Brotherly love (B-Claw, open)

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

The tortoiseshell tom's pale blue eyes stared blankly into nothingness. His claws, a pale creme color, were unsheathed, but only slightly. Nostrils flared, mouth parted, ears erect, the tom stood completely still. A shadow flickered on the edge of the pit, and two almost-red amber eyes stared with open hostility at the tom below. A white paw emerged from the darkness, followed by a powerful black leg. Another tom, black with a white chest, muzzle, and tail-tip, came forth, barely making a sound as he slunk towards the tortoiseshell's unprotected flank. He lunged, his red claws unsheathed, but the tortoiseshell whirled around and met him full on, fixing his claws into the black tom's shoulder. The tortoiseshell bit down on the other tom's neck, holding on grimly as the tom tried to break away. A little bit of blood dripped from the wound. The black tom struck the other on the side of the head, sending him staggering a few paces back, panting. The two toms crouched, circling. The tortoiseshell's eyes were fixed somewhere behind the black tom, whose lips were curled back to reveal his teeth. The tortoiseshell attacked this time, lashing out at the black's flank. Shrieking, the black tom leaped at the tortoiseshell and they wrestled. The blind tom pinned the black one, breathing hard and smiling with satisfaction. The black tom stared at him, dazed, and then smiled and batted his brother's shoulder playfully.

"You've gotten a ton better, Saviorsoul!" He exclaimed. Saviorsoul smiled, getting off of his brother and helping him back onto his paws. The two sat down and tried to catch their breath.

"Thanks, Ravennight," Saviorsoul gasped. The black tom nodded.

"No prob. I've missed so much of you growing up, huh, little brother?" Ravennight purred, ruffling Saviorsoul's head with his paw. Saviorsoul let out a squeak of complaint.

"I'm not much smaller than you, you know!" Saviorsoul mewed, shoving his brother playfully aside. Ravennight smiled, and for a moment he almost forgot that his brother was blind. The two padded out of the pit, their breathing somewhat returned to normal.

"Sooo..." Ravennight smiled slightly. Saviorsoul turned and stared blankly in the direction of his brother's face.

"So what?" He asked.

"Met any she-cats you like? I'm sure they're just lining up for you." Ravennight purred. He saw Saviorsoul's tail twitch - a thing that he had early on found out meant his brother was embarrassed.

"Not really. I doubt I'm really that handsome." Saviorsoul meowed, smiling a bit sadly. Ravennight snorted.

"Yeah, well, I'm not one to say but besides your eyes never looking where they should I don't expect any she-cat could have a problem." He said. Saviorsoul arched the whiskers above his eye slightly.

"Do you expect a blind cat to know where to look?" He demanded indignantly.

"No, no, but it still is a bit creepy, you must admit." Ravennight meowed, nodding his head. Saviorsoul pinned his ears back and smiled playfully.

"Oh, is that so?" He meowed, leaping at his brother. They wrestled again, Ravennight coming out as the victor this time. He let out a mrrow of laughter.

"Well sorry I asked, old pal. Want some help?" Ravennight helped Saviorsoul up and the two continued on their way back to camp. Saviorsoul was unusually quiet, and Ravennight worried that he had hurt his feelings.

"Hey, Savior, I'm sorry if I-" he stopped when he heard something nearby, stiffening as his ears shot forward and his eyes traced the source of the noise. Saviorsoul had stopped, too, and was sniffing the air.

"Someone's hunting." His brother noted. Ravennight nodded, trying to relax.

[Brambleclaw]

The dark brown bolt was not nearly terrifying to the midnight she-cat who stared out at the nothingness she had not so recently accepted as her world. Once, she had known nothing more. But miracles could happen anytime, anywhere, as she had so recently learned as an apprentice. Not like it was all that unique anymore. She blinked her crystal-blue eyes like deep pools of sapphire, like gems upon her dark face. Again she watched, almost as if dancing, as another streak of brown whizzed by. Her senses were sharper when she could see, she had also come to realize, as sight was only adding to her already keen senses. But sometimes it could get annoying. And confusing. Why couldn't she be one way or the other? Suddenly, she was slammed in the side.

"Ugh!"
"Attention." Ebonywood meowed, grooming her dark brown fur tenderly. They seemed to always end up training somewhere in the hunting territory. Nightsky figured Ebonywood didn't like the dark feel of the training hollow. She couldn't argue much, because she 'couldn't see'. And like she was about to tell Ebonywood. Standing, she shook dirt from her pelt and felt her vision fade away. Opening her eyes, she saw nothing. Sighing, she turned to her friend. For being blind, she tended to meet a cat eye-to-eye. It was one of her best skills, determining a cat's location.
"I know. I was distracted." Nightsky rolled her blind eyes, a habit she had acquired from her brother. How she had, she still didn't know. "Hunt?"
"Sure." Ebonywood turned and bolted eagerly off. She's certainly an... energetic girl. Nightsky thought with a sigh. She was in a sour mood.

With a sigh, the black she-cat padded off to find something to attempt to hunt. Nightsky felt a light breeze tickle her fur. Hunting. With yet another sigh, Nightsky scented the air. Mouse whipped around her, and she pinpointed the location to it's exact hairswidth. Leaping silently, the jet-black she-cat suddenly felt her vision return. She saw the mouse right before she landed. Swiftly killing it, she noted that Ravennight and Saviorsoul were near. Turning, she saw them both. Blinking, she pretended that she did not know where they were. When she really could see, she always looked farther to the right or left of what she was supposed to be seeing. She hoped Ravennight wouldn't notice, but yet again, he already knew looking at the right spot was hard. He probably knew from his brother. She would be okay, for now.

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

Saviorsoul could scent the she-cat quite easily, though it took him a few moments to remember who it belonged to. He turned to Ravennight but found his brother was already moving ahead. Hissing crossly, Saviorsoul followed.

"Hey, there, Nightsky! Out for a hunt?" Ravennight asked cheerfully. Saviorsoul could feel a sort of tenseness in his brother that startled him. Was something wrong with Nightsky? Saviorsoul hoped not. She had just recovered not too long ago from injuries aqquired in a badger attack. Saviorsoul scented the air but tasted nothing peculiar. Must be Ravennight likes her or something. He thought, his tail curling a little. Of course! Ravennight had asked him that silly question because he liked Nightsky. That must be it. Strange, though; Saviorsoul could detect nothing of what his brother was feeling. Still, shoving aside his unease, he smiled.

"Hello, Nightsky. Is Ebonywood nearby, as well?" He could feel Ravennight relax, making him think perhaps he was worried that Nightsky had been out alone. Still, he had no idea why. Saviorsoul was tempted to shake his head and sigh, but he remained still with a smile on his face.

[Brambleclaw]

"Here I am!" The bubbly brown she-cat called out, and after pausing to pick up her prey, she burst from behind the two toms. She leaped over Saviorsoul, clearing him easily. She carried two rabbits and a vole in her mouth. She smiled in a friendly manner at Nightsky, Ravennight, and Saviorsoul. Nightsky shoved the mouse over to her friend grudgingly.
"Not all mine. Caught Othernight out hunting..." Ebonywood looked at Nightsky, puzzled. Only a moment ago her eyes had been a clear, crystal blue. They had gotten milkier and lighter. Must be seeing things. The she-cat said with a frown, gathering the mouse with the rest of the prey. She looked at Nightsky, who seemed focussed on Saviorsoul. She then looked at Ravennight.
"Raven, wanna help me take this back to camp?" She asked, smiling. Her friend could use some time with her love alone.

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

Ravennight started and turned, his eyes widening as Ebonywood flew over his brother. Saviorsoul seemed aware something had happened but he didn't look much disturbed. He turned and noticed that Nightsky seemed fixed on his brother. Oh, well, Ok... He thought, not really minding. He liked Nightsky - she was headstrong and he liked that - but he was smart enough to see where her eyes were. He smiled at Ebonywood and nodded.

"Sure fire thing. Looks like there'll be plenty to carry!" He exclaimed. He winked at his brother and then padded over to grab some of the prey.

"Do you want my help?" Saviorsoul asked, taking a step forward.

"No, no! You stay here and hunt with Nightsky." He meowed casually. Saviorsoul's expression was half-disbelieving half-angry. Of course he'd feel bad being left out. But he masked his emotion and nodded.

"Yeah, fine..." He muttered.

[Brambleclaw]

[[And the plot starts a rollin'!]]

Ebonywood giggled, smiling as she picked up the two rabbits. They'll be cute together. She thought with a smile, bounding away back to camp.

-

Nightsky felt embarrassed, Ebonywood could be such a thorn sometimes.
"You know, Saviorsoul, I want to tell you something..." She meowed nervously, sitting down and keeping her gaze well away from where he was. She was embarrassed, and he could probably tell. But she had to tell him that she loved him. Now or never.

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

Saviorsoul was cross after his brother abandoned him to go with Ebonywood. Apparently he had misstepped and had assumed Ravennight liked Nightsky when he obviously liked her friend. Oh well, though. Saviorsoul tried to let it go and sit down calmly. He had to listen to whatever Nightsky said and then he could hopefully be gone from here; he hated hunting and he'd rather be back at camp. Outwardly, of course, none of his thoughts were visible as he smiled - mostly for effect than visual since Nightsky couldn't see him anyway.

"Sure. What's up?" He asked, his tone surprisingly light compared to his shadowy thoughts.

[Brambleclaw]

"Well I... err..." She spoke nervously. Swallowing, she decided she had to be out with it. "When I'm around you, I feel complete. I'm never down, always happy and cheerful. I love you, Saviorsoul." In the cosmic universe, how her stars had aligned was a mystery. A blind cat in love with a blind cat, both with a strange Sight and a love for their Clan, TrueClan. She wasn't prepared for heartbreak, however, because she knew he loved her too. He had to.

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

Saviorsoul listened somewhat intently when she began speaking. He wondered where this was leading to. When she told him she loved him he froze. She... loves... me? He turned and blinked, wishing he could see her. Was this some cruel joke she was playing? Perhaps not. But no matter what, he didn't want to lead her on. Saviorsoul knew Nightsky was a beautiful and skilled Warrior, but he felt only friendship towards her, and nothing else. He did not love her as a mate would, but as a brother would his sister.

"Nightsky..." he sighed, shaking his head, "You are like a sister to me. Kind, and gentle, and yet so strong and courageous... but I am afraid I can only ever be a friend to you. I am sorry." He meowed. His sentence seemed unfinished, but he could not make himself say but I can never love you.

[Brambleclaw]

Nightsky gasped. She had made a fool of herself again. She said nothing, just stood and silently ran away. She ran long and hard, never sure where she was headed and she didn't stop either. Kept running. She'd run forever if she had to. But she never wanted to go back.

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

Saviorsoul heard her running and he stood.

"Nightsky, wait!" But she was gone. Oh dear. I fear I have hurt her deeply. He thought, sighing. He padded back towards camp. She would return eventually, he felt sure.

OOC: Uhhuh...

[Brambleclaw]

Ebonywood sprang out at Saviorsoul.
"So? How was your..." She never finished her sentence. "Where's Nighty?" Ebonywood asked, alarmed. What had happened?

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

Ravennight followed Ebonywood more serenely. He saw his brother and knew at once he was guilty, though Ravennight couldn't guess why.

"She... she ran off. I'm afraid I may have hurt her feelings..." He meowed, frowning. Ravennight stiffened.

"How'd you manage that?" He demanded.

She... she told me she loved me. And I told her I could never be more than a friend to her." He meowed hesitantly. Ravennight wondered why in the world his brother wouldn't love Nightsky - she was... He shook his head. This all just made no sense.

"Should I go looking for her?" He asked quietly.

[Brambleclaw]

"Yes!" Ebonywood yelled at Ravennight. She turned to his brother.
"How could you hurt her feelings? She loved you!" Ebonywood wanted to hit him just for thinking anything bad about her friend. Suddenly, however, she found herself mesmerized in his blind eyes. Her heart sped up a bit, but she bit her tognue and looked away.

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

Ravennight nodded once and darted back the way his brother had come. Saviorsoul listened to his pawsteps for a moment and then sighed.

"I didn't mean to hurt her... I just... I did not want to lead her on. I don't love her like she loves me, and I cannot lie to her because I do love her... as a sister. But I fear I have done some wrong... Perhaps I should have handled it differently." He muttered to himself miserably.

[Brambleclaw]

"'Fear you've done some wrong?' Why don't we ask the runaway!?!" Ebonywood felt that feeling that had overcome her wash away. "How can you be so blind?" She demanded, suddenly realizing what she had said. "I mean, not like that, but still." She wasn't about to apologize or be nicer to him because of her slip up.

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

Saviorsoul closed his eyes and clenched his jaw, breathing through his nose.

"Think what you want of me, but I am blind, not only in sight but in understanding sometimes, too. I don't understand what's happening because it's never happened before! So if you'll stop badgering me I'll talk to Nightsky when she comes back!" He snapped, surprisingly angry.

[Brambleclaw]

Ebonywood nodded. She wished he could've been easier on her friend, but she knew there wasn't much she could do.
"Fair." She meowed plainly. "Well, help me bring the prey back to camp." She stated plainly, picking up her rabbits and trotting away.

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

Saviorsoul did so. He tried not to bite too hard into the flesh of the prey, but he was still angry. Why had this all happened to him? Why had he said such things to Nightsky? He felt horrible. He leaped into the camp and stormed over to the prey pile, setting it down the first time he had a chance. He sighed crossly. Life was so stupid sometimes. He sat down and took a few deep breaths. Calm yourself. He commanded. Finally regaining his composure, he turned and listened for any signs of Nightsky and Ravennight's return.


Ravennight flew through the brush at an alarming speed. All he could think was Nightsky... Nightsky... He felt his heart beating wildly against his chest, but not only because he had been in a headlong sprint ever since he was out of sight of Ebonywood and Saviorsoul. He could not help but feel jealous of his brother. He had been trying to get Nightsky's attention since he met her, but she ignored him completely. All cats always thought his brother was handsomer and nicer and better than he was. But Ravennight didn't let these dark thoughts cloud his mind. He had to find Nightsky! He emerged in a field and drew up all his breath for a loud shout.

"Nightsky!" He called desperately.

[Brambleclaw]

[[Done?]]