Beginnings [O]

A huge, fluffy tom kit meandered out of the nursery, throwing his uncaring green glance across the camp. His mother had told him to stay in the nursery, at least for a time longer. He was too young, she said. Not ready, she said. Well if she wasn't going to enforce her rules, he wouldn't follow them. Not like he cared, not like she cared. Like a small brick, he laid himself out smack dab in the middle of camp, his mass apparent even for his young age. A little loaf, and he shut his eyes. If anyone wanted to bother him, they'd either better have a good reason, or want to get whacked.

Stalking from the shadows of Tall Rock, a mighty predator stalks her prey. Paw steps silent, head low, tail still. Not a sound was made as her paws practically grazed the ground. Her eyes were on her target: a large brown kit in the center of camp. Now, the challenge. Clearing the sunny distance between the Tall Rock and the center of the camp. A true, stealthy, predator would never be seen, nor heard. Coyotekit darted her eyes about, sizing up the activity levels in camp. Satisfied with a clear run, the predator took her chance. In a blur of white, she was across the camp and launching herself at the back of her prey. "Ha! I caught you!" She cried, nipping the back of his scruff.

Bright blue eyes peeped out of the nursery. "Hey don't leave me out!!" a voice called out. With a squeak of delight, the golden tabby kit barreled into the playful clump of white and brown fur settled in the center of camp. If there had been any response from the two kits, it was trampled with a barrage of questions and comments."You were running soooo fast just now Coyotekit! Hawkkit did you even see her coming? I was watching from the nursery. Do you think we're going to be scolded from being out here? How long is it gonna take to become apprentices? I bet I'll become a warrior before you two! "

Hawkkit was quiet... then he felt a pang of pain in his neck as a cat leaped onto his large back. It was Coyotekit. Of course it was. A low growl erupted from his throat as he began to stand with his fellow kit still on his back. Then he got barrelled into by another kit. This one got him in his legs, and finally toppled him like he was a great oak. His growl only got louder as he remained silent, opening his piercing green eyes to glare at Daisykit, who wouldn't shut their tiny little mouth. With large, furry paws, he reared up to try and whack both of the kits that had disturbed his loafing time. If he hit, they better not cry, or run back to mommy. No, they'd better just take it, and leave knowing who was stronger.

Lightningkit was far quieter than his sisters had become, yowling and laughing as they chased down Hawkkit. The little tom simply padded slowly across camp to meet them, taking a few glances from side to side to take in the sights around him. His attention was caught by the big tomkit rearing on his hind legs, and an offended look passed over his kit-blue eyes before softening back into a serene (or at least unbothered) gaze. “Hey. Don’t do that. It’s just a game.” Lightningkit cooed in a soft hum, sitting and looking up at Hawkkit.

Coyotekit bounced off Hawkkit's back as he reared, landing with only the slightest of stumbles. With a small laugh, she nimbly dodged Hawkkit's lumbering paws and darted around him like a fly. Coming to a stop, Coyotekit rolled her eyes. "Hawkkit can handle himself, Lightningkit!" Aw, why did he have to ruin the fun?

Her chattering had distracted herself, leaving Hawkkit with an open target. With a loud ooomph, Daisykit  toppled head over heels in a somersault. Getting back up on four paws, she shook some dust off her pelt, finally noticing Lightningkit. "Yea Lightningkit! I'm wayyy tougher than I look. The game isn't any fun if nothing exciting happens anyway!" she boasted. Hawkkit had hit her harder than she would admit. If he had hit me any harder, I probably would have seen stars...

Hawkkit felt fur hit his paws, and watched as Daisykit went tumbling away. Good, maybe one of them would learn a lesson. As for Coyotekit, she had dodged him. She was too quick for him, he assumed. Would that stop him from going after her? Absolutely not. Before he could though, another kit showed up. A quiet one, but already being too annoying for his liking. He padded up to the kit, looking down at him quietly. "Make me." That was all he said, as he turned around and padded away, picking up speed as he began to try chasing down Coyotekit. The one who had escaped.

The smaller tom frowned at his sisters’ contrary responses. He was trying to help them, couldn’t they tell? When Hawkkit stalked uncomfortably close, Lightningkit did his best to maintain eye contact, but ultimately he lowered his chin and glanced down at his paws. This other tomkit was too much. He couldn’t do anything at all. “S-sorry…”

Hawkkit ran off after Coyotekit. Daisykit would no doubt launch herself back into their roughhousing. Lightningkit stared miserably after them, wishing he had the backbone to fight like they did, but he didn’t want to get tangled up in it and get hurt, especially with their mother not around to keep them under control.