Tigerkit's Realization

A small bundle of brown tabby fluff curled in the back of the nursery. Despite that it was Newleaf, the slight feeling of chilled moisture filled the air. The cool breeze felt piercing as it blew right past the softly groomed fur that made up said fluff ball. Tigerkit quickly pulled his tail closer to him as a shiver shot down his spine, making him give out a small shake in his rather large nest. Of course it was only the same size as the other nests, but it felt huge due to the fact that he was in it alone. It had been like that all morning. He remembers falling asleep next to his mother, but when he woke she was no where to be found.

The small tom stretched out his limbs, flexing his small claws as his soft white belly became exposed. A small, high-pitched yawn escaped his mouth. The yawn only lasted for a bit and was quickly followed by an ear flick. While doing so the kitten rolled onto his belly.

"Hmmph...where's my mom?" Tigerkit meowed under his breath.

His curious eyes wandered the den, staring at the entrance as if his mother would walk in at any second and greet him. After awhile, he gave up on waiting. Instead he looked down at his paws and gave out a small sigh. Just then, something caught his attention. Tigerkit's head quickly turned to the side, noticing someone standing beside him. His ears flattened against his head. Had they always been there...?

A small gulp of nervousness lumped in his throat before he spoke, "H-Hey, who are you?" Tigerkit wasn't very great with strangers.

((OOC: Sorry if this is a little ehh, I'm a bit rusty. :Y))

Hawkstrike had popped out of the nursery to get a bite to eat while her kits had been sound asleep. Ever since she'd given birth, she didn't get many chances like this to herself, so she'd planned on taking advantage of it. But her motherly instinct had her come in for a quick check to see that her kits were all sound asleep and not mewling for her.

That was when she came across Tigerkit alone still. When she'd left for a bite, Tigerkit's mother had been absent, but she assumed she'd gone out to make dirt or something similar. But it was now Sun high, and this continued absence worried the queen. Even if it all turned out to be nothing, there was a slight chill in the air, and a kit could easily catch kittencough in this weather. So she approached the tomkit carefully, not wanting to alarm him.

"It's me, Tigerkit. Hawkstrike. I think your mother's gone out for a bit. How about you come join my kits in our nest. It'll be warmer. Just until your mother comes back."

Flashkit looked over her best her icy blue eyes stared at Tigerkit. "Momma is he gonna stay with us?"

Daisykit's eyes opened sleepily. "Stay quiet Flashkit, would ya?"She said as she turned her body and went back to sleep.

"Fine Daisykit." She looked back at Tigerkit studying him. "Do you wanna go play?" She asked the tom her whiskers twitching as she pulled a mossball out from her nest. She liked this Tom and would like to be his friend.

"Be nice, Daisykit. And yes, Flashkit, he'll be staying with us. *cough* Can't have you freeze to death, can we?" Hawkstrike purred soothingly as she spoke, only a slight cough interrupting her speech. She'd been having a little trouble with breathing of late, but it didn't seem seriously. Maybe she needed a warrior to check the nursery for drafts, it was a little chillier in the bramble walls than usual.

With a swift nip on the scruff, she picked up her daughter Flashkit, and dropped her back in the nest. Not approving of playing quite yet, her siblings were still sound asleep and there was only one of her to look after all seven. Eight if she counted Tigerkit. It was nap time for now.

"Not now, Flashkit. But I promise to take you out later along with your siblings."

"Aw ok momma." She sat and flicked her tail at Tigerkit for him to come join us. "Come on Tigerkit it's ok we don't bite." She meowed teasing him.

Tigerkit stared up at the she-cat with wide eyes, thinking about her offer. The tom sat up quietly and flicked his ear. His thoughts drifted for a few seconds, still worrying about his mother. Her whereabouts and safety really concerned him. He couldn't imagine a life with out his mom! Tigerkit blinked while exhaling. Perhaps he was being overly worried. He knew his mom would be fine, she's just taking a long time...that's all.

Suddenly, Flashkit caught his attention. He watched as she pulled out a ball of moss and asked if he wanted to play, but it was quickly dismissed. She and Hawkstrike seemed to be fairly friendly towards him and that made Tigerkit a lot more comfortable about being invited to join their nest. The kitten's small whiskers twitched as Flashkit was put back into the nest, a small flash of amusement in his eyes.

"A-Alright. But only until my mom comes back." Tigerkit mewled, it sounded more as if he was reassuring himself with the response more than anything. Rather quickly, the kitten padded over to the nest and hopped in, kneading some of the bedding underneath him before curling up into a ball. "Thank you, Hawkstrike...it was getting pretty cold in my nest." The tom squeaked softly before resting his head on his paws.

"Don't worry Tigerkit." Flashkit purred and pulled some bedding around him to keep him warm then curled up on the other side of him.