[♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟]

Greenleaf 19: Unpredictable, scattered rain showers throughout the night and day only worsen the flooding as the ground is already saturated with water.

Anyone want to try cheer him up? <3

Asterkit

5 Moons || TreeClan || Kit

Asterkit was bored. The pelting rains of yesterday had forced him to take shelter with his mother and brother and sister, and he was tired of Birchkit's pummelling. He was patient, but not patient enough to be entertained by losing every wrestling match to his larger siblings. It was drizzling lightly outside, a rare break in the rain that had tormented the territory for a whole day and a night. His pure white paws were already muddy by the time he made his way across the clearing, and he knew Appleshade was going to have a fit when she saw him. Still, the small rebellion against his mother felt oddly satisfying. It was nice to do whatever he wanted for once. He knew that he wasn't allowed to leave camp, he had tried before. The cat that stood guard hadn't seemed too happy with his attempt at going for a walk, so he'd resigned to stay in camp ever since.

His blue eyes scanned the clearing, trying to find something interesting to do. His eyes fell on Duckpaw, who had just emerged from the apprentice's den and was shaking rain from his dusky brown pelt. A smile crawled across Asterkit's face. Duckpaw had been in the nursery with Robinpaw and Ravenpaw when Asterkit and his littermates had been born. He had been barely two moons old when the older kits had been given their apprentice ceremony, and they had seemed too tired to play with Asterkit, Birchkit and Snowkit ever since. But Duckpaw wasn't out hunting, so maybe he could play!

Racing across the clearing, Asterkit cut in front of Duckpaw, his tail twirling in the air in excitement. Duckpaw gave him a bewildered look, and though he seemed to say something, Asterkit simply tipped his head to the side in confusion. He wanted to play! Couldn't Duckpaw see how bored he was, stuck in camp all the time? He and his littermates were getting far too big for the nursery, and with all the rain of the past few days he hadn't had the chance to do basically anything except lie around. He batted a paw at the older tom's chest, eyes pleading. Come on! He thought, droplets of rain clinging to his pale fur. Duckpaw was at a loss, and glanced around him as though to find Appleshade or someone who could communicate better with the strange cat. Asterkit's heart sank. It seemed no matter what he did, few cats wanted to spend more than a moment with him. His tail lowered, and he turned and began to trot away across the rain-streaked clearing, disconcerted. A heavy pang of loneliness clutched his young heart, and when he glanced back towards Duckpaw, the tom had disappeared back inside the apprentice's den.

Can't you see I'm trying ?

462 || Tags || Notes

[Aqua]

A gray ticked she-cat trekked into camp, a sparrow and a small mouse hanging from her jaws. Her pelt, luckily, had stayed dry aside from a couple of damp spots on her back and paws. The trees of the forest had actually kept her protected from a lot of the droplets while she was out on her hunt. Although she didn't entirely mind the rain, she really appreciated the protection provided at times where the weather was questionable.

She made her way across the clearing to the prey pile, depositing her catch. Greenleaf had been kind to the clan this time around. The pile was fairly large and held a variety of critters from other cats plunders. Which was definitely a good thing for the clan with young ones and elders needing fed regularly. She smiled, proud that she could contribute to keeping her clan's bellies full. With a satisfied nod of her head, she turned to look around camp. With the break in the rain, she expected to see more cats out and about. To her disappointment, however, the camp was quiet and lifeless aside from a couple cats across the clearing.

Yellow-green eyes peered out across the clearing to make out who was also in the clearing with her. She could easily make out the pure white coat of the young Asterkit as he bound over to an apprentice. She tilted her head abit before making out the fur of Duckpaw. She smiled, happy to see the younger cats socializing. Well, what seemed like socializing. It was more or less Duckpaw not wanting to deal with the hyper kit's antics. She frowned watching as Asterkit attempted to play with the apprentice and was brushed off like an annoying bug. The defeat that crossed over the kit's face made Cinderstream's heart drop. She couldn't understand why anyone would turn such a lively kit away like that.

In the hopes to cheer him up, she padded across the clearing towards him. She came up beside him and playfully 'bumped' against his side, opting not to muddy his pelt with her dirty paws. "Are you bored?" She meowed gently.

Made by Aqua || Tagged: ♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 || Words: #358

[♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟]

Asterkit

5 Moons || TreeClan || Kit

His paws were muddied beyond recognition. He glanced down at them, finding it a bit funny how they made him look like a brown tabby cat from the legs down. He purred, the easily amused kit slamming his paws down into the mud, splattering his face with flecks of brown. He glanced around him, blue eyes triumphant, trying to see if anyone was witnessing his defiant muddying. But he was alone. His heart plummeted. He sat down in the brown slurry, ears drooping. He didn't usually let the way other cats reacted to him affect him too much, but with the misery of the rain and the boredom of mostly being stuck inside, it was all a little bit too much for him.

A large shape bumped against his side, and Asterkit raised his stark blue eyes to meet the warm gaze of Cinderstream. A purr drove up from his chest, hope lighting his gaze. The warriors didn't usually play, but this one had approached him, so maybe she was bored from the rain too? A surge of mischief rose up in him, and Asterkit swiped at the mud at his feet, aiming to splatter Cinderstream's chest with it. Asterkit snorted with laughter, bounding a short distance away in case she decided to retaliate. He dropped into a playful crouch, eyes gleaming as though he dared Cinderstream to try and come after him.

Can't you see I'm trying ?

233 || Aqua || Notes

[Aqua]

Cinderstream felt a warmth wash over her as she vaguely heard the purr that rose from the kit once he realized he had company. She smiled happily at him, so glad to see his sad face turn upside down. She was the sort that enjoyed helping others in whatever way she could. So helping boost morale among her clan mates was something she gladly took on on her own. So if playing around with the kit would lift her spirits, she would do so in a heartbeat.

Before she could do much else, however, the kit suddenly swiped his paws in the mud in front of him. The mud in turn went flying and splattered all over Cinderstream's chest and legs. Her mouth dropped in total surprise as he just hauled off and threw mud at her. But that mischievous laughter of his, made her chuckle. Kits will be kits and hey, she didn't mind getting her paws dirty.

The she-cat smirked as he crouched, looking as though he were ready to play a little ways from her. She stuck her tongue out at him before laughing and bounding after him. She knew he would probably move out of the way but that was ok. It would allow her to see how his reaction times were. And although he was no apprentice, it was always nice to show off a little before the ceremony. Show some potential.

"You know you're mother will probably beat us both if you get too covered in mud." She giggled, trying to get close enough to the kit to get him with a pawful of mud as well.

Made by Aqua || Tagged: ♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 || Words: 273

[♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟]

Asterkit

5 Moons || TreeClan || Kit

The lonely little tom was boosted by the sudden company. His bright blue eyes studied his new foe, wet white pelt bushed up as though ready to fight. There was a confidence in his blue eyes that said that even if he didn't win, he would always keep fighting. Just as he always did in the games that he, Snowkit and Birchkit played. He lashed his tail, baring pointed fangs in a playful growl, one that resonated deep in his throat. I can win! He thought determinedly, even though he didn't really know what game exactly he was playing. He just knew he wanted to win. To show Appleshade he was a winner, so she would never give him that worried, fretful look ever again.

Cinderstream's mouth dropped open as her pelt was splattered with mud, which dripped from her fur from her throat down to her chest. Asterkit couldn't choke back his own laughter, his side trembling with amusement. A flash of worry shot through him for a moment, wondering if she would be angry with him. But that moment passed, and she stuck her tongue out at him. He relaxed, recognising his own flare of mischief in the older she-cat. She then skidded towards him through the mud, and he gaped in surprise. She was fast! He swerved to avoid her, but his paws skidded in the muck and he tumbled over, his paws flailing wildly for balance.

He stood and shook his pelt out, flecks of mud flying everywhere. His stark blue eyes lifted up to Cinderstream, who easily flicked a paw in the mud and hit the kit square in the nose. Asterkit sneezed, then mopped some of the mud from his face, genuine joy and excitement in his blue eyes. He trudged through the brown sludge towards the she-cat and butted her chest with his head, a grateful and friendly gesture. Then he gave a little hop in the mud, splattering it everywhere, his odd-feeling little laugh bubbling up from his throat once again.

Can't you see I'm trying ?

399 || Aqua || Notes

[Aqua]

The gray tabby giggled and smiled as the tom stood his ground for the moments at the start of her rush towards him. He even showed her a glimpse of his fangs as he taunted her. There it was. That flash of determination that she so fondly saw on the face of Leopardpaw after the events involving his family. The spark that showed that this kit would not give up and give in so easily. That line of thinking was what would make this kit a great apprentice and one day warrior for the clan. They needed more cats with this determination and dedication. Now if only other cats were watching to see what she was seeing. To see that he wasn't as strange as they seemed to think he was.

Just as she reached where he stood, the tom darted to the side of her. She blinked and whipped around quickly to try and catch his paws to potentially knock him off his feet. But it was already too late. The tom hit the mud in a way that sent him sliding forward. The kit then flopped over when he couldn't catch his balance in all of the muck. She gasped as she too slid for a moment but managed to catch her footing before she went down. This stuff was just too slick! The most they were going to get out of this play session was the major need for a bathing.

That was a major understatement, however, when she spotted the mess the kit made of his pretty white fur. He was absolutely covered at this point and the mud she had flung moments early hadn't helped. The mud smacking him square in the nose and causing him to sneeze. She chuckled, seeing that the kit hadn't been hurt in his quick slide in the mud. If anything, he was perfectly alright aside from being very dirty. She was glad for that and smiled happily at him. It wasn't often she got to play around like this so she welcomed this time with the kit.

"Look at how messy we are...." She giggled as the kit approached and butted his head against her chest. A friendly way of telling her thanks before he proceeded to hop into the mud and send it flying. Mud splattering all over the she-cat including on her face. She blinks in surprise before letting out a happy laugh. She then lifts a paw and smacks it down into the mud sending more flying in all directions as she continues to laugh about it. Enjoying herself.

Made by Aqua || Tagged: ♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 || Words: #438

[♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟]

Asterkit

5 Moons || TreeClan || Kit

The stench of the mud practically made his head spun as the battle between him and the much larger feline ensued. He remembered with a pang that the only reason he was being played with right now was because no other cat wanted to, even his big brother. Perhaps it was those strange looks cats always gave him, or the fact that he was naturally smaller than his littermates and always seemed to lose no matter how hard he tried to knock his siblings off their feet. Sometimes, Snowkit would kindly let him win, but he always knew she was doing it on purpose. Asterkit wanted to really succeed, to show everyone that he could. He shook his nose to clear the dripping mud from his face and delighted in the flash of admiration he saw in Cinderstream's eyes. She saw something in him. Something he knew he had all along, no matter how small everyone thought he was!

That moment quickly spiralled into embarrassment as he tumbled over in the mud. Asterkit coughed and spluttered, muck dripping from his previously beautiful coat. He stood up and shook himself like a dog, spraying flecks of brown in every direction around him. But when he saw just how muddy Cinderstream also was, he couldn't stop himself from smiling. Cinderstream returned it, and his pelt warmed happily. Maybe she only came to him because she saw he was alone, but he still welcomed the chance to play in the dirt. He'd been so cooped up lately that even his own company hadn't been enough to entertain him. Cinderstream raised a paw to slam into the mud, and Asterkit threw up his own mud-streaked leg to defend his blue eyes. He purred, blinking the dirt away. The sensation was a comforting and familiar rumble. Suddenly aware that his mother might be less than pleased with his current state, he glanced towards the nursery, holding his breath. He half expected to see his golden dappled mother step out of the nursery just at that moment, or for his father to saunter into the edge of his vision. He was going to be in so much trouble.

Can't you see I'm trying ?

362 || Aqua , Fawn || Notes

[Aqua]

Cinderstream could feel her heart warming just watching the young kit and it almost made her feel young again. Well....younger. Back in the days when her and Leopardheart were as thick as thieves. The two trying to get out of the nursery whenever they could and get into trouble. The days where they didn't have to worry about duties to the clan like going on patrols or anything boring such as that. It was a time of innocence and fun, something she almost wished she could experience again. But sadly, she would have to just live vicariously through the cats younger than herself now.

The sound of coughing caught Cinderstream's attention. She had been so caught up in remembering the good old times she hadn't spotted the tom tumbling over in the mud. She watched him with a bit of concern as he tried to coughing out the muck in his mouth before shaking his entire pelt. Mud flew in all directions, some hitting the already dirty pelt of the she-cat. She chuckled a bit. This had been a fun, little, mud fight, despite the fact his mother would probably have both of their hides when she saw them.

That's when she saw a sudden realization cross over the tom's face. His head turning to glance back at the entrance of the nursery. It seemed that he now mirrored her concern about his mother. She softly smiled and approached him, pressing against his side in a comforting manner. If and when his mother would appear, she would be right beside him to defend their little game. Heck, she'd take the blame if she had to. She was just glad to see a smile on his face while they had their fun. It was obvious that both of them needed the interaction with another feline. And Cinderstream appreciated being able to just have some fun and not be worried about her duties to the clan, if even for a few passing minutes.

Made by Aqua || Tagged: ♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 || Words: #331

[Fawn]

Appleshade,

82 Moons, TreeClan, Queen

I dare you to let me be your one and only

The sound of the rain always lulled Appleshade to sleep. That soft, rhythmic pitter-patter of fat drops on waxy leaves and moss-strewn bark was music to her ears. It had been no trouble at all to doze off on this greenleaf day, her drowsiness coming and going with the fat gray clouds swelling across the sky.

She kept a tail over her brood of young ones, enjoying the all-encompassing warmth of Snowkit nestled at her belly, Birchkit with his paws tucked under himself, curled up against Snowkit. Asterkit, making a space for himself beside his two siblings, determined to never be left out--

Appleshade's eyes opened wide, as if someone or something had snuck up and pulled on a clump of tail fur. Asterkit? She lifted the bushy appendage to inspect her trio, giving each kit a gentle lick between the ears, at once realizing what had disrupted her nap.

Her trio appeared to be one kitten short!

"Asterkit?" She mewed into the milkscented confines of the nursery. She scanned the strewn feathers and haphazardly lain moss that covered the floor of the communal den; her heart pattered harder than the rain when her littlest kit didn't leap out to surprise her with his presence.

"Asterkit!" She put more volume into it this time, praying to StarClan he hadn't gotten far or gotten under anyone's paws or hurt himself somehow. Appleshade extricated herself from the sleeping forms of Snowkit and Birchkit, whispering sweet things to keep them soundly dreaming. I'll have a quick word with the camp guard, I'm sure he's around here somewhere!

The intermittant storms had been keeping the kits cooped up in the nursery for far too long, and Asterkit had gotten restless. That was all. Or perhaps he's with Skyfall, she purred at the comforting thought of Asterkit spending time with his father. Surely there was nothing to worry about.

Appleshade took a step outside the den, the fresh rain-scent and thick earthen odor of mud and wet wood surrounding her with greater intensity without the bark walls protecting her.

plop.

A dab of mud hit the log just behind Appleshade. She ducked with a yelp, whirling to face her attacker with blazing eyes and the full indignity a pampered queen could muster. "Who threw that?" Appleshade demanded, her sights fixing on a pair of young warriors paws-deep in wet earth. "How very dare you! You ought to have more respect for your--"

Appleshade broke off with the cry of a strangled goose.

One of the young warriors, covered in whisker to tail-tip with mud, was no young warrior at all. Those blue eyes pierced her indignation like an icicle from on high, skewering her to the spot. Oh StarClan, she felt faint. "Asterkit!" She shrieked, breathless with horror. "Asterkit! What in the name of all Silverpelt do you think you're doing? Oh your pelt, your gorgeous white pelt. Oh Asterkit!"

The squelch of mud betweenn her delicate paws made the she-cat wail harder, but she trudged determinedly to the filthy partners in crime. The closer she got to her precious son, the muddier he seemed to look. All she could see was mud. He looked like an entirely different kit, and Stars, she hated that. Her mate's coat was of the purest white, and it had long held her admiration, even before she'd fallen terribly in love with him. To have that trait passed on to their offspring had been a delight she feared she'd never get over.

And now - after all that grooming - after all the time she spent keeping every scrap of moss off his fur and licking away every speck of dirt - Asterkit and Cinderstream had dashed her efforts to the ground in heartbeats.

Appleshade held her tail flat to her back, another effort to avoid picking up any more mud from this wretched little puddle they were playing in. "Cinderstream," she puffed out her fur, addressing the warrior with dismay and anger. "I may not be Mistypond, but that doesn't stop me from scolding you as well! You are both going to come with me to the sparkling brook, and you will be bathed until your pelts are so spotless, the whole Clan will mistake you for clouds!"

The look in the queen's eye was unusually militant, the set of her jaw brooking no arguments.

719 Words || MOTHER HAS ARRIVED || ♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 Aqua BlooRey DVD (Skyfall mention + SkyApple fam fun)

[♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟]

Asterkit

5 Moons || TreeClan || Kit

The mud was slick against his pelt, a thick, slimy layer that smeared nearly all of his beautiful white coat. But Asterkit didn't feel distressed in the least. Being so dirty felt freeing, somehow. There was something so deeply satisfying about every fierce splatter of dirt. His white paws plunged into the greater depths of the muddy puddle, sinking gently into the dark brown lagoon. Cinderstream seemed to be enjoying herself quite a lot also. Every time he looked at her he could recognise the pure beaming smile of a cat having fun. He liked it when other cats smiled. Especially when he had a part to play in that smile. 

He wasn't looking at Cinderstream when she approached him, and so he flinched in shock when she pressed comfortingly against his side. Their pelts were both muddy and cold, but still Asterkit found that small gesture infinitely comforting. His teeth flashed in the sunlight, a bright smile that stood out against the dark muddy brown of his destroyed coat. That smile faltered when he turned his bright blue eyes and landed on the familiar honey-golden form of his mother. The queen fixed him and Cinderstream with a look of such ferocity that Asterkit almost didn't recognise her. But that expression quickly morphed into one of anguish, and the small tom-kit found himself staring in bewilderment as his mother exchanged brutal glances with Cinderstream. The little white tom found himself shrinking beneath her stormy glower, and even though he could not hear her words, he understood that her harsh and angry gestures had something to do with the state he'd managed to get himself into.

Can't you see I'm trying ?

275 || Aqua , Fawn || Notes

[Aqua]

"Asterkit!"

The ears on Cinderstream's head immediately dropped back as she heard the angry shriek that sounded from the nursery. As if on cue, Appleshade had emerged from the nursery to search for her wayward kit. Unfortunately, the queen had first gotten into the line of fire of their mud fight. The young warrior had been so into the fun time that she had totally missed Appleshade yelling about a plop of mud that nearly hit her until now. Her ears drooped even more as a guilty feeling washed over her. As the heated queen approached them, Cinderstream could just see the look of total disgust that washed over the she-cat's face when she squished into the mud herself. It became blatantly obvious that Appleshade did not enjoy the mud on her own fur let alone Asterkit's. So they were both in for it.

"Cinderstream"

The young she-cat flinched at the sound of the queen's voice as she spoke again. She stared at the ground, afraid to look up at the older she-cat as she scolded her for this. While the she-cat wanted to speak up to explain this mess, she also knew that saying anything would likely make the situation worse. So she chose to remain quiet in the hopes that later she could explain after the queen had calmed down.

"Yes ma'am." Cindersteam replied gently, still holding her head low like a kit in deep trouble would. This was a feeling she was quite familiar with. She had her fair share of adventures out of the nursery alongside Leopardheart. And they commonly gave their mother's a scare like this. But being older didn't make the feeling any better to cope with. She truly had Asterkit's well-being in mind when they started the mud fight. Surely the queen would understand once they were clean and "fluffy clouds." One could only hope.

Made by Aqua || Tagged: ♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 Fawn || Words: #323

[Fawn]

Appleshade,

82 Moons, TreeClan, Queen

I dare you to let me be your one and only

Appleshade ushered the guilty party out of the camp entrance. Her legs felt a little stiff from laying in the nursery for so long, but she didn't linger to stretch out each cramped muscle. She'd sooner tolerate a little stiffness than spend another heartbeat looking at this monstrously muddy pair! The queen used her tail like a tree bough, sweeping Asterkit along towards the brook.

A bemused looking camp guard followed at a sedate pace just behind them. With Cinderstream present, they were enough to fulfill the Clan leader's safety requirements for each outing - but Appleshade, after an emphatic explanation of her mission to the sparkling brook to the bemused guard, promptly ignored their presence. The queen's light colored eyes roved back to look over the two shockingly dark cats, their muddied state seeming to absorb any sunshine this gray, dreary day tried to produce.

Appleshade shuddered. "Stars above, you two are lucky the brook hasn't chilled from all this rain! In you go, Cinderstream, Asterkit. Up to your bellies." Appleshade, even though this vigorous washing session was absolutely her idea, still paused at the edge of the bank. Her toes had latched onto the memory of squelching mud, and this finally prompted her to take a displeased step into the water. Asterkit (and likely Cinderstream) was going need help getting all that mud off.

"Don't forget to wash behind your ears, and make sure you get it off your tails especially. No cat will thank you if you're flicking mud-water onto them all sunhigh."

As soon as Asterkit entered the water, the time for chidings and scoldings would subside. A herculean feat of getting the solid white kitten back to the color he'd been born as was going to take a while. Appleshade could already feel her jaw muscles ache in protest of the repeated licking, and she could practically taste that disgusting mud already.

But, like any dutiful queen, Appleshade faced her doom with a head raised high - up until she got close, that is - and the mother cat began to fastidiously start on her son's face, using a mixture of scooped pawfuls of water and a firm tongue to turn his nose back to pink and his face fur back to that pristine color of snow.

378 Words || Notes || Aqua ♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟

[♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟]

Asterkit

5 Moons || TreeClan || Kit

The snow-white tom spat mud from his mouth, wrinkling his nose with disgust and trying desperately to dislodge stray bits of dirt from around his mouth. It tasted bitter and grainy, like prey did when it was left out in the rain. His eyes widened as the touch of his mother’s tail interrupted any further efforts, ushering him and the young warrior towards the camp entrance before either of them could react. The force of her dismay and outrage at their dirty state was similar to a wave, sweeping them helplessly along. The forest was still sodden with rain. Dirt oozed between Asterkit’s toes and he looked down gleefully as the water-soaked ground slid unpredictably beneath his feet. It was wonderful, and despite Appleshade’s stern presence, he found himself leaping to splash in puddles as they moved, the water shining the reflection of the brilliant green forest right back up at him. No doubt, some of those flecks of clay caught Appleshade’s beautiful coat.

He still tasted that bitter tang of dirt on his tongue, and swiped a paw across his face to dislodge it. His teeth gritted with some amount of disgust, he could understand a little why his mother did not want him and the grey warrior playing in the mud. It certainly tasted foul. His paws were growing somewhat numb with the cold as he plodded, subdued, alongside his mother, slowly losing the sense of fun in being dirty. The fun was over. Now he just wanted to get washed. He met his mother’s gaze and offered her an uncertain smile, knowing it was usually the one thing he did that often made her melt into a golden puddle. But perhaps not this time. There was a frosty aura about her that he hadn’t sensed before, and he felt a pang of guilt at having disappointed her. And he could see the disappointment in those wide, dewy eyes, the way they roved over the dark pelts of Asterkit and Cinderstream with disapproving dismay. He shuffled his muddy paws across the wet ground, leaving a smear of dark sludge behind him on the ground. It was a satisfyingly blackish brown colour, but Asterkit couldn’t find the joy in it anymore. He just felt bad. They reached a corner of the forest that Asterkit hadn’t seen before, and his blue eyes flitted towards the surface of the brook with a sudden rush of alarm. Wasn’t Appleshade going to lick him clean, like she had always done? He stared at her in wide-eyed bewilderment, his whiskers twitching in what appeared to be indignance but was truly just confusion. He watched his mother step into what must have been the really chilly brook, and finally it dawned on him what it was she was trying to get them to do.

Leaping back in displeasure, his beautifully feathered tail unable to bush up with the muck that clung to it, Asterkit’s slicked pelt tried in vain to bristle. It was cold! It was wet! Why couldn’t she just clean him the way she always did? He felt dismay plummet into his stomach. Had he gotten himself so messy that not even Appleshade alone could save him? There was no way he was ever going to get into-

He hated it. Oh, how he hated it. Never had such a look of sulking grumpiness been seen on the small tom’s face. It was cold, and it was wet, and the feeling of the muck being forcefully licked from his fur was far more uncomfortable than the usual vigorous groomings his mother gave him. In a rare moment of verbal expression, Asterkit rumbled his displeasure with a universally irritated feline mewl that vibrated up from deep in his chest, like a small irritated tiger. He hated it so much. Several times he had attempted to make his escape, but each time yielded no results and he simply ended back up in the bath of torment. He hated- Water was sloshed over his head, making his now semi-white fur dangle down like sea-weed. He shivered, trying to shake the water off, blinking to keep it out of his brilliant blue eyes. Gradually, his pink nose, still wrinkled in disgust, emerged from the mucky stain.

Can't you see I'm trying ?

709 || Aqua , Fawn || Notes

[Aqua]

Cinderstream sulked behind Appleshade and Asterkit as they trekked towards the brook outside of camp. She was only hoping to cheer up the kit not get him into so much trouble. If only she didn't have such a big heart, he could have been saved from this thorough cleaning they both were about to get. She lets out a sigh as they reach the cool water of the brook.

Cinderstream slowly stepped into the brook before Appleshade could say a word. A shiver shooting up her legs at the cool feeling of the water. If only it was a warm summer day versus this rainy stuff. The water would have at least felt good when they got into it. When Cinderstream glanced back towards Asterkit, there was a very unhappy look on his face. He was very apprehensive about getting into the brook at all. She was tempted to step out and reassure him it would be alright but just the look on Appleshade's face convinced her otherwise.

Cinderstream wades into the stream until the cold water begins soaking the fur on her belly. She immediately swivels her head back and begins to furious lick at her fur, occasionally dipping her mouth into the brook to wash off her mud covered tongue. With how matted her fur was, this was going to take a very long time to come out. But she did her best to reach as much as she could. She then moved to cleaning her legs, dipping them down into the brook to help get the mud off of them and out from between her toes. She was sure Appleshade would have something to say if she didn't get every ounce of mud off of her coat.

Made by Aqua || Tagged: # || Words: #295

That sucked. >.>