[Abyss]

Silentkit - Tom
5 Moons - Loner

Leafbare 7 - Clouds roll in slowly across the day, completely blanketing the territories. No wind, but strangely quiet.

Time flies when you're having fun, or at least that is what they say. But what truly counts as fun in the eyes of a cat? Chasing mice? Climbing trees? Running through the forest? How about exploring through unknown lands in search of something that may not even exist? In this particular case, the latter seemed to be the situation, and, in this cat's eyes, this was indeed a source of fun.

A dark orange and white figure lightly pranced through the leafless trees of the Rainclan territory, though this cat didn't know where he was at that moment. He had briefly caught the scents of other cats, but he ignored them for the most part. He did have his hopes up, though, for if this was indeed the territory of one of those cat clans, he had actually done what he and his siblings had set out to do. All he would have to do was find out if this really was a cat clan and then head back to let his family know. That was all that was to come of this trip, right?

Soon, the young cat found himself at a river, though there was a feature that was quite unique about the part of the river he found himself at. As his white paws came to a stop at the edge of the water, a little bit of sand shifting between his toes, his deep blue eyes peered out to the center of the river where there was a small patch of land uncovered by water. The water of the river seemed to flow right around it without bothering the land made of sand in the slightest. How interesting.

Without even a pinch of hesitation, the young cat padded into the water, pushing himself forward away from the shore just as the water reached his chest and feeling an immediate chill cover his body, but he ignored it. He kicked his legs and propelled himself through the water somewhat quickly, his head, the spine of his back, and his tail the only things breaking through the surface. As he reached the sand island, he pulled himself up onto the patch of land and shivered his body a bit, getting some of the excess water off and feeling a chill go down his spine. He glanced around him, getting a better view of the forest he found himself in. It seemed pretty normal. He did find himself curious as to how long this river was and where it could lead to.

tag: Fawn
words: 405
notes: Hope you don't mind me making this!

♥ ♥

[Fawn]

Hope when you take that jump

Lotuswhisker's paw whistled through the air in front of Russethawk's face. The stirred air made his whiskers shiver on the downward swipe, but it was clear that she'd never been in any real danger of striking him.

Though her kits were warriors now, and Lotuswhisker had an apprentice to train, she was still a little... rusty.

"Don't worry, it'll come back to you." Russethawk flicked her shoulder, encouraging.

The chocolate queen sighed. "I just don't want to make a fool of myself in front of Yarrowpaw. She deserves as strong an education as possible." Lotuswhisker's tail hung, the soft sand shifting under paw as she nervously kneaded it.

"You won't, we'll keep practicing until you've got your confidence back, alright?" For friends, Russethawk always had time. His social interactions with Lotuswhisker had been limited - until he'd become the mentor of her daughter, Swanscreech. What began as professional interest in the apprentice morphed into friendship. It was friendship with a catch though.

Lotuswhisker had a loving (and towering) mate in the form of Gullswoop. Russethawk was careful not to give him the wrong impression. They always kept a respectful distance.

"Let's start with what you're strongest at," said Russethawk. "Did Leopardyowl--"

Lotuswhisker's mentor had been the vitriolic, prejudiced Leopardyowl, a tom who'd believed in blood purity so strongly, he willingly killed his Clanmates in an effort to purge RainClan. Mentioning that tom's name - and the name of any other exiled Purist - always earned a few uneasy or hostile stares from RainClan.

But that wasn't why Russethawk had broke off.

Emerald eyes narrowed, focusing on the little orange and white shape bobbing in the water towards them. "What in StarClan's name..?" Russethawk mumbled, ears pricked and eyes widening as the cat pulled itself onto the bank, soaking wet and with a foreign scent.

"Lotuswhisker, look." Russethawk nodded at the scrap of fur that hadn't noticed them yet.

"Oh, stars. Are you lost, little one? Did you get washed down river?"[/bn] The chocolate queen hurried over, neck craning like she wanted to lick the excess water from the kit's eyes and ears but was holding herself back.

"It's dangerous to go swimming this time of year, for someone your age. Your mom must be worried out of her fur!" Russethawk didn't have to press his nose to the kit's sopping pelt to see that it lacked the essential oils in a typical RainClan cat's coat. The kit's pelt could not repel water like their did. "We have to get you to camp so you can warm up. I'm Russethawk, by the way." He put on his friendliest smile.

"I'm Lotuswhisker. We're warriors of RainClan." Lotuswhisker's tone was soft, encouraging. "You'll be alright. Why don't you tell us your name?"

You don't fear the fall

RainClan || 69 Moons || Tom

Russethawk

@alaska Hellion (Gull mention!) || 457 Words || Notes

OOC: The date is actually leafbare 7, which coincides with the real-life date of the 23rd of December
Leafbare 23 is aaaall the way in February. You can check the dates on the calendar or just ask one of the staff if you're ever unsure!

Leafbare 7 - Clouds roll in slowly across the day, completely blanketing the territories. No wind, but strangely quiet.

[Abyss]

Silentkit - Tom
5 Moons - Loner

For a brief moment, the young cat tried to consider what his family was up to. He had seen them not too long ago and, truthfully, they weren't that far away. More than likely his siblings were not too far behind him, searching for the clans just as he was. Granted, they weren't as good at swimming as he was, but that was okay. All cats could swim, right?

As his eyes followed the river, lost in his thoughts, a sudden waft of unfamiliar scents and the sound of a feminine voice came to him. He turned his head, large blue eyes locking onto the sight of two cats. One of them, the first to speak and approach him, was a light-brown-orange and white-colored she-cat with pale green eyes. The other was a red tom with mixes of darker and lighter colors all over and somewhat darker green eyes. Now one would assume that a young cat would know not to immediately trust anyone that walks up to you. Almost anyone could act friendly and then turn around and tear your tail off. Obviously this young cat never got those lessons, for when the two cats approached, he walked right over to them and nuzzled his head against the large tom's chest, letting out a loud purr.

He lifted his head, eyes looking between the two adults as they spoke to him. The large tom introduced himself as Russethawk while the she-cat said her name was Lotuswhisker. For a moment the young tom tilted his head, a confused mew escaping his throat. But the moment they said the word Rainclan, his ears perked high on his head and his tail lashed behind him, not in anger or annoyance, but in happiness. His eyes lit up even more so and he lightly jumped, touching the she-cat's chin with his nose. He seemed quite excited at the mentioning of a clan.

It was when the now named Lotuswhisker asked his name that he stopped moving and stared at her. His face itself held no expression, but his eyes told a different story. The look that he gave her almost suggested that he thought she should know the answer already. He then gave the same look to the tom as well. When he thought about it, did he have an actual name? Mother always called him 'little one', but was that his name or no? He got lost in his thoughts before shaking his head at them.

tag: Fawn
words: 414
notes: Oops! Sorry!

♥ ♥

[Fawn]

Hope when you take that jump

The kitten responded warmly, nuzzling each of them with a purr loud enough for both warriors to hear. Russethawk grinned, growing fond of the little scrap almost immediately. He reminds me of Frozensong, thought the ruddy warrior. That comparison made itself even clearer when the wet kit failed to respond to their questions.

Russethawk exchanged a confused glance with Lotuswhisker. Can't talk? Maybe he was partially deaf, he seemed fully capable of detecting their words - but the perplexed expression all over the little tom's ginger and white muzzle made it clear there were... communication issues.

"How would you like to come back with us to RainClan? You can meet our leader, Silverstar, and our medicine cats." Russethawk purred, trying to bridge the communication gap with friendliness. The kit wasn't very vocal - it was possible he was just shy. But why wouldn't a kit want to announce their name? It was one of the first things they ever 'owned', the first thing that was truly theirs - and Russethawk was sure it was the same for loner born cats too.

Russethawk's tail flicked, casting aside further speculations. "What do you think? That sound like a plan?"

"There's fresh-caught prey for you to eat too," Lotuswhisker mewed helpfully, gently moving to rest her tail over the young tom's back. "You'll catch sickness if you stay here with soaked fur." They could get him back to camp, talk to the cats in charge, then figure out what to do next.

If they needed to patrol up river in search of this kit's (probably) frantic parents, Russethawk was willing to do so. He knew Lotuswhisker would drop everything to help look, but he also knew her motherly instincts would keep her close to camp - keeping an eye on their little 'guest' until the search party returned.

You don't fear the fall

RainClan || 69 Moons || Tom

Russethawk

Abyss || 300 Words || Notes: Don't forget to change the date to the correct one!

[Abyss]

Silentkit - Tom
5 Moons - Loner

Even though it was obvious the two adults were confused by his lack of voice or speaking, the young tom didn't seem fazed at all. He just looked up at them, wide eyes curious and excited each time he heard the word 'Rainclan'. When the large tom asked him if he wanted to go with them to Rainclan to meet their Leader and Medicine Cat, the small cat's ears perked and his tail swished and swirled happily behind him.

When the pretty she-cat began to speak, he turned his bright blue gaze over to her, the excited expression only growing further at the mention of prey. He felt her tail brush along his flank and suddenly remembered his mother doing the same thing just the other day. Oh, wait! He suddenly remembered. How had he forgotten? He found a clan! Maybe he would have these cats take him to their camp and then he would go tell his family and have them come too! His parents would be so happy when they learned that he found a clan.

Then again, he had to think for a moment. He didn't know this area very well. Would he be able to find his way back to his family after he found out where the camp was? Would they even let him leave to go get them? No way. Mother and father always told him that clan cats were very friendly and kind. Surely they wouldn't mind. But now wasn't the time for that. The little ginger and white tom looked at the two cats, giving them both a quick mew before hopping to the side, looking over towards the side of the river that they had come from.

tag: Fawn
words: 286
notes: ---

♥ ♥

[Fawn]

Hope when you take that jump

The little tom was agreeable, and Lotuswhisker gently rasped her tongue over one of his ears, resisting the urge to do more when he would have to go right back into the water to reach their camp.

"Follow me," said Russethawk, chilly river water lapping at his belly and the middle of his legs as he waded back in. "If you get tired, let us know! We'll carry you the rest of the way."

For safety reasons, Lotuswhisker stayed behind the loner-kit in case the current proved too strong. That he'd been able to cross the river at all was impressive, but both warriors knew the dangers of pushing one's luck. Young cats had plenty of energy - but it was like morning dew on a Greenleaf morning; easily lost.

Russethawk brought them to the main bank, not even bothering to give himself a good shake; they were going right back in the water in a few foxlengths. RainClan's camp sat like a river stone in the middle of a branching stream, reeds and ferns and water grasses covered the camp island and provided them with shelter. "Nearly there." Russethawk smiled encouragingly to the ginger splotched kitten. "When we get there, you're going to meet a lot of new cats. But don't be afraid, they're just curious."

"Just stay close to us," Lotuswhisker purred, keeping herself near him as they waded the final stretch to the camp shore. Russethawk went ahead, lengthening his stride until he had time to locate RainClan's deputy and offer a hasty explanation of what transpired.

"He swam right over to us at the sand bar. As if he was looking for us or something." Russethawk's shoulders bounced up in a shrug. "He... doesn't or can't speak well, hard to get anything out of him."

"Is he weaned?" Asked Lilygleam, having nursed four kits of her own. One of which was now leading the Clan. Again, Russethawk shrugged.

"Dunno, but he's soaking wet, and not saying much."

Lilygleam nodded. "I'll find Silverstar. Please get one of our medicine cats, just in case."

Instructions received, Russethawk dipped his head respectfully to the queen-turned-deputy and made a beeline for Swanfeather's and Dewpaw's shared den.

Lotuswhisker stayed with the kitten, answering the questioning looks of the two camp guards while Silverstar was summoned.

You don't fear the fall

RainClan || 69 Moons || Tom

Russethawk

Justice Abyss || 382 Words || Notes

[Justice]

It had been a fairly quiet day, all things considered. Patrols had gone out, hunting parties had gone and returned successful thankfully, and aside from the normal perils of leafbare it was a good day.

He didn't expect for his mother turned deputy to poke her head into his den and tell him his presence was needed. "What's going on?" He asked as he followed the she-cat from his den towards the medicine cat's den. "Is someone hurt?" Was it one of the apprentices? Had one of the kits snuck from the nursery again and fallen to the freezing cold of the river? StarClan forbid after he made it clear they'd be set back on becoming apprentices if they snuck out the nursery any longer. He still had warriors on the nursery at all times. It was embarrassing having a loner rescue their kits from drowning multiple times in a short span of time.

"Lotuswhisker and Russethawk returned to camp with a kit. He's young, scrawny, probably a loner kit by the look and smell of him. Either can't or won't speak so we don't know where his family is or even how old he is. I think he's weaned, but its hard to tell. They've brought him to the medicine cats for tending." Lilygleam was speaking very quickly and clearly, and he understood she was concerned for the small kit now brought into their clan's care. After all, they wouldn't send the little one away without being able to find his family. Especially not in leafbare.

They ended up intercepting the warriors and the lost kit just outside the medicine den and he dipped his head to each of them. "Lilygleam has filled me in on what's going on. Lets get this kit dry and warm and we'll go from there." Though going from how his mother twitched, she really wanted to start the 'warming up' process sooner rather than later. Queens were queens, even former ones. He just smiled at the small kit. "Hello there, I'm Silverstar, I lead this clan." He leaned over and gave the kit a lick between his ears. "Don't be afraid, no harm will come to you here." Not while he was around.

Fawn Abyss

[Abyss]

The young kit leaned into the brief grooming from the she-cat, though saw that the large tom was heading into the water and was quick to follow. While some kits may have been scared and might have waited until a cat was on the other side before they crossed, this little one was not that resistant. Russethawk was seeming to just begin swimming when the little ginger tabby kit followed right in, kicking his legs as hard as he could, his little face poking up out of the water as he swam. Admittedly, he did feel the current gently pulling him away from where he wanted to go, but he was smart enough to swim against the current. He still ended up a little more diagonal away from where he planned to go, and he was also a little bit worn out. But none of that was about to stop him. He bound over to the large tom, looking up at him with wide eyes and a smile on his face. Based on the quick rises and falls of his little chest, one would assume that he was tired and worn out, but he showed no signs of stopping. As a matter of fact, he seemed eager to continue.

When Russet began walking again, the small kit walked just a small bit back from him, tail raised high and little legs almost prancing as he followed. He was definitely a cheerful little scrap. When the mention of meeting other cats was spoke, this was only proven more so. The smile on his face grew wider and his little tail lashed above his head, not in irritation \, but in held-back excitement.

When they reached the camp, the kit nearly walked right in. He likely would have if it weren't for seeing the other two new cats that were at the entrance. At the sight of them, he walked right up to one of them, looking up at the other cat with large blue eyes. He stared at the cat for a moment, but then turned himself around and mimicked what the guard was doing. Every paw movement or ear flick, the little kit would try to replicate. One couldn't be sure why exactly he was doing this, but he seemed to be entertaining himself while they waited.

When a tall white, silver, and black tabby approached, the kit's ears perked and he looked towards the cat with a smile, but he waited until the grown ups were done talking before he approached. When the cat, the Leader?, began talking to him, the kit's smile only grew. He stated that his name was Silverstar and that he was indeed the clan's Leader. When the tom gave the kit a lick between the ears, he let out a loud purr, the tip of his tail curling behind him. He then took a few tiny steps forward and rubbed his head against the tom's chest, just as he had done with both Russethawk and Lotuswhisker. It was like this was his way of saying hello, rather than actually saying it. He then took a few steps back again, looking over towards the other she-cat that had followed Silverstar over to the group. He let out a tiny, high-pitched mew at the she-cat, a smile still on his face.

Words: 554
Fawn & Justice
Notes:
Made by Abyss

[Fawn]

Hope when you take that jump

"Happy-go-lucky little guy, isn't he?" Russethawk mewed, half impressed. The kit didn't seem overly concerned that he was separated from whoever was responsible for him. Maybe he wandered off on the regular? Russethawk stepped forward, while the queens occupied themselves with licking the excess water from Silentkit's soggy coat. "Do you need me to get a patrol together to see if we can find his parents? Or... anyone that might know who he belongs to?"

There was an eagerness of voice and keenness of eye that gave away Russethawk's desire to help. He'd been separated from his own family by more than just distance; he didn't like picturing a couple of distressed parents frantically searching for their son, afraid, not knowing if he was alive or dead.

"I'd take Swanscreech and Wrenstrike, if I were you." Lotuswhisker spoke up, pulling her tongue away from tufts of ginger and white fur she'd licked to a standing point. The kit was starting to resemble a hedgehog; all spikes. "They're very good trackers, even in snow."

"He was already wet when we found him," continued Russethawk, nodding once to show he'd heard Lotuswhisker's input. Emerald green eyes fell back to Silverstar's face, awaiting instructions. "He might have come from up river. Might explain why no one's picked up any loner scents lately."

You don't fear the fall

RainClan || 69 Moons || Tom

Russethawk

Justice Abyss || 218 Words || Notes

[Justice]

Silverstar considered his options while the queens set to drying off the kit. His mother seemed very determined that there wouldn't be an inch of the kit left ungroomed by the time she was done. He remembered being a small kit and fussing at her for messing up his pelt more than once. That was probably a queen thing, and as an adult tom he knew better than to question the actions of a queen, nevertheless two of them.

Russethawk's question was met with a considering look first to the kit and then to the warrior. "Patrols have seen the loner Jade around recently, though usually she's gone by this point in leafbare. See if you can find her, she may either be the kit's mother or know his family." He knew from previous encounters with the she-cat that she fished in their river most of the time and had a nest somewhere nearby.

No matter how many times they chased her off the she-cat seemed determined to remain within RainClan territory. But with that course set he now took a good look over the small tom, stepping close to examine him for any obvious injuries then sighing. "Might as well bring him in to see the medicine cats. StarClan knows we'll hear it if we don't." Well...he'd hear it from the queens at least if he let this kit stay out in the cold snows too much longer.

Abyss
Fawn

[Abyss]

Silentkit
Tom - 5 Moons - Loner

The feeling of multiple tongues rolling over his fur and removing the water from it was almost like getting a massage. His purr grew louder and louder by the second and his eyes closed, tail curling behind him. He leaned into all of the grooming, feeling both comfortable and pampered at the treatment. He knew fully well that he likely looked like a tiny orange ball of spikes, almost like a hedgehog(though he didn't know what that was). But he didn't seem to mind in the slightest.

He briefly listened to what the adults were talking about, but he didn't fully understand some of it. Yes, he had heard tales about the clans, too many to count. But he had never actually been taught much about the way they lived. He looked up at the adults, curiosity written on his face. When Russethawk began to walk away, he had to admit that he felt a little bit of sadness. One of his new friends was leaving already? His face almost formed into a pout, but when he looked over and found the Leader approaching him, he seemed to perk up a bit. He felt a little bit of nosing from the adults, checking him over for something. Maybe they wanted to make sure he wasn't hurt? It seemed that way anyway. At the mention of meeting the Medicine Cats, his ears perked and his eyes widened. A smile formed on his face, though he still wondered something. Exactly how many cats was he going to meet just in this one day? And was he gonna get the chance to go get his family and tell them what he found? He set these questions aside for the moment, focusing on whatever it was he was gonna be doing in the next few minutes.

[williams]

A voice brought Dewfrost out of her mind, her front limbs practically coated with little shreds of herbs as she sorted. It was her father's, she realized quickly, giving herself a full shake once out of the herb storage area to dislodge any large pieces of herb that tried to hitch a ride. Whatever he needed, it was more important than a routine check of supplies. She turned the corner, and spotted the little entourage with curiosity, then with surprise. "Where did the kit come from?" The medicine cat asked while hunkering down to get a good look at the little tom. He looked fine from a distance, fur spiky from what she presumed was a quick rescue out of Rainclan's waters. When their eyes met, she gave him a warm smile. Don't worry little one, the gesture said, I'm here, we'll take care of you in Rainclan. Before diving into checking him, as much as she wanted to do, Dewfrost looked up at the party. Since the kit had walked here on his own, there was no immediate danger, and with her question answered, she would know how to properly proceed.

--
Abyss Justice Fawn

[Justice]

Silverstar sat himself at the entrance of the medicine den, watching as the queens herded the tiny kit into one of the nests. He offered Dewfrost a smile when she came out of wherever it was she'd been smelling of herbs and dipped his head slightly. "Lotuswhisker and Russethawk found him alone, wet and cold and lost. He either can't or won't speak, so we don't really know where he came from. But he's too young to be out there by himself, loner or not."

The silver tabby sighed and absently settled himself, wrapping his tail around his paws and trying to block the cold breeze coming into the den with his body as much as possible. He wasn't the biggest of toms, after all. "For the sake of our queens and former queens not shredding me I thought it prudent to bring him here for examination before making any decision. Russethawk is out looking for his family now, but for the time being, health willing, he'll be staying in the nursery at least until newleaf."

Lilygleam shot her son a glare at the comment, but kept grooming the kit in front of her. "He doesn't seem hostile, or even really wary of clan cats, so there's a chance his parents are former clan cats, maybe even exiled from another clan." She was speaking quietly to the medicine cat, and Silverstar noted that she was watching the tiny kit closely as well.

Abyss
Fawn
williams