The huge warrior huffed softly as he padded silently beside his apprentice. Batglare swiped his tongue over his muzzle while staring straight ahead, although he made sure to keep his apprentice within his peripheral vision. The second warrior that was with them, Swiftfire, wasn't someone he was overly familiar with. However, Batglare wasn't all that familiar with any cat in his clan, besides the ones he was forced to be with, like apprentices.
The senior was eager to get through this hunt and head back to camp; the cold was bugging him, and the frost sank into his thick pelt and put him in an irritable mood. He parted his maw, scenting the air around him. He picked up stale scents and turned his head further to the right as he found a fresh scent trail to follow which smelt like a rabbit.
His piercing glare fell on Twistedpaw when the apprentice made a point of leaning against him as he walked, sucking up what little heat his body produced. He chuffed quietly but didn't mind or say anything about it. He'd prefer she sought out what warmth she could get since he knew how badly the cold could bug and hurt her. Still too thin, though.
Batglare would be an utter fool if he didn't notice Swiftfire's glare directed at Twistedpaw. He also noticed Twistedpaw's more anxious and frequent glances at the other warrior. His apprentice was still overly conscious of those around her. Batglare hadn't been thrilled about bringing Swiftfire with them, but a hunting patrol was a hunting patrol.
Still, he wished both she-cats would calm down and stop irritating each other. It was starting to get on the old man's nerves. As clanmates, regardless of one's feelings about each other, Batglare felt that a certain tolerance and respect needed to be shown to each other.
Twistedpaw words had Batglare swinging his head towards her when she began pacing a bit ahead of him, speaking about a rabbit. When questioned about hunting it, he scowled thoughtfully. Batglare didn't particularly enjoy leaving Twistedpaw on her own when they were out of camp.
He didn't even like her going out of camp unless it was with someone he trusted. However, it wasn't like he had complete control over that, plus Twistedpaw needed every opportunity to build herself up and acquire new friends. He was probably being overprotective, but in his defense, Twistedpaw had a habit of finding trouble when he least expected it.
As Swiftfire decided to impart her wisdom about hunting, Batglare glanced at her. There was too much of a bit in her tone to believe that what she was saying was mere advice. How annoying. Batglare turned his gaze back to his eager apprentice and scowled, taking into mind Swiftfire's words. WindClan did not exclusively hunt in teams, but since Swiftfire wanted to be so certain.
"Fine, go but you're taking Swiftfire with you." He growled the last bit as an order. Batglare didn't want to stem her growth by saying no or hovering over her. She could hunt, he trained her himself. The more she embraced this sense of independence and enjoyed the pride that came with serving the clan the better she'd be. The senior warrior turned his gaze to Swiftfire as he spoke next.
"I've already picked up a different scent trail, so keep an eye on her while I'm gone, since you're used to hunting in pairs work with her to catch the rabbit," Batglare demanded, not waiting for an answer as he began to pad off.
He was not crazy comfortable leaving Twistedpaw well-being to Swiftfire, however, he was aware that he should at least attempt putting more faith in the cats he called clanmates. And, this was a hunting patrol, giving up on prey to babysit his apprentice would only worsen his mood and make him feel like he was slacking. Besides, Swiftfire wanted to play mentor with his apprentice so now she had the chance.
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