Just Around The Riverbend [closed]

The chilly air was permeated with an unusual stillness, the usual all-consuming chatter of the river effectively concealed beneath a preciously thin coating of snow and ice. It was a bit early in the season for the entire river to have frozen over even despite the low temperatures of the previous few nights, so it was likely that the thin layer of ice would easily melt in the late afternoon sun- especially with the taste of southern rains on the wind. However, this close to the river, nearly everything was lost to the terribly unpleasant scent of conflicting scents- the overwhelming musk of aggression and decaying undergrowth associated with ThunderClan, and the much more comforting scents laid down by RiverClan in response. It wasn't difficult to tell that both Clans had been methodically keeping tabs on their neighbors movements. This time of the season often made both Clans especially prickly, even more so considering the recent spats and disputes over the Sunningrocks. It would only get worse whenever the river in its entirety actually froze over.

Brushing through the prickly and decaying grasses that congregated together in pitiful little clumps, Nettlesplash made certain to keep several tail-lengths of distance between himself and the sharp slope of the riverbank, unfortunately aware of the risk of concealed ice and snow. The last way he was hoping to spend his few moments of solitude doing was floundering in the frigid depths of the river.

Bluepaw was tagging along with Nettlesplash, his nose wrinkled at the strong scents of both Clans along the border. He wished he could just pick out the home-y scent of RiverClan, but ThunderClan's markers were full of an aggression that made it impossible to ignore.

"Nettlesplash, if the river freezes anymore, is there going to be a war?" He couldn't help but imagine that, with the tension so strong between the two Clans, that if there was an easy way across the river, it would mean a fight.

The blue point apprentice was not as aware of the danger of stepping too close to the bank, and almost pitched over headfirst. He managed to catch himself with a little squeak that he was rather ashamed of having made, shuffling back with his heart pounding in his throat.

Whiskers drooping under the frigid burden of a glossy sheen of ice, Nettlesplash had partially twisted around in time to watch as Bluepaw nearly went skidding down to the unpleasant mixture of half-frozen mud and concealed waters that licked about the bottom of the riverbank. Although it was hardly a fatal accident to incur, especially whenever close to a shallow portion of the river like this, Wildflower and Ivyfeather would've likely ensured he saw his ancestors if he had dragged a soaked Bluepaw back to camp. "Possibly." The red-furred Warrior gave a slight shrug in response to the younger tom's question, a little unsure of the answer himself. A moon or so ago, he would've said it was closer to the realm of unlikely than anything else- but after his encounter with Lightningstar, he wasn't so sure of the answer anymore.

"The river always freezes, but we usually have the added benefit of the Sunningrocks to hold us over through the worst of the snows." He mewed, flicking his tail to coax the rattled young tom forward again. "But if ThunderClan is particularly hungry this season, then there might be an issue. Especially with Lightningstar at the helm, because StarClan knows that tom has the critical thinking skills of a rabid fox caught in a twoleg trap."

Bluepaw's whiskers twitched at the description of the ThunderClan leader. Although he hadn't personally met or even seen the massive tom, he had heard plenty from the older apprentices and warriors. Tensions were high between the two Clans, that was for sure.

"With as big as everyone says some of the ThunderClan cats are, I'd imagine they're always hungry," Bluepaw mused, glancing warily across the river. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that. He felt no where near confident in his ability to fight yet.

The snow laden earth before the pair of trekking toms fell away sharply, one of the many runoff tributaries that curled across RiverClan's territory like a bodily system of veins crawling before them. This however, unlike the main river itself, was entirely frozen over- much too shallow to withstand nightly decline in temperature. Carefully edging his way down the treacherous little slope, Nettlesplash paused for a moment to make sure that Bluepaw could easily see the safer way down and follow close in his pawsteps. "They're only large because they scrounged up the majority of their Clan from Twoleg dens and rubbish bins, not because they actually work hard to look in such a way." He grumbled, rolling his eyes as the young tom's words made him reflect on ThunderClan's insufferable sense of vanity and pride.

They were quickly approaching a portion of the river that was relatively clear of trees and undergrowth on both sides of the opposing banks, which meant that it had more exposure to the sun and would likely be somewhat free of ice. At least there, they might stand a chance at finding some prey. "But even if it does come down to border skirmishes, I wouldn't be too concerned. Lichenstar and Ivyfeather wouldn't ever send out any Apprentices if they weren't firmly convinced in their capabilities, and I'm sure that Lichenstar wouldn't leave you behind as far as battle training goes." Nettlesplash mewed, twisting around slightly to gaze at the young tom again as they continued their little downriver adventure.