The Hunter (Open)

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

The tom's ginger fur flashed as he leaped down from one of the shining Treecut monsters. He was not afraid of them. Nothing made him feel fear. His pale blue-green eyes flashed as he turned, his lips curling to reveal his thorn-sharp teeth. He lowered himself to the ground, his belly fur brushing the earth. Muscles rippling, the tom stalked forward. His ears angled forward on his head, he crept forward until he could leap on the mouse. With a mighty lung, he tackled the prey and slashed his claws over it, tossing it into the air before leaping up to catch it. It squirmed and squeaked piteously, struggling to free itself from his sharp grasp. He pressed harder down onto it, and its wriggling lessened. Finally it stopped, and he dropped it on the earth. The tom licked blood from around his muzzle and claws, lashing his tail. The pleasure he felt from his kill filled him, and he hissed happily.

"Poor little insignifigant runt," he murmured at the dead mouse, "Your purpose was to feed me. And my purpose was to kill you. It would seem that you got the wrong end of the deal." He mused, his mouth curling upward in a cruel grin. He began to tear his prey apart, digging his teeth in with the edges of his vision turning red. He hissed softly in a way that could have implied pleasure. He padded back to the monsters, leaving the bones and blood on the floor of the forest. He leaped up onto the creature's head, standing with his eyes glaring crazily into the clearing.

"Yes..." He hissed. "I can feel it... my purpose." He murmured.


OOC: Dang he'd make a good SilenceClanner. XD But nope. He's not goanna stay a bad guy.

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

The she-cat padded calmly through the brush, her one-cat patrol a lonely but normal spectical. Her amber eyes, a pale golden sort of hue, turned to the shining monsters that belonged to the Twolegs. Her ears twitched and her nose wrinkled at their pugnant scent. Who in the right minds would hang out around here? But there was a scent nearby. It was fresh. She sighed. Ashfire hated dealing with stupid kittypets that couldn't mind thier own business. Oh well. She padded closer to the monsters and that's when she first saw him. His eyes were glowing with a harsh pleasure and his lips were pulled back in a dangerous-looking smile. His tail lashed as he dug his scarlet claws into the shining pelt of one of the monsters. A mangled mouse lay on the earth, its blood smeared about. That blood lingered on the tom's pelt; on his paws and his muzzle, streaking itself across his fiery ginger fur. He was a gruesome sight, and Ashfire had the instinct to run, but she stayed put. Her fierce amber eyes flashed as she unsheathed her claws, flexing her shoulders and arching her spine slightly.

"You!" She yowled with more power in her voice than she would have thought possible, "What are you doing here!?"

Gaara's blue-green eyes flashed as he turned to examine the cat who dared interupt his frenzy. His blood seemed to roar in his ears, begging for a battle. His claws ached to tear themselves across the other cat's pelt, but as soon as he saw her the tom didn't know what to think anymore. Her beautiful dark grey fur was soft-looking, smooth with white patches on her forepaws and a fully white hindpaw. Her chest was white, and that band twisted up her throat and covered her muzzle, ending in a streak that ran between her pale amber eyes. Her spine fur was darker than her base fur, almost black, and it was spiked up aggressively. Gaara remembered what his mother had told him once, long ago...

"Remember, Gaara," she mewed soflty, "Love is an amazing thing. It comes at sudden times and sweeps you up with it. You never know when it will strike." She purred. Gaara looked up at her and blinked.

"Daddy says I will never love," he sighed, "He says I'm here to fight, to kill."

"Your father is not a very happy cat, sweetie." Gaara's mother looked sad.

"Do you love him, mommy?" Gaara asked, cuddling up against his mother's soft grey fur. She purred and licked his head.

"I love youmy kit. And that's all that matters."

In the present, Gaara shook his head. No, this strange airy feeling in his chest could not be love. His mother's love was non-existent, a pain worse than bleeding out your life one claw-mark at a time. Gaara stared into her defiant eyes, took one look at her powerful frame, and decided a fight wasn't what he wanted. Somehow he was hesitant to hurt her. His claws ached for battle, but his chest ached all the more at the thought of hurting the she-cat. He shook his head. Something was wrong with this, but he didn't know what.

"I am merely hunting, as it is my meal time." He said, cocking his head slightly. He wanted to see her reaction, what she would think. He saw the fur along her spine prickle a little more, but otherwise she didn't move.

"This is ThunderClan territory. You will leave this place and never hunt here again." She growled, taking a step towards him. His lips pulled back over his teeth and he snickered.

"Oh, well, of course. I live to obey the rules of a fellow Clan member." He sneered.

"What Clan are you a part of?" She demanded scornfully. Gaara could tell she didn't believe him when he said he was part of a Clan. He shook his head.

"No Clan you'd know. One that no longer lives, but it dead because of two reckless and jealous fools. But no matter. Such was a Clan that raised kits to believe their only purpose was to slay all in their path. But I suppose it is a purpose. One must have a reason to live, or one will die." He meowed, nodding slightly. The she-cat's eyes flickered for a moment with uncertainty.

"Who are you?" She asked finally, the whiskers along her brow furrowing slightly. Normally, Gaara would have killed any cat in her position by now. But he still couldn't bring himself to move from his perch upon the Twoleg monster.

"I am Gaara of the fallen DesertClan, as your kind would no doubt call it. And who are you?" He tried not to sound as interested as he was. The she-cat stiffened and flexed her claws, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

"I am Ashfire, Warrior of ThunderClan." She growled.

"Ah, a Warrior... I would envy you your position if I had not so many knowings of the Clan ways." Gaara said, shaking his head. Ashfire seemed hesitant.

"But... weren't you a Warrior?" She asked.

"No, not really. Our Clan was set up quite differently than yours. There were the Fighters and Hunters, but of those, I was niether." He meowed.

"What were you?" She demanded. He was silent, and then his eyes strayed to the dead mouse.

"I am a Killer. My sole reason for existing is to kill all of those who threaten my existence. Causing pain and suffering is the only thing I know." He got to his paws and stretched. Then, his muscles rippling as he moved, he leaped down from the monster. Ashfire didn't move.

"What makes you think you can be nothing else?" She asked, seemingly confused. Gaara looked into her pale eyes and shrugged.

"I've never known anything else. It's who I am. It's how I was raised." He meowed. His eyes turned away and stared off into the forest, "My father told me I was to protect the Clan, to be their weapon. My only reason for being born was to kill my Clan's enemies. That's how they raised me. They looked on me with hate because of my abilities." He flexed his claws.

"Abilities?" Ashfire echoed. He turned to her and smirked.

"I'd only scare you speaking of it. They seem to horrify whoever sees them anyway. But today I will not kill. I will go, as you have asked. Pray we don't meet again, Ashfire." Gaara meowed as he passed her. Their fur brushed, he had come so close. Her sweet, enticing scent surrounded him even as he walked away.

Ashfire turned and watched Gaara pad away. A cat that had been told his only reason to live... his only purpose... his only way... was to kill. A sorrow fell over the she-cat's heart. His deathly scent had held traces of past-fear and hatred and loss... sorrow and despair... She wanted to run to him, to tell him there were other ways to live. But she knew nothing of him, and as a Clan cat she wasn't supposed to mingle with rouges. Ashfire couldn't get him out of her mind, though, as her patrol continued. Even when she returned to camp, his strange green-blue eyes and rich ginger fur streaked with prey blood danced through her mind, plauging her with sorrowful thoughts. Ashfire knew she probably should do as he had suggested and pray they never met again. But in her heart, she hoped they one day would.

Gaara sat on the fence of a Twoleg Garden, staring into ThunderClan forest. Somewhere in there, Ashfire was going on with her life as if nothing had happened. But her memory plauged Gaara. What had that strange feeling been? Why had he been unable to hurt her? He had never hesitated killing any cat before. He recalled seeing his mother dead, and how he had vowed that day to kill every cat, no matter how close they were to him. Because he would never grow close to another cat after her death. Gaara closed his eyes. All of that love she had spoken of... it had always seemed so useless to him. Life was one big hardship, and without a purpose there was no point in living it. But Gaara had had a purpose. Being the strongest, the best. It had been what had taken up every minute of thought. But now his thoughts were filled with Ashfire. He remembered the sadness she had expressed when he had told her of his reason to live. Was there another way? Another way that could guide him back to that beautiful she-cat? He shook his head. There was no way she would ever feel for him. Even if what he felt could be love, she would never want him like he wanted her. She would never think of him day and night and wonder where he was, what he was doing, if he was thinking of her... Gaara felt a fresh pain in his heart, a pain that no amount of killing could ever heal. He closed his eyes and bowed his head. Mother... wherever you are, I pray to you for one thing... I know it is selfish of me, but I have been selfish for so long... you taught me that love was something that could come from anywhere, at any time. It's so horrible to think I would endanger her... but let me see Ashfire again. Let me meet her once more, and find out if I truly love her the way you told me love would be like. I'm a monster, I know... and she will probably never feel the same way... but I ask you with all of my heart... I would give anything... let me see Ashfire again.

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

Ashfire padded along the border of Treecutplace, remembering the last time she had seen the murderous rouge, Gaara. His lonely green-blue eyes, his rough, haunting voice, and his bloody, cold scent. It all haunted her as she padded along, trying desperately to scent out prey. She knew she shouldn't have come this way to hunt, but some part of her wished desperately that Gaara would appear. He could come drenched in blood for all she cared, but she wanted to see him again. It was an irrational thought, she knew. Why would she want a rouge on her Clan's territory? Maybe he's not here... maybe I can find him near Twolegplace? She knew it was foolish to go after the cat who had told her his only reason to live was killing. He would no doubt kill her if they met again. She wondered why he hadn't tried before. He had seemed uncertain. Maybe he was doubting his way of life. Ashfire had no doubt he'd made a strong asset to ThunderClan if she could convert him to their ways. But would he ever understand? It didn't matter. He was probably long gone. Ashfire felt her paws guiding her towards the kittypet territory, where rows of Twoleg fences blocked out any other sights to be seen. She blinked and looked right and left, and then nervously the she-cat stepped from the cover of the trees.

Gaara had been raiding a Twoleg garden and was just running off with his spoils when he saw her. The sunlight cast a beautiful glow on her grey fur, and her wary amber eyes seemed to shimmer like a thousand suns. Gaara's heart, already accelerated, seemed like it would either pop from his chest or crush his ribs trying. The tom slid to a halt, his ginger fur on end. What was she doing here? Why was she sauntering around Twolegplace? He allowed himself to become calm. Just seeing her sent his chest ablaze and his legs quivering. Thank you mother for hearing my prayer. He thought, taking a wary step forward.

"Ashfire." He meowed. She spun around to face him, her fur on end. She relaxed, though, as soon as she saw it was him. This surprised him. Gaara was used to all those who knew him... actually, pretty much every creature... running or hissing or at least looking hostile whenever he appeared. Wasn't Ashfire nervous around him? He'd told her about his purpose. Hadn't she listened?

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

Ashfire heard a voice say her name. It was a harsh and monotone voice, but as soon as she spun around and saw it was Gaara she relaxed. He looked dumbfounded, though calm enough on the exterior. Ashfire blinked and stared at him for a few moments, and then she nodded.

"Gaara." He looked at her closely, as if sizing her up. Then he sniffed the air and looked up at the Twoleg fences.

"I didn't realize the border went right up the fences." He meowed, his whiskers twitching. He arched the whiskers above his left eye and turned to stare at her keenly. Ashfire shuffled her paws nervously, silently cursing herself for being such a mousebrain.

"It doesn't... it ends at the trees..." She meowed uncomfortably, flicking her tail towards the forest. Gaara's eyes turned and examined them, and then flickered back to her.

"That's quite a distance from where you're standing. Strange that a Clanner should venture so far from Clan territory." He mused. Ashfire's fur bristled.

"I've been outside Clan territory before, thank you!" She snapped. Gaara snorted.

"Sure you have."

"Yes, I have!" Ashfire meowed firmly, "I went looking for my brother." She stiffened as soon as he turned on her, his eyes angry. But he relaxed almost immediately.

"You have a brother?"

"Yes. Two. Savioursoul and Ravennight." She meowed.

"Are they not of ThunderClan?" He inquired.

"They both joined TrueClan." She meowed rather sadly. He cocked his head and stared at her for a few moments.

"You are sad." He noted. Ashfire turned her face aside, digging her claws into the earth.

"I love my brothers... I miss them. It's so hard... being alone." She whispered. Gaara took a half-step forward, his eyes flickering with some unreadable emotion, but then he stopped, his whiskers drooping and his shoulders slumping as if admitting defeat.

"I know how it feels to be alone, Ashfire. But don't worry. You will not always be so." Ashfire looked at him and saw how unhappy he seemed.

"Are you alone?" She asked. He blinked and then a hard look flashed across his face.

"Yes. I am a monster, and... things like me have to be alone. We cannot have friends or family. We are dangerous." Gaara muttered as he stared hard at his paws.

"You are not a monster, Gaara." Ashfire meowed, taking a step forward. He didn't seem to notice. She took a few more steps forward, until she was almost a mouse-length away from him. His bloody, dark scent washed over her, and she shuddered. He seemed suddenly aware of her proximity, and he flinched away, his claws unsheathing and his tail lashing.

"You don't understand." He meowed, sitting a little ways from her. Ashfire didn't know why, but she felt hurt that he had moved away. She sat down and watched him intently.

"What don't I understand, Gaara?" She asked.

"You haven't... you haven't seen." He closed his eyes.

"That's Ok. I know that there's good in every cat. You will never be satisfied by killing, Gaara. You must forge a path of honesty and justice." She meowed eagerly. Gaara looked at her and cocked his head.

"You are a lot like my mother. She often spoke of peace and justice and... and love. But she lied to me. She said that love meant forever, and ever since she died I have never known love, only hatred and anger and lust..." He shook his head firmly. Ashfire felt a claw slice through her heart. She could feel his pain as piercing as if it were her own.

"You do not have to be alone any longer, though. You don't have to know hate and anger, Gaara." She mewed softly. He stared at her.

"What do you mean?"

"I will be your friend. I will be there for you, Gaara." Ashfire was shocked that these words came from her, but she meant them. Gaara's eyes flickered with an emotion Ashfire couldn't place. She could tell he wanted to be her friend, he wanted her to be there. But at last he shook his head.

"It's too dangerous for you to be here. Besides, you have so many duties to your Clan. You could never-"

"I don't care if it's dangerous. I will do my duty to my Clan, but I will do my duty to you, too, Gaara. I will meet you here every day. Will you come?" Ashfire asked, her voice unwavering. She could see he was considering it.

Gaara stiffened at her proposal. Every word she spoke sent his heart a-flutter, but he was afraid. He could easily hurt her if she angered him, or if he suddenly broke out of this trance and became lustful for blood once again. All the time she had been speaking, he had not thought once of killing her. The idea sent shivers down his spine and pangs through his heart. Gaara didn't want to hurt Ashfire, no matter what happened. He closed his eyes. He knew he should refuse to meet her, but every part of his being ached with a strange unfamiliar longing. He had never wanted a purpose other than the one given to him. He had wanted pain and blood all his life. But now he wanted friendship... he wanted Ashfire.

"I will come." He meowed finally. Ashfire nodded and got to her paws.

"Good. I will meet you at Sunhigh." She meowed. Turning, she pelted into the forest and was lost to the shadows. Gaara felt lonlier, emptier than when he had first saw her. He sat there for a few minutes, and then finally took up the fish he had caught from the Twoleg pond and padded to his favorite eating spot. He thought about Ashfire all through his meal. He couldn't get the she-cat out of his head. Her earnest voice, her enticing eyes... they haunted him like the images he had kept of his mother. They were so much alike. Gaara closed his eyes and remembered...

"Please come down, Gaara." Gaara looked at his mother, sitting on the ground staring up at him, and hissed.

"I'm staying here forever so daddy can't hurt me anymore!" Gaara cried. His mother seemed sad.

"Daddy is just trying to train you, sweetie. He didn't mean it."

"Yeah, he did! You're a liar, mommy!" Gaara shrieked. His mother frowned.

"Yes, I am, just as any other cat is. But that isn't the point, Gaara. I care for you and I don't want to see you rot up there by yourself. So come down or I'll have to come up there and starve with you." Gaara didn't want his mother to starve, so he climbed down obediantly. His mother gave his ear a gentle lick.

"You have a good heart, my son." She purred. He stared up at her.

"What's that mean, mommy?" He asked.

"You care about other cats above yourself. You will be a good, kind cat one day." She said softly.

"But daddy says I'm a killer and that's all I'll ever be." Gaara pouted.

"Your father is unwise, Gaara. He does not see the good in you, the truth and love that I can see. You will know what I mean one day, Gaara. One day." His mother smiled at him.

Gaara closed his eyes. I think... maybe I understand, mother... at last.

Ashfire padded into camp, carrying a mouse and three pigeons in her mouth. She dropped them on the prey pile and padded to her favorite resting place. She laid down and began to wash herself. She wondered what Gaara was doing. I have to get him out of my head. She thought sternly. But she failed utterly to do that. All she could think of was his sad eyes, his defeated spirit. She would restore the true Gaara one day. She would. Time passed slowly as one day melted into another. Ashfire managed to go on the Dawn Patrol, leaving the rest of the day pretty much free. She opted to go hunting on her own as Sunhigh came. Her paws carried her to Twolegplace as if she were in a trance. She emerged from the trees and saw Gaara sitting on a rock nearby. His eyes were scanning the forest, and his tail tip was twitching anxiously. As soon as he caught sight of her, his eyes became cold and his body still as stone. Ashfire blinked as she padded towards him.

"Hello, Gaara." She meowed, dipping her head. Gaara stared at her for a few moments, and then nodded back.

"Ashfire." The two sat for a few moments, completely still. Then Ashfire stretched her forepaws and yawned.

"The Dawn Patrol can be so tiring sometimes. It's the one the apprentices usually tag along with. They can be so bothersome. Sometimes I have to remind myself I was like that once." She meowed, smiling. Gaara looked down at her and blinked.

"An apprentice? You mean... a trainee, right?" He meowed. Ashfire looked up at him.

"Hmm? Oh, well... I'm not sure. Apprentices are the younger cats that are learning to become Warriors." She explained. Gaara nodded.

"In my Clan we have trainees. They decide whether they want to be Healers, Hunters, or Fighters. Some are chosen to be... other things. It depends on your state of birth and how you are raised. I was chosen to be a Killer. There are very few that can be trained as such." Gaara said, a shadow passing over his face.

"That seems a very... sad way to do things." Ashfire noted. Gaara shrugged.

"I have never known it any other way, besides this whole rouge business. So, the apprentices are noisy? Don't you... punish them or something?" Gaara asked, cocking his head.

"No, we understand that's just how they are. Did your Clan punish their young ones?" Ashfire inquired disbelievingly.

"Our Clan was a strict one." Gaara sighed. Ashfire asked more questions, as Gaara did. They sat together for quite some time, and then Ashfire left. She would return every day, and the more she learned of Gaara, the sadder she became over him. He had lived such a hard life. She wished she could bring him some happiness. The fifth day of their meetings, after he explained his mother had been murdered, she prayed to StarClan that she might ressurect the love he had had for his mother. She prayed that one day, she could help Gaara forgive and move on.

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

"NO!" Gaara chringed and shied away from the massacre. The blood had a horrible tangy scent, worse than any amount of prey blood he had ever smelled. His parent's still corpses were mangled and broken, and every cat he had ever known was dead. All but two. The two tabbies stood with their claws unsheathed and their faces spread wide in vicious grins. Gaara had a strange thought then. At that moment, he wasn't the Killer. They were. The Hunter and the Fighter. They had combined to become a Chosen, and with their ability had murdered all that Gaara held dear.

"Why are you doing this?" He whimpered. His brother's eyes twinkled with wicked glee.

"Because you deserve it, runt! They all do!" He chirruped. The she-cat beside him, their sister, hissed.

"They all thought we were weak and stupid. It is true I am not strong, and Renegade is not clever, but together we are just as good as any Chosen." She sneered. Gaara's paws ached and his shoulders trembled as he stared into their lustful, hate-engulfed eyes.

Gaara jolted awake, panting. His pale blue-green eyes were stretched wide and his claws were embedded into the moss on the floor of his den. He closed his eyes and breathed in the foul stench that hid his scent from any enemies. Shaking himself, Gaara climbed out of the strange Twoleg monster paw, licking the scent from his pelt before trotting along the alley towards the forest. Ashfire had promised to meet him earlier today, since she was on the Sunhigh patrol. Gaara's life now revolved around seeing Ashfire. This was their twentieth meeting, and he had grown accustomed to her presence. He wasn't sure if he could bear watching her go. His life before had been empty and full of pain, but now it was filled with curiousity and life. All thanks to Ashfire. Gaara's purpose was weak now, but he didn't mind as much. He was actually enjoying life for once. Gaara leaped onto a Twoleg fence at the end of the alley and landed softly on the earth near the forest rim. He sat down on the usual rock, tucking his tail around his paws. He listened intently for any signs of Ashfire's approach. He closed his eyes and sighed softly, enjoying the warmth from the rising sun that bathed over his pelt. Suddenly there was a soft sound and Gaara looked up to see Ashfire trotting out of the forest. He smiled as he got to his paws and leaped down to join her, but all of the sudden a harsh scent hit his nose and his blood began to roar in his ears. No... what's happening? He thought, bewildered, as he turned to see a dark shape follow Ashfire from the woods.

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

Previously that day...

Ashfire felt the numbness of sleep slowly drift from her. The soft sounds of the morning echoed in her head. She sighed and let out a contented purr. Opening her eyes, she allowed herself to grow accostumed to the feeling of wakefullness. Finally the she-cat got to her paws and padded into the clearing. Once she was in the open, Ashfire stretched and thought about how the layout of the day would progress. She was scheduled for the Sunhigh patrol, which meant she would be meeting Gaara earlier today. The thought excited her as much as it made her wary. The more she met with Gaara, the more fascinated and hungry for his company she became. It worried her sometimes to think that she might be...

"Hey, Ashfire!" The she-cat turned and examined the Warrior who sprinted towards her. He had black and white fur that was long and silken, and his amber eyes were bright.

"Hello Runningsoul." Ashfire sighed. She had already slept in enough; she wanted to go meet Gaara as soon as possible.

"Want to go hunting with me?" The tom asked, smiling. Ashfire hesitated.

"Well, I-"]/b]

"Aw, c'mon, you were goanna go hunting anyway, weren't you? You've been going out on your own so often!" He exclaimed. Ashfire frowned.

"I like having some time to myself. Maybe later, Runningsoul." She meowed, turning to leave the camp. She didn't feel like eating now, she just wanted to be away from the inquiries and with Gaara.

The present...

Ashfire padded out of the forest and smiled as soon as she caught sight of Gaara. He was grinning at her, his pale green-blue eyes shining excited. He looked so different than he had when she first met him. They had met so often, and every time it seemed Gaara worked harder and harder to impress her. The thought flattered Ashfire. But as soon as she had opened her mouth to greet him, a strange expression passed over his face. His nose screwed up a little, his ears flattened, and a red tint suddenly emerged in the whites of his eyes.

"Who is this, Ashfire?" Runningsoul's voice broke Ashfire's worried thoughts. She froze. Turning slowly, she saw the tom was standing behind her, his face filled with outrage. A cold feeling settled in her stomach.

"What are you doing here?" He demaded. Ashfire felt as if she were plunging into a cold, bottomless river. She had been found out. Will I never get to see Gaara again? The thought caused a strange pain to tear through her chest.

"I am... I'm not doing anything against my Clan." Ashfire mewed, her voice shaky at first but steadying as she spoke. Runningsoul curled his lip.

"Right. And what [i[are[/i] you doing?"[/b] He repeated. Ashfire tried not to feel guilty, but she couldn't help it.

"I-"

"You're breaking the Warrior code, seeing him." Runningsoul sneered, glaring at Gaara. Ashfire froze. What did he think, that she had taken him as a mate?

"We've only been talking..."

"So you've met him before. Just as I thought." Runningsoul snorted. Ashfire was growing more and more desperate. Suddenly she heard a harsh sound behind her. She turned and what she saw caused her to gasp. Gaara's eyes seemed smaller, less stable. His jaw was hanging open, and saliva was dripping from his jaw. His claws were unsheathed, and his tail lashed threateningly.

"Stop speaking to her like you know what you're talking about! You don't understand her at all!" Gaara growled, his tongue rolling slowly over his teeth and his lips spreading in a crazed smile. Both Runningsoul and Ashfire were speechless with horror.

"What is that thing?" Runningsoul hissed. Gaara hissed as he stalked forward. Both cats were too terrified to move.[/color]

All the time Ashfire's Clanmate had been speaking, Gaara could feel his Bloodlust coming on. The fury he felt at seeing Ashfire's guilt and pain, and the fact that the tom before him was causing it... It drove him over the edge. Gaara felt the world spin from his grasp. His claws instinctively unsheathed himself as he stalked forward.

"Gaara?" Ashfire's voice seemed far away. She was scared. He would teach that tom to scare her! Gaara saw the world through red-rimmed glasses, and all he could see, all he could smell, was Ashfire... and the tom. He lunged forward, his muscles rippling as he sprinted. He heard a gasp and his lips spread in an insane smile as he fell on her Clanmate. He tore his claws across the tom's throat, biting into his ear. He could hear a horrified shriek, and his blood flushed warm with pleasure. He could hear something in the back of his mind, a voice begging him to stop. His frenzy slowed, until suddenly it stopped altogether. He could feel something pressing on him, something throwing itself against him. Finally he felt himself dislodged from his prey, and a sweet scent rolled over him, taming the ferocity of his bloodlust. He opened his eyes and blinked. Ashfire's face was horrified, her ears pinned back as she stepped away from him.

"Gaara..." She shook her head. He blinked and looked around. The tom that had followed Ashfire was dead. Ashfire was covered in blood, as was he. He stiffened.

"Ashfire... I..." He had done it. He had gone into Frenzy... His worst nightmare was realized. But instead of hurting Ashfire, he had killed one of her friends. His eyes were glued to her. Even if he hadn't hurt her physically, had he hurt her another way...?

"Gaara..." Ashfire shook her head. He froze.

"I-I'm sorry, Ashfire... I'm a monster." He sobbed, turning away from her. He sprinted forward blindly, his heart racing and his head reeilng. He made a vow to himself then and there. I will never kill again... never... even if I live without a purpose... I will never again shed innocent blood.

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

Ashfire was dumbfounded. Gaara had gone berserk and had slain Runningsoul without much difficulty. Was that what the ginger tomcat had spoken of when he told her about his "abilties"? Ashfire felt numb. She was covered in the blood of her Clanmate because she had forced herself to shove Gaara off of Runningsoul before he could mangle the corpse. What sort of frenzy had he gone into? It was as if the quiet, thoughtful cat she had known for so many Sunhighs had just vanished all in one instant. Was this what he was afraid would happen? Did he think he would become like that... and kill me? She wondered. A horrible, lonely, aching feeling rested in her stomach. She felt stung, betrayed, hopeless... All she wanted was the Gaara she had known before, but now... would she ever see him again? It was a foolish thought, wanting to be with him, near enough beside him to smell the rich, dark scent that wafted off his pelt. Ashfire thought maybe she was going crazy, but she knew she wasn't. She loved Gaara, and she couldn't deny it any longer.

"But there is nothing to do now... he's gone." She meowed sadly. Ashfire stooped and picked up her fallen Clanmate. She managed to slip under him and carry him to camp on her back. She fely her heart break with every step she took. Why did you have to follow me, you mousebrain? She asked her dead friend. Ashfire tried not to show too much emotion when she came into camp. She allowed herself to be sad, but nothing more.

"What happened?" A Clanmate exclaimed as she padded into the camp, drenched in Runningsoul's blood. Ashfire dropped him gently to the earth in the center of the camp. She closed her eyes and sighed, and then shook her head.

"He was out hunting with me near Twolegplace. We heard something and went to check it out... Some crazed rouge attacked us, and killed him." Ashfire was somewhat glad at that point Gaara had injured her a little when she had pushed him off Runningsoul. The scratches were deap enough to look like she put up a fight, but not life-threatening. Spottedleaf was there soon to bring her to the Medicine Cat's den. The last thing she saw as she exited the Clearing was her Clanmates surrounding Runningsoul's body... mourning the loss of their friend.

Gaara sat alone, always alone... His eyes stung from the fumes that came off the Twoleg monsters, but that pain hardly compared to the bleeding cut that ran across his heart. He could no longer deny what he felt for Ashfire, but what did it matter? He was a monster, and even if somehow she could feel the same way for him as he felt for her... It was too late now. Gaara couldn't bring himself to venture beyond the Monster Nest he had run to. He couldn't walk another step away from Ashfire. All his life he would stay near the forest, if only in hope of seeing her... He didn't even care if he ever spoke again, as long as one day he may just lay eyes on her once more. Gaara had a new purpose, a new way, thanks for Ashfire. Now he would be a kind cat, one that would help others and not bring them pain. He was not sure how he would accomplish this, but he was determined to do so. Even if it cost him his life, he would fulfill his unspoken promise to Ashfire. His love for her was strong enough to fill him with determination towards his reason to live.

The young she-cat bounced along the alley, humming to herself as she explored the familiar turf. She was known for her wandering, even being a Kittypet. Padding around the corner of one alley, she found herself at the Montser NestPlace. Several sleeping Monsters had Twolegs brushing their pelts. She wished her Twolegs would brush her ever once-in-awhile, but they were young and busy all the time. Zoe heard something behind her and turned to see two dogs stalking towards her. She stiffened. The tinkling of her bell faded until it was a mere thought. She opened her mouth in horror, but no sound came out. The dogs bared their teeth and crouched, but suddenly a red shot, as bright as flame, blurred Zoe's vision. The dogs yelped and a fierce yowl lit the air. Zoe could see a ginger tomcat dancing between the dog's forepaws, raking his claws across their faces and legs. Finally they turned tail and ran, whimpering piteously, back the way they'd came. The tom stood staring after them, his chest heaving and his tail-tip twitching. His ear flicked once and then he turned to face her. She was shocked. His green-blue eyes had tinges of red in the corners, and saliva dripped from the side of his mouth. But he shook his head, and his vision cleared. He seemed hesitant for a moment.

"Are you Ok?" He asked finally. His deep, monotone voice sent shivers up her spine. But something about his expression made her trust him.

"Yeah. Thanks for the help back there." She smiled. He grinned slightly, which made his face look more handsome.

"No problem." Zoe felt she had to do something to thank him properly. Finally she managed to slip out of her collar - since it was too big for her anyway. It was black and with a bit of work, she stripped off the little bell. She nudged it towards him.

"Here, take this. It's the least i can do." She mewed. He hesitated again, but finally he crouched and managed to slip it on. It looked nice against his ginger fur, and with some more wear and tear it would probably look as bold as he was, too. Zoe grinned.

"It looks nice on you!" She purred.

"Thank you." He meowed, nodding his head slightly.

"Uh-huh! I'm Zoe. What's your name?" She asked curiously.

"Gaara..." He mewed. She nodded and brushed past him. Looking over her shoulder, Zoe called;

"See ya around, Gaara!"

[Brambleclaw]

[[Mind if I join in? I don't write as well as you, but I do write!]]

Cool, crisp night air. Humming, buzzing. Running. Like never before, a bullet shot out into the dark chasm called night. Night was nothing to fear, but running was a habit formed by one who wished to escape the thing we most fear. She never thought of fear in that way. Heart pumping, blood pulsing through her, driving hard through every vein. She never did think of fear at all. Another pounding step, time seemed to stand still. She had never felt so afraid before. Her heart ached from the force put upon it, but she couldn't stop. Right behind her. Run. Two instincts. Run. Don't stop. Her thoughts always the same. Don't stop. Run. He's right behind you. Run. He was an easy name to put to the familiar, terrifying face. He had once been so kind. Why was he different? Now he was a horror. She gasped as she reached a dead end. A wall. The end of the alley. Turning, she watched him come. Eyes locked on her. He looked like he was serious. He was going to kill her. She gulped. She had never fought before. Not even had to fear. He kept her safe. She might've laughed if she had not been so scared. Heart thumping so painfully it threatened to explode, she blinked. Claws slid out, and it was so terrifying. To use her claws. To fight. She choked on her own saliva, suddenly realizing it was over. She closed her eyes, too afraid to look. It was over.

Birdie blinked as she leaped atop the fence post, eager for another day out. Since her last encounter with a Clanner, she was eager to stay in her own bounds. She walked atop the fence for quite some time, casually waving hello to friendly kittypets. She stopped to see Henry, the old tomcat who had gone to the Cutter. He had been made to never have kits, and he became overweight and lazy. The tom had gotten very old and never got out much. He did have tales of younger, better days and Birdie loved to visit him. However, she wasn't planning to that day. She said a brief hello and left. She avoided Smudge, as he didn't care for her much, but snuck into Kayli and Kyle's house. They had replaced that tom Rusty, who had been killed by the Wildcats. Birdie didn't believe that story, but she hadn't yet heard any other tale.

Birdie wound up in the familiar alleyway, near a Monster housing area. She sat down, admiring the spot with quite a sense of victory and appreciation. The dark night was reflected in her mind as she thought of the dark tom she had left. What had happened to make him so dark? The tom she had once so admired had tried to kill her. But there was no success in murder. She killed him in her defense, an incredible feat that she was still happy about. Her love for him was long-gone, and she no longer worried about him. She didn't feel lonely, but that spot he left was still empty. She had never found a good tom. But love was not why she visited his 'grave'. The bones were hidden under an old green Twoleg metal bin, and she often returned to reflect on winds of change. Because none could be trusted, and none could be so respected. She sighed. She missed him sometimes. But she had killed him, and she could have cared less. He wanted to kill her, she had defended herself, and gloating his grave made her proud.
"Proud." She said softly.

Turning she heard yelping and whining from the local dogs. Sighing, she stood and padded off to investigate. She saw Zoe, a young daughter of Princess and her mate. She was fun, crazy and spunky. In-your-face type. There was also a stranger that Birdie did not recognize. As Zoe left, Birdie approached the fiery red tomcat.
"Hello, kittypet." She said, acknowledging his collar.

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

OOC: Sure, come on in. Sorry I didn't reply earlier I didn't think anyone would reply to this thread XD And I think you're a great writer!


Gaara turned when he scented a new cat. The collar that Zoe had given him was surprisingly comfortable, and he liked how it felt. He was also very grateful she had ripped the bell off of it, but he had little time to think much through; a sleak she-cat was padding toward him with a smile on his face. Had she watched the whole thing? He hoped not. Gaara didn't want to be made into some hero. All he wanted was to help. If Ashfire never hears about me again that'll be the best thing that ever happened to her. He thought, his heart heavy. He managed to grin, though, to this she-cat. It felt strange, but unbeknownst to him it made him look much more striking than when he was sullen and expressionless - or angry and crazed. He didn't know if he should be insulted at being called a Kittypet or not, but it really didn't matter. He surpressed the small tinge of anger that rose up inside. But he felt no need to kill. This she-cat's scent was not as alluring to him as some cat's would be. At this moment, he was grateful for that. Zoe's scent had been too daring, and he had been grateful when she had left. Truth be told, her scent was on the collar he now wore but without much of a body to compete with, he had no choice but to bear it. He'd always have to bear it if he wanted to be good.

"I'm a rouge, actually, but greetings to you, as well." Gaara said in his strange, monotonous voice. He gave a slight dip of his head and a flick of his ear in acknowledgement. As long as she was posing him n threat, he saw no reason to want her to go away. He might as well just sit and observe her. She was pretty, that was for sure, but his mind wasn't exactly centered around that sort of thing. Ashfire's intense pale amber eyes still haunted him enough to make him look at the kittypet more strategically. She appeared to have some strength in her limbs, if not wasted by her kittypet life, but he didn't doubt she would have been able to beat away those dogs with as much if less ease than he had. Unlike many cats, Gaara never assumed that just because a cat was a kittypet or loner or Clan cat that it was stronger or weaker. Only time could tell, and Gaara had time, as far as he was concerned. The she-cat would probabyl wander off, lose interest, but he didn't much mind. He was used to being alone. What was the rest of his life compared to the beginning, the feelings of hatred and anger and sorrow? At least Ashfire had given him this peace of mind. He hoped he could hold onto it and stay away from the murderous trail he had been walking before.

[Brambleclaw]

Birdie nodded.
"Just that kittypet collar had me fooled." She joked, purring in amusement. "Zoe teach you how to beat a dog?" She continued, flicking her tail in amusement. She loved to tease. No matter the tom, she knew she could handle anyone. After all, she had kept herself alive. He hadn't stopped her then, and this tom wouldn't stop her now.
"Your name?"

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

Gaara stiffened at her tone of voice. Was she insulting him? He felt his anger coming on - disbanding whatever repressed senses that had kept him from his bloodlust. He tried to surpress it, but he was getting rather annoyed. Perhaps she does not mean it unkindly. I must take it as I did Ashfire's jokes. She is not being insulting, rather she is just teasing. Yes, that must be it. Still, Gaara frowned slightly and nodded his head only in a stiff way to acknowledge her comment.

"I am Gaara." He meowed. He stood for a few moments in awkward silence. He didn't know that it was probably polite to ask her what her name was. He just stood and stared, though, his mouth still downturned slightly.

[Brambleclaw]

Birdie nodded, sensing his unhappiness.
"You don't take jokes lightly." She said with a purr. "S'okay." She sat down, licking her already perfect fur. She remembered how he had talked to her, just like Gaara. Not one to joke, and definitely not one to be very friendly. She suddenly wondered if Gaara knew him. They could be kin or something. But she decided not to ask, and remained silent.

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

Gaara relaxed instantly. So she had meant it only as a joke. That was good, he supposed. Gaara was more accustomed to smiling after his time with Ashfire, but it was a crooked, half-hearted smile he managed to muster up.

"I'm afraid I've not been well aqquainted with them. Where I come from one must take everything very seriously. Please forgive me if I seem... angry." He frowned slightly, "By the way... what is your name?" He asked, trying to sound amiable but really not doing the best job. This was all so strange to him, despite all the time he had with Ashfire learning about her ways and learning to love. But he was hesitant to feel that way again. After all, a heart could only break so many times, and his had already broken twice.

[Brambleclaw]

"Birdie." She replied plainly. She remembered telling him her real name, and how surprised he had been. Not a normal kittypet name. It had been the first time he had laughed. It had made her so happy. Now Birdie never used the nickname he had given her, Twitters. Her twolegs had named her Finch, but she was not about to use some stupid kittypet name. She rarely went to see her twolegs, and when she did she slept outside and ate the food they left for her outside. She wasn't the kittypet type. No, not since he had attacked her. Not since she had killed him. She was Birdie now, not Twitters and not Finch. And that was all Gaara needed to know.
"What are you doing here?"

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

Birdie. Gaara tried to remember if he had ever known any cats named Bird or something like that, but he honestly couldn't recall. Most of the time he had been more interested in killing them than getting to know them. Oh well. He looked at her face and saw some strange emotion there, but it was gone so quickly he almost thought it must never have been. Her question struck him as somewhat odd. What would any cat be doing in the alleyways? Living. That seemed painfully obvious to him.

"I was helping a young cat fight off a couple of dogs, actually." He meowed in his strange matter-of-fact voice.

[Brambleclaw]

"Zoe?" Birdie could've guessed it was her, even if she hadn't clearly seen the young kit leaving. "And that's her collar." Birdie nodded, smiling.

"And so then, they came charging at me like... like lightning!"
"Sardines!" Birdie called out, laughing hard. It would've appeared the two young cats drunk if possible, but neither were. He smiled, laughing with her. "Yeah, and then I yelled Sar... Sar... Sar..." He couldn't get the word out. The rest of the group called out.
"Sardines!" There were seven cats laughing and cheering and digging through trash dumps for something good to eat. How Birdie could associate with them was beyond her. The high-class kittypet smiled, her smooth fur glittering in the moonlight as her love recalled the tail. Her little blue collar, studded with rhinestones and a solid-gold bell on the end tinkled beautiful music as the cats laughed and one fell stupidly off of a plank and into a dirty gutter. That caused more laughter. Sighing, Birdie watched as he turned to face her.
"Twitters, c'm'ere." He called, seeing as she was lonely. And she did. He finished his tail to the cats' amusement and to 'Twitters' unfortunate witness.

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

Gaara stared calmly at Birdie for a moment. She seemed lost in thought, in some memory. He nodded slowly, his ear twitching.

"Yes, that was her name. She seemed a very kind sort of cat. And yes, she gave me this collar." He meowed somewhat awkwardly. He didn't feel very comfortable around the she-cat. She had an imposing presence, not as intoxicating as Ashfire's but more suffocating. It was startling, and se tried as hard as he could not to turn and go now. He did not want to be rude - he did not want to be alone. But Gaara couldn't help remembering those pale eyes, that wide smile, and that honest, courageous spiir.t

[Brambleclaw]

[[ :' ( I feel bad for Birdie... ]]

Birdie nodded.
"She is a very kind cat." Birdie looked Gaara up and down. He didn't look a thing like him, as Gaara was lighter gold with strange blue eyes. He had been dark brown with green eyes. She sighed, wishing he had never ruined her life. But she had indeed changed her ways to one that seemed more free and enjoyable. But sometimes the golden she-cat missed the easy kittypet life. She suddenly pulled out of the trance of her thoughts to notice that Gaara seemed uncomfortable. She hated making any cat uncomfortable or upset, she had suffered it many times.
"I'm sorry." Birdie said softly, standing and stretching. "I'll go." She turned and padded away with soft footfalls. She wished to have had her life any other way. What's wrong with me? Not a decent friend... She sighed, curling up under a sleeping monster and watching the twolegs walk by.

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

Gaara stiffened and watched her leave. Should I go after her? He asked himself, puzzled. He sat alone for a few minutes, staring at his paws. He felt lonely already, and he wished fervently that the she-cat hadn't left, no matter how he felt in her presence. He sighed. Gaara could probably track her easily, but should he? He had no idea. The tom got to his paws and padded along a stretch of alleyway, scenting the air to make sure he was going in the right direction. He slipped between two boards and emerged in a small Twoleg garden. There was a little bowl with milk inside it waiting for him. He padded up to it and lapped at the cool liquid, purring despite himself. He did so enjoy milk. He cast a glance at the door of the Twoleg nest. He could see a smiling female Twoleg watching him as she poured water on a plant inside her nest. She was happy, he could tell that. Although he had never been close to the Twoleg - his angsty personality had made him contemptous of Twolegs - he had observed her long enough to know that she recognized him. This time, as she advanced towards the door, he sat with his tail curled around his forepaws, staring up at her with emotionless eyes. She opened the door and smiled at him, making soft crooning sounds. Gaara tilted his head to one side, wondering what the Twoleg was saying. She doesn't mean me any harm, that's for sure. He thought, although he was still hesitant. The Twoleg reached out her hand and smiled, making soft clicking noises with her tongue. Gaara sat still as a rock as she slowly advanced, still making those noises. He could smell her, and from her scent he thought she must be somewhat old for a Twoleg. Her paw, reaching out towards him slowly, was furless and wrinkled, but as soon as it touched his head he crouched down, startled, but did not bolt. The paw was much softer than he would have thought, and he liked how it felt as the Twoleg stroked him. He gave a little inquisitive meow, and the Twoleg smiled. She said something else, and then patted his head gently and went back into her nest. He stood, dumbfounded, for a few moments. And then he turned and padded to the fence. Leaping over it, he soon found the rock just beside its shadow. He sat there and stared into the forest, wondering where Ashfire could be now. Was she thinking of him? If so, did she still want to be his friend? He highly doubted it. I'm probably just a bad memory to her now. He thought with a sigh. He remembered his mother, his few friends, all of the ones that had meant something to him before... before he had lost it all. He closed his eyes. But I am not the Killer. As they said back then... they are. He didn't have the heart or gut to wonder where his blood-kin were now. All he knew was that they would not have given up. They would be searching for him... He shook his head and turned. Leaping frm his perch, the ginger tomcat padded along the line of fences until he caught a familiar scent. It smelled like ThunderClan, but not like Ashfire really. It was a tom's scent, on the fence of one of the gardens. I wonder who could be coming to this place...? He leaped up on the fence and looked over, trying to see something that could be of interest to the wild cats of the forest. But he saw nothing. There was a scent of she-cat somewhere; the garden must belong to her. But... but where is the ThunderClanner? He just realized at that moment that the scent was stale. Oh. That would make sense. He frowned, perplexed. He wondered if maybe the she-cat could tell him something, but he couldn't see her. She was probably inside the nest. The smell of kits reached him, as well. One of them was tauntingly familiar. Zoe? He thought, even more puzzled than before.

[Brambleclaw]

[[No muse...]]

Princess lapped up some cool, refreshing water and nibbled at her moist food. Her owners bought her tasty wet food, not that foul dry stuff. She had made food choices clear from the start. She looked guiltily out at the place where the three young kits had once been. Princess could hardly believe they were gone now. She sighed, wishing her owners were home. She wanted to know how Longan was. Lychee and Rambutan, no matter how hard she and Firestar looked, were nowhere to be found. Firestar suspected that they were also caught, but Princess knew they were fine. Something about motherly, or somewhat motherly, instinct. They were out there somewhere. So when Princess saw a flicker of movement, and noticed a puzzled tom atop her fence, she went to investigate.

The twolegs did not know, but Princess had found a window that could be pushed open ever so much in the garage. SHe slept and ate, practically lived, in the garage in an empty corner. Her bed, toys and food all neatly organized right beneath that window. So Princess learned quickly how to sneak out and care for the three little kits without being noticed. She used this escape to make her way to the backyard, where she smiled in friendly greeting.
"Hi!" She called out.