He had lived as a Skyclanner for quite some time now, but the older tom knew without a doubt that he had made the right choice. Despite the pressure and impending feeling of sharing borders, he managed to stay positive. If they kept level heads and worked out a solution, then it would be fine. Pale paws glided across soft grass, and his scruffy maw settled into a relaxed smile. Daisydream loved his clan and knew they could handle themselves. When he was a kit, his mother had spun stories of fighters, a mysterious tom who had won her heart.
His naivety had soared at every tale, eyes wide and shining with wonder. Later in life, when he finally joined Skyclan back at the old territory, it was his chance. He had turned down the easier path of being a Kittypet, choosing to become a full time Clan cat, hoping foolishly to impress the father who barely acknowledged him. It was a shame the old bird had hardly tried to hold a conversation, let alone his frail old body, after the move. A shame they never got to say what needed saying. Being a secret of his father's would never sit right. Hearing the tabby beg him in croaks not to say he was his. Despite said plea, he would never be ashamed of his mother. Sure, some questions would never be answered now, but that was life. With a sigh, the wily coated tom shook the morose thoughts away.
No time for brooding near Windclan, i've got a meal to catch. Focus on the task. Alright, I know I heard something over here. Slow and steady, he crept around the tree line into a clutch of bushes. Maw opened slightly, bright blue eyes narrowing to a patch of leaf litter beside a rock. Gotcha! Triumph flared in his chest as his paw struck, swatting away the leaves to reveal two startled pika. Before they could flee, he snapped down on the first and pinned the second beneath a hooked claw. Quick, clean bites ended the hunt. Let it be fast and painless. Daisydream never regretted a meal, but a part of him always felt guilty. Still, the reward center of his brain lit up, and the guilt faded as he proudly gathered the small prey. Feathery tail curled high in satisfaction as he trotted, rodents clutched securely in his jaw. Until a strange scent teased at his nose.
Hm?
Glancing over his shoulder fluff, Daisydream caught sight of movement just beyond the border. A cat and not one he recognized, but something about them felt oddly familiar. Short ears twitched curiously. Noting the odd lack of noise around them as the other approached. Their stomach fell with dismay. Don't tell me I have to chat with Windclan alone. Said stranger continued closer to the border, and the motion made his hackles rise. That's not a Windclanner. Oh no, not now! Don't you do it! Tension prickled across his body. Carefully, he set his prey down and stepped over it, fur bristling with instinct. Rounded pelt rising over his spine, form doubling in size, he growled out a clipped shout. "Hey!" Neat, sharp, and enough to make clear he meant business. This fella was way too close for comfort. Oh, Kittypet! Then the scent hit his nose again.
This cat has no use for Skyclan's food or shelter, so what's the issue? Moving to meet them, he found the scent line with a paw and stationed himself there, posture firm. Daring the other to step even a strand of fur closer. Almond shaped eyes locked onto the intruder as his voice dropped to a low, warning rumble. "State your business." Despite his defensive stance, there was a softness to the words, a measured calm beneath the threat. He didn't smell any other cats nearby, and judging by appearances, if it came to claws. Well, the Skyclanner was rusty, but he believed he could put up a good match.
OOC @Gingerbread
