Whistling All the Way (Umbre's Kits)

[Marrowbone]

A little red and yellow kit lifted her head and looked past the trees towards the sound of distant howling.
"Mommy, what's that noise? It's like a bird."

[/color]

A brown she-cat was padding through the brush with her kits. Relic, Fracture, Apple, Snap, and Mellow. When the little she-kit Apple asked this question the mother glanced off towards the way they came.
"You saw those tunnels we passed a few moments ago, dear?"[/color]
Apple nodded her yellow head.
"When the wind blows, those passageways roar. Don't worry, it's nothing dangerous."[/color]

One of the little tom kits dashed up next to his sister and bumped into her, squeaking,
"Oh, is Apple scared of the wind eating her?"
Mellow was purely obnoxious, but his attempt to jeer Apple failed as she just chuckled,
"Yeah, a little bit.


But the mother cat and her kittens were Loners. They shouldn't be in MapleClan, and the cats in a fast approaching patrol knew it.
Snowbone lept from the brush in front of the travelling family and blocked the way, hackles raised.
"What are you doing on MapleClan territory?"
The mother opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off by Mellow--
"Sis!"
Mellow glanced between Snowbone and Apple, who was currently hiding behind their mother's paws.
"That cat looks just like you!"[/color]
Apple's markings of red curved into thick stripes around her chest and tail, matched by pointed patches around the eyes and speckles on the haunch. A skeleton-like pattern mirrored in Snowbone's fur.


((My rustiness scares even me DX
It should be noted that the skel cats have two different patterns-- Full skeleton like Richages, where they really look like skeletons, and half-skeleton like Marrowbone and Snowbone, where the markings are much simpler.))[/size][/center]

[*Sinister*Dreams*]

Relic snarled, or rather squealed, as being very young and uninimidating, he did not have it in him to produce a full yowl. The young black-gold tom unsheathed his small claws and stepped protectively in front of the others, and if they stared, he adamently and profusely ignored them.

"Get outta here bone-cat. We're just walking. Gosh. Don't cats from...wherever...MapleClan know how to walk? Or are you just a weird masochostic psycho spazz exception?"
((Dream is amused at this point in the post.))

Yes, Relic did know some strange words for a kit of his age, and had a rather bizzare personality.

++++++

Another chuckle ommited from further in the tunnels, as Nimblestar crept out, a dead swallow in his jaws.

"Put your claws down, kid and meet my friend Snowbone. Not to be frightening, but I'd like to take a moment and assure you his bark is nothing compared to his bite."

He gave a dark wink, secretly purring in amusement. He turned his blue gaze to the queen, dipping his head. A cat with kits was not one to be hostile against, even if a little weary. The kits would easily, if trained right, grow to fine MapleClan warriors, something the clan could really use at a deserted time like this.

"What is you business here, my lady?"

He turned to Umbre. Behind Nimblestar, an older apprentice, Mintpaw was glowering at Relic a bit with minty eyes. His fur too was covered in a skell pattern, the complete one by the looks. Oddly enough, if was placed atop a tortieshell pattern too, giving him an ominous aura. Of course, this could also be because he was already the size of a warrior and was hissing a bit under his breath.

"You really shouldn't be here."

He spat, annoyed at the intrusion, though his fur remained flat in the eyes of his father Snowbone.

[» Sacrifice]

It would have been impossible for the young tom to hide; if his personality would have even considered it. He was of the typical full skeleton pattern of his line, only turned up a few notches. The white was brighter, the black darker, and there was obviously no missing him. And Fracture knew it. Over the trip he had been silent, watching things, and getting a feel for everything. That silence though, as one would be quick to find out, was very, very rare. Most of the time Fracture was always out there, he was quite showy, and had an amazing 'flashing' grin that he sent everyone who he thought deserved it. As soon as the other, clan cats by the scents of them, appeared, everything about the young tom chnaged. Earts pricking, head raising, tail flicking ever so slightly although his striking golden orbs were filled with interest, he stepped in front of his siblings, regrarding the clan cats without a single trace of fear on his features. In fact, he almost seemed... amused. Especially by Mintpaw, who seemed to take a bit of offense by their very presence. The tortishell skeleton tom was the first to get the first flashy grin of the day from Fracture.

"Would that be a touch of hostility.. I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name apprentice."
Another blinding grin, not to mention to lazy tone that would be more then enough to annoy the apprentice. All the while a look of pure innocence was on his features, as though he wasn't goading Mintpaw, and knowing that he was doing so.

"After all, we could be your new clan members, and it seems we are related at that! Imagine that, if we lived togethor, ate with each other, we could be just like best friends. Of course, that wouldn't work if you hated us. But friction is fun, so maybe it could!"
A faint laugh tinkled from the tom as he shook his head.

"Oh, forgive my manners. Its a pleasure Snowbone, other unknown cat, and unknown apprentice cat. I am Fracture."
Sweeping into a half bow, eyes glittering slightly as he did so, Fracture winked at the other cats, before moving back to stand next to Umbre. He wanted to be out of striking distance once his words sank in, although his faint grin still was in place. He was one of, if not, the brightest of the group, colorwise. There would be no missing him on a dark night, if they wanted to try. The tom had the claws to back up his words, although one would think it not to be so true.

((Only had time for him, hotel computer. Snap is shy, so just presume that she is there, but not speaking please.))

[Marrowbone]

"Hmf."
Snowbone wrinkled his nose at the flamboyant Relic, his tail curving out in a sickle.
"Don't lone kits know anything about territory?"
Then Nimblestar appeared, and the white tom gave the appropriate nod. The leader talked with the kit, and Snowbone felt a little pride at the compliment he was given. Snowbone was comfortable enough with Nimblestar, he had known the former Rogue when he was a kit, but Nimblestar was still his Father's friend and thus a little untrustworthy.
Then Mintpaw spoke, and Snowbone's blue eyes glanced at him with pride. If only Grapepaw was as sensible as he was.

Umbre seemed to take no notice of Snowbone or Mintpaw, other then the curious glance before Nimblestar. Then her attention was focussed on who was obviously the most important cat. And the most polite.
"I'm here looking for somewhere. And maybe even someone, but it's been so long I'm not exactly expecting to find him."
He bowed her legs, tilted her head and curled her tail, a sort of feline curtsey.
"But judging by these cats here..."
She turned her head towards Snowbone and Mintpaw.
"I've come awfully close."

Snowbone, meanwhile, narrowed his eyes at Fracture while Mintpaw was adressed. That kit looked remarkably like Richages. That traitorous Rogue hadn't bred with this she-cat, had he?
Umbre suddenly jumped at Snowbone, making him flinch and fall back a pawstep. She landed right in front of him, almost bumping into his nose, and she stared at him with bright yellow eyes.
"Tell me, Snowbone, who's your Father? Is it by any chance a cat named Marrowbone?"
"Of course not!"
He bristled, affronted by Umbre's rudeness.
"My Father is Richages! How do you know ab--"
"AHA! We're in the right place, kids!"
She swept away before Snowbone could respond, and returned to talking with Nimblestar.
"Our names, sir, are Umbre myself-- Line up, dears-- Fracture here, Snap, Relic, Mellow, and Apple."
She pointed to each kit in turn, and was obviously proud of them.
"I've been told of MapleClan before. I used to live far away, but now that I have kits I felt it was time to find you guys. I think they'd be better off growing up in a Clan."
Umbre pulled Fracture next to her and gave the tom a loving lick on the head. He might be a little grown-up for a kit, but they were all her babies.
"By the way, Snowbone, you can call me Auntie Umbre. I knew you were familiar, you look exactly like your Grandfather, my Father Marrowbone!"
Again before he could react, she jumped forward and licked his cheek. Which would be a good gesture between kin, but Snowbone was still reproachful, and reacted with a disgusted shout and frantic rubbing off his cheek on the ground to be rid of the Loner scent.

((I'm tired and NOT reading my post. Leave meh alone X__x ))

[/center]

[*Sinister*Dreams*]

Nimblestar chuckled at the interaction, a bit bemused though a bit vague and perturbed.
"Ah yes, Richages...An old friend. I didn't know much of Marrowbone though, he was a tad before my time. Many stories pass our clan of course, not all of them good...Nor bad, for that matter. I dare say you've found the right place. If you'd care to accompany me, our camp is due sun-mount of here."
The gray tom flicked his tail, dipping his head as he took leave of Snowbone. The warrior and his son didn't have to follow. Freedom at it's best.

Behind them, Mintpaw whispered quietly.
"I don't really like them."
He bit back a minor hiss, holding his tongue before choosing to catch up with the newcomers and at least give them a chance.
"Well, as I'm sure you realize, my name is not apprentice, it is Mintpaw. Not for long though."
He puffed his chest a bit, knowing full well his ceremony was just around the corner. Despite his age, he'd yet to fight in a real battle, and as such still had a youthfulness about him.
"Anyway, I expect you'll be rooming with my brother Grapepaw and I. We're apprentices like you're sure to become."
The young tom could not help but feel a bit excited. Maybe, just maybe, with more skell cats in the clan, everyone would stare at him less. Of course they didn't have the combination of tortieshell mixed in...

Relic grumbled something incoherent in relation to the word 'arrogant', but otherwise remained quiet asides from his occaisional bump against his siblings.

[» Sacrifice]

The smaller, and much more quiet, Snap had only been watching everything, keeping away from the crowd, and generally just looking at everything. She was, personality wise, almost the exact opposite of her brothers, at least, compared to Fracture anyway. When the apprentice, now named Mintpaw, came up inbetween her and Fracture, she felt as though she could speak. At least this stranger was someone that happened to be around her age, it seemed.
"You must forgive Relic and Fracture. Relic has always been a bit odd, but he means what he says, and Fracture, although showy, isn't all he appears to be, although its hard to convince anyone of that. Its a pleasure to meet you, Mintpaw, by the way. I'm called Snap."
Offering a slight smile to the tortishell skeleton apprentice, Snap was content to pad alongside the other tom. She was only faintly marked with the skeleton pattern, and her pelt had the addition of bright silver rosettes all over. The young she cat was very slim and wiry, but not so much as though she appeared to be ill, as some skinny cats appeared to be. And she was lucky, Snap had the air of one that was suppose to be protected, without any thought of why. She seemed to draw others in, even without trying, and generally got along with everyone. Innocence at the best.

"So, you actually live in MapleClan, is it? What is it like? And, who is that in front of the group?"
An honest curiousity, and a generally interested tone. Snap probably wouldn't have many friends, her shy-ness wouldn't allow it, but at least she would be liked.

[*Sinister*Dreams*]

Mintpaw had been busily contemplating several random thoughts over and scarcely heard his new companion speak. He spluttered a bit, choaking before turning to Snap.
"Eh? Oh, that's Nimblestar. He's the leader of our little clan. He's not really so bad...Different, but not bad. And I don't really know what MapleClan's like anymore...Our old leader Honeystar just passed on, and with her the clan was actually remotely annoying. Her attitude prevented things. But I can't really say just yet about how it will be...Nimblestar seems to be doing well enough. Many cats don't quite trust him yet though..."
He flicked his tail, he himself only knowing the reasons by means of muttering around the clan.
"However the clan itself is wonderful. It's nice to have something to work for, always going but still a bit free, you know? We fight for each other as much as ourselves. It means alot of work, but it also means family in a sense."

Relic narrowed his eyes at his siblings comment, and rounded on them both.
"Look, Snap, maybe it's not obvious to you, but when walking into a strange new place it's not the smartest thing to diss the cats that are closest to you."
He huffed a bit, claws flashing in and out of the dirt before he sulkily stalked on ahead to chat with his other siblings. Mintpaw looked bemused by the circumstance.

"Well he's just a jolly one, isn't he?"

[» Sacrifice]

Ears pricking forward as Mintpaw described the clan, Snap could only marvel the thought of something like an extended family. She had only known Umbre and her siblings, her father had been unknown to her, probably having been killed sometime in the past. Who knew, really.
"An extended family. It sounds nice, seeing as we've never even seen our father. But maybe that would be for the better. After all, life with my family here really isn't too bad. Its, at times, chaotic, but not in a bad way."
At that, Snap emitted a soft laugh, shaking her head at memories only she could see. They had a lot of memories from the travels, although not all were good. As soon as the laugh stopped though, a soft sigh came from the young she cat. Still, although she was happy with her family here, she wouldn't have minded a male authority figure. It had made her a bit more untrusting of toms, something that probably wouldn't be a good thing for her, whenever she decided to take mate, in the way future. Maybe though, if she made enough companions, her little wariness could be cured. Hopefully. Looking back to Relic as he spoke to her, fur flicking a little, Snap spoke a touch sharper then before.

"I'm just trying to have everyone get along Relic. You wouldn't want to make enemies before we even joined, would you?"
Watching him for a moment or so as he walked up beside the other siblings, the two had fallen behind slightly, another sigh came from the she cat as she watched her sibling.

"You haven't seen him on a bad day yet, either."
She muttered, shaking her head slightly and watching Relic with an amused glance, before rolling her eyes. She loved her siblings, she really did, but sometimes, they were a tad bit more then annoying.

[Marrowbone]

"You know my brother? How wonderful! I haven't seen him in forever, you'll have to introduce me sometime."
Umbre trotted after Nimblestar, obviously quite happy with finding their destination. And there was still family here! Her kits could grow up happily with their cousins and second cousins.
"It sounds like a lot of fun, Mintpaw!"
Apple chirped enthusiastically, running to catch up with the apprentice and Snap.
"Are there a lot of cats there? It must be a busy place."
Her eyes were wide at imagining it. The thought of more cats then in her family was both frightening, and exciting. They had met a few strange cats in their few moons of travelling, but not much more then 'Hello', 'Goodbye', and whenever their mother took them on a detour to avoid a territory. The idea; Lots of cats in a Clan to be their new family; What an adventure!

"Bah! Relic's right; Keep your nose in your own business, Snap!"
Mellow ran up and knocked into Snap, sticking out his tongue at her. Mellow was anything other then his name, and rather stupid to boot.
"You talk awfully big for such a shy cat!"
"Oh, Mellow, you're just being silly."
Apple giggled and bumped into him playfully.
"I am not being silly! I'm a PROUD warrior!"
Mellow huffed, puffing out his chest and strutting like a peacock.
"I'll be the best warrior in MapleClan!"
Umbre padded over and seprated Mellow with her tail, clicking,
"I'm sure you all will, dears, but Mellow stop picking on your siblings."

[» Sacrifice]

Snap turned to grin at Apple; nodding her head in a rather excited way. She could already picture it; a whole group of cats living with each other, the strong protecting the weak, and the young cats dreaming of one day, becoming warriors, while the older cats grinned at them, looking forward to passing on their own skills. Of course, it wouldn't be perfect; there was still the sickness going on and whatnot, plus the usual struggles of life, but at least it would be better then what was life at the moment. As she turned to look at Mintpaw, questions burning in her gaze, she didn't know that Mellow was approaching, until she was sent tumbling into the apprentice, landing in a heap. She had always been on the small side, and she hadn’t had time to brace herself, as she would have had she been paying attention. After a moment, Snap blinked, and then got to her feet, averting her gaze from Mellow and Mintpaw.
”Sorry.”
She murmured, whatever confidence she may have had gone as she dropped back, ears flattened slightly as she watched everything. It was rare for her to find her voice and raise an arugment; often she was one to get pushed around, and appeared to be weak. In truth, when she did fight, Snap was quite fierce, but it was just that she never fought if she could help it. Still averting the gaze of the larger Mellow, although Umbre had separated the two siblings, Snap walked alone, quiet and withdrawn. All of which was taken in notice by the brightly colored tom up front, whom moments ago had been laughing at something that had been said.

>><<

Golden gaze fierce, Fracture turned, quick to round upon Mellow. His ears were flattened, but unlike Snap, the flattening was due to anger, and his tail lashed ever so slightly, although the grin was still lurking on his features. There was a darker edge to it now, and his tone, though smooth, seemed to be laced with some venom. For, although he may appear to be just flashy, there was a fierce protective side to the tom; especially when it came to the much smaller Snap.
”I don’t like her sniffing into our business either, Mellow. But, unlike you, I don’t take it out on someone who wouldn’t fight you back, just because she wants everyone to get along. If your trying to prove a point, you’ve made one clear. I’m doubting that what point you have made though, is the one you intended to make, if you thought that far into the future.”
Sharp gaze never leaving that of Mellow’s, Fracture was walking backwards, something he was rather good at, and even now, in the unknown terrain, he was able to keep his balance almost perfectly.
”Something that you fail to realize though, is that there is more then just fighting and hunting. If you want to just do that; then you might as well go back to the rogues, seeing as I’m assuming you plan to join MapleClan. You might benefit there; you don’t have to worry about anyone or anything. For, unless you learn how to act with words, not actions, or maybe actually learn to ignore others, or, this one may be too hard for you now, learn how to pick your battles, then you might as well just be a rogue. Maybe apprenticeship will teach you something though; it will be our only hope. For, before pride comes family, and honor.”
He made a decent speech, if you could get past his tone, which ranged with a colorful tone of emotions. Fracture was not always one to fight with claws, he loved to fight with words just as well. Keeping his gaze upon Mellow for a few more moments, Fracture turned and caught up with Relic and the other cats, although his attention was also focused on the back, seeing how Mellow was going to react. Fracture could fight his battles; he also fought Snap’s because she refused to fight her own, and there was no way anyone would push her around while he was around. Not unless they wanted to see what happened…