[Taxx]

In one of his quieter moments, Hollowkit was lounging just outside the nursery, chewing on his portion of a squirrel brought to them by Privetshade. Breezekit had eaten hers and was curled up with their mother inside the den, but it was too nice to be cooped up and so Hollowkit had insisted on lying out. The squirrel was greenleaf fat and tasty, and as Hollowkit swallowed the last bite a purr rose. He licked his lips and then began to groom, rubbing a paw over his muzzle and whiskers to make sure there were no lingering scraps of meat clinging to his fur.

His gaze fell on the camp entrance as two forms appeared: Graywolf and his sister, Bramblekit. He realized he hadn't seen the she-kit in a while and wondered why she was returning with the warrior from the territory beyond the camp. Had she managed to sneak out somehow? Coyoteheart wasn't doing very well at his guard duty if so; Bramblekit was as subtle as a fox half the time. And Graywolf had caught her and brought her back. Stupid, didn't she know there were reasons a kit wasn't supposed to go out alone? Part of him wished he'd been there to witness the scolding she'd gotten, but maybe Thornscar would give one where he could sit and watch.

His gaze remained on the speckled kit as she left Graywolf's side and approached him, and his tail flicked at her before waving toward the nursery, where there was a meal left for her if she wanted it; if not, Hollowkit would be more than willing to take it. His head tipped, his gaze flicking toward the entrance in a pointed stare, and then turned back to her with a mocking expression. Got caught, did you? he snorted, curling his tail around to drape over his paws. Serves you right.
♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟

[♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟]

you're on fire "And where were you?" The deep voice of a tom greeted Bramblekit as she trotted through the entrance. She turned her eyes upwards to meet the concerned gaze of a normally cheerful brown tabby tom. Oakblaze wasn't very good at being stern, but he definitely couldn't let an escaping kit slide. Especially with the ongoing violence with TreeClan. He opened his mouth to continue when Greywolf emerged from the tunnel, closely following Bramblekit. He relaxed. So the warrior had taken her out, then. That was alright, wasn't it? Bramblekit gave him one small smile, and he returned it with one of his own. Kits were just way too cute. Bramblekit could still taste the dew of the outside forest on her tongue. Her paws ached with the distance they had walked, further than her little paws had ever ventured, but there was a newfound energy in her step as she strolled away from Greywolf. Bramblekit swiveled her eyes around camp, their golden irises catching the dazzling sunlight. She spotted her brother lounging outside the nursery, a smaller version of their father. She chuckled under her breath. She couldn't wait to see the look on his face when she told him the kind of adventure she just had. As she trotted nearer, she noticed that he had prey scraps lain neatly at his paws. Taking his pointed tail as an indication that there was more food inside, and only now noticing the distinct rumble of her stomach, she turned herself towards the nursery. The smell of old milk and soft kitten-fluff greeted her as she poked her head inside. Another scent brushed her tongue, and she licked her lips in anticipation. A squirrel, quite small, lay curled beside the nest she shared with her siblings. It only looked very young, perhaps only a few moons older than Bramblekit herself. The bushy tail was tucked over the tiny nose, giving the impression that the tiny creature was merely sleeping. A nap in the nursery. But no, the only things that napped here were kits and exhausted queens. Bramblekit gently picked up the small squirrel and carried it outside, feeling a pang of nostalgia for the sweet taste of her mother's milk. She let her prey drop beside Hollowkit and took a bite, enjoying the suspenseful silence. If there was anything she had learned from Batcry, it was how to deliver a good story. Hollowkit shot her a condescending look, one that she was expecting. She wanted him to gloat, it would make her revelation all the more satisfying. Hollowkit's silence was a familiar but frustrating aspect of her brother. She had quickly become used to studying his face to attempt to decipher his moods and reactions, and for the most part that seemed to work out just fine for the both of them. She caught the slight shake of his head and guessed that he disapproved of her attempted escape. For a cat that didn't talk he sure did have a whole lot to say. Hollowkit's eyes glanced towards Greywolf and the timely snort that escaped from his throat told her all she needed to know. Bramblekit took a dainty bite of her squirrel before swallowing and choking back a laugh. He definitely thought she was in trouble. He's going to be livid he didn't sneak out with me. She thought with glee. The typical sibling rivalry that bred among litters was even more pronounced in NightClan, where strong and confident kits were the most valued. The constant teasing was ultimately good-natured, or at least that was the way Bramblekit always took it. Her whiskers twitched, and she finally allowed herself to grin mischievously at her brother. "When I tried to get out through the entrance, I got caught." Bramblekit admitted, flicking her brown tail. "But Greywolf was so impressed with how I nearly slipped away without anyone noticing that she brought me outside the camp on an adventure." She batted her brother's nose with a petite paw. "While you were stuck here in camp bored silly, I was exploring as far as the pond!" The pond wasn't really that much of a distance away from the camp, but to a young kit that hadn't been beyond the walls yet, such a short walk seemed like a significant trek. She leaned closer to Hollowkit as though to tell a secret, a proud gleam in her eyes. "I saw a lizard. And it was alive!" you got that last dance look in your eyes WORDs: 742 / tags: Taxx

[Taxx]

Hollowkit resumed his grooming as Bramblekit fetched the squirrel, rubbing one dark paw over an ear a few times until she had settled beside him and then he paused, watching her with intense green eyes. She tucked into her meal, swallowing a mouthful before speaking up. Hollowkit sniffed and rolled his eyes as Bramblekit admitted to getting caught, but she carried on and his expression shifted to a frown, his intent to taunt her about her failed attempt buried by disbelief at her wild claim. No, you didn't, he growled, tail lashing and eyes narrowed. Did she really think he'd fall for that?

Yet, she seemed too... upbeat. For a kit who had been caught and dragged back, he would have expected disappointment from his sister, but she was bright-eyed and way too pleased with herself. Either she was trying to trick him- or she really had done as she said. Thrusting his head closer, Hollowkit breathed in, his nose flooding with the scents of damp grass, pine needles, and marshy earth that clung to her paws. Dismay clouded his gaze then, and he leaned back, staring at Bramblekit. She must have gone out; there was no other way for her to pick up smells like that, not in their underground camp.

Irritation was quick to follow and his ears pinned, tail lashing as he glared. That wasn't fair- he hadn't got the chance to go out yet. Thornscar and Thistleheart hadn't given them the opportunity, and he couldn't ask- nor had he tried to go out alone, because his leader had forbidden kits to venture out without a warrior and he'd obeyed, because that was part of the Code that the Clans lived by. He'd never thought Bramblekit would get the chance to go out first, or he would have made more of a fuss. Falling behind his sister was not sitting well with him, and he while what he had been doing didn't come close even in his mind, he wasn't about to let her think she was better.

Not bored, he hissed, and then dropped into the hunter's crouch. Watch this! He sprang for a leaf, slapped both front paws on it, and ducked his head for a pretend death bite. Triumph glowed in his eyes and he dropped it again, firing a challenge at Bramblekit with an intense stare. You try. Bet you can't do it!
♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟

[♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟]

you're on fire The camp was mostly quiet due to the slowly rising sun, and Bramblekit was expecting a scolding from Thornscar for still being awake at any moment. Bramblekit didn't really see the use of sleeping when you weren't tired, even as the sky brightened outside. Besides, the sun rays cutting down into the camp from the tunnel entrance were dazzling and pretty. The point she-cat caught the roll of her brother's eyes and stuck her tongue out in response, flicking a brown ear. She took another bite of the juicy squirrel meat, a smirk crawling across her young features at the disbelief and annoyance that flared in Hollowkit's green eyes. "Fine, don't believe me." She snorted, licking her lips. "You can go ask Greywolf." Though how her brother was meant to express such a complicated question, she had no idea. He'd find a way. He could complain easily enough. Her expression only grew even more gleeful when Hollowkit leaned over to sniff her fluffy pelt. No doubt she carried traces of NightClan territory in her fur, just like the patrols did whenever they returned laden with prey. "Ha!" She sprang to her paws, delighted at least to have unquestionable proof of her venture. "See? I told you so." She giggled. "Maybe when we're apprentices, I can show you around." She winked. She could see by his frown that he wasn't impressed with her offer, which made her even more amused. She was surprised, however, when he dropped his rump into a crouch and pounced on a leaf, snagging it as though it were a mouse and snapping his teeth at the stem. He gave her a rather superior look and sat proudly, like a hunter next to his kill. She rolled her eyes. "How long did it take you to learn how to hunt leaves, furball?" She meowed. "That one looks like it could feed the whole nursery." Despite her teasing tone, she definitely couldn't let Hollowkit get away with outpacing her when it came to pouncing skills. She scanned around the camp for something to hunt. Her gaze landed on a small, muddy little twig that must have been tracked in by some tired warrior returning from a late patrol. She dropped down low, her stomach brushing the ground. Her golden eyes were fixed with intense determination on the stick. Despite what she thought crouching should be, her brown tail dragged along the ground, which would have disturbed leaves and undergrowth if she were not in the sparse centre of NightClan's camp. The noise would definitely have frightened any potential prey away from her hungry paws. Her target could neither hear nor move, so she had very little trouble getting close to the little brown twig. Her pale claws unsheathed from her dark toes, and her haunches rippled with the effort as she hurled herself into the air and landed on top of the little wooden stick. She snatched it in her jaws and snapped it with her teeth, the audible crack ringing across the camp. Bramblekit mewled in displeasure as she spat splinters of wood out from between her teeth, pulling a face. "Yuck!" She exclaimed, eyes welling with frustrated tears. Regardless of her bravado, she was still quite a young kit, and she still felt like running off to the comfort of her mother's tortoiseshell stomach. Her ears flattened and she pointedly turned her back on her brother, not wanting him to know she was upset that she hadn't quite been able to pounce as well as he did. you got that last dance look in your eyes WORDs: 595 / tags: Taxx

[Taxx]

If he couldn't beat Bramblekit one way, he sure was going to try in another. She thought she was so great because Graywolf had gone and taken her out. Well, he'd spent that time with Cobrastrike, and she was better than the younger gray-pelted she-cat any day. He couldn't wait to hear Thornscar chew her out too, for taking Bramblekit out without asking. He wrinkled his nose in clear disgust at the thought of needing his sister to show him around- they were the same age, and he wasn't helpless.

His pounce on the leaf should have been enough to prove it, but her reply wasn't what he'd hoped and he made no effort to hide an exaggerated roll of his eyes. It's a leaf, stupid, he snorted, and his gaze flickered toward the nursery with a hint of guilt at the insult, as if Thornscar would have sensed it and come out to scold him- but she didn't appear. It's not meant to be eaten. He flicked the leaf at her, but she was already eyeing the stick. Hollowkit straightened and watched, his gaze gleaming with amusement at his sister's less than graceful attempt to stalk.

Her leap was impressive- not that he'd ever let her know that- and she landed true before cracking the stick between her teeth. Her cry of disgust was met with a surge of delight at her reaction, and Hollowkit rolled over in his merriment, wheezing on laughter with his eyes squeezed shut. Yeah, Bramblekit was totally going to be the best of them. She couldn't even pounce right! Maybe that would stop her from thinking she was so much better, just because she'd done something he hadn't had the chance to yet.
♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟

[♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟]

you're on fire Bramblekit knew Hollowkit was sensitive about being treated like a little baby, and she wasn’t surprised when his nose wrinkled in displeasure at her offer. Her golden eyes turned up towards the swiftly lightning sky, as if to ask StarClan to help her with her unruly brother. “I’m going to be the best warrior in NightClan someday.” She purred teasingly. “So you’re gonna need my help one way or another. Who else is gonna show you all the best hunting spots?” She flicked her speckled brown tail at him, once again sticking out that small pink tongue. Her confidence in her own future as a great warrior was boosted by her adventure with Greywolf today. It had been amazing, and Bramblekit wouldn’t soon forget the shock of seeing the deadly Ambush Pond for the first time. It was so scary, but so comforting, to know that they had such a deadly line of defense just waiting to snap up unsuspecting enemies if they dared try to attack NightClan’s camp. Her moment of glory was, however… a bit soured by her embarrassing attempt at killing a stick. Spitting out splinters of wood from between her teeth, she flattened her ears at her brother, who had exploded into laughter behind her. He was rolling around on the smooth ground, his brown paws flailing in the air in his amusement. Her glare quickly transformed into a smirk as she saw her opportunity. She’d show him! Sniggering softly to herself, she charged across the open space in the centre of NightClan’t underground camp and leapt, planning to collide with Hollowkit while he was distracted. She raised her paw to swipe at his face without much force behind it, a move intended to surprise rather than hurt. “And Bramblestar struck down her greatest enemy, Hollowstar of TreeClan!” She gloated loudly, her teeth flashing in the scraps of light that filtered down through the opening above them. “You’ll never threaten NightClan again, Hollowstar.” She snorted in his face, trying to keep him pinned with her dainty paws. “And if your warriors ever trespass on our territory again, we'll throw them in the Ambush Pond!” She jeered, smirking mischievously. you got that last dance look in your eyes WORDs: 362 / tags: Taxx

[Taxx]

Bramblekit's proclamation earned her a sideways glare and a nose thrust upward in a signal of denial. He wouldn't ever need her help; he knew was he was doing all on his own. Which she proved a heartbeat later, with her poor attempt at pouncing the stick. Hollowkit's laughter left him defenseless, unaware of his sister's counterattack until she was jumping right on him, and her body landing on his made his breath rush from his lungs, and a tiny paw smacked him on the muzzle before he'd managed to consider mounting a defense.

Her gloat rang in his ears, and they flattened, mischief glittering in his eyes as he rolled to his paws, parting his jaws to hiss a threat. Never! He twisted, trying to dislodge Bramblestar from her stance and lashing out with soft paws to batter her about the head. Hollowstar won't give up that easy! He was less pleased about being a TreeClan cat, but he couldn't just lie down and let his sister think she was better. He'd have to think of a way to let NightClan's 'leader' win while not giving up too easily. Maybe if he asked to join NightClan? While he was pretty sure that would never happen, really, Bramblestar might be appeased if he made her understand that he would much rather be part of NightClan than stupid TreeClan.

But for now, he continued to wrestle with her, a low raspy growl in his throat, still making his best attempt to best her, because it had to be believable, right?

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

Hollowkit

NightClan

Ginger @zen ♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟

[♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟]

you got that last dance look in your eyes

BrAmBlEKiT

nightclan she-cat 3 moons

The rambunctious kit lashed out with a small brown paw, aiming to swipe her brother about the ears. Her golden eyes were sparking with mischief at her temporary victory, proud of herself for ambushing her brother so stealthily. After all, what was a NightClan cat if not stealthy? They could beat all their enemies before they even knew what was happening! Especially TreeClan.

She had felt every scrap of breath leave her brother's lungs, having winded him with her small and fluffy paws.  "Prey-stealer!" She squeaked, glaring down her brother in mock defiance. That was when Hollowkit tumbled sideways, kicking his sister off with strong back legs. Bramblekit rolled sideways and scrambled to her paws rather clumsily, lacking the grace and skill of a seasoned NightClan warrior. She lashed her dark tail excitedly, a smirk bright on her speckled face. "That all you got?" She laughed, a soft and squeaky sound. "I'll beat you easy!" She flinched as Hollowkit's paws landed true on her speckled face, and she sprang backwards, wriggling her haunches in preparation to pounce.

He took her by surprise when he jumped on her and wrestled her to the smooth earth floor, a small cloud of dust kicked up by their tumbling. By the time Hollowkit managed to pin her down, Bramblekit's pelt was pale with dust and random flecks of dirt. Thornscar was definitely going to be displeased with having to lap all the debris away later, but for now, the only thing that mattered to Bramblekit was the imaginary battle raging on between Bramblestar and Hollowstar.

Taxx 261 Notes

[Taxx]

For all the bared teeth and flattened ears, Hollowkit was having a grand time. Bramblekit was a great playmate, well matched and not afraid to give as good as she got. He bared his teeth back at her as she accused him of being a prey-stealer, his ears lying back in furious denial. He would never steal prey, he had honor! He was quick to react, managing to knock Bramblekit sideways and taking the chance to get the better of her by pinning her as he'd been pinned.

I got plenty more where that came from! he retorted with a lash of his tail. The two continued their play, well wrapped up in the game, but Hollowkit hadn't forgotten his earlier plan, and to give Bramblekit a chance to get the upper paw- just this once!- he pretended to stumble and then rolled dramatically to his back, tucking one paw to his chest. Green eyes still gleamed with amusement, and he watched as she took the opening he gave her to leap, landing above him with her tail raised high. Laying his ears back then, he narrowed his gaze and growled. If I hadn't tripped! he mouthed. You wouldn't have won then, NightClan!

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

Hollowkit

NightClan

♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟

[♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟]

you got that last dance look in your eyes

BrAmBlEKiT

nightclan she-cat 3 moons

Bramblekit could hear the roar of blood in her ears as the imaginary battle sprawled out before her in her imagination. She could see the brave warriors of NightClan facing off against Hollowstar's hoard of TreeClan cowards, the battle erupting into chaos around her. The creative she-kit pretended she could taste blood on her tongue, drawing it over her maw in what she believed was an intimidating gesture. In reality, she looked more like a hungry kit about to eat a juicy piece of freshkill. But someday, someday she really would send TreeClan cats scattering in fear. She believed that with all of her heart. Hollowkit was a worthy opponant, perhaps even a better fighter than she. She never would have admitted it to his face, for in NightClan doubt in one's own abilities was discouraged, but she could easily see that Hollowkit was quick on his paws and naturally capable.

Hollowkit suddenly stumbled, and Bramblekit's eyes lit in surprise. Not wanting to waste her chance, she hurled herself forward and planted all four paws down on her foe, grinning widely. She easily read his words from the careful movement of his maw, and snorted in his face. "NightClan will always win, Hollowstar! Even when we lose, we come back ten times stronger!" She placed a paw gently on Hollowkit's throat, not putting any weight on it. After catching her breath, she sprang back to let him regain his paws. "I know you let me win, newt-brain." She flicked her tail at him, smiling. "There's no way you, mister nimble paws himself, trips that easily." A yawn interrupted her, her eyes sleepy. The underground camp was lightening as the sun rose. It was so early. And way past their bedtime.

Taxx 290 Notes

[Taxx]

Bramblekit took the opening Hollowkit gave; her small paws landed on his chest, just enough of her weight holding him there without hurting him, and he glowered up at her with his tail flicking, stirring up the dirt floor. His own pride at his sister's assertion swept through him, because it was true. TreeClan would never, ever, be a match for NightClan. His breath halted, just for a moment, as Bramblekit set a paw on his throat, but then she was springing backward and he rolled to his paws. His tail waved as she admitted she knew he'd let her win, and he gave a flippant shrug of his shoulders. It'd been necessary. NightClan always wins, he mouthed, bright-eyed as he stepped forward to butt his head against her shoulder.

The pale kit's yawn was almost like a signal; Thornscar appeared in the entrance of the nursery to call them over, only to stare at them both. Her exclamation of their filthy pelts caused Hollowkit to glance over at Bramblekit. He hadn't even noticed, but she was covered in soil and the fragments of leaves and bits of fur. Reaching with his tail, he flicked a clump of what looked like his own dark coat from her back, and then flashed an apologetic look at his mother. Shaking himself, he dislodged what he could before beginning to groom himself.

"Don't come in here until you're both spotless!" Thornscar scolded, and then disappeared again. In her absence, Hollowkit rolled his eyes at Bramblekit, but he knew better than to cross her, and he set himself to remove all traces of dirt and debris before daring to set foot inside the nursery to collapse into the nest to sleep away the day.

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

Hollowkit

NightClan

♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟

[♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟]

you got that last dance look in your eyes

BrAmBlEKiT

nightclan she-cat 3 moons

There was a dull scuffling sound as her small paws collided with her brother's chest, and though it was a gentle landing, she still heard his small gasp as she winded him. This was how a battle between NightClan and TreeClan would always be. They would always win. A sudden prickle of doubt nibbled at the edge of her mind, the story of Blackwolf's death murmured to her in Batcry's hoarse tones while Lightstep rebuked him for frightening the kits. If a warrior as powerful as that had been killed by a TreeClan warrior, then what would stop them from charging right into NightClan's underground home and tearing into them during the day while they slept... She shook her head, uncomfortable with her own doubts. She was being stupid. Even if they did that... We'd still win. We'd still win. She insisted fiercely. She couldn't let herself think any differently.

She purred at the words that Hollowkit mouthed, or at least what she thought he mouthed. She wasn't quite the best lipreader in all the Clans, but she could vaguely figure out what her brother intended to say with the help of the proud gleam in his green eyes. She felt better now that her brother had chased her own doubts away, and offered a ferocious purr when he butted his head against her shoulder.

Her yawn was abruptly cut off as she spotted tortoiseshell fur in the corner of her eye. She spun around, a guilty expression twisting her former smile into a grimace. She looked down at her own filthy pelt, realising how dusty she was. And unbeknown to her, she had a pine needle stuck to the back of her head. She began to vigorously pluck debris from her pelt as her mother continued to rebuke them, and it was only when the warrior-queen vanished once more into the nursery that Bramblekit let out of a snort of laughter. "It isn't a real battle unless you come home with scars, I guess." She told Hollowkit, flicking a splinter of wood from his head with her dark brown tail. It was a phrase she'd heard a warrior say in passing, but it seemed to apply perfectly to this moment.

Taxx 371 Notes