Stretching My Paws {Private}

[Fallensnow]

{For Tigerfrost}

Fallensnow padded out of the nursery, purring softly as the heat from the sun-warmed ground seeped through her paw pads, crawling through her body till she was almost oblivious to the cold breeze that had been blowing through camp since the early morning. Most of the kit's were still asleep, with the exception of a few early risers, and the black-and-white she-cat figured that they would be fine under Rowansky's care. Besides, her paws were aching to feel the familiar paths of IceClan territory.
A good hunt sounds magnificent right about now, she thought to herself, about to head of camp alone when an image of Lightfall's limp body crept into her mind. A shiver ran through the Queen, and she decided that it might be best if she had someone accompany her if she was going to leave camp.
She spotted a warrior not far off, and approached him with a familiar nod of the head, "Good morning," Fallensnow greeted warmly, "I was wondering if you were busy-- it seemed like good hunting weather, but I don't feel like traveling alone," the she-cat mewled, her voice laced with a questioning heir. She had tried to keep all apprehension out of her voice, not wanting the other to know how afraid she was of trekking through IceClan territory alone, and believed she had succeeded at sounding somewhat nonchalant.

[Tigerfrost]

Tigerfrost had taken this sunny weather to his advantage. The tom padded over to a rock and lay himself on a flat rock near the nursery. The camp was fairly calm since the kits were still asleep, and only few cats roamed around for they had all gone out or they were taking the day off to sleep. As he lay on the rock the sun warmed his brown tabby fur to the point where the cold breeze only bothered his muzzle. He spent the next few minutes that way before hearing someone walk out of the nursery. He dismissed the sound with a flick of his ears and continued to bask in the warmth of the sun. Not long after, a cat had approached him. He opened one amber eye to find it was one of the queens. He quickly sat up and streched out his tiring limbs. "Good morning indeed." Purred the tom with a flick of his tail. Flicking his ears forward, he listened intently to the she cat. "Oh indeed it is a great day to hunt. Oh no no i'm not busy at all, as you can see." Laughed the tom with a deep voice. Continuing he flicked his gaze over the queen, "I will accompany you ma'am. But I do think it is a good idea for you to know who you are hunting with. The name is Tigerfrost, at your service." Meowed the tom with a dip of his head and an acknowledging flick of his tail. Tigerfrost slowly got off the rock slowly, almost in a half stretch and waited next to the queen for her order to leave.

[Fallensnow]

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Tigerfrost," Fallensnow purred with a smile, almost forgetting into introduce herself as well, "I'm Fallensnow." Her black-patched tail waved towards the camp entrance, and her posture became more relaxed now that she knew she didn't have to face the territory alone. "Shall we get going? I was thinking going by the river-- whether your hunting for fish or not life always seems to be thriving there, but I wasn't sure how healthy it would be to get our paws wet while there's still a bit of leaf-bare chill lingering," the black-and-white Queen mewed thoughtfully, glancing over at Tigerfrost too see if he had any preference of were to hunt. 
There's always the option of trekking through the more rocky part of the territory, she thought. It may not have been as safe an option as the river, the fact only being proven by recent events in the Clan, but there was sure to be some prey emerging from between crevices, searching for the promised riches of new-leaf to gorge on. And I'm sure if we were to stay in the more covered areas we wouldn't be at risk of... Fallensnow shook the thought from her head, focusing her attention back on the tom as she awaited his opinion on the matter.

[Tigerfrost]

Tigerfrost purred and dipped his head again to acknowledge the newly introduced queen. "The pleasure is all mines, Fallensnow." Rumbled the tom as his purring grew steady and deep. Ears flicked to attention he listened again to what the she cat had to say. Well she has a point. The river is the safer route, and have plenty more options at prey than the rocks. Especially given the things that had just happened around here. Thought Tigerfrost for a moment before deciding. "We shall hunt by the river, I assume you are alright with that. Tiger said politely and was about to make his way to the entrance of the camp before he noticed she had seemed disturbed for a mement. He gave his chest a few licks before lifting his tail and wrapping it around her shoulders for a brief moment. Fallensnow, I promise no harm will come to you on this trip out of camp. I promise on my life. Purred the tom in her ear before removing his tail, giving her a smile, and heading out into the territory.

(Sorry if there are errors... I'm typing off my tablet and it's not very good so again sorry.)

[Fallensnow]

The she-cat felt herself relax under the promise of the tom's protection, although she felt the slightest bit unnerved that her emotions had been visible. Am I really that easy to read? she questioned herself; she had never been fond of others knowing how she felt, and preferred to keep her true feelings tucked beneath a thin layer of kindness (not that her true feelings were ever anything but kind-- if anything they were just indecisive, and creating a persona that wasn't unsure of herself boosted the Queen's confidence).
Yet, she had been warmed by the fact that Tigerfrost had taken the time to reassure her, rather than point out her fear, and her pelt still pricked softly from were his tail had rested. I don't think I would expect any less of him though, she thought fondly, padding forward so she matched his pace, her mind running dry as she tried to think up something to say.

[Tigerfrost]

Tigerfrost quickly lead the way out of camp in silence. He truly had no intent to communicate with the queen very much. She just needed a guide and he was there to ensure her protection. Keeping at his swift yet steady pace, they had reached the river by sun high. More than enough time to hunt and be back at camp. Unless of course the she cat wanted to stay after dark. He let the silence sit for a few moments before turning to the queen. "If it is alright with you, we could split up to get more hunting down. Or we could hunt as a pair and get less done, yet be safe. Your choice." He meowed politely and gazed over the river waiting for her response. Maybe it would be smart to have a conversation with her. Possibly get to know her. It wouldn't hurt to try would it? Thought to tom and gave a small wince at the thought go possibly offending the queen with questions.

[Fallensnow]

{sorry for the late reply ;^;}

Fallensnow's bronze-hued eyes traced over the river for a heartbeat, which for some reason seemed strangely swollen compared to the last time she had been by. The melted snow from the mountains must be feeding it… she thought as she listened to Tigerfrost.
"It'll probably be more efficient to hunt separately," the black-patched Queen stated thoughtfully a few moments after the tom had finished speaking, knowing that she wasn't the best at hunting with a partner, "but as long as we don't travel to far from each other we should be fine…" the she-cat still felt a little wary of the plan. "Why don't we drop our catches back off here though," Fallensnow added, shuffling her snowy-white paws on the ground below, " it'll save us the trouble of looking for them later,". The prey had most likely been flushed up to were they were hunting anyway because of the river's growth, so she doubted they would have to travel far to make a catch. And if one of us is taking to long the other will be close enough to help.

[Tigerfrost]

He nodded his head and quickly glanced over the river as well. He was going to try fishing, but sine the river seemed dangerously high. Turning his back to the river, he gave a last glance at the queen. "Hey, if anything happens just yell for me. I won't be far, I promise." He said, laying his tail on her shoulder again and giving her a reassuring smile. Turning his head back to the slight undergrowth and plunged in.

It didn't take long for him to catch the scent of shrew. He followed it for a few moments before catching sight of it. He crouched down and made sure to stay down wind and out of sight. Before long he pounced and broke the spine of the little creature. He carried it back to their spot and pushed leaves over it.

[Fallensnow]

Fallensnow gave a thankful nod at the tom's reassurance, letting herself take a deep breath before she snuck into the undergrowth herself.
She stayed close to the trees and low to the ground, hoping that the tinted light that filtered itself through the tree's leaves would help her to pass off the white of her pelt as dappled spots of light on the territory floor. Barley minutes after she had started her hunt the Queen spotted the familiar dusky-brown feathers of a lark picking at the dirt, hunting its prey. The black-and-white she-cat creeped closer, careful not to make any noise. Judging the distance carefully, Fallensnow pushed of the ground in an arching leap, her unsheathed claws coming down hard on the unsuspecting bird.
It struggled under her grasp for a few moments, but fell limp the second she delivered a sharp nip to the back of its feathery neck. Satisfied with her quick catch, the she-cat began to trot silently back to their spot, her ears still alert for any sign of prey.