"If you pay attention, there's the edge of Slash's territory."
Jaypaw narrowed his eyes at the sight before him; it was a high up view of the twolegplace. Beyond a large circular object Jaypaw could see a large mountain range way in the distance.
The clan hesitated up on the ledge overlooking the lands; Jaypaw took a sigh as he realized that they weren't too far behind now. It was relieving to know that it couldn't be too long until they could finally settle down for good again. And they could return to being four clans once again, it was only a short amount of time now.
"Now do be wary, last time I was down this way… rogues started to invade the lands that, he promised you."
Jaypaw looked over his shoulder at Shimmerpaw, who was sorting through her herbs that she could gather. Did he really want to be separated by a border…?
No! Shimmerpaw was a medicine cat, besides she might not feel the same. If she did, surely she'd show it by now right?
Jaypaw turned his head away as he looked down at his paws, as the clan began to move forward Jaypaw fell back a couple of pawsteps.
"No Redpaw, you are supposed to do it like this!"
Jaypaw perked his ears as he looked up, one of the MountainClan apprentices was bounding forward before stopping. Her size much larger than the tom who followed her, the she-cat laughed as the tom stumbled and fell down before her. "Silly clutz, come on now!"
Jaypaw smiled as he walked in pace with the rest of the clan, his head lifting up just a little higher as he walked forward. He noticed what was Shimmerpaw's friend, Moonpaw walking not too far away with his head down low; Jaypaw decided to walk over and keep the tom company.
The silvery gray tom nearly jumped out of his fur when Jaypaw arrived at his side, both cats kept quiet as they walked side by side before the tom finally spoke. "So… I am guessing that there will be a meeting later?"
"Maybe, depends whether or not we have something to discuss."
"Right… right, I guess that makes sense."
"It also allows for us to not be as suspicious as normal." Jaypaw murmured.
Moonpaw chuckled a bit as he nudged Jaypaw's side, his blue eyes were bright. "I don't know though, many cats who Shimmerpaw separates herself from are talking about how strange you all hang out."
…
Jaypaw flicked his tail as he dropped a mouse at Goldenpaw's paws, her golden pelt fluffing out in rage the clan had come to rest for a good while in a little space. But for now Jaypaw felt as if he was missing something, his senses were much more perked now. He could tell something was off, unlike the path that they were following before there was much less secrecy with this place. Jaypaw felt as if he knew it already through his paws, although the stone floor and walls were still so unknown.
As he turned away he could feel Goldenpaw watching him from behind, he took a deep breath and walked away from the she-cat. Flamepaw approaching the she-cat's side, the russet she-cat's gaze burning into Jaypaw's; his gaze though was drawn to Shimmerpaw who sat far from the clan. She sat at the side of one of the rogues on the far end, the black tom shade watching her like a hawk from up on a ledge.
Something about the tom made Jaypaw uneasy, he had a looming presence while not very intimidating… still was earie. But the black tom kept his distance for the most part, and only snapped at cats who invaded his group.
But something else was strange; something seemed to feel like it clicks when around the tom. He was cold and mean, demeaning and rude… but also sympathetic to his group.
Jaypaw shook his head; he was just a lesser Rose. He posed no threat, right? As he prepared himself he looked over his shoulder at the other four apprentices, his ear twitching.
There was a strangely familiar scent being carried on the wind, Jaypaw turned his head as he scanned for the source. Jaypaw walked further back as he nosed his way through, his breathing rose as he began to fear.
He could feel eyes burning into his pelt, but he couldn't locate the source. But he remembered what happened on the last time he spent away from his clan. As he nosed closer he could paw tracks, his nose couldn't identify a scent or anything useful… but it was unnerving as he looked around.
'StarClan, please don't let it be Rose!'
As he looked around a little longer, he found a pile of bones lying on the ground. A cat certainly was what fed on these, and without a second thought Jaypaw bushed his for.
Jaypaw turned tail as he rushed over towards the clan… and the rogues. Looking around he spotted her on the far end of the clearing, Shimmerpaw; holding his head down low as he approached her side. "I think we need to talk tonight."
"Hush, and what are you..."
"Doing here, you don't have a right to pass into my group." Growled shade from up on the ledge, his fur bushing as he dropped down to the same level; up close Jaypaw and he were the same size, and he was the same age as Shimmerpaw. But his battle worn pelt and scars told stories beyond Jaypaw's imagination.
"Sorry, I just needed to…"
"Talk with the medicine cat, well she is busy and so you will have to wait for treatment… besides you seem to have plenty to spare for you to bother," Growled the tom, his claws extending in a threat. "Now back off, and scurry back to your lot!"
Jaypaw took a step back as he sized up the tom, puffing out his chest. "Alright wise guy, I am going to speak with her… right here and now! If you have any objections voice them now!" he asserted.
Shade raised himself up, his teeth flashing under his lips. Some crooked and staining yellow, his breath rotten like crow food… and his claws digging forward, Jaypaw began to rethink his decision as he was surrounded by these strangers and pressed into his haunches.
Shade was intercepted by Shimmerpaw. "Excuse my friend here; he's a little… persistent. He just needed to tell me something real quick."
Shade bared his fangs before Shimmerpaw nudged Jaypaw back towards the clan. "I will see you then, let Ebonypaw and Raggedpaw know."
Jaypaw nodded before he scurried away, his paws carrying him back over.