempting to touch humor.

Cheetahspots wrinkled her nose, too, finding it the most rediculous thing she'd ever heard. She gave a very, very minute purr to show at least SOME respect, and she nodded.

Larkflight smiled and laughed, knowing that it truly bothered the Manx to have no tail.

[dizzy hurricane.]

Snakestar curled up in his den, watching the clearing with only one eye open. He spotted Larkflight's hiding spot, but didn't bother to point her out to anyone. He raised his head and winked at her, then set it back down.

Eclipsesun purred her thanks and began eating.

Dewpaw's whiskers twitched amusedly. "Oh, come on, Echotalon," she laughed brightly. "Your elder name will probably be Echo-themostamazingwarriorever." She winked at him.

Icepaw purred at Echotalon's lame joke.

[Vivid]

Hawkpaw nodded and padded out to her den.

Echotalon's fur grew hot, and he looked down. "Thanks ... But, yes, I'm Echotalon. Welcome to our Clan?"

Cheetahspots nodded, looking down, her green eyes bored. She blinked boredly.

Larkflight blinked, her golden eyes wide. She tilted her head, one of her ears flicking in acknowledgement.

[dizzy hurricane.]

Snakestar blinked at Larkflight and flicked his tail sleepily. He wanted so badly to sleep, but the Clan needed taken care of ... and they had a warrior to bury. The thought made him sad and his paws felt heavier. But he still hoisted himself up, shaking out his fur.

Eclipsesun finished her meal up and looked outside, mildly noticing how the sunlight looked, filtering through the trees. She thought of the trees as their protection. She'd hate to be caught up in a battle in another Clan's territory ... she banished the thoughts from her mind. It only reminded her of the weight on her shoulders and in her paws.

Rainshadow pounced on a mouse, loosing his balance at the last second. He gripped the small animal in his paws and tumbled, doing a somersault on the forest floor. Halfway through the flip, his paws hit the ground, killing the mouse on impact. He righted himself and shook out his poofy fur, then began to dig a hole for the mouse for later.

Amberlily licked behind Rosesong's ear and then stood up, grief making her fur stick out wildly. She didn't care. The other cats could laugh at her all they wanted; they couldn't hurt her worse than Rosesong's death hurt her. She was in a hole so deep, she'd never get out. Rosesong was her best friend, gone ...

Cedarflame watched Dewpaw, Icepaw, Cheetahspots, and Echotalon sitting in a group together. He wanted to go join them, and see what they were talking about, but he didn't like the idea of being close to the new she-cat. She gave him jittery paws. She'd have to earn his trust through a long time of serving the Clan. Cedarflame twitched the tip of his tail and crawled under a bush.

Dewpaw smiled warmly at Echotalon, then looked back at Cheetahspots. "So, who's next? Um ... Amberlily. Let's go with her. She's a tough warrior, but Rosesong was her best friend. She's in deep mourning." She flicked her tail at the she-cat.

Icepaw watched her mentor mildly. "Echotalon, when are we to train again?" She whispered hoarsely.

[Vivid]

Hawkpaw nodded off for a second and woke up quickly, his stomach hungry.

Echotalon tilted his head, nodding. "Soon, I think. Once we get over this drama and such." He gave her a small smile.

Cheetahspots snorted. "I'm sorry to say that I can't feel pity for any of you. I didn't know her one bit." She licked her paw slowly, watching the warrior mourn. She didn't feel a thing for her.

Larkflight padded up to Snakestar, her eyes wide. "Can I help with something, Snakestar?" she asked kindly, her tail at medium height, respectful and energetic both.

Mudpelt followed Rainshadow and snickered. She jumped out of nowhere [a bush] and giggled. "That was slick, Rainshadow!" she giggled.

[dizzy hurricane.]

Snakestar smiled and then coughed, his eyes narrowed. Widening them again, he mewed, "Sure. Anything you want to do in particular, or do you just want to help?"

Rainshadow gave her a half-hearted hiss. "At least I killed it!"

Dewpaw frowned. "I know. You didn't know Rosesong." Her eyes burned with flame. "But have you ever experienced heartbreak? Anyone you know - have they ever died? A horrible, painful death?" She spat the last question and bounded away, shudders racking her body, sobs.

Icepaw smiled and nodded. "Okay!"

[Vivid]

Eaglespirit came back from the forest, two large colorful birds in her jaw. She looked as if she was having trouble.

Echotalon nodded, putting his tail reassuring on his apprentice's back. "Once everything's normal," he repeated, somewhat sadly.

Cheetahspots spat back, "Of course I have!" She shook her head, rolling her gleaming yellow eyes. She looked around. Now how was she going to learn anybody's names? Oh well. She shrugged and looked around, trying to determind who looked like she could pick on. Instead, she sighed, and stretched, laying down.

Larkflight shook her head. "Anything to help our needy Clan. It's been a rough day so far ..."

Mudpelt nodded. "Yes, but it was still funny looking!~" she teased, a glint in her eyes. She raised a muddy-looking paw to lick it, although nothing would come off.

[dizzy hurricane.]

Snakestar nodded, closing his eyes in grief. He opened them and chewed on his whiskers. "Could you grab a couple other warriors and start repairing the camp walls? Parts are falling down."

Rainshadow hissed playfully and flicked his tail. He rolled his eyes. "Suuuure."

Cedarflame bounded over to Eaglespirit and twined his tail in hers. "You need help?" He purred.

Dewpaw screamed back, "Well, then you should understand!" Her voice was choked with grief.

Icepaw sighed, looking at her paws. "I want to help the Clan," she suddenly mewed forcefully. "Whatever I can. Please."

We need at least one couple. ;3 It's getting more bloody, less romantic. x3