the little things // coldsnap

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Bunnyhop

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I-I-I've got a migraine
And my pain will range from
Up down and sidewaysS ✧​
Colored paws moved across brown heather as hues narrowed onto the target of their focus. Not a sound came from the small feline, not even a giggle and a very serious look crossed their narrow features. A tongue poked out just ever so slightly in concentration before the figure leapt from the tall grass. Paws outstretched with claws unsheathed, a pointed pelt darted from their hiding place and on top of that was a deep chetsnut brown. It crunched under their forepaws and a satisfied grin crossed a dappled maw, gaze looking up with their excitement. Then there was a small butt wiggle before the tortie point leapt for another leaf, and giggled when it crunched as well. It was perfectly satisfying! They disliked it when the leaps where damp or didn't make the crunching noise.

Bunnyhop lifted their head from their paws to look around camp for a moment, the young cat didn't have anything to really do at that moment. No patrols, no mentors for the first time in a while, and hunting seemed to be too terrifying for most cats. Didn't blame them with the hawks becoming a problem as of recent times. Still, this left them restless and they had to keep their paws busy or they would absolutely loose it. Bright emerald eyes moved from cat to cat before leaping onto the next leaf, but sadly it did not crunch and merely stuck to their front paw. Bunnyhop lifted a paw and swatted away the wet leaf with a huff noise.

Perhaps they should do something useful? Maybe take a patrol out or something? Maybe Dandelionwish needed more herbs or something? They weren't sure, but it had to be something. Who could they take with them, though? Many of the warriors' where older and had better things to do than indulge in their silly little games. Then again they could be wrong of course, but they did know of one particular warrior. They had graduated together but yet never seemed to have spoken before. Things had been busy for a while anyway, so suppose that could be why.

Springing to calico toes, the young warrior bounded through the clearing and towards a grey shape; Coldsnap. They didn't know much about him other than that he was rather aloof and liked his solitude. Still, he looked like he could fight off a hawk and that was all that mattered to them. ​
 
COLDPAW-1.png
IM SCARED TO GET CLOSE AND I HATE BEING ALONE
I LONG FOR THE FEELING TO NOT FEEL AT ALL
THE HIGHER I GET, THE LOWER I SINK
I CAN'T DROWN MY DEMONS, THEY KNOW HOW TO SWIM

It wasn't often that cats went out of their way to approach Coldsnap. While the tomcat was never cruel to his clanmates, he was seldom ever friendly either, and for most a 'good' conversation could be chalked up to one where they were treated with general neutrality. He just wasn't the sort to offer cheerful smiles or blind optimism, and his reputation for being stubborn and impatient with others often caused his clanmates to give him a wide berth in order to avoid tempting fait. Truthfully though, Coldsnap was a lot more tolerant than they gave him credit for, though he couldn't really blame them given the sheer hostility he'd chosen to act with in his younger days. As much as he tried to avoid it, his apprenticeship had resulted in maturity that was slowly reshaping the way he saw things, even if it was taking time.

Of course, lately he hadn't been showing much of that maturity. Sulking would pretty much sum it up, but he really didn't know what else to do with himself. The death of Rosepaw had struck him unexpectedly hard, forcing him to acknowledge things he would have rather left in the shadows. On top of that, it was only driving home all the things he and Dandelion had spoken about, leaving Coldsnap constantly wondering what it was he stood for exactly. He spent the majority of his time alone, optiong out of patrols and hunts to instead go on solo ventures that were far more dangerous given their curent situation witht he hawks. To combat that, he often did his work at night, meaning the tom slept most of the days away.

Lounging in camp, he hadn't been expecting anyone to approach him. The only cat that ever went looking for him to hang out or do things had been Rosepaw, and in their absence his days had been mostly quiet. And so he couldn't help the suspicious look that settled in his yellow eyes as Bunnyhop -a cat he'd spent zero time with- suddenly made their way over to him.

"What?" he asked, the word falling from his lips bluntly as he regarded the other. He and Bunnyhop weren't all that far apart in age, though he suspected the other had a few months on him despite only having just been made a warrior, but that didn't mean they'd ever hung out or spoken.
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windclan warrior - male - 9 months - a large, dark grey tabby with yellow eyes
 
I-I-I've got a migraine
And my pain will range from
Up down and sidewaysS ✧​
Bunnyhop had suspected such a thing would come from the rather prickle tomcat, and they didn't let it deter their stance in approaching him. The tom did all but sulk and go off alone out of camp, and they wondered if he just need a friend. Or well someone to talk to at least, but the snappish response was a little striking. A head lifted up rather proudly and they stated firmly, "You know, statisically, sulking around and being alone does more damage on the brain than anything else?" They spoke after his snap, and gave a slight tilt of their head. It was rather true. Everyone was their own worst downfall, and Coldsnap was no different from that.

Emerald hues looked at the other warrior with blatant curiousity and a swish of their dappled tail, "I was going to ask you to come along for a hunt. I can watch the sky if you'd like?" They questioned and lifted their head rather definiantly, as if Coldsnap didn't really have a choice in the matter. Bunnyhop just wanted to help him feel better. Help the greiving process in a way or something, and being stuck in camp sulking wasn't the way to do it. ​
 
COLDPAW-1.png
IM SCARED TO GET CLOSE AND I HATE BEING ALONE
I LONG FOR THE FEELING TO NOT FEEL AT ALL
THE HIGHER I GET, THE LOWER I SINK
I CAN'T DROWN MY DEMONS, THEY KNOW HOW TO SWIM

The other cats words would only cause him to scowl and look away. He knew that sulking didn't change anything, but the last thing he needed was some random cat coming over and pointing out the obvious. And, if he hadn't told himself only a day prior that he was going to start trying to give the cats around him the benefit of the doubt, he might have told Bunnyhop to go 'hop' off a cliff. Of course, knowing he'd probably regret being so harsh later on, he chose not to let his temper get the better of him.

In return, he was rewarded with an offer to go hunting.

Yellow eyes would shift back to meet with green, expression unreadable as he seemingly considered the others words. He'd been almost exclusively going out a night in order to purposefully avoid his clanmates, many of whom -including Bunnyhop- had been present during his little breakdown a few days prior. The last thing he wanted was to be around a cat who'd seen him in such a vulnerable position, no doubt having looked incredibly weak that night on the moors.

And yet, this was the first time a cat had approached him for no real reason since Rosepaw had died. It made something in his chest twist, and before he knew it he was sighing and getting to his feet. "Yeah, sure. I guess that'd be fine." he mumbled, reasoning that he had nothing better to do. "Where do you want to go?"
​
windclan warrior - male - 9 months - a large, dark grey tabby with yellow eyes
 
I-I-I've got a migraine
And my pain will range from
Up down and sidewaysS ✧​
A smile twitched across a dappled face at the grey cat confirmation of coming along, and they got up onto their paws with an excited little bounce, "We're gonna make such a great team, Coldsnap," They optimistically chirped with a small bound away from the larger tomcat. Slipping through the camp entrance, emerald hues looked to the sky for a moment and they slowed their pace for a moment. Where there still going to be hawks out? They hoped not, those things would pick Bunnyhop off like they were but a mere mouse.

The grass underpaw had begun to dry and grow grey in color as the wind shifted around them. It was colder than afternoon than it had been in the last few days, and there was a soft layer of frost covering some of the rocks and heather. Leaf-bare was well on its way and it was unknown if things would go well. With the rebellion within camp with Emberfang, there would sure be some sort of paranoia among the clan and espeically in Sootstar. Well that was how it felt to them about the situation, it was rather intense to watch and it was hoped nothing would come of it.

Bunnyhop glanced at Coldsnap as they walked and then opted for offering a form of conversation, "Do you think things will get worse from here?" It was a honest question and there was slight uncertainty in their tone of voice, "I feel like everythings gonna be tighter held together and we're gonna suffer this winter," Bunnyhop looked down at the ground before back up at the tom with those emerald hues of theirs, "It is kinda worrying ya know? The whole Emberfang thing," The tortie point gave a small swish of their dappled tail and looked back ahead of them as they walked onwards. ​
 
COLDPAW-1.png
IM SCARED TO GET CLOSE AND I HATE BEING ALONE
I LONG FOR THE FEELING TO NOT FEEL AT ALL
THE HIGHER I GET, THE LOWER I SINK
I CAN'T DROWN MY DEMONS, THEY KNOW HOW TO SWIM


"We're gonna make such a great team, Coldsnap."
A skeptical brow would raise at their words as the torbie feline went scampering off ahead of him, and Cold would snort in vague amusement as he slowly followed after them. "What makes you say that?" he asked, following the other cat out of camp and onto the moors beyond. Large paws felt the chill of the frost-bitten ground beneath them, and yellow eyes immediately went skyward to scan the world above them. To his relief he didn't see any of the hawks that had been plaguing the territory lately, but he wouldn't be letting his guard down any time soon.

"Depends." he replied as Bunnyhop glanced toward him, and Coldsnap would meet their gaze as he fell into step beside them. "Sootstar seems to only gets volatile when she feels she's in danger of losing control, which in a way is reasonable. Her jobs to keep order in the clan after all, so if things start falling apart around her I expect she'll do whatever she has to in order to keep a hold of things."

Coldsnap could admit that much. He didn't hate Sootstar, didn't even entirely disagree with where she was coming from. He knew all too well how quickly things could fall apart when a leader bent too much to the will of others, and in that regard Sootstar wasn't wrong in defending what was hers. That being said, he wouldn't say she didn't piss him off sometimes. Being too harsh could spur disloyalty just as easily as being too lax could, and there was a line the shecat would have to learn to walk if she wanted to avoid any incidents like that in the future. Coldsnaps loyalty was to Windclan, the group. And as long as she was a part of it she'd have his loyalty as well. The question was, how long would Windclan allow her to stay?

"Your probably right, though. Emberfangs family makes up a good portion of the clan and I can't imagine Sootstar wont be paranoid about that shecat having sparked some something in them. She'll probably make a powerplay at some point to remind the clan whose in charge."

Coldsnap couldn't say exactly what that play would be, but he had a feeling their Leader wasn't going to just exile Emberfang and call it a day. She'd do something to ensure that the clan knew better than to pull something like that again, and it was probably going to suck for all of them.

​
windclan warrior - male - 9 months - a large, dark grey tabby with yellow eyes
 
I-I-I've got a migraine
And my pain will range from
Up down and sidewaysS ✧​
The young torbie cat looked up at Coldsnap with those warm, emerald eyes for a moment, "It is just a feeling," They answered to the question about what made them think such a thing. Bunnyhop then twitched an ear at the grey tabbys' words about the Sootstar and Emberfang situation. He did have a point; Sootstar would probably make some sort of large move. Something to assert her leadership in Windclan and they were honestly terrified of what that move would be. It was like Sootstar was walking on the edge of a ravine, and she was a couple of paces from toppling over into something good for Windclan or something that would destroy it. Then again, she had some mercy? She exhiled Emberfang instead of killing her or worse like she did to Kestreltalon.

Bunnyhop lifted their head a bit to look up at Coldsnap, "Would you go back to your old life if things go south for Windclan?" It was a genuine question and had a bit of fear lacing their voice as they spoke. They didn't come from a bad place in the world, but lately they have been thinking of an out just in case something happened. Like Sootstar going rogue or something dastardly. Plus the recent hawk attacks weren't helping either with things in the clan, many lost their lives and Windclan was loosing cats like crazy. Was this the best course of action or was there something more at hand?

"I don't think I could go back. I kinda left that place in a dramatic way," Bunnyhope answered their own question with a small shrug of their lithe shoulders, "It wasn't the worst place to live, but I kinda ruined my chances of going back in a way ya know?" Emerald hues glanced up to the grey cat with a light smile before gaze turned to the sky for a moment. Bunnyhop was one of many cats a woman owned and fed outside her home, wasn't really part of the colony but they were fed there and given a place to sleep for the most part. ​
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COLDPAW-1.png
IM SCARED TO GET CLOSE AND I HATE BEING ALONE
I LONG FOR THE FEELING TO NOT FEEL AT ALL
THE HIGHER I GET, THE LOWER I SINK
I CAN'T DROWN MY DEMONS, THEY KNOW HOW TO SWIM


As Bunnyhop went on to answer their own question, Coldsnap realized -with a tinge of guilt her efused to properly akcnowledge- that he didn't know anything about the cat beside him. He didn't know where they'd come from or why they'd joined the group, didn't know what their goals or fears were. It was like that with every Windclanner, really, even Hyacinth, whom he was arguably closest to him. And it was a two-way street, his own answers locked away from them as well.

He hummed in understanding at the others words, at least able to relate to the part about not being able to go back. "No." he asnwered, no hesitation in his tone. Loyalty had always been a touchy subject with him, and had Bunny asked this to a younger, more volatile Cold back when he was a paw, they might have received a harsher answer. Maybe all those talks with Dandelion were doing some good for him after all, tempering his patience just a little. "The marsh group -Shadowclan- stopped being my home the moment Briarstar allowed her cats to split off and form the clans. There's nothing left for me back there now."

He'd lost both his parents in the great battle, had then lost his friends and siblings to the divide after Starclan appeared and blessed the forming of the other groups. At the end of it all Coldsnap had been left standing alone, utterly devastated as every person he loved and trusted turned their backon him and left to go pursue their own lives. If any of them had known the meaning of the word loyalty, maybe Coldsnap would still be in the marsh to this day.

"I'll stay with Windclan until the end, even if Sootstar drags us through hell and back." He couldn't imagine leaving the moors. Not while Dandelion and Hyacinth and all the others were still here. He wouldn't betray them by running away like some coward. "What made you join anyways? You didn't come from a clan before this, did you?" he asked, though the last part seemed like more of a statement than anything as yellow eyes flashed skyward to make sure they weren't being targetted.
​
windclan warrior - male - 9 months - a large, dark grey tabby with yellow eyes
 
I-I-I've got a migraine
And my pain will range from
Up down and sidewaysS ✧​
So he was a former Shadowclan cat? That would explain the rather hostile behavior the young warrior seemed to protray more often than not, or well use to in any case. Bunnyhop though understood that notion; a place once called home now nothing more than a strange place. Coldsnaps' next set of words didn't seem to phase the torbie cat, of course he would say that. Most cats felt like they would follow Sootstar to the bitter end, and they weren't very sure of it. Was she really worth risking everything for? For one thing, Bunnyhop couldn't see themselves giving their life for the blue molly. She just didn't create that same loyal spark that Coldsnap had in Bunnyhope, and there wasn't anything wrong in it- right?

Seemed many cats in Windclan felt like Sootstar wasn't worth the trouble; like Emberfang and her family, Inkylotus and many others who decided Windclan wasn't their home anymore. Or the moors weren't but thats besides the point. A soft 'hmm' came from the torbie point as he looked towards Coldsnap when he asked about his own home, where he hailed from. What made him join the clan to begin with and a little giggle came from the pointed cat.

"I guess you could say I am from another colony like the clans," He started out with and gave a small shrug of his shoulders, "We where fed by a twoleg but lived outside on her land. There was like fifty or more of us," Bunnyhope gave a small shrug of their shoulders and looked up at Coldsnap for a moment, "[color=#439B3C[I left cause the humans- er twolegs- where starting to capture us. Most of us where released but altered and couldn't have kittens anymore[/color]," Bunnyhop looked down a bit at their front paws, "I managed to escape them, but not without telling off my family. I said some really mean things to them before I left," A soft sigh left a torbie muzzle and ears twitched back for a moment.

They could remember that morning like it was yesterday, when in reality it has been months since then, and Bunnyhop felt guilt tug at their chest. They had called their other useless, their father absent and their siblings just pretended everything was fine. Their sister was in an abuseive relationship with a now fixed tomcat, their brother risking his life every day to feed the little family amongst the fifty other cats that lived in the overhang. Unspeakable words, but they were the truth and they didn't want the truth at all. They just wanted to their sweet little Bunnyhop to be part of it all, and he couldn't stand to let it go on for much longer.

"Do you miss your family?" Bunnyhop asked the grey tabby tomcat beside them, emerald hues hopeful, "You have a family right? I guess you could say I joined Windclan because it felt like a chance at a new family," The torbie shifted his weight on his paws and shook his head a bit, "And I am scared that family is going to be destroyed," Green gaze seemed to water a bit with tears that threatened to spill over. ​
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Untitled327-20221103225234.png
IM SCARED TO GET CLOSE AND I HATE BEING ALONE
I LONG FOR THE FEELING TO NOT FEEL AT ALL
THE HIGHER I GET, THE LOWER I SINK
I CAN'T DROWN MY DEMONS, THEY KNOW HOW TO SWIM


It was a funny thing, really, that Coldsnap seemed more like a Shadowclan cat now than he had when actually living in Shadowclan. Back then he'd been outgoing and social, highly competitive and stubborn as hell, but his heart had been open to the cats around him. He used to smile and laugh a lot back then, but a lot had changed since Coldsnap was a litle kid. The people he trusted and loved had left him to rot in the marshes alone, and so he'd left, unable to bear living in a place that would never hold the same happiness for him again.

Instead, Cold had aligned himself with Soot- not because she had inspired anything in him or because he liked who she was as a person, but because of all the leaders forming groups at the time, she had been the most strict when it came to loyalty. Sootstar was the cat who was most likely to weed out the disloyal and keep the truly devoted, and for Coldsnap, who had no patience for traitors and abandoners, it made Windclan the best option.

And so, when cats were tested by Sootstars fierce hold and zero tolerance toward disloyalty, he didn't usually mind. They had no business being in windclan if they weren't willing to put up with a little bullshit from time to time, and if they couldn't stomach the bad days then they didn't deserve the good ones. There was a balance to maintain in that ideology though. Coldsnap didn't intend to serve a tyrant who didn't know how to show loyalty to her own cats, and only time would truly tell if Coldsnap was driven away from or toward their Leader and her hostile ways.

He hummed in acknowledgement at the others words about their previous home and family before taking a moment to consider the question. He didn't often speak about his personal life, but the question wasn't exactly intrusive, just.. out of character for Cold to answer. "I miss my parents sometimes." he admitted, but his tone wasn't sad, just thoughtful. "They were good cats- loyal cats. They never would have left Shadowclan."

There was a tinge of bitterness to that last sentence, tail twitching irritable behind him as he walked along. "They died in the Great Battle, though. After that all my siblings and friends left to join the other clans. I don't miss them, though. They were all traitors to leave like that, and Briarstar was a traitor for letting them go. Thats why I joined Windclan. Sootstar may be cruel sometimes, but she demands nothing short of loyalty from her clan. She never would have done what Briar did."

As the other cat began to tear up over the topic of family, Coldsnap felt an uncomfortable itch beneath his pelt. He was the last cat who should be left to comfort someone, let alone a cat he knew as little about as Bunnyhop.

"Windclan isn't going anywhere." he replied firmly, confidence bleeding through his words. "Sootstar may be a bitch sometimes, but if there's one thing you can count on its that she wants to lead Windclan, which means she'll make sure there's always a Windclan for her to lead." Cold explained. "She might be a bitch sometimes, but if we're being realistic here its not like she's blinding cats left and right. The only cats that ever have to deal with that are the ones that run their mouths. Its a controversial opinion, but if everyone just did their damn jobs and relaxed a little, she probably wouldn't be half as bad as she is right now."

Both sides were at fault for the tension going on. The clan faulted Sootstar for being harsh on them, but she was only ever harsh on them when they acted like kits. So what if she wasn't always smiling or walking on eggshells to keep from offending others? You didn't have to like your boss to co-exist with them. At the same time though, there was a difference between being stern and being cruel. Cold more than anyone could understand the need to run a tight ship, but you couldn't just treat everyone like ass constantly. You had to reward them for their successes and loyalty as well, show that it was acnowledged and appreciated. And he had a feeling some of the cats int he clan weren't feeling all that appreciated lately.

Oh well. That was Sootstars problem. Weather she stayed or was run out Coldsnap didn't really give a shit. Sootstar wasn't Windclan, and if she lost all 9 lives tomorrow Duskfire would go on in her place, and then another after him, and another after them. It was the stars and the cats that gave Soot her power, and they could just as easily take it away if she drove them to it. Until she did though, until she'd inspired mutiny in them all, Cold wouldn't condemn her entirely.

​
windclan warrior - male - 9 months - a large, dark grey tabby with yellow eyes


COLDPAW-1.png
 
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I-I-I've got a migraine
And my pain will range from
Up down and sidewaysS ✧​
Well at leats Coldsnap was able to see that he missed his family, and Bunnyhop felt sorrowful about them dying in the Great Battle. They hadn't been there around that time and had joined Windclan at a later date. Though they have heard stories about that of the battle and that Starclan came down from above over it. Every kit in the forest was going to know that story for generations to come. Though the grey tabbys next words didn't settle quite right with the torbie point. Briarstar was dead, and Sootstar was more than cruel sometimes. Yet Bunnyhop didn't object, didn't continue on with the conversation to avoid them from becoming more uncomfortable. Coldsnap was rather- brutal in terms of his wording. Cold as ironic as it seemed? No one should be blinded for speaking their mind They thought to themselves quietly, and looked out to the heather instead of at the tomcat beside them.

Maybe Coldsnap wasn't the cat they thought he was. Bunnyhop had had a little bit of hope making friends with him, trying to cheer him up or something as Rosepaws' death seemed to really effect him. Yet this cat just wanted to be closed off, wanted to support a cat like Sootstar, and seemed to really dislike disloyal creatures. The torbie point fell silent, and just continued on with their walk through the hills, and tried to find something to talk about. Anything would be better than this, right? Awkward silence, an uncomfortable feeling, then their emerald gaze looked up to Coldsnap.

"Tell me about Rosepaw, you two seemed close," They settled on to ask instead. Coldsnap seemed to have been close to the apprentice, maybe even liked the other by the way he behaved, and Bunnyhop never got to meet Rosepaw. They had seen them around before, but they never spoke or anything like that. ​
 
Untitled327-20221103225234.png
IM SCARED TO GET CLOSE AND I HATE BEING ALONE
I LONG FOR THE FEELING TO NOT FEEL AT ALL
THE HIGHER I GET, THE LOWER I SINK
I CAN'T DROWN MY DEMONS, THEY KNOW HOW TO SWIM

He could tell he'd said something to make the other unhappy, but Cold wasn't sorry. He may have grown more patient with his clanmates in some regards, but he was still blunt with his words and straightforward with his thoughts. Did he always agree with Soot? Hell no. Did he think her punishments were too harsh sometimes? Yes. But he didn't think she was entirely incompetent and if that pissed other cats off then there was nothing he could do about it. Kestraltalon had been straight up talking shit about her, and Emberfang hadn't just been voicing her disapproval- she'd been trying to start a riot in the middle of camp. Even Honeytwists exile hadn't been without good reason, ultimately thwarting a war between them and Shadowclan.

When Soot started hurting entirely innocent cats, thats when she'd lose Cold entirely.

Unfortunately for Bunnyhop, if they'd been expecting the mood to lighten at the mention of ROsepaw, they were going to be sorely disapointed. Coldsnap stiffened visibly as the name fell from the others lips, and a frown would settle on his maw as yellow eyes shifted to look at anything but the cat in front of him. "We weren't." he muttered, ignoring the flash of guilt he felt. "I'm not close with anyone."

And that was mostly true. While Rosepaw was indeed among the few cats he'd ever spent personal time with -perhaps the only- Cold had never let them get any closer than that. He never spoke about himself or pressed to know anything specific about Rose, and the pair had simply existed in one anothers presence. It... It had been nice. And he felt guilty looking back because he knew that at any time Rosepaw would have let him change that, would have allowed them to have a real friendship if only Cold hadn't been so guarded. And now it was too late. Too late to even admit to them that Cold had cared.

As much as he didn't want to talk about them though, ignoring them like this somehow made him feel even worse. And so, reluctantly, he spoke.

"Rosepaw was... He was soft. Probably too soft to be living in a clan." he replied, the words honest but not unkind. "He'd be the first one to get scared over something or to start crying, but.. He was also really good at reading people. He'd pick the most ill tempered cats in the camp and try to make friends with them- he was pretty good at it, too. " The ghost of a bittersweet smile tugged at his lips as he recalled it.

Coldpaw and Leechpaw had always been in Rosepaws sights. No matter how unapproachable or mean they'd been to the other tomcat, Rose had always kept trying. It was like they'd been able to see just how lonely the cats around him really were, and Cold was certain it was because Rosepaw had shared in that loneliness himself, outcasted by his own family. For a scaredy-cat, when it came to his friends Rosepaw had been fearless. Far braver than Cold.

"That doesn't matter anymore though. He's gone now." Cold would say after a moment, snapping out of whatever weak spell he'd been under and picking up the pace. He didn't want to talk about Rose, didn't want to feel the grief he'd finally managed to push down enough to function. "Come on. We should be able to find something along the river."
​

windclan warrior - male - 9 months - a large, dark grey tabby with yellow eyes

COLDPAW-1.png
​
 
I-I-I've got a migraine
And my pain will range from
Up down and sidewaysS ✧​
A small flinch came from the torbie warrior as Coldsnap stated he wasn't close with anyone for that matter, let alone Rosepaw. Bunnyhop looked down at the ground as they walked and didn't say more on the matter. Though it did seem like the grey tomcat knew something of the dead apprentice, that he made friends with the lesser of the clan and were good at it. Thats what they had hoped for. To make a friend out of someone so cold and ridged that it seemed like their only trait was brute honesty. Was Bunnyhop too soft? Was that the problem? Too friendly? Suppose in a clan like Windclan, it would make sense for being kind as a weakness.

Then Coldsnap suggested they get moving, and there was a small nod that came from the young warrior. They didn't voice anything nor continue to ask questions, instead opted for silence and just wanting to get the hunt over with.

Bunnyhop had stopped looking to the sky for predators as they continued to look at the ground, kicking aside rocks that where loose. The awkward silence was strong and they weren't sure if it would ever be broken. Suppose there was a reason as to why Coldsnap was alone, to why he never seemed to get close to anyone, and Bunnyhop felt bad about that. Guilt clawing at their throat and he glanced up at the grey tabby tomcat for a brief moment- then decided to open their mouth. They had something to say, something to get off their chest, and Coldsnap was going to have to deal with his overtly friendly nature.

That was till a dark shadow was casted over the sunlight, and everything moved at a milisecond. Bunnyhop was about to warn Coldsnap, but nothing came out and then suddenly their feet was off the ground. The ground got smaller and smaller, Coldsnap was further and further away, and suddenly the torbie cat could see almost all of the territory. The large bird had scooped up the warrior with a quickness it would've been hard to try to stop, and Bunnyhop felt a scream errupt from their throat. Shrill, filled with fear, and they screeched out Coldsnaps' name as they were carried off. ​
 
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Untitled327-20221103225234.png
IM SCARED TO GET CLOSE AND I HATE BEING ALONE
I LONG FOR THE FEELING TO NOT FEEL AT ALL
THE HIGHER I GET, THE LOWER I SINK
I CAN'T DROWN MY DEMONS, THEY KNOW HOW TO SWIM

Coldsnap was grateful when silence enveloped them, even if it was the uncomfortable kind. The tom had never claimed to be an easy cat to be around and if Bunny ended up regretting this whole thing than it was nothing short of what Cold expected. He just... he wasn't good at any of this, and he probably never would be. There would always be a piece of himself working against the part of him that wanted to break free from the chains he'd placed himself in, and he would forever self-sabotage these moments with his abrasive nature and sharp tongue.

He would always have to live in a world of his own regrets.

The shadow fell, and yellow eyes snapped wide in realization a mere heartbeat before Bunnyhop was suddenly tore away from him. One second the tom was right beside him, the next he wasn't.

Coldsnap hadn't been there the day of the initial hawk attack- the one that had brought down Duskfires patrol. He hadn't seen what happened to Rosepaw firsthand or been caught in the sheer panic of the moment like Dandelionwish had been, but it still felt like a sick sense of deja vu as Bunnyhop was lifted skyward, Coldsnaps name yowled from his lips in horror. And all Coldnsap could think was that he'd done it again. Here was some perfectly nice cat who -for some reason- was trying to give a shit about him, and the surly warrior had given them nothing back in return. And now they were... Now they were...

He was moving before he could finish the thought. Coldsnap was far from the fastest cat in the clan; he was large and broad and heavy compared to the leaner moor cats, but in that moments he would have given any one of them a run for their money as he tore across the hills and alongside the river. He didn't so much as flinch when he crossed the Riverclan scent markers and continued his mad dash, the low-flying hawk gliding above his only focus in that moment. He would deal with the consequences later, but for now all he could think about was not falling behind. He wasn't sure if he could save Bunnyhop, but.. but he wouldn't let them be eaten by some fucking hawk. At the very least, he'd get a proper goddamn burial.

Along the river the hawk flew, with Coldsnap racing along below, chasing its shadow. His lungs burned and his muscled ached, far worse than the day he'd lost his cool after Rosepaws death, but he didn't let himself stop. Not even when Riverclans territory fell away and the buildings of twoleg place rose up in front of him. The back gardens of several houses came into view, and the hawk swooped low, settling on a fence with the body of a cat still clutched under on foot.

As the winged devil opened its beak to snap a piece of flesh from its cash, Coldsnap let out and ear-splitting yowl of rage as he launched himself at the avian, throwing every ounce of weight he had into it. To his satisfaction he felt his body collide with that of the avian as they tumbled off the fence and into the twolegs yard, and immediately the massive tomcat become a spitting, clawing, hurricane. He knew that he couldn't kill the bird on his own- it had taken an entire patrol to accomplish that- but he could drive it off. He had too.
​

windclan warrior - male - 9 months - a large, dark grey tabby with yellow eyes

COLDPAW-1.png
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I-I-I've got a migraine
And my pain will range from
Up down and sidewaysS ✧​
The ground seemed so far away. Their paws outstretched in a desterpate attempt at trying to reach it, and wiggled as much as they could for who knows how long. The talons of the great bird sinking further into torbie fur as Bunnyhop kept screeching. Trying to get free, to attack, but the bird had them in a way they couldn't reach its' legs or belly. Below them the world shifted from wide moorlands to dense willow trees and the river. Then tall buildings rose up around as the twolegplace came into view, and Bunnyhop at that point was sure they were dead. Their life passed them by and they had done nothing with it. Became a warrior was their only accomplishment, and that wasn't even note worthy.

The torbie point felt tears well in their gaze as the hawk landed on a fence, and that beak opened to take a bite out of Bunnyhop. The cat froze, waited for the pain, for something to happen, and then was sent sprawling across the ground. A yowl of rage echoing through the backyard of a twoleg house. Coldsnap had taken down the large beast from the fence and was now a hissing, spitting, hurricane of claws and fury. It took a moment, they had fallen pretty hard into the grass, but then Bunnyhop was up on their paws.

Racing over, Bunnyhop lunged for the feathered animal with claws out stretched. Clutching onto its back with all four paws as it squaked and cawed, trying to throw the two cats off while also lashing out itself. It caught Bunnyhop on the shoulder as the torbie dangled from its back after loosing footing and caused them to drop to the ground. A talon grazed their back, cutting it open slightly, and then the hawk seemed to have enough. It thrashed and squirmed till it was free before taking off into the sky. Whether it was going to return or not was not known.

"We need to get out of here, before it comes back!" They breathed heavily with a shake of their chest and shoved Coldsnap in a direction before heading for a bush. It was a thick rose bush and they should be able to hide in there for now. ​
 
Untitled327-20221103225234.png
IM SCARED TO GET CLOSE AND I HATE BEING ALONE
I LONG FOR THE FEELING TO NOT FEEL AT ALL
THE HIGHER I GET, THE LOWER I SINK
I CAN'T DROWN MY DEMONS, THEY KNOW HOW TO SWIM

The fights was easy. Not because he was stronger than the hawk -he definitely wasn't- but it was easier to feel in control when he physically had the thing in his claws like this. He didn't have time to unpack the mountain of panic that had swept over him when Bunnyhop had been snatched or the sheer desperation he'd felt to get him back, to not lose another cat that had only ever tried to be nice to him. And so even though he felt the sting of claws raking across his shoulder and chest and was being battered by wings twice his size, it was still easier than watching the bird fly away with his clanmates.

He tore through feathers and flesh, latched on and battered the avian with his hind legs and gouged whatever flesh he could snag with claws and teeth alike. He couldn't kill it, but he could make sure it got the messege; Bunnyhop wasn't on the menu.

Speaking of, the other tom had managed to find their footing and rushed in to help. A part of Cold wanted to yell at them to stay back, but his fangs were buried into one of the birds thrashing wings and he couldn't risk losing his hold. Luckily though, that seemed to do it for the hawk. With a final thrash that shook both cats free, it went staggering forward in a fluster of wings as it tried to get skybound.

As Coldsnap lept to his paws there was a brief moments where he considered pouncing for it. It was still within reach if he jumped high enough- "We need to get out of here, before it comes back!"

The moment was lost, and likely for the better as he was shoved forward by the torbie. With an indredulous look at the other tom, he promptly leaned over and shoved them toward the bush, sliding into the bramble of branches only after the torbie was safely tucked beneath it.

Pressed beneath the rose bush in the safety of its thorned branches, Coldsnap still found himself angry. The only problem was that now he didn't have a hawk to take it out on, and it was taking everything he had not to snap at an innocent Bunnyhop, who he knew was underserving of the blame.

"Dammit." he growled as he looked the other over, fangs flashing in a momentary show of annoyance. "Your bleeding pretty bad and I'm not a healer. I think- yeah, Dandelionwish uses cobwebs for cuts.." he trailed off as he began to look around, carefully manauvering through the spiked branches until he found what he was looking for.

"Here, lemme see." he said, gesturing to the deep puncturemarks along the others back and shoulder where the hawks talons had sunk in to carry them. After Bonnyhops adrennline wore off he was really going to be feeling those, and Coldsnap didn't have any herbs to ease the pain with. Hell, he wasn't even sure if he'd be able to properly stop the bleeding.
​

windclan warrior - male - 9 months - a large, dark grey tabby with yellow eyes

COLDPAW-1.png
​
 
I-I-I've got a migraine
And my pain will range from
Up down and sidewaysS ✧​
The torbie point was breathing rather hard as they were shoved by Coldsnap, fumbling a bit on their feet, and looked at the grey tabby with a furrowed brow. What was that for? Now wasn't the time for arguement! That thing could easily pick them off agan and take them further into the city. It was bad enough they bordered on Skyclan territory and the twolegplace, and they'd rather get home in a timely manner. Though part of Bunnyhop wasn't sure about returning to Windclan. What if that bird found them there? What if that bird picked off a kit or an apprentice? Then it'd be their fault that they allowed the thing to live.

Beneath the rush bush now, Bunnyhop could feel Coldsnap brimming with anger by his body language. Emerald eyes looked at the other when he spoke up about their shoulders and that was when they seemed to realize that they had been hurt. Their shoulder was bleeding, missing a chunk of fur from the talons of the bird, and they had a few scratches across their sides from the beak. The torbie gave a small shake of their head, "Don't worry about me, I'll be okay," They assured the tomcat with a raise of their paw to push the cobwebs way, "I don't think I'ma bleed out or anything," A dry laugh came from Bunnyhop and they peered out of the bush at the sky. They didn't see anything so it should be safe right? They hoped so.

"I think its okay to get out from under the bush," Bunnyhop spoke to Coldsnap, and those grassy green eyes seemed so filled with fear. Filled with pain at their shoulder nos starting to throb and feel very hot with the rest of their body, "Where are we?" The question was spoken aloud, not directed at Coldsnap, and more so anxiety riddled as well. ​
 
Untitled327-20221103225234.png
IM SCARED TO GET CLOSE AND I HATE BEING ALONE
I LONG FOR THE FEELING TO NOT FEEL AT ALL
THE HIGHER I GET, THE LOWER I SINK
I CAN'T DROWN MY DEMONS, THEY KNOW HOW TO SWIM

"I think this is Twoleg place." the tom noted as he poked his head out to investigate their surroundings better. "I've never been here before, but i've heard stories."

Yes, he'd heard the stories of the twolegs home, of stone nests and more thunderpaths than you could ever hope to count. Dogs and people and cars alongside a thousand other things he had no name for. Those Skyclan cats had come from here, which only made him hate the place a little more. "We need to be careful not to get separated. This place is big and its dangerous."

​

windclan warrior - male - 10 months - a large, dark grey tabby with yellow eyes

COLDPAW-1.png
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