First Glances

[Seafeather]

Willowkit

The subtle and warm scent of milk encouraged the kit move closer to the warm smell. An overwhelming aroma of something...earthy wreathed a furry stomach. Mother. The kit scooted ever so slightly closer to the warm stomach that was her mother's and felt at peace. Her eyes shifted under their lids. I wonder... Slowly, the kit opened her eyes and saw the world for the first time. Bright light shafted through pointy looking long things that were weaved together over their nests. The light bent on her mother's face, curving when it met her chin and nose. Her mother...was beautiful. Tabby stripes swept around her face and body, curling around her stomach and making swirls around her hips. A white froth dashed across her chest and socks on her paws.

"Mother?" She whispered barely audible. Her mother's head swung around to look at her. Willowkit had the sensation to try and widen her left eye. It felt like it was closed...but it wasn't. Willowkit closed her right eye and all went black. I can't see! She opened her other eye and saw her mother's soft gaze.

[//Sunneh// is FuMiNg]

[glow=red,2,300]Thicketheart[/glow]

A warm, gentle breeze passed through the nursery entrance, caressing Thicketheart's russet fur like a mother would her kits. Kits. Thicketheart smiled; the word had special meaning now. The three small bodies that were nestled against her belly fur were proof enough of that fact. Letting out a sigh, Thicketheart adjusted her awkward position to a more comfortable one. It was taking some time for her to get used to the calm life in the nursery. No hunting, no racing, no fighting. Only naps and gossip. Sure, Thicketheart could live with that, but the rigid tabby was afraid that she was getting soft. No matter, she assured herself, pulling her sons and daughter closer. I still have Oakpelt. And now, the kits. Life was getting better every sun.

A small, unsure movement at her belly drew her attention back to the kits. From the position of the little body, Thicketheart guessed that it was the she-cat: Willowkit. Though it did her no good, Thicketheart turned her head towards the kit. She was about to welcome her, but the kit had already found her voice. "Mother?" Yes, it was Willowkit; the voice was soft and feminine. Thicketheart hesitated for a moment, then replied, "Hello, Willowkit." She blinked, surprised at the softness of her own voice.

[Seafeather]

Willowkit

"Hellow, Willowkit." Her mother answered. Willowkit gasped at her name. Willowkit? It's...pretty. Willowkit felt her way around two other sleeping bodies. One with brown fur and white sock and chest, just like mother's, and one with tabby stripes.

"Who are they?" Willowkit asked. Her curiosity already formed greatly with her first glance at the world. "What's that? And that?" Willowkit asked pointing to the tall grass that was woven into their den and then to a feather that glided above her head and landed lightly on her nose. She sneezed.

[//Sunneh// is FuMiNg]

Thicketheart

Thicketheart had barely gotten the two words out of her mouth when Willowkit started riddling her with questions. "Who are they?" She meant her brothers, Thicketheart assumed. She opened her mouth to reply, but Willowkit wasn't done. "What's that?"-Thicketheart noted the sound of a small paw swatting at some grass, then the whistling sound of a feather drifting in the breeze- "And that?" Willowkit sneezed, and Thicketheart smoothed down the kit's fur with her tongue.

"Those are your brothers. The reddish brown tabby is Thistlekit, and the one with the white paws is Brackenkit." She stretched forward with a paw, then raked her claws through the grass. Some of it caught between her paws, so she lifted it up as if to survey it. "This is grass. It's a plant; something that grows out of the ground. You'll see some more plants when your older." Thicketheart sniffled a laugh; she couldn't believe how silly she sounded. She moved on to the next subject. "This,"-she reached out and brushed the feather off Willowkit's nose-"is a feather. It's like the fur that covers you, but for birds. You'll see what a bird is later."

Thicketheart gestured towards the nursery entrance. "We live in a clan known as CloudClan with many other cats. There are three other clans, but we don't concern ourselves with them. This is the nursery, where kits like you are born and raised. When you are six moons old, you will become an apprentice, then a warrior." Thicketheart paused, hoping she wasn't confusing the little kit.

[Seafeather]

Willowkit

Brothers? I am not alone? "Hm...brothers...grass...feathers...birds...warriors." Willowkit pondered for a moment. A warrior sounded fun! "I want to be a warrior!" She declared. She swiped at some of the grass, playing before her brothers got up. She pawed her brother, Thistlekit, and her mother got onto her. But not before Thistlekit got up.

"Come on Thistlekit! Open up your eyes! You get to see all the wonderful things this clan has! Come on, you can do it!" She encouraged him.

[//Sunneh// is FuMiNg]

Thistlekit

Warm, furry bodies pressed up against the kit from both sides, wiggling and squirming as they nursed. All was dark, but the kit felt no fear; his instincts told him that he was safe. The kit was aware of the voices splitting the silence, but felt no impulse to open his eyes as quickly as his sister. That could wait. There was no need to rush.

"Come on Thistlekit! Open up your eyes! You get to see all the wonderful things this clan has! Come on, you can do it!"

Willowkit. It was a beautiful name, and Thistlekit felt a sudden urge to see his mother and sister. His eyes shifted beneath their eyelids, finding the source of the voices, then opened. He stifled a gasp. They were both as pretty as he had imagined them, but for some reason, his eyes were drawn to his sister. White fur, brown ears, mismatched eyes flashing with curiosity. Her delicate facial features resembled their mother's, and Thistlekit suddenly wondered if he looked like her as well. He stretched out his paw, then brushed it against his mother's. They had the same pelt color, the same stripes. He let himself dwell on that fact for a few moments, then turned his attention towards the other furry body. His brother, Brackenkit. The brown tom looked sound asleep, so Thistlekit didn't bother him.

"Mother? Willowkit?" he tipped over, startled by his own voice. After another moment of timidness, he tested out his voice again. ""Hm...brothers...grass...feathers...birds...warriors," he mimicked his sister, then decided to try out a few words of his own. "Are there any others?" he wondered, squinting slightly as he took a cautious peek outside.

Thicketheart

"I want to be a warrior!"

Just like her mother, Thicketheart mused, then nudged Willowkit away from Thistlekit. He would wake up in his own time; he didn't need any help, especially from a rowdy cat such as Willowkit. Or maybe he did. It wasn't until Willowkit's outburst that Thistlekit suddenly opened his eyes and took interest in the world. He dawdled for a moment, focusing on each cat in turn, then asked, "Are there any others?"

"Yes," Thicketheart replied eagerly. "Your father is one of them. He'll be here very soon, but you will have to wait a while before you meet all your Clanmates."

[Seafeather]

Willowkit

"We live in a clan with a whole bunch of other cats! And there a kits, like us, and apprentices, and warriors! I want to be one!" Willowkit paused for a moment. "Mother, what are warriors? What do they do?" Willowkit was a flaming ball of curious fur. She couldn't help herself with all these questions. So much to learn and do!

"Thistlekit..." She said. "You look like mother!" She pondered on this for a moment. What do I look like? who do I look like? She thought. "Mother, who do I look like? Do I look like you or Father? Or both?!" She didn't feel as if all the time in the world was enough for everyone to answer her questions. Just then, a tall, handsome solid brown tom walked into the nursery. Gazing adoringly at the kits.

Willowkit yelped and hid behind her mother. "Is that Father?" She asked curiously.

Oakpelt

Oakpelt paced outside the medicine cat's den when he came out and told him that it was okay for him to see Thicketheart and his kits. My kits... he felt dizzy with the over-flowing love he felt for them. He walked across the grassy camp to the only shelter in CloudClan camp, the Nursery. He peeked in to find two of the kits already up and with their eyes open, one laying down still asleep and Thicketheart trying to keep up with Willowkit's questions.

"Mother, what are warriors? What do they do? Mother, who do I look like? Do I look like you or Father? Or both?!" Just then she looked at him and yelped a high pitched note. She ran behind Thicketheart who was mrowing with amusement. "Is that Father?" She asked with a small tentative voice. He would let Thicketheart answer that one.

[//Sunneh// is FuMiNg]

Thistlekit

"We live in a clan with a whole bunch of other cats! And there a kits, like us, and apprentices, and warriors! I want to be one!"

Thistlekit felt her excitement sparking up against his pelt like fire, and suddenly, he wanted to be a warrior as well. Whatever that was. He was about to agree with his sister when another cat prowled in. Father... Thistlekit felt a thrill of anticipation crawl up his spine. The tom was bigger then their mother and more muscular, just like how Thistlekit was compared to his sister. He eagerly waited for his mother to introduce him to them.

Thicketheart

"Mother, what are warriors? What do they do? Mother, who do I look like? Do I look like you or Father? Or both?!"

Thicketheart opened her mouth to reply, then stopped as Oakpelt padded into the nursery. She knew the third kit was listening, so she decided to introduce them to their father. "This is your father," she told them, fondly flicking her tail against her mate's side. "He'll tell you about himself after I answer your questions."

Thicketheart considered Willowkit's previous question, then replied. "You look like me, but not in the same way Thistlekit does. I can't explain it because-" she stopped, mortified. How could I be so bee-brained? Of course the kits don't know about my...impairment. Thicketheart paused for a moment to reprimand herself further, then mulled over her answer. Finally, she continued. "I can't explain it because I can't see you. I'm blind. That's another trait Willowkit inherited from me. You can't see in one eye, can you dear?"

[Seafeather]

Willowkit

I look like mother... Willowkit pondered on this aspect for a bit when Thicketheart said, "I can't explain it because I can't see you. I'm blind. That's another trait Willowkit inherited from me. You can't see in one eye, can you dear?" Shock overwhelmed Willowkit. How can she tell?

"Yes, Mother. I am. But I don't want to be! Isn't there any way to change it?" Willowkit asked. She still hasn't forgotten about the tall brown tom blocking the entrance of the nursery. "This is Father?" Slowly she padded up to him and sniffed. She then sniffed herself. I smell like him a little. He must be my Father! "Father!" She yowled and began to weave herself around her fathers legs while rubbing them.

Oakpelt

"This is your father," Thicketheart had told Willowkit. Her eyes were already open? Wonderful! The words sent a thrill up his spine. Father... He still couldn't get over it.

"Yes, I am your father." He told her in a rich, deep voice. "Oakpelt of CloudClan. I am your mother's mate." He smiled down at his daughter. As lovely as her mother she was. But in many ways she was completely different. Her small, oval face was the same shape as her mothers. She was blind in one eye. But the rest of her was of her own accord. Pale white fur, and round ears that were a soft chocolate brown. How did we come up with this one?

"In six moons you'll be an apprentice. And around six moons after that you'll be a warrior. A warrior protects his clan with his words and claws. We have a deputy, medicine cat and a leader. Right now, we don't have either deputy or leader. But we will soon." He didn't want to overwhelm his kits with information, so he set himself down and laid on his back. Willowkit decided to make herself comfortable by laying on his stomach. "Oof! You don't mind letting yourself be heard do you?" He laughed and licked his daughter affectionately.

"And how is the lovely mate today?" He asked Thicketheart.

[//Sunneh// is FuMiNg]

Thicketheart

Thicketheart's right ear twitched as Willowkit started to reply. It was an old habit of hers that always seemed to come back when she was nervous or agitated; just like how she was now. Shifting slightly, Thicketheart prepared herself for the inevitable question. And it came. The kit's jaws parted, and Willowkit mewed, "Yes, Mother. I am. But I don't want to be! Isn't there any way to change it?"

Thicketheart regarded her kit with a hint of pity, finally understanding how other had felt around her when she first became blind. The tabby felt a pang of regret for being so snappish when she was younger, then closed her amber eyes. The action didn't change anything, but it helped her think. What a cruel world we live in, where no cat can live without some imperfection, clinging to them forever like a bur stuck in their pelt. "There is no way to change it, Willowkit. Most likely, you'll be like that forever. But one eye is better than none, and you can thank StarClan for that."

"And how is the lovely mate today?

Thicketheart smiled weakly at Oakpelt. "I'm fine-" she yawned "-but a little tired. You better get used to the idea of watching the kits; it's going to be a long six moons." The teasing light in Thicketheart's blind gaze was evident as she turned to her mate.

Thistlekit

Thistlekit watched the exchange quietly, a thoughtful look to his amber eyes. Willowkit had leapt onto their father with what looked like unimaginable ease - at least to Thistlekit. Determination replaced the thoughtfulness in a flash of bravery. If his sister could do it, so could he. Of course, Thistlekit reasoned, she would probably do it better, but that was of no concern to him. It was just the way it was. Finally gaining the courage to sit up from his laying position, the tabby tom wobbled as he settled onto his haunches. He swayed slightly as his front legs buckled, unused to the weight, then steadied himself. Another moment of hesitation later, and Thistlekit was on all four paws. He stood there for a moment, a look of surprise flitting over his face, then toppled over with a grunt. Moss squelched underneath his weight, a pleasant cushion to break his fall. The kit lay there for a time, momentarily distracted by the plants woven into the nursery walls, then rolled over. Once again, he attempted to stand. His short legs trembled for a moment, then eased. He had done it!

Feeling quite pleased with himself, Thistlekit trotted over to his father, tentatively at first, then faster. He gazed at Oakpelt with fascination, then prodded his sister with a small paw. Her fur was softer than the moss Thistlekit had just taken a tumble on. "Willowkit," he mewed, suddenly concerned about his sister. "Your blind eye. Does it hurt?"

[Seafeather]

Oakpelt

"You'd better get used to the idea of watching the kits; it's going to be a long six moons." Thicketheart teased him. How could he mind? They were his kits! Of course he would watch them for Thicketheart when she needed rest and other such things. He would be there as they took their first step out of the nursery, their first bite of fresh-kill (which Oakpelt needs to get for his mate) and on their apprenticeship day. He would be with them through thick and thin, and whatever their choices were, he would accept them.

"Of course, Thicketheart. Actually, if you wish, I can watch them now for a while until you're rested. How does that sound?" He licked the space between her ears after he had set Willowkit on the ground.

Willowkit

Willowkit watched her brother as he tried to stand up and walk for the first time. he was pretty good at it too! He only tumbled once but that was because his foot had caught on a tendril of moss. But he got right back up and kept on going. What determination! She admired her brother for that. She would be the best little sister she could be to Thistlekit. He stared at her for a moment after she admitted to her one-eye-blindness.

"Willowkit?" He began. "Your blind eye. Does it hurt?" Willowkit saw the genuine concern on her brother's face. She gave a light laugh that sounded of trickling water.

"No. But it's kind of annoying. Like try having one eye closed the whole time and walking around with it. You might bump into things, but I bet it's not as hard as being completely blind like Mother." She laid on her stomach close to Thicketheart. This was enough excitement for one day. And she fell into a sleep with dreams of flashing colors and scents.

[//Sunneh// is FuMiNg]

Thicketheart

"Of course, Thicketheart. Actually, if you wish, I can watch them now for a while until you're rested. How does that sound?"

Rest...Thicketheart's eyes narrowed into amber slits. The very word seemed to increase her exhaustion, but she was hesitant to reply. Yes, it was a tempting offer, but did she really want to leave her mate alone with the kits? Surely it would be difficult for Oakpelt to handle them. Her gaze softened as Willowkit became still, her breathing slowing to a point that suggested that she had fallen asleep. Thistlekit soon followed. Rest. It really was a tempting offer. Thicketheart briefly licked her shoulder fur, then stifled a purr of amusement as her jaws parted in a yawn that she couldn't hide. It would be foolish to turn a nice nap down; she needed it now more than ever.

"Thanks, Oakpelt," she mewed, her eyelids seeming to close out of their own accord. "That sounds great."

Brackenkit

Brackenkit was listening. He had settled with listening ever since he had heard his siblings awake one after the other, as if they had been instructed to do so by some internal clock. But not he. They could do what they wanted, he reflected smugly, but he was going to be different from them. It would take more than instinct to tell him what to do. Voices swirled all around him, soft, strong, full of knowledge beyond a kit's comprehension. He absorbed all this knowledge eagerly, but silently. Soon, when the voices died down to soft breathing, Brackenkit became impatient. Just a peek, he promised himself, then opened his sharp green eyes wide.

Two other kits snuggled against him. One white, one a black-striped brown. Willowkit and Thistlekit, he assumed. Brackenkit glanced at his own pelt, which he discovered was a mixture of the two colors. A larger, slimmer figure caught his eye, and Brackenkit turned to see a cat whose fur looked similar to what he was able to see of his own fur, but with stripes like his brother. White paws, white blaze, but obviously feminine. Mother, he decided, then a larger figure caught his eye. Father... The tom was also similar, but without even the slightest dash of white marring his pelt.

Brackenkit jumped to his paws without much trouble, then trotted over to his father - Oakpelt - with a touch of arrogance to his stride. His steps quickened, then the kit lunged at his father, landing on his stomach with a muffled oof!. Brackenkit titled his head, then beamed at his 'victim'. "Hello, father," he mewed, his voice a bit more squeaky than he would of liked.

[Seafeather]

Oakpelt

Oakpelt watched as his mate lay her head down for a nap. She was so tired. He lay to, but on his back so as to see everything from an upside down view. Soon, a kit had trundled over to him, his paw steps strong and sturdy, but short lived as he jumped and landed on his father's stomach. "Oof! Oh!" He gazed at his son, Brackenkit. "Quite a jump you've got there Brackenkit." He said.

"Hello, Father," His voice was going to be like Oakpelt's. Low and deep. But for now, it was a kit low.

"Hello, Brackenkit. I'm sure things are...different for you. What are your questions? And don't play me," Oakpelt playfully warned. "I know you have questions." Oakpelt gave a deep rumble of laughter as his son gazed all around him.


OCC: If anyone wants to hear Oakpelt's voice and laugh ^^ look up Mufasa from The Lion King!!! XD lol

[//Sunneh// is FuMiNg]

Brackenkit

"Quite a jump you've got there Brackenkit."

Brackenkit blinked as Oakpelt spoke, almost tipping over as he looked down into his father's handsome face. Their fur mingled as the kit sprawled out on Oakpelt's stomach, and at that moment Brackenkit realized how much he resembled the latter. I'll look like him when I grow up, he mused, his thin tail lashing in surprise. It was strange to imagine himself as a full-grown tom, but Brackenkit was looking forward to it. What his parents had said about warriors had piqued his curiosity, and he wanted to be one soon. His ears twitched as Oakpelt continued.

"Hello, Brackenkit. I'm sure things are...different for you. What are your questions? And don't play me, I know you have questions."

Different? His lips curled into a victorious smile. His father had sensed it, so it had to be true. Brackenkit wasn't going to walk in anybodies' pawsteps but his own. A shiver rippled up his spine as Oakpelt laughed, a deep, booming sound that couldn't of been mistaken for anything else. It felt as if the earth was shaking, but Brackenkit knew better. It was a friendly laugh and it made the kit feel welcome. Questions? Yes, he had them. Brackenkit straightened slightly, then replied. "Okay, then. When do I get to be a warrior? Exactly when? Can't I be one now?"

OOC: Haha, that's how I always imagined it. xD

[Seafeather]

Oakpelt

"Okay, then. When do I get to be a warrior? Exactly when? Can't I be one now?" Brackenkit had asked. Oakpelt's face turned into one of horror. A warrior just a few days old?! How ridiculous! "You get to be an apprentice before you become a warrior. An apprentice trains to be a warrior and if they train hard, they get to be one by twelve moons. You get to become an apprentice at six moons. I guess that answers all of your questions. You can't become now, oh no. You can to get much, much bigger!"

Oakpelt had explained this to his kit. He lay there thinking about when he was a kit, that never ending excitement to become an apprentice, and pouting when his apprentice ceremony wasn't the day he turned six moons. "When you are an apprentice, you have a mentor. A mentor is a warrior and teacher. We all are. A mentor will help you to become a warrior. You'll mostly be training with him or her, but you also train with other warriors if your mentor has something to do. You also hunt!" Oakpelt remembered his first hunt. Catching that large bird that he had to drag on the ground because is was so big. By the time he got to camp, he had to go back out and wash it in the nearest stream to rid the creature of the dirt that clumped on it's feathers.