Entertaining Hazelkit

[ARTEMISxxx]

"This,Hazelkit,is the River."
Taintedstar's voice came.She sat calmly at the bank,her tail coiled around her paws.Her amber eyes glinted as she looked at her reflection in the water.
Her eyes narrowed as she studied her face.
I look like a rogue all over...
She thought with disgust.Her fur was matted with dirt and unkept.Her amber eyes told a story of bloodspill and loss,and her tiger striped pelt reminded her of the many ambitious cats that had the same coat.
Tigerstar,Tigerpelt,(Insert cat in the New Prophecy that I can't remember the name of,Hawk___)
She angrily struck the water and made ripples run through the surface,making her reflection disappear.
She turned to Hazelkit.
"So,Hazelkit,what do you think?"

[Snowstar]

OCC: I think it HawkFrost....

[The Everlasting SUNNEH.]

"It looks so cold!" Hazelkit roared. SHe bounded up to the riverbed, barely taking notice of the fact she may fall in. Hazelkit watched all the fish swim by, and a thought ran through her head. When I am warrior, I am going to catch every single fish in this river! she thought, but ot before turning to Taintedstar. "Can you catch a fish so that I know how it is done?" She asked, eyes clearly showing anxiety and impatiant thoughts.

Hazelkit had never known her mother. She she-cat had died in birth. Windspirit, hazelkit's mother, was not originally from Riverclan. Obvious to her name, Windspirit was from Windclan, and the father was killed in battle. Horizoneyes, the father, was a noble Shadowclan cat, killed in battle so many years ago. Nightrain had found Hazelkit, left on the two-leg bridge. TAking her in, she was welcome in Riverclan. But how long will it be before she finds the truth about her birth? And what will it take for Hazelkit to prove her loyalty? Hazelkit knew nothing of this. She had known both her father and mother had died not long ago, but she always thought that they were from Riverclan.

Hazelkit waited for Taintedstar's response, eyes glittering with excitement.

[Fernpaw]

((Sorry for OOC post only, but, YEAAH! You remembered my Tigerpelt. *sniff* I had so much fun playing him. Sorry, I just wanted to say thanks Artemis/Loneheart for remembering him. We never did get to see him murder your cat.))

[ARTEMISxxx]

(( XD You know I couldn't forget Tigerpelt! You wanna know who Taintedstar's father is? Regit! And I'm glad we didn't get to see Tigerpelt murder Loneheart.Not that he would've won,though.Shadowsoul and Loneheart would've kicked his Tiger butt,and you know it! ))

Taintedstar faced the kit,warmth in her amber eyes.She nodded in response to Hazelkit's question,and flicked her tail-a motion for the young cat to move back.
Taintedstar crept close to the River's bank,though not close enough to fall in.Her balance was unbelievable-as if she could walk on the stepping stones in full flood without falling in the dark waters of the River.She focused completely on the swirling waters, gaze fixed intently on the surface.She was careful not to let her shadow fall onto the water,and watched closely as quick silver flecks flitted back and forth,oblivious to the danger that was lurking above them.
The soft gurgle of the RiverClan River was the only thing you could hear in the lingering silence.
Then, Taintedstar struck.
Her swift paw swiped out into the dark waters,and many of the silver flecks scattered-though quite a few were confused at the sudden commotion.
Stupid animals,the fish were.Waiting for their death to come.
She brought up her claw and swatted the fish onto the dry part of the land, then killed it with one quick blow.Taintedstar laughed as the fish gave one more measly flip before helplessly landing and falling still.The silver scales of the fish glittered in the sunlight, and any other Clan cat would be dazzled at the mere sight.
Not Taintedstar.
She motioned with her tail for Hazelkit to come closer,and flicked an ear in the direction of the fish.
"Take a good whiff. It's quite delicious, especially if you're the one who caught it. Just the pleasant feeling of triumph, that you were able to conquer nature for a split second. But with one death,there's a birth,and so the cycle continues."
Her words were soft as she spoke with the kit.Triumph glittered in her eyes as she gazed down at the fish.

[The Everlasting SUNNEH.]

Hazelkit nodded her head. She couldn't wait until she was an apprentice, and that was only in a moon. Hazelkit was lost in her thoughts, seeing herself as the all mighty Hazel____! She would stand tall over all the other cats, catching the most fish, and being the most loyal. But when hazelkit caught wiff of the fish, she jumped up in excitement. she wished she could have a go at it, but she knew she might fall in. And it was a long way down to the stepping stones, for a kit. Hazelkit watched the fish, and then prodded at it with her paw. "taintedstar, are we going to give it to the elders? They are getting kind of fat." She retorted. Hazelkit would have love to eat it herself, but she knew, from the apprentices whining about it, that the elders came first.

[Fernpaw]

((Ha ha. You wish! Hey, I was thinking of creating another cat descended from Tigerpelt, but when I read your post on how Taintedstar looked like so alike to Tigerstar and Tigerpelt, I thought I could create another Tiger--- cat, and he's Taintedstar's brother but they don't know it. Anyway, random idea. If you like it, I would like to try it out.))

[ARTEMISxxx]

((Interesting idea...But I don't want to change her history so that her mother had to take care of two kits instead of just one.I can't imagine a mother cat carrying both her kits down a mountain.And Taintedstar's rogue born-Regit was her father-and I just don't like the idea of her having a sibling.Perhaps another cat?))

Taintedstar stayed silent for a few seconds,weighing the odds on either side.The fresh-kill pile was a little low,but she was going to organize hunting patrols anyway.Besides,the elders had just been fed recently.
"You know what...This one will be ours.The elders have eaten a short time ago,and I don't think they'll bother objecting to their leader about a fish."
She meowed thoughtfully.Then she eyed Hazelkit a bit before resuming,
"Just between you and me,though,I think they are gaining a few pounds."
She whispered in a hushed tone.Her attention turned back to the fish,which was lying limply on land.Her amber eyes glinted with amusement as her hooked claws lashed out and slit the fish open-a clean cut.

She bent down to take a bite,then thought better of it and said,
"Hazelkit,have you ever tasted fish before?"
The she-cat narrowed her eyes in questioning.The chances were unlikely of a queen giving her something other than milk or chewed up minnows,and Taintedstar was curious.Sometimes kit's teeth weren't fully developed-even at five moons-and they weren't allowed to eat solid food.

Her amber eyes were questioning as her gaze rested upon the kit,and the sunlight was warm against her fur.Life was sweet,and there was no questioning it.
After all,RiverClan was still alive, wasn't it?

[The Everlasting SUNNEH.]

Hazelkit's eyes buldged out of her head, at the thought of the fish. She jumped up, and yowled in excitement. "You bet! I won't tell anyone! Your secret is safe with me!" She shouted, and was about to leap at the fish, when she noticed that she was being rude. "Sorry Taintedstar, but no, I haven't ever had fish fresh-caught before. The apprentices would always play with it before giving it to the kits. The thought it was funny when I would spit it out, covered in dust" Hazelkit said, ashamed.

Hazelkit had ever felt pain. She had never seen blood. She had heard elder's tales, but nothing more. Hazelkit couldn't wait any longer. She pounced on her half of the fish, pulverising it. She decapitated it, (sp?) and then bit in. The blood pulsed through her vanes, as she held onto her kill. The fresh scent wafted through her nostrils. Hazelkit chewed then swallowed. That must have been the best thing she had ever tasted. Hazelkit devoured the fish, until barely anything was left of her half. She burped, and blushed, though you couldn't see it through her fur.

[Fernpaw]

((Sure sure. Will do.))

[The Everlasting SUNNEH.]

((ok. Buh Bye.))

[Cirruskit]

Cirruskit watched in amusement as her kitmate devoured the fish. The white kit herself had only tasted bits and pieces of leftover fish that her mother allowed her to taste. She couldn't wait to try fishing though. Her muscles quivered at the mere thought. Inching bit by bit to the river, unnoticeably, she gazed down into the clear running water. A fish stopped at the river's edge, seeming to mock the kit for her inability to fish. Cirruskit glanced at Taintedstar and Hazelkit. The minute they turned their backs, she would catch this fish. Trembling with excitement, Cirruskit waited and waited near the river's edge. The fish was still there, as if boasting 'Haha, you can't catch me!'. Cirruskit began to grow impatient and angry. Her long tail swished against the ground and her teeth grated against each other. Oh, when will they look away! If only for a second! I could catch the darned thing and then Taintedstar would be so proud. She'd see how good I could be, and then maybe I can be an apprentice sooner! Finally they looked away, not noticing the white kit ready to claw the fish out of the water. Cirruskit steadied herself and stuck one paw out. Taking a deep breath, she gingerly touched the water with her paw. She pulled it back quickly in astonishment. The water was so cold! Her nerves began to falter.

I don't know if I can do it. But this is my only chance! a little voice in her mind cried out. Do it! Now! Still the white kit sat there, unmoved, transfixed with fear. She had just noticed how fast the water seemed to flow when you were right next to it. She weighted the good and bad in her mind, and tried to decide what to do, before her chance ended.

"I don't know!" she whispered.

[The Everlasting SUNNEH.]

Hazelkit finished her fish. While licking the last salts off her lips, she noticed Cirruskit getting awfully close to the river. Hazelkit bounded over to her, and watched as her friend eyed the fish eagerly. Longing to catch one too, Hazelkit raised her paw, and swung at the river. Seeing that she had never truly hunted before, Hazelkit, whom was five months old, hung in the air for what seemed like moons. But in the flash of the river, the ground fell out from under her. The soft soil of the riverbank had decieved her. Hazelkit was flung headfirst into the river.

Hazelkit flailed about, water surrounding her. The foamy surface seemed to not want her, and it pushed her downwards in the rapids. The rapidly moving water engulfed Hazelkit, as she grasped for breath.

"Cirruskit! Taintedstar! HEEEEEEEEEELP!" Her squeal rang out, echoed through the rocks. Hazelkit reached into the air, kicking the water, as if it were a two-leg, grasping onto her by everything she owned.

Water flooded into HAzelkit's ears, blocking every sound except for the rushing liquid. Hazelkit was moving quickly down-river, and the breath of her body was slowly fading. She struggled to stay on the surface. But with the cold water piercing her like hundreds of knives, staying alive didn't seem like it was nessecary.

[ARTEMISxxx]

Immediately Taintedstar acted.
There was a flash of brown and black,and Taintedstar knocked Cirruskit away from the River.She gave a warning hiss-a short way of telling her to go away.
Then she was gone.
Her powerful muscles bunched and she coiled like a spring.Her haunches moving so that she had found the right position to leap...
She sprung!
Her powerful legs lifted her off of the ground,and the first sensation was the cold water rushing before her.Instead of swimming to the surface,she began to swim to the dark depths of the River.It was darker than night at the bottom,and it sent chills up her spine.Or was that the work of the icy waters?Everything else was nonexistant.The cries of the kit,the other kit watching helplessly-overall,the surface world.The surface...The word had no meaning down here.She swam to the bottom of the shallow River,then coiled again.
She sprung once more!
Her front paws struck out at the icy water,brushing it aside and almost reaching the surface.She knew she had reached it when once again the kit's screams had reached her ears;weaker than before,but nothing that would go undetected from her acute hearing.The sunlight blinded her for a split moment,but Taintedstar regained herself and swam forward,muscles rippling under her skin and powerful front legs lashing out at the cold water.

The kit's screams had become slightly louder,and Taintedstar's amber eyes scanned the surface until she found the small kit-only a small mass of fur stood out against the blue waters of the river.She kept swimming forward,amazingly calm amidst all of this havoc.The River was her habitat,her home-the only place she was welcomed to do as she pleased without giving a care who was watching.
She was Taintedstar,the leader of RiverClan,and she would not let the waters of the River topple her spirit.

Grabbing the scruff of the kit's neck with her mighty jaws,she was careful to lift her head above the water so the Hazelkit could actually breath.Then she began to swim again.Front paws stricking out,back paws doing the same.She was a RiverClan cat,and all of this was instinct to her.When she finally climbed out of the River,her fur look darker and clung to her tiny frame.She set the kit down and shook herself dry-the heavy water would only slow her down.
Taintedstar sat down and began to furiously lick the kit's pelt.It came naturally,like her swimming instincts.Inbetween licks she said to Cirruskit,
"Are....you....okay...?"
She panted heavily.The rush of the moment was now getting to her.

[The Everlasting SUNNEH.]

Hazelkit was silent in shock. (Not much for me to really say here. ^^ Her breath heaved in and out, as she shook, insanely attempting to breathe again. Her heart pounded in her chest, as she gave out a faint mew.

"th..th...thank y...y...you T...t...taintedst..st...star" Hazelkit stuttered, shaking her paw forcibly. Hazelkit had no doubt in her heart any longer. Taintedstar was the greatest (and the only) leader of Riverclan that she had ever seen.

Hazelkit's pelt was a shady brown, soaked from the icy water. A familiar face popped out from behind some reeds.

"I wasn't sure if it was Hazelkit or Cirruskit, but I knew that this little ball of mischief couldn't stay out of trouble for long!" the black tom hissed, padding over to the odd trio. Rainwhisper eyed Cirruskit suspisciously. Had this den-mate shoved Hazelkit into the river? Had he any part in Hazelkit's almost-death?