TIGERSNAP.
warrior of skyclan
A fresh blanket of snow had fallen overnight and the sky was still overcast, leaving SkyClan's camp and birch forest a winter wonderland. Tigersnap might have even stopped to marvel at it, might have even asked a Clanmate to watch the kits while he snuck Littledove out of camp for a reprieve, but it was bitterly cold. If one weren't huddle up in a den, they would surely freeze into a statue if they stopped moving while outside in the elements. This was exactly why he didn't like winter. It was a pointless season.
Naturally, being cooped up in the nursery for a whole night and now almost a whole day had left the kits a bit stir crazy. The ones who didn't break off into their sibling groups to keep each other entertained were looking to Littledove and himself for solutions, which admittedly she had more ideas than he did. For a while everyone seemed pleased with the entertainment they were offered, until little Ryekit came tottering back up to the couple and complained he was bored once more. "Bored, aye brat?" Tigersnap had snorted at his son, rolling his eyes in fond amusement. "I've got an idea for you, yessiree. Follow me," he'd instructed as he rose to his paws. His son's attention captured, he had let the way out of the warm and comfy nursery into the chilly camp clearing. Instantly his breath was billowing about his muzzle, eyes narrowing as he paused momentarily in disgust, wondering if he was truly about to do this before he committed himself to the idea. He'd tucker Ryekit right out, then take him back into the nursery where he'd curl up between his parents and settle in for a nap. It would handle one pipsqueak of six, at least.
A suitable distance from the nurse, the sandy flame point whirled about to pin his son with an appraising gaze, widening his stance into one fit for fighting. "Come at me, then. Show your old man what you've got!"
Ryekit
Skyclan Kitten
“I know what love is! I think” Ryekit said, his eyebrows furrowed for a moment as his blue gaze looked up at his father with a pout. He heard so much about love from the other nursery queens, so Ryekit knew it too! Thinking of his words carefully, Tigersnap needed a reason why and how Ryekit knew about his love for Primrosekit. It wasn’t until a bright grin appeared on his lips and slammed his paw against the ground for a moment when remembering something that Littledove had explained the other day about love.
He was going to make his case.
“Mama said when you’re in love, then you start getting a tummy ache” Ryekit explained, clearly not explaining the term ‘butterflies in your stomach’ term. However he sat down, and pondered his thoughts for a moment before looking back at his father with a frown. “Maybe I ate something wrong” The light brown tom wondered out loud, as clearly.. He was just a kit, Ryekit didn’t know better.
Ryekit looked at his father, as his father was one of the wisest and smartest males around.. Tigersnap claimed that he was even smarter than Firestar and he’s the clan leader! “Papa, if I don’t know anything about love.. You must do!” The small tom said, his eyes widened as although his parents weren’t mates.. They gave each other longing glances like mated couples do! Looking at his father with an arched eyebrow, Ryekit looked at his father and tilted his head sliglhy “Papa, what is love then?” Ryekit questioned, as Tigersnap would surely guide him into the right direction instead of the nursery queens.
TIGERSNAP.
warrior of skyclan
Ryekit really did put up a valiant effort, even if he never stood a chance. Tigersnap was going easy on him, of course, easier than he ever would an apprentice or warrior, but not easily enough Ryekit didn't have to work for a fake win. And even then, Tigersnap wasn't always willing to hand out a fake win. Indeed, he was starting his children from day one to truly fight for what they wanted, all in or nothing.
He winced as his son clambered upon his back, little needle-like claws pricking at his skin through his thin pelt. The warrior gently nipped at Ryekit's tiny foreleg as they attempted to wrap around his head in a chokehold, chuckling in amusement when they both realized Ryekit was still small enough that he couldn't even touch his paws together when reaching around Tigersnap's neck. Shaking himself lightly, he dislodged the small tom enough that he started sliding down the dull flame point's back.
"Rats, huh? I won't tell your mom, you know I'm not that strict. 'Sides, in the heat of a battle, are you really gonna remember your manners? No, course not! Just-Just don't let her know I let you get away with it," he stated, indicating they were in together on this little secret. They both went down together if the other spilled.
Flopping onto his stomach, he rolled about so Ryekit could nestle into the warmer, soft fur of Tigersnap's lighter colored belly. "What is it, son?" He encouraged, patiently waiting as Ryekit sorted out his thoughts. And, as soon as they were, Tigersnap wished he hadn't waited. He was going to have a heart attack.
"L-Love?! No, not possible. You're too young, you're not even an apprentice," he dismissed, not even attempting to be gentle. He was a surprisingly good father, but even he could have his moments. He hadn't been named Tigersnap for nothing, after all. And Primrosekit, Firestar's spoiled brat? The SkyClan warrior knew he should have been around more often to keep his kits from interacting with Auroraskies litter too much! "You like her, as a friend. That's it. Love is a very strong word, Ryekit. We don't use it lightly, not until you're old enough to understand it fully. You hear me?"
Those darn she-cats cooped up in the nursery and camp all day, forced to resort to gossiping and poisoning the brats' minds with notions they shouldn't need to worry about for moons yet!
Ryekit
Skyclan Kitten
“Dad!” The pale brown kit laughed as Tigersnap wrestled him to the ground, squealing in pure joy as his paws began wacking at his father’s arm and chest as Ryekit attempted to fight his father off. But of course, Tigersnap was teaching his son how to handle himself at an early age. Ryekit always enjoyed the little moments between himself and Tigersnap, as he always enjoyed spending time with the older tom when given the chance. One would assume that Ryekit would be jealous as he had to share him parents with five other siblings, but the little tom always went with the flow of everything.. After all, he enjoyed spending time with Firestar and Auroraskies’ kits too as the two litters were closely raised with each other
“I’ll never give up!” Ryekit yelled, excitement in his eyes as the smaller tom began wiggling out of his father’s grip before moving to climb on Tigersnap’s back and sitting on it before attempting to put the other tom in a headlock.. But it failed, as Ryekit had little forelegs, as he was a little kit. “Rats!” He cursed, before his small paw went to cover his mouth and blue eyes widened “Oops, sorry Dad.” He apologized, as he knew his mother mainly scolded the kits whenever one of them accidentally cursed. Ryekit hoped that Tigersnao wouldn’t get mad! It as just an accident!
“Dad, I have to tell you something.” Ryekit said, his eyes looking down at his paws as the smaller tom began sliding off Tigersnap’s back. He looked up to see his father looking down at his son, looking concerned with the frown on Ryekit’s face. Opening his mouth for a moment, he was wondering Tigersnap’s reaction to Ryekit’s news. He heard the adults talking about this word a lot, mainly aunt Auroraskies with how she felt with Firestar. There were even times in which she heard Littledove telling Auroraskies about this word, but very quietly as it seemed like she didn’t want anyone else to hear it.
Even when Ryekit asked about this word, her response was an honest one.. How it was supposed to make Ryekit safe, important and cherished.. Which he felt with Primrosekit.. But of course, the small kit didn’t know anything about this word just yet as he just heard this word repeatedly.
“Dad, I think that I’m in love with Primrosekit.” - ffaf1b