Strangers like me {{Rainflight & Owltalon}}

Nobody
The young kit sat shivering in her hiding spot between a tree and a rock. Her light brown and black spotted fur was streaked with mud and was sticking up from the dew that she had awoken to this morning. Her brown eyes were wide with fear as she slowly looked around for her mother. She she woke up she was alone in this strange place. She had wondered out to find her and this big dog thing had attacked her. Luckily she got away but she couldn't forget those large yellow eyes.
As she looked around she tried to remember what had happened. She had been outside with her mother an was playing with her brother, which her mom had just named Dodger. She tried to remember her name, but she couldn't. She closed her eyes and tried to remember.

The kit had just been tackled by her brother and was laughing although he was squishing her. She nipped his ear and he jumped back. They both looked at the pretty black cat as she called for them and they ran over giggling and jumping on each other's tails.
"alright...that's enough." she mewed quietly. "It's about time i gave you a name."
Both kits grinned and wiggled with excitement. The little she-cat noticed that she kept looking at he brother and never really looked at her for long. The black she-cat leaned over and licked her son's head and smiled at him.
"From now on...you will be Dodger." she mewed. Her brother stuck his chest out and grinned. The little cat was proud for her brother then she looked at her mom. She was surprised that her mom had gotten up and was heading for the door."Mama! hat's my name?!" she asked bounding after her. The older she-cat stopped and looked at her. Her eyes were watery and she seemed to hesitate.
"Nobody....your name is Nobody." she murmured.

The small kit laid there with her head on her paws. Nobody. She was a nobody, and she would always be a nobody. That's why her mom had left her here. She didn't want her. now she was alone. Or she thought she was.
The rustling of bushes ahead made her freeze and her ears perk. Someone else was here. She could hear the voice close by. She quickly moved further back in her hiding spot but was still able to watch ahead of her. She just hopped it wasn't that big dog again.

Who is that girl I see, staring straight back at me
Why is my reflection someone I don’t know?
Some how I can not hide Who I am, thought I’ve tried
When will my reflection show who I am inside?

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OWLTALON
I fight for what I believe in.

The forest floor was deserted. The usual undergrowth was dull and brown, not a flash of color occupied the land. But the trickling of water was blessed with the promise of new-leaf, a fresh beginning to an icy death. Owltalon surveyed the land, where should we go? He cast a weary glance at Rainflight, he hoped she wouldn't sense his befuddlement. The tom had been so sure, this idea seemed grand. Promising a fresh new chapter to the story of their love; together, him and Rainflight were one. He loved her with every bit of his heart, and for today he'd like to have her only to himself. He felt a bit selfish but when his eyes met hers he knew it felt right. Everyone was allowed to gorge within their own desires, if not for a little while?

The tom cracked a grin, "Honestly your going to laugh, but I don't know where to go?" A chuckle escaped his speech but he was able to maintain some integrity. He was still deputy, not a lovesick apprentice, nor a foolish warrior. But as his smile slithered into a lopsided grin he couldn't help but wounder where that stupid tom had truly gone. For beyond his knowledge that tom was still inside him, just a bit dusted. It only needed a slight spark to reignite that flame. "The beach, the two-leg nest, the Windclan stream?" Owltalon listed off multiple places as he weaved between the trees, his tail laying leisurely across his mate's shoulder.

A sharp scent interrupted any train of thought, all concepts derailed. Scrunching up his nose he tried to pinpoint just what was emitting such a peculiar scent. Furrowing his brows he stopped his motion, "Rainflight, do you smell that? I think--" His voice too began to wither away; the mewling of a kit only remained. Curiosity over took him and he threw Rainflight an apologetic shrug. Although this was supposed to be their day he couldn't leave a helpless scrap of fur alone in the woods. He wasn't a cruel, terrorizing monster. His massive form broke through the barricade of bushes, as he predicted a speckled, lonely kit lay before him. She was desperately shrinking back into her hiding place, it might have tricked a fox but not a trained warrior.

Owltalon had sense, he wasn't just going barge in, the kit would be even more terrified. Instead he dropped onto his haunches, trying to be as small as possible. Quietly as he could he inched closer and closer until the she-kit was only a few mouse-length in front of him. "Are you lost? Do you need help?" he cooed softly.

Nobody
When Nobody heard the voices her fear slackened slightly but not much and she still curled herself up tighter watching the entrance to her little hiding spot. The big dog she hadn't been able to understand, but this thing...she could. Maybe it was another cat, but it wasn't her mother. Her brother's words slowly drifted to her from a conversation a while back
'Don't ever trust another cat. Especially those in the wild. They won't help you. They'll kill you.'
Nobody suppressed a shiver and waiting praying that the new people wouldn't know she was here. She was wrong. The one that sounded like a tom stopped talking when she let out a coughing mew. She hadn't meant to but her throat was tickling her. It just came out.
When the tom started into the hiding spot she moved back further and watched with wide eyes. Although he looked small enough to fit into her spot she knew he had to be much bigger. His face was large and brown and had darker stripes then his fur. Almost like hers but hers was spotted. his eyes had an amber glow to them and that's what scared he the most. she coward back some more and then the tom spoke to her.
'Are you lost? Do you need help?'
His voice was so gentle for a large, mean looking cat. She wanted so badly to yell, "Yes! I'm lost! i don't know where i am! And I'm starving! I want food! I haven't eaten in hours!"

[/b] but she help her tounge for now. Although she didn't want to answer the tom she found herself nodding her head silently hoping her brother was wrong. Surely this cat wouldn't kill a kit like her. Would he?[/center]

Who is that girl I see, staring straight back at me
Why is my reflection someone I don’t know?
Some how I can not hide Who I am, thought I’ve tried
When will my reflection show who I am inside?

[/b][/i][/size]

OWLTALON
I fight for what I believe in.

The little she-kit looked as if she had lost her tongue. She seemed desperate to speak, and yet she refused to mutter a word. Only a slight nod echoed his questions. A small smile tainted his composure, speaking gently he meowed, "Where are you from?" Owltalon didn't want to whisk her off to camp if she had a family looking for her, he had to be sure she was completely and utterly helpless.

Tossing Rainflight a worried glance he turned back to the frightened kit, "I can bring you home." The tom seemed large and burly. But deep down everyone knew he was as soft-hearted as a kitty-pet. Owltalon couldn't leave a kit alone in the forest, no matter where they came from. Kitty-pet, rogue, Shadowclan they were all cats through and through. This didn't mean he'd be quick to betray his clan; this meant he had fair judgment. Not to mention his loyalties lay thick within Thunderclan's soil. He is and always will be a Thunderclan cat.

Opening his mouth he drew in the kit's scents. She was definitely not a clan cat. A rouge. This most likely meant she was dropped of for some reason, she wasn't wanted. Blinking he let his mind wonder as he waited for a response. If I brought her back to Thunderclan who would care for her? The only queen left was Otterfoot but he couldn't ask such a favor from her, because of his daughter her son was dead. Furrowing his brows he gazed intently at the kit, she was old enough to eat solid food so she wouldn't have to be nursed. Suddenly it hit him, "Would you like to come to Thunderclan with me? Rainflight and I will take care of you." Rainflight surely wouldn't disagree, she was a great mother. She would be delighted to take care of another kit, wouldn't she?

Nobody
The small kit watched with wide eyes as the large tom kept talking to her. He seemed nice. Really nice in fact. She slowly peeked around him at the other cat then back at him. Rainflight? What kind of name was that? and who were these cats. They seemed so gentle and caring, but they looked so wild.
'maybe they're like me...' she thought and slowly moved a little closer to the tom.
"I...I lived in a big house. But i don't know where it is. I woke up and was here. My mama left me." she mewed softly and swallowed looking at the tom's eyes. She felt safe looking at him. She knew that big dog thing wouldn't come after her with these two around, or so she hoped.
"Where do you live?" she asked as he said they, they being him and the she-cat she guessed, would take her to their home. He little body was shaking and she was tired and hungry. She never really noticed it till then. without thinking she moved closer to the tom and sat under his chest rubbing her head against it.
"Your fur is soft...just like mama's was." she mewed closing her eyes. She didn't know how this cat would act but she hoped he wouldn't hurt her.

Who is that girl I see, staring straight back at me
Why is my reflection someone I don’t know?
Some how I can not hide who I am, thought I’ve tried
When will my reflection show who I am inside?

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<sup>Rainflight
Keep trying, you'll never bring me down

Rainflight was caught by surprise from her happy and loving mood to a confused and curious mood. When she carefully scented the air, she too could smell something unfamiliar. The only she could pick up was that it was a cat at a young age.

It looked helpful and lost. She couldn't help but feel sympathy for the young cat. Someone had to take care of it before it died with no trace of its existence or dreams to accompany its death. "Iceblink c-"
"Would you like to come to Thunderclan with me? Rainflight and I will take care of you."
I didn't even say anything about taking care of her, you stupid tom! I just got out of the nursery! Rainflight growled in her head, her deep love for her mate lost in the midst of anger.

"Dear, can I talk to you for a second? Alone?" Rainflight meowed, her voice forcefully happy alone with the smile that struggled to live on her face. This couldn't be official. Not if she could help it.</sup>

OWLTALON
I fight for what I believe in.

Owltalon frowned gently, "Why would your mother leave you? Your very pretty." he meowed softly. Carefully he rubbed his head affectionately against her own little head. "We live in Thunderclan camp. It's safe, warm, and nothing can harm you there." He informed her quietly. This little kit definitely needed their help, and nothing would get in his way of doing so. Perhaps it was the empty feeling that had been growing ever since Kestrelpaw and Mysticpaw had became apprentices. They no longer screeched his name in delight when he approached. They didn't want to cuddle; play; nothing. They had their own lives and he hated that. Maybe just maybe this little kit could fill that gaping hole.

But maybe there was one thing that could stop him.

Eyes wide he whipped his head towards Rainflight's smoldering eyes. He gulped, Oh boy. Quickly he nudged the kit deeper into the ferns, "Stay there I'll be right back." he whispered. Turning his fully devoted attention back to his mate he nervously replied, "Of course, hunny-kins." Scuffling his paws he followed her towards a secluded clearing. Clearing his throat he meowed anxiously,
"So what did you want to talk about?"

Oh he knew she was going to kill him. He could see it in the way her eyes glowered; her teeth flashing; her tail lashing. But what had made her so mad? He wasn't sure. Rainflight loved kits; she also enjoyed her stay in the nursery. So why would taking another kit be such a problem. "Is it the kit?" he asked; confusion smothering his face. What's wrong with taking care of an abandoned kit?

<sup>Rainflight
Keep trying, you'll never bring me down

Rainflight stiffly lead him until she felt she was safe from the young kit's ears. Whipping around she hissed quietly, "What's wrong?" forcing down the urge to knock some sense into his brain she snapped, "Of course it's the kit! I just got done raising two of our kits and I finally got to be a warrior again! What makes you think I want to go straight back to the nursery?"

An angry grunt escaped her throat. Sighing, she tried to calm her frustration. But Owltalon's selfish wants still echoed in her head. "Imagine you being locked up in some confined den for moons. Not being able to hunt, fight, patrol, nothing. Then you can understand why I don't want to be in that situation again! Not even for an abandoned kit! Why can't someone else do it?" Her voice got a little louder than usual, almost like a battle cry.

Lowering her voice she meowed more calmly, though it was obviously forced, "Why do you even want another kit?"</sup>

[/sup]

OWLTALON
I fight for what I believe in.

Each words cut him like thorns. He flinched as she lashed out; he hadn't been aware of just how much she hated the nursery. Owltalon gulped nervously, how bad of a mate am I? The tom had been so sure she would have been overjoyed. Was there something that he had missed when she had been raising there own daughters. Her scathing eyes burned into his pelt; not able to meet her gaze he stared at his paws. Scraping the ground anxiously he meowed quietly, "I just--"

He didn't know what to say or how to say it. How could he when it was so obvious that she'd hate every excuse he came up with? But if he told her the truth she'd hate him even more. How can I say that I guess I don't know you as well as I thought I did? Owltalon and Rainflight the pair were inseparable as apprentice and kit. When he became a warrior the only thing he ever wanted to do was make her his mate. Yet since Kestrelpaw and Mystic they had only been growing further and further apart.

"I didn't realize raising our children was such a chore for you." He mumbled involuntarily; his mouth snapped shut. Where did these words come from? He could already imagine the heat pulsing from her veins. These words would scar her just as hers did him. Her question trembled against his spine. Why did he want another kit? Well the reasons were as clear as day and he thought she'd be able to see that. But perhaps they really knew nothing about each other. He hardly even knew what her favorite prey was, her favorite hunting spot. Great Starclan, did she know these things of him? I'm a horrible mate.

He gulped once more. He hesitantly raised his voice once more, "Rainflight, I'm sorry." A cough escaped his throat, he turned the other way until the spasm ended. Owltalon cleared his dry, scratchy throat, "I just miss being a father, our kits want nothing to do with us!" His tail drooped, "And it hurts to see them walk right on by without even a hello." Owltalon's voice grew quiet, "I guess I just wanted to feel special again."

Nobody
The small kit sat there and watched the other two cats quietly. The once nice looking she-cat had suddenly turned fierce and angry. She shrank back slightly, but she could still hear them talking. She wasn't deaf.
'I don't want to be confined to the nursery again!'
Nobody flinched slightly at the words. Did nobody even want her anymore. She knew she was small, but she could sort of take care of herself. She didn't have to drink milk anymore...she knew that much. As she looked back at the she-cat, she reminded her so much of her mother. Wanting to be free but never knowing how.
That's when she knew what she had to do. She slowly climbed out of her hiding spot and looked around curiously before heading that way. She knew this was probably a bad idea, but oh well. She wasn't stopping now.
"Miss...Miss Rainflight..." she mewed quickly laying her ears down and ducking her head slightly. "you...you don't have to feed me...i can eat big cats food now...and i won't be trouble. but please...i don't want be out here alone.....it's scarey....and he said he could take me to his home..."
The poor kit was scared to death that this older cat was going to shred her to pieces. But she wanted her to know she wasn't completely helpless. She could take care of herself.
Maybe...

Who is that girl I see, staring straight back at me
Why is my reflection someone I don’t know?
Some how I can not hide who I am, thought I’ve tried
When will my reflection show who I am inside?

[/b][/i][/size]

<sup>Rainflight
Keep trying, you'll never bring me down

Rainflight narrowed her eyes. Wasn't she good enough to love him? It was like that before. Why can he just think about her needs instead of just his own? Never had Rainflight known Owltalon to be selfish. It was like an annoying flea biting at her flesh. "Then you take care of kits on your own and see how it feels to be stuck in a small den for many moons! Why can't I just get a break? You can wait! Think about what I want for a change! I have to take care of it, you know! You get all the easy stuff, while I'm stuck with the hard stuff!"

Yes, Rainflight was stubborn. Once she was fixed on being a warrior again, it was hard to change her mind. No matter how cruel or harsh she had to be, she'll fight until she gets it. But, she didn't know who was actually being selfish. Him or her?

Him, of course! Rainflight hissed in her mind. But the chaos of rage was interrupted by a small mew joining in on the conversation. She was so polite and well-mannered. So cute and good-hearted. All she seemed to want was someone to look after her. Someone to call mother. Never in her life has she met someone so polite and warm.

The warrior calmed down for the innocent kit. How could she say no now? I got it, Rainflight grunted in her thoughts. I'll do this for the kit. Not for him.

"Alright, little kit. I'll do this for you. Come on, I'll give you a nice, juicy meal when we get home," Rainflight purred, grasping the kit by the scruff and passing Owltalon with a menacing glare. I'll get you for this....</sup>

[/sup]

OWLTALON
I fight for what I believe in.

Her words cut, ripped; tore his heart with each breath. He gulped, nervously he flicked his gaze back and forth. He gulped again but this time the lump got caught in his throat. When did she feel so strongly about being a warrior? Owltalon cleared the lump. She was just a reckless kit. Then his mate, bore his kits. When did being a warrior suddenly play into this? The tom clenched his teeth. Why was she causing him so much pain? Wasn't his love enough? He snorted, her anger was driving him reckless, impatient, he was becoming angry. "Hard stuff?" He hissed. The tom folded his ears against the top of his skull. "Since when was being deputy easy? Everyday I have to deal with cats who openly hate me!" Flaring his nostrils he dug his claws into the earth,
"Do you think I don't miss the days of being so care-free?" Narrowing his eyes he voice dropped to a whispered growl, "My life isn't as easy as you claim it to be."

Just like that, that kit was part of their family. Rainflight snatched her up in her jaws and waltz off. That blazing fire still kindled in her gaze; sending rage burning within Owltalon's belly. She had no right to be angry at him. Do you have the right to be angry at her? The tom shrugged away the thought, he had every right. Most she-cats didn't complain about being 'locked' away for three months. Normal she-cats loved the break.

With an agitated grunt he stalked after her. His fur standing on end; his senses still prickling from the fight. Even though his heart screamed and raged; he knew he still loved her. He knew the reason why he found her so captivating was because she was different. Rainflight was a born fighter. Too bad it would take a lot longer for Owltalon to realize this. Too bad this fight wasn't going to simply vanish. This was a grudge he was going to hold.