locked up prisoner. open!

[რoonwhisker]

Rippedheart sighed, this was going to be difficult. Rainclaw could be so suborn sometimes. Her stomach was practically bursting with little Darksongs. He sighed once more and thought of a way to say what he wanted to say.

Rainclaw was busy destroying the flesh of two freshly caught rabbits. She chewed viciously. She looked up at her brother, "What? You obviously want to tell me something," she said between bits of rabbit.

He took a deep breath. "Rain, I think you should think about um..." he lowered his voice to a mere whisper, "The, um, Nursery...." he meowed, looking down and flinching, waiting for her to burst.

She didn't say anything. She just continued on her rabbit. They sat in silence for a long time. Move into the nursery? Was he insane? No way! Why would she do that?

Then she felt a paw kick in her stomach and she realized the reason. I'm going to be a mother... she thought as she looked up from her rabbit. I have a responsibility now, whether I like it or not. I have to sacrifice.

Rippedheart shuffled his paws nervously and Rainclaw finally spoke. He jumped backwards when she opened her mouth.

She laughed, "What, you think I'm going to yell?" She ignored him when he nodded. "Well, you're wrong. I knew that this day would come," she paused and added a sigh for dramatic effect. "So I'm ready to move into the nursery."

Rippedheart smiled happily and yowled in happiness. "Alright lets start going in!"

[Đarκsong]

Purplekit had been laying in the entrance to the nursery. He was bored to death. Being a kit was so boring, especially when there was no one who wanted to play with him. Of course there were a few other kits in the nursery, but either they did not like him or played games he found baby-ish. Purplekit was quickly approaching 6 moons and wished it would come even faster.

Rippedheart's happy yowling made him jump up to a standing position. He glanced over in the older tom's direction to see what was going on. He was with his sister. Purplekit was fully aware she was expecting, but was rather confused as to why she wasn't ever in the nursery. It seemed that today was finally the day. Purplekit smiled; at least something interesting was happening today.

**********

Why did Moonwhisker even bother to send him on hunting patrol. She defiantly knew how much Darksong despised hunting and how terrible he was at it. Perhaps she wanted to make a fool of him. Whatever the she-cat was trying to do, it made the ebony tom mad. He had returned to camp, tired and empty-pawed.

Thus Darksong was now napping in the Warriors Den. Well, he wasn't napping for long. Silly Rippedheart was being in a happy mood as usual. It irritated Darksong to listen to his yowling all the time, but he dealt with it. Since it was his mate's brother he had to.

Curious, he stretched and padded out of the den. It was easy to spot the happy bouncing figure of Rippedheart. Darksong approached, but instead of yelling at Rippedheart he meerly ignored him and went to Rainclaw. He brushed his ebony pelt against hers and purred. Of course he was extremely nervous and still in disbelief about the imminent birth of their kits, but he didn't think too much about it.

[რoonwhisker]

Rippedheart was busy 'happy yowling' but he stopped when he realized Rainclaw was staring at him. In fact, most of the Clan was staring at him.

"Move along people theres nothing to see!" Rainclaw meowed, getting up and heading towards the nursery. But before she could get far before Darksong greeted her. She purred back and licked his ear.

"I'm moving into the nursery," she meowed, completely ignoring Purplekit.

Rippedheart smiled at Darksong and trotted over to the older kit. "Hey Purplekit! You're almost an apprentice, right?" he meowed cheerily.

[Đarκsong]

All Darksong said in response was "Oh..." Yes, he did think she should have gone there a while ago, but he didn't want to be a pest like Rippedheart. He figured if she had her mind set he couldn't change it anyway. Darksong licked her ear in return.

*****

Purplekit stared at Rippedheart, eyes filled with adoration. This tom actually addressed him kindly! "Yes, in less than a moon!" He cried out, jumping a bit on his paws. He was so excited he could barely contain himself. Actually, he really couldn't contain himself at all.

Then he spotted Darksong. He rather liked this older tom, despite his rude antics. He had allowed Purplekit to train with his apprentice, Gingerpaw. The kit was very grateful for that. "Hi Darksong!" He called out.

***

Darksong was surprised to hear the kit call to him, "Err....hi Purplekit." He responded, his voice not nearly as enthusiastic as the kit's. "Crash into anyone else lately?" He teased.

***

Purplekit glared back playfully and said, "No!" and allowed a chuckle to escape his lips.

[რoonwhisker]

"Yah, I mean I guess I could get used to it..." she meowed, shrugging. She sighed. "That's awesome! I can't wait for you to be a warrior," Rippedheart meowed to the kit. It was true, unlike his sister, he really liked kits and apprentices. Maybe he would end up being Purplekit's mentor! He'd never had an apprentice. Rainclaw had, Jaypaw. But he'd died from some sickness or something. It'd been awhile ago.

Rainclaw and Rippedheart both laughed. Although Rippedheart wondered why he was being so... nice. Rippedheart found it odd that the couple were both acting strangely. He figured they were nervous. Who wouldn't be nervous?

Rainclaw looked over at Rippedheart. "And by the way, when these guys pop out our next mission is to find you a mate," she meowed calmly, adding a quick smile.

Rippedheart coughed. "Um, ok then. Good luck with that!" he said, chuckling.

[Đarκsong]

Purplekit's eyes sparkled, "Maybe you could be my mentor, Rippedheart!" The young tom really liked his company and thought he'd make a great mentor, "You'd be the coolest mentor ever...." Purplekit then began babbling about what a great warrior Rippedheart was, even though he didn't necessarily know it was true.

***

"Yeah, I suppose..." Darksong said in response to Rainclaw. Then, he noticed Purplekit rambling about how strong and brave and blah blah blah Rippedheart is. Darksong tried really hard not to laugh. Well, he didn't try hard enough because he started laughing hysterically moments later. He knew he really shouldn't, but he couldn't help it.

***

Purplekit stared at Darksong, completely confused, "What?!"

***

"Oh, nothing." Darksong replied, finally controlling his chuckling.

[☆§wìftflame☆]

Dawnflight was absolutely overwhelmed. Her kits were five moons old, and they could barely be contained in the nursery any longer. The now cramped space was constantly filled with the brush of pelts and the high-pitched whines of irritated kits. Being cooped up inside for any length of time made them impossible. With her four kits along with Purplekit and everyone else, there was simply no room. Stretching unused muscles, Dawnflight turned to find Rainkit tearing at the brambles of the nursery walls with sharp claws, ruining it and letting in a draft of the misty spring air. "Rainkit! Stop that now!

[/b] The guilty kit looked more exasperated than reproachful, and with a tired flick of her tail, she gave Rainkit permssion to leave the nursery. In the relative quiet that ensued, however, Dawnflight caught the end of a conversation going on outside. Rainclaw was moving into the nursery? Oh no. Oh, StarClan, no. Dawnflight could manage the kits in the nursery. Just barely. But Rainclaw and whatever little kit's she'd be bringing with her? No way. No possible. Meanwhile, Rainkit bounded out the nursery entrance, right into Purplekit. "Oh, sorry.[/b] Said Rainkit hurriedly. She didn't really know him that well, but got the distinct feeling that he looked down on her because she was younger. Scooting deftly out of the way, Rainkit once again ran into someone she hadn't meant to, except this time the consequences could be much worse - it was Rainclaw. Though the cat might share her name, she was no where near friendly. With a squeak of fear, Rainkit first stumbled and them bounded backwards. In her rush to escape what was surely to be wrath, Rainkit ran right into Darksong. She let out a pitiful moan and settled with cowering in a heap. Rainkit was really in for it now. This was where all that enthusiasm go her. But then, still trembling in a little ball, Rainkit caught an interesting scent. It was kind of like Dawnflight scent, but it smelled like Rainclaw. Moving her gaze slowly upwards, Rainkit came face to face with Rainclaw's bulging stomach, and suddenly made all the connections. Rainclaw was going to have kits! So that was why she wasn't dead yet. However, her second reaction was fear. What if Rainclaw's kits were exactly like her, mean and uncaring? Would Rainkit have to be running away from that every day until she finally became an apprentice? Hopefully as a medicine cat... Was a single fleeting thought she had before going back to hiding her head in her paws a cowering. Usually, Rainkit would never sink this low, cowering as she was. But this was Rainclaw and Darksong she was dealing with here. Rainkit was in big, big trouble.[/size][/blockquote]

[რoonwhisker]

Rippedheart smiled. "That'd be pretty awesome," he agreed. He shrugged in embarrassment at Purplekit's praise. He shuffled his feet as Darksong laughed at him. Of course, he knew why. Rippedheart wasn't the most masculine tom in the Clan, in fact he really wasn't very masculine at all.Rainclaw laughed along with Darksong, easing the tension a bit. At least Rippedheart knew that Darksong was only kidding, wasn't he?

A few seconds later the cats watched a mini-cat collide with Purplekit. Rippedheart giggled. Rainclaw rolled her eyes. But then, Rainkit collided with her stomach.

"Hey! Watch were you're going! Someone might get hurt!" the new queen spat at the kit, "And stop staring you idiot. Yes, I'm expecting. It's obvious! I mean, honestly!" Rainclaw continued complaining for a few minutes before she stopped abruptly and just shot an angsty glare at Rainkit, while Rippedheart shot the kit a sympathetic smile.

[Twigtail]

Twigtail had finished cleaning out his private snow store earlier, and this day, while the springtime was still young, he’d gone back to finish the housekeeping duties of the hole that was now just a dip in the rocky cliff soil. As he had turned to leave down the trail that was only a couple of paw-lengths wide (a trail so narrow that even a skinny cat like himself had difficulty traversing it), Lady Luck had bitten him on the tail. An old gull was apparently in an extremely bad mood, and the reason why was painfully obvious. It had been pecked and scratched half to death by the other gulls. Twigtail had only to finish the job and he was settled with the biggest prey he’d ever landed. The trip back down the trail and all the way down to the sands had been made harder by the added weight of the warrior’s catch, but it was completely worth his while.

The ginger tom padded through the camp entrance, neck stiff from dragging the unwieldy gull by the wingtip for so long. He felt particularly pleased with himself, and would be quite satisfied to eat the gull all on his own, but it would have been strictly for flavor. No, he might as well earn much-needed points with the other members of the Clan by sharing the poultry. Twigtail hauled his catch through the sand after him, looking dwarfed by the size of the bird, but his small eyes narrowed as he glanced at the rest of the fresh-kill. It didn’t seem quite right to just leave such a prize there, for some hunk of lard like Patchstar or Jaywing to gobble down whole.

Just then, his ears, both the good one and the shredded one, twitched in the general direction of the nursery. He heard a kit squeaking, and a sharp retort. He recognized the piercing voice as Rainclaw’s. The she-cat could hold her own and had at least a personality, granting her more respect from Twigtail than he gave to other cats. Curiosity burning almost as much as his neck, the skinny warrior dragged his catch in the direction of the nursery as quickly as his thin legs could carry all the weight. He came into view of a respectable group of cats, and instantly his narrow eyes processed the other felines.

Rainclaw’s belly was round with her kits, and Twigtail gave a mental snort. He hadn’t counted her with the fatties Patchstar and Jaywing, but he might as well have. Darksong stood by his mate, and Rippedheart, Rainclaw’s painfully average brother, hovered around talking to some kit. Twigtail didn’t know that kit’s name, nor the name of the one who seemed to be cowering in the wake of the pregnant tabby. Deciding randomly to come to the little kitten’s rescue, the ginger tom dropped his behemoth catch and meowed, “Who’s throwing the party here?”

[Đarκsong]

Darksong hissed a bit when Rainkit smashed into him. He almost yelled at the kit, but stopped himself. She was young, no reason to get all worked up. Darksong could recall bounding around recklessly as a kit. His father had almost clawed him in the face once for crashing into him. The last thing Darksong wanted was to be like him.

***

Purplekit rolled his eyes at Rainkit. He did look down on her for being younger and always viewed her behavior to be quite baby-ish compared to his own. "Jeez, Rainkit, watch where you're going!" Well, his behavior wasn't actually much different than her's. And, unlucky for Purplekit, another cat noticed.

***

Snowdrift had been napping. She was full aware that her kits would probably take off. She awoke to find Purplekit at the nursery entrance, chastising Rainkit. "Purplekit, stop it. You're no better than her and have no right to yell at her." She scolded.

***

Purplekit's ears sunk back, "Sorry, mother." He then slinked back into the nursery.

***

Snowdrift then turned her attention to the gathering of cats. It took her a moment to process exactly why a plethora of cats would be here. She then understand when she saw Rainclaw. Snowdrift recalled hearing that she was expecting, and was hoping Purplekit and Maskkit would be apprenticed by the time she entered the nursery.

The queen didn't get that lucky. That wasn't to say she didn't like Rainclaw, she was just afraid of her. She was snappy and rude. She dreaded seeing such a cat dealing with kits. She did, however, act as though she was happy to see Rainclaw, so as not to get on her bad side.

"Hi, Rainclaw. Finally decided to come to the nursery? It's really not all that bad, I assure you." Snowdrift remarked with a polite nod, "That is, as long as the kits are behaving..."

[☆§wìftflame☆]

Rainkit gazed up at the three cats she'd so clumsily run into, completely bamboozled. Head angled dramatically to the right, trying to figure out why they hadn't killed her. Without meaning to, Rainkit uttered one long, stretched out and high pitched,
"Whaaaaaat?"Immediately she clamped her paws over her still kit-tiny muzzle, worried that her untimely words might have canceled out her sudden reprieve from punishment, aside from Purplekit's degrading words despite the fact that he was barely older than she was. So that was why Rainkit wasn't friends with him. Perhaps Twigtail's strangely timed words had broken up the sudden tension. However, Rainkit wasn't going to take any chances with this sudden lack of punishment. Racing as far as her tiny paws would carry her, Rainkit sped in the opposite direction of the three cats.

*****

Dawnflight was still sitting in the nursery, enjoying the sudden reprieve from hassle, when she heard her precious kit make a fool of herself, almost deserving Purplekit's superior sounding words. Dawnflight couldn't help but feel that she would have said the exact same thing herself. No, what really made her wonder was why Rainclaw and Darksong weren't being their usual scathing selves. In a younger time, either of them would have cuffed her kit roughly across the face, sending her whimpering to Jaywing to be comforted. Why had they let her off without so much as a warning? Was it possible that the unlikely couple was starting to feel...understanding towards the kits now that they were expecting one of their own? No, that would never happen. Shaking her ears slightly to clear her mind, Dawnflight heard Twigtail's strangely helpful words ring out. She had always been under the impression that he was a grumpy and distant cat. Maybe Dawnflight had been wrong. So, on the spur of the moment, the she-cat called out, "Twigtail, come in for a moment if you'd like while it's quiet in here. I've got an extra piece of fresh kill." Dawnflight was really going out on a limb with her offer, but she figured this kind gesture was the least she could do for his saving Rainkit's, well, perhaps not her life but definitely her face.

***

Once Rainkit was a far enough distance away from the nursery to be completely out of harms way, she called out hopefully the names of her litter-mates and friends, desperate for someone to play with and to share this incredible incident with. "Dewkit! Autumnkit! Paintedkit! Maskkit!"

[/b] Then, after second though, Rainkit added a slightly less enthusiastic, "Purplekit!"[/b] He may have just insulted her, but The Rainkit was simply desperate for a playmate.[/size][/blockquote]


[OOC: uuhhh...Sorry, I just realize that Rainkit like killed the plot, unless she and purplekit are gonna meet up and talk about rainclaw and plot against her or something. xD they totally should.]

[Twigtail]

Apparently, Twigtail’s “rescue” of sorts wasn’t necessary. For some peculiar reason, Rainclaw’s hard-sounding words, which he’d heard from beyond the nursery, seemed to be the only reprimand from the tabby, and while Darksong sounded typically moody with his hissing, he atypically left it at a hiss. The kits were talking again, but the skinny ginger warrior had no interest in goofy kittens. One of the queens—er, Snowdrift, Twigtail remembered belatedly—came out of the nursery and claimed Rainclaw’s attention. While no one directly spoke to Twigtail, his question was answered by the frost-colored queen. Apparently, the generally grumpy tabby she-cat, now impregnated by that sulky mop that was Darksong, was moving into the nursery, and making a whole hullaballoo out of the ordeal. A superior smirk played upon the small adult tom’s muzzle; how excited these silly cats got over such a simple motion!

Hearing another she-cat’s cry from the dark hole of the nursery in question, finally addressing him, he mulled over her offer for a few moments. There would be a certain irony if Twigtail, who never was a father and undoubtedly never would be, entered the nursery first, an irony that such a sophisticated (if ungainly-looking) character as himself could appreciate. A smirk still stretching his narrow muzzle, he grabbed the wingtip of his gull and heaved it closer to the other cats. Yowling, not much caring if he interrupted any questions because he wanted their attention and darned well was going to get it, he announced, “Congrats on the move, Rainclaw.” He didn’t want to insult her, not with Darksong there, who would claw off his other ear, but he couldn’t resist adding, in a slightly quieter tone, “Don’t eat anybody’s kits.” That’s my job, he added silently. (That was a joke, of course, but nobody present would understand that.) Dumping his oversized, if old and stringy, gull near the congregation of cats, he gave them a smug look that clearly said, “See? Here’s a show of my congratulations. I can be civil, you see, but I generally choose not to be.” That said and done, the skinny tomcat slid past the gathered cats into the milky dimness that was the nursery, waiting a moment for his eyes to adjust to the deeper darkness here.

He realized briefly that he hadn’t even known who had called him into the nursery, but once his eyes got used to the muted lighting, he recognized Dawnflight. Here was another dull, average cat, unfortunately for him. Twigtail had no idea what such a she-cat as she, who was well-known for being agreeable and understanding, would want with him, a polar opposite in all but pelt color. Still, the sounds of the cats outside were as dulled as the light, and without waiting for invitation he sidled closer to the reddish queen and settled onto his bony haunches. Despite his uncertainty at what, precisely, was expected of him, he kept up a serene expression that was probably due to that little facet of his personality guaranteeing that, no matter what was expected of him, he probably wouldn’t care, anyway. “And what do you think of this little celebratory gathering?” he prompted, his voice sounding a lot less caustic than he felt towards the whole business.

[ooc: Pathetic attempt to keep Twiggy in focus of the plot. xD]

[რoonwhisker]

The tabby queen looked up at the snow white queen who'd obviously been talking to her. "Yeah..." she muttered, trying very hard to be polite and not roll her eyes. Rainclaw ignored Rainkit's annoying yowl of stupidness. She didn't want to deal with her now. She sighed. Then Twigtail addressed her in an arrogant fashion. Well it was arrogant to Rainclaw to say the least. "The only kit's I'll be eating are the ones that run into me," she said, turning her head to wink at Rainkit. She was only kidding, but it would be fun to watch Rainkit wonder.

Rippedheart watched everyone talk. He didn't really feel the need to join the conversation. She smiled shyly then meowed, "Well, I'm gonna go do some hunting. I'm gonna have to make up for Rainy not being able to," he said, flicking his tail goodbye to everyone then disappearing clumsily through the camp entrance.

Dewkit had been napping when she'd herd her name screamed by her sister, Rainkit. She giggled as she dragged herself up. She hopped out of the nursery and finally found her sister. "Rainkit! I'm here! I'll play!" she said breathlessly. Dewkit hoped that her leg wouldn't bother her today, because the previous day I'd gotten that 'fallen asleep' feeling and after tossing and turning for awhile It'd finally gone away.

[☆§wìftflame☆]

Dawnflight sat primly and calmly beside the prey she had at ther feet as Twigtail padded in. He seemed to be in a good enough mood, and Dawnflight replied in a sarcastically cheerful tone, quiet enough so those outside wouldn't overhear. "Well, if we're going to have another bright, happy mother with her numerous bundles of joy, what else could we do but celebrate?" She pushed half the kill towards Twigtail and, as if toasting, said, "To the last peace this nursery will ever seen until those kits are grown."

[/b] As Dawnflight consumed her half, she paused for a moment to wonder what had come over her. To other cats she hd always been shy, sweet, and agreeable, unless the lives of kits were threatened of course. And though Rainclaw would be a pain in everyone's tail she was certainly no threat. There was something about Twigtail that made her feel a little more...reckless. Who knew? Maybe Dawnflight could actually befriend this strange cat.

****

Rainkit bounced enthusiastically as Dewkit bounded up to her as best she could, leg barely slowing her down after moons of practice. Giggling, Rainkit said, "Dewkit! You'll never believe it! Rainclaw's moving into the nursery 'cause she's having kits!!! Her!! A mother!"[/b] Suddenly Rainkit froze, eyes lighting up mischievously. "Hey, I think I just figured out a new game for us to play..."[/b] Rainkit's mind was racing. She had a newfound courage due to Rainclaw's less than terrifying reaction, and knew nothing would be more fun than playing a prank on that sharp, bossy cat. Voice barely above a whisper, Rainkit giggled, "We're gonna play a trick on Rainclaw!"[/b] [/blockquote][/size]

[Twigtail]

Twigtail, who had bent his rat-like face to look at his offerings, glanced up sharply at Dawnflight’s ever-so-cheery commentary. That was Dawnflight, after all, correct? Of course she was! Perhaps the gingery gold tom had never actually been close enough in her vicinity to hear her tongue-in-cheek sarcastic humor. More likely, though, she was just trying to impress him, which was admittedly an intriguing shift from the typical dislike he garnered. Whether this would turn out to be a nice change of pace, though, would soon be discovered. He bent his narrow head again to rip up shreds of meat from his half of the meat. This, at least, was a pleasant change from his earlier mouthful of gull feathers. Despite his tiny, emaciated frame, Twigtail wolfed down his share of food voraciously, and, since his awkwardly long neck had dipped between his bony shoulders to eat, he lifted his head when he was done and rotated his neck on his shoulders, until his joints popped.

Whatever the she-cat was attempting to do with her sarcasm and attempted cynicism, it wasn’t quite impressive enough. Shocking, yes. Moving, no. It didn’t matter how hard Dawnflight attempted, but she would never top the master cynic. Still, the master himself decided to grace her presence a little longer. Who knew? Maybe it would tick off the rest of the moving party when they finally completed their motion and made it into the nursery. (So far, the entire planned move hadn’t gotten very far, it would seem. How pointless this whole situation had become.) With a broad yawn, Twigtail twisted to scratch himself behind his ragged ear with a hind paw. After a moment, he returned his attention to his hostess.

A mischievous smirk was dancing on Twigtail’s muzzle. “Perhaps you won’t have peace,” he agreed as he inclined his narrow head in assent. “But we warriors will have plenty.” Hey, one loudmouth down gave the skinny red tom a little less competition in the warriors’ den. (Of course, he wasn’t typically too much of a flashy show-off, but it didn’t hurt once in a while to let the other cats in on his knowing a few little secrets.) Still, he winked an already-narrow eye at Dawnflight. “Undoubtedly, the nursery will be more exciting than it’s been in moons, eh, love? I’m almost jealous.”