[Tiabirb]

Swiftfire-Warrior-She/Her
Purrk(s): Ultimate Predator


She could tell he was a tad put off by the elder duty reduction. But even as a warrior Swiftfire herself would tend to the elders of the Clan, bringing them fresh bedding and food. It was a way to serve those who had finished their service to the Clan. It wasn't a punishment unless it was given as a punishment; Usually accompanied by a restriction. There was no shame in showing respect and honor to their elders, and even if Hickorypaw didn't understand it just yet, she would lead by an example.

The last incidents within the Clan had disturbed her greatly. The poisonings, the exile, the cats who had callously screeched for blood...the ones who had the minds of rogues. Was this what WindClan was becoming? A clan with no code? No morals? A clan of rogues?
The thought mortified her. If she had been leader....Cowtuft wouldn't have been exiled. A thorough investigation, the sharpest, keenest cats with sound minds and a respect for life would be chosen. She would have taken her time, demoted Cowtuft to an elder, observed the Clan and taken inventory of every herb and prey item.

But she wasn't the leader. She wasn't even deputy. She had no say in Cowtuft's fate, or the fate of the Rogue-Minded, as she was beginning to call them. The cats who showed their desire to kill for mere pleasure, or satisfaction.
She couldn't remember every cat who had spoken up in that regard, but she was going to try her best to steer Hickorypaw clear of them if she could.


The tortoiseshell and white she-cat kept a casual watch around while Hickorypaw began to taste the air and listen. When he mentioned bird, she turned her head briefly, an ear swiveling to pinpoint the direction. Correct. Another scent was found, and she was surprised that he was unfamiliar with it. Rabbit was one of their most common prey, but perhaps some of the less swift warriors were finding it difficult to keep up with their equally as fast prey of choice.

But not her. Swiftfire tasted the air, drawing the rich, even if faint scent of rabbit over her tongue. She felt a tingle of pleasure at the much welcome scent, and she pulled herself to into a crouch, flattening herself to the ground ever so slowly, her tail bopping his flank to signal for him to follow her lead.

"Very good," She whispurred, "But it's also cold. Scents may linger, but their strength will always be questionable. Listen." She pricked her ears, yellow eyes set forward.

It would take more than a few heartbeats, but eventually, a faint rustling sound would be heard, the crackling of frost, and a rhythmic thum-thump-thum of light-footed paws. Swiftfire could not see it yet, but her nose turned immediately to the left a bit, a smile on her face as she whispered once more.
"You're going to catch your first rabbit today," She gave the apprentice a glance from the corner of her eye. "You stay right here. I'm going to loop around and drive it toward you. When it runs right at you, tackle it and go for the back of the neck." She explained, adding, "Remember, only the fastest warriors can catch a rabbit at full sprint, so this is going to be a team effort. Can I trust you to be ready?"

Swiftfire waited for his response, her gaze serious. He was after all, in the presence of one of WindClan's finest hunters, and among the fastest too, if her name was any giveaway. She knew what she was doing when it came to hunting, her very element. But would he trust her? Could he trust her?

Today, she was going to find out.

@Doom