Melting Icy Hearts [c]

Cicadashriek shivered as he trotted through the entrance of camp, the rest of his patrol following suit behind him. A few measly pieces of prey hung from their jaws, though Cicadashriek had boasted the entire walk home about how his rat was undoubtedly the fattest in the patrol. It was... probably a bit much considering their words gradually fell from praising to dismissive, but Cicadashriek didn't mind at all. He was sure he could find someone else easy to amuse to boast to. His ego had to be boosted, and those he could reliably get a boost from were kits.

His gaze shifted from the fresh-kill pile to the nursery, his paws soon following his line of sight. He was only doing his duty as a warrior feeding the kits of the clan, but behind able to hype them up for their upcoming apprenticeships and warriorhood was always a plus. They were the future of Shadowclan after all, seeing who would soon join his side in battle and hunting patrols was important.

Thankfully, one kit was already outside and easy to target against the snow around them. "Hey, you hungry, kit? Just came back from a patrol and figured some growing kits would need this more than me." He dropped the rat, nudging it a bit closer to the little rowan she-kit.

Icekit had been casually batting a mossball back and forth while waiting for warriors to return. She wanted to ask them about what lay further out of the marshes, towards the borders. But warriors and apprentices alike were out hunting or patrolling.

She perked up when Cicadashriek and others returned. She sat at attention, raising even higher when she saw that Cicadashriek was moving towards her. At the invitation of the rat, her eyes grew wide. She was indeed hungry, but the warrior's code flashed in her mind. A lot of warriors gave kits food directly after hunts, but Icekit was nearly an apprentice now. Was she still allowed to accept these?

Icekit looked to Cicadashriek once more. This was a gift from a warrior. She couldn't just say no. And like it or not...she was still a kit.

"Thank you," Icekit purred. She leaned down and took a couple of bites of the mouse. She paused in her eating and asked, "Are you Cicadashriek?" Ratrunner had told her about a few of the warriors in the clan, and she thought that this cat matched what Ratrunner had said.

Cicadashriek blinked when he heard his name. "Yup, the one and only," he purred, a grin spreading across his features. He didn't know who was spreading his name, but it sure felt good to know it was happening. Perhaps Nightstalker or one of his friends. "I would say the best warrior in the clan, but you know, you gotta remain humble." A light rumble of a chuckle sounded in his throat, hiding his own truth behind a joke.

"What's your name, kit? I gotta get to know all the little soon-to-be apprentices, you play possibly the most important role in a clan, you know? Growing up and learning to be the future of the clan. Not enough cats seem to recognize that." Maybe his words were a bit exaggerated, but not dishonest. Though... hopefully his words were inspirational and not putting the weight of expectations on a cat so young. Kittens needed to be encouraged and shaped for strength, not scared away before they've even left camp.

On the contrary, Icekit perked up at Cicadashriek's words and preened under the promise of playing an important role in the future. Warriors like Cicadashriek were important and cool, and Icekit wanted to be like that one day. She wanted to be an important, irreplaceable part of her clan.

Cicadashriek was rather...vain. Icekit tried not to let it bother her. Maybe Cicadashriek truly was the best warrior in the clan. Maybe admitting it was the best way to earn respect. Icekit could not say for certain because she was so young, and so instead, she had much to learn from this respectable warrior.

"They call me Icekit," she replied. "And I'm approaching my six moons. I'll be out on hunting patrols before you know it. Maybe I can even help you on your patrols."