[ iindesuka, iindesuka? ] foxflower, open

[Crowzerplorodon]

The warrior smiled politely, then turn away from the gray warrior to gaze restlessly at the sun once more. Oh she would love to have her clan out here to enjoy the sunrise with them. But that was so far out of the question, you couldn't even hear it being suggested. Or something like that. She never was any good at making metaphors to describe how she felt. No, that always seemed to be something she never learned. There were a lot of things she never learned. Maybe one day she would? More than likely they would just remain mysteries for as long as she lived. Who knew?

A sigh wracked her body, giving her more shivers than the snow alone did. It wasn't like her to despair in this manner, but Foxflower couldn't help it. She just wanted to know! And it was even more embarrassing to do this in front of dear Stormclaw. What he must be thinking - alas! - another thing Foxflower would never know. Unless she asked. The warrior turned her earthy brown eyes on her friend, debating just for a moment whether or not she should. It didn't take very long to decide she wouldn't. No, that would be rude, and probably very intrusive. Plus, if Stormclaw wasn't thinking the nicest things, Foxflower did not want to know.

She stood then, stretching out each leg as if she had risen from a deep slumber. Foxflower's bushy tail shifted in the dry grass, reminding her how this area lacked snow, and how all the other places were covered in it. Snow as the sun rose high in the sky, it was almost an oxymoron. Maybe snow was an oxymoron. Maybe life was. But that was to philosophical for this morning. "Stormclaw, perhaps we should head back? I'm sure our presence has been missed, and others might take it to themselves to get the wrong idea. I can think of many who would..." She chuckled softly. "Hunting on the way back would be beneficial, yes?"

[Cloud of Diamonds]

Wrenching himself from his troubled thoughts, the blue-gray tom nodded, cursing himself for drifting off like that. He could think about that later...if at all. Maybe it was best that he try and forget about his strange feelings.

But he nodded, agreeing with his Clanmate. No matter how nice it would be to sit here together contemplating the sunrise, they would be wanted for patrols. And their apprentices would be wondering where they were. And Sparrowpaw was not the most patient of cats, to put it lightly.

"You're right, m'lady. We should." But then, if cats could blush, he did. Hunting with Foxflower. It was certainly a nice activity. A fully enjoyable one. Yet it seemed pushed by another desire in him, one...greater. But also strange and possibly even unwelcome. He just wanted it to go away. They were friends; what more could he ask? He would never be worthy of her, if he was...in love.

No, he must not be. He would not ruin their friendship. This he swore to himself, as a proper knight should. A sacred oath that it would be his duty to keep. If she were ever to have a mate...she deserved someone as great as Cedarstar himself. Not a lowly warrior like him.

The thought made him stronger, because he knew it was the truth. It must be the truth. And he began to pad back to camp, planning ways to strengthen his resolve.

[Crowzerplorodon]

Foxflower nodded, pleased that Stormclaw had so willingly agreed to her suggestion. For a moment there, she had worried that the tom would brush her off. Not that anything in his diction would have hinted at that. Foxflower was just struck by a moment of doubt between her and Stormclaw's friendship. She should have known better, Stormclaw was a fine tom. He wouldn't do something so... so rude. Yes, she was just being silly. Foxflower really did need to stop thinking the worst of things and put her faith in those she cared about.

With the skill of a learned hunter, Foxflower hurried off toward camp, keeping her eyes, ears, and nose clear in case of the hint of prey. So far, nothing. As was to be expected of Leaf-Bare, though. The snow was still pretty thick and other animals would be burrowed away nicely, avoiding the cold as they did every year. Foxflower sighed, feeling yet another wave of doubt - this time in herself. What was the point of hunting if there was nothing to catch? It just made her feel like a failure.

And seconds after she thought this, Foxflower caught the slightest scent wafting from a small patch of ragged bushes. Rabbit, she noted, and definitely in the open. Slowly with creeping paws the bi-colored she-cat slid toward the animal, eyes narrowed in focus. She saw it, huddled under the bare branches. It was a skinny thing, but it would feed a few cats. Definitely needed for this weather. Without hesitation she took a chance, jumping toward the rabbit. The prey fled, but Foxflower was faster, and the brief chase resulted in her catching the poor rabbit.

[Cloud of Diamonds]

Almost unconsciously, he admired her catch. He admired all his Clanmates' kills of course (well, except maybe the really small ones) but he felt even more admiration as he watched the muscular she-cat. She was not flashy, he knew. Not one who would stand out in a crowd or even in a battle, given that her back leg was crunched on. But to him...she seemed so...wonderful. If you had asked him why, he could describe it, but words felt inadequate. It was like friendship...but more. Like he wanted her to be his best, very best friend ever. He knew she was not perfect, but no cat was. And most of the time, she was so...Foxflower. Just her name. Her very self was so...much to him. Then he shook his head. This is no time to be lost in the clouds, you fool, he scolded himself.

"A fine meal for the Clan." He noted. "Let us thank StarClan for it." And he did, sending a grateful prayer to his ancestors. They must be watching down on him, even as he struggled with his strange emotions. even if by some bad chance he submitted to this....oddness, he could never let her know. He must save her strife, even if it meant pain for himself. Yet a small, defiant voice in his mind protested. Why not? It said. You are a fine knight, one worthy enough to claim - No! He cried back at it in his head. Me, so arrogant as if to act as if she were mine? Oh, horror! May he never seem so hideously out of turn. Presuming that he was worthy let alone that she would accept him...like...like that, was pure heresy! Inconceivable!

Truly, let the truth of StarClan dominate his inner demons. He took a deep breath, praying to them to give him strength to suppress it. He doubted he could hunt like this. Shaming though it was, he would be better off simply going back to camp. Yes. StarClan would help him.