As We All Fall From Grace

[{Lunarstar}]

Ash rolled her eyes as Kahl spoke and whispered to Bleak, "Shut up and calm down. He's only trying to make you angry so you'll attack him. Or do something as equally stupid." She still couldn't believe Persephone (what kind of name is that anyway?) could do her any damage. She locked gazes with the Bengal and narrowed her eyes, trying desperately to find something threatening about her. It was hard. Very hard. The only thing Ash could find was she was allies with Kahl. That's when Ash realized something... Maybe they were mates! At that thought Ash almost burst out laughing, but she choked it back down. She figured she should ask the question now, before Bleak did anything stupid or before Kahl could goad him any further.

"So, Kahl....are you and" --snort-- "Persephone...[/b]" --another snort of laughter "mates? Like do you guys, you know, like each other?" Ash asked, barely managing not to laugh. She realized just how sardonic and sadistic it was that she'd have a laughing fit right now. When a fight was going to begin sooner or later.[/color]

[*Beechstar*]

The Bengal she-cat almost hissed as the she-cat called Ash 'insulted' her. If you think that's an insult, wait until I get a word in, she thought to herself.

She smiled smugly as Kahl explained how she had proved herself to come with him by helping him fight off a dog.

Persephone's smile disappeared as Ash asked if they were mate. She waited for Kahl to answer, not trusting her voice. She stared at Ash, not letting her eyes reveal anything. She did like Kahl, yes, but she didn't think that he returned those feelings.

The black tom glanced down, but kept his head tilted at Kahl and the Bengal cat named Persephone. Bleak had moved around him, leaning under his shoulder to see his father when he was speaking to him.

"Calm down," he whispered to his mate as he yelled at his father. He glared at the larger version of Bleak as he called Ash her a pathetic excuse for a mom. His neck fur rose in anger. He hissed, but thought he shouldn't, so it leaked out between his teeth and was very quiet. He figured Kahl still heard it though.

Crap, he thought.

[{Lunarstar}]

Ash just watched the silent Persephone with an innocent grin. She met the other she-cat's gaze coolly, she wasn't the least bit scared of a feisty little Bengal who could fight off a puppy. She'd never fought Ash before. Ash doubted she'd even killed before. It wasn't something Ash was proud of; killing her father had hurt her. But it also made her stronger. She learned to forgive him, he simply wasn't suited for fatherhood. She also learned to throw emotional ties aside and force herself to do something that may hurt. Her father was the worst part of her life, but she wouldn't have met Ruby without it.

Ash kept her eyes as black as she could, and at her last thought she narrowed her eyes challengingly at Persephone. That snarky little thing wasn't going to beat her. She knew that. And Persephone would soon...

Then she heard Scratch. Her navy eyes stayed on Persephone, but she was really watching Kahl's body. All cats had a form of warning before attacking. Ash's tail fur bristled the moment before she attacked. Her father always bared his fangs and snarled. Some cats she'd met lift a paw, the strike. Others growl first, or lower their ears close to their heads. She figured Kahl would growl or lower his ears. Or he may not do anything...

[.:*Hawkstar*:.]

Bleak

Bleak's body recoiled, his fangs bared in his father's direction. Scratch's warning had been merely a sound. Nothing to really take in. Kahl was too calm, like always, and it just got to the small tabby.

Kahl

Kahl nearly gagged.

"Mates?" he asked mockingly. "You're one to speak, Ash, falling in love with a dead body. If you are trying to intimidate me, you are failing miserably." The tabby tom finally shifted his gaze, to the black cat blocking his son. So this was the cat. Kahl was finally meeting him in person, and the only thing he had heard from him was two measly words.

"Come to think of it, you all have a screwed up system of mating." Those large paws took steps forward, prowling closer to Scratch and Bleak. Ash was in the corner of the dark cat's sight; he didn't want to take chances with her. "Does it please you, Scratch?" Kahl muttered into the black tom's ear. "Does it satisfy you when you violate my son? And, Bleak, does it please you as well?"

Bleak

Bleak thrust his body up to full height. That just crossed the line. "You know what?" he challenged, stepping out from behind Scratch's shielding body. "It does. It pleases me beyond your imagination. I love it." Suddenly, a grin came to the little tom's face, darkening his features and making him look more like his father.

"And at least I don't go chase after tramps."

Kahl

The tom's jaw nearly came open. Instead, he lifted his lips in disgust, taking a couple paces back. Gross... he thought darkly. That was taking it a bit far, even for Bleak. The tramp comment didn't bother him as much as it would his travel partner, but Persephone could take that out on Ash.

"Alright. Thank you for your, uh... honest answer. Now, Scratch, you have been nothing but spit silent this whole time. Do I get an answer from you? Or does it just bother you too much to see a tom exactly like your little slut, only, well, more? Does it disturb you to see the mirror image, only the positions would be reversed in our case?" The large tom took a pace back, retaking his spot next to the leopard-looking she-cat.

"Well?" he challenged, appearing so calm that he sat down. His hind paws jutted out before him untidily, giving him the look boredom. Hid head fell to the side, but not so far that he was sleeping on Persephone's shoulder.

A small smirk crept over his tired expression, lifting his face only slightly. "Well?" he repeated. "Or is Ash the only one who can talk sensibly?" His yellow gaze flicked to the she-cat once more.

[*Beechstar*]

Persephone took her eyes off of the Ash, not of of fear, but she was tired of looking at the mangy rogue. She turned her attention to what Kahl, Scratch, and Bleak were saying. She was partially offended by how Kahl responded to Ash's question, but she shouldn't have been surprised; they weren't mates.

But then she didn't feel as bad when he talked about Ash and her mate, Twig. And Bleak and Scratch.

When Bleak called her a tramp, she almost jumped at him. She held back, but unsheathed her claws and dug them into the soft of the cave. She listened as the tormented each other with words, back and forth.

As Kahl walked towards Scratch and Bleak, the black tom's neck fur rose slightly. When he brought up him and Bleaks mating, he almost snapped. That was too far; it was personal and he had no business in it. But he would answer the tom.

He was about to answer when Bleak spoke, and stepped out next to him. He let him finish, nodding at some of his words. He almost laughed when Bleak called Persephone a tramp. He held it back though, not wanting to cause the she-cat to try to take on him and Bleak with Kahl; that would piss of Ash.

When Kahl challenged him, asking if Ash was the only sensible one, he hissed, but didn't try to make it quiet. "Yes! I do enjoying screwing your son! What's it to you anyway? All you like is tramps! I don't care that you look like Bleak, because he's not complete asshole like you! You're totally different!" Kahl irritating him caused him to yell what he said, and he was breathing heavily when he was done speaking.

The Bengal she-cat was tempted to lean her head on Kahls, but didn't since he didn't like the thought of them being mates.

She jumped up when Scratch called her a tramp. "I am not a tramp! I'm sick of you all calling me a tramp! I haven't had sex with Kahl and I don't want to! Now stop calling me a tramp!" She sat down and gave a huff of satisfaction. Persephone smiled.

The part about her not wanting to have sex with him wasn't exactly true, but they didn't need to know that.

Scratch mostly ignored the she-cat's reaction. Whatever. I bet she does want to screw Kahl, weather she admits it or not, he thought to himself. He turned back to Kahl, watching his reaction.

[.:*Hawkstar*:.]

Kahl

Kahl barely blinked as Scratch spoke up for the first time. So that's what he sounds like when he isn't making gut-wrenching moans, he thought. The idea humored him, drawing out a chuckle, even when Persephone started to rant.

"Oh, dear Scratch," he spoke once the Bengal had huffed, "she only wishes. I honestly do not take interest in any cat, she-cat or tom. I have had my share of relationships, and let me tell you, that was anything but satisfying. And, seeing as you so love that language, here's how it went: Meet, fall in 'love,' screw, and it goes downhill from the pregnancy. Get it?" The tabby chuckled once more.

Standing up, Kahl padded over to stand -once more- near Bleak and Scratch, still keeping that fiery Ash in mind. "Bleak, why do you hide? Do I scare you so much to the point where you have to hide behind... him?" His yellow orbs cast over Scratch in disgust.

Bleak

Pulling his lips back in a snarl, Bleak bunched his muscles, ready to hurl himself forward. That was too far. Stay out of my sex life!" he spat. " I love Scratch, and there's nothing you can say or do to change that!" Kahl had come to fight; yet he was chatting. He was dragging all of this out past its limits.

His temper snapped.

Leaping around Scratch, Bleak took aim at his father.

Kahl

Finally.

Grinning, Kahl lowered to the ground and embraced his son's attack by throwing his paws around him and twisting violently. The two slammed to the ground, and Kahl wasted no time in getting his teeth to Bleak's scruff. Locking his jaws, the large tom didn't even notice the useless flailing by his son.

"This is what I love about me," he managed around the mouthful of fur. "I get under skin and get what I want." He gave Bleak a shake for emphasis.

[{Lunarstar}]

Ash was pissed. Very pissed. She had had enough of Kahl. She listened impatiently to him and smiled only a little when Bleak attacked him. She was happy to know she wasn't th only one who wanted to do that. As Kahl easily grabbed Bleak, Ash snarled.

"Really?" she asked incredulously. "You're scum if you're really going to fight like that. Using your size as an advantage, even I wouldn't do that. But, I'm bored with you and your skanky little girlfriend. And Scratch is probably as mad as me. And I feel like I have nothing to lose, so--" Ash broke off and launched herself onto Persephone. Her sharp fangs met the she-cat's throat and she locked her mouth in a death grip, snarling the whole time. She was tired of Kahl, tried of Persephone, and if Scratch was anything like Ash, he'd probably attack Kahl.

Ash let go of Persephone and jumped onto the other she-cat's back, claws digging into her shoulders and lower back. "I have nothing to lose. Twig's probably...deader than before, Bleak and Scratch will probably lose to Kahl, I have no one else in the world, so I'll go willingly. But not until you or Kahl has died." Ash hissed into her ear before grabbing the other she-cat's neck in her mouth. Most of that was a lie. She had much more faith in the ghosts, and Bleak's not easy to kill. But she was truthful about killing Persephone.

[*Beechstar*]

OOC: Hawky, I think we should do what we thought of. Scratch eventually gets Kahl pinned and Bleak makes his blood 'appear'

When Bleak attacked his father, Scratch was relieved. Finally I can attack. That's what I was waiting for, he thought.

He jumped towards Kahl, butting him on the head, trying to get him to release Bleak. When he finally dropped him, he slunk around Kahl and dove under his belly, knocking out his back as he came out of the other side.

Ha! he thought.

OOC: Sorry Scratch's is so short. There aren't many moves you can use without drawing blood...

The Bengal gasped as Ash jumped at her and grabbed her by the throat. She hadn't been watching her and it was unexpected. Damnit! I should have kept her in mind!

She yowled out in pain as Ash dug into her shoulder and lower back. She listened to what the she-cat had to say, but didn't really take it in. Why should she sit and talk while she's being clawed up. She was about to attempt to knock the she-cat off her back when Ash was grabbing her throat, but staying on her back.

Thinking quickly, she turned and buck her back upwards, knocking Ash off of her. She turned to face the she-cat and could see Scratch dive under Kahl's belly and knock his legs over. Good idea!

She circle slightly around the other she-cat, but didn't take her eyes off her. She dove under Ash, and just like she had seen Scratch do, knocked her back legs out. But she also took out the front legs, knocking her over so that Ash's stomach was facing away from her.

Persephone jumped over Ash and landed next to her stomach. She lashed out a paw and scratched across her stomach.

Take that! she thought.

OOC: Sorry bout the little bit of power-playing Luny.

[.:*Hawkstar*:.]

OOC:: Okay, but not for a while. I'll give occasional hints to Kahl's 'problem' so the cats aren't totally clueless...

Khal

Child's play. That's what this was?

Kahl sent his attention down to his back side, regaining his balance before he splayed out. Giving Bleak's body a hard yank, he pretended as if he were going to throw his son, but instead, his grip tightened, and the runt came back around. Spinning on his front paws, Kahl hurled Bleak into Scratch.

"Now, come on! I came to fight, and all you do is tickle me!" Kahl teased complainingly. He laughed, charging over to the toms. He closed the space between them quickly, and this time he wanted Scratch. Taking hold of the tom by the scruff, Kahl used his weight and pinned the black cat down by the chest, forcing weight onto that one spot. He pulled on Scratch's scruff, hearing the skin break around his teeth from the force.

Blood touched his tongue. Those yellow orbs narrowed viciously, and one paw was extended to shred open the black cat's belly.

Bleak

Bleak yowled as he was flung around like a toy, forced to slam into Scratch. Rolling for a few fox-lengths, the tom lay in a daze until he could put things back together in his head.

Flying to his paws, Bleak hurled himself over to his father, who was currently about to swipe open Scratch. If he lands that blow, Scratch will be out of this. Jumping, the small tom landed atop his father's unready shoulders, bowling him over.

Bleak was nearly crushed by his father's weight in the process.

Yowling in pain as Kahl was over his body -mainly his ribs- the tabby felt the air leave him swiftly. He coughed and sputtered, shoving his father away.

Kahl

Kahl made a soft oof! sound as Bleak knocked him away from his prey. He rolled, purposely trying to crush his son, and stood, panting slightly. His spine hadn't been bent that way for awhile. It was a small pain, but nothing he couldn't handle.

Casting a glance over to the brawling she-cats, Kahl was pleased to see that Ash hadn't yet to dominate the Bengal. Good. Flicking his gaze back to his son, Kahl simply swatted him like an annoying fly, sending him sprawling out.

[{Lunarstar}]

Ash hissed at Persephone, leaping onto all fours again. "Copy-cat!" she spat, having also seen Scratch. She ran up to Prsephone, head on, veering to the right a momment before they smacked into eachother. She stuck out a paw as she ran, scratching Persephone's side. Then, she jumped back onto Persephone's back. With loud growl, she burried her fangs into the back of the other she-cat's neck. Then, fangs dripping with blood, she jumped off, backing up a few tail lengths. Ash had plenty of energy to burn, she wasn't the least bit tired, and a run sounded very good. Waiting for Persephone to start after her, Ash ran. She dove around Scratch and Bleak, and ducked under Kahl's stomach. Waiting for Persephone at the end to get around them. Then she took her fight outside, to the river, praying Persephone couldn't swim. Ruby had taught Ash to a long time ago. She had told Ash that 'swimming's a great skill to possess. Healing and death are both carried down its current.'

[*Beechstar*]

The black tom gasped as Bleak was slammed into him by Kahl and the air rushed out of his lungs. He had no time to recover before Kahl had a hold of his scruff and he was pinned to the ground. He heard his flesh tear and he was sure that Kahl had too.

Scratch let out a sigh of relief and let the air fill his lungs as Bleak knocked Kahl off of him. He rolled onto Bleak and the black tom saw the air come out of him. When Kahl was pushed away, he was relieved that Bleak wouldn't be hurt.

He saw Ash run around the three of them, and head out of the cave, and he was glad that Persephone followed her out. Now there will be more room, he thought gratefully.

He backed up to the space where Persephone had been standing a few seconds before. He glared at Kahl, and with a determined huff, he jumped at the larger version of Bleak. He landed on his back and dug his claws into Kahl's back. He knew that they had tore into the skin, but it would take a few second for the blood to leak out.

He jumped off and skidded, sliding to halt around the same area where he jumped from. He still had a glaring look on his face, and he started to circle around Kahl, deciding what to do next.

The Bengal she-cat rolled her eyes at Ash when she called her a copy-cat. Yes, she was a cat and she had copied Scratch's move, but big whoop. Maybe she had thought of it before and hadn't used it until then; Ash had no idea. But that wasn't actually the case.

When Ash scratched her side, it stung a little bit, but she ignored it. The she-cat jumped on her back, and she felt her neck skin tear as Ash bit into it. She drew blood; that stung too, more than the scratch on her side. She forced her self to ignore the pain, bu she did grit her teeth.

As the other she-cat ran around Kahl, Scratch, and Bleak, Persephone stayed where she was. Then, Ash ran past her and out of the cave. As Ash passed, she raked her claws across her side.

She followed her out of the cave in time to see her run towards the river. Seeing if I have a weakness for water, are you Ash, she asked herself. She ran after her, glad to be out of the crowded cave. Making sure her paw steps wouldn't be heard, she quickly caught up to the she-cat, who was standing by the river. Battle River, she thought. What a coincidence with the occasion.

Coming behind Ash, Persephone quietly came towards her. When she was close enough, she jumped forward and pushed her into the water. She jumped in after the she-cat, holding her breath and ducking under so every part of her was wet. She came up, face to face with Ash.

OOC: We should make Persephone and Ash become friends.

So like Ash would describe why they were fighting and Persephone realizes that she was fighting for the wrong reasons.

Maybe. Just an idea.

[.:*Hawkstar*:.]

OOC:: That sounds like a good idea. But, it's up to Luny.

Bleak

The small golden tabby grunted as he was flicked away by his father's large paw. His energy to fight was on low because of the crushing weight he had had on top of him only moments ago. Scratch, I hope you can hold him for just a few seconds. I can't fight when I'm this tired. Bleak's battered body lay strewn out on the cave floor, his breaths forced to slow in order to steady faster.

Just for awhile...

Kahl

Kahl stumbled only slightly as Scratch stepped up in his game. The claws in his back stung. Pain. Haven't felt that since training. Damn. The sleek cat grit his teeth, rocketing across the cave floor to enclose the space between Scratch and himself. Bowling into the tom head-on, Kahl wrapped his front paws around the black cat, sinking his fangs into the flesh of his shoulder. He could feel the bone of the shoulder blade beneath his grasp.

Let's finish this. I'm tired of playing.

Kahl jerked, flipping the two cats over onto their sides. But, he refused to release that shoulder. Instead, one paw began the painfully slow process of raking up and down Scratch's side. Blood ran from around Kahl's claws from the wounds, sending a tingle of satisfaction down his spine.

"Die, you pitiful creature," the tomcat hissed around the mouthful of fur. "Feel the pain that your mate loves to cause. Feel what those ghosts felt. Death."

[{Lunarstar}]

OOC: Fine...miss goody-goody-happy-endings-and-fairy-tales. But I doubt they'll ever be...friends... Ash won't forgive her for hurting the ghosts. But she'll handle Persephone being an ally.

Ash smirked at Persephone and pushed out her fore paw. The currently sheathed paw made contact with her nose, knocking the Bengal's head back. Ash quickly squirmed out of the other cat's grasp, swimming under her and pushing into her from behind. She shoved Persephone up against the river wall, claws digging into her flesh, holding her there. Ash wasn't word about being able to breathe, she was very proud in her ability to hold her breath. Persephone would die before Ash ran out of air. Ash had no questions or worries or doubts about that. If Ash wanted someone dead, they normally died. Even though she hadn't killed in quite a while, the tortoiseshell was quite certain Persephone would only last a few minutes at the most.

OOC: And you have to find out how to get them to that point.

[*Beechstar*]

OOC: Oh I will. And thanks for the name

The black tom tried to fight back but failed as Kahl grasped him and bit his shoulder. He yowled out in pain and gripped Kahl's back. He dug his claws into the larger tom, digging deeper when the pain increased.

His claws were forced off of Kahl as Scratch was flipped onto his side. His shoulder was still being held onto and his back was scratched repeatedly.

Kahl's words made him jump into action. Somehow, he managed to swipe his paw across Kahl's face, causing the large tom to flinch back. He then got up and quickly took a deep breath.

While Kahl was still on his side, Scratch jumped onto him, turning him so his back was on the ground. He held him pinned to the ground, and yelled at Bleak, "Hurry! Get him now! I can't hold him down much longer!" The larger version of Bleak was pushing onto him, trying to shove him off, but the black tom held his ground.

OOC: Sorry bout the bit of power-playing.

Persephone almost gasped as Ash stuck her paw out and knocked her head back, held it back since they were under water. She was still in shock as she was pushed against the wall and clawed into.

Thinking about how to get out of Ash's grip, she had an idea. She whipped her tail at the she-cat, as if she was mad. She rammed it into Ash, making her jolt back in pain. The Bengal then swam above the water, took a deep breath of air, and dove back under.

The she-cat grabbed the other, and held her, hoping she would run out of air.

Questions struck the she-cat.

Why was she fighting Ash? Why had she fought Shrill? Because some cat she met and liked told her too? That wasn't a good enough reason for her.

Letting Ash go, she swam up and jumped out of the river. She sat there, head dropped in sadness.

When the other she-cat came up, Persephone meowed, with her head still bowed, "I give up. You can kill me. I don't care. I don't have a reason to live."

OOC: Ha! I told you I would! You kinda have to work with that though

[.:*Hawkstar*:.]

Kahl

The tabby assassin was taken by surprise by Scratch's sudden surge of energy. The swat at his face made his flinch in pain, and that's where it went bad. As Kahl was flipped onto his back, he began to thrash wildly, pushing at Scratch's body to try to get him off.

Bleak

The small tom flew to his paws, hurtling over to where Scratch was holding down his father. rearing back, Bleak planted his front paws on his father's belly. His claws slid out.

He jerked back. The satisfying sound of flesh tearing open hit Bleak's ears.

Kahl

Kahl screamed.

All out, pain-filled screamed.

With a sudden rush of energy, the tomcat pushed away the black lump holding him down. He rolled over, and cast a glance down at his gut.

Wrong move.

"It... I'm... That's..." The tom, once so powerful and calm, was tripping over his words. "Blood." The word frightened him. His eyes became wide, fear-filled. "Blood!" he cried. "It's my blood!" A wailing scream parted his lips; the same scream that his son could sound.

Turning away, Kahl pelting from the cave, blood streaming down his body. His jaws were parted in a silent cry, his paws working so quickly over the Earth that he almost tripped.

Master, please! Take this crimson demon away from me! the fleeing cat begged silently. For a heart beat his eyes flicked to the battling she-cat. He paused. Company was something he craved now.

"Persephone!" he cried, his voice completely undignified. His limps were trembling. That was loud enough for her to hear. Turning again, Kahl began to sprint once more.

Bleak

"And stay gone, you mangy rat!" Bleak cried at his father's retreating figure. Turning back to Scratch, the small tabby asked, "Are you alright? I'm going to go see if Ash is okay."

Bleak turned and began to run as fast as he could -not very fast- towards the river where the she-cats were.

OOC:: You have to watch this -well, listen- to know how Kahl is screaming. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl_PVxEgaPs
Pay attention to the end cause that's the exact words. Ignore the beginning. And YES I'M A NARUTO NERD! Gaara happens to be one of my favorites and he talks to his dead mommy.