Fly High [Open]

[willow]

Across the rolling hills of the Windclan moorland, a brown tabby crossed over with smooth strides that any being would think he was gliding across the surface of the earth. Truth was, this wasn't a special ability, a unique gait; Every Windclan cat had the same sure footing, the same long steps that took them over the windswept territory and made them the unbeaten, fastest cats of all the clans. Forget those forests with their shadows, the rivers with their reeds, land open to Silverpelts eyes were the better choice claws down.

The late evening sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, the continuous wind was enough to put any cat off their paws but Onewhisker simply felt like he was one leap away from flying. His light tabby pelt was short but he could still feel the cooling touch of night run its fingers through it and caress every curve and angle of his lythe body. For a moment, his amber eyes shut against the world to take in the feeling of being free, of being open and in the full sights of his ancestors that now were beginning to twinkle in existence. How could anything else compare to being of the swift and spiritual?

When he opened his eyes once more, the warrior saw the familiar shadow of Outlook Rock rise above the rest of the landscape, his ultimate destination. He had finished his duties for his clan and he had been granted permission to be on his own as long as he was back in camp before the moon rose above the moor. Onewhisker had no problem with such, he just wanted to be out on his homeland once more before it was time to turn in.

Even as the massive boulder got closer, the tom didn't slow his pace. Instead, he maintained it until he felt his pads press against its cold, solid surface, amber eyes narrowed in determination yet glowing with joy. The climb to the top wasn't an easy one but the reward was worth the effort; From this high up you could see the entire Windclan territory and the beginning of Thunderclan's. It was magnificent.

Panting but having made the climb, Onewhisker stood bathed in the colors of sunset above the earth. This was his throne, the time when he felt nothing would touch him and everything was foreseeable and sure. If only times were as peaceful and free as this was.

[red]

The evening patrol had come to an end, as their deputy Deadfoot dismissed the cats after they returned to camp. While the other cats retreated the den for the night's grooming and gossip, Mudclaw had other ideas. He wasn't in the mood to rest yet, his paws were aching for another round.

He found himself here, out in the open plains and down the slopes of the WindClan territory. From its namesake, Mudclaw felt at home everytime the wind carress his mottled coat. Mudclaw's bulkier build gave him little grace and the wind couldn't give him much prance as most of the WindClan cats did, but he was still able to face the wind with the weight of a boulder.

Now what was he doing? Perhaps one lone patrol before heading back to camp will ease his mind. He already planned what route to take. After this one little hill, he'll take a right turn and around the camp then.. The dark brown tabby paused when he caught whiff of a familiar clanmate, not very far away from where he was. Was Onewhisker here? Now he was curious. Ignoring his route, Mudclaw kept going straight towards Outlook Rock.

As the massive rock loomed closer, he could see a lean, lighter brown tabby at the very top. That must be Onewhisker - the scent could be no other, but what was he doing up there? Sitting on a rock, he thought, doesn't seem to do much for the clan. Soon, he found himself climbing on top, and behind Onewhisker. Before he could ask the tom what he was doing, Mudclaw looked at his surroundings. His breath taken on how beautiful the entire WindClan territory looked during sunset. Everything was bathed in a warm red-golden glow, a magnificent piece of art by StarClan. There were also other things in Mudclaw's mind..

"This actually does looks like a good place to watch for invading clans," he mused. No wonder it's called Outlook Rock. Of course whatever he was saying must be the opposite of Onewhisker's happy thoughts.

[willow]

Onewhisker was thoroughly enjoying his time on the great rock, alone with this thoughts that he could choose to dwell on or cast away with the moorland wind. For once, he wasn't thinking about what was going on in Thunderclan, Shadowclan or Riverclan. All that mattered right now was Windclan.

But even that was causing his mind to wander. How long would it be before Shadowclan took something once more from them? First they drove them out, taken lives and a sense of security, now they lost the rights to the tunnels they had discovered and used from generations before. The brown tabby was beginning to become so wrapped up in his thoughts that he failed to notice his fellow clan-mate climb up behind him.

"This actually does looks like a good place to watch for invading clans,"

Practically leaping out his fur, Onewhisker whipped around to face the scarred muzzle of Mudclaw, fur bristling and muscles tensed. But when he recognized the cat, he let out a breath and lowered his head apologetically, feeling pretty mouse-brained for not realizing the mottled tom had snuck up on him. What if that had been an enemy attack rather than a Windclan companion.

Stepping away enough to give Mudclaw some space, Onewhisker looked back over the territory bathed in the sun's dying rays. "Yes a suppose it is..." The idea made him only more anxious than he already was. Last thing he wanted to think about was an invasion but those sort of ideas were always playing on the hard warrior's mind and he wasn't afraid to voice them either.

"How was the patrol, Mudclaw?" Onewhisker asked in a casual, polite tone, trying to steer the conversation away from any violent-related thoughts but knowing Mudclaw, he would be hearing about more than just the patrol.

[red]

Amber eyes widened in surprise when Onewhisker spun around so quickly. As much as the dark tabby tried, a highly amused grin crept upon his face. How funny, perhaps careless, of Onewhisker to not sniff him out before he was even two tails away from climbing up, but then again the wind was blowing against their faces tonight. Mudclaw couldn't blame him.

They shared a silence for a few seconds, listening to the wind blow gently to their fur, until the younger warrior asked a question about his patrol. "Nothing out of the ordinary," Mudclaw mewed, his eyes still fixed to the landscape below them. "I'm actually surprised by that. I expected some dirt-ridden ShadowClan cat or RiverClan cat to be lingering by our borders." You just never know at warring times like this.

The sky was getting much darker now, and it almost seemed as though the moors were engulfing the last bit of sun. A rabbit was scurrying back to its burrow, which caused Mudclaw's tail to twitch eagerly. His belly growled, and the tom soon realized he hadn't eaten after his patrol.

ooc: ((I'm terribly sorry for my late reply! D: ))

[willow]

The light tabby tom tried to relax from his Mudclaw scare and found that not to be hard when staring across the vast landscape of Windclan territory. Dusk was coming to an end, the last traces of Twilight clawing at the moor as the sun pulled it back to the horizon to unknown places. Casting a glance to the sky, he noticed the stars coming out and smiled up at his ancestors flickering into existence against the dark sky.

The older warrior was looking at the land beneath them as well, his reply coming out simple but it still made a shiver run down his spine when hearing about Shadowclan. Riverclan, not so much. The two clans were allied together in the war but of the two, the dark clan was the one Windclan had the most issues with, the most nightmares about. Riverclan was strong, but Windclan cats easily out-maneuvered them. Point was though, the very thought of them hiding around the borders ready to ambush was one that plagued Onewhisker constantly. Hearing that there were no intrusions made the tom breathe a sigh of relief.

"That's good to hear. Another day without having to chase them from the borders is a day of peace for Windclan." He replied with a nod, kneading the stone with his paws subtly to work out his nerves. Honestly, he worried too much for his own good.

Onewhisker turned to look at Mudclaw and noticed the mottled brown tom had his amber eyes set on the dull-colored rabbit making it's way back home. Parting his jaws to scent the air, he almost drooled from the warm scent of prey that wafted into his senses. He could do with a good meal before sleep, though there was no guarantee he could share the rabbit. Elders and queens came first, warriors last.

Clearing his throat to get Mudclaw's attention, his amber eyes met the tom's with a twinkle of mischief and excitement. "Up for a hunt before heading back?" Onewhisker nodded his head towards the rabbit down below with an obvious eagerness in his expression, a challenging smile on his maw.