Time Passes Us By So Quickly...:(Crimsonclaw):

Sorrelstrike
I'm a survivor, and I'll stay that way

_{Time passes us by so quickly...
Yet I feel as though only yesterday I was by your side
Now time has drawn a line between us
Yet I still go back to you, as if time itself had died}

Sorrelstrike stretched her jaws into a large yawn, accidentally dropping the two mice in her mouth while dragging herself into camp. It was a busy day, the young warrior recalled as she retrieved her prey. First there was the dawn patrol, then leading a hunting patrol, then the rest of the day she hunted isolated.

As she neared the fresh-kill pile to discard of her catch, she paused, an idea protruded in her mind, a smirk of rapture forming on her face. Dropping the smaller mouse in the pile of prey, she left the large mouse in her mouth, pelting across the camp and into the warriors den's entrance. Peering in, she searched for the familiar crimson pelt.

Not here... Sorrelstrike grunted in her head, scampering out of the den. Scanning the clearing, her eyes wondered about in desperation, but then brightened when she spotted her target. Racing over to the object in sight, she stopped in her tracks, crouching down and sneaking behind him.

Springing upward she landing beside the warrior who the she-cat was looking for, grinning wickedly. "Boo!" Sorrelstrike exclaimed, her voice muffled by the large mouse amidst her teeth. Releasing the limp body it tumbled down to the older warrior's paws. With a voice of a servant's or a waiter's politeness she offered, "Would you like to share this wonderful mouse with me?"

Heh! No matter what you say, I'm definitely going to tell you of my progress as a full fledged warrior, Crimsonclaw!

CRIMSONCLAW
Life is just a test, that only you can beat.

"For a kit your wondering quite far from the nursery, you must have your mother worried sick by now." Crimsonclaw meowed sarcastically, giving his former apprentice a hard glare. Although he seemed quite irritated, it was times like these he missed being Sorrelstrike's mentor. She was the only cat who wasn't ever afraid of him, she made him feel like an actual cat. Not some grumpy-bones who wants to ruin everyone's day. That was only partially true.

Raising his brows at her offer he growled, "Have I become so old, that I can't catch my own prey now?" Something different shone beneath his pale leaf green gaze. It was the sparkle of a former cat. Someone that had been lost long ago, a tom who liked to joke, who liked to tease and play. One who didn't regret a past mistake, he was young and carefree. A cat Crimsonclaw wished he could be, once more.

Rolling his eyes he gave a casual shrug and dropped his weight to the dusty camp floor. Without giving an answer he took a bite out of the mouse and meowed between chewing, "So, what do you want? Swallowing he added, "Besides the usual, bugging your senior warrior?" He was going to say mentor, but he would only be digging himself a hole. She was a warrior as well, playing by seniority rules wasn't going to cut it this time. All in all he wasn't even much of a senior warrior either. Truth be told Crimsonclaw was still considered young, it was just the way he acted that made him seem like an old coot.

Sorrelstrike
I'm a survivor, and I'll stay that way

Sorrelstrike rolled her eyes and grinned at Crimsonclaw's sarcastic comments. Usually, or back then, they would be insults. Tinted with hatred or dislike. But now they seem playful. I guess I got him in a good mood!

How did he get in a good mood? Only StarClan knows. Might as well mention it while impressing him. Sorrelstrike felt a tingle of excitement when she thought of making him proud. But she had a feeling she would only make herself proud with simple warrior tasks. To Crimsonclaw, it was an everyday thing. But to her, it was like becoming leader.

No matter how he reacted to her bragging, though, at least she would be letting it all out. She never had anyone to talk to since Starpaw was so busy with training. It would also be good to talk to another warrior. Actually, now she thought about it, she really did miss her ex mentor. Its also a great opportunity to just relax and talk with an old friend.

"Just wanted to update you on my progress as a warrior," Sorrelstrike replied proudly, raising her chin high. "I already lead my first patrol! And today I was so busy with hunting my paws could fall off. But man, is it worth it in the end!" Sorrelstrike gave Crimsonclaw a mischievous look. "Also, we never get to talk anymore. I wanted to know how you were doing," the warrior meowed casually, knowing she must sound stupid.

"And from the way you didn't rip my head off for disturbing you, you seem to be doing fine. What got you in a good mood, Mr. ILoveMakingFunOfSorrelstrike?"

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CRIMSONCLAW
Life is just a test, that only you can beat.

Crimsonclaw raised his brows, he was hardly impressed by her actions. But then again she did lead a patrol, a patrol. Some crazy, insane cat had let this trickster run a patrol, a patrol that was protecting the clan. According to this then her whole adventure had been impressive. Nobody had been hurt in the process. "I suppose it had been a success, saying that nobody's critically injured." he teased, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Cocking his head to the side he meowed questionably, "What's there to know? As you can see I'm still a bit upset that Snowflower's deputy, I've been busy with Snowpaw, and I recently brought a loner into camp." A small smile slithered across his muzzle as she mentioned his mood. It was obviously because he was in her presence, Sorrelstrike always had a way to make him feel better about himself. But she was never going to know about that. It was his little secret.

"I suppose I just haven't been bugged enough by my least favorite apprentice." he meowed jokingly, honestly it felt good to be speaking to her once more. He wished it was like the old days where he could just wake up and have an excuse to to be with her. He was her mentor--and now he was her equal.

Sorrelstrike
I'm a survivor, and I'll stay that way

Sorrelstrike rolled her eyes at Crimsonclaw's tease about the patrol success. It wasn't the praise she was looking for, but it sure was better than a lecture or rude remark. Or, nothing at all. A joke was satisfying. At least he acknowledged her in some kind of way. Maybe.

Before she could think of a retort, he continued with the conversation, reporting his progress. Also other such news that had affected and disturbed her as well. "I don't know if that feeling will ever go away with Snowflower. Even if she saves us from a pack of badgers," Sorrelstrike remarked rather quietly, wrinkling her nose in disgust. "Even though many others might think otherwise."

With a playful smirk she meowed sarcastically, "I see your charm seduced that loner to join, eh? I wouldn't be surprised if she started flirting with you because of your brilliant muscles and beauty and then you two became mates because no one else admired your handsomeness as much as she did."

Though, if anyone did actually caught Crimsonclaw's eye and he gained a mate, she couldn't help but feel a tad jealous. It was bad enough that they couldn't see each other often because of the rank situation. It would even make things worse if he had to pay attention to his mate, too. Not only that, but she felt jealous of his new apprentice, Snowpaw. She missed the old training days, and it was hard to see Crimsonclaw with another apprentice. My day will come! And I'll be busy with my own apprentice, too!

"Anyway, speaking of apprentices, how's your new appointed apprentice, Snowpaw? What's she like? Do you enjoy training her?"

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CRIMSONCLAW
Life is just a test, that only you can beat.

Crimsonclaw gave a very curt nod when regarding Snowflower, he could just sense she was somewhere nearby, waiting for him to slip up. The two weren't very well acquainted--you could say at the least. "But she's our deputy, and because of the Warrior Code, I'll follow her orders." he meowed gruffly.

The next comment caught him quite off guard? Seducing? Flirting? What in Starclan was she rambling about? According to his memory, which was very good, he had dragged her forcefully into camp and then had her forced into talking with Wolfstar over accusations on killing a warrior. So with this information, Sorrelstrike had concluded they were an item? Crimsonclaw narrowed his eyes, "If you conclude me dragging her to camp against her will as flirting-" Pausing he lowered his muzzle close to hers, grinning devilishly he meowed, "Then yes we were."

He wasn't completely sure what drove him to say that, honestly he was the type of cat to get pissed and send her away. But something inside kindled him to go forward with the arrogant statement. Suddenly the 'whole' of her comment caught his attention. He had been so flabbergasted with the fact that she thought he had a thing for Khaki, that he failed to notice what she referred to him as. Charm, brilliant muscles, beauty, handsome?

Raising his brow he meowed as casually as he could, "So, when did you start checking me out?" When he was an apprentice he was used to having pretty much all of the she-cats having a fit whenever he walked past. It was known to the whole clan that he would grow to be as handsome as his father. But after the incident, he grew an outer shell that repelled the whole world. The she-cat's ignored him, because he shut himself away.

But now, because of Sorrelstrike he was starting, piece by piece to become that tom again. And she was the first to even comment on his looks in a long time,
"You know, I've never had my own appearance described so very down to the point before. I think you've got me pegged." he teased, he had her now. Oh if only he could somehow capture the look on her face and remember it always. His response over Snowpaw could wait, this was getting much too interesting.

ooc:Holy eggnog, that was a huge post xD

Sorrelstrike
I'm a survivor, and I'll stay that way

Sorrelstrike smiled. Ha! He actually agreed with me for once, Sorrelstrike stated proudly in her head. But she sighed at Crimsonclaw's next words. Though she hated to believe it, it was true. Snowflower was a much higher rank than either of them. If either of them treated her wrongly, they were in big trouble.

At Crimsonclaw's next reply, she just simply rolled her eyes. She couldn't help but find herself amused, but she never would have thought the serious senior warrior would make such a joke. She would think he would be enraged by her inquire, and would dismiss it by a mere growl of some sort. But, it just raised her curiosity on Crimsonclaw's good mood.

The next words that the tom dared to speak made Sorrelstrike's face furiously turned red, out of both embarrassment and anger. Checking him out? What made him think that of her? Though, she had to admit, Crimsonclaw was a rather handsome tom. But she would never admit that to anyone else. Besides, wouldn't anyone think that? Of course, no one would think twice of it due to his unappealing interior.

"Oh, shut up," Sorrelstrike grumbled, lowering her face to hide her annoying blushing. "I wasn't checking you out. From first looks anyone could tell your handsome. Its just the way you act toward cats that makes you less attractive. I mean, come on, you've had to had she-cats follow you around when you were younger, right?"

She couldn't believe she made such a statement, but it was true. She knew that Crimsonclaw was a much better cat back then, and from looks and personality he must have attracted she-cats everywhere. He still would have if he hadn't changed. But, actually, right now he seemed to have that kind of personality a she-cat could die over. But why didn't he act like this all the time?

Desperate to change the subject she quickly added, "That's not important. I want to know about Snowpaw! Come on, answer my questions from before!"

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CRIMSONCLAW
Life is just a test, that only you can beat.

The crimson-colored tom couldn't will himself not to smile. The way the color rose to her cheeks, could make anyone grin from cheek to cheek. She was so embarrassed Crimsonclaw swore he could feel the heat pouring from her in waves. It was actually kind of cute. That's when the smile dropped, instead it was replaced with a rather dumbfounded look. Cute? Narrowing his eyes he tried to think of anything, other then that word. It was his turn to turn several shades of pink.

Trying to dismiss these odd feelings of utter embarrassment he meowed rather gruffly, "Well of course, I was Lionstar's son, Willowfoot was my mother." Pausing he meowed qietly, "You never met them--I wish you could've." He remembered his parents dearly. His father was almost lion-like, he had a jutting chin, rippling muscles, he was the divine image of any she-cat's fantasy.

While his mother, her fur was long but it fringed at the ends, making every movement as graceful as a Starclan warrior. She had a beautiful aura about her, even her teasing personality complimented every aspect of her. Her and Lionstar were amongst the most gorgeous cats in Riverclan history.

"I used to get followed when I'd go hunting." Crimsonclaw mused more to himself then Sorrelstrike, "The she-cat's would fight over whose nest was closer to mine, they even hunted for me." Chuckling he added, "Once Blossompaw, my sister, told them I was into toms and they shouldn't even try." Back then he had been pissed but now--it was a fond memory of his.

Shaking his head he went back to making a former apprentice of his rather embarrassed. "Was it love at first site then?" He teased, grinning he added, "I noticed how you look at me Sorrelstrike, I know I'm just too irresistible, with these devilishly good looks of mine." Nope, he still wasn't going to answer that question.

Sorrelstrike
I'm a survivor, and I'll stay that way

Glancing up as the roses on her cheeks faded away and her confidence grew, she caught something she never thought she would see out of Crimsonclaw. A blush. What could he be blushing about? It sure was a rare sight, and Sorrelstrike planned to savor every bit of it.

Though, her mind focused on something else when Crimsonclaw explained his father and mother. Her whole imagination morphed the two cats, making her feel admiration for the two. He heard about Lionstar's description from the elders, and it was up to her fantasy to figure out how his mother looked. But man, when she imaged it, they were stunning! Crimsonclaw was so lucky!

The amusing tale also caught her thoughts, wondering what it would be like to have fans stalking you around every corner. It would be annoying, but at least someone would admire her. But she could just imagine herself snapping at them for trailing her. No matter how much they liked her.

Then, of course, Crimsonclaw started to tease her, which made herself go red again. Why? She didn't even want to think about that now. Her whole attention was on Crimsonclaw with flames burning in her gaze. "Oh really, now?" Sorrelstrike spat, suddenly remembering the picture that forever tainted her mind. With a smirk she meowed, "What about you, blushing over my good looks?"

Raising herself up and shoving her muzzle just an inch away from his she smirked, "I'm sure you've always had a little crush on your apprentice, am I right? I mean come on, I'm sure you've had your moments when you made an excuse to see me by dragging me onto some training lessons. And, of course, you probably miss me so much now that I am a warrior, eh? Trying to get me out of your head, huh?"

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( They probably look like a couple of idiots to everyone in camp, huh? XD )

CRIMSONCLAW
Life is just a test, that only you can beat.

"G-good lo-looks?" Crimsonclaw stuttered angrily, the tom was trying his best not blush once more, but to his dismay the colors stained his cheeks as before. What was she going at? The tom couldn't-shouldn't be attracted to her in any way. He supposed it was only fair since he teased her just as well, but still she shouldn't have brought up such a subject. In his eyes Sorrelstrike was always that rambunctious little apprentice he trained so long ago. As far as he was concerned she still hadn't grown up, until now it hadn't occurred to him that she was actually a full grown she-cat. An attractive one at that.

Furrowing his brows he growled, "Wasn't it you that always scampered into my den? Asking to go out hunting? Your the one who vowed to make me smile once more!" Snorting he added furiously, "If anything your obsessed over me!"

Letting out an annoyed hiss he willed himself to calm down, but the facts just kept adding up. And worst of all they were all pointing at the last thing he wanted. He was in love with her. This was something he couldn't accept, he wasn't meant to enjoy anything like this. He was supposed to suffer for the rest of his life, this was the punishment bestowed upon him when he had screwed up. It was what his father had wanted.

"In fact everyday I had to force myself to be with you! You know how annoying you are?" he hissed, "I'd rather run through Thunderclan territory with a squirrel strapped to my back then be near you!"

ooc:THUS THE FIGHT BEGINS! BATTLE ROYAL! Mwhaha.

Sorrelstrike
I'm a survivor, and I'll stay that way

Sorrelstrike growled, her green orbs looking like a flaming leaf. She didn't think it would get any tenser than this. And here they were, arguing over nonsense. The atmosphere turned from peaceful to a battlefield. Not of claws, but of tongues, whipping out bitter words in order to win.

It started out as a joke, and turned into a disagreement. Then, a testament of who was right or wrong. Who, indeed, actually developed feelings for who. Currently, Sorrelstrike was losing. But she tossed the idea of actually falling in love for a tom such as he. There was no way.

"How annoying I am? Speaking for the whole Clan, your the one with the sickening attitude that made everyone hate you in the first place! Which is why no one wants to be with you and your always alone. I bet if you weren't so serious and grumpy and stupid, you'd probably be deputy and had a mate by now! But here you are, alone and under the paws of the real deputy like a stupid! Ugly! Mouse!"

With a hiss of outrage she spun around, stalking toward the opposite direction, getting away from Crimsonclaw as far as possible. "If you don't want to be near me then, don't! I don't care! I hope to never see your face again!" Still engulfed in the fury of the argument, she angrily disappeared in the warriors den, plopping down into a nearby nest. She unsheathed and sheathed her claws into the bedding, until she calmed the flame in her chest.

I never want to see him again! Sorrelstrike convinced herself in her mind. Anger still sparked in her stomach when even a thought passed through her mind about Crimsonclaw. But, when she thought about the subject that started all this madness and chaos, she never did ask the question, do you love him?

No! She hissed, getting that thought out of her mind. I can't! I won't! He's a stupid, selfish tom! How could I have feelings for someone like that? The more she thought about it, the more the odds grew that she could, in fact, have feelings for the tom she grew up with. His humor, his looks, his leadership attitude, his strength, his knowledge...

No! Sorrelstrike was not going to admit, or conclude, such a ridiculous factor that she had come up with! It was just a silly fantasy that would never come true, nor would she let it come true. He was her former mentor, her clanmate, and nothing more. From now on, she would ignore him and never think of him again!

Crimsonclaw, you made yourself a worthy enemy!

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( Hahaha, I had fun with that. I wanted the argument to last longer but I just kept imaging Sorrelstrike turning her back on him ^_^; They always have other chances to bicker, though. )

CRIMSONCLAW
Life is just a test, that only you can beat.

Crimsonclaw didn't budge an inch. His snarl remained plastered on his face, his lips were still curled, revealing his glistening teeth. Pale green eyes were narrowed slits, the hair on his neck stood straight up in the air. As he watched what would likely be the most troubling she-cat in his life walk away. Only one thought raced through his mind, 'Crimsonclaw, you screwed up.'

Everything she had said was painfully true, while every word he had spat had been a complete utter lie. He never had to force himself to be with her, the last thing he wanted to do was in be in Thunderclan, and she was far from annoying. Sorrelstrike was the only cat that had ever made him sane. Since the day his Father turned his back on him she was the only one who had the guts to try to make him civil. And now here she was, turning her back on him. Only this time around this cat had a better reason.

A low-defeated sigh fell from his mouth, as his head slowly began to wilt. Ears back he did what he did best, he sulked. Instead of chasing after her, telling her how sorry he was, to just say what was right, he ran away from his problems. It was as if he had taken forty steps out of his comfortable shell, but in less then a minute took sixty steps back while slamming the door behind him. He was far too in, and there wasn't a nifty escape button.

With nothing other to do then stay in camp he decided the best thing would be to let her cool off. He needed some time to think as well, too many emotions were bottled up inside and he was sure it wasn't healthy. With a heavy heart the tom padded out of camp and into the familiar Riverclan territory, hoping to clear his head. And more importantly his heart.