[Deleted]

Ottersplash sighed as he pushed through the brittle, low-hanging tendrils of the willows. This far up the willow stream, the trees grew close enough together that they choked all the water from the streambed, leaving no danger for the water-fearing tom. As the medicine cat eased into his favored hideaway, he closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths.

He had been planning to collect herbs today to replenish his stores, but an unexpected frost had wreaked havoc over the few plants that had started to come back. So, instead of returning to camp empty-pawed, he decided a little peace and quiet would do his soul some good.

He opened his eyes and glanced around, stepping further into his little sanctuary. The willow branches hung low to the ground here, nearly completely closing him off from the outside world. He stepped forward, letting his limbs relax and take on the grace he only found away from watching eyes. Letting his mind wander, he leapt and swayed from one tree root to another, twisting and turning his body to a music only he could hear. He flowed like water as he stretched and moved, easing from one motion to the next with a practiced ease that hid the strain in his muscles and the rapid-fire pace of his thoughts as he chose his next motions milliseconds before acting.

He hadn't had the chance to dance in ages, but the movements were easily remembered, and his heart soared with a freedom he hadn't felt in seasons.



Newleaf 19
BlooRey DVD

[BlooRey DVD]

~~~~~~~~ Though her pelt had begun to thin out for the coming Newleaf and Greenleaf, Minnowsplash found herself relieved to still have some thickness to her coat. The weather had turned overnight, Leafbare's cold reclaiming one of Newleaf's days. She felt a little pang of sadness, seeing the frost covered flowers. Normally, once shocked so violently after blooming, the flowers didn't return. She could only hope there were enough flowers still hiding below that Greenleaf would bring with it plenty of green. Swishing her tail behind her, the RainClan warrioress wandered out of camp. Her off-green gaze traveled her surroundings, halfheartedly looking for some form of company. A part of her nagged, recalling a promise she'd made to Shellstep about heading out alone. She wondered if that still stood, now that the threat of the Civil War had died down. Dangerous or not, she would have enjoyed the company of a white furred tom. She still could not figure out who'd have made her feel safer. Shellstep, with his kind demeanor and gentle green eyes, or Coldrush, quietly self-assured with sharp blue eyes and a silent air of power. Shivering under the memory of those eyes, Minnowsplash found herself drawn down a path following a familiar scent. It wasn't one of the two toms' occupying her mind. Rather, it was the scent of... Ottersplash? She thought to herself, ears pricking curiously as she weaved her way towards the Willow Stream. She wondered if he needed help with anything, and it was this desire to be of some use that had her picking up speed along the still-frozen ground. When she finally stumbled across him, the she-cat's paws ground to a halt. Green eyes were wide with wonder as she watched him move fluidly over the roots, eyes closed and trusting his paws completely. Her muzzle tipped to the side curiously, though her gaze never left his form as he twisted and swayed with more grace than she'd ever recalled from anyone. After a moment of watching, she couldn't help but feel as though she were intruding, clearing her throat softly and hoping she didn't startle him too much. Smiling sheepishly at the tom, she pawed at the ground before meowing. "W-Wow, Ottersplash... That was really amazing! It looked... Almost like you were in battle, but less... Less horrible and more beautiful. I didn't mean to... To barge in like I did..." She trailed off nervously, peeking up at him from where she sat.

Amber

Note: 24 moons old.

[Deleted]

Though he moved like music, he had none, so the soft sound of somecat clearing their throat reached his ears with ease. Immediately, the silver tabby froze, eyes snapping open wide and flying over to the source of the noise. He was only minutely aware of the fur along his spine fluffing out, either out of fear or surprise -- he couldn't be sure -- so focused he was on the fact that he'd been seen. He'd been caught, doing something useless and stupid and foolish and kit-like and frowned upon by the few who'd caught him before---

"W-Wow, Ottersplash!"

The berating inner monologue came to a screeching halt at the words. His eyes focused long enough to recognize his spectator as Minnowsplash, but there was no relief at seeing the gentle, creamy-tan she-cat.

"That was really amazing! It looked... Almost like you were in battle, but less... Less horrible and more beautiful. I didn't mean to... To barge in like I did..."

As the she-cat spoke, Ottersplash found himself frozen, eyes wide as full golden moons and ears pinned back. After she trailed off, the silence between them dragged on, awkward and heavy. After a while, when Minnowsplash began to shuffle awkwardly on her paws, Ottersplash gave himself a mental shake and blinked his wide eyes a few times. It was difficult getting his fur to lie flat again, and he only succeeded somewhat, but he tried.

"Uh...t-thanks?" He closed his golden-brown eyes and swallowed, taking a deep breath to steady himself. It was always like this, back to awkward movements and tripping over words when he had someone's eyes on him. He opened his eyes, not nearly as widely as earlier, and glanced at Minnowsplash. "Um...I h-haven't done th-this in a w-while...Y'know...Y-you're the f-first cat that h-hasn't b-berated me for th-this."

His eyes widened and shot down to his paws. Oops. He hadn't meant to admit that, but it was nice to hear what could be a compliment as opposed to harsh words of scorn and criticism. He'd only been caught a few times, but none of those situations had turned out pleasant.

A small part of him had hope that this time would be different.


BlooRey DVD

[BlooRey DVD]

~~~~~~~~ The silence was heavy, weighing on her shoulders. She was painfully aware of the way he simply watched her, as confused with her presence as she'd been to find him dancing over the roots. But she couldn't figure out what sort of confusion this was. To her, his motions had been captivating, beautiful. An intrusion like she'd committed? That wasn't something she'd exactly call lovely. Embarrassed at herself, she couldn't help but wonder if he'd taken offense to her appearance. I.. Should have just walked away. She complained to herself silently, resisting the urge to squeeze her eyes shut and sink into the ground beneath her. And then his voice broke the silence. Her head popped up in surprise, her green gaze landing on him again as she listened quietly to what he had to say. She couldn't help but notice his own sheepishness the moment he'd been interrupted in his dance. It was both amazing and saddening to see such a sharp difference in a cat. It was almost as though she'd stolen his comfort, his freedom by shoving her muzzle where it didn't belong. Hesitantly stepping toward him, she offered him her most sincere smile. "I... I would never berate you, Ottersplash..." She paused to paw at the ground again, looking away from him for a brief instant before continuing. "I'm... Sorry that others do, though... I d-don't think it's something that... That you should be berated for, I really thought it was beautiful..." There was hesitation in her voice, as though she were debating whether to voice her next question aloud. Eventually, she seemed to decide and opened her mouth once more. "If you don't mind me asking... How did you learn to.. To move like that? Did you teach yourself..?" She'd never been the most graceful cat. She'd always just... Gotten by on some stroke of luck, something that she did adequately. Never beautifully, never perfectly. "I.. Wish I could move like that." She whispered, almost under her breath.

Amber

Note: 24 moons old.