Closed Thread [Closed] Top Secret Mission (19FG)

Two green eyes peered after Brindlekit as her sibling left the den. Why was she sneaking out? They were old enough to go to the freshkill pile, so if they stayed in camp, why couldn't they be out there? Standing, Dovekit arched her back for a moment and yawned before reaching for dappled forelegs out in front, bowing it in turn. Stretching out each hind leg until they quivered, she scampered out of the nursery after her sister. "I'mma catch you, Brindlekit!" The little blue and cream kit cried as she stopped to scent where her sister went and adjust her trajectory accordingly. It smelled like she had skirted the elder's den! Slowing her scamper as she neared, Dovekit slowed to duck down into a messy hunter's crouch, attempting to sneak up on Brindlekit with the obvious intent to pounce. She thought she was being really quiet! She really wasn't.

((Dovekit))

Dovekit ears perked despite herself as she rounded the den and came across her sister, who pounced her with a yowl and the mottled kitten gave a responding play growl as she reared to greet her sister's pounce. As she was tackled, Dovekit grabbed her sister with her forepaws, making sure her claws were sheathed, and rolled to prepare a a flurry of bunny kicks. "If you win, I'll continue to follow you! If I win, you hafta follow me where I wanna go!" She growled, still trying to roll her sister to pin Brindlekit.

((Tigerrush))

Tigerrush felt better as she made her way back through the tunnel to the dirtplace, and had been going over things, going over a mental checklist of things she had been wanting to get done. She was caught up on collecting and gathering herbs. She had made her visits to the elders to make sure they were feeling well and felt free of ticks. The only thing she hadn't done recently was check up on Speckledfrost in the nursery-

The brown tabby nearly tripped over the scuffling kits but was able to stop short before actually coming into contact with them and falling on her face. Green eyes glowed as she recognized the two she-kits of Speckledfrost. Oh, they were so full of energy! Settling back in the tunnel, keeping an ear out in case any other cat wanted to come or go, Tigerrush observed the play, whiskers twitching at the growled statement one of the kits gave.

((Dovekit))

There was a squeak as Brindlekit started to roll her and kick at her the same as Dovekit had done moments before. Dovekit struggled to get back onto her paws with a playful growl, finding it a bit easier as something had distracted her sister long enough to loose her footing and allow the mottled blue-cream and white to gain her own. Until Brindlekit kicked out and Dovekit gave an 'oof!' as her sister's hindpaws knocked the wind out of her and her victory on top began to falter.

((Tigerrussh))

Green eyes still danced with amusement as Tigerrush watched the two kits wrestle. She let them be as this was an important interaction between the kits. Once they settled things, she would speak up and ask what they were up to. If they needed an eye kept on them, she would do so but perhaps she would let them lead her one their little escapade. Once their dispute with each other had been settled. She shifted some more so she has comfortably loafed on the ground with her paws tucked under her. These two she-kits would soon make very energetic apprentices soon and, despite how long it would feel to them, it wouldn't be long before they were warriors in their turn.

((Dovekit))

Dovekit squeaked as her sister nipped at her and flopped down on her in victory. She attempted one last time to push Brindlekit sister off before relaxing, trying to catch her breath. "I give up this time." She puffed back to the other she-kit, still not having seen Tigerrush yet. "And only cuz I'm curious to see where you wanted to go!" Hopefully, whatever adventure her sister wanted to go on would end with them at the freshkill pile! The wrestling match had made her hungry but Dovekit would go with Brindlekit wherever her sister led, because she had said she would if the other kit had won- which she had.

((Tigerrush))

Tigerrush tilted her head and purred in amusement at the kit's exchange. She remembered having similar wrestling matches with her brother as kits and she remember that despite how much bigger she had been, she had learned a flip that had worked well on him. Maybe she'd teach these two that flip sometime. When Brindlekit managed to pin Dovekit down and the defeated sister yielded, the brown tabby medicine cat mewed softly. "That was a battle well fought! Good job both of you! That was a good pin, Brindlekit." There, she praised them both then made sure to specifically congratulate the victor. "Though I might ask, what brought about such a face-off here in this spot?" Her green eyes sparkled with curious good-humor as she looked back and forth between the two she-kits.

((Dovekit))

Dovekit got to her paws and while she didn't pounce Brindlekit when her sister turned away, she sidled up next to the other kit and gave her an affectionate bump with her shoulder. "I dunno where I was gonna take us. Stories from the elders is always nice, but I wanted to play and practice stalking Brindlekit!" When the medicine cat started talking about the tunnel leading to where dirt was made, she thought about how stinky that would be but while she wrinkled her nose, she didn't say anything. Then Tigerrush said she was leaving camp and would take them with her, even if only a little ways, her tail stuck straight up in the air and her green eyes widened in excitement and pride. "Yeah! Nothing would dare attack us if we're there with you! And we can help you bring stuff back!" She paused and then glanced sideways at her sister. "I mean, as long as Brindlekit wants to go, since she's kinda leading me around right now."

((Tigerrush))

Tigerrush watched the two with soft green eyes. "If you want to know the truth, this tunnel isn't very exciting. This is the tunnel that cats use to go to the dirtplace to make their dirt." She purred in amusement at the wrinkle of Dovekit's nose. "If you like, even though I'm sure you wanted to go exploring without an escort, I can take you with me a little ways out of camp. I'm going to gather a few herbs and I could use the help. I'm sure nothing would dare bother us if I had you two to protect and help me." She waited for their replies and twitched her whiskers at Dovekit's enthusiastic response, then waited for Brindlekit's reply.

((Tigerrush))

Tigerrush purred in amusement and, in a small bound, was in front of Brindlekit. "Hold up, Brindlekit." She mewed patiently, stepping on the kit's tail to keep her in place. "Before I take you, I need one thing from you two." The brown tabby lowered her face to the height of both kits, her tone turning serious. "You will do exactly as I say and stay by me while we are outside camp. If you do not listen, I will pick you up and you will be back in the camp before you can twitch your whiskers at me. You understand, Brindlekit? Dovekit?"

((Dovekit))

Green eyes were wide as Dovekit watched Tigerrush move so fast, she got right in front Brindlekit before her sister could outrun the medicine cat. In a couple scampers, she caught up in time to see the older she-cat lean down to talk to them. She perked her ears and listened, tail lifting in excitement as the brown tabby told them she would take them from camp. It almost drooped as they were told to mind her, but at least they'd be outside camp and exploring while their brother's slept in the nursery! Trying to be as solemn as she could, she mewed, trying to prove she was listening. "I promise to listen to you, Tigerrush!" She didn't want the embarrassment of being picked up by the scruff and bundled back into camp by the medicine cat.

((Tigerrush))

The moment she had Brindlekit's word, Tigerrush lifted her paw and purred at the kits. This was definitely going to be an interesting trip, though hopefully she didn't just make a big mistake in doing this. The brown tabby began to take the lead. "The main thing I'm in need of right now are some grape leaves. I use the leaves when I store the herbs in my den and I use them to make herb bundles for when I need to carry herbs around." She explained to the kits as she moved through the tunnel. She stepped to the side and sat to watch the kits' reaction to being outside the camp and to let them have a short time to sniff around a little.

((Dovekit))

The mottled blue and cream she-kit watched as Brindlekit promised and Tigerrush took the lead, freeing her sister's tail. Scampering after the medicine cat, Dovekit listened to what they were going to help her collect. They would protect and help her! That's why they were going with her, right? Grape leaves must be those huge leaves she often saw Tigerrush carrying into camp! No wonder that was why she used them! When the brown tabby stepped to the side, Dovekit scampered a few paces past her before stopping short, green eyes wide, as she took in the surroundings and fresher air and all the smells! After being in the camp, outside of it seemed huge! "Wow....." She breathed softly, awed but ready to tail Tigerrush and Brindlekit if they tried to move on without her.

((Tigerrush))

Tigerrush purred as she watched Brindlekit drop into a clumsy hunter's crouch and snuck up to slap a beetle off the lead it had been on. Her eyes glowed in amusement and affection while her whisker twitched. "Yes, that was very brave Brindlekit. That beetle shouldn't bother us anymore." She padded forward to give the kit an appreciative lick between the ears. "I know things are different outside of camp, but what can you smell?" She asked, curious as to what they might come up with.

((Dovekit))

Dovekit looked up at the question, eyes still wide. "I smell everything!" She chirped, still quite a bit in awe. Then she took a big inhale of breath, scenting the air and pausing to think. "I can smell..... lots of cats cuz all the patrols walk past here in and out of camp." That made sense to her. "I can smell a lot of tree and plants and...." She paused, not fully sure how to describe the damp, earthy smell from the foliage and environment around them. "I dunno what else to call it other than it smells heavy."

((Tigerrush))

Tigerrush's whiskers twitched as she listened to what the kit's noses picked up and she glanced up at what Brindlekit had spotted. "Yes, but it's difficult to try and catch a bird in a tree. Both the birds and squirrels are masters of trees in ways cats don't often seem to be." She explained to Brindlekit, then added to Dovekit. "The heavy scent is just an earthy scent and it's often more noticable after the rains have come." The brown tabby started forward again, tail held high as she led the kits a little further down the path. "I ask you two a question. Do either of you have one for me now?" The medicine cat didn't mind teaching the kits as they went, but one of the best way to teach was to let them ask questions to answer, things they wanted to learn.

((Dovekit))

Dovekit nodded a she listened to Tigerrush's explanation and scampered after her as she continued to walk again. The mottled kit was thinking what she might want to ask when a gentle buzz went past her ear and green eyes turned to lock onto a different beetle. "Hey Brindlekit, watch this! I'm gonna catch that beetle!" She reared up and hopped a couple times as she swatted at the flying insect with flailing forelegs. Missing, she settled back onto four legs and followed it until it landed then began a clumsy hunter's crouch to sneak up on it. She totally forget about thinking up a question for Tigerrush.

((Dovekit))

Dovekit sidled up behind the beetle, wiggled her hind end a moment then pounced and slapped her paws over the beetle before reaching down and picking it up to show Tigerrush her catch. "Look, Tigerrush, look!" She squeaked in delight, green eyes shining. "I caught it all by myself!"

She listened as her sister asked a question about the plants and Tigerrush's reply. "Are you gonna show us what to do when we get to the grape leaves?"

((Tigerrush))

Green eyes continued to glow as the medicine cat continued to watch the kittens' antics as she continued to pad slowly forward. Brindlekit had abandoned the stalking and trotted up to her, Dovekit wasn't far behind after the mottled kit caught her prey. "Very good, Dovekit! Nice catch." 

"Grape leaves. It's not too far now." To Brindlekit, she mewed patiently. "The plants the medicine cat use are taught to them by their mentors. It takes a bit of time, and there are a lot of plants to learn. Not only are we taught what the various parts of the plants are used for, we also are shown where they grow and how to harvest them. And yes, if you want, I can show you how to harvest the grape leaves." Looking over to where the other she-kit chirped up with a question, Tigerrush purred in amusement. 

((Tigerrush))

Tigerrush's purr only strengthened as she watched the kits pounce and scamper and frolick around her as she continued to lead them. "I don't think so, Brindlekit." She mewed, amusement coloring her voice as she glanced down at the minutes older kit. "Grape leaves can carry many things, but they are still leaves and can only hold so much. I've never tried but a newborn kit might be little enough. Kits as big as you and Dovekit would be much too big though."

Ears twitching, she heard a buzzing sound and heard Dovekit exclaim. Turning, the medicine cat noticed that the buzzing insect being stalked this time was a bee and she called out quickly in warning. "Best leave that insect alone, Dovekit. That's a bee. Bees can sting and it can hurt a bit. We don't want to go back to camp just yet, do we?"

Again, she led the pair a few more fox lengths before she spotted the vine she was looking for. "I see what I'm looking for. Can either of you show me where it is?"

((Dovekit))

Dovekit scampered after the other two, pouncing and swatting at leaves as she went. She was enjoying this outing with Tigerrush very much! This was a lot of fun! The little mottled she-kit was listening to the other two with her before a soft buzzing across her ears distracted her. A little striped bug that rested on an early blooming flower. As she hunkered down and scooted forward, attempting her best stalk, she hadn't even had time to lift a paw to bat when Tigerrush's warning came to her. A bee? And it could sting her and make her hurt? She didn't want to go back to camp yet! They hadn't even found what they were looking for!

After another moment of scampering, she heard the medicine cat speak again. She could see it? The grape leaves? Where? She started looking around, trying to figure out what leaves looked big and what might seem different than the other leaves around it.

((Tigerrush))

Tigerrush trilled softly in amusement as Brindlekit went tumbling over the very vine the medicine cat had been spying. "Very good, Brindlekit! Now, find some of the biggest and greenest leaves you can. Make sure they don't have holes or dry, brown spots. The ones that you and Dovekit find will be the ones that we take back to camp with us! All you have to do is make sure to bite if off as close to the vine as you can." Her ears twitched and she glanced at the other mottled kit when the younger of the two declared how she was going to help the medicine cat when she became an apprentice. "As long as your mentor allows it. You'll probably be so busy learning all sorts of new things, you'll forget all about these leaves. And that's okay if it happens. Unless something really bad happens, I'll be able to keep my stocks full." She chuckled at the words that just tumbled out of Dovekit's mouth but she understood. Being a medicine cat wasn't for everyone after all! "It's not always boring. Sometimes, I have a lot of gather and sometimes run out of time trying to do everything. That's okay and it happens. Meanwhile, some cats just aren't meant to be medicine cats and that's okay too." 

((Dovekit))

Dovekit hurried over at the instructions and looked closely at the leaves that Tigerrush pointed out. The biggest and greenest? Okay! "When I'm an apprentice, I'll make sure you stay good and stocked on these! When I see them on patrols and stuff, I'll always make sure to bring some back!" Listening to what she had been told, she leaned forward to bite at the stem of a big, green leaf she could find. "This is so easy! It must be super easy being a medicine cat! It must get boring doing this all the time!" She didn't even think about what she was saying, it just came out around the mouthful of leaf stem. What she didn't say aloud was that she hoped that she was a warrior apprentice and not a medicine cat apprentice. She didn't want to get stuck doing this all day every day! At least Tigerrush understood.