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They needed food.

Things had been scarce for a while, but now, now it was reaching dangerous. Especially with the new kits that had just recently joined their clan. If they couldn't find some food, it was likely that things would quickly turn bad, and if there was anything that she could do, Sandstalker was going to do it.

"Alright you lot," the sand colored female announced, her eyes glancing over her fellow warriors. She didn't know how many of them would be willing to follow her, but she had to try. "I need some volunteers for a hunting party. We need food, badly, and anyone who comes with me had better be prepared. We will not be returning without bringing back prey."

If no one volunteered, so be it. She would go on her own.

((Raven, do you mind if Hollowkit knows SandStalker? I thought maybe she has come to the nursery to drop off kill and perhaps is a friend of Hollowkit's mother?))

Redhawk stirred as he heard activity outside the warriors' den. He yawned, blinking sleep out if his eyes and poked his head outside to see what was going on. Immediately his ears flattened in embarrassment as he realized it was already midday. Would he ever learn not to oversleep, especially when the clan so badly needed food?

Stomach grumbling, he padded closer to the group, and was able to catch Sandstalker's words. It seemed to be a hunting group, a perfect opportunity for Redhawk to make up for all the sleeping he had been doing. It also beat sitting around in camp all day, staring at an empty food pile.

"I'm ready!" he called eagerly. "Hopefully we won't run into any of those hare-brained WindClanners. I swear, some of them flit around so quick I sometimes mistake them for rabbits."

Icefang nodded in appreciation of the cats who were volunteering. They were all strong warriors. Their group seemed to be strong now with the four of them. Even if others did not join them later, they would be sure to find a number of prey among their group.

"I am prepared whenever you are, Sandstalker," he mewled in response. He rose to his feet and stretched his lean figure in anticipation. The sooner they began, the sooner they would all eat.

Icefang followed a few taillengths behind the hunt's leader. He dare not interfere with her command, regardless that they were all warriors. He kept a sharp eye about, casting around for any signs of fresh prey. "There haven't been any fox or badgers around lately to steal our freshkill, have there?" he questioned in a soft purr. It would be disappointing and a waste of the clan's time to be looking for prey in an area watched over by a troublesome creature.

His blue eyes were sharp and quick, intending to find any rat, mouse, or vole that dared twitch under a leaf.

Hollowkit's paws twitched with anticipation as more warriors gathered and the group finally headed out of camp. Checking over her shoulder once more at the nursery entrance to ensure none of her family had come looking for her she set off after them sticking close to the shadows.

She was lucky that she had been born with a dark pelt unlike her sister PetalKit who was what their mother called an "albino". It made these sorts of adventures much easier on her that she was able to hide in the dark places and blend in.

Being sure to keep quiet and stay out of sight the young kit followed the patrol through the swamp that was the majority of Shadowclan territory. All the new sights and smells were intriguing but HollowKit had no desire to get lost out here so she made sure to keep up with the patrol. Always keeping at least one of them in her line of sight.

Icefang closed his eyes, imagining the fight and hunt of a badger. It would be tough and honorable, especially if he were the one to strike the deathblow. "Well we'll have to see what we can find," he added before he, too, fell silent.

He began to branch out from the group, staying farther behind and to the side. If they separated, there might be a better chance of finding prey. His nose sniffing the air, Icefang thought he smelt something different in the air. Turning his head, he found it was behind them. Curious, the tom moved into a patch of briars and waited, watching to see if it was anything at all.

Froreember, unlike some of his clanmates, was born for this kind of weather. His pelt was thick and insulating and his fur helped muffle any movement that might otherwise alert prey or enemies. As such, he was one of the warriors best suited for action in the harsh conditions of the season that were only growing harsher. None of his clan was well fed at this point, but considering the circumstances, he was well off.

Some might curse their heritage should they have shared his, but he foudn it fascinating. The lingering wisps of legends and stories of his ancestors, the cats of StarClan watching over them. It was fascinating.

Speculation of the past was not his purpose for being out and about however. Since sunup he had been roaming the territory, mostly the WindClan border end, catching whatever came his way. No rabbits had strayed over the border, yet he was patient. He checked back every so often, scanning the moorland just beyond for any sign of a possible kill coming close. Otherwise, he had found a toad and a runaway rat, but the toad was thin and the rat, well, a rat. He had covered them separately, still deciding on the wisdom of keeping the mangy creature, but he was erring on the side of caution, planning to rid himself of the carcass soon. The flea-bitten vermin were carriers if pestilence and disease, something ShadowClan could not risk, especially this season.

Pausing to scent the air one last time before heading back towards the border to stand watch for a while, again hoping for something he could take back to his clan, he picked up traces of cat. Upwind of him. Flicking his tail once in consideration, he started towards the patrol (he guessed it was, he scented at least four cats, he thought). Perhaps some hunting assistance? Although, the area didn't seem to be yielding much today.