-:-A Mother's Love-:-

[Shinzui]

Where was she? What was this place she and her young kit found themselves?

Shinzui no longer tried to understand, her only desire now was to survive. She recognized the scent of cats, at the border of TreeClan, and thought it safe to stay right across that line. It had only taken a day for her to scrap together a nest within a bush for her month old son to hide in while she hunted.

The beautiful kittypet was humbled by living out in the wild, when she ad lived and grown up within human company and care.

Even though her mind was now almost fully on the task of feeding herself, she still found time to keep her snow white pelt spotless, and her darker markings bright.

Hunting wasn’t as difficult as she had feared it would be. It had been only a few more days before she got the hang of it, able to catch mice and other small prey with relative ease. She had even managed to catch a young rabbit – something she felt a deep sense of pride for as it was quite an achievement for a kittypet.

It was later on that eve when Shinzui was padding back to her nest and Kaze, the white kit that was her son, when a rogue male found her. He was an ugly thing, fur matted and with one fang broken.

“’ello there pretty kitty. You lost?”

Shinzui fluffed her fur and stared him down, brilliant orange eyes flaring with fear.

“You filthy beast. Get away!”

Her voice was cultured and sultry, definitely foreign. The rogue tom sauntered closer, a twisted smile on his face.

“Aw, c’mon now.”

Bu he had came to close, and Shinzui flew at him with a hiss, ignoring the fact that he was easily three times her size and body weight, claws aimed at his eyes. She was fully bent on blinding him if she could – although she was a gentle and kind she-cat, she had more then her own life at store.

A small head peeked out from the bust, as the tiny kit watched his mother battle the rogue male. A small mew escaped the kit’s mouth, a cry of worry and fear for his mother as she fought with her life to protect him.

[Amberstar]

<sub>Her pawsteps were quieter than the suttle wind as she made her way through the trees, on a patrol. Rumors of rogue cats had been appearing on the borders of the four clans, and she decided it best not to take chances. Hell, she even had her problems with a couple of them! She flicked her tail, eyes keen. Undoubtedly a rogue cat. Fighting, another rogue cat? No.. She seemed to be a stray. Looking for a home, wandering.

Amberstar was quick to jump to the rescue, feet dancing in a rythmic beat with everytime they hit the ground, tail held high as she jumped at the rogue cat. She landed between Shinzui and the rogue, her lips pulled back to show her face. She hissed, spitting in furious anger. The tip of her tail flipped, eyes burning with the fires of the sun. The smell of kit was heavy around here, and it became clear to her she was protecting her kit. Her back to Shinzui, she faced the rogue cat.

Her fur had raised to make her look bigger, back arched in threat. You have treaded upon Treeclan territory! Leave, now rogue. Before I kill you.. She spat, ears flicking back so they were flat against her skull. She would follow through with her threat, too.

She was sick and tired of them deciding Treeclan to be good to hunt or tread upon. The numbers were small, but it was a strong held clan. She wasn't the pushover most thought her to be either. It certainly pissed her off when they ignored her threats and repetitively came back.</sub>

[Shinzui]

The rogue male found himself facing two very angry she-cats, and he backed uncertainly off. When it was just Shinzui, he knew he’d win – she was plainly terrified and much weaker then he was.

However, Amberstar was a quite different story – and the tom finally turned and bolted.

Shinzui didn’t even give herself time to greet the she-cat who saved her, she whirled and raced back to Kaze, who, by this time, had stumbled out of the bush and was staring with open awe at the new female, orbs the same color of the sky wide and innocents.

Rasping her tongue gently over his head, reassuring herself that he was alright, she finally turned her own orange hues to settle on Amberstar.

“Thank you…”

She bowed her head, a strange gesture to Amberstar, but it was clear that the she-cat wasn’t from around here.

[Amberstar]

<sub>She huffed irritably, but couldn't help but smirk as he turned and bolted in the opposite direction. She turned to look at Shinzui, nodding softly. Are you okay? Is your kit okay? She asked politely, sitting down to watch the rogue run off in terror. The she-cat didn't approach Shinzui; she knew how mothers could be protective of their kits. She let her answer before questioning her for why she was on Treeclan territory.

Amberstar assumed she was looking for a home, or simply wandering. Her accent was foreign, the she-cat could tell. Her eyes were beginning to die back to their normal state, but she still carried herself with that of authority.</sub>

[Shinzui]

Shinzui nodded, licking her kit one last time.

“He is alright. That…that beast didn’t get the chance to hurt him.”

The Japanese Bobtail twitched her whiskers, finally giving the other she-cat a thorough look, almost as if her orange hues were seeing right through Amberstar and into her soul.

“I am Ittan-momen of Azure Gardens.”

What a mouthful her name was! Btu then the she-cat smiled, humor dancing in her bright eyes.

“But that’s a bit much; two-leggers are so fussy, so you may call me Shinzui.”

The white ball of fuzz at her paws mewed softly, and Shinzui nudged her little one before speaking again.

“My son’s name is Kaze. We are…lost...I guess you could say. I would much rather be here then have him exposed to any more cruelty of our handler.”

[Amberstar]

<sub>She nodded. That was quite the mouthful! She smiled warmly to her, tail flicking gently. I am Amberstar, leader of the Treeclan. That is where you are now. She said gently, curling her tail around her feet as she sat down. It is a pleasure to meet you, Shinzui.. Kaze.

I can offer you a place to reside; it will mean a lot to the clan if you do. You'll have protection against such beasts, such as Mr. Jack*ss over there. She was almost humorous as she said this, smiling. Both you and your kit. Food, shelter, water, we have it. Alls I ask in return is loyalty to the clan, loyalty to me, and respect to all that is around you. She nodded her head towards the direction of the camp.</sub>

[Shinzui]

Amberstar’s warm smile was followed by a kind one from Shinzui.

“If that is all, my dear lady, then I would be honored to ally all my loyalty and respect towards a brave fela such as yourself.”

The she-cat seemed gratified; she was to the point where she didn’t care what happened to her, as long as Kaze found a good home. However, here appeared to fall a much better solution.

“I am uncertain, however, on what skills I can offer your wondrous clan. I am but a mere kittypet, born and raised in the home of Man. My hunting skills are not they best, although I’ve learned enough in this past week to stay in fair health, and, as you saw, I’m not much of a fighter.”

[Amberstar]

<sub>She shook her head. Such talents are naught needed. Treeclan will offer you a home. If you want, I personally will see to it that you can learn how to hunt better. Your son can be apprenticed when he is ready, too. He will have a fine mentor to teach him the ways of the clan. All we ask for is loyalty and respect.

She nodded her head to the foreign she-cat. Kittypet? She'd rather be cat-runt than be one. But you can't choose the place you're born, afterall! She thought nothing less of the she-cat across from her. There had to be a reason she'd left, anyways. Smart move.

Amberstar stood, tail brushing the earth as she padded up the hill. Main camp is this way. She said lightly, leading the way. Only a backwards glance was thrown over her shoulder as she gave a searching glance for the rogue. No where. She continued.</sub>

[Shinzui]

“Do you hear that Kaze?”

Shinzui said to her kit, a soft bell-like laughing ringing out.

“We have a home. No mean two-legger will hurt us anymore.”

Even though the kit was very young, he too seemed happy about all this. His sky-colored hues rang with a clarity many a kit didn’t have, especially for one so young.

She picked Kaze up by the scruff of his neck, following Amberstar towards main camp.

[Amberstar]

{To Main Camp}

[Shinzui]

[Follows to Main Camp]