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The border between RiverClan and ThunderClan.

"Gotcha!"

Roseleaf purred happily as she sunk her claws into the little mouse - then kicked some wet leaves and dirt over it for later. We'll see what Sootfur has to say about THAT when I get back to camp - how's he going to find fault when I bring home all this fresh-kill, all by myself?

Suddenly, her head shot up and her ears pricked - what was that sound?

There it was again. It was... some cat was purring! Roseleaf couldn't see him, but there was a cat rolling around and purring to himself, just beyond those brambles. She crouched down, and began creeping forward, her tail twitching in excitement. Then she reminded herself, she was a warrior now, and if there was a loner or stray kittypet behind the brambles, she'd have to chase it off RiverClan territory. She was getting closer...closer...

Roseleaf crept closer still, until she was just behind the wall of brambles. Okay, Roseleaf, this is your chance - don't blow it, she thought, if you succeed in chasing this tresspasser off RiverClan territory, your brothers will finally stop making fun of you... for the time being, at least, and you'll prove you aren't just some pretty she-cat who can't do anything else. Got it? Okay...

"Aha!"

Roseleaf pounced, and landed right on top of the strange cat. She had miscalculated, however, and she had meant to land in front of him, not on him. She scrambled back, now having lost all trace of dignity, and, to make things worse, her back foot slipped in a puddle of mud, and she found herself on the wet ground, looking up at a blue-gray tom with one nicked ear and two big, pale blue eyes... slightly amused pale blue eyes.

(( ;) sure have ))

"Um, sorry, I -" Roseleaf nearly apologized, when she remembered she was supposed to be chasing this tom off RiverClan territory. She quickly tried puffing her fur out to look bigger, and growled menacingly, but ended up puffing only have of her pelt out, the dry half, and the growl ended in a not-so-menacing cough and a splutter. So, she just glared at him, baring her teeth, and trying to ignore the sticky mud all over her pelt. I'm so glad Sootfur and Mudfeet aren't here to see this, they'd make fun of me for moons. she thought, wincing.

((XDXD))

Roseleaf tried growling again, but gave up. This cat was not frightened of her, and, to be honest, she wouldn't be, either. "I'm supposed to be scaring you off RiverClan territory!" she mewed, cross. "But since it clearly isn't working, I'm Roseleaf - and no, I'm not the best warrior RiverClan has, I can tell your thinking it - I was just hunting nearby. So don't get an impression on RiverClan just based on me!" She sat down and began licking her fur. It tasted horrible, and she wished she could go bathe in the nearby river, but she sure wasn't about to turn her back on this strange loner, and so she toughed it out.

Roseleaf didn't answer his question, and instead said indignantly, "You wanna bet on that? I could have three of our best warriors here in a minute and you'd be dragged of RiverClan territory like a dead fish!" She finished her side and moved onto her paws. What was it with this cat? He was just strolling through their territory like he owned the place! How dare he? And why wasn't he at least leaving now that she was here - actually, he was just sitting there like he had no notion of leaving! Roseleaf growled to herself, and lashed her tail - but unfortunately, she was still a fairly small cat, and Blue wasn't a bit scared of her.

((ahhh I see a nickname cominggggggg XD))

Roseleaf stopped washing and glared at him with narrowed, piercing blue eyes. "My name is Roseleaf, and I'm not going anywhere." She chose to ignore the insult. "I need to make sure any filthy loners like you stay away from our camp - but then again, you'd never be able to find it, you're just a loner who can't see past his own nose." She was not going to be intimidated by this cat, and would defend her territory with her life, if it came down to that. No stupid loner was going to get in her way.

Roseleaf ignored the comment about her muddy pelt, and instead raised her chin and said, "Then why aren't I? Go ahead, fight me if you want, if you think I'd give up you're wrong." She snarled. "My chances would be slim, I know, but I'd still fight. Because it's for my clan and clan cats protect their clan." She sniffed. "Though I suppose you wouldn't know anything about honor or protecting, would you?" She stood her ground, even though she knew she'd never win. This strong tom would beat her to a pulp, but, strangely, she wasn't frightened. She was just determined to protect her clan.

Now, in her mind this was a whole lot more dramatic and dire than it actually was, so in her head she was faced by a huge, mad, tom-cat loner who was foaming at the mouth and had long, sharp claws and was blocking the sun. In reality, however, Blue was still sitting down, watching her with amusement, and so far had made no move to attack her.

((XD thanks))

Roseleaf's ear twitched when she saw how Blue reacted. So that was what got to him...

"What would you know about honor? You live without the warrior code and without anyone else - loners have no honor. And I would never want to live as a lone cat because as far as I'm concerned clan life is the best it gets. Too bad for you no clan would take a fleaball like yourself." She sniffed and sat down, tucking her tail around her and her front paws delicately up to her chest. (((view spoiler)[http://cache1.asset-cache.net/gc/7890... (hide spoiler)])) She gave one lick to her chest fur and stared Blue straight in the eyes.

Roseleaf didn't budge. "You are only attacked when you're on our territory. Go find somewhere else to live, not on the territory we got first. And not all loners and rogues know where the lines are. For all I know you could eat kits when you get too hungry!" Roseleaf tried not to shudder, but it was hard. She didn't want to imagine what these cats would do if driven to it. Without a warrior code, who knew what they'd do. This cat, Blue, didn't seem as dangerous as the stories of mad rogues she was told as a kit, but she still needed to be wary, she hardly knew this tom, or what his intentions were.

Roseleaf flattened her ears as well and hissed back, "Then prove it." She didn't believe this loner would ever be able to prove anything, and didn't trust him at all. He may not be amused anymore, but she still wasn't going to back down. She was not that kind of cat. She didn't know if he was going to spring at her or keep his anger in check but either way she was going to be ready. She braced herself for an attack, tail lashing.

Roseleaf stepped back, surprised. But for some reason the lashing of her tail wasn't so angry anymore. She gave Blue one look, then dived into the water. She called over her shoulder, "You wanna bet on that?" The cold water soaked her to the skin, but it felt good. The mud was starting to get itchy, and as the water washed it away, Roseleaf fell to purring to herself, and ducked her head underwater. She came back up, and turned to look expectantly at Blue, treading the water with her paws so she stayed in place.

((Ugh now I want to go swimming XD))

Roseleaf nodded, not entirely bothered that he hadn't used her right name. It was a big, old tree that had been there for as long as she could remember - longer than her parents could probably remember. She flicked the water off her nose. So maybe this tom was starting to grow on her. He couldn't be that bad, he hadn't even raised a paw against her so far. Her guard was beginning to fall, and she was even enjoying herself.

Roseleaf laughed and dived after him. She was an excellent swimmer, having begun to swim as a tiny kit when her mother wasn't looking. She weaved through the water like a fish, her ears flattened and eyes narrowed, and came up for air only a few times, she'd learned to hold her breath. She swam past Blue, and let out a few precious bubbles of laughter when she saw him. She was nearly at the willow tree now, she could see the branches above water, waving in the current...

Roseleaf let out a screech of alarm when she felt Blue clamping onto her tail, but it was lost underwater, and when he pulled ahead of her she could hardly see so she went up for air. She only stayed a moment, though, and ducked back underwater to see Blue way ahead of her by now. Still, she pushed off, and managed to catch up to the tip of his tail - the willow tree was only half a fox length away now.

Roseleaf pulled herself out of the water and onto the bank after him, growling playfully. "You cheated!" She shook her pelt out, and began licking it dry. While she did so, she watched Blue. He didn't look so bad anymore. In fact, he was sort of handsome... Roseleaf stopped, surprised at herself, Roseleaf, you can't possibly be starting to like this loner? Come on, snap out of it! She resumed cleaning her pelt, now slightly rattled.

Roseleaf laughed, trying to cover up, then suddenly sat straight up. "I've gotta go!" she yelped, and took off as fast as she could run. Can't be late can't be late can't be late can't be late..

((Ahh I can see Roseleaf racing into camp, with Blue on her heels, she doesn't know he's following her, and then everyone else like what the heck who is he))

Roseleaf ran as fast as she could, darting past trees and through underbrush. She was supposed to be on a hunting trip, and too late, she realized she hadn't brought back any fresh kill. Well, too late now - if anyone realized she'd been gone this long, there'd be questions, and then... Following the river, she made her way back to camp, not stopping for breath or even for any of the prey scents. If Owlears had been waiting for her... he wouldn't say anything, but Sootfur would take first chance to catch her doing something wrong... but she shouldn't be feeling guilty! Why was she feeling guilty? Because I didn't chase off the intruder. If someone found that out, I'd be in big trouble. Her heart turned to ice as she thought of someone having watched the race. I shouldn't have done that. Roseleaf cursed herself.

Roseleaf finally skidded and stopped at the entrance of the camp, licked her fur down, and walked inside with her tail held high, trying to seem like she'd just lost track of time. Her brother, Owlears spotted her and began padding towards her, then stopped. Roseleaf, puzzled, took a few steps towards him before she realized he was looking over her shoulder, staring at something. Confused, Roseleaf turned around.

Roseleaf let out a little moan. Blue had followed her. Now what was she going to do? Thinking quickly, she backed up a bit until she was shoulder to shoulder with her brothers, and feigned shock. "A loner! What- what's a loner doing in RiverClan camp?"

"Looks like he followed you, Roseleaf - good job, you brought him straight to our camp," Sootfur mewed sarcastically, and Roseleaf bit back a sharp response. She felt another cat slink up behind her, and turned to see Mudfeet joining them. Owlears had disappeared, but Roseleaf wasn't entirely surprised - he wasn't the social type. Slowly, Sootfur and Mudfeet slunk towards Blue. "What do you want, loner?" said Mudfeet. "Who cares, let's chase him out of RiverClan territory," snarled Sootfur.

((oh wait let's move this to a RiverClan camp thread, I'll post there))

_____time has passed in the Clearing thread__________


Roseleaf was fishing, standing by the water's edge, staring down into it's depths. So far she'd caught two fish, and she wanted just one more before she returned to camp. It was night. She hadn't been able to sleep and so had gone out for a bit of midnight hunting. It had been half a moon since her run in with the loner Blue, and though she'd have liked to say she'd all but forgotten him, he haunted her thoughts every day. He walked in her dreams, his big, blue eyes, nicked left ear, and soft blue pelt... Roseleaf shook her head and glared down at the water. The last time she'd seen him they'd fought, and she never expected to see him again. Good riddance. Roseleaf thought fiercely. Suddenly, there was a splash near the middle of the river - a fish. Without thinking, Roseleaf leaned out farther from the edge, trying to get at the fish. But it was too far away, and before she knew it, Roseleaf had tumbled into the water. Calmly, if a little embarrassed and surprised, Roseleaf began kicking her legs to go back up into the air. But, to her horror, she found something had wrapped itself around her back leg, keeping her underwater! She started struggling wildly, panic overtaking her.

The last thing Roseleaf saw before the world went dark was a big, black shadow coming towards her in the water, reaching out its big paws for her. She tried to squirm away, but by now she'd exhausted herself and hardly any oxygen had made its way to her brain, and so she fell limp and unconscious. The next thing she knew, she was sitting up on dry ground, coughing up water. She wheezed for a few moments, still with her eyes tightly shut, and could feel the water running off her pelt in rivers. She started shivering. She was so tired, she didn't want to move, didn't think she could move, and so cold now, so cold...

Roseleaf opened her eyes. For a few moments, she stayed where she was lying, staring up at the slowly lightening sky. Confused, Roseleaf sat up - where was she? It seemed like she was beside the river... with a start, all the memories from the night before came rushing back. Her going out for a night swim, falling into the river, getting caught up in some river plant... Roseleaf suddenly leapt to her feet. She looked down at her paws, to see... Blue? Blue was curled up on the grass, his chest rising and falling softly. It was Blue? He... he saved my life. Wait WHAT? She scrambled back, accidentally hitting his paw with her tail in her surprise.

((it's kay))

Roseleaf gave a small smile, and padded back to sit in front of him. "You saved my life!" She laughed, and nudged him. "So maybe you aren't the mangy furball I said you were... you do care!" Something about knowing that made Roseleaf purr and twitch her tail. So maybe she wasn't mad at him anymore. Maybe he'd been all she could think about for the past half moon, so what?

"Yeah... um, thanks..." Roseleaf suddenly felt awkward. There were a few moments of silence, during which Roseleaf could only think of how close he was to her, then, "What were you even doing at the river?" she asked.

((gah writers' block))

Roseleaf purred. "Yeah, I guess so... what were you thinking about?" She cocked her head, her ears pointing straight up. To a human that would look cute, but Roseleaf just did that when she was curious. Her fur was dry by now, and her glossy pelt shone in the rising sun. There were one or two toms back in RiverClan who'd have given anything to be called her mate, but unfortunately for them Roseleaf was just too naive to even notice them. She had no idea what she really looked like - well, she'd seen herself in puddles and in the water, but she would have no idea, if she'd noticed, why some toms watched her with stars in their eyes. That was just her, and her brothers rolled their eyes over it all the time.

((XDXD))

"Oh..." Roseleaf thought for a moment, then said, "Do you? Think it's real, I mean." For a few moments, she wondered what life would be like without StarClan, without the warrior code... How would medicine cats and leaders know what to do? What would battles be like? Would life be like... like a loner or rogue? Would the clans just fizzle out, until it was like they never existed?

((XDXD))

Roseleaf laughed. "I don't know about the flying hedgehogs, but I guess 'star cats' isn't so far off..." Without thinking, Roseleaf padded over to sit next to him, her pelt brushing his. She sat down, and curled her tail over her paws, and watched the rising sun come up over the trees. "It's beautiful," she whispered.

(( XD *rolls eyes* ))

Roseleaf purred and nudged him with her shoulder. "Are you making fun of me now?" she laughed. She yawned, too. "You know," she said softly, "they'll be wondering where I am back at camp..." But she wasn't so worried now, it wasn't like last time. Now she was sitting beside Blue, their fur touching, and all she wanted to do was lay her head on his shoulder and go to sleep. But of course she couldn't.

((Ooh I just got an idea - what if Roseleaf like mentions her brother, Owlears, and Blue doesn't know he's her brother and gets jealous?))

((kay))

Roseleaf didn't notice the tone of Blue's voice, and so stood up and yawned again. "I guess really should probably go - Owlears will be wondering where I am..." She stretched - lying in that position for most of the night after being nearly drowned to death could get a little stiff and sore to some cats.

Roseleaf, still not getting Blue's tone of voice, and gasped, jumping on her toes. "Dawn patrol! I was supposed to be on dawn patrol! Oh no, no, no - Blue, I have to go!" She started to run back towards camp, but before she got too far she turned around, gave Blue a small lick on the cheek, and darted off for camp. "Thanks again for saving my life!" she called over her shoulder, then was gone.

((Hmm, what about it's the next day and yeah))

Roseleaf bounded through the trees, but as she neared the river, she slowed down. It was sun-high and she'd told her brothers she'd be out all afternoon, so this time she wouldn't have to rush off anywhere. She could actually spend time with Blue! Finally, Roseleaf was admitting to herself that she kind of liked this loner, and she'd spent all last night coming up with reasons why it wasn't against the warrior code. He didn't feel the same way about her, so it was only half breaking it (her logic), she wasn't really meeting him in secret, it was bright daylight, she wasn't sharing any RiverClan secrets with him, so she wasn't really betraying her clan, etc... Roseleaf finally reached the place where Blue had saved her two nights ago, and looked around eagerly.

Roseleaf raised her own tail back. "Blue!" She sat down and began washing her ears as she said, "I thought I'd never make it, Owlears just wouldn't let me get away - I guess I shoudn't really be complaining, but he just wouldn't - Blue, are you okay? What's the matter?"

Roseleaf blinked. "Um, my brother? Why, did you think- no! Blue! You weren't, jealous, were you?" Suddenly Roseleaf's heart lifted to the sky. He'd been jealous! He was totally jealous! He'd thought- that she- he actually cared about her! But wait, did he actually, or was Roseleaf just misinterpreting all this...? For a moment Roseleaf's mind went tumbling in all directions, and she completely forgot what they were talking about in the first place until Blue spoke.

Roseleaf watched his face carefully, and smiled to herself. He was attempting a neutral expression but it wasn't working out so well. She laughed. "Yeah, of course - who'd you think he was?"

((out of context this would be SO weird XD))

Roseleaf stepped a little closer, her mouth wide in a grin. "What'd you say? Sorry, didn't hear that." She was close enough to Blue now that his scent filled her nostrils, and she was pretty sure her heart melted from it. She liked how he smelled. He smelled like pine and fresh rain, with a little daisy and rose mixed in. Or maybe that was just her imagination.

((XD yes you do that - and I like Roseleaf's scent as well XD))

Roseleaf was suddenly caught in Blue's gaze, and took a second to reply. "My mate? Oh, well, of course Owlears isn't my mate, he's just my shy brother who seems to need me as his translator..." she trailed off, her eyes still locked with Blue's. She felt like she was drowning in Blue's eyes, the pale blue drawing her in, until all other scents and sights disappeared. After a moment she broke away, and looked down, saying, "No, I don't have a mate... do... do you?" She swallowed nervously. The thought had just come to her, before then she'd never thought about if Blue was a mated cat or not, and now she was kind of frightened.

((Ooooooooooooooh))

Roseleaf, relieved, said, "Yeah, I guess not." Suddenly feeling awkward, she turned away and padded over to the river. She lapped up some water, then turned to look back at Blue. A thought had just crossed her mind. "Where do you live?" She was a bit glad to change the subject, her pelt was prickling with... was that guilt? No, that was ridiculous, what did she have to be guilty of? Her thoughts?

Roseleaf squinted at him, finally decided he was joking, and said, laughing, "Come onnnnn - where really? I've always wondered where and how loners and rogues survive-" Suddenly a different thought crossed her mind, and left her dumb. "Blue," she said slowly, trying to craft her next question right. "Are you a loner or a rogue?" The difference between the two had always been a bit hazy to Roseleaf, but she knew she really hoped Blue wasn't a rogue. Rogues were bad, as all queens told their kits, along with stories to scare them enough to be kept from straying.

Inwardly, Roseleaf sighed in relief. Outwardly, she mewed, "Huh... cool..." She turned to lap up some more water, but she midjudged how far the water was, and accidentally got her whiskers and nose all wet. She turned back around, cross-eyed and attempting to flick the drops off.

((cough cough))

((It's cool))

Rose leaf tried glaring at Blue for a moment, but finally broke into a grin as well. She laughed and nodded. "So..." she said, coming over to sit next to him again. "Now what?" She glanced sideways at him. She honestly didn't know what to do next, but she sure didn't want to leave for camp anytime soon - she was really enjoying his company. Unlike the rest of RiverClan, he really seemed to listen to her. He just seemed to hear what she had to say.

Roseleaf opened her mouth in mock surprise. "Are you flirting with me, Blue?" She said, purring as well. "Because if you are, you're doing a terrible job of it."

Roseleaf nearly stumbled, but managed to keep her footing enough not to fall over. She laughed and turned her head so she was looking him straight in the eyes. She cocked her head, and mewed, "What makes you think you've won me over?" Suddenly, Roseleaf's eyes caught the rising sun's rays perfectly, and for a split second they sparkled, quite literally. But then the moment was gone and instead her eyes glittered with only playfulness and laughter.