For The Last Time...

[Heathclaw]

Tigerpaw crawled into the camp, a plump mouse dangling from his jaws. He'd been lucky to catch it- in fact, he felt that the creature had been rather stupid- it had practically run straight into his claws. After dropping the mouse off at the fresh-kill pile, he turned around and headed back out of the camp, keeping his head down to keep from drawing attention to himself.

He reentered the camp shortly after through the dirtplace exit, slinking around to the back of the medicine den with a large leaf full of herbs curled under his chin. He'd been pulling this routine for the past few moons, and he'd had plenty of practice moving quickly and without being seen. However, this time would be the last time. He was a warrior apprentice, after all, and Briarstar was beginning to catch on.

With a heavy heart, Tigerpaw slipped around the corner of the den darted into the medicine den, making for the store of herbs in the back. He unfurled the leaf and left it in front of the ground, and then turned to leave, and almost walked smack-bang into the one cat that he did not want to see at the moment.

"Minnowpaw! Wh-what are you doing here?"

ooc: Just let me know if you want me to change something. ^^

[Silvercloud]

A she-cat of average size padded through the camp clearing, oblivious to all around her. Absent mindedly the calico she-cat padded toward the fresh-kill pile. She sniffed at the growing pile and selected a very plump mouse from the pile. It seemed to be the freshest and besides she felt like eating rodent.

Lost in thought and with the mouse dangling in her jaws she headed towards her lonely cave. It was good that it was empty, it meant RiverClan was disease free and thriving with so many healthy cats. Thank StarClan for that. Numbers were low at the moment and she only knew bare basics. Streamheart hadn't been able to teach her much since her disappearance. She'd gone out collecting herbs early one morning while she slept and never returned. StarClan only knew what had become of her or what would happen to her now as the clan's medicine cat.

Things were going well with Newleaf finally here. The weather was getting warmer and prey was returning. Today was turning out like any other day. Not much to do but practice what little she knew and try to create poultices. There was always sorting the herbs brought by Tigerpaw too. She felt her black, ginger and white cheeks grow hot at the thought of the young tom. She enjoyed his company and his presence always seemed to but her in a brighter mood. She should ask him about her little night out kinda party for the apprentices of the clan. It would be great fun and a great chance for them to bond and get to know each other. The warrior apprentices were lucky, they had each other while she had the cave all to herself.

Ducking her multi-colored head the calico descended into her den below the large tree. A young cat's voice startled her out of her thoughts and she dropped the mouse in surprise. There right before her eyes was the very cat she had been thinking about. Minnowpaw lifted her blue-green gaze from the floor and into the surprised amber gaze of the tabby.

"Ah oops, sorry 'bout that. Hehe I should watch were I'm going. What am I doing here?" Minnowpaw chuckled and let out a soft purr. " Well it is my den you silly furball." A pang of sadness stabbed Minnowpaw in the heart at the 'my', she was a social butterfly and didn't take too well to being alone. "So the question really should be, what are you doing here?" Minnowpaw could guess why but she didn't want him to go, she wanted him to stay, even if just a few moments longer. Her tone was light with a playful tone to it.

The entrance to her den wasn't very big and not really an ideal place to stop and chat seeing as poor Tigerpaw was standing on a downward slope. The slope caused much of Tigerpaw's weight to be on his back legs and she knew from previous encounters with the tom that his back legs weren't exactly up to par as they should be. Some may laugh at such a thing but she didn't care. He more than made up for it with his warm persona.

She couldn't wait for the day when he earned his name. Sure he might not be the ideal warrior but it would be more than enough for her. She realized with a jolt what she was saying. Did she actually have feelings for him or was it sympathy and a knowing understanding? There was no hiding it she thought, she did care about him, even more than Falconpaw, though he was rather nice too.

Minnowpaw sighed inwardly. Maybe he could become her apprentice or they could learn together? It would be kinda awkward if Tigerpaw became her apprentice. Well whatever it didn't matter. " Shall we go down and talk more on level ground and make ourselves comfortable?"

((It was good don't worry. Sorry I didn't give you much to work with, couldn't think of what else to say that wouldn't end up with me power playing Tigerpaw any more than I kinda did. xD))

[Heathclaw]

"Erm... heh. I guess that was a bit of a mouse-brained question," said Tigerpaw meekly, with an embarassed little twitch of his tail. "In my defense, that was about the best I had time to come up with. You did catch me by surprise."

He looked guiltily at the little bundle of herbs behind him as Minnowpaw asked him what he was doing here, and then decided to come straight out with it. "I was bringing you herbs. I've been trying to be discreet about it, but it looks like I finally slipped up, huh?" He let out a nervous purr-chuckle at that, as he made his way towards more level footing.

"Coltsfoot and feverfew," he said. "In case of cough and fever, what with the rain." He sat down, and then hopped back up, speaking agitatedly and feeling hot under his fur. "I'm sorry. It's just- I overhear things sometimes... and I know it's not my job to do- I'm a warrior apprentice, not a medicine cat- but well, I just wanted to do what I could to help around."

He dropped his head, with a last "I'm sorry," and then noticed that Minnowpaw had just picked out his mouse from the pile. Strange coincidence.

[Silvercloud]

Minnowpaw had to bite her lip hard to keep from rolling on the floor with laughter. Tigerpaw could be so funny when he got nervous. He often got confused and rushed things. He didn't do well with being put on the spot. Hehe one thing was for certain he wasn't really impulsive. With a sigh Minnowpaw let her pent up joy go and just smiled warmly at him. Her eyes sparkled with laughter and kindness.

"You don't have to leave already do you? You want to come down and talk? Maybe relax a little and unwind from this mornings chores? I mean your mentor keeps you pretty busy round the clock. Why not sit a spell? Oh uh sorry about that. Didn't mean to surprise any cat. Was this your catch?" Well she knew it was by scent, but still it would most likely make him stay even if just a moment longer.

Minnowpaw pawed the mouse closer to her. "Its okay I don't mind. You are more than welcome to stay longer if you wish." Minnowpaw felt her self panic. Don't go! Please stay and keep me company! Would he leave or decide to stay? Minnowpaw fumbled for something else to say to the classic(?)* marked tabby.

"I...I don't um...err.. really mind at all. Who says a warrior can't learn herbs? Nothing, so what's wrong with that?" Her expression became a little more serious and she stared at him critically. What was wrong with a cat learning too things? "You..you..uh..err.. I can teach you a little more...I mean you know...if you wanted that is." Minnowpaw lowered his gaze to his chin. Now who was being the nervous one? What would he say? Would he be shocked that she had even dared say such a thing? Had she just sort of given him an invite to study under her? What would the clan think? What would StarClan think? Wait was it an invite or just something to do to pass the time?

*Uh what is Tigerpaw's tabby marking? Is he classic, mackerel, candle-flame, or something else? Sorry for the shortness