Run Until You Fly (open)

[Meadowspirit]

A golden king cheetah stood at the edge of the meadow, the border to LeopardClan. Her patrol had been going well and was just about done, but she had the urge to run across the grasslands once again, something she loved to do. The irregular dark spots across her gathered the heat of the evening sun, as well as the black stripes on her spine and mane of her neck. Her dark amber eyes scanned the meadow.

"Here we go..." Meadowspirit whispered to herself, turning so that she was parallel to the border. Her powerful hind legs kicked off from the ground, scattering dirt and grass. She sped across the plains, picking up speed very quickly. She seemed to fly over the ground as her speed increased, paws nearly never touching the floor.

Slowly, Meadowspirit skidded to a stop and pranced around happily, trotting over to a flattened rock. As short as she was, she was able to get to the top of it, laying down and bathing in the sun. Her muscles didn't ache, but throbbed from the run. It was a euphoric feeling and the warrior thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Darkstripe]

Darkstripe was on the afternoon patrol with Meadowspirit, the two king cheetahs walked side by side refreshing the border markers as they walked along the treeline. The afternoon sun turning their two pelts to liquid gold their black uneven spots and stripes shone. They just reached the end of the treeline when Darkstripe turned to see Meadowspirit take off with a burst of speed towards the meadow. He tilted his head as if in confusion they seeming to make up his mind he took off too. His powerful legs carrying him through the grass like a bolt of lightning.

He looked ahead to see Meadowspirit slow down and jump on top of a raised flat rock. Determined to impress her, he continued running and took the greatest leap he could muster, flying through the air landing lightly on the rock beside her. His eyes shining that it had worked because usually his plans to impress she-cats went wrong, he sat down beside her panting.

"You are a fast one," he chuckled, smiling. He curled his tail up beside him and scanned the area looking for a sign of prey hoping to catch something for the she-cat but so far he could see nothing but the grasses of the meadow but he kept his ears pricked and eyes sharp looking for the slightest movement.

Just then he saw a gazelle in the grass not far from him. He jumped off the rock landed silently, then went into the hunters crouch sliding forward like a snake. He was almost close enough to leap when he hit a stone and it clacked against a few others. The gazelle lifted its head and took off. Letting out a hiss of frustration he took off after it, speeding through the grass. Then he noticed the gazelle trip and he smiled to himself thankful that he didnt have to continue running for long. He slowed himself down and ran into the gazelle snapping its neck with his strong bite. He looked around and quickly found the rock where Meadowspirit was laying and started to drag his freshkill over to her, grunting with the effort.

[Meadowspirit]

Meadowspirit watched in amusement as the male startled the gazelle and it took off, with him right behind it of course. Darkstripe was always one to put on a show for the she-cats of the clan, which the young female didn't mind. He was a kind cat at heart and he had good intentions, but things didn't always go as he planned. She stared as his jaws snapped down on the neck of the animal and his small frame attempted to drag it back to the rock where she lay.

Meadowspirit smiled and laughed. "Need some help with that, Darkstripe?" She asked in a teasing voice, sliding off the rock silently and trotting over to help him. She brushed her cheek against his and snatched the gazelle from his teeth swiftly, dragging it quickly to the rock. She laid down beside it and beckoned her friend with her tail. "C'mon slowpoke!" She sang happily, playfulness kicking into gear.

She waited for his response and she thought for a minute while staring at him. She had to admit that she liked him. He was decent, an she thought his flubs could be adorable at some points. The only times they weren't was when she was in a serious mood. When she was in a bad one, they were the things that tended to cheer her up. She smiled some.

[Darkstripe]

Darkstripe's ears flattened in embarrassment as Meadowspirit noticed his struggle to drag the dead animal over to her. He watched s she trotted over to him and took the carcass from him, he was still exausted from the run so he didnt bother to take it back. He followed her back to the rock walking a bit slow wanting to catch his breath fully so he didnt sound tired, the he looked to see Meadowspirit lay down the gazelle beside her then sit down. He picked up his speed after her last comment and trotted towards her, laying down in the grass beside her, tong lolling out. Realizing that this was not attractive he quickly slipped it inside.

He looked at her as she smiled, head tilted questioningly. "What are you smiling at my dear?" he asked playfully, looking for the something that was making her smile. After he saw nothing he looked back, she must have been smiling at a thought. He laid back on his side his tail slapping the grass for no reason what so ever, then he sat up again his tail curled over his paws. He didnt feel like sitting here, he wanted to do something, but he didnt know what. It looked like the she-cat wanted to though, so he would too not wanting her to think he was rude if she left. He looked up to the blue sky, letting his thoughts come forth and drowning all else out.

[Meadowspirit]

Meadowspirit rested her gold gaze on her comrade. "Nothing, Darkstripe... Just a thought." She then noticed his sudden drop-off from the world, as if he had entered a state of complete calm and was mentally cut off from his surroundings. He was probably thinking, so the warrior didn't disturb him, instead looking at the gazelle. She didn't feel hungry, but she knew they couldn't leave it there. Scavengers would gather and that could cause problems for the clan.

Meadowspirit sighed, gently nudging Darkstripe's neck. "We should eat this. Then, you can tell me what you're thinking about." She got to her feet and inched closer to the meat, aiming at the gut. She bared her long fangs and lurched her head at it, biting into it and tearing the soft flesh. She proceeded to eat slowly, waiting for her companion to join her. She wanted to make sure he ate. He had run a lot and had spent the energy in catching the gazelle. He deserved some of it just as she did. He must have been tired, especially from all the running he had done. She paused to look back at him. "Are you okay, Darkstripe?"

[Darkstripe]

"I am just fine all is well" he nodded his head to her, "And you are probably right, we dont want to waste this" he bent his head down and started to tear at the animals flesh, strength flowing into him, he hadnt noticed how tired he was after his run but now he felt refreshed and energetic. They sat in silence as the ate, he sat he tail swinging back and forth enjoying the swish of the grass underneath. The sun was now starting to set turning the sky shades of orange, yellow and blue. "It's beautiful isn't it?" he spoke more to himself than Meadowspirit. Then he looked down at the carcass, he could see the bones and there was very little meat left on them. He picked it up, feeling lighter than it did before, and dragged it to a muddy dip in the ground and started to dig.

The hole was finished in a matter of seconds and darkstripe pushed the carcass inside and threw dirt back over it. He quickly turned and trotted back to Meadowspirit. "We should probably be getting back to camp everyone will be wondering where we went off to; come on" he flicked his tail motioning for her to come stand beside him, her gold eyes sparkled and he smiled, she was very pretty he had to admit it she was unlike other she-cats. Their pelts turned to gold as they walked back through the meadow, his pelt brushing hers.

[Meadowspirit]

Meadowspirit licked her jowls repeatedly when she finished, getting the remaining taste of the gazelle from her lips and teeth. It was really good and filled her stomach, placing energy and life back into her tired limbs. She watched as Darkstripe went to bury what little was left of the dead animal. Within a matter of minutes, he had dug a shallow hole and kicked dirt over the creature before trotting back to her. She glanced at the sky, silently agreeing with him on how beautiful it was. She loved the sky, but not as much as she loved to run.

Her ears twitched when he suggested they return to camp. "Right...that might be a good idea." Honestly, she wasn't really listening. She continued to stare through the scarce trees at the grass, the itching urge returning to her legs again. She knew the feeling and she wanted to fulfill it. She looked at Darkstripe once, then at the grass, then back at her companion. A sly grin crept across her face, "Race ya!"

Meadowspirit took off like lightning would through the storm clouds, not looking back to see if Darkstripe could keep up.

[Darkstripe]

Darkstripes eyes widened in surprise and then narrowed with the challenge he took off after her, heart racing. The food had made him stronger and his powerful legs stretched out in front of him, feeling the thrill of when his body was totally off the ground, she was only a fox length behind her now and he picked up his speed now meeting up with her stride for stride. They raced through the meadow side by side as they headed back to the camp.

His mind was cleared of all thoughts except for Meadowspirit, he then started picturing her in his mind. Her golden gaze, her fur like the morning sun, the feel of her pelt against his. He smiled his eyes shone like fire, reflecting the setting sun. They reached a high spot on the meadow that encirlcled and protected the camp. "Let's stop here!" he called out to her, slowing down, then stopping on the top of the hiil. Sitting himself down looking over the camp then to the horizon. The sun looked like a ball of fire and he could only see the tip of it as it slowly set. He looked to Meadowspirit then waved his tail hoping she would come sit beside him.

[Meadowspirit]

Meadowspirit leaped over the edge of the highest point, slightly surprised to see Darkstripe stop. She skidded part ways down the hill, scattering grass and dirt as she went. She nearly hit a rock, but managed to avoid it gracefully. She glanced up at her companion, then at the camp once, debating on what to do. She wanted to return to her den, her warm bed of moss, and get some sleep after the hard hours of patrolling. However, seeing Darkstripe waiting made her feel as though she shouldn't leave him there.

She gave a light sigh, muttering to herself, "I'm tired, but..." Meadowspirit trekked steadily back up the hill and to where he sat. She went to his side and faced the sun, flopping down on the grass and carefully regaining her breath. It took her a moment before she met her friend's gaze. "I thought we were going back to camp. What's up, Darkstripe?" She flicked her tail, not realizing that she had laid it on top of his.