the kill wrote:leaf-fall was kind to thunderclan. prey was anything but scarce, and border patrols brought nothing but good news. they weren't sure of what was going on across the lake in riverclan land, but the clan was positive they were doing well in the wetlands. while the sun shined warmly on the dusty ground, the chill of early leafbare crept closer with each day that passed.
birdsong chimed in the ears of patrolling cats. dead leaves gently crumbled under stalking paws. in the center of a clearing, the victim stood, giving out orders to a patrol. “you two can head off somewhere near the abandoned twoleg nest,” she commanded a pair of cats who then padded off into the undergrowth. the faded sunlight lit up the orange streak on her chest as she turned to the killer. ”you and i can head over to the greenleaf twolegplace and see what we find there.”
they nodded, standing up straighter. the deputy’s voice sounded so cold and stern, they realized with a shiver. ”okay, rooksea,” they murmured, ducking their head. rooksea didn’t seem to hear, instead stomping off into the tall grass with an impatient lash of her tail. if she did hear, she didn’t look as though she cared that much.
the grass closer to the greenleaf twolegplace was softer and thicker. the killer was unsure if the two would be able to catch anything here. wouldn’t the grass make too much noise and alert the prey? ”it’ll soften your pawsteps,” they pictured rooksea saying. ”the prey won’t hear or feel you coming, trust me.”
”alright,” puffed the thunderclan deputy, making her way in front of the twoleg nest that housed visiting twolegs during greenleaf. her pawsteps looked unsteady and furious. the killer was certain that in any other part of the forest, any prey nearby would have run off. they took an experimental step in the grass. it hardly made any noise. ”we can split up around here and wrap around the nests. can i trust you to not get lost as soon as i take my eyes off you?”
the killer gave a whimper, which rooksea countered with a low growl. ”just go,” she puffed, spinning around with another irritated tail flick. ”meet me here when you catch something useful. if you come back empty-pawed it’s not my fault.” the tortoiseshell proceeded to stomp off and duck around the corner of a twoleg nest.
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now alone and with no idea of where to go, the world seemed to spin until the sound of rustling grass shook the killer out of their thoughts. they crept forward, poking their nose through a clump of grass and shrubs. a few fox-lengths away was a rabbit sniffing gently at a bunch of yellow flowers. this was what rooksea wanted, they realized, eyes trained on the prey.
their paws itched as they dropped into a crouch. the killer crept onward, ears pricked and tail quivering, straight as a branch and hovering in the air. the rabbit seemed oblivious until they felt a breeze buffeting their fur from behind them. they flinched as the rabbit perked up before rearing up to sprint off. unsure of what to do and suddenly anxious, the killer pounced, just barely snagging the rabbit by the tail with their claws. it gave a loud squeak and the killer heard the flutter of wings somewhere in the bushes, but they pressed on, lunging their head forward and wrapping their jaws around the rabbit’s throat.
a loud crack! sounded as the now-fresh-kill’s neck snapped. warm blood dribbled into their mouth and the killer relished the taste of it on their tongue. not wanting to let go of their catch, they perked their ears up to listen for any more nearby prey. the birdsong had nearly stopped; perhaps the fluttering of wings was that of a bird flying off, alerted by the rabbit’s prior squeal. glancing up at the sky, the killer sent a quiet thanks to their ancestors above for providing the clan with food before dragging the catch off to their and rooksea’s assigned meeting place.
when they got there, rooksea hadn’t returned yet. a screech split the air, causing the killer to jump. they looked above them to where they had just sent their prayers up to starclan. the shadow of a bird with widespread wings stood out among the pale blue and white sky. it circled above the clearing menacingly, looking down for its next meal.
the killer heard a sharp cough to their side. rooksea had returned, bearing a scowl and carrying a finch and a pair of voles. ”i’m glad you were able to find something good for once,” she muttered gruffly, already turning around to go back. they yelped in protest, shoving their rabbit close to her nose.
”look at this, rooksea!” they cried, quickly scampering backwards. ”isn’t it such a good catch? by starclan, i don’t think i’ll be able to carry it!” their gaze flitted back up towards the clouds and the bird shadow. it was too high up to make out any details, but they swore it was glaring down at rooksea.
”what are you yammering about?” scoffed rooksea, shoving the rabbit away with her paw. the screech sounded again, echoing in the killer’s ears. ”carry it yourself, featherdown-for-brains.” the deputy groaned.
the bird was rapidly descending. the killer’s pelt started to heat up. ”just take it!” they insisted. they thought they could even see the gleam of its talons, outstretched as it reached for its prey.
rooksea’s scream when the bird snatched her up was nearly identical to the cry it had let out mere moments before. sharp talons dug into her black and ginger pelt. she wriggled and squirmed in the eagle’s grip, blood dripping from the sky like rain.
the killer returned to camp with the rest of the patrol and enjoyed their rabbit.
wave goodbye to your deputy. the hunt has begun.