"So then Briarfrost comes out like-- 'I'm Starstar!' And they got really scared and--"

"--and then they thought the almighty StarClan leader murdered you and they ran. If I have to hear this story one more time I'll line your nest with bramble thorns." Sparkfur growled, taking a large step over an overgrown fern that was spreading across the path they were walking on. Mothdapple shook out her fur, as if to shake off the comment, following after the scarred tabby.

      "I know but Ivymist hasn't heard it yet." She motioned toward the dilute tortoiseshell at her side.

      "I could listen to the story a thousand times!" Briarfrost chirped from the back of the group.

      "I didn't let you bring a friend on this hunting trip just for you to tell that story again." Sparkfur glanced over her slim shoulder.

"Better not continue with the story then, I'd hate for you to be pricked with thorns," Ivymist murmured to Mothdapple.

"I don't see why. It's a great story-- have you heard the part where they thought I was some Sea-Bear creature? How nuts!" Briarfrost moved up so he was at Mothdapple's other side.

"Oh, I've heard a tom talk about that! It's supposed to be a giant dog-like creature that can walk on its hind legs-- like a two-leg! It has fish scales, too." Ivymist put in, her golden-green eyes huge with all seriousness. Briarfrost glanced uneasily to Mothdapple before flicking an ear.

      "Probably true," the dark tom shrugged.

      "You think?" Ivymist's thick fur fluffed up slightly.

      "Come on, we can't eat if we don't catch anything." Sparkfur waved her tail from where she stood waiting, dusk light outlining her silhouette from the top of the small incline. Briarfrost's fur prickled at the thought of an empty stomach, quickly bounding forward to the golden tabby, who murmured something to him, which he in purred in reply, rubbing his side along her side before bounding further ahead into the ferns.

       "I'll go hunt over to the left, you take the right?" Ivymist twitched her whiskers questioningly, to which the patched she-cat nodded.

      "Sounds great." Mothdapple nodded, waiting for her gray-and-cream dappled friend to disappear into the undergrowth before looking up to Sparkfur. She was giving her an unreadable look-- like she was analyzing every move she made. Mothdapple forced her fur flat, narrowing her eyes. You can't just stare a cat down like that. It's creepy. The bicolor she-cat gave Sparkfur a side glance before turning. It's like she's studying me-- but what even about me is worth taking time to analyze?

She disappeared into the woods off to the right side of the path they had been taking, letting the scents of the forest overwhelm her. Though I suppose you should know as much as you can about a cat sleeping a taillength from you. Mothdapple blinked, scanning the area for prey. I'm being distracted by something so menial-- I can't even concentrate. She unsheathed her claws, digging them into the earth with frustration, quickly making her way a few paces so she was deeper into the undergrowth. Inhaling deeply, she tried again, checking the scents. She blinked, surprised to scent another cat rather than a mouse. Maybe Sparkfur is even following my hunt? Is she really that interested in every move I make?

"Sparkfur, please, I wanted to get some hunting done--" Mothdapple was shocked to see, though, that rather than the gangly but strangely intimidating golden tabby, she was facing a beautiful, long haired brown tabby she-cat with small white paws and a white chest. Mothdapple's pelt grew hot and she backed up a step.

"Hello, there.. I'm not Sparkfur, but I can still help you get some hunting done." She purred, her eyes closing as she did so. Mothdapple swallowed, pulling her paws close to herself awkwardly, feeling like a badger next to the slim and, subjectively, beautiful stranger. She breathed out, narrowing her eyes slightly and giving a firm nod.

      "I doubt you'll help me at all, but I suppose you can come along." Mothdapple felt confidence flood her body, and she turned, beginning to walk. She was about to turn and give a sassy 'come on then,' but the mysterious brown and white tabby was already at her side, moving through the woods with purpose and grace.

      "Thank you for inviting me along, I would've hated to keep following you in secret," Mothdapple nearly choked on air, and she dashed forward to keep up with the long-haired she-cat, "It's much easier to have a conversation with a cat when you aren't stalking them." She flashed a green eyed smile, as if the ginger-and-white she-cat knew exactly what she was talking about.

       "Wait-- what--Following me--?!" The patched warrior's fur went on end. "Who are you?!" The tabby stopped, a purr of laughter erupting from her.

      "Oh, I'm so sorry! I know so much about you; but you don't know anything about me." She swished her tail as she calmed down from her laugh. "Ahem. Sorry. I'm Adderface-- a bramble den warrior from your clan, and one of Waspstar's most trusted friends." Mothdapple's fur flattened. Waspstar's friend? She probably has information about whether or not he's going to let me back into camp!

      "Oh..! I'm Mothdapple-- but... You already knew that." Adderface had sat down, wrapping her striped tail around small white paws.

      "I did my research, and I've come to the conclusion that you are the just about the most perfect DrizzleClan warrior." Mothdapple's fur grew hot at the complement, and she sat down. She gave the bramble den warrior a grateful purr. "You're actually the very image of an ideal warrior. You're ambitious and willing to go to great lengths-- you'll be able to go places in life with that combination, you know?" Mothdapple tipped her head slightly. I never really thought I was that ambitious-- but.. If she says I am, I guess I am? I mean she's obviously really smart if she hangs out with Wasp--

      "I'm willing to advocate for you to Waspstar, I think you're worth it." She licked a paw, drawing it over her ear. Mothdapple felt her body buzz with excitement.

"Yes! Yes, thank you so much!!" She jumped to her paws, her tail high and ears pricked. Adderface gave a small purr, flicking an ear.

"Now, now, there is, of course, a small favor you'll have to do for me, and it isn't that big of a deal, it's something you're already willing to do, no doubt." Mothdapple slightly narrowed her green eyes, but twitched her whiskers with interest.

"What is it...?" She questioned.

"It's something that won't come about for bit. But, when it does...," Adderface stood up, turning, "I'll find you." With that, she padded into the shadows of the forest. Mothdapple swallowed, debating whether or not to follow. As she was about to leap after the brown and white tabby she heard her name called.

"Hey, Mothdapple! Briarfrost found a rabbit burrow! Come on, so we can flush it out!" She could see the pale pelt of Ivymist through some foliage. "Mothdapple? Where are you?"

"I'm right here!" She meowed, weaving around tall, thin trees to her friend. "I'm not sure I'll be fast enough to catch one, but I can scare them out..." She felt relief wash over as she saw the face of Ivymist, who didn't pick up on her stressed vibes.

"Sparkfur's pretty fast, and so is Briarfrost, so I think it'll be okay. Oh, have you caught anything yet?" Mothdapple was barely listening, her mind too busy with other thoughts.

"Mothdapple?"

"Hm?"

"I guess you didn't catch anything if you're this out of it..." Ivymist murmured, shrugging, and Mothdapple gave her a playful shove.

"Let's hurry up before they start without us."

      "They wouldn't catch many if they did that, though?" Ivymist tipped her head to the side, confused. The white and ginger warrior dashed ahead.

        "Guess we should hurry then!"

FIGHT OR FLIGHT

AN

      Hey guys! What uupppppp??!! Special thanks to ChronaLilly for getting me back on track with writing. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have gotten this done today.

Ivymist belongs to steele- and was her character submission on that introduction page thing.