Sharing tongues

[sil]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true]

[atrb=background,http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g171/Sillvy/bg1.png] f i s h b o n e

[/i][/color]

Flattered, Fishbone let out a little mrrow of amusement. The tom may not particularly care what other cats thought of him, but there was no doubt he responded well to praise. He now regretted the way he had distanced himself so much from the rest of the Clan, especially his peers. No cat knew him well enough to call him a friend, and vice versa.

With discord filling the camp and tensions running high between all Clans, Fishbone knew he needed allies. He never doubted that his Clanmates would have his back—he trusted them with his life—even so it would be nice to know there was a cat out there who would protect his blindside for more than Clan loyalty. A friend. Plus the foothills and the mountainside got lonely sometimes.

He was just lucky the first cat he happened upon was such a caring, affable she-cat. Fishbone didn’t know what he would do if she had rebuffed him for his being anti-social or strange, or for his biting tongue when he did speak.

So he answered her with a toothy grin. ”Absolutely. There is no greater honor than protecting your Clan.” He paused, holding her gaze. ”Will you be?”

[/td][/tr][tr][td][/td][/tr][/table][/center]

[Kenya]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=background,http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g171/Sillvy/bg-2.png] L i g h t n i n g f u r Lightningfur nodded in response to his question. The seriousness in his voice reflected the tensions she felt as well as other cats in their clan. Lightningfur turned her gaze elsewhere for a few heartbeats. Twisting her head around she prodded him in the ribs with an outstretched paw. "Though I don't see how you can out match one of those cats! You're so thin!" She teased, her tail flicking mischievously in the soft snow behind her like a snake. "Better hope your claws are sharp!" She taunted lightly, humor flickering in her icy blue eyes. Lightningfur got to her paws and stood tall facing Fishbone in mock challenge. The tensions in the camp were more than enough to subdue the usually energetic mood of some of the warriors. Even the apprentices seemed tense. Lightningfur swiped a paw cuffing him around his ear.

[sil]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true]

[atrb=background,http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g171/Sillvy/bg1.png] f i s h b o n e

[/i][/color]

Fishbone’s grin disappeared behind a neutral stare at the insult. He had a sort of Napoleon complex about his short legs and skinny frame, though he didn’t normally show it. Initially, he considered not responding; after a beat, however, he realized Lightningfur was teasing. He coyly mewed, ”I happen to manage just fine, thank you. His fiery eyes glittered. ”The enemy will all think that, but they won’t know what hits them till it’s too late!” Then the she-cat took a friendly, challenging stance.

A trill of excitement sent Fishbone immediately to his paws. He took the playful cuff with a happy purr escaping his throat. Fur bristling, he reared up on his hind legs, coming down with sheathed paws on her ginger shoulders.

He skirted away immediately afterwards, snow kicking up under his paws as he created a little distance between them. Fishbone took a second to glance around the camp, hoping to catch the eye of another cat who might join their friendly spar. He returned his attention back to the she-cat, tail flickering eagerly behind him.

[/td][/tr][tr][td][/td][/tr][/table][/center]

[Kenya]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=background,http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g171/Sillvy/bg-2.png] L i g h t n i n g f u r Lightningfur stumbled under the force of his paws, her eyes glittering with excitement. Quickly she gained her balance and stood to face the tom. In a few heartbeats he had changed in her eyes from a young quiet warrior to a formidable opponent. He was stronger then she had initially though. Lightningfur crouched down, her tail lashing back and forth with her false aggression like a snake stalking its prey. "Big talk for such a small cat!" With all her energy she pushed up with her strong back legs and sprang forward. Her paws hit the ground with a thud a few mouse lengths from the tom. Lightningfur thrust her shoulder into him with hopes he'd lose his balance. With her force thrown into her it took a her moment to scramble back onto her own paws. "Come on!" She hissed trying to push his emotions. "Are you a warrior or a Kittypet?" Her insults were not meant to hurt, but to liven their fight. She allowed a purr to escape from her throat to assure him she meant no harm.

[sil]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=background,http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g171/Sillvy/bg1.png] f i s h b o n e

[/i][/color]

Fishbone mewed in enthusiasm, chuckling at her first insult. He calmed and steadied himself when Lightningfur came at him again. To his surprise, he didn’t have to exaggerate losing his balance like he intended; the she-cat carried a lot of strength behind that dainty ginger-and-white coat!

He fell back with a happy yowl. As he descended, his sharp eyes gleamed and he kicked up large paw-fuls of snow with his powerful legs, flinging it at her face. Whether she dodged the snow, or even fell for the distraction at all, Fishbone quickly swung around, crouched, and sprang at her back legs. ”Find a kittypet that fights like this,” he called good-naturedly.

[/td][/tr][tr][td][/td][/tr][/table][/center]

[Kenya]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=background,http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g171/Sillvy/bg-2.png] L i g h t n i n g f u r Lightningfur shook her head violently against the cold snow being tossed into her face and forced her paws to take her a few steps back. She blinked a few quick times and cleared her eyes but Fishbone's attack came to soon for her to react. She yowled in surprise and stumbled onto her side exposing her soft belly. Even in a spar it made her nervous. Twisting around wildly Lightningfur attempted to get to her paws. Pulling herself up she reared back and slammed his dark shoulder with her white paws. If she could somehow get him pinned, with any luck he would be defenseless! Fishbone's small frame made him difficult to get a grip on. As her paws made contact with his shoulder, her left slipped off like his pelt were covered in layers of ice. She hissed in frustration as some of her pressure was redirected from her lost grip.

[sil]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=background,http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g171/Sillvy/bg1.png] f i s h b o n e

[/i][/color]

Fishbone found himself surprised at her quickness; her unprotected belly was his next target, but Lightningfur reacted immediately, protecting herself with a timely attack. The tom had to remind himself that this was not the same she-cat that was lost in daydreams of kits and motherhood—she was a warrior, a young one at that, but obviously skilled. He was knocked flat to the stony ground, releasing a startled wfff of breath as the air was blown out of his lungs.

Fishbone allowed himself a moment of pleasure at her shocked expression when she tried to pin him down. If this had been a real scuffle, claws and all, she may have found better footing, but Fishbone washed those thoughts away. Though he was half pinned, he twisted like a trapped fish and rolled onto his back. With his free, left front leg, he thrust a charcoal paw into her chest fur above him, hoping to unbalance her just enough to swing his lower half around in an arc in an attempt to bowl her over with his hind legs.

[/td][/tr][tr][td][/td][/tr][/table][/center]

[Kenya]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=background,http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g171/Sillvy/bg-2.png] L i g h t n i n g f u r Lightningfur felt herself relax under the thought she had him pinned. Suddenly she felt his dark paw meet her white chest. She hissed in surprise and felt herself being propelled upward away from the tom. Without time to react she felt his back legs strike her swiftly after his front paw did. Lightningfur allowed herself to fall sideways beside him instead of struggling against his legs. She felt her side hit the ground and become encrusted with snow. "Give.. up yet?" She hissed hoping to give herself a moment to catch her breath. A though jumped to her thoughts. She hunched her shoulders and took deeper breathes than necessary. If she looked like she was giving up, then perhaps that could give her an advantage. If he bought it she could win, if he didn't she would still fight her way out. Her pelt bristled threatening to give her away.

[sil]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=background,http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g171/Sillvy/bg1.png] f i s h b o n e

[/i][/color]

As the she-cat fell, Fishbone purred with equal parts happiness that he was sparring and that he was seemingly winning. He blinked at her tired panting in mild surprise. He turned onto his side to face her for a moment before getting to his paws. ”Eh, Lightningfur?” he meowed. ”Need a break or something?”

Now being the smart, observant warrior he was, Fishbone should have called her bluff the moment she tried to pull it. But the happy adrenaline was still flowing through him, and, at the unpleasant thought he may have accidentally hurt his only friend (Only chance of a friend, he corrected himself.) he became worried.

Tentatively, Fishbone bent his broad, dark head to sniff curiously at her muzzle.

[/td][/tr][tr][td][/td][/tr][/table][/center]

[Kenya]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=background,http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g171/Sillvy/bg-2.png] L i g h t n i n g f u r Lightningfur observed his body posture as she took in exaggerated breathes. Was he...concerned for her? Lightningfur suppressed a purr of amusement from escaping her throat. This would be easier then she thought now that she knew Fishbone believed she had given up. Lightningfur lifted her head, there noses almost touching when he had bent down to sniff her. She chose her words before executing her plan. "I think.." Then without missing a beat Lightningfur surged forward and shoved her head against his dark chest in attempt to flip him onto his back. "That you need some more training!" If Fishbone fell onto his back it would be all to easy for her to pin him with her front paws. She would not lose her grip on his slick pelt this time.

[sil]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=background,http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g171/Sillvy/bg1.png] f i s h b o n e

[/i][/color]

A mixture of shock, amusement, and mirth hit Fishbone with the same force as the she-cat threw physically. Maybe he knew, deep down somewhere, that she was tricking him. He was enjoying himself too much to care.

The weight and better angle Lightningfur had on him was more than enough. He flew backwards, arching his lithe, flexible spine—not to land on his feet, but to hit the rocky ground on his beige-lined back. She followed his descent, solidly pinning his shoulders and upper back to the floor. Orange eyes glinting, he pressed the paws of his hind legs into her unprotected belly as she stood above him, to show he still had a hand on this fight, too.

Fishbone allowed himself to relax a little. ”I suppose so,” he meowed, blinking.

[/td][/tr][tr][td][/td][/tr][/table][/center]

[Kenya]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=background,http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g171/Sillvy/bg-2.png] L i g h t n i n g f u r Lightningfur felt his paws press against her soft belly. Though she had the advantage now he could easily over throw her. "You fight well" She meowed blinking warmly though she still kept pressure on him. If he would toss her, she would be ready. Her tail flicked back and forth as she stared down at him, her eyes meeting his. "But as of right now I claim victory to this battle!" She mewed. Lightningfur threw back her head and gave a mock cry of triumph. "Do you admit defeat Fishbone?" She inquired staring down at him and showing off her best menacing look. "Admit defeat and I may just let you live!" She added to play up her dramatic almost-victory.

[sil]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=background,http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g171/Sillvy/bg1.png] f i s h b o n e

[/i][/color]

Fishbone stared up at the she-cat in wry delight, his tapered tail swishing and leaving trails in the snow. Silent, he let Lightningfur take her time taunting him, enjoying the banter. When she finished, a corner of his mouth pulled back, flashing her a few rows of teeth.

”Please, mighty NorthClan warrior,” he mocked, “spare this sad little tom his life! I admit defeat—“ He abruptly hooked his frontpaws around the elbows of her forelegs, holding her there, while he raked his sheathed backpaws across her belly once or twice. ”—when hedgehogs fly!”

Then, he drew back his hindlegs back into his body before pushing out against her stomach with all the might of LionClan. If he were strong enough, and she were not prepared, he intended to send her soaring over his head, still hooked by his forepaws. He would flip with her, effectively reversing their positions.

[/td][/tr][tr][td][/td][/tr][/table][/center]

[Kenya]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=background,http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g171/Sillvy/bg-2.png] L i g h t n i n g f u r Lightningfur had been prepared for his attack, but not the young tom's strength. Gasping, she flew backwards and felt her ginger pelt meet stone. Astonished she stared up at him but quickly masked her shock at the young cat's strength. "I think you missed the point where I was supposed to win!" She teased kicking him lightly with her back legs in mock distress. "Oh what ever shall I do? Starclan help me!" Lightningfur's fur started to get hot under her pelt. She was acting like a kit! With all the stress around here, perhaps that wasn't such a bad thing. Lightningfur flattened her ears and threw her head back to make her look more pathetic as she wriggled under his paws. "Someone send me some flying hedgehogs!" She meowed half purring.

[sil]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=background,http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g171/Sillvy/bg1.png] f i s h b o n e

[/i][/color]

In a real fight, Fishbone would have finished it quickly right then, because a young, stronger cat like Lightningfur would have tossed him off as easily as a she might a kit trying to pin her down. As it were, he was highly enjoying himself, and by the she-cat’s purrs and playful mews, he assumed she was, too.

He took the battering to his belly with an exaggerated roll of the eyes. ”When has NorthClan bred such weak warriors?” he meowed. ”I thought they were big and mean and fierce! With hearts as cold as the ice they live in!” Fishbone pressed down against her wiggling with a purr and he continued, ”EastClan queens tell their plump little kits not to wander too far from their side—a bloodthirsty NorthClanner might gobble them up, cause they have more meat on them than the fattest mountain squirrel!”

Eyes flashing, Fishbone released her and sat back. ”Okay, okay. Your hedgehogs have saved you for now.”

[/td][/tr][tr][td][/td][/tr][/table][/center]