Moonlight Walk

[Ghostkit]

Ghost slowly followed his prey, a mouse eating what looked like a leaf. He may be a kit and not taught yet but he didn't think it would hurt to try. He tensed his body and crouched low, hoping his eerie white glow wouldn't give him away. He worried that it would give him a disadvantage when apprenticed, making him unable to become a warrior. He banished those thoughts from his mind and took a few steps foreward, then crouched lower in the grass. The mouse looked in his direction. Ghost froze, waiting for it to look away. It continued to eat the obscure object.

He pounced on the mouse, whom tried to run away but was caught by his sharp foggy-white claws. It wasn't his first kill, but he was still proud. Small prey, not even enough to feed a kit it was a young mouse, probably born a few weeks ago maybe. Ghost picked it up and took it to the riverside. He practiced hunting for his apprenticeship whenever he could slip away from the Clan center unnoticed. It wasn't hard, just stick to the shadows.

His eyes shone bright in the moonlight and his fur glowed that same glow when moonlight hit it. He looked into the rushing waters. It was maybe a distorted mirror, but he could see why he was named 'Ghost'. He dropped the young dead mouse and put his paw on it, sort of signifying it was his and he caught it. Ghost looked up at the moonlight, then back to the waters. His tail flickered back and forth, deep into thought.

[Phantomstar]

<sup>Rippledance scented the air, the striking smell of mouse strong in her nostrils. She dropped to the hunting crouch, alerting her ears for any sound that would give away the mouse's position. Though the moon had risen, and the sun had set, Rippledance figured that Riverclan's freshkill pile was looking scarce of any good prey. She had decided to take a little stroll in the moonlight, searching for the prey that had decided not to emerge until the light had left.

As she scented the mouse further, surprised not to hear a sound, she smelled a difference in this mouse's smell, compared to other mice's smells. It smelled... Weird. Not quite alive and not quite there. It was... strange. Rippledance thought that maybe she could hear it, due to her close proximity to the river... She was sure she had great hearing though, and normally the rushing of water hadn't hindered her to this extent.

She sniffed again, finally recognizing the smell for what it was. Death. The mouse wasn't alive. It was dead. But who'd killed it. She focused her ears further in the direction the smell was flowing from. Soft breathing tainted the air, the smooth slide of fur on fur, the miniscule sound made when a small creature shifts its weight. She peered through the leaves that obscured her view. A cat. A fairly large cat, obviously young, with flowing white fur. He seemed to glow in the moonlight, as if part of the moonlight itself.

She knew this cat. Actually, it wasn't a 'cat' at all, is was a 'kit.' Ghost... She'd never really gotten into calling the kit Ghostkit, just as many others were having a hard time calling him 'Ghostkit.' He just seemed like a 'Ghost'. Ghostkit or Ghost, he was still that kit that had webbed paws, stocky build, everything that said he was a Riverclanner... but he was lacking the parents to prove whether or not he actually was Riverclan. The poor kit found in a hollow tree, almost dead. Rippledance pushed through the bushes, her long fur absorbing most of the noise.

"Ghost... I mean Ghostkit, what are you doing out alone in the middle of the night? You know there are other animals around here that could easily hurt you?" Rippledance mewed softly.</sup>

[/sup]

[Ghostkit]

Ghost turned around, startled, eyes wide and claws at the ready. He relaxed when he saw who the cat was. Ripple. The Deputy of the RiverClan. "R-r-rippledance....how did you find me?" He asked, stammering out of nervousness. He lowered his head and awaited punishment. He knew he wasn't sipposed to be out this late. "Yes...I know. I just had this urge to come out here and...you know..." He nodded his head at the young dead mouse, his prize for his efforts. "Practice doesn't hurt, right? I know we usually hunt fish but I..." He trailed off, nervousness heavy in his words.

The moonlight was bright and his coat shone that errie glow more than ever. Most of the Clan members didn't call him Ghostkit, but just Ghost instead. He didn't mind and because he was weary of his peers he prefered the 'kit' to be left off. He wasn't like most kits, always causing some kind of trouble and plating around. He loved just walking in the moonlight. Daytime wasn't his favorite thing, he was very nocturnal. He spent his time when the sun was out sleeping or talking with the elders or other Warriors. Queens being pregnant or had just given birth were too unstable, hormonal.

"What's, the punishment Rippledance? Just get it overwith." He mewed softly. He had never actually talked to her face to face, usually if he got in trouble is was a Warrior or Elder that gave the punishment, which was rare since he was only caught out at night once or twice. He flicked his tail. The scent of the dead mouse was intoxicating, he was hungry and wanted to eat something he caught for once instead of taking from the dead pile of rotting flesh and bone back at the Clan center. He prefered a fresh kill, fresh blood.

[[s].x.[p].x.[e].x.[l].x.[l]]

A lithe figure moved quickly through the woods. Despite the color of the tom's fur, bright gold with a blue-gray zig-zag down his back, he blended well with the undergrowth of this part of the territory. Less water had gotten to some of the plants, their tips beginning to match Shockwave's fur. He had always preferred the warmer seasons. Prey wouldn't see him a mile away, and make him seem more useful to the Clan.

Shockwave wasn't hunting, however. He was out tracking RiverClan's deputy, Rippledance. Spellstar was sleeping peacefully in his den at the moment, and wasn't much fun to watch. So, he had temporarily given up on the quiet leader, and decided to watch Rippledance.

So far, everything seemed normal. The she-cat was obviously tracking a mouse. Part of him was surprised to scent death in the air. Something had killed the mouse... Rippledance was hot on the trail, though, so he was sure he'd be able to see the killer. As Ghost came into view, Shockwave narrowed his eyes. Though the small, white tom was verging on apprenticeship, he had never been taught to hunt. That was a great accomplishment.

Ghost, or Ghostkit, rather, was a very pleasing cat to have around. In a way, he was a bit like Shockwave. Or, perhaps the opposite. To Shockwave's knowledge, the kit was no evil ambitions or thoughts to overthrow the Clan, but he was still a bit mistrusted by a good portion of RiverClan. Spellstar himself had the kit watched for a bit after his comings. There had been many conspiracy theories revolving around the tom, and these rumors spread through the entire Clan. It was a little odd to suspect this five-moon-old fluff ball of treason and malicious purposes, though.

The opposite of Ghostkit, Shockwave had rather evil intentions for the future, but was trusted by the higher ranking RiverClan cats. Masking over his demon-like personality with a happy-go-lucky one was certainly doing him wonders. No one in the Clan suspected him, even after he murdered his own sister. It wasn't like anyone found out, but no one even counted him as a suspect. Things had been going his way for a while now, actually.

Shockwave swallowed, stopping a little closer the Rippledance then he had before. He heard them talking, but couldn't tell what they were saying, exactly. The kit seemed surprised, talking to Rippledance. He seemed a little nervous, and probably expected some horrible punishment. Shockwave stayed low, trying to hear what was being said.

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[Ghostkit]

Ghost perked his head up. He had heard something but didn't know what. He looked around. Nothing. He sniffed the air, but could only catch the scent of the dead mouse and Rippledance. He tried listening but he was too close to the waters to concentrate on such subtle noises. He shifted his weight, paranoid about the slight noise. He banished the thought and stood up, picking up the mouse in his mouth.

Ghost only walked a few feet before plopping the carcass in front of the female Deputy. "If you want it, take it." He said flatly. The fact that he was caught had awakened his temper and made him very irritated. He contemplated on walking away from the annoyance that interruped his night, then thought differently of it, she deserved her respect just like anyone else in the clan did.

Respect was something that came natural to him. He believed even enemies of his were entitled to some, though, he had no enemies right now to account for. Possibly a few dislikes in the Kit community but nobody that he hated with a fiery passion. Ghost heard another rustling in the forest around him. There had to be someone here. He tilted his ears in the direction of the noise and paused. Nothing again. 'Damnit.' he cursed to himself mentally.

[Phantomstar]

<sup>Rippledance was a moment away from saying something to the small kit when another cat's scent floated over to her nose. She ripped her head up, having previously been staring at the 'glowing' kit. She spotted a dash of gold fur here, a rustle of the bushes there. Recognizing the smell she decided to let the tom watch, see what he'd do. When the kit seemed a bit worried he'd get in trouble, Rippledance almost began laughing out loud.

"You're not getting in trouble, I wouldn't, but you never know with the other warriors and Spellstar. they'd probably have a punishment for you. I don't do that," Rippledance reassured the kit. Ghost, no, Ghostkit], promptly told her to take the mouse if she wanted it. She laughed, this time not hiding it inside, and shook her head.

Rippledance put the tip of her tail against his mouth, trying to get the kit to remain quiet so she could listen again. Not sensing anymore movement from Shockwave, she removed her fluffy tail from the kit's face. She brought her tail to her own nose, signaling she needed the kit to be quiet.

"Shockwave, come out. You don't think I'm that stupid as to not realize you're there? I was made deputy for a reason, you know!" Rippledance howled out, making sure Shock wave would hear her.</sup>

[/sup]

[[s].x.[p].x.[e].x.[l].x.[l]]

Shockwave cocked his head, and watched the kit. Was he offering the mouse to the deputy? That was something. He was a little glad the Rippledance refused it.

A jolt of fear swept through his body as the deputy called out his name. The golden tom stood up, padding cheerfully over to the two. "Hallo Rippledance, Ghost," the tom meowed loudly. He bowed his head respectfully to both of them. He smiled innocently and said, a bit quieter, "I was watching Ghost when you came along, Rippledance. I wasn't interrupting anything, was I?

[/color]" There was a sly glitter in his eyes when he glanced from Ghostkit to Rippledance.

He was curious as to what the two would say. Had they known he was there the whole time? Shockwave felt that he was being pretty stealthy. Besides, technically, he hadn't done anything wrong. He was a respected, full-grown warrior in his own territory.[/center][/size][/color]

[Ghostkit]

Ghost did as the deputy ordered, stay quiet. 'Shockwave? Why would he be out here?' Ghost thought to himself. He heard more rustling as she called out for him. He looked toward the direction she had looked, not seeing anything. Then again, he was just a kit, and a rather large one at that. 'Don't do punishment?' Ghost almost had to slap himself to believe what she said. Maybe she had followed to watch.

He sighed and looked all around him. "I don't see anything. You sure it's Shockwave?" He whispered. He had only seen Shockwave a few times, usually minding his own business. Ghost may have exchanged Hello's with him but he was more of a Ghost to....Ghost. He almost laughed at the thought. He bent down and took a rather small bite out of the dead mouse. Hey, it was his prey and Rippledance had declined it. He chewed slightly before swallowing. His hunger was curbed for a while.

He saw the golden-furred cat happily walk out from the bushes. It had been Shockwave. Ghost was surprised, to say the least. "Watching me? Why?" he said aloud, regretting it instantly. Why question the ways of a highly respected Warrior of the clan? Maybe he was going to become apprenticed by him. He wouldn't mind. Even though they only had exchanged few words he had heard positive things about Shockwave. Maybe he saw Ghost kill the mouse with ease, possibly giving him the title of Apprentice. He thought Ghostpaw made more sense than Ghostkit.

He turned around and looked up at the Moon again. It shone bright, almost full with only about a fourth of it missing. He could make out the dark spots on it, being nothing but blobs to him he had heard some elders say they see a 'Cat on the Moon'. He though this was gibberish and didn't pay attention to those out-there stories. He did, however, enjoy hearing about war-tales and the adventures of some of the elders about their previous Warrior lives.

[[s].x.[p].x.[e].x.[l].x.[l]]

Shockwave chuckled at Ghost's question. "Well," he started. "I though it was a little suspicious to see a young tom like yourself heading out of camp unattended." He smiled at the kit reassuringly. He had to mask his true intentions. Shockwave shot a brief, yet slightly harsh glance at Rippledance, almost daring her to challenge his simple, yet slightly suspicious explanation. If she had noticed him tracking her the entire time, then his explanation would obviously be false. But, how could she prove it anyways? Even if she didn't believe him, what was the deputy to say? It wasn't smart to accuse a random warrior of stalking someone, even if it was true.

He silently followed Ghost's gaze up to the moon. He wondered about the next Gathering briefly. What had been going on in the other Clans, anyways? Shockwave knew one thing that would be mentioned in WindClan, but other then that, everything had seemed peaceful in the other Clans from what he could see at the borders. His gaze drifted over to the stars of Silverpelt. Each one represented the soul of a cat who had passed away. It was an eerie thought to know that his sister looked down on him that night, watching his every move, knowing his every evil. It was a good thing she hadn't been alive today, or Shockwave's plans would have gone down the drain.

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[Ghostkit]

"I do it to practice. So I can be a better apprentice." Ghost replied to his statement, not adverting his gaze from the bright moon. "And according to the moon I am almost Six Moons. Apprenticeship age." He hinted, finally ripping his gaze from the moon to Rippledance. He smiled then looked at Shockwave. "Practice makes perfect, and that," he cocked his head behind him, motioning to the carcass, "is not my first kill."

Ghost looked at the ground. He knew he was boasting a little, but sometimes you had to to get where you want to be. Stong and powerful warrior, Ghostwhite. He liked the name better than anything else he had come up with. Made him sound quick and deadly, he thought. Ghost adverted his attention to a small fish that lept out of the water, causing a small splash. He hadn't caught a fish, yet. He tried but fell in most of the time.

He remebered his first kill with ease. A small Finch pecking at the ground. He crouched low and stepped closer as quietly as he could. It was twilight, too dark to really see him but light enough to where his ghostly aura didn't sheen. He pounced, but missed. The finch was in mid-flight when Ghost jumped and caught it's leg between his teeth and returning back to Earth where he promtly killed it with a vicious bite to the neck.

He snapped out of his flashback, glancing at Rippledance and Shockwave both. Maybe Shockwave could apprentice him, Ghost wouldn't mind a bit. "I can take care of myself, I believe." Ghost said in a cocky tone. "Nothing has hurt me so far besides maybe a peck from a bird or a mouse trying to scratch out of my grip." A small smile flashed across his face.

[[s].x.[p].x.[e].x.[l].x.[l]]

Shockwave sustained a small laugh, thinking how lucky Ghostkit had actually been to have not been injured out here alone. He had to object, even though the kit seemed so sure of himself. "Yes, maybe you can take care of yourself now, but what if a fox from WindClan strays across the border? Would you really fight it off? It's quite a bit bigger and faster then you are, you know." The tom shifted his weight completely on his left side, trying to ease some of the pain off of his right leg. He usually didn't stand or move for this long of a period of time due to his injury. It just didn't work.

Shockwave thought of how difficult of an apprentice Ghostkit would be. Though it was easy enough to teach him, since he was already a well versed hunted, he didn't seem to know much about StarClan or the warrior code at all. In fact, it reminded Shockwave a bit of himself. The warrior made a mental not to ask Spellstar about the kit's mentor. He was nearly six moons old now...

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[Ghostkit]

"I bet I am a faster swimmer than it." He said with ultimate pride. The little kit was trying to put on a display for Shockwave, hopefully gaining him as a mentor. Ghost glanced over at Rippledance, who had been quiet for some time now, then back at Shockwave. "You have never mentored, have you?" He inquired with a slight smirk on his face.

By this comming full moon he would be six moons old, enough to become an apprentice. 'I might even be leader some day' he thought to himself. 'Then I can show people my real power.' A sly, almost evil smirk appeared then went just a quickly as it came. Many of his Clan didn't respect him and some even despised him because they thought he was not a true RiverClanner.

Ghost walked over to the golden-tabby and sat, shifting his weight first. "I could be your first apprentice, Shockwave." Ghost boldly declaired. "If you are thinking that we may not know eachother, that could change. I can hunt..." he paused to look back at the dead mouse near Rippledance's feet, "...Sort of." The large kit smiled warmly at Shockwave. It was a bold and probably stupid approach, but he thought it may be his only chance to show himself as better than most of the others his age.

[-s . h . o . c . k-]

ooc:// Lol, I'm actually going to use Shockwave's account!
---

Shockwave's eyes lit up as he saw the sly, almost evil look on the younger tom's face. It was pure joy to his heart to know another cat could perhaps hold the same ambitions as himself. He enjoyed the idea of mentoring this tom. Ghostkit could, perhaps, accept Shockwave's plans for the future, something that his own sister couldn't do. It would certainly do the warrior some good to actually have another cat on his side.

"No... I haven't mentored anyone before," Shockwave mewed, trying to give the kit a little encouragement towards his predictions. Part of him thought to tell Ghostkit why, but, just glancing at his twisted paw, quickly thought better of it. "You would make an... Interesting apprentice,

[/color]" added the golden warrior with a friendly smile. Though he didn't say it, things seemed clear that Shockwave certainly didn't mind having the small tom as an apprentice. It could be fun, having a similar tom with him. Finally... Someone who could have learned things through Shockwave's eyes, hear his own thoughts without having to worry about Spellstar overhearing him. It would be excellent!

Shockwave looked up at the near-full moon. It wouldn't be long now. Ghostkit would have to have his ceremony before the moon was high, or the Gathering would have already started. But, at least Ghostkit could have been announced at the Gathering as a new apprentice. That was indeed something to be proud of. Part of him wondered is Spellstar would allow the ghostly white tom to attend the Gathering right after his apprentice-ship ceremony.[/center][/size][/color]

[Ghostkit]

Wide-eyed he quickly glanced at Rippledance, the back to his possible future mentor. "Does that mean you accept?" He said, overjoyed. Now he had an even greater chance at becomming Leader. 'Ghoststar. I like it.' Ghost thought to himself. He looked back at Rippledance. "Well? Can he?" The rather large kit exclaimed, almost too loud in the peace of the night.

'Overthrowing Rippledance won't be easy. But it will be a while before I reach the age to try.' The odd-eyed kit thought to himself, not showing any signs of it. 'All in due time.' Ghost looked back ar Shockwave. Maybe later on he could say something about these thoughts of his. It could be possible he might accept. 'No. Patience.' He reminded himself. His tail flicked left and right.

"It would be an honor, Shockwave." Ghost said to the golden tabby. "When is the next ceremony? By the time the moon is full I should be six moons old." He smirked. 'Hopefully in just a few days.' Ghost stood up and walked over to the dead mouse. He was hungry again, so he took a large bite out of it and hardly bothered to chew, just swallowing most of the dead, delicious meat.

[-s . h . o . c . k-]

Shockwave pondered this for a moment. There weren't any other RiverClan kits his age, so he'd be the only one. But, that was fine. That had happened before, after all. He had already decided that it would probably be before the Gathering. Of course, if he was still so unsure, he could ask Spellstar... Of course, that may seem a bit suspicious. Shockwave shouldn't be messing with an untrusted cat like Ghostkit, to keep his reputation, but it was all too tempting.

"Well... Your ceremony would probably be just before the Gathering. But... Perhaps... You could convince Spellstar to move it earlier? A few days shouldn't mat...ter...." his voice drifted, the muscular tom turning his gaze to Rippledance. The deputy might want to object, which wasn't what Shockwave was looking for at the moment. After all, if things were to go his way... He'd have to take out Seekwing, Rippledance, and Spellstar in a short amount of time. Any suspicion, and his fiery plans would be doused without giving him a chance to put them to action.

A sudden idea hit him. Perhaps... He could have specific cats cancel each other out. For instance, he could take out Spellstar single-pawed, and Ghostkit, when older, could take down Rippledance. At the same time, a third cat could tackle Seekwing. Everything would work, and all three could obtain a high position that they desire. It would be perfect. Then, it wouldn't be long until they brought the entire forest under their rule of three. It was such a pleasing idea... He felt that this would happen soon. When Ghostkit was a warrior, he would have to put his plans to action, depending on the third member of their group.

Another idea struck Shockwave. The group of rogues living on the souther edge of their territories. Perhaps they could help his cause as well...

The golden tom shook his head. Shockwave had to sustain those ambitions for now.

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