[Taxx]

Hollowkit knew what he was stalking wasn't a mouse; unlike some kits who might pretend what they were going for was a trophy worth showing off, that wasn't the case here. It was a tail, but it was still practice all the same. If he did it quietly enough, the cat he was going for would never know. It was dark in the tunnels, which was a greater advantage on his part, and he'd done this enough times to perfect his balance, and he'd got enough pointers from apprentices and warriors alike to know what to do. Most of them might have regretted it by now, because he used those lessons against them- what better practice than a cat's tail, which they often twitched as they talked?

He'd made a right nuisance of himself, and he knew it; he'd caught Crowflame's tail the day before and bit hard enough to draw a squeal from her- and she'd left fur between his teeth. Thornscar had scolded him- as she had several times before- and he'd hung his head and looked sorry. But it hadn't stopped him. Gracklestrike had been lucky enough to spot him earlier, and he'd widened his eyes in complete innocence as he watched her tuck her tail out of harm's way.

Now it was Echobreeze's turn. And he loved his grandmother, so there really wasn't any risk of him trying to hurt her, but she wasn't immune to this. Hollowkit paused a short distance away, watched a moment more, and then sprang, pinning the tip of the elder's tail to the ground with soft paws and lifted his eyes to meet Echobreeze's gaze as he straightened, wondering if she'd praise him or tell him to 'remember his manners' like so many of the other cats seemed intent on drilling into his head. You'd think they'd want to encourage me learning, he scoffed to himself, not constantly tell me off for it. He was going to be an apprentice in just three moons, and he sure wasn't going to just sit around and wait until then to start training.

BlooRey DVD

[BlooRey DVD]

I will wander 'til the end of time,

Life had certainly grown quieter for the aging she-cat since she'd moved to the elder's den. No longer was she required to attend the various patrols that had otherwise kept her time full and her joints sore. She wasn't sure what she would do once Thornscar's kits moved out of the nursery. They were quite possibly her last source of day-to-day entertainment, so much of her free time now dedicated to helping raise her three precious grandkits. Just the thought of them had her purring softly, green eyes closed contently as she smiled to herself. O-Oh Hollowc-cry.. You w-would love th-them.

She was lost somewhere in what could have been when she started suddenly as something, or rather someone, pinned her tri-colored tail. With a hiccuping squeak, her eyes snapped open and she glanced back to find Hollowkit staring back at her. "S-StarC-Clan!" She stammered, her breathy mew devolving into shaky laughter. "Y-You s-scared the d-daylights o-out of me, m-my l-little g-grouse." She purred affectionately, leaning forward to rasp her tongue between his ears. "I w-won't t-tell your m-mother, b-but I'm f-fairly certain sh-she t-told you t-to leave p-poor u-unsuspecting t-tails a-alone, h-hm?" She continued, doing her best to look even remotely scolding.

Her green eyes somehow softened further, the tortoiseshell elder busying herself with flattening a piece of fur on his shoulder. "Y-You're p-practicing y-you s-skills, a-aren't you?" She asked him, just as another set of pawsteps approached. Cobrastrike had bore witness to the whole endeavour, having just returned from patrol. Something dissatisfied blazed behind her yellow eyes, though it was quickly hidden whenever Echobreeze's gentle gaze looked her way. Still, the warrioress could not stop the slight jar in her step as she stalked over, prepared to give the little whelp a proper scolding for daring to alarm Echobreeze like that.

Before she could get a word in edgewise, however, Echobreeze noticed her and purred loudly. "W-Well, I'm a-afraid I'm a b-bit too old n-now to b-be of much h-help, but your a-aunt Cobrastrike kn-knows a g-great deal about w-what it t-takes to be a w-warrior!" Red-brown ears pricked forward as Cobrastrike glanced curiously at her mother, the elder continuing to make her apparent suggestion. "C-Cobrastrike, m-my o-osprey, H-Hollowkit is e-eager to g-get started o-on his apprenticeship. W-Why don't you s-stay a w-while and s-see if you c-can't h-help him! I kn-know you are a marvellous w-warrior, and I'm s-sure H-Hollowkit w-would be oh s-so grateful!"

Whether it was the validation from her mother's praise, or the familial link, the ruddy warrioress wasn't sure. But for some reason, she agreed. ".... Alright. I guess I have some time." Came a somewhat gruff response, though it sufficed to earn a loud and pleased purr from the nearby elder. "Th-Thank you, C-Cobrastrike." Gushed the elder, having pushed herself to her paws to rub noses with her daughter. Cobrastrike returned the gesture, yellow eyes watching Echobreeze as the older she-cat took a few steps back. "I-I'll be s-sure to g-get out of y-your w-way. D-Don't m-mind me!"

As Echobreeze settled down a few tail-lengths away, gentle green eyes happily watching her daughter and grandson interact, Cobrastrike turned her piercing gaze upon the kit before her. Silently taking him in, she curled her tail and narrowed her gaze slightly. "Right. We'll start simple; show me your hunter's crouch."

Half alive without you

NightClan - 91 Moons - Elder

Echobreeze

~ 500 Words || Taxx || Will swap to Cobra POV next post! <3

[Taxx]

Echobreeze jumped, her slender tail jolting under the slap of his paws, but the momentary surprise in her gaze faded when she looked back at him. He waves his tail in greeting, ears briefly folding back at the mention of him startling her. That was the point, of course, to leap on his prey without it knowing, but he hadn't really meant to frighten his grandmother. For that, he accepted just one rasp of her tongue against his forehead before backing away, releasing her tail again. His green eyes flicked toward the nursery at her gentle scold, because yes, Thornscar had, but didn't they understand that he was just trying to practice?

Echobreeze seemed to. He looked back at her and nodded, ears and tail perking up again. He hopped toward her front, gently butted his head against hers, and then the patter of approaching pawsteps caught his attention and he spun, noticing Cobrastrike's approach. He missed the irritation that had been in her gaze, though what lingered there now couldn't be called affection by any means, and Hollowkit's eyes widened. She hadn't paid any of them attention until now, and it was somewhat nerve-wracking to have that unblinking stare directed at him. He knew Cobrastrike was a great warrior, one of the Clan's best, but she didn't seem to care much for familial bonds.

A slow spread of excitement flooded him, and he nodded vigorously, accepting the offer to learn something from such an awesome cat. He waited, eyes shining and making no secret of his adoration, and when her first order came he was obeying immediately. His body dropped to the ground, legs arranging into what he was sure was the proper position, tail left aloft with the tip curving to the ground but not touching. Then he glanced up at Cobrastrike again, waiting for her to tell him how good he'd done; he couldn't imagine he'd got it wrong. He'd been doing this for nearly a half-moon already.

I'm a soldier till its over I will never fall
fearless hearts holding on through the night

Hollowkit

NightClan

BlooRey DVD

[BlooRey DVD]

I'm a legend I'm a lethal overdose
I'm a subject of a nightmare I'm a ghost

cobrastrike

nightclan she-cat 36 moons

Yellow eyes considered the kit before her, struggling a moment to place the glint in his gaze. Echobreeze looked at her somewhat similarly, but with Echobreeze it was quite obviously the unconditional love of a mother to her kits. Why by the stars would Hollowkit look at her with such... such... Adoration? Admiration? Whatever it was, it somehow succeeded in making the warrioress uncomfortable, yet vindicated. Like she was truly the best. Standing just a little straighter, Cobrastrike refocused her attention on Hollowkit who just seemed to listen to her. Immediately.

The kit instantly obeyed, dropping into a crouch. With a flick of her ear, and a passing thought that this is how all kits should behave before an extraordinary warrior like herself, the ruddy she-cat padded a slow circle around him. Somewhat surprisingly, it was actually pretty good. He’s got promise. She thought to herself. Expected of their superb lineage, of course. But it was good to see it manifesting in another generation. With a sound of acceptance, Cobrastrike flicked her tail slowly from one side to the other.

“Good. Always be aware of your tail’s position. That will be the tool to betray you first. A warrior must always be in complete control of their limbs. Without control, you are no more skilled than the trembling mouse you stalk in the dark.” She spoke flatly, though the lack of general aggression or condescension was enough to betray the fragments of familial pride. “As you age, and grow, and train, you will change. And so too will your stance. You must be able to adapt to those changes. Understand yourself, or you will never understand your prey or your enemies.” She continued, lowering herself to a sit.

A dark tail curled to rest upon white-socked paws, her chin tucked slightly against her white chest to look down at her sister’s kit. With a vague tilt of her head, she considered him again. “You’ve been practicing. That’s good. Tell me, Hollowkit; what kind of warrior do you want to be? A good warrior? Or the best? Because if you are looking to be the best, you cannot settle for anything less. It will be work. Hard work. But nothing worth having comes easy. Are you willing to work hard, Hollowkit?” She asked, an intensity in her eyes reflected her constant desire to improve. To overcome. To succeed.

There's only one spot on this throne
but I'll find my way up cause it's all I know.

420 words Taxx Huzzah!

[Taxx]

Hollowkit made himself hold still as Cobrastrike padded a circle around him. He could just see Echobreeze in the corner of his eye, but she was watching silently. He hoped she was proud of him. But it was Cobrastrike's critique he was waiting for with bated breath, and when she stopped in front of him again he blinked up at her.

Each word was heard and heeded, stored for later practices and use. As she sat, Hollowkit straightened, mirroring her posture right down to the way her tail lay across her paws. He looked back at her as she asked him what he wanted to be, and he couldn't help the vigorous nod at the final query. He quivered all over. I'm going to be a warrior! The best warrior, like you and Darkstar! Better than Bramblekit- and especially better than Roachkit!

Better than anyone. And whatever he had to do to prove that to Cobrastrike, he’d do it.

I'm a soldier till its over I will never fall
fearless hearts holding on through the night

Hollowkit

NightClan

BlooRey DVD