|
|
Post by ρυяє on Apr 8, 2011 13:14:30 GMT -5
[Brackenstar]
The leader padded quietly along the bank of the river, quite an accomplishment for a cat of his build. His big white paws barely sank in the moist soil, bits of twigs and grass getting buried under his step.
His ears were alert, they were flicking with every noise he heard. However, the WindClan patrol was already quite behind them, specially as he followed the stream's turns and twists, placing some distance between them and the patrol. He'd come back later when they had gone. RiverClan hadn't been on friendly terms with WindClan since the last Gathering, and it was best to make sure that WindClan wasn't setting its marks farther than they needed to. Avoiding a possible fight came first, though, and so he followed the stream deeper into his own territory. He always felt comfortable near water.
The one thing that kept him from feeling so at the moment was the cat that followed his step. Brackenstar was most uncomfortably aware of her presence, and the tightening in his chest didn't help him feel better. He stopped for a moment at the edge of the water, bending his head as he lapped at the cool water. The refreshing liquid ran down his throat, the simple action allowing him to collect himself. This had never happened to him. Brackenstar had always been a calm cat that always knew what was going on within the boundaries of his clan. Now he was lost inside his own skin.
Amber eyes turned to look at the warrior, his head still bent as his tongue grazed the water. He was right. She was the cause of that most awkward feeling.
The tom closed his eyes, focusing on how the water felt as it ran down his throat. The feeling softened.
ooc; Finally, my muse is back. I hadn't seen it in months. |
|
|
|
Post by .:Lion:. on Apr 9, 2011 21:26:25 GMT -5
Icepetal paused when Brackenstar stopped, casting a glance around her at the thick reeds and the shimmering surface of the river. She had not grown up around water, and perhaps didn't have such a connection to it as her Clan did. But she liked to think that she wasn't squeamish in water like some of the other Clans' warriors were. When her eyes returned to the figure of her leader, she inhaled deeply, her eyes widening as she took in the sight of him. His strong shoulder blades were accented against his fur as he bent down, his tongue lapping at the river water. His fur looked darker, more defined, with the backdrop of the water. Icepetal could only pressed her teeth into her tongue to keep herself from gasping out loud when he turned and their eyes met. Her heart stuttered in her chest, and she quickly looked away, feeling a flush rising on her skin most uncomfortably. She didn't know what to say or what to think. She couldn't collect her wayward thoughts, and kept wondering what he meant by looking at her that way, what he was feeling. Was he as confused as she was? Icepetal looked up at him again, her expression shy but curious. Were the feelings that distracted her plaguing him as well?
|
|
|
|
Post by ρυяє on Apr 9, 2011 21:46:04 GMT -5
[Brackenstar]
The tom finally straightened up from his drink, licking stray droplets of water from around his muzzle. What once had been a relaxing spot for him now was one where he felt that the silence would drive him mad. It was quite awkward, and for the first time in his life, he needed the silence to be broken.
Clearing his throat, he brought up his usual calm expression, hiding all thoughts and concerns behind the mask as he spoke to the she-cat, "Are you not thirsty, Icepetal?" Brackenstar asked, wrapping his bushy tail around his paws. "The water is most refreshing." His heart was accelerating, for some reason. What was wrong with him? This never happened unless he was hunting, fighting, or running. Then why did he feel like he had just ran all the way to The Island and back?
His countenance, however, betrayed nothing of his internal conflict. Keeping his usual relaxed face, Brackenstar added, "If you are not thirsty, then we should continue." |
|
|
|
Post by .:Lion:. on Apr 9, 2011 21:54:48 GMT -5
Icepetal started at the sound of his deep, soothing voice. She blinked, as if surprised he would ask such a question. Then, with a slight inclination of her head, she padded forward to stand at a slight distance from him, crouching down beside the water. Her white fur seemed to shine as dazzlingly as the river as she closed her eyes and leaned to lap the cool, fresh water. When she finished, she ran her tongue across her lips, catching some stray droplets that clung to her pretty white whiskers. She turned and smiled at Brackenstar, not really sure what to say. Around him, she could only feel tongue-tied. The water helped, though, and she finally found her voice;
"You're right," she meowed gently, "It is very refreshing."
|
|
|
|
Post by ρυяє on Apr 9, 2011 22:04:16 GMT -5
[Brackenstar]
The leader followed the she-cat's movements with his eyes, taking in the graceful way she carried herself. He was well aware of her beauty, and was becoming oblivious to all else as he gazed at her bend to lap the shimmering water. His eyes were half closed, and the tension in his shoulders finally eased.
He wasn't prepared for her smile, though. Previously calm amber eyes widened as he basked in the pearly white fangs of the warrior, an answering smile playing upon Brackenstar's own maw. His whiskers twitched with amusement, he was acting like a besotted apprentice. Averting his eyes, he cut the trance in which he had been, getting onto his paws. Nodding once, he said, "I'm glad you found it so." Then turned around, and began following the stream again, large white paws beating silently against the ground.
|
|
|
|
Post by .:Lion:. on Apr 9, 2011 23:01:51 GMT -5
Icepetal held her breath as she stared into Brackenstar's eyes, her heart thumping excitedly in her chest. Then, when he looked away, her smile softened into something of a secretive expression. She sighed to herself as she followed him again, wishing she could just be out for a walk with him instead of this stiff patrol. It was a weird feeling, wanting to spend time with someone other than her brother. But she knew somewhere in her heart that she was attracted to Brackenstar in a way that was beyond the relationship she had with her brother - that of close friends. She looked up at Brackenstar and felt her fur grow hot, grateful that he couldn't hear her ridiculous thoughts. Why would Brackenstar like me? She thought, scolding herself. I'm not anyone special. But as she stared after him, she couldn't help but wish he would feel the same way she did.
|
|
|
|
Post by ρυяє on Apr 9, 2011 23:14:52 GMT -5
[Brackenstar]
Brackenstar made his way down a gentle slope of ground, this clearly being a border with WindClan since the moors and hills began to form there. The stream opened up to a river at this point, and the tom padded neatly into the water, his heavily coated fur sleek as it moistened. His paws barely grazed the rocky bottom as he effortlessly swam against the current to the other side of the river. Heaving himself up, Brackenstar sat on the opposite bank, his matted fur sticking to his body.
He turned to look at Icepetal, keeping an eye on her while he began to groom himself dry.
|
|
|
|
Post by .:Lion:. on Apr 9, 2011 23:57:54 GMT -5
Icepetal watched Brackenstar cross the river, her expression distant. She studied the glittering glassy droplets of water that hung on his pelt in vain before they fell down to ground. She looked down into the water, thinking of her parents. They had both been born in RiverClan, but had been banished from the Clan after her father had tried to take over. She wondered what it would have been like if she'd been raised normally in RiverClan by loyal, hard-working parents... She felt a little spark of envy for all the warriors that had what she wished she could have possessed. Maybe if she had lived that life, Brackenstar would notice her...? Sighing, Icepetal dipped her forepaws into the cool water. She didn't mind the chill against her skin. The moons she had spent in RiverClan had numbed her to the uncomfortable flow of water in her fur. She pulled herself up onto the bank, shaking her fur out before drawing her tongue over her shoulders in a few swift licks. Then, straightening, she waited for Brackenstar to give the signal to continue on with the patrol.
|
|
|
|
Post by ρυяє on Apr 10, 2011 14:20:55 GMT -5
[Brackenstar]
The tom watched the warrior cross the river approvingly, waiting patiently for her to dry herself. He silently admired how her pelt seemed to glimmer with the small droplets of water clinging to it's snowy fur. Getting to his paws, Brackenstar gave a quick lick to Icepetal's ears, trying to keep it quite impersonal, but the simple action set a warm feeling down his spine.
He felt himself losing control of his carefully neutral expression, and so turned around before his face could betray his thoughts. He knew the she-cat's story, her parentage, and he had wondered time and again if he should be keeping a closer eye on her. Now the thought seemed ridiculous, he couldn't blame Icepetal for her parent's actions, he just had to see where her choices would lead her.
Looking at her over his shoulder, Brackenstar said quietly, "Let's continue."
No, he certainly couldn't see her as a dangerously ambitious cat. |
|
|
|
Post by .:Lion:. on Apr 10, 2011 20:34:44 GMT -5
Icepetal felt a shiver run down her spine as Brackenstar looked at her. But it wasn't an unpleasant feeling, having him stare at her, not like it would have been before. When his tongue carressed her ear in a quick, gentle manner, Icepetal felt as if a fire had burned the place he'd touched her. Her heart skipped a beat, and as Brackenstar turned his back on her, Icepetal kept wishing that he would let her see his face, that she would have a chance to read what intentions lay behind the sweet gesture. Did he really care about her? Hope swelled in Icepetal's chest as she quickly padded after her leader, forgetting for a moment all of the rankings and histories and even the Clan. All she could think about was Brackenstar, and the possibility that maybe he liked her, too.
|
|
|
|
Post by ρυяє on Apr 16, 2011 13:15:39 GMT -5
[Brackenstar]
All his senses were now focused on the she-cat behind him rather than where they should: his surroundings. He was basking in her sweet scent, focused on the sounds of the steps, and her gentle presence.
A fowl odor suddenly reached Brackenstar,the fur on his spine bristling. He stopped on his tracks, opening his mouth to detects where the smell came from, his eyes scanning the area. The fox scent was fresh, very fresh. "Icepetal," he said, not looking back at her as his eyes looked for the unmistakably reddish pelt of the canine. "Stay alert."
Brackenstar was extremely weary of foxes. The beasts were very dangerous, for they were as strong as a dog and as clever as a cat. Not a good combination.
He moved around, his ears flicking with each sound around him, trying to spot the fox. At least it was just one.
|
|
|
|
Post by .:Lion:. on Apr 16, 2011 23:11:22 GMT -5
Icepetal listened to Brackenstar's pawsteps on the soft growth beneath their paws, the sound mingling with the gentle crunch of her own paws. The very fact that they were together, their breath steady and almost synchronized but still separate, made Icepetal's heart stutter. She was just about to ask him where they would be heading next when she caught a rank scent. It seemed that Brackenstar had smelled it, too. He froze and turned to sniff the air. Icepetal listened as he warned her to keep her attention sharp. She nodded, glancing about her with quick eyes. She listened intently to the calm sounds of the river, an ever-present friend that lingered in the air of RiverClan's territory. Icepetal narrowed her eyes, all thoughts of romantic nature banished before the present threat.
|
|
|
|
Post by ρυяє on Apr 21, 2011 12:58:39 GMT -5
[Brackenstar]
He finally spotted it. Baring his fang's at the intruder, the tom waited for the animal to make the first move. He didn't have to wait long, the fox launched itself at Brackenstar, lip curled in a snarl with it's yellowish fangs glistening.
The leader leaped out of the way, turning to pounce on the fox's back and rake it's back with his claws. The fox howled, arching it's back in pain and shaking to dislodge the tom off it's shoulders. Brackenstar wouldn't budge, though, sinking his claws deep into the canine's fur.
He didn't spare a thought to the other cat, focusing on keeping the beast's attention on himself.
ooc; sorry I took so long to answer.
|
|
|
|
Post by .:Lion:. on Apr 21, 2011 16:29:48 GMT -5
Icepetal hesitated for one moment when the fox appeared. Her eyes widened as Brackenstar flew at the beast, his claws at the ready. What am I doing? She scolded herself, racing forward. Dodging the fox's snapping jaws, Icepetal drew her claws across its side, feeling its hot sticky blood staining her white paw. She whirled around as it turned, clamping her teeth down on its thick tail. The fur was so matted she couldn't pierce the bone, but she strained her jaws anyways, moving quickly to avoid being bitten by the savage creature.
|
|
|
|
Post by ρυяє on Apr 23, 2011 17:28:15 GMT -5
[Brackenstar]
The leader's amber orbs widened in fear as he saw the fox snap at Icepetal. Losing his focus, the animal managed to shake him off. Brackenstar fell on his side, digging more than one rock into his ribs. He immediately got to his paws as he saw the bleeding fox turn on him, and before it could make a move, he lunged at it.
Losing so much blood was obviously affecting the canine. It was becoming slower, belatedly reacting to Icepetal's attacks. Brackenstar saw this, and took the chance, aiming a clawed paw at the beast's throat.
It almost made contact.
Hissing in pain as the fox's teeth sank into his paw, the leader raked it's face in a desperate attempt to free himself. Blood covered the fiery-coated animal's face, dripping into its eyes. Brackenstar finally got his paw free of the fox's deathly grip, and as the fox shook it's head to clear it's eyes from the blinding blood, he attacked.
Brackenstar leaped at the animal, sending it onto it's back and quickly sinking his fangs into the fox's throat as his legs raked the animal's stomach.
All thoughts of the she-cat had vanished from his mind, finally completely and utterly focused on getting rid of the threat before him.
|
|
|
|
Post by .:Lion:. on Apr 24, 2011 15:54:57 GMT -5
Icepetal gasped in shock as Brackenstar was thrown onto the ground. The fox whirled on him, and she tried to get a hold of its tail again, to distract it. But a powerful thrust of its hind leg hit her in the neck, just above her shoulder, throwing her aside. Icepetal gasped, looking up to see the fox bite down on her leader's leg.
"Brackenstar!" She meowed, alarmed. He seemed to recover quickly, and in that moment Icepetal drew herself up, threw herself forward. As Brackenstar bit its throat, Icepetal tore her teeth into the fox's hind leg, clawing its flank, trying her best to be of some help.
|
|
|
|
Post by ρυяє on Apr 27, 2011 16:05:09 GMT -5
[Brackenstar]
Icepetal's mewed reverberated in his ears, his unfocused eyes finally brightening into awareness. He felt the fox's life ebb away as he removed his jaw's from it's throat. Limping a few steps back, the leader noticed that it didn't look like the fierce creature that had attacked them a few moments ago. It was a bloodied, pitiful creature with matted fur.
He immediately recalled the other cat that was with him, and he turned his head wildly around to look at her, to make sure she was alright. She was a bit tattered, from all the fighting, with a bloodied paw print marked on her neck, right over her shoulder. Limping up to her, Brackenstar mewed in his usual calm tone of voice, like if the fight had never happened. "Are you alright, Icepetal?" He bent his head and ran his tongue over a patch of her ruffled fur, smoothing it down. "Were you hurt?"
|
|
|
|
Post by .:Lion:. on May 16, 2011 6:23:26 GMT -5
Icepetal sighed with relief as the fox stopped moving. She was a bit scared, still, wondering if it were even possible that a fox die at a cat's paws. Trying to keep weight off of her injured leg, Icepetal took a few steps back, glancing at Brackenstar worriedly. Had he been injured? He glanced her way, and this time she met his gaze. When he came over and sniffed at her leg, Icepetal remained still, her breathing just beginning to calm.
"Yes, Brackenstar. I'm alright. Are you... hurt?" She asked, looking primarily at his leg, which the fox had bitten. Worry gnawed at her stomach, making her fidgety, and it was a struggle to remain composed.
|
|
|
|
Post by ρυяє on May 17, 2011 17:45:30 GMT -5
[Brackenstar]
The tom looked down at his massive white paw. Well, not white anymore as it was covered in the thick red liquid that was his blood. "Apparently I'm not so well myself.." Brackenstar mewed, the sight of his tattered paw not bothering him in the least.
His accelerated heart started to slow down, coming to slow and continuous beats withing the concavities of his chest. Giving a lick to his wounded paw, Brackenstar could not help but wince at the mere thought padding all the way back to camp. He sighed inwardly, bracing himself. He wouldn't, he couldn't, show weakness before one of his warriors. Let alone this specific one.
"I will go see Flameheart."
|
|
|
|
Post by .:Lion:. on May 18, 2011 16:48:00 GMT -5
Icepetal glanced from Brackenstar's paw to his face and back again. She could tell it was a deep wound, and she was worried that he was trying to hide the pain from her. Brambletail did that all the time, and it was rather annoying. He thought he was showing strength, but in reality she could see through his charade and worried all the more.
"I can lend you my shoulder." She meowed, the whiskers above her eye rising slightly to show that she wasn't fooled by his air of nonchalance.
|
|
|
|
Post by ρυяє on May 20, 2011 16:21:07 GMT -5
[Brackenstar]
The tom's passive face didn't change as he watched Icepetal's cynical expression. Amber eyes stared into hers for a few seconds before looking down at his paws. Sighing, he nodded, slightly leaning on the she-cat's shoulder. He knew he was heavy, and didn't want to encumber Icepetal. Brackenstar shifted his weight to his other paw, readying himself for the walk back home.
"Thank you, Icepetal.." The leader said, his voice just above a whisper.
|
|
|
|
Post by .:Lion:. on Jun 20, 2011 13:19:06 GMT -5
Icepetal tried not to react as she felt his warm fur brush hers. As he leaned against her, she felt that he wasn't relying on her completely, but she suspected it was the best she would get. Toms were proud, especially leaders, she supposed. When she heard his soft thanks, a small smile played across her pretty face.
"Don't mention it," she responded in an equally shy tone.
|
|
|
|
Post by ρυяє on Jun 20, 2011 18:58:30 GMT -5
[Brackenstar]
The tom winced with every step he took, the gaping wound in his paw making it's presence felt. Even so, Brackenstar kept his head high and didn't utter a sound of discomfort, simply leaning a bit more on the she-cat beside him when the pain increased. He wouldn't allow himself, however, to lean completely on her. That would show weakness, and weakness was something a leader could not afford.
The camp seemed hundreds of fox-lengths away.
|
|
|
|
Post by .:Lion:. on Jun 20, 2011 19:03:56 GMT -5
Icepetal felt the moments when Brackenstar's paw hurt. She would glance up at his face, but it would betray nothing. His expression was stone-like as he bore the pain courageously - or perhaps stubbornly. She knew he did not want to show weakness, and she understood why in a sense. But it was frustrating to her to have to watch a friend suffer without being able to offer any relief. She decided she would play his game, too, and pretended not to notice when his weight grew hard to bear. She would take him back to the camp, and if he was determined not to rely on her, that was fine. No cat ever relied on her, so she was used to it by now.
|
|
|
|
Post by ρυяє on Jun 20, 2011 19:25:00 GMT -5
[Brackenstar]
Brackenstar's vision began to blur around the edges. It was becoming harder and harder to put one paw in front of the other as one of them bleeded heavily. Was he loosing consciousness? He thought dimly, almost loosing his balance but regaining it quickly. Everything was blurred now, his heart was beating incessantly in his chest, trying to pump the blood that was being lost. "Icepetal..wait.." Brackenstar murmured, his voice fain, stopping to catch his breath. He felt lightheaded, and the deep breaths he drew helped clear his vision, but it was not enough.
The leader sat down, and not a second had passed when he had already layed down, chest wheezing. He could hear a low chuckle in his head, his own voice. There goes my eighth life..
|
|
