What are YOU doing here?!

[birdsarecooltoo]

Almost there, was the though that ran through the big tom's mind as he crept out of the gorse, heading to the open of Jalen fields. Indeed, the stony brown tom was almost out of Nightclan territory and in the direction of the Fields.
As soon as his paws hit outside the boundaries he smiled and picked up his pace until he reached the open space of tall grass. Lifting his muzzle to scent the air, his almost trademarked piercing blue eyes scanned the surroundings. No loners. Yet.

Narrowing those icy eyes of his, he continued padding slowly through the territory, keeping alert for anything of interest or trouble.

[birdsarecooltoo]

The muscular stony tom, of course, was Rivershard, seemingly loyal Warrior of Nigthclan. But those who actually knew him begged to differ. And as he trekked the Jalenfields, as though in search of rogues or loners to convey with, it was believable. He was not a friendly, welcoming cat.

Rivershard kept up a steady pace until he slowed just around a clump of bracken that seemed oddly out of place in the vast field. Letting out a sigh, he muttered, "No cats around. what use is this?"

[birdsarecooltoo]

Little did Rivershard know that there indeed was another cat there, watching him, but not daring to show itself.

"I knew he'd come here!" Bramblethorn exclaimed about his clan mate. As long as he'd known Rivershard, he'd always had his suspicions, and the two were like fire and ice, rivals if willed.
Though Bramblethorn wished he could, he dared not to show himself. He knew the strength in Rivershard's claws and the icy-eyed Warrior's easily shifted moods, but perhaps by watching the bigger Warrior, he'd learn a thing or two and be able to tell Scatteredstar.
Green eyes narrowed in thought, Bramblethorn sat in the shadows, his brown pelt well concealed midst the dried out field fronds.

[birdsarecooltoo]

Rivershard froze in place and stared out across the horizon of the vast terrain. There wasn`t much activity, nor was there any movement. But something wasn`t right. A presence was abroad. Yes, that was it.
Smiling, the tom's eyes glittered like shards of river ice as he recognized something. He wasn't stupid. He knew what was going on.
Starting to walk again, Rivershard flicked his tail, persisting something unspoken, then walked away from the rock.

Bramblethorn watched Rivershard until the other cat was out of sight. "Now I just have to tell Scatteredstar that he was here, and that should be proof enough he isn't loyal. Why else would he come to Jalen Fields? Why would a Warrior come here if there isn't anything of interest out here? Except for Rogues and loners." He told himself very quietly as Rivershard seemed to turn out of sight.

[birdsarecooltoo]

Shifting position just slightly, Bramblethorn made sure he was still well hidden, in case Rivershard had caught his scent or anything.
Suddenly a sense of foreboding washed over him, as though something wasn't right. But that couldn`t be; Rivershard was no where near him and there weren`t and loners or rogues about. And yet something was wrong.

Lifting a paw, he slunk closer to the ground and crept forward only a tail length so his nose stuck out of the bushes. Nothing. And yet something was wrong, he could feel it...

[birdsarecooltoo]

Suddenly the fronds behind him gave way and figure pounced out, landing on Bramblethorn's back and causing him to stumble out into the open just before the brush, unable to get up due to a heavy weight that seemed poised on him. Screeching in agony, he struggled until he grew tired, just in time to hear an all too familiar voice hiss, "What're you doing here, fool?!"

Bramblethorn tried to free himself, but the larger cat on him had one paw firmly planted on the back of his neck, and the other stably holding onto the ground. Though he couldn`t twist his head to see who his attacker was, he was sure of the cat's identity from its scent and voice. Rivershard.

[birdsarecooltoo]

"Fool." The larger Warrior spat, not letting go of Bramblethorn for an instant.

"Let me go!" Bramblethorn cried out, struggling to be freed. Why was Rivershard out here? How had he noticed his watcher? What would happen?

"Why were you following me?" Rivershard asked coldly but calmly. His claws were unsheathed and pricked at the back of Bramblethorn's neck as the younger Warrior lay flat against the ground.

"I wasn`t!" Bramblethorn almost whimpered.
"I think you were," said Rivershard.
"Not!
"Were."
"Not!"
"You were, don`t think of me as a mousebrain!" Rivershard hissed, losing all patience. "Tell me or I'll make sure you're never free of my claws. Admit it; you were following me!"

Bramblethorn sighed and stopped struggling. It was no use, anyway, "Yes, I was following you." He admitted, and to his relief Rivershard's grip loosened a tiny bit, but still held fast.

[birdsarecooltoo]

"And why, may I ask?" Rivershard's calm voice had returned, but it was still rigged with an iciness that almost matched his eyes.

Bramblethorn took the unthought moment and launched himself upward to free himself of Rivershard's grip, but that only made his Clanmate hold stronger. Rivershard was strong-no doubt about it. "Please, Rivershard, let me go and I won`t say anything to Scatteredstar. Please."

"Now you're pleading? Surely your mentor taught you better." Rivershard almost purred in amusement. "Why were you following me?"

"I thought- I thought you...why were you out here?" Bramblethorn suddenly hissed.

Rivershard narrowed his eyes until they were piercing blue slits staring down at the cat beneath him. The stony brown Warrior obviously didn't feel like telling this mousebrain of a cat caught below him.

[birdsarecooltoo]

"I come out here when I feel like it!" Rivershard snapped, "And if you should tell anyone, I might want to make sure to get you out of my way. Now stand up like a real Warrior!"
He jumped back snarling, releasing Bramblethorn. Immediately Bramblethorn sprang up and wheeled around, brown tabby fur bristling and green eyes glowing in hatred at Rivershard. But he stopped and found himself unable to meet the penetrating blue gaze of Rivershard. Those eyes were just so horribly piercing!

"Why shouldn`t I tell anyone, huh?" Bramblethorn asked, his eyes narrowed so he didn`t have to fully take in the blue glare.

"I believe my explanation is reason enough." Responded Rivershard. The stony brown tom sat down and regained his calmness that Bramblethorn found more chillingly frightening than the older Warrior's anger and fury.