(Ash) Let's Play, Shall We?

[.:*Hawkstar*:.]

Along the edge of Fog Lake, a figure padded along the ground. Her paws seemed to be hitting the floor, but they were actually hovering only a claw length above the ground. Her paw steps were jumpy and full of energy that threatened to break her in two if she didn't get it out. Lifting her nose, she meowed soothingly into the air, "Ash..." This ghost had mastered how to call to a live cat, unlike her two brothers. They had to scream to get the cat's attention, and then could start their callings. But not this cat; her live-one could be a mile away and she could still call to them. She bounced happily on her paws at the realization that she could do something that her brothers couldn't. She lifted her nose once more, the droplets of water that clung to her spilling away, but never hitting the ground. "Ash..."

Glancing furiously around in a random manner, the she-cat made sure that no one was around. Then, as if lifted by magic, she lifted her hind paws off of their spot and balanced on her front paws. She walked a few steps before collapsing. A roar of laughter broke from her chest and she swatted playfully at the fog that rolled lazily around her. Purring, she laid on her back with her paws folded in to her, swatting contentedly at the swirling haze. "Ash," she would call every few moments, beckoning her live-one. Ash had to prepare for a game like no other...

[{Lunarstar}]

Ash, still near Bleak and Scratch's cave, heard a voice say her name. It was a soothing call, beckoning her forward. The first thing that came to the she-cat's mind was the ghost she-cat.

"Ash..."

The voice came again, and Ash knew she should follow the voice. So she padded towards the sound, following it willingly. Then, she realized she was headed for Fog Lake.

[.:*Hawkstar*:.]

Shrill perked up from the grasses. She could smell Ash's scent, close by. She sprang to her paws in an instant. "Ash!" she yowled joyfully, her waterlogged pelt spraying everywhere. "It's time to play, dear! Come on, come get me!" She sprang forward and raced in the direction of the she-cat's scent. Her eyes danced with laughter, brightly showing through the glaze.

[{Lunarstar}]

Ash's eyes widened at the slightly familiar voice of Shrill, Bleak's dead sister. As she glanced around, trying to find the she-cat, she saw her racing towards her. "Shrill...What game?" She asked in response to Shrill talking about a game. Honestly, Ash was terrified, she was alone, with a ghost, and a bout to play...

[.:*Hawkstar*:.]

Shrill tossed back her head and laughed. "We need to get you ready for my daddy!" she meowed, walking up to the she-cat and rubbing on her. Her drenched pelt didn't get a single drop on the other cat. "But I guess that would be called training..." She stood motionless for a few heartbeats, taking in the word. "I don't like that word," she concluded. "Let's make it a game! You come get me and show me what you've got behind those sheaths!" Shrill giggled and turned away, waving her tail teasingly and wriggling her haunches. She bunched up and leaped into the fog, calling out, "Come get me! Come get me!"

[{Lunarstar}]

Ash immediately liked the game. You want me to show you how strong I am, just wait! She unsheathed her long, sharp claws and dropped into a crouch. Then charged. She raced into the mist, looking for Shrill. Scenting the air, Ash could find Shrill's scent. It wasn't a very good thing to follow in the mist, though. The scent constantly changed directions, and in the mist, Shrill was almost invisible. Then, Ash had an idea. She sat and scented the constantly moving scent. She found a spot she guessed the she-cat would land shortly, and prepared. Then, she scented the air, the scent was close to the spot. Ash leaped, paws extended.

[.:*Hawkstar*:.]

Shrill screamed. The high-pitched sound was her name; shrill. Ash had landed on her, catching her. Once she had finished the cry, she looked up at Ash for a few moments. Her eyes narrowed and she shoved the other she-cat off. Pinning down the black cat, Shrill grinned. "You shouldn't let my noise distract you. Kahl will make many sounds to throw you off, but he is naturally a silent fighter. Be prepared for a lot of noise, and dead silence." Stepping off, the drowned cat sank away into the fog. The world fell silent as she skimmed silently around the other cat, not a sound coming from her. She would change pattern as to not get caught again, but it was still utterly, and completely, silent.

[{Lunarstar}]

Ash glared at the spot Shrill was a momment ago. The black tourtoiseshell she-cat wasn't sure what to do now. So, she walked forward, pausing every few steps to sniff the air. The scent of Shrill was fresh, and Ash could tell she'd just been there, but was farther off now. Ash padded forward, keeping as much weight off of her paws as possible, trying to make herself as silent as Shrill. Sadly, however, Shrill was dead and her silence wasn't something not many cats could mimick. So she silently, with the exeption of a barely audible thud each time a paw ame down, walked forward, soon seeing Shrill's dripping form. With no battle cry - like most idiots who get killed do - She sprung, latching onto Shrill and pinning her down.

[.:*Hawkstar*:.]

Shrill felt to paws thud down on her. She remained silent, though, mimicking what her father would do. Turning around, the wet cat bunched up, her glowing yellow eyes leaving streaks of color as she pounced on top of Ash's body. With her claws out, the dead cat hissed viciously as she clawed down Ash's side. Bringing her muzzle to the live-one's ear, Shrill's voice had changed to a deep tom meow. "What if you die here? What if I kill you right now as you train? You need to step up. I have been holding back..." Impersonating Kahl's voice was a strain on the she-cat's throat. She coughed lightly, water dripping from her mouth.

Then, an idea hit her. Rolling with the she-cat in her tight grip, Shrill made her way towards the lake. "Let's see how you do with my demise!" she meowed cheerfully. Then, they flipped in to the water with a loud splash.

[{Lunarstar}]

Ash laughed as the water encased her and Shrill's bodies. "You bother fighting in my element? Good luck!" She mewed through the water, pushing away from Shrill. Immediately she swam towards the dead-one again, strong muscles carrying her with ease. Her thin, sleek fur didn't drag her down and she was a strong swimmer. Water was one place she could live. She dug her claws into Shrill's head, holding her under with one paw, using her other forepaw to swipe at the she-cat's muzzle. Her hind legs treading water.

[.:*Hawkstar*:.]

The claws that scraped her head are what caused the flash back. It was no longer Ash that was holding her; it was Bleak. She was a small kit once more. Bleak's laughter was ringing faintly, covered up by the rush of blood in her ears and her pounding heart. She was dying, again. Her whole body went into a series of convulsions as water filled her mouth and nose. "STOP!!" she yowled, water rushing into her lungs. "STOP, STOP, STOP!!"

[{Lunarstar}]

Ash, grinning to herself, let go and grabbed Shrill's somehow solid scruff. She dragged them both back up onto shore and glanced sideways at the she-cat. She just remembered what had killed Shrill. Drowning. Then, looking at the somehow even wetter she-cat Ash could see fear on her face. "I'm sorry..." she muttered, not very good with apologizing.

[.:*Hawkstar*:.]

Shrill gagged and sputtered as water engulfed her... Then, she was snatched out. That had never happened before. Moist grass was felt beneath her pelt as water drained from her. A soft apology could barely be heard. "It's.... It's fine," Shrill panted. She stood up and shook out her pelt. "Alright! Let's keep going!" And she sprang at Ash, being sure to avoid the water.

OOC:: Sorry it's short... It's really late...

[{Lunarstar}]

Ash hissed as Shrill ame towards her. At the last second Ash moved out of the way. As Shrill came to a halt (Sorry if power-playing!) Ash sprung at her, digging her teeth into the other cat's wet flank.

[.:*Hawkstar*:.]

A flank bite. That was what the she-cat dealt? Shrill was playing seriously now. Whipping around, the soaking wet cat pulled the paws out from under her opponent and pushed her onto her back. She then placed one of her paws atop the black cat's belly. Her claws barely scraped the skin beneath as she swiped through the fur. She came up to Ash neck and blew a hard puff of air at her neck. That would have killed her, Shrill reminded herself.

"We still have a lot of work to get done. Kahl doesn't take his time with killing. The first opportunity he gets, he'll take your life. Now get up." Shrill stepped away, giving the cat space to stand. "I think that we are done for now. If I can kill you, you won't stand a chance against Kahl. I'll take you home," she added, a bit more lightheartedly. "I want to talk to you, anyways."