Oh, don't mind me . . . . . [open]

[Dyzzie]

The lean she-kit glanced sadly at her mother who was eating a small rodent, ignoring her kits (again), who were sharing a small pigeon. This little kit, though, was tired of trying, and failing, at getting her mother's attention, and after one more pitiful mew that fell on deaf ears, the tiny kit turned and walked out of the nursery. Now, while some might not mind a kit leaving the nursery, if they were say, 4 moons or older . . . This little kit was barely 2 moons. Luckily, she was large for her age, large and lean, with long legs that made her look older. The Ashura kitten left the nursery with her head held high, looking as if she knew what she was doing. She was going to find something fun to do. Willowbranch had recently taught her the joy of playing, and now the kit was determined to make up some more games.

The kit hadn't yet to be stopped, and with a smile she kept going, certain others were trying to remember her name from an apprentice ceremony, or maybe assumed she was a kit who's mother was close by. None needed to know she'd left alone - and none needed to know she didn't have a name of any sort. She was just that poor, unnamed, and unloved kitten. No, wait. She did have a name, of sorts. Willowbranch gave her a nickname to call her by. Friend. It wasn't much, but it was as close as she'd ever come to having a name.

Thus, the unnamed kit smiled more proudly as she headed towards the exit of camp, long legs moving with a grace she was slowly growing into, her spotted pelt shimmering in the sunlight of Newleaf. Really, she was a pretty cat, what with her wild cat blood flowing through her veins, one eye a vibrant blue, the other a rich hazel. Her eyes mixed with her dilute tortie coat, of grey and cream, with darker rosetta rings scattered along her back and shoulders marked her as a distinct wild cat mix, tabby-like striping giving her a bengal like appearance. but with the number of rosettas, the only half-way done tabby striping, this pretty kitty was a rare example of an Ashura. In which, 75% of her blood lines was wild cat and only 25% was that of a domestic cat.

She was a rare beauty alright - which made it a shame that she was often left to feel so alone, and unwanted. Regardless, the kit was determined to make a friend today - at least one. Someone she could trust. Someone . . . else . . . who could make her feel wanted. Willowbranch was amazing, but she wanted to be a part of more than one cat's world. She wanted to be part of many. Maybe if others liked her . . . . . her momma might too.

[Deleted]

Blizzardheart sat near the fresh-kill pile. He was enjoying a small, yet plump, rabbit, when he vaguely noted a small kit - maybe 3 or 4 moons - padding confidently toward the camp's exit. At a second glance he eyed her thoughtfully, knowing full well her mother wasn't close enough to know what she was up to. He had a strong urge to leave his food and stop her in her tracks, but this she-kit was still young and her legs did not carry her quickly. She was very focused on her target - the exit. It did not sit right with him to ignore her tiny figure moving closer and closer to the exit.

He watched her for a few moments more before he pulled himself to his monstrous feet and moved quickly to intercept the small kit. As he greeted her, he tried his hardest to soften his deep meow and look less large and frightening. "Excuse me, miss?" He said as he got a closer look at her dual-colored eyes and her uniquely patterned pelt. He didn't want to make her feel as if she were doing something bad, he just wanted to persuade her to stay inside camp, where it was safe. "I couldn't help but notice you are leaving camp. May I ask why?"

Dyzzie

[Dyzzie]

The large kitten jumped at the sudden voice turning to take a look at the tom, before tilting her head, her long legs stilling as the kitten slowly sat down in her steps, smiling almost politely, "Yes, sir?" She meowed softly, abet shyly, before her smile slipped at his question. She glanced from him, to the exit, then back again, "Because I'm bored, and it looks interesting out there! I can take care of myself, Willowbranch says I'm an excellent hunter!" Of course, she had only ever been called 'excellent' when she'd been playing mossball. but, either way, she was determined to believe it be true. "I won't be gone long, I just want to find something interesting to do." She added, before standing and moving to walk forward again - as if it were the most natural thing in the world, the long-legged, large kitten smiling to herself as she moved forward again.

[Deleted]

He took an impeding step in front of her once more. Blizzardheart sized up this she-kit. While she was large for a kit, she was small from his vantage point. He could see from her tone and posture that she was a very confident kit - one who would grow to be a fine warrior in the moons to come, but she could be hurt all by herself. He couldn't leave her to the badgers, or two-legs, or the horrible fate his sister had faced so long ago on his first adventure from camp as a kit. A ghost whisper of pain tickled the ugly, puckered scar on his belly where the fur would not grow. He knew it did not really hurt, but the memory of the sharp wood was still sharp in his mind. Even sharper still was the pang of guilt he felt when he thought of Littlekit. "Well, it seems to me, that if you are determined to venture out of camp, and I can't stop you, may I join you instead?" He dipped his head to her. "You see, I was planning on going out for a patrol - but I can't go by myself. I need someone to watch my back."

[Dyzzie]

The kitten hesitated when he stepped infront of her, a brief look of panic crossing her features. No, no, no, he was going to send her back to the nursery. She just knew it. She couldn't go back to that place, where her mother's hatred weighed her down and hung heavy around the poor kit's heart. but she looked up, still, waiting, waiting to see what he'd do. She wasn't expecting what he offered her though, the tom stating that she was determined to leave. Instantly the kitten nodded, though her paws shuffled faintly, as if second guessing what she thought he was about to say. Then he asked if he could join her, mentioning patrol, and wanting someone to watch her back.

Instantly the confidence dwindled, until the kitten managed a half, almost shy grin. She was not expecting that, "You mean it? You won't send me back to the nursery?" She asked, surprised, before the kitten nodded her head with a large amount of energy, "Yeah! Let's go! Er . . . I mean . . . Yes, sir, if you'd like to. I mean, I wouldn't mind or anything." She mewed, forcing herself to calm down, used to being yelled at by her mother if she was to get too loud.

[Deleted]

He purred softly to himself that he avoided a potentially dangerous situation, but still maintained the small kit's trust. He began padding towards the camp exit, his giant paws clump, clump, clumping as he went. He flicked his tail, indicating that the kitten follow him. "So, miss little kit," He smiled at the irony hidden in that statement, although he shouldn't find it humorous at all. "what is your name? Surely your mother gave you one." Just then, Blizzardheart shot a wry, sidelong glance at her, "Who, by the way, is not going to be very happy with me for taking her pretty little kit out of camp on a patrol." He decided to skirt camp at a distance, for he still did not want the kit wandering far from camp, even under his supervision.

[Dyzzie]

The kit quickly moved to follow him, making a small 'snort' like noise as she glanced at him, "I'm not that litte. Just wait. One day I'll be soooooo big, I'll even be bigger than you." And then there was the uncomfortable pause. Her name . .. . Her steps nearly faltered, as her gaze lowered, "I . . . . don't have one. Momma says as long as we don't have names, we're not really real." She forced herself to smile, covering the pain when she spoke about her mother, "but Miss Willowbranch calls me Friend. She's nice, I like her." The tiny kit perked up, mentioning the deputy, before wrinkling her nose at his next comment, "She won't care. Momma doesn't care about us at all. She ignores us most of the time. I don't think she likes being a mommy . . . . She doesn't act like she likes it. She tends to avoid and ignore us. I doubt she even knows I'm missing. She'll just assume that Willowbranch took me to play again . . ." She said softly, ears lowering, tail whisking through the air behind, "Besides, who'd care if one little, unwanted and unnamed kit suddenly disappeared. Momma would be glad to have one less kit to get rid off."

[Deleted]

Chuckled at her comment on her size, "Yes you will. One of these days you'll be a ginormous cat just like me!" At that, he puffed his chest out and growled playfully, trying to be funny. His attitude became somber and sullen as the kitten talked of her mother, and his heart broke as the pain and sadness crept into her voice as she spoke. No kit should feel so unloved. He looked at her thoughtfully, "Well. . . Willowbranch would care if her Friend disappeared . . . and I would, too." He thought harder for the besting wording, "Just always remember that family doesn't always mean blood. I mean, look at the Clan, not all of us share blood, but we are a family. And I care about my family - and I know Willowbranch does, too." Wanting to lighten the sudden melancholy mood that had swept over them, Blizzardheart said, "Tell you what. What do you want your name to be? That's what we'll call you."

[Dyzzie]

The little, unnamed kitten tilted her head slowly when he commented that one day she'd be a ginormous cat, just like him, and she giggled, nodding and bouncing on her paws, "Even bigger!" She mewed with bright, large eyes. Of course, the topic had to change of her mother, a sensitive subject for the kitten, obvious by her decrease in mood. She glanced up when he commented that Willowbranch would care if she disappeared, and so would he. "You would?" She asked, as if not sure she could believe that. he then spoke of clan being family, and she looked faintly confused, "How? Don't you have to be related to be family? Which is why my siblings and mommy are family to me . . . . . . . " Her gaze swept out to the bustling clan, "That's a lot of family." She mewed faintly before pausing at his next question, her gaze dipping down uncertainly, "Willowbranch says only mommy can name me . . . . . . . I don't know what I'd want my name to be . .. .. .. Just not little one!"

[Deleted]

He laughed at her audacity, "Even bigger." He agreed. What an odd conversation they had. One moment playful, the next depressive and sad. "Of course I would. You may not see it yet, but you're important. StarClan has plans for you, missy!" He realized then that clan pride and protection was probably a big concept to learn, but he continued to explain as they scampered around the outskirts of camp, "Of course you mother and brothers and sisters are your family, but your whole clan is your family, too." He paused. "You're right it is a big family, but family means no one gets left behind. We stick together and we protect each other. Patrols go out in the morning and evening to be sure everyone is safe. Hunters go out to make sure everyone is fed." He laughed at himself and nudged her shoulder gently, "Even big oafs like me make sure big kits like you aren't all by themselves!"

While it was true and Willowbranch was right that her mother was in charge of naming her, she seemed to be falling short in that area. "Not your real name! Think of it as Blizzardheart's nickname, since you so despise little kit!" He was actually somewhat relieved that she didn't like that particular name, "I know! I'll call you Bigkit!" He exclaimed, like his lack of creativity was the smartest thought he'd had all day.

[Dyzzie]

The kit smiled brightly, nodding in agreement. Even bigger, the biggest. And then her momma would HAVE to notice her. She'd be impossible to miss! She smiled softly, faintly as she looked up at the tom, a faint giggle to her tone before she smiled, "Really? I'm important. What sorta plans!" She asked with an eagerness and curiosity that was beginning to show through, hinting at her comfort level with the tom. She tilted her head as he explained the clan was family, "Everyone works together? They why isn't anyone helping Mommy learn to love us . . ." She asked softly, confused even, before shrugging, "They've probably tried, or are afraid of mommy cause o' how big she is." She giggled, feeling better, before pouting, "I'm okay by myself though! I can take care of myself! I really can. but I suppose you can continue to come on Patrol with me . . . ." She mewed with a giggle, before tilting her head when he stated it wouldn't be her real name, just a nckname for her, before she wrinkled her nose, "but that isn't a pretty name. I want a pretty name!" She mewed, playfully stomping her paw, before swishing her tail with a giggle, "Like momma's name. Momma has a pretty name, cause her name is Silverfrost. Willowbranch's name is pretty too! So I want a pretty one! Cause I'm a girl, and girls need pretty names." She mewed with a nod, as if there would never be any arguement about her name. She was determined to have a pretty name -- oh how her heart will break when her mother finally names her 'Facekit'.

[Deleted]

Blizzardheart decided that they could lie down for a while. That way he'd be more eye-level with the kit and maybe he could find a mossball for her to play with. He gave a big plunk! as he sprawled out near a birch. "I'm tired," He mewed, "Let's take a break." Eying the she-kit, he said in an exasperated tone, "What sorta plans? StarClan won't tell me! They like to keep these things secret." HE pawed a clump of moss growing on the tree, attempting to dislodge it. He smiled as she proudly announced that she was self-reliant. He dipped his head low, bowing playfully, "My dearest kit will allow me to accompany her on patrols? What an honor, indeed!" and continued to chuckle at her.

"Oh yes, Silverfrost and Willowbranch certainly have very pretty names. Well . . . what things do you like? Flowers, trees, bareleaf, newleaf, jumping, water? I like blossoms." He said matter-of-factly. Perhaps he might find something she was fond of to nickname her accordingly.

Finally dislodging the moss, he fluffed it up with his claws and shaped it into a ball. He looked again at the kit and smiled mischievously, "Here, catch!" as he flung the mossball at her.

[Dyzzie]

The tiny kitten purred with a smile, before watching him suddenly collapse. She quickly moved to him, nosing him slightly, "Are you dead?" She asked, before tilting her head when he stated he was tired and they needed to take a break. She sat down then, giggling, "Ahh, but secrets aren't fun! Not unless you know them," She meowed, before giggling when he made it out to be an honor that she was letting him accompany her. She quickly nodded, eyes bright, "A big honor! Like super, hugemongasly big!" She meowed, making up the word before giggling and nodding when he agreed that her mommy and friend have pretty names. "Flowers are pretty!" She agreed, rolling onto her back, her mix-match eyes gleaming, "So are birdies! And bunnies, and . . . . and . . . the sky. And . . . and . . . and . . . . lotsa other pretty stuff!" She meowed with a giggle, before suddenly looking up when he said catch. Instantly the kit was in motion, years of wild-cat breeding showing off in the single movement of leaping up, her paws catching around the mossball as quickly as an experienced hunter, the kit tucking her body to roll with the movement so she hit the ground, rolling a few times before laying on her back, giggling and bouncing the ball between her front and hind paws like a ball of yarn, "Got it!"

[Deleted]

He laughed at her pure and utter excitement at everything. He had cracked her shell and she was a happy and boisterous kit - much better than a sad, upset one. He hoped one day that he would have a daughter as happy and confident as her. "So. . . if flowers and birdies and bunnies are pretty, can I call you FlowerBirdyBunnykit?" he smiled, "OR! I'll just call you Everythingkit!" She was a very fluid cat. Agile, fast, strong - all traits of a hunter. "I think StarClan wills you to hunt, little one. You are quick to act."

[Dyzzie]

The little kit giggled as he tried to string a bunch of words together, before she tilted her head, "You could always just call me 'Kit'" She suggested with a giggling smile. Everythingkit just sounded silly. but not as silly as FlowerBirdyBunnykit. When he commented on her reaction to catching the mossball, she tilted her head back, giggling, "That's what Willowbranch said!" She mewed, her tail swishing through the dirt.