.::What a SHOCK::.

[skyeh]

.::Limbo the Rouge::.

.::It was the afternoon in the forest. The sun shone through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the mossy ground. Birdsong rang through the trees and the wind rustled the leaves. The forest floor was cool and damp on Limbo's pawpads and small rustlings threatened to distract him from his reason to come to this potentially dangerous territory. He knew all too well that this land belonged to the group of cats that called themselves ThunderClan. He didn't dare to go any farther than the humans' abandoned road. He knew that he could probably fight off one or two, but they had strength in numbers.

.::He hadn't encountered many cats in this land, and didn't really want to. He only hunted here in the winter and fall, and even them he was very careful not to take too much. Not that he was scared of them or wanted to avoid a fight, but he didn't want to see them starve. Why? Because they were fun to watch. He would climb up a tree and watch them hunt or talk. It was a non-stop source of entertainment. Occasionally he would carefully climb down and take the prey they had buried and hide it somewhere else. They would puzzle over it, search and even call others over to help. Usually they would find it, but sometimes they wouldn't, even if it was right under their noses.

.::Today he was bored. Bored enough to walk to the clearing in their territory. He sat down and waited. And waited. And waited some more. He waited until the air started to turn cool and his eyes started glowing in the fading light. He stretched his muscles and flexed his claws. He laid on the dirt and licked one of his paws. He had just started grooming his tail when a rustle was heard a small way way. He stood up, tense, and waited for the stranger to come out of the bushes.

Who? Limbo and open
When? Early evening
Where? Edge of ThunderClan territory
Muse? Fairly good. Listening to Electropop by Jupiter Rising.
Count? 334

[sterlingsilver]

Blackfrost

A tall black she-cat stalked through the undergrowth, her eyes frozen on the foliage ahead of her. She was following the scent of a rabbit, her favorite prey besides the squirrels that taunted the cats from the treetops. Head low and mouth ajar, the black form slid through the shadows like smoke, her stalk well-practiced and as natural to her as walking or breathing. She paused; the trail was fresh and getting fresher but she was nearing the border, something she disliked when the prey she pursued could have already crossed, and if that was the case the careful stalk would be wasted.

But that was not what made her halt. She was near the clearing and the Shadow Clan border, but she smelled a cat that was not from Shadow Clan; it wasn't stinky enough. She had smelled it before; it was a rouge or loner who loved to hunt in the forest every now and again, mostly in the cold seasons they needed their prey the most. She was sure the rouge watched them, and hid the prey for fun. The black she-cat disliked sneaks. She abandoned the rabbit's trail and turned instead to the clearing, silent as always, when she heard a noise of crunching brush off to her left. Sliding under one of the bushes, she finally got a view of the rouge.

She saw him stand, tense and wary, facing the sound of crunching brush. A warm breeze breathed softly through the trees into her face, and carried with it the scent of rabbit. So it hadn't crossed the border after all. She doubled back and followed up the rabbits trail, and saw its tail bobbing under a thick patch of bracken. She stalked closer, screened by ferns until she was within striking distance.

Suddenly, she streaked out of her hiding place, quick even for a cat. The rabbit dodged left and ran hard through the brush, then tried to dodge right, but was intercepted by the she-cat's claws. A clean kill. The black cat gave a low growl of satisfaction before dragging the rabbit into the clearing.

I couldn't let you get it now, could I? She said, dropping her prey on the mossy forest floor and sitting a few tail-lengths away from the rouge. Her ice blue eyes stared coldly, and her voice held no warmth or welcome. Why are you here and what are you doing? The black she-cat sounded bored, her too-large ears pricked and her thin tail curled around her large paws as she shifted positions on the mossy earth.

[skyeh]

.::Limbo the Rouge::.

.:: He heard the cat before he saw her. He scented that the cat was female. He could feel her pawsteps through the earth as she sat down. Limbo, as soon as he heard the female's voice, tensed. He could tell that this one wasn't one of the petty fuzzballs that would spot him and go crying for mommy. His claws unsheathed and the fur on his spine bristled. He glanced at the other cat without moving his head and caught a glimpse of large black paws and a skinny tail. 'What a horrible tail,' he thought contemptuously. 'It look like she took it off a rat and covered it with her fur.' As soon as this thought crossed his mind, he relaxed. This cat obviously couldn't be as good as him. But he couldn't bring himself to believe it.

.:: Limbo steeled himself before replying. He raised his head and locked his yellow eyes with the she-cat's ice blue. He couldn't stop the shiver that ran down his spine when he saw the coldness within them. He stared at the thin frame and ebony fur of the other. "Why should I answer to you? I can do what I want, when I want." He knew that she wouldn't be able to kill him. Injure him, but not kill him. He also had a feeling that she wouldn't call any of their silly reinforcements. She thought that she would be able to kill a 'silly rouge'. After all, everyone outside of their stupid clans must be idiots, or so they probably thought.

.:: But now Limbo couldn't focus on his thoughts of the clans. He wanted to see how this would turn out. It looks like if will be very interesting...

Who? Limbo, Blackfrost and open
When? Early evening
Where? Edge of ThunderClan territory
Muse? Fairly good. Listening to These Words by Natasha Bedingfield.
Count? 289

[sterlingsilver]

Blackfrost

She new she could call others; she knew they would enjoy running off this rouge. She would certainly enjoy it. But today, for some reason, she didn't want to. The black cat wasn't sure why, but she didn't want to make this cat go running off into Shadow Clan's territory, or off Clan territory altogether. She was also restless. The dash after the rabbit hadn't tired her in the least, and she calmly lifted a paw and swiped a pink tongue over a mottled pad. Then, she stood and stretched leisurely, flexing the hard muscles under the sleek black pelt.

She was thin, but no pushover. To make up for her weak spot, her light weight, she had to substitute speed, cunning, and an almost instinctual knowledge of her enemy's weak spots. She had fared well in battle, only a few scars marring her hide, and she knew what she was capable of, how long she could run and who she could fight. Newcomers were different; she didn't see them at gatherings, she never fought against them, and she didn't know their temperaments, so she was wary upon meeting strangers.

Her cold eyes never wavered from the tom's, and despite her relaxed appearance she was ready for any move he would make. Yes, you can. However, should I remind you that this is not your turf? You are not exactly in a position of leverage here. Her voice, cold as Leaf-bare, was low and quiet, a tiny hint of threat hidden away. She was getting annoyed; the tom looked fidgety and seemed to be thinking too much for her taste. Like a kit who had too much time on it's paws, that could only lead to trouble. My name is Blackfrost. And will you relax? I'm not going to hurt you. Not much anyways. Of course, if you fight I'll have no choice but to get you out of here. So, let's try this again. Why are you here? Bored? Got a death wish? Some cats don't like rouges wandering around the territory, and can take it a bit farther than a regular battle; you don't have anyone to care for you if you were severely wounded.

[skyeh]

.::Limbo the Rouge::.

.:: This was turning out to be fun. "Well, Blackfrost, I'm Limbo and would like to point out that land can't belong to anyone, cat or otherwise. Someone can live here and mark territory, but it doesn't actually belong to them. He sat up and flicked his tail around his paws thoughtfully. He scored one claw through the earth. "And, obviously, I came here to have some fun."

.::He stood up suddenly, as if he had heard something strange. He padded softly towards her and stopped four paces in front of her large black paws and ice-blue eyes. He leaped into the air and batted something large and dark out of the air. He sunk his claws into a feathered wing and dragged it out of the shadows surrounding the clearing. In his jaws was a dark gray mockingbird, about the size of his front leg, which would have been almost impossible to see at this time: twilight. Luckily, his eyes were well trained for seeing in the dark. Actually, he didn't like the day all that much. Much too bright for his tastes.

.:: He set the prey down in front of her. "I don't need to come here to hunt. My territory has more than enough prey to support me without the need to hunt here." He spat out the last word with scorn. He eyed the bird with disgust. He glanced at her face before pushing it towards her with one front paw. "You can have it. Your prey is probably contaminated with a disease that makes cats cowards." He knew that last remark would set he off, even if he couldn't see it.

.:: He walked backwards to his original spot and sat down to watch her reaction to his, ah, compliment.

Who? Limbo, Blackfrost and open
When? Early evening
Where? Edge of ThunderClan territory
Muse? Fairly good. Listening to Paralyzer by Finger Eleven.
Count? 293

[sterlingsilver]

Blackfrost

Blackfrost's eyes never wavered from the tom, even when he leaped and brought down the bird at her paws. The soft, enveloping twilight was deepening, and she knew she should be getting back. She hadn't eaten since sun-high, and that was merely a mouse, hardly enough to keep her appetite at bay for any period of time. Now to send this Limbo on his way.

She chuckled a little at his words. If our prey is contaminated, then why do you hunt here? Now, if you don't mind, you should go back to your so-called territory and stay there. You are not welcome by any cat, from leader to kit, and on any other day I might have clawed of your ears. Any other cat would have without question, and you'd have been a goner if a patrol came along. Now, if you don't mind, I'll escort you to the border. I can do it with or without claws; you can chose. She took a few steps forward, until she was standing just out of striking distance. Her eyes locked on to his, she waited.

Blackfrost was not happy with this setup, but she was not especially unhappy. She could live with it. The tom almost doubled her weight, and possibly strength as well. Blackfrost's speed was greater than his, and that would have to be used to its full advantage should a battle result. Well? Cat got your tongue?

[skyeh]

.::Limbo the Rouge::.

.:: Well, this cat was getting serious now. Wanted him to get out of her territory, eh? Why should he? He didn't have to go anywhere anytime soon. Nothing much to do on his territory anyways. And about that comment about no one welcoming him... He may as well have some fun. Make her a little uncomfortable with her clan.

.:: "How do you know no one welcomes me? For all you know, someone in your clan could be a traitor, and helps me infiltrate your clan." Of course, he didn't actually do that and he was sure that no would actually welcome him, but she seemed to show no outside reaction to any of his earlier comments. Let's see what she thinks of this one!

.::

Who? Limbo, Blackfrost and open
When? Mid-evening
Where? Edge of ThunderClan territory
Muse? Fairly good. Not listening to anything.
Count?

[MOTHER NATURE]

A thunder storm begins to brew and the rain starts to pour down. It doesn't look like the storm shows any signs of stopping any time soon.

[sterlingsilver]

Blackfrost

She was about to speak when a cold gust of wind whistled down her left ear and she flattened it, a difficult to do with one ear. Rain was coming, a little voice said in the back of her mind, but she paid it little attention. Her moment of silence gave Limbo the opportunity to speak. Mentally, she laughed at his little speech, but she would not allow her amusement to show. She could see his bluff from a mile away. Now, should she call it? Of course.

Well, now, why would you tell me that, if you needed to stay secretive? You certainly wouldn't be hanging around constantly if you needed to be secretive and get inside ThunderClan's camp. And I don't think that any cat would hang around with the likes of you. She padded up to him until they were nearly nose to nose, into his personal space.

She was nearly as tall as he was, with longer legs, but much slimmer than the rouge. Her blue eyes grew even colder; it was now dark, even for a cat, although there was still a good bit of twilight left. A fat raindrop splattered on the ground next to her; another hit her whisker, and then the skies opened. In a few heartbeats, she couldn't see the edge of the clearing, and she was soaked to the skin, her wet fur making her appear even slimmer than she really was. Now, are you going to move your tail, or am I going to have to make you? she growled.