A troublemaker (Open)

Rainkit sighed as he remained under the warmth of a queen in the dark nursery. He felt that he was ready to venture outside to camp already, it’s already been three moons since his birth and the nursery was boring. Majority of the kits would just sleep in or play by themselves, and the queens would keep a strict eye on them. Rainkit wanted to leave, he wanted to see the camp! He was tired of staying inside the stuffy nursery.

When the queen suddenly changed positions so Rainkit was able to squeeze out from her, he had realized that the queen was in a deep slumber. Rainkit’s heart began to beat quickly, was this his chance to leave the nursery? Quietly the brown tabby treaded towards the only entrance of the nursery praying to starclan he would go unnoticed.

As he edged closer his heart began to beat faster, he felt excitement coursing throughout his tiny body. And finally.. he had stepped out of the nursery for the first time in his life, and was amazed at what he saw. He flinched at the coldness of the bitter wind but continued to walk towards the camp, he was so distracted by his surroundings that he didn’t even notice the older cat he had bumped into nose first.

Flintstar had taken to venturing from his den a bit more than he used to - if anything to keep an eye on the Asylum cats that seemed to hide in every bit of shade of the ShadowClan camp. Simply put - he didn't trust them. He had accepted the terms in order to protect his Clanmates but the more he spent thinking about it, the more he grew a little uncertain. There had to be more to this entire situation - why had Asylum chosen to take over each of the Clans? What would they gain from this? He sighed...Shaking his head as he padded past the nursery - only to pause at the feeling of something bumping into him. He looked down with a blink, staring at the small brown tabby that had ran into him. "...Hello," the leader said, ears twitching as he felt a little...Hesitation rising in him.

He didn't like interacting with kits - he had trouble understanding them. He felt...Awkward, never knowing what to say to them. But...He suppose it would be more awkward to try to back out of this interaction.

Rainkit muzzle ached from the pain, he had no clue what he had bumped into. The kit assumed it was a rock since it hurt a lot! He gave his head a shake to gather his thoughts, then took a few steps back to inspect what he had bumped into. When he realized it was not a rock... but a towering warrior!? He was astonished. Rainkit could not help but be amazed by the sheer height of Flintstar, his gaze changed from shock to pure awe. The small kit wondered if he would ever get to that size, maybe by the time he became an apprentice?

That’s when he noticed the large scar, “Wow! That’s some scar! Does it still hurt? Rainkit blurted out without thinking, he tilted his head in order to try getting a closer look. It didn’t occur to Rainkit that this was the leader of his clan that he was speaking to, after all he would mainly interact with other kits or queens, it was his first time meeting a new warrior. Rainkit was also amazed by the toms figure and his battle scar that he did not hear his greeting.

The small brown kit looked up at Flintstar, his eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Mistyfalcon had just entered the camp with another hare dangling from his jaws. He'd become proficient at catching them, and the dark-furred warrior was happy to deposit it on the fresh-kill pile if it went to one of his clanmates. He'd even managed to avoid getting kicked this time, so there should be no reason for Ebonysong to fret over him for it, either.

"Flintstar." He greeted his leader with a nod and a flick of one tattered ear. He was another clanmate more comfortable in the silence, something Mistyfalcon found relatable. A quick greeting, and he'd slip off to settle in one of the quieter corners of camp.

A kit colliding into Flintstar nose-first made him pause, however. There was a faint tremble of his whiskers, unbidden as he watched the interaction. He couldn't help wincing slightly at the kit's reaction to Flintstar's scar. The tom had told him to wear his own with pride but... The scars lining his face and his tattered ears were certainly more noticeable with his own shorter fur. Flintstar at least had a mass of fluff to hide most of his.

Flintstar perked up at the sight of Mistyfalcon, dipping his head to the tom as he was greeted. He didn't have time to form a response to the warrior before the young kit suddenly asked about his scar, taking the leader aback a little. His eyes fell to the jagged scar that ran down his leg - the worst out of all of them and had nearly gave him a permanent limp. "Ah...Rarely," he said, stretching out the leg a little to allow the kit a better look at it. He recalled shortly after it had healed enough for him to return to his duties, the aching pain that would happen when he was trying to hunt. Now...All he tended to feel was phantom pains - the same searing pain that had caused the wound when he landed on his leg wrong. Pain that wasn't real - his wound not acting up.

"This scar is old, I got it shortly into my warriorship," he explained, sitting down as he studied the scar - having nearly forgotten that it wasn't normal. Of how jagged it was, the soft pink scar tissue standing out against his dark colored fur. This was...Easy enough to do - he could explain his scars as it didn't feel like he was truly interacting with a kit. It was when the talk of games and pretend and imagination that he started to feel truly out of place. When he could treat the kit not like a kit...Well, that was more suitable he suppose. "It ached much when it was fresher, now it rarely acts up unless I am not careful."

Rainkit was pleased to see another warrior, one that was riddled with even more scars. It struck slight fear in the kit, knowing that in the future he too would be fighting fearsome cats. However if it was for the sake of shadowclan he wouldn’t hesitate to get a scar! He could also impress future young kits. When Rainkit saw Flintstar dip his head towards Mistyfalcon, he mimicked him. He was not really paying attention when Mistyfalcon addressed Flintstar, it was a name Rainkit heard many times in the nursery, as he was to enveloped in the toms story about his scars.

“I-I” Rainkit blurted it out so suddenly even he was not sure why, after a moments hesitation he continued. “I will become a strong shadowclan warrior! I will work hard to protect this clan when I become an apprentice!” He mewed resolutely. After seeing the two warriors Rainkit realized he never gave his name nor apologized. “Im.. Rainkit! Sorry for bumping into you! I thought you were a rock because my muzzle hurt so much!” Rainkit mewed dipping his head in respect.

Mistyfalcon kept an ear on Flintstar's explanation, almost... morbidly curious, himself. His own scars were much fresher, standing out starkly against his gray and black fur. They'd begun to fade somewhat, but occasionally the slightest movement would send pain radiating across his own face even now. He'd mostly grown accustom to it, but realizing that it might not be a constant was reassuring at least.

"With that enthusiasm you'll make a great warrior, Rainkit." Mistyfalcon commented. He coughed, attempting to hide (and probably failing, whoops) a quiet laugh at the kit's comments. Flintstar was very much the rock the clan depended on, and imposing was an excellent way to describe his massive frame to a younger kit. "I'm Mistyfalcon, by the way."

Flintstar huffed in amusement as the kit started to boast about how he would be a great warrior - all kits said that, he had learned that much. Everybody wanted to be a use to their Clan and it was a noble goal. The leader was certain that all would reach that goal - granted they made it to warriorhood. The world was cruel after all, not everybody got to live long enough to see their dreams become reality. His whiskers twitched as the kit gave his name and apologized for running into him, with Mistyfalcon giving his name as well. "And I am Flintstar, and I am quite sure you will do ShadowClan proud in due time, Rainkit."

Rainkit felt more confidence in his words after both of the warriors had praised him, if they believed in him he was going to do all he can to make them proud! Flintstar and Mistyfalcon were the first warriors he met outside of queens, he already looked up to the two of them. Rainkit figured that now would be a good chance to ask them about the asylum cats. Rainkit didn’t know much about them, but it was all the chatter in the nursery these days. He would overhear the conversations of the queens but they were careful to not give the full details for some reason.

“Err.. by the way do you two know anything about the asylum cats? The queens keep talking about them, but they never tell me anything even when I try to pry!” Rainkit mewed, his head tilted with curiosity. As he awaited for their response, the sudden chill wind sent a cold shiver down his spine, he sneezed the cold air and began to shiver. Outside the nursery sure was cold... but he wanted to hear more stories from the warriors.

"Asylum..." Mistyfalcon struggled to keep the grimace off of his face as he spoke the name of the rogue group. He could certainly understand the queens not giving all the details to their kits.

"They outnumber Shadowclan and enjoy lurking around our conversations, but... They do contribute to the fresh-kill pile, sometimes. They're also training Rookpaw, our medicine cat." He offered after an awkward pause, dark eyes flicking up to Flintstar, unsure of what he could or even should say about the rogues who were absolutely everywhere. To say the wrong thing would guarantee trouble with the rogues, yet aligning his words with their strange notion that they were truly helping the clan left a distinctly bitter taste in Mistyfalcon's mouth. Flintstar would have a better idea of what to tell the kit, surely.

Flintstar blinked as Rainkit brought up Asylum, noting that he didn't know much about it other than hearing its name whispered among the queens. He sighed as Mistyfalcon nearly spat the name, giving a brief explanation of them before he turned to look at the leader. The large gray tom shrugged a little, turning his attention back to Rainkit. "While Asylum may not be of ShadowClan, they are our...Allies, so to speak. Many cats are unsure on their presence but I chose to allow them to...Stay in order to keep everybody safe. This is strange territory for us all, but the safety of my cats come first over everything," he added with a nod of his head. It hadn't been an easy choice but with claws at every throat...If he had denied, cats would have died before they could even raise a claw to defend themselves. "But yes, Asylum is a group of rogues that has - apparently - take residence in every Clan. I do not know what their final goal is but for now, they are to be treated with respect as they have given us no reason to doubt them, despite their dubious arrival."

Rainkit was unsure why the mood changed so drastically, both Mistyfalcon and Flintstar seemed uncomfortable speaking about them. The Tom decided it would be best to drop the topic, even though he still did not really understand the motives of the group.

He nodded “I see! Well as long no one gets hurt I think its fine!” Rainkit meowed cheerfully in a optimistic tone. Thinking about it some more Rainkit realized that there was a lot more tension then usual, and he suspected that the asylum cats were the reason why. As his thoughts continued, he realized something else.. Flintstar was the name of their leader! Rainkit looked back towards Flintstar, shocked since he had the honor of meeting the leader so soon! “It’s.. its great to meet both of you! Rainkit said with a purr. In his presence were two amazing warriors! Rainkit was truly humbled and honored.

"So long as no one's hurt..." Mistyfalcon gave his leader a slight nod, showing he understood. As much as he disliked the Asylum... They hadn't harmed anyone. Not yet, at least. And it wasn't like Mistyfalcon could do anything on his own. Nor was it as if Mistyfalcon disagreed with some of their more practical goals, even. Rookpaw seemed as if he was settling into the role of medicine cat far better than his predecessor, at the very least, and the clan needed a medicine cat who wanted to excel in that role. If that meant letting them use their claws when needed, it really wasn't such a bad thing. And was it truly so bad to not have to attend gatherings?

A sardonic half-smile briefly flickered across Mistyfalcon's expression, both at his own thoughts and at the kit's enthusiasm.

"You'll be apprenticed before you know it." Hopefully that hadn't been... too awkward? He truly wasn't sure what to say to the kit's enthusiasm.

Flintstar's ears twitched as Rainkit piped up, seemingly content with the fact that Asylum was here. As Mistyfalcon echoed the phrase, the leader turned his attention onto the warrior. "Trust me, the safety of my Clan is my only focus. As long as nobody is hurt, indeed," he responded, his voice level as he glanced over his shoulder at a batch of nearby shadow - certain that there was an Asylum cat lurking within. Of course, Flintstar wasn't sure what he would do when blood was spilled. They were still out-numbered, would he truly fight a hopeless battle even if Asylum was the one to start it? But...He had told himself, promised himself, he would care for the safety of his Clan above all.

As soon as that safety was threaten, he would not stand for it.

He blinked as Rainkit spoke up again, happy to have met the two. "Ah...Yes," the leader startled a little as he turned his attention back to him. "It was...Nice to meet you as well. I...Do suppose I have, erm...Leader things to return to doing," he meowed, suddenly feeling very self-conscious about having no idea how to walk away from this conversation. Was...Was that it? They just said it was nice to meet them and go their separate ways? Was there to be a separate goodbye? Did he even have any duties he had to perform or was it an excuse he had spouted out at random.

While Mistyfalcon thought the whole thing wasn't that awkward, Flintstar was suddenly feeling very nervous at the notion of figuring out a farewell.