Important Matters

Scourge let out a long sigh, padding up to the tribe healer's den. He hated being in another's care -- but he couldn't do anything about it. They needed to stay here for the time being, because the prey surrounding the area belonged to the tribe. Now, he wasn't one to actually care about boundaries, but it's not like he had a chance if all the tribes, plus all the clans, came together and got angry at BloodClan for 'stealing prey'.

However, that wasn't the total reason he needed to see Meadow. Brushing his tail against the den's moss covering, he cleared his throat. "May I enter?"

"That depends," Meadow mewed in reply, raising up from her laying position. Why did her visitors always have to come so early in the day? No matter.. she had no choice but to listen to him -- and trust her, she could tell immediately who it was by the voice. "Kidding. Come in, Scourge, and explain why you need to see me."

"Mmhm," Scourge rolled his eyes, walking into the smooth den. Sometimes he couldn't help but notice how much more well-put-together the leader's, or healer's, caves were. Perhaps its because they always spent more time in their dens than the actual warriors, erm... cave-guards and prey-hunters? "I need to speak with you about.. Sharptooth. I realize you've asked us for help with that little problem, but do I really have any reason to accept this proposal? Whats in it for me?"

Meadow released a long sigh, closing her eyes. "I should have expected nothing less from you, Scourge." She sat down, curling her tail over her paws. After a moment, a small smirk played her way onto her features. "Tell me, darling, have you ever helped another cat just out of pure kindness?"

Scourge was a bit taken aback, causing his eyes to widen slightly. Letting out a slightly hoarse mew, he shook his head. "D-Don't call me 'darling', for one thing. I'd like you to call me Scourge, thank you very much. And second.. no, I haven't. Is that a problem?"

Meadow snickered slightly, letting out a small purr. "You are very amusing, Scourge. However, it is a problem. While I myself would personally hate to help another without getting a reward in return.." She paused, her eyes glazing over in thought for a moment. "............sometimes it's the right thing to do.."

Scourge gave her a questioning look, then shuffled his paws slightly, looking down. "I've never cared about what's right, Meadow. Why should I start now?"

Meadow let out a long sigh, her face becoming a mixture of sadness and understanding. "I see." She released another sigh, nodding. "Your still welcome to stay here as long as you'd like, darl-Scourge."

Scourge gave her a surprised look, then hesitantly bowed his head. "Thanks... I suppose." He blinked and shuffled his paws once more, sighing. "But why?"

Meadow looked at him a moment, her wisdom showing for a brief second, before a small bit of happiness lit up in her features. "I'm ambitious, sometimes ruthless and unfair... but one thing I'm not, Scourge, is evil. I won't throw you out just because you won't help -- don't worry." She got back on her paws and walked up to him, tilting her head. "Do you want me to fetch us some prey from the pile? I'm sure the groups are back.. and I'm starved, hehe!"

Meadow blinked and looked over at Fire, her face becoming slightly embarrassed. "NO! Your not interrupting anything, Fire! Sheesh, its not like we were talking about anything private anyway.." Snatching the prey away, she padded back over to her bedding and laid down, letting out a sheepish laugh. "So.. erm.. any news for me, Fire?"

"Ugh.. pathetic.." Scourge rolled his eyes, trying to rid of the sheepish look he still had on his expression. Why did he suddenly care what this cat had said? Had Meadow actually gotten through to him? No! He simply wouldn't allow it. "...Should I leave you two?"

"Teaching a cat how to hunt...? That is.. slightly pathetic.." Meadow blinked in surprise.

Meadow's ears perked up and she frantically shook her head. "N-No, you don't have to, Scourge! After all, your our company so.. I mean.." She trailed off, smiling at Fire in embarrassment. "A-Ah.. um, since he's just arrived, um, I never introduced you two properly. Th-this is Scourge. Scourge, this is Fire That Burns Brightly."

Scourge tore his gaze away from Meadow and looked at the other cat who'd entered, giving a small nod. "Hello.."

Meadow looked from one cat to the other, letting out a nervous laugh. "Ahem.. here." She pawed the fresh kill over to Scourge, shying away from his gaze. Now she felt awkward.. "Im.. n-not too hungry anymore." She curled her tail around to touch her nose, shrinking down in her bedding.

Scourge looked at the fresh-kill and then gave a small nod, picking moving it closer to him with his paw. "....Thanks," he muttered, taking a bite from it. After he'd swallowed, he suddenly got an amused look, swishing his tail. "Whats the matter, Meadow? You seem a little..." He tilted his head a bit and let out a slight chuckle. "...flustered... awkward, maybe?"

Meadow's face lit up with embarrassment, causing her to press herself closer to the bedding. "Sh-shut up!" She hissed, her whiskers quivering a bit. "S-Since when are you the one to be able to read other cats appropriately?" Before he could answer, she glanced over at Fire, giving her a desperate look that seemed to say 'please, PLEASE change the subject'!

Meadow let out another hiss, glaring daggers at Fire. "I-I-I AM NOOOOOT FLUSTERED!"

Scourge got a cocky tone, snickering under his breath. "You are. You very much are. Humor us, Meadow, what exactly has you that way?" This was amusing..

Meadow glared at them, then dug her face into her paws. "You two are dismissed..."

"Y'know, maybe sticking around here won't be as bad as I thought," Scourge mewed in an amused tone, then padded out after Fire. Rushing up to her, he quickly got a curious look. "Ahem, before I go running off to my clan, I have to ask... does she usually act like that?"

"Heh heh... it would drive me insane." Scourge got a skeptical glint in his eyes, shrugging. "Well, if it were anyone other than her, I suppose. She's... very amusing." He blinked, then suddenly sighed. "Fire, what can you tell me about Sharptooth? Meadow insists on aquiring my help with some battle..."