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 Posted: Sun May 11, 2014 10:31 pm
Tomkit's little brow furrowed, his face almost grimacing in concentration as he crouched low in the grass. All morning he and his foe had danced this dance,the hunter's tête a tête. He would snag his prey this time. He would swipe the little winged thing before its wings ever caught the air. The kit was five moons old. He would soon be an apprentice, and catching fresh kill for the clan. Then he would finally be beginning the road to becoming a warrior. All around him the clan was alive with activity. They had settled in to their new home, but that didn't mean that there was no longer work to be done. Nests were being finished, the elders being cared for. Apprentices hunted in the wood for freshkill as warriors carried out their leaders orders and trained new apprentices. Soon, he would be standing among them, an apprentice with a mentor of his own!
He froze in place as the grasshopper's head swiveled toward his direction, breath baited as his prey idly chewed the blade of grass. The wee beast was taunting him. He was sure of it. The crisp morning had quickly given way to a balmy Greenleaf day, and the grasses were alive with busy bugs and little rustles. Compared to the sparseness of the winter he had been born to, this was a world awake and alive, full of possibility. The grasshopper, completely unaware of its impending doom, turned back to its blade of grass. With a smile, Tomkit crouched even lower than he had a moment before, his little rear wiggling as he prepared to spring. I've got you this time!
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Posted: Mon May 12, 2014 11:44 am
Sunkit willed on the other kit. He watched as Tomkit wiggled his haunches, ready to pounce on the grasshopper. He would normally dare not move for he knew he would either disturb the other kit, or even his prey, but he was uneasy. He slowly backed into the thick protective den and looked across to where Daisykit and Frostkit normally lay, but he could not tell if they were in the den, for his eyes were beginning to get harder to open. Not caring about a quick bath before sleeping he lowered himself into his nest and willed sleep to come to him...but as always it did not.
He sighed heavily wishing he could act like a normal kit. Be a normal kit. Why did he always have to fret and think to deeply when it came to certain things? He covered the bridge of his nose with his tiny white paws and breathed before getting up. He wished he were an apprentice now. He wished he could hunt and fight for his clan. He jumped out of his nest with haste, scattering the moss, and headed out of the den. He blinked from the harsh light and looked to the freshkill pile.
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Black VVinter Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon May 12, 2014 9:57 pm
It was slow going, but with the benefit of being able to lean into Aspenfall’s supporting side, the large tom was able to limp back to the camp. It was a wonder the two had been able to go so long on such bad terms, because, and maybe it was still the adrenaline speaking, Snakefang already felt as if the gap between them had closed again.
But, of course, as he had already mentioned, he could be going crazy. Since when did his walls get torn back down so easily?
Putting as little weight as possible on his front left shoulder, the dark tom left the shadows of the tree line and made his way to the edge of the clearing that made up the Thunderclan camp. And as he did so, not only did the warm Greenleaf sun highlight the dark striping of his pelt, normally not visible in the shade, but, to a cat with a keen eye, it would also highlight the mass of knotted flesh, blood, and fur from the gashing teeth marks just below the shoulder blade on the leg he favored.
It was not exactly the prettiest sight, and while some other warriors of his caliber would be tempted to proudly show it off on his or her way to the Medicine Cat’s den, the muscular tom was rather different in that sense. He did not care to draw attention to himself (and, indeed, as soon as he entered the clearing, did his best to disguise his limp), and he certainly did not care to see their Medicine Cat. He had experienced his share of being confined to the Medicine cat’s den, enough for a lifetime, and he’d rather suffer alone in a fox hole on the edge of their territory than be stuck in that place again.
So, as it was, the two warriors made their way around the nursery, Snakefang’s yellow eyes raised to catch sight of Tomkit, just in time for the eager young kit to give a focused little wiggle of his rear in preparation to pounce. Snakefang snorted at the sight, probably not loud enough to scare away the kit’s current prey of interest, but just loud enough to catch the young calico tom’s attention.
“And what exactly do you plan on doing with that when you catch it?” Snakefang uttered with a sarcastic, bitter undertone. Of course, any cat who knew Snakefang at all would know that his bitterness was not intentional, but simply the way his voice seemed to naturally incline.
In terms of Snakefang, it was a compliment enough that he had suggested Tomkit would catch it in the first place.
The dark tom continued just on past the nursery before laying down in the shade. Yes, it was plainly obvious now that he didn’t plan on seeking herbal attention, and in fact, when he lay down in the shadows of the tall pine, his wound was all but gone to anyone who had not seen him enter.
Aspenfall may try and convince him to go, but he doubted she would bother.
“I’m just going to rest here,” He uttered to Aspenfall, his voice taking a softer, but still not all-together kind tone, “And I’ll be well again soon enough.”
Still, as proud as the tom was, once he saw another warrior, he would alert them of the dog issue. It was something everyone needed to be aware of: they just didn’t need to stick their noses into his business and the fact the he had been injured.
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 2:56 am
Sunkit watched as Snakefang entered the camp. His limp was slight, and he had caught the slight tangy scent of blood. If he was indeed injured, knowing him he wouldn't see the medicine cat. As he walked towards the fresh-kill pile he thought he should take a piece to him, though he may be scolded for being too forward. Looking at the pile he decided what would be best to take, what would be the easiest to take because his legs were still short. He decided a mouse and a squirrel would be best, he would drag them by their tails to the two warriors. He'd give one to Aspenfall, to hide his true intention of making sure Snakefang at least put something in his stomach. As he got closer he made sure to keep eye contact with Snakefang if he looked at him, Sunkit was indeed intimidated by him, yes, but he was going to take care of his clan-mates anyway he could, even if he got scolded. He dropped the mouse at his paws, thinking the squirrel had too much fur for an injured cat to worry about he placed it on the ground in front of Aspenfall. Before he left he dipped his head in respect and wandered back over to the fresh-kill pile and sat. If only he knew what he was hungry for..
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 8:20 am
Tomkit launched just as someone spoke, midleap his head turned toward the voice. Rather than gracefully leaping upon his prey with claws extended, he landed in a distracted little heap right atop it. The kit scrambled to his feet, blue eyes wide as they looked for anyone who might have seen the embarrassing tumble before he settled down to groom his tousled fur as if nothing had happened at all. It was then he noticed the twitching little grasshopper, half squished beneath his little bum. A gleeful grin lit his eyes as he pounced upon it, and it made the most satisfying crunch between his teeth.
With his head held high he pranced with his prize, he approached who he now recognized as Snakefang and Sunkit. He purred, brushing up against his nursery friend as he gave the warrior a grin, mouth still stretched around the struggling grasshopper. "Ahm unna eet iht, ahs whu ahma doo." It was that moment that the grasshopper managed to hook one of its strong feet right into the kit's nostril, and with a sneeze it flew free. Tomkit shook his head, his little tongue almost obsessively licking his muzzle as he shot the grasshopper a rather dirty look. "Oh well. It tasted like birdpoop anyway," he mewed with a shrug, turning his attention back to the cats before him. It wasn't til the. That he noticed the bits of gore dangling from the warrior's wounds. His blue eyes went wide with worry, "You're hurt!" Should he run for the medicine cat? He looked to Sunkit, silently asking what he should do. The bright kit was always so much smarter, smarter than anyone in the dens if you asked Tomkit. If Sunkit hadn't immediately gone for a healer, then there was a reason why. Tomkit just couldn't see it.
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 1:50 pm
Slowly the two warriors reached camp, Aspenfall supporting Snakefang while the tom put as little weight on his injured leg as possible. Aspenfall felt terrible that Snakefang had gotten bit before she could arrive, but she was so glad the wound wasn't too bad. He wouldn't die. The silence between them on the walk back this time was rather comfortable. The gap was closing between them; it was almost like the whole snake mission as young warriors hadn't happened. The spotted she-cat continued along with Snakefang to a spot of shade just outside the nursery, where Snakefang laid down immediately.
"It's good for kits to practice early. It'll keep them healthy." She stared fondly over at Tomkit for a few moments before turning her green gaze to Snakefang,"Don't discourage good practice, Snakefang." she scolded gently, green eyes alight with adoration. Her eyes traveled to his wound and her eyes darkened with sadness. "I shouldn't have run off like that. We were supposed to stick together. New territory is dangerous. I'm sorry Snakefang. I got you hurt." Aspenfall settled onto her haunches next to him and her head drooped. "I always end up getting you hurt..."
The pitter pattter of little paws drawing closer caught her attention and she looked up, catching sight of Sunkit dragging two pieces of prey towards Snakefang and her. A slight smile worked itself onto her face and she let out a soft purr. ThunderClan was lucky to have such thoughtful kits. Aspenfall blinked gratefully at the young tom. Before he retreated back to the pile she spoke up with a warm smile, "I'll bring you back something really big to eat when I go hunting. Thanks for helping take care of this grumpy badger." She brushed her tail along Snakefang's spine.
Soon after Sunkit had retreated Tomkit walked up to them, mouth full of grasshopper. Aspenfall let out a soft mrow of amusement. "Nice catch, Tomkit." she praised him. "It was a bit messy, but you got it in the end." The kit soon noticed Snakefang's wound and Aspenfall's expression fell. "He doesn't want to go to the medicine cat den, I don't blame him really... The wound's not too bad, though. I think he'll be fine with just some cobwebs and a bit of rest." She laid down and pressed herself against Snakefang's side.
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 4:51 pm
Tomkit purred shyly as Aspenfall complemented his hunting skills, shuffling his feet a tad. "Thank you, Miss Aspenfall." His little voice came out in a shy mew, as his eyes seemed to find anything to look at but the queen. He wished he hadn't sounded so mouse brained and tiny... Aspenfall was always so nice, and she never mistook him for a girl... And she was really pretty too. He couldn't help feel a little jealous of big, handsome Snakefang as she settled so worriedly at his side. It wasn't as if he'd ever have a chance with lovely Aspenfall, but a kit could dream, couldn't he? His ears perked as she mentioned cobwebs, and he mewed with such excitement he bounced on his toes, "I can do that!" Oh by starclan did he have to yell it?! Before he could embarrass himself further, he bolted off. Not only a little while ago he had run almost face first into a whole nest of them. But how to gather them? He had always thought the medicine cats gracefully swept them up with their tails...
By the time the kit came bounding back it was a miracle he could see. Cobwebs coated all but the kit's legs, leaving him to look more like he had simply bounced through the nest, rather than try to gracefully sweep them up with his short little tail. Perhaps the greater miracle was that he seemed completely oblivious to all of it. "I gots you some cobwebs Miss Aspenfall!" The excited and breathless little kit's beaming smile went almost unseen under the mass of cobwebs.
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 11:50 am
Sunkit waved his tail as he walked away to show that he hadn't ignored her. He looked down at the pile and chose a tiny thrush for himself and carried it over to a shaded area and sat with it in front of him. Sunkit watched his playmate bounce over to a wad of cobwebs and 'gracefully' sweep them up with his body. He felt a smile creep across his face. Even though Tomkit was small for a kit, he had a big heart. He carefully plucked the feathers out of the thrush, he'll give them the the elders to line their nests with. We still don't know these forests. StarClan where have you brought us?
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Black VVinter Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 2:41 pm
“It's good for kits to practice early. It'll keep them healthy. Don’t discourage good practice, Snakefang."
He shot her a narrow-eyed, side-glance for contradicting him: Even if she was right. For that simple reason, he said nothing in retort. He knew a losing battle when he saw one..
Usually.
But, that dark cloud that always seemed to be following him managed to lighten up, at least by a touch of grey, when he watched the bright green of Aspenfall’s eyes darken, only for the she-cat to settle down dejectedly next to him. It caused a sharp pain to pierce his side: much sharper than the wound on his shoulder. He heard her words, ears pressed forward now, eyes intent, his injured leg outstretched in front of him, the other tucked.
Still, despite the presence of his sincere attention, he let out a sure, disbelieving snort at what she had to say.
“Please, do you hear yourself? We both know I’m the one who got us into that. Besides, the dog only came after me beca -” He cut his sentence off, ears immediately pulling flat against his head, not happy with being interrupted, as the sound of another cat’s approach reached him. His yellow eyes shifted from Aspenfall, head twisting to catch sight of Sunkit.
Was he..? Yes. He was. The Sunkit was bring him food.
Snakefang’s tail gave an irritated twitch, his ears re-pinned as the kit pulled the freshkill closer.. but, was it not more common for Snakefang to be seen with his ears pinned, than with them perked? It didn’t seem to faze the kit at all… Which, if anything, only added to Snakefang’s insult. Maybe he needed a new “get away from me” sign..
Regardless, he most certainly did not need assistance from a kit. He was far from being lame and ever further from being an Elder. He made eye-contact with the ginger-striped cat, watching him through narrowed eyelids. Now, it would worse if it was someone different.. Sunkit always managed to appear more, solemn, maybe.. more thoughtful, for sure, than some of their Warriors, even. It was more likely that the kit was trying to be considerate, not trying to take any sort of pity on him. Snakefang couldn’t stand being pitied. He was completely confident in his ability to hold his own, or die trying.
The kit, as calmly as ever, offered the mouse to him, and the squirrel to the spotted she-cat at his side. Then, with a quick sign of respect, he was gone.
Snakefang was so shocked by it, so unsuspecting of the small dip of the ginger head, that his keen mind formed a blank: unable to think of any sort of sharp, witty comment to make towards the striped kit. His tail gave another flip as the kit turned to leave, Snakefang’s gaze following: not completely sure what to think. Flattered by the respect, but insulted by it at the same time.
He tuned into Aspenfall’s gentle tone just in time to hear her call him a badger. Snakefang laid his head down on his paw, but couldn’t hide the amusement in his expression: Yeah, he was a bit of a badger, wasn’t he? Still, he let out a stiff exhale, watching idly as the fur of the mouse in front of him parted with the breath.
He was about to come back with a comment when her tail trailed across his spine, giving the muscular, dark tom pause. Indeed, just the simple touch was met with a chilled prickling of the tom’s fur and skin. But, that still didn’t spare her completely, because he answered once he recovered.
“Now why would you help a badger? Aren’t we supposed to be left alone?” There was a sharpness to his voice, and yet he cast her a crooked smirk, just to make sure she understood that he didn’t actually wish for her to leave.
Then, a second kit (why had he laid down next to the nursery?), Tomkit, decided to prance up and throw in his two-cents. Well, not before an amusing spectacle with the grasshopper he had been hunting earlier.
Now, Snakefang knew he could be grumpy. But he wasn’t heartless, and he gave a small chortle as he watched the kit struggle to contain the small, but stubborn, insect. Aspenfall praised Tomkit for his catch, and Snakefang chuckled, his voice for once losing its grumpy undertone and filled with, a still slightly sarcastic, amusement, “I don’t know, I think the grasshopper put up a pretty impressive fight.”
But his mood changed immediately, head shooting up, ears pinning defensively back, once the kit mentioned he was hurt. No, he wasn’t hurt, he was fine…
This time, he was grateful when Aspenfall answered for him, taking a little bit of attention from him while he watched little Tomkit’s eyes glow in response to the she-cat.. But then she mentioned the cobwebs.
“No, I don’t need-”
“I can do that!”
The calico kit’s mew overtook his, and before Snakefang could even consider stopping him, the kit bounded off. His hair stood on end. Why were all these kits running around doing things for him?
He was preparing to get up and head off after the kit, or at least change location, when Aspenfall lay down fully beside him, pressing herself softly against his strong side.
Well, now he was stuck. Not that he was complaining, of course.
He lowered his head to rest on his good paw again, speaking to the she-cat next to him with slightly muttered words: his tail coming to brush briefly over hers in response to her lean, and his voice following soon afterwards.
“I was trying to say- I goaded the dog on. I was worried he may be able to break through that small two-leg border. Looks like I was right,” he grumbled the last part with some amusement. No one was seriously injured at least, so the ordeal with the dog was already history to him, something to laugh about now. He would just make sure to nurture the leg so that he could heal quickly enough to be able to participate in the border set-ups.
“But- Aspenfall.” He raised his head, turning to look at her now, “I want you to promise me something, yes?” he waited for her agreement, accepting nothing more, “No more blaming yourself for trouble I choose to put myself into.”
Over her shoulder, Snakefang caught movement, and even the stern, dark-grey cat was unable to help but allow a snicker to pass over him as he was Tomkit’s return. Tomkit, plus what had to be more than enough cobweb, draped all over his body.
“Did you have some trouble, Tomkit?” The warrior remarked, voice as tinted with sarcasm as ever.. “I’m pretty sure you would end up pressing more fur than cobweb into my shoulder.”
Really, however resistant he was to wanting to have his wounds dressed at all, he knew there would be no point in agruing against it, but he never failed to pin his ears stubbornly down flat, lowering his head to the ground and closing his eyes, as if attempting to ignore the entire process. But, just afterwards, he did open one pale yellow eye back up to glance at the calico kit, “You see what you did? Now I’ll actually have to sit still while I “recover”.”
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