chasing down a d a y d r e a m -- [ lionheart ]

[[Gypsy]]

everything is different
now that i see you

[/right]

Slow raindrops leaked through the leaves of the trees, and fell steadily to the forest floor. The light clouds above yielded very little rain, and did not obscure the western horizon, where the sunset blushed scarlet. It had rained all day, the air was moist and thick, perfumed with the almost intangible scent of autumn, the rich scent of turning leaves. The undergrowth had not yet begun to wither, still lush and green, as verdant as newleaf fauna and twice as fragrant. It was through this vibrant green that a slim she-cat made her way, winding ever-deeper into a territory that did little to welcome her.

Still, she pressed on, her calico pelt shimmering with drops of dew and making her look like she was cloaked in starlight. The sun’s dying light fell in rich ribbons almost horizontal through the wood, splintered by tree trunks and sent refracting in every direction by the pools of standing water the dotted the forest floor. The patched queen bent to sip delicately from one, her pink tongue sending ripples across the surface of the puddle. A drop of rain fell onto one of her ears and she flicked it away, jumping back lightly and curling her tail close around her side, startled. When she realized it had only been rain, she continued on her way, striding gracefully through the woods. She came across a patch of fall-blooming flowers, their scent heavy and sweet, and rolled in them, letting the delicious smell cling to her short, soft pelt. Satisfied, she continued on her way.

Eden wasn’t sure what she was doing so far into the woods. It seemed like a nice time for a walk, despite the light rain. The sunset was beautiful and she’d been walking the fence, watching it, when she’d noticed the skeletal branches of a charred tree, rising spectrally above the rest of the forest. She’d imagined that there couldn’t be many better places in the world to watch the spectacular end of the day from, and had resolved to get there, but the going was tougher than she’d expected. She had smelled cats, but the ache in her paws made her think that she must be well out of the wild cat’s territory, she couldn’t imagine it being much bigger than her garden anyway. She hoped she was headed in the right direction, and had essentially lost her bearings long ago. She didn’t consider the return trip, nor did she bother to keep an eye on her route as she shouldered delicately through a stand of ferns. She sniffed lightly, unsure if she was scenting correctly. There was almost a whiff of scorched wood in the air, she thought. With hope adding buoyancy to her stride, she pressed on more quickly, long, slim legs flickering out and pulling her closer to her destination with every dainty stride, emerald eyes wide with excitement.

At long last, she saw the blackened trunk of a torched sycamore rising from the forest floor. She halted, purring loudly in satisfaction, sitting firmly in a beam of ruby sunlight. The bark was dark and slippery with rain, next to impossible to climb – thoroughly impossible to climb for Eden. She regarded it for a moment, her purring faltering as she realized that her journey had been in vain. This wet trunk would be impossible to climb, wouldn’t it? Her brows creased and she placed her front paws on the tree, succeeding only in turning them from pristine white to sooty black. The kittypet snorted her contempt and dropped, licking each paw clean in succession. Her tabbied patches of ginger and charcoal were looking a little dirty, too, she swiped her tongue over them as well. Satisfied with her cleanliness, Eden waited a moment, trying to decide what to do. She could return home, but then the trip would be wasted! She could have spent this time playing with Rosie’s kits, they had started coming out in the garden at dusk and they loved to play… Eden sighed, and looked through the trees to the setting sun. It was a long, long way home.

Perhaps, though, there was a climbable tree around here? She could at least get a good look at the fading sun before she left. She could just imagine it, the sky painted a thousand shades of crimson and gold, dusky violet and delicate powder blue, each low, wispy cloud highlighted to a blushing peach, all that rich, warm light soaking deep into her pelt… Eden dashed into the undergrowth, eager to find a perch. Her lack of caution was rewarded with a headlong tumble into a briar patch, sharp thorns dug into her coat and a tangle of branches snagged her green collar, holding her upright by her neck. The young she-cat kicked desperately with her hind legs and thrashed wildly, trying to free herself, but she only succeeded in sinking thorns more securely into her collar and screwing them tightly into her skin. Her breath came in quick, panicked pants and she realized she was stuck. A few broken shafts of reddish sun flickered dimly into the thicket, and Eden squirm fitfully, unable to free herself. She drew the deepest breath she could manage, and squealed loudly, hoping for help to come.

[/font]

[Hazel]

Lionheart had been on several patrols today and guarding his territory.... er... Silverstar's territory, from danger. His efforts had seemed to pay off as not a single scent seemed to intrude on Shadowclan territory. He yawned as he walked back to camp with Frostfoot, his sister. Lionheart and Frostfoot were very close siblings, coming even closer to one another after Lionclaw, their father, died in a battle against Riverclan. Lionheart's fur started to bristle, his ears laying back. Frostfoot stopped. "Lionclaw, what's wrong?" Frostfoot's gentle voice broke Lionheart from his thoughts. He jumped slightly at her voice and looked at her with piercing amber eyes. "Oh... Um, just thinking." He mewed, his deep voice rumbling in his throat. "About the battle?" She asked as they continued to walk back to camp. Lionheart hesitated as he stopped walking again. Frostfoot pressed up against her brother, licking his ear to offer comfort. "It's alright, Lionheart. I miss Lionclaw too. But he died protecting you, just remember that." Frostfoot sighed. "He wouldn't have died if I hadn't been there." Lionheart sighed, pain edging his voice. "Lionheart, you can't keep blaming yourself. StarClan had a destiny for him, his destiny was to save your life and he fulfilled it. Nothing could've stopped what had happened in the battle." Frostfoot said. "You don't get it! It is my fault our father is dead!" Lionheart snarled. Frostfoot jumped back in shock, her pale blue eyes expressing the pain of being yelled at by Lionheart. He immediately recoiled and padded over to Frostfoot, nuzzling her. "I'm sorry, its just that... I don't know. I'm sorry I yelled." Lionheart muttered softly, brushing against his sister. Suddenly, the sound of a cat reached Lionheart's ears. He whipped his head around, ears straining forward. It sounded like a cat struggling. Lionheart growled. "Go back to camp, Frostfoot." Lionheart mewed firmly, turning toward the sound and padding away. He only got a few mouse lengths before something tugged gently on his tail. "I am coming with you." Frostfoot growled. "Go back to camp! I am ordering you as your deputy, not your brother." Lionheart flicked his tail free. Frostfoot's eyes flickered with fear. "I'll be alright." He promised and raced off into the forest. Frostfoot stayed where she was before going back to camp. Lionheart followed the sounds of the cat until kittypet soured the air. He growled as he quickened his pace. He came up behind the she-cat quietly, watching as she struggled. Finally he got bored of watching and jumped easily onto the bush. He grabbed the kittypet's collar firmly in his teeth and hauled her out of the bush. He let go and his fur bristled. "Kittypet! You are Shadowclan territory! State your business being here." Lionheart snarled, his long fur was bristling, making the tom look vicious and three times his size.

[[Gypsy]]

everything is different
now that i see you

[/right]

Eden lashed out, claws sharp from lack of use gouging pointless furrows in the unforgiving wood of the bushes, hind legs scoring tracks in the dusty ground to no avail. Her entire lithe body thrashed to and fro in a wild attempt to free herself. She was unable to move her weight off her neck, and her collar bit into her neck fiercely, choking her. Panicked cries were cut off roughly every now and then as she twisted wrong and her collar dug in more sharply. She could hear a dull roar in her ears, and slowly her vision began to blur, her flailing front legs merely smears of white against a quickly gathering darkness, moving ever-slower through her twilit vision, churning, reaching, hoping beyond hope as the last light faded into blackness. She tried to force herself to move, still, but she wasn't sure, everything was so unsure here in this velvet darkness...

All at once a weight came from the back, pitching her forward, dragging her roughly, the bite around her neck grew even sharper and she clawed desperately at the earth, no longer thinking rationally, only grasping at that forward momentum than had brought her a glorious gulp of air. Just as suddenly she could breathe, and breathe she did, sucking in great lungfulls of oxygenated air, praising every deity there was for the sweet release. Her slim shoulders heaved with the force of her breath as she lay on her side, gasping, for a few breaths. Her vision returned, if a bit blurry, and she could hear a voice, angry and insistent, though the words were lost behind the whoosh of her breath and the roaring that crashed through her ears. She pulled herself to her feet, her breathing finally stabilizing. She was dizzy, her neck was sore and her claws were flayed and raw, but she felt that she'd recover just fine. After taking a moment to compose herself, the kittypet raised her green eyes to look at her savior.

Before her stood a huge, bristling tomcat, his fur on end and his eyes spitting rage. Eden almost tripped over herself falling backwards, biting back a whimper, long tail curling tightly around her chest as fear seeped through her. She rummaged through her mind, trying to remember what he had said, why he was angry with her. He'd said, said... Territory. There had been talk of that. And stating her business. Yes, that too. This must be his territory. Had he said... Clan? Was it really still Clan territory here? The Clan must be terribly big to need all this space. But she'd heard enough about Clan cats by now to know that they would only really hurt her if she stole their food, and she had just been wandering through. So it was okay. At once, Eden pulled herself to her feet, shaking the battered debris from her sleek coat and smiling broadly at the still-furious cat before her.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean you any harm." She explained in her light, lilting voice, gesturing with her tail to enunciate her point. "I noticed the sunset from my garden fence and thought I'd find a tree to watch it from. This burnt one seemed to be the tallest, so I headed for it." She continued, twitching her tail first at the splintered shafts of sun that still etched their way between the trees, then to the colossal tower of cinders not far away. "Just beautiful...

[/color]" She remarked, vivid eyes wandering to the chinks of light that slashed the air around them before continuing. "I thought I'd left your territory long ago, or I never would have stayed... Though I suppose I'm lucky I did..." It suddenly occurred to Eden that 'oh, this wasn't just an angry tom, it was an angry tom who had saved her life. A rush of gratitude filled her so strongly that she began to purr and took a few steps closer. "I owe you my thanks. This blasted thing is nothing but a hindrance." She informed him, looking down at her collar. She realized it had stretched out, and now hung loosely around her neck. She gave a squeak of delight and, without warning, hurled herself backwards, forcing it up higher around her neck. She skittered back again, this time thrashing her head from side to side with gusto until the collar launched, whirling across the forest floor to rest between she and the tomcat to whom she owed her life. A deep sense of satisfaction welled up in her narrow chest and Eden stepped forward, back towards the ginger cat.

"Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?" She asked casually, as if she hadn't just performed an elaborate collar-ditching routine.[/justify][/blockquote][/font]

[Hazel]

Lionheart snarled at the she-cat, spitting in outrage as she seemed to be comfortable. How often had she been here? Then she seemed nervous, wrapping her tail around her in fear. That was more like it! Lionheart forced his fur to bush out a little more, his ginger tail lashing, his amber eyes glaring with unmistakable hostility. The sunset? She came all this way to watch the sun? "Mouse-brain! You shouldn't wander into unknown territory, I could've taken your life as easily as I had saved it. Though now I'm not sure why I did save you. You would be a good meal for my sister and my leader, Silverstar." He purred evilly. Then she stepped closer. Lionheart's eyes flickered from hostility to confusion. Did this cat want to die? Lionheart circled the feline, his movements showing his power and size. He kept his head and tail high, his amber eyes slits as he looked over the female. "Kittypets." he muttered threateningly. He hated them, second to Riverclan. He thought again of Whitestripe, the tom who had killed his father. His fur bristled again. Focus, Lionheart! There is an intruder on ShadowClan territory. Deal with her! Lionhheart scolded himself and stopped walking in circles around the kittypet. "What is your name?" He asked suspiciously, sitting down and wrapping his bushy tail around his paws. He looked at her, his opticals narrowed with curiosity and hidden admiration. She seemed so confident standing there, fearless as she faced one of the most feared cats in the clans as of the moment. Lionheart rarely lost a battle. When he did, it was because he was caught off guard, or already injured. He was the muscle of ShadowClan, in his opinion, alongside Silverstar. He liked his leader, a lot. He was a good friend and one of Lionheart's inner circle of friends.

[[Gypsy]]

everything is different
now that i see you

[/right]

Something odd was happening, something Eden didn’t understand. For as long as she could remember, her mother had been there, whispering in her ear the dangers of forest cats, horrifying stories passed over picket fences at twilight, fraught with danger and devilry. She had been taught, over and over, that the cats who lived among these trees were cruel, vicious, territorial felines. They were the boogeyman, the monster beneath the stove, they ate naughty kits for dinner. But after meeting a ShadowClan tom named Duskpelt not too long ago, Eden had come to the conclusion that the old stories were mistaken. Clearly, there were some cats out here that were bad, but there were cats like that lurking in the alleys between gardens, as well. Anyway, she’d accepted that probably somewhere in the neighborhood of a quarter of forest cats were kit-eating menaces… But she’d never heard of one eating an adult cat!

Eden frowned at him, cutting off her purring and studying him more closely. His ginger fur was much thicker than hers, and not nearly as well cared for. She imagined that life in the clans left little time for grooming, but still… He had a collar-like slash of white across his throat, and his amber eyes burned with a cold, disapproving fire. She didn’t understand. She wasn’t causing a problem. He could ask her to leave, and she would go. He could fight her, and she would lose. He could do just about anything – he was in the position of power here, yet his action was inaction. Eden didn’t comprehend this all, in its complexity, but she was puzzled as to why he stalked around angrily instead of acting.

Now he sat, surveying her. She shifted slightly under his gaze. Eden’s lithe body, soft coat, her flashy patches and bright eyes… They had always attracted attention. Her long tail flickered in irritation. She was more used to altered males, ‘fixed’, you could say. All these male forest cats seemed much more masculine, and the slim kittypet found it slightly disconcerting. Still, it didn’t bother her enough to really affect her behavior, so she spoke as usual – brightly, with unrestrained curiosity.

“If you don’t want me here, I can leave.” She offered brightly, cocking her head sideways. She didn’t really want to go, she wanted to find a tree and watch what was left of the sunset. That would be great – the best part of her day. Well, maybe. She had gotten rid of her collar at last, that had been nice… It would tie for first, then. Perhaps… Perhaps he would help her find a climbable tree? She still had her claws, thankfully, but she was used to shorter, more gnarled, ornamental trees… “Although if you wouldn’t mind me sticking around just a tiny bit longer… I’d appreciate it. And I promise not the be a bother.

[/color]” She vowed solemnly, meeting his eyes.[/justify][/blockquote][/font]

[Hazel]

Lionheart was taken aback by her innocence. He shook his ears as he thought of what to do with her. Obviously she wasn't a threat. No kittypet was a threat unless there were more than five of them. Lionheart's amber eyes narrowed as he drifted deeper into thought. "Well, I guess you can stay for a little while." He muttered softly. Her green eyes were pretty, Lionheart realized as he looked at her face. She couldn't be more than twelve moons, she was too small. He stood up and shook his coat. "I suppose I could help you get to a good place for the sunset. Do you have claws?" He asked, walking up to the burnt sycamore. He crouched at its trunk, his muscles bunching together as he prepared to leap. Lionheart's amber eyes focused on a low branch a few tail lengths above his head. Waggling his haunches, the deputy launched himself into the tree. He fell short a tail length and gripped the tree with his claws stuck to the wood like a burr in his fur. He grunted as his claws failed and he slid down a mouse length. Lionheart grunted as he propelled himself upward with his powerful hind legs, quickly reaching the branch. He snorted with annoyance at the tree. With no bark, there was barely a paw-hold for him. He looked down at Eden with a challenging stare. "Come on, my dear." He taunted. "You can do it." He encouraged her with cold hatred. He sat down, grooming his chest fur and paws and face, as he waited for her to get up. Tired of waiting after a few moments, Lionheart stood up, looked at the next branch, and leaped up to it. "Don't be afraid, darling. I will help you if you fall." He smiled, though he would probably enjoy watching her plummet if she fell.

[[Gypsy]]

everything is different
now that i see you

[/right]

Eden had to suppress a squeal of delight when he relented. The tension coiled around his amber eyes had eased just a bit, and with a looser scowl, Eden found she liked him better. She also wondered what he’d look like if he wasn’t even vaguely annoyed – purring, perhaps. She didn’t bother with thinking of it now, though, because there was too much to do. Finding a good tree and climbing it sounded a little challenging – there wasn’t a moment to lose. As Lionheart got to his feet, Eden, too, sprang up and wiggled excitedly, eyes alight with excitement. And he was even going to help her! Eden purred and whipped her tail side-to-side in delight.

“Yes, I do.” She assured him, flexing them into the loam. She studied the ginger tom as he sized up the tree, and realized his plan. While she’d intended to shimmy up the slick trunk, and then get onto the branches, he was bypassing the trunk entirely. He sprang into the air in a single, powerful leap, and clung tightly to the branch, dangling and squirming until he hauled himself up. Eden wasn’t sure she could do that. In fact, she was next to certain she couldn’t do that. He coaxed her up, and she missed the mockery in his voice, head too full to notice. He began grooming as she thought.

Thing is, Eden wasn’t a particularly quick thinker. She was trying to figure out how to get up the tree, but wasn’t coming up with anything. Lionheart paused his bath, promising to help her if she needed it. Eden’s eyes got even brighter and she chirped lightly, pleased. It didn’t occur to her that if she fell, he would be above her and thus unable to help at all. The ice in his tone, the hate in his eyes… They didn’t register. It was the words she heard, and the words that she believed. When he leapt to the next branch, the wind of his passing stirred a bough that hung close by. The leaves flickered to and fro, and Eden watched them… Until she realized what she was going to do. With an ecstatic squeak and no explanation, she dashed into the woods, too excited to maintain grace. She stumbled before disappearing into the brush and shoving headlong through the ferns and toadstools to the base of an elm. The canopy above was thick and leafy, and the trunk of this tree was barely damp. She clung to the bark, shimmying up and onto the first thick branch, then up another, leaping lightly skyward, and then pattered carefully out to the branch’s tapering end. It dipped with her weight and opened a window, through which she saw Lionheart.

The kittypet purred as she neared the end of the branch, which bowed below her. It was only a tail length’s leap from her branch to his, and she landed deftly beside him, still purring like a motorboat. Her green eyes turned up, taking in the tangled maze of branches that latticed the sky above. The way up would not be as difficult, requiring more agility than raw strength, but she wasn’t as sure of herself out here as he was – not by a long shot. Eden returned her gaze to her companion, and her whiskers brushed against his shoulder. She hadn’t realized how close to him she’s landed. The willowy queen shifted a little farther away before speaking.

“Lead the way.” She chirped.


--

[[sorry for the delay, i've been ill.]]

[/font]

[Hazel]

She sat down there, staring at him as though she were thinking about how she would get up. Then just like that, the she-cat bolted into the undergrowth. A smirk played on his muzzle. She must be leaving. Fancy that, Lionheart. Good things come to those who are patient... or something like that. His thoughts wandered as he slipped deeper and deeper into thought. Suddenly his branch lurched. He jumped with alarm, his pelt bristling as he felt something disturbing the fur on his broad shoulders. His broad head swung over to see Eden. His amber eyes flickered with surprise then narrowed with impatience. She is determined to see this stupid sunset. He thought to himself. He smiled with a soft purr. Then up we go. He mewed gently and flexed his claws, bunching his muscles and leaping further up the tree. Branches were few here and so he had to keep using his back legs to launch himself upward, using his claws to keep hold of the tree. Finally he reached the next branch. Come, Eden. The sun is almost set. He called down to her. He reared on his hind legs, placing his forepaws on the next branch and jumped onto it easily because it was only a mouse length above his head. He looked down at her with a look of mild admiration. She was driven by determination, but she was clearly oblivious to the mockery in his deep, rumbling voice and hostility in his amber eyes. He gazed down at the she-cat, flicking his tail to and fro. He wondered what Frostfoot was doing in camp. Probably sleeping like always. He would have to get her to do something productive tomorrow. He yawned with tiredness. By now, if he were back in camp, Lionheart would have patrols sorted out and would be tucked snugly into his nest. He shook his head as if trying to flick off a tick and brought himself back to the real world, clearing his mind and focused on Eden in case she needed help.

[[Gypsy]]

everything is different
now that i see you

[/right]

Muscles rippling, a flurry of leaves, and Lionheart was gone. Eden stood carefully, wary of falling from this great height, and listened. She could hear where he was from the shifting of leaves and the hiss of his breath. The she-cat was hoping to avoid a mid-air collision, and prepared to leap when she heard him spring upwards again. He called down to her, and, with new resolve, she launched herself up, swinging onto the branch if not easily, at least with her usual grace. She stayed on her toes as she watched Lionheart ascend, taking in the carefully controlled power in him, the precision of his aim, and studying where he landed on each branch before she attempted to jump on it herself.

As the calico queen shimmied ever-upwards, the bare branches around her spangled the light, sending russet stripes across everything she could see. It was a bit unreal to her, and she caught only fleeting glances of Lionheart now, the swish of a ginger tail or a flash of his eye, but she found she wasn’t having much trouble climbing anymore. Perhaps it was because climbing was natural for cats, or perhaps she just had an aptitude, but Eden could sense exactly where her feet must land, knew exactly how much power to put behind each jump. This climbing stuff was plenty dangerous, but it was exhilarating as well.

Her mind drifted to the sunset she strove to watch. How beautiful would it be? How breathtaking, from this dizzying height, would the smear of colors low on the horizon be? She closed her eyes for just a moment, savoring the thought, and in that moment missed the branch she had intended to land on. Her eyes snapped open and her long limbs wheeled, searching for anything to hold. One paw hit the branch she’d leapt from and she clung to it, hauling herself back up with a desperate sort of fear.

The willowy she-cat’s entire body quivered with fear, and her claws felt tender and flayed. She huddled close to the tree trunk, trying to regain some sense of herself over the roaring fear that still echoed in her ears. She had come close to dying; so close – too close. In time, she felt the rough wood beneath her pads, and snagging in her pelt. She could feel the breezes that whispered close around her, as if to reassure her that all was well. Eden took a steadying breath and then inched out again, looking at the branch she’d missed. Of all the inopportune times to close her eyes… The limb that jutted from the trunk above her was thin and whippy, she would’ve had to land at the very base to stay on. She steeled her nerve and leapt again, this time landing unerringly where she’d intended. She cast her eyes upwards to the ginger tom who had guided her thus far.

“How close are we to the top?

[/color]” She asked. She could almost taste the muted hues of the sunset.

---

[[literally the only excuse I can offer you for the woeful lateness of this post is that my cat muse has been to some places we shan't speak of. So very, very sorry.]]
[/justify][/blockquote][/font]