-TBT- Those that dare

'Those that dare go near the fire, shall only get burnt...'

Softpaw, a small built light golden cream-coloured she-cat was walking through ThunderClan's territory. Her rare genetic albino red hues were narrowed and darkened with the usual angered and annoyed expression. She needed to get a break from Chestnutblaze, her mentor and ThunderClan's Medicine cat. She had hated everything about being a Medicine cat, from learning about herbs to healing. It was boring. It was worse then hell itself to Softpaw. Keeping her head held low, the small she-cat had let out a low growl of irritation. Why had StarClan forsaken her? Why did they wish for her to become a Medicine cat? She liked nothing about it! She preferred fighting and hunting, not being stuck in camp half the time, learning about how important each herb is. 'Pft. StarClan and their idiotic ways...' Softpaw had noted to herself, ears flattening against her cranium as she proceeded near by WindClan's border, which to her was a boring plain territory, nothing worth taking over, if ThunderClan ever decided to do such things. 'How in the name of StarClan can the live in such a place? Ah-I... I guess seeing the stars without anything getting in the way of your sight would be nice... Every once in awhile' Softpaw mused, rolling her eyes as she usually did. Still, she didn't like WindClan very much, but she didn't like anything; so would it matter if she did?

A small calico she-cat ran through the open territory, tears streaming down her face. She wasn't one to get upset, but being yelled at for doing what she always did by three cats at once was a little too much for the apprentice to bear. All she had done was asked to groom the tom! It's not like any harm would come from it! But no, the apprentice's mother had seen and heard, and raised a fuss. Nightraven, her own mentor and the full medicine Cat of windclan, had once again scolded her for her actions, which brought Pinerush, Koipaw's father into the scuffle, finishing it by telling her she should act like a real apprentice of the clan, rather than a horny rogue. She sobbed, running through the tall grass, not noticing where she was going. She hadn't wanted to be there anymore. Not around them. She needed a break. She stopped running as she neared the border with Thunderclan, and it was then that she picked up a scent of a cat nearby. She slunk through the grass, well hidden, and watched she small female on the other side of the border. The cat smelt of herbs, maybe their medicine cat apprentice, and didn't seem to be enjoying the day anymore than Koipaw. Needing a pick me up, the she-cat decided to see what she could do with this feline in front of her. She stepped out of the grass, stopping just shy of the border. "Hey...you don't seem to thrilled..."

The small Medicine cat apprentice had stopped along the border for a split second as she gotten distracted by a rustle in the trees above, lifting up her head, her albino red orbs had flickered up to stare at the movement of the leaves, 'Damned animals that live up in the trees, creating nothing but noise, noise, noise! Why don't they come down so I can shut them up?' She thought bitterly, as she gotten rather bored by staring up at the trees. Nothing kept Softpaw's interest for far too long, another difficult reason for staying in her company for long, besides the fact that she could claw off your ears at any time. Removing her gaze from the tree, Softpaw continued her travels down along the border of WindClan, her expression hadn't change one bit since she left camp to have a little wander around ThunderClan territory. It was quite the surprise that her face hadn't got stuck like that, actually sometimes I did seem it had gotten stuck as she had almost always kept the same bitter, annoyed and angry expression. Coming to a halt once more, the small light golden cream-furred she-cat had felt the presence of someone, or something among her. Gritting her teeth together, Softpaw's back had arched into an aggressive pose as a flash of white, orange and black stepped out from the grass; but once it spoke, Softpaw had felt herself relax but not by much. "Oh, I wonder what gave you that idea?" She replied back, with nothing more then dry sarcasm in her tone of voice. 'How fun. Another Medicine cat apprentice?' Softpaw thought, rather observantly. But then again, she could of been a stupid apprentice that had gotten into the Medicine Cat's Den. Raising an eyebrow, Softpaw had watched the small calico she-cat carefully; she didn't seem to happy about something either.

As the calico female wiped her paw across her eyes, she could hear the lack of emotion in the other cat's voice. She flicked an ear and sat down, staring at the she-cat. Finally getting a good look at her, she took a moment to size her up, using her unique skill to figure out that the cat before her may look sweet and innocent, but that she was definiitly anything but that. Expecially based on the way she spoke and held herself. Koipaw hadn't ever come across a cat like that, and she was curious. She tried to think of a way to deal with this cat. She wanted to get closer, the cat had a strange alluring scent about her, and Koipaw desperately wanted to get a better wiff, along with run her paw over her soft lookign fur. So, she did something stupid. She stepped over the scent markers and into Thunderclan territory. She put on her best weak and mild mask, duckign her head as she hunkered near the ground. "I'm s-sorry...I just...I wanted to see...if I could do anyhting to cheer you up...I'm willing to do anything...I c-could...groom your fur? Or fetch you prey?" She figured the cat was smart, but she wasn't lying. She was tellign the truth, and there was nothing to suggest this wasn't the cat's real nature.

Softpaw's albino red eyes had narrowed in suspicion and annoyance as she carefully kept an eye on the calico female. She wasn't entirely sure of the feline's intentions and therefore didn't feel comfortable around her, not like she wasn't with everyone else. 'I could easily attack her while I have the chance. But. I don't have any excuses to do so, and if Chestnutblaze or Viperstar find out, then damn' She was carefully thinking through of her plan, it had always been in Softpaw's nature to attack almost anyone that dared approach her, but she was clearly remembering that Chestnutblaze swore to StarClan that if she wounded anyone without the need to do so, she would be severely punished; and that defiantly didn't sound good, even in Softpaw's books. It was the moment the WindClan apprentice stepped over the border that made Softpaw snarl in aggression, but despite that she didn't attack immediately as the calico she-cat crouched down in what Softpaw assumed, a submissive pose. Keeping her ears pinned against her cranium, the small female bared her teeth as angry slowly built up inside her. 'Who did this cat think I am?!' Softpaw thought in agitation. Without second thinking, the young Medicine cat apprentice leaped at the other apprentice in attempt to pin her down. "Do you honestly think I would want help from another Clan?" The she-cat had spat.

She flattened her ears, noticing the she-cat seemed, for the first moment, to have restrained herself from pouncing on her. But as the seconds ticked on by, Koipaw soon realized the she-cat had a bit shorter of a fuse than she originally believed. She let out a whimper as she was leapt at, and claws dug into the ground beside her as the apprentice towered over her, keeping her pinned to the ground. She let out a fake whimper, then blinked up at her. Her eyes were so unique, it was intriguing to the she-cat. She much prefered the eyes of grass colors, but still. She let herself breath, catching a whiff of the she-cat above her's scent, and instanly was taken aback. Her scent was so pure smelling, contrary to the way one might think hers to be. She felt a slight pinch from the she-cats claws, which had the same effect on Koipaw as Badgerpaw's claws had. She shuddered slightly, but hid any other reaction, breathing heavily, which could be seen as fear. "You...You have really pretty eyes..." She whispered this quietly, a slight tinge of real fear about her pretty fur being marred with blood or a scar.

As her attack succeeded, the she-cat had found herself staring down upon the calico feline's face. Her claws lay unsheathed beside her, releasing a hiss of aggression out of her mouth, Softpaw long tail lashed behind her. "I have half a mind to rip out your throat, but alas, I don't want my spirit to be doomed in the forsaken place of the Dark Forest. So, count yourself as lucky!" She had spat, her claws digging deeper into the dirt-covered ground. However, the sound of whimpering that came from the calico-furred female had made Softpaw ease her aggression towards her, 'Pft, pathetic! She wouldn't even be worth killing anyway... Not like I was going to kill her...' Softpaw mused, as she observantly watched the she-cat's face. Everything about the small feline had fascinated her in a sense, she wasn't assertive, that much was obviously; or so Softpaw had thought. Raising an eyebrow, Softpaw slowly felt her angry leave her body, even though it won't last long, it must be a relief for the other medicine cat apprentice. It was the complement of her eyes that had struck Softpaw by surprise, no one ever had said something nice about her... Not once. Frowning, the light golden cream-coloured feline stepped backwards, allowing the calico to move freely once more. "Er- Thanks..." She grumbled, irritably. Glancing from side to side, Softpaw prepared herself to leave and go back to camp.

She had to admit, she expected claws to the face from her comment. But instead, the cat thanked her. She saw that as a factor. Guessing the she-cat wasn't usually complimented, she decided to keep trying. She rolled onto her belly, still laying down. 'What can I say to make this cat be more willing to be around me? Nice claws? No...' She thought quickly, things that seemed like they were taking ages only a few passing moments in the young cats mind. She crawled forwards a little, wanting to be close to that scent, that intoxication scent. "But I bet you get that all the time...You are so beautiful, and your pelt...its so soft, I'm jealous..." She wasn't jealous, to be perfectly honest. Up until she got covered in dust from the attack, her fur had been perfect. Not a hair out of place. But she gave all attention to the aggressive cat in front of her. "I wish I were you! With such strength, a strong will...I'm too weak...and no one likes me in my clan...even my own mentor hates me..." She knew the look of a cat who was hiding from their mentor, and to her, it seemed like this cat was doing just that. Maybe knowing nother felt the same would help? She waited, hoping she wouldnt be attacked again.

Giving her ear a small flicker, she had stood completely still as her albino red orbs had watched the cat through narrowed eyes. She was an peculiar one, Softpaw was used to cats immediately retreating back to camp after her attacking them, or them attacking her afterwards. But, this calico she-cat... She didn't go straight back to camp, or even attack her. It surprised and interested her, which was a rare thing for Softpaw. Keeping an emotionless expression and raised eyebrow, the she-cat couldn't help but feel slightly amused by the fact that the cat that she had attacked lay in front of her, back on the ground and those compliments didn't help the situation. The compliments had left Softpaw feeling uneasy as she began to feel emotions that she hadn't felt, at all before. "I, ah... Well, er... No, I've never been told that; you'd be the first" She muttered, unable to look back at the she-cat. Was she trying to accomplish something? Because, if she was... It was certainly working. Softpaw felt disgusted by herself as she felt her cheek burn up, these feelings were strange to the she-cat that had only shown aggression her entirely life, who only felt aggression. But now. Pausing, Softpaw's eyes glanced back at the calico, "Hm, really? Looks like we've got more in common then I thought, my Clan and mentor hates me too... Heh" She spoke, sheepishly.


Judging by the fact that her pelt was still attached to her delcate frame, and unmarred, she guessed she was doing something right. She lifted herself off the ground just slightly, closing the distance, but she remained in a submissive pose. She didn't quite get a read on this cat just yet, but a picture was beginning to form. She knew she was taking a risk, and if she got her pelt shredded, well, she deserved it, and she would just tell Nightraven she ran into a bramble bush. She'd done it before. Of course, then she actually HAD run into a bramble bush. She swallowed nervously, thanking starclan she had perfected the meek and weak act moons ago as a kit. She looked away, giving the impression of a cat hiding something, then lifted her gaze to the apprentice. "Mine...my clan doesn't approve of who I am...what I like and...and who I like...Its not usualy, its not right, they say...I'm an outcast..." Also half truth. Her clan, those who understood, didn't aprove of her actions and her thoughts on sex and mating. But they didn't know too much about who she went after. She was confused by this cat, who was causing the same feelings deep within her as some of the males in her own clan did. "If...If I was in Thunderclan...I would be doting on you, showing you the love you deserve..."

She didn't like this, she didn't like it one bit. These feelings were different from what she usually felt; anger, bitterness and aggression. What were they? They scared her, and Softpaw couldn't doubt that. Was this cat doing it on purpose, making her feel warm and strange? Pinning her ears against her cranium, Softpaw removed her gaze away from the she-cat, refusing to look back at her because she knew if she did, she'd do something she'd regret. 'S-stop... By StarClan, make these damned feeling stop!' Her mind screamed, as she tried to think of ways to allow her aggression to come back, but nothing worked. The feelings took control of her body, making her feel trapped and weak as if something had stopped the fire that had once burned in her heart and veins. Softpaw didn't do anything as the cat had neared her slowly, still in a submission position. She couldn't bring herself to snap a warning at her, she only shuffled her paws uncomfortably. Finally allowing herself to look back at the calico, the light golden cream she-cat blinked at her "That's because... They don't understand, they never will..." Softpaw meowed, feeling herself unable to look away from her; she hadn't noticed before, but, the WindClan she-cat was beautiful. Wait, was that wrong that she thought that? "I... Uh, um..." She stuttered uncomfortably, as she felt her fur along her spike up and her cheeks burning up. She didn't like it.

She was getting to the cat in front of her, she could tell. She had to admit, how she was feeling currently she didnt entirely understnad. She was used to males, and she could understand those feelings. She knew why her body reacted to their touch, their scent, their....arousal. But now...She was completely at a loss of words. For some reason, for the first time in her life, she didn't understand her actions. She let herself slip, speaking from the heart rather than a carefully lain plan. "How can they...they never take the time to ask...to put forth efort...to show they..actually want to understand..to get to know you..." Her voice had dropped, and she stood now. She still had her ears flat, and her tail tucked under her. But other than that, she stood to her full height. She was small for 6 moons, but she didn't mind it so much. She used her petite size to her advantage time and time again. She didn't know how to fight, nor how to defend herself. In truth, she shouldn't even be out on her own. But she was fast, and that served to keep her safe. She was rather thin under her thick pelt, which didn't lend much strength to her if she did have to fight. She was jealous, therefore, of this cat. This apprentice looked strong, more than capable of killing her if she wanted. That thought sent shivers down her spine, and without thinking, without even considering the consequences....she pushed forwards, pressing her muzzle to the she-cat's in a action of emotions, something she never let control her. But she was so confused, she had lost herself.

Why couldn't this cat just run back to camp once she had the chance? It was her fault she felt like this! It was her fault... Wasn't it? Something felt strange and wrong in that statement to Softpaw, but that didn't matter, not now anyway. She couldn't get a grip on these emotions, she couldn't understand them. Lost and confused, Softpaw wanted to run away from this moment, she hated it. She hated these sudden burst of emotion she had never felt in her life, why couldn't they just go away? She wanted to be herself again... Her bitter, angry self. But something kept her frozen stiff on the spot. Was it the calico she-cat? Did she have some sort of demonic powers? Softpaw wouldn't be surprised if she did posses such things. The words that the she-cat had spoken just a few moments ago had gotten too Softpaw. It was true, no one made any effort to try and understand her, in a way she could understand herself why they wouldn't...But no one had even tried, it hurt knowing the truth, it really did. Gripping her teeth together, Softpaw's head shook, everything was getting stressful for her; the one moment she let her guard down, this happens! 'Oh, how I hate you StarClan... You and your cruel, cruel ways' She cried to herself mentally. Continuing to stare at the she-cat with her albino hues, Softpaw wasn't expecting anything to happen, wasn't expecting the female to say anything else. But. It all happened in a flash. The feeling of the she-cat's muzzle pressing against hers had caught her by complete surprise, her eyes widened, her heart raced. Both shock and surprise flared up inside her, and for that one moment, Softpaw was terrified and unable to think anything through; she had lifted up a paw, claws unsheathed and within a split second, she had slashed at the she-cat's cheek. She didn't mean it. It all happened to fast for her to even understand what had happened, she had been blinded with shock.

Her eyes had slid closed, stopping halfway as she pushed against the cat. She wasn't thinking, oh great starclan, she hadn't been thinking! She had just acted, no concept of consequences entering her mind at the time. So she was scared when a sharp pain flared on her cheek. It was unexpected, and the cat let out a soft yelp when it occured, instantly backing away from the female in front of her. Her cheek throbbed, blood dripping from the well sized mark on her cheek, a stark contrast to her pure white fur. She found herself utterly confused, even more so as the throbbing pain in her cheek began to reach down her spine, ending in the pit of her stomach. Her breathing became heavier, and as much as she tried to hide it, she couldn't. Her arousal had heightened on accident, her cursed body reacting to the pain when all she needed was to think things through. But now it was even harder to think. She closed her eyes and stepped back, trying to block out the painful pleasure and finally reopened them, staing at the she-cat. She didn't understnad why the attack hurt more emotionally than physically. And unfortunately, she couldn't push away the mental pain like she could the other kind. Tears welled up in her eyes, a strange thing to the she-cat, and she stared at Softpaw. She didn't run, though instinct told her too. Her arousal as well as her new obsession with this cat glued her paws to the ground, until she finally opened her mouth. "I...I...I'm sorry..." The very first apology to leave her muzzle in her entire life, and it went to a cat who had just cut her. I really am screwd up in the head...

With wide eyes burning with shock and surprise, the light golden she-cat's breathing was heavy and loud. The fresh smell of metallic scarlet blood stung her nostrils, 'W-What I have done? I wounded her!' For the first time Softpaw was beginning to panic for wounding someone. She didn't mean it, she really didn't mean it! Pinning her ears against her cranium, Softpaw stared at the calico she-cat; her cheek was dripping with blood, even though it was her mind playing tricks, she faintly heard the splashing of the blood hitting the floor, splattering as it landed. Softpaw felt ashamed of herself, she could of just pushed her away! But, no, she slapped her across the cheek with claws unsheathed. 'Your so stupid, Softpaw! Just so, so stupid!' She screeched to herself, mentally. Searching the she-cat's body carefully, Softpaw was looking out for any signs of aggression, any sighs of fear. But for now, she couldn't find any. It was the first sight of tears welling up inside the she-cat's blue orbs that had made Softpaw feel worse about the entire situation, at the sound of an apology spilling out from the calico had made Softpaw shake her head. "No... No. It isn't your fault, I shouldn't have struck you. I should be the one saying... I'm sorry" For the first time, the small she-cat was actually sorry for harming another cat, "You didn't deserve that. Look. We better get that wound healed up, wouldn't want to leave a scar..." She meowed, unsure what to do. Everything today had happened so fast, so unsuspecting. Softpaw had felt emotions she never knew she had... It was nice, yet stressful and strange.

Her cheek stinging, her body reacting to the ain, her heart actually hurting, the little apprentice didn't know what to do. She stood there as Softpaw stared at her, unmoving, even after her apology had been denied. She swallowed once more and whimpered, then stepped forwards. The thought of a scar should have scared her, should have worried her, but her brain wouldn't think about it. This she-cat in front of her was bringing out strange enotions. Emotions she only felt for toms. She cared for the she-cat and it was dangerous. She just wanted to press against her and sob, yet at the same time, bite her scruff. She didn't understand, couldn't wrap her head around it. So she moved forwards and pressed her muzzle to her once more, tears spilling over as she put all the emotions she had been feeling into that simple kiss. If she was struck again, she would leave, and never bother the apprentice again. But she had to do something, and for some reason, this was the idea she had. Blood dripped onto the ground below her paws, the wound still bleeding heavily, much like face wounds do, but she didn't care. She wouldn't care until she figured this out, figured out why she was so confused and why her feelings were in a mess.

Everything was beginning to get awkward for the little light golden she-cat, she didn't know what to do or say. All her life she'd only expressed bitter angry, and aggression. But, now, she was starting to show other emotions, emotions she didn't understand and wasn't in her nature. Why was it this particular cat? She didn't even know her name for StarClan's sake! 'Damn it! What do I do?!' She asked herself, frustratingly. Waiting until the calico had spoke, or at least do something, Softpaw stood still, silently panicking over nothing. Would she ever be able to speak with someone about these emotions she was feeling toward the she-cat? She doubted it, she'll probably go through it herself. Twitching an ear, Softpaw had frozen once more as the cat had moved towards her once again. "I don't think that's a very good-" She had spoken to late, the feeling of the she-cat pressing against her once more made it obvious. Though, this time she never went into a panic, instead she stood there; her ears flickering at the sound of the she-cat spilling tears. Did she do something wrong? Oh, nevermind. Unable to remove herself from the she-cat, even though she wanted too, her eyes closed for a brief moment, something felt strangely right about this; why did it feel right? She was kissing another female!

She had tensed, preparing for pain once more. But it didn't come. She didn't dare peek, for fear as soon as she did, she would see claws coming to mar her other cheek. She was about to pull away when she felt the apprentice shift, and her muzzle moved against her's, ever so lsightly. Her eye flew open and saw that the she-cat's eyes had slid closed. The medicine cat apprentice was kissing her back. She purred softly and moved forwards, breaking the kiss to nuzzle against the female's neck before backing up, giving the shecat some distance to process. "Uh..S-sorry...I'm...I'm koipaw...." She panted, finally giving the cat her name. She had kissed her, better let her know who she was, actually. Well..better late than to kiss and run... She thought to herself, and sat down. Her cheek still throbbed, she still felt slight pleasure, and her scent of arousal still lingered in the air, but she ignored it.


Had she just made one of the biggest mistakes in her life? Probably, but right now didn't matter. 'Just enjoy it while you have the chance, it's never going to happen again... Ever' The small apprentice kept telling herself repeatedly, as the kiss lasted only a few more moments afterwards before the calico she-cat finally had broken the kiss, only to nuzzle her neck. Opening her eyelids slowly, her ears had twitched at the voice of the cat announcing her name 'Koipaw, huh? Well, pft. Thanks for making me awkward!' Those were the words she had wanted to spit at her, but restrained herself from doing so. Without saying anything back, the small light golden apprentice had sat down on her haunches, eyes closed once more, cheeks burning with a rosy red pigment. Breathing out heavily, she had refused to look back at the cat. "... K-Koipaw..." She whispered to herself, before moving her head to look at the ground below. "<n>Well, em. I'm... Softpaw, I-I guess...</b>" Softpaw had spoke. What was she supposed to do now? Turn and run, then she wouldn't exactly need to speak with Koipaw. Or stay, which would mean her just sitting their like an awkward, rotten apple among something more pure and... Fresh? Or so Softpaw had thought, "I should, er.... Maybe get going...?" What she had said was more of a question then a statement, 'Hnng, I really hope I don't see this cat again! She'll only stir up these emotion, and what if... What if Chestnutblaze sees, or my Clan mates? I'll forget this damned moment I shared with this... Koipaw"

And so the rp ends. Koipaw returned to Windclan, rejected by the first female to catch her attention, and Softpaw to Thunderclan, thoughts and feelings she was unaware she could feel running though her mind. It would be a few sunrises and sunsets before these two would happen upon each other. But will it be on accident? Or will it be...

Fate