welcome to the world (open)

Wolfkit shook her pelt to rid it of any clinging moss tendrils from her bedding. The nursery was way too crowded for her liking. Being in a litter of four kit was too much. There were always paws or tails or other limbs in your side or face, especially when you least wanted it. She let out a tiny sigh as she looked out of the nursery opening. Her mother hadn't exactly said she could go out, but it hadn't been forbidden. Without a glance back at her mother or littermates, she hauled herself up and out of the den. The sunlight was harsh and she had to blink a few times to get adjusted to the intense light. Once her little eyes were used to brightness, they widened at the scene around. The world is so much bigger than just the nursery... Her jaws opened in a gasp as she glanced around. There were many dens. She had never really thought about there being more than her own. Cats padded all over the well trodden camp grounds, each going their own way. At one point, Wolfkit had assumed that Hazeflight was the biggest cat ever, but now she saw even bigger and tougher looking warriors striding past her with their muscles rippling under their sleek pelts. It was incredible. She slowly walked through the clearing and taking in every bit of the Shadowclan camp around her.

Puddlekit scrambled out of the nursery, her piece of moss clutched in her small jaws tightly, and bounced after her bigger sister, clinging to the she's side as they passed giant, thick-pelted warriors, their size and strength making Puddlekit appear to be a lingering mouse next to them.

The grey kit, white fluff like down covering her body, dropped her beloved moss to the ground, staring up at her littermate. "Whatcha doing?" the runt chirped, head tilted. Everything around her was still slightly faded and blurry; her eyes had only opened a few days ago.

Hazeflight lifted her head from her paws and purred as Wolfkit and Puddlekit gawped in amazement.The silver She-cat glanced down at the two kits she was curled around and with a small sigh uncoiled herself from around them.Hazeflight padded out of the nursery and stretched her limbs.It'd been moons since she'd left the cramped nursery and she ached all over from the constant confinement of the nursery.Silently she sat next to Wolfkit and Puddlekit curling her tail around them to stop them from getting too cold."Careful,or you might catch green cough."she meowed calmly to her kits.Hazeflight wasn't going to usher them inside she had been just like them when she was her age,eager to see the world.She glanced around at the thick pines of the marsh,longing to return to her duties as a warrior.

"I'll be fine, Hazeflight," Wolfkit hissed in annoyance as she batted her mother's tail away. The queen was too overprotective for her liking. For once she had wanted to get away from her mom and littermates, but here they were following her around. However, she stayed close to Puddlekit. Wolfkit would never admit to having a soft spot, but if it was, it was for her tiny sister.
To Puddlekit she replied, "I'm just looking around. Probably going to find the warrior's den we will be sleeping in someday!" There was only a bit of hesitation in her voice. Puddlekit was small and her sister couldn't imagine her being a big, strong warrior someday, but she would never say it out loud. I guess I'll have to become strong enough for the both of us, She decided, unsheathing her tiny kit claws and digging them into the frozen earth.

"You won't be fine when you have green cough!"snapped Hazeflight"Now,what are you doing?"Hazeflight cocked her head questionigly as she gazed lovingly at her kits.Despite Wolfkit's headstrong personality,she had found her not to be too much of a handful.Honestly all she needed was something to do and with Tigerflower and her step sister there was definitely not a shortage.

Puddlekit watched Wolfkit with awe, feeling her white-fluffed tail wave as excitement filled her—and a small twist of uncertainly as she watched the large warriors pace the clearing, organize patrols. But a glance back at her littermate's confident face, and she puffed out her fur.

"O-kay!" she yelped, turning to face the beautiful queen. "Wolfkit will take care of me," she promised, reaching up to give Hazeflight a small, comforting lick on her cheek. "And besides, we have to see the camp sometime."


Although Puddle would have normally been a quiet, scared young kit, Wolfkit's courage and determination had begun to wear off on her. 

I'm not going to stop you,Puddlekit.Exploring camp sounds like fun,"purred Hazeflight returning the lick.Hazeflight uncurled her tail allowing the kits to go explore.If only Eagleheart could see these two...

Wolfkit flicked her tail in a goodbye to her mother and padded forward into rest of camp. She kept her tail and head high as she walked next to Puddlekit.
"Come on, Puddlekit!" She meowed excitedly, glancing down at the smaller she-cat with a smile, "If we run into any foxes, I'll keep you safe." Her teeth bared at an imaginary enemy and headed for the warriors den. Peering in, her eyes widened excitedly at the bigger nests and the big, strong warriors sleeping inside.

"That'll be us someday!" She looked at Puddlekit, determination flashing in her small, round eyes.

Hazeflight flicked her tail in goodbye to Wolfkit gently nudging Puddlekit to go join her sister.Purring,the silver She-cat resumed her place in the nursery.

(OOC: So apparently my afk post in member announcements didn't go through. Hope it's not too late?)


A loud undignified sneeze greeted Hazeflight's return to the nest. Marshkit opening his amber eyes to peer up at her from the mossy nest. He fluffed out his fur and shook his head to attempt dislodging a piece of moss that clung to his forehead as he untangled his limbs from his sleeping sibling. Blinking, he observed the two missing siblings and huffed.
"Where did they go?" He asked, watching Hazeflight settle next to them. He climbed slowly out of the nest, avoiding Emberkit's tail.

Hazeflight laughed at Marshkit's clumsiness."They went out exploring,I think they're headed to the warrior's den."replied Hazeflight flicking her tail in the direction of the warrior's den.She glanced down at the sleeping Emberkit and let out a small purr."Your welcome to join them,just don't go catching green cough."she added.

Marshkit flicked an ear, thinking about it for a moment then glanced outside. Going out into the cold wasn't too appealing, but the warrior den...
     "... Pff, as if I would catch green cough." He replied confidently. Marshkit stepped out into the snow, with a cringe at the feel of the cold on his paws. Ew. He scanned the area, seeking out his siblings among the passing warriors before he made a hurried dash towards them.

Puddlekit squealed with excitement in reply to her mother, picking up her piece of moss and bounding after Wolfkit, small paws kicking up snow as she ran.

"Wow!" the blue-grey it breathed, letting out a giggle as one of the larger warriors rolled over and let out a snore. "It's…cool." Truth be told, it wasn't all Puddlekit had dreamed; there were holes in the bracken, and it looked more crowded than comfortable. She shivered with the thought of some tom's stinky breath wafting into her lungs all night.

Just then, the sound of clumsy, familiar paws hitting the ground made her turn happily to meet her big brother. "Hey Marshkit!" she purred, dropping her moss so she could speak. "Wanna explore camp with me 'n' Wolfkit?" She gasped, then, jumping back around to face her sister. "We could find an elder! They have some great stories, Hazeflight said!"

He blinked at Puddlekit, then looked down at the dropped moss with an incredulous expression.
"Sure..." He replied, his gaze lifted back to his sister then drifted over to the mouth of the warrior's den. "It looks like we only have to worry about the lazy warriors catching us." He added, his voice a mixture of disdain and affectionate teasing at the sleeping cats. He wondered what it was like to be out in the patrols, to be among the marsh and the dark trees.

"It'd be nice and warm in the elder's den." He added thoughtfully. He picked up a paw and flicked some snow at Wolfkit. "Maybe one of them will have an exciting story." He paused, his head tilted with one of his dark ears slightly pinned back. "By the way puddlekit, what's with the moss?"

"Come on," Wolfkit snorted to her littermates, "Why would we want to sit in a den with some dusty, old cats?" She flicked her tail as a mischievous look crossed her face. Part of her knew it wouldn't be a good idea, but her confidant and disregard pushed away logic, "Let's go out." The little grey kit's overlooked the length of the camp, towards the entrance. Out there would be way more fun! We could practice hunting and fighting and explore... It would be mouse-brained of her littermates to refuse.

Another thought crossed her mind and she couldn't help but let it escape her mouth as her eyes still fixated on the entrance, "We could find our father." Hazeflight never spoke of him. Wolfkit knew that all kits had one though. Her denmates did, but her and her littermates had always been left in the dark. The young she-kit firmly believed he was somewhere out there though. And with the help of her kin, they could find him in no time! Wolfkit had dreamed about her father as soon as she was big enough to retain memories. She pictured him a big, strong and honorable Shadowclan warrior. But for some reason, no one ever mentioned their other parent. And he was never in camp. So, of course, he would have to be somewhere out there.