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High up in the Trees - Altan x Kazuro

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Kazuro
As the sun slowly revealed itself from the clouded sky above; two blue eyes surveyed the remains of the camp. Shallow rooted trees stood at precarious angles, whilst residual water still sat amongst the dens. Mud laced the higher ground. It would be a while until the camp is suitable for living in again.
Kazuro couldn’t stop the gnawing feeling of guilt that riddled his mind as he stared from the branches of a firm pine. I should have been there to help them. However no amount of regret would change the past: that he had been off collecting flowers instead of helping his fellow Empire cats. The cougar sighed at the notion. At least no one had noticed he was even missing… as normal.
Deciding that he ought to try and make up for his wandering, Kaze slowly turn and started maneuvering back toward what was known as the temporary camp. Maybe the healers could use some help, or some of the routes could be cleared? The thought of leaving the the trees for the damp earth didn’t appeal; however there were more important cats like the cubs and injured who needed to be dry over him

Altan
Altan didn't like this NEW camp much. It was wet and cold.. She missed the nice warmth of their nursery under the leaders hill. She hopped over another puddle, foot narrowly missing the edge! At least Dad had made them a mostly nice nest under one of the bigger bushes in this so called camp, they had managed to dry off during the night but now she had to try and have fun while avoiding the muddy puddles that were everywhere. Maybe Mum would be home from the patrol to see how the old camp was doing soon. Then maybe they could go back? The golden cub sighed before spotting her brother about to fling some mud at her! Eck! She almost slide while trying to avoid it, hopping off and running or cover behind some of the bushes nearby.

Kazuro
The tom silently sat in the trees for a moment, observing the works of the current camp. Patrols appeared to have been already sent out, judging by the decrease in numbers. Too late to go hunt or mark borders then. This only left typical apprentice duties, which were also made harder by an absent mentor.
The sound of cubs squealing broke through his musing; snatching his attention to a few specific felines. It had originated from a mischievous game between the healer’s offspring, so no cat was in immediate harm. Phew. However their playing did bring an idea to mind. Cub sitting is an apprentice duty, right?
At that Kazuro watched the event unfold from up high: the female dodge her brother’s mud flings, skidding and jumping around before disappearing into a nearby bush. Better go make sure she’s ok. He slipped down quickly onto the lower branches to get a closer look at her makeshift hiding place.

Altan
As she caught her breath, checking to make sure none of the sloppy mess had got her... The experiences of the day before had left her feeling quite uneasy with the yucky stuff.. it had caused her fall into the icy water on the way her. But something caught her attention before she relived the memory, she noticed a shadow pass behind the changing leaves! What foul beast now stalked her!? She puffed up her chest before crouching down onto her haunches, checking her pose just as daddy had taught her... her tail twitching with anticipation...
She uncoiled her legs and gave a MIGHTY leap aimed right at the menacing shadow. "I GOT YA" She cried well before it had become clear if she had indeed caught her quarry.

Kazuro
Whilst the cougar leant forward to try and see through the leaves; a loud declaration made his heart jump. He quickly reared up out of reach, swinging his tail down to maintain his balance on two paws.
His would-be attacker was unsurprisingly the very female he was checking up on. Should have seen that coming. To her credit, she had managed to clip the branch, however wasn’t close enough to reach his now standing state. He was safe from a kitten fight for another day.
Wait, were cubs taught how to successfully secure themselves to a tree? A quiet   “Oh dear!” slipped out as the tom swiftly hooked his hind legs around the branch. That enabled him to hang down and attempt to pluck the cub up, now inline with her supposed descent

Altan
One day she would heed her parents warnings... One day. But today was not this day. She should have been wary of diving out of bushes in surroundings one was not fully aware of. But alas.
Her outstretched paws clipped the branch the cat was on but the cub shrieked as she released that not only had she missed the cat but there was no floor below her stubby paws! Her quarry had in fact been sat on a branch that was almost inline with her bush... Because there was a minor cliff. Now usually such a thing wouldn't be a problem... but then usually one does not throw themselves off said cliff at branches they don't have the height to reach.... But just before she could let out her loadest squeal for help she could manage swift paws caught her safely under her armpits... She looked up at her would be victim sheepishly...

Kazuro
“Phew.” Was the first thing that came out of the relieved apprentice's mouth upon successfully catching the cub. That would have been an awkward story to tell if he had missed and she had… well, Kaze was glad he caught her. However, now he was hanging upside down off a tree. The tom couldn’t just drop down with them in his paws, and he didn’t trust his aim to swing her back to the bush. She would just have to come up here with me then.
Carefully curling back up, Kazuro first deposited the female up top with a few brief words. “Don’t move, you could easily fall.” And then he heaved himself up with his front paws, grateful that lower branches were wider and stronger. He took a moment to let the adrenaline blow out from his ears. That’s enough heart attacks for a lifetime.
Kazuro soon turned his focus to the cub, concern audible in his tone as he spoke. “Hey, you ok over there?

Altan
For the first time in her currently rather short life Altan tried her best not to wiggle, for fear she would dislodge both herself and the tom that was holding her safely from danger. She had somehow expected him to get her magically back to the ground and not for him to lift her up onto a branch. When he popped her down on the branch she nodded while trying to move as little as possible... Which for her was like asking for the sun but somehow she managed to stay put. She stared at the dark cat with eyes full of admiration! Dad liked climbing trees and uncle Philly was really good at it but this guy seemed a master! She grinned happily when he asked her how she was "Im greeeat! Its so cool up here! Do you always hang around in tree? Why do you like it? How did you get so good?!" The questions bubbled out of her like an unending torrent! This guy was so cooooll!!

Kazuro
Whilst the quiet tom was briefly overwhelmed by the sudden outpour of words from the small cat; he couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm. Being in the trees, it was a world of its own that he loved to explore. Kazuro knew quite a few others loved to climb around as well: Shadow Empire tended to produce that kind of cat. Perhaps when she is older, she would be like it too?
Taking a moment to mentally run through the barrage at questions; the tom carefully used his paws to guide the her towards the trunk. It would be safer for her to try moving around near there.
“I guess, yeah, I do mostly hang around in the trees. You can see so much up here; and there is so much to explore as well. And unless I’m on border patrol, I usually travel by trees, so that’s given me a fair bit of practise.”  He briefly paused to step over to the next branch down; glancing back towards the cub.   “When you have a mentor they might teach you how.” I wonder where mine is right now
Kaze considered lifting the cub down, however she was really close… “As this is a small gap, why don’t you try jumping down towards me? I’ll catch you if you miss.”

Altan
The bright pelted little cat just stared in awe as the apprentice spoke of his tree life! Was it really possible to always travel in the trees? She tried to imagine running along the branches but it didn't seem to quite work.. One thing for sure though was that as soon as she was big enough to climb one on her own she'd spend as much time as it needed to achieve it! She followed his directions as he shooed her towards the trunk, careful to place her paws in the center of the branch.. "Do the birds get annoyed at you being up here? And do you catch many squirrels?" The random questions seemed to leave her mouth before she even realised she'd thought them. "If you teach me does that make you my mentor?" She didn't quite understand what's a mentor was really but it sounded cool!
Hop to the next branch! She tried not to wiggle with excitement too much as she remembered his words earlier... She didn't need to be told twice to jump though. Doing her best to aim for the middle of the lower branch. She leapt forward but her back legs didn't achieve the power she wanted and she landed with only her front legs on the branch, "Eek!" Her back legs dangling while she used her front claws to try and stop herself sliding backwards.

Kazuro
Kazuro began mentally preparing himself for their jump; her further onslaught of questions pushed to the back of his mind. The first few jumps were always the hardest, he knew from experience, and so he wanted to be ready. Her target was below her, so she should be able to reach it. However, he would be ready. Just in case.
Upon her unannounced leap, Kazuro quickly moved in mild panic - just incase she fell again. However, two sets of tiny paws revealed the cubs safe landing; even if she needed some help getting up. He carefully scooped her back up with his paws before sharing a gentle smile. “First try and you were able to reach it! Perhaps with all that jumping and playing you do in camp; your muscles will grow strong so when you're an apprentice you will be able to get your hind legs onto.” Kaze briefly considered letting her have another go, however all of the branches below were too large of a drop. We can take a break until she is up for me carrying her the rest of the way down.
The tom stretched out before lounging; taking in a deep breathe of fresh air. Now that he thought about it, would this cub actually rest up here? Her jump and a constant stream of questions implied otherwise. Maybe if he answered some of her questions she would at least stay on this branch. “Right, so judging by the fact that all the jumps from now are larger than that; I’m going to have to carry you down. Obviously, I can’t do that whilst talking so do you have any questions whilst we are here?”

Altan
When he had scooped her fully up onto the branch bounced on the spot Carefully..  with the biggest grin possible on her small face "I did it I did it!!!" She relished his praise and nodded excitedly as he talked about how, maybe one day she might be able to be as good as him in the trees! She would keep hopping around camp and work her muscles.... They were in her legs right?
As he started to lounge on the branch she contemplated hopping on top of him for a play but he seemed to realise this as he promptly suggested they move back to the ground...  She pouted and gave him her best pleading eyes. But as he mentioned jumping down while carrying her she quickly grew excited again! Of course she had more questions! "How quickly can you do it? Will it be bouncy? Can I play with your scarf?"  Okay the last one wasn't releavent but hey he did ask if she had any questions....

Kazuro
Even though he only had to focus on her questions, the cougar still found himself overwhelmed by her excitement. That slip up definitely didn’t seem to put her off. Hopefully, that wouldn’t mean she would try this by herself. The thought of that going wrong made his fur crawl.
Resigning himself to talking for a bit, the cougar cleared his throat. “Well, uhh, I’v never measured myself speedwise, however I can outpace some cats, even when they are on the ground… And it depends on the branch. You have to learn to be able to tell if a thinner branch will be just, well, “bouncy” or whether it will break under your weight.” He shuddered at that thought. Perhaps they should move down quicker.
Kaze turned back to the feline and narrowed his eyes jokingly at her last question. “I mean, sure?” What a strange question.
“Any more important questions like that, that can’t wait till we are on the ground?”

Altan
Altan listened attentively once more. He was so nice, he didn't dismiss her questions and seemed to be trying his best to think of answers. This cat was so amazing! She stared in awe.  The bit about bouncy branches seemed like fun though! And she could play with his scarf! Score! She paused to think at his question......... Hmmmmm...... "Nope" She chirped with a big grin!

Kazuro
“Ok then, I’m going to get us down to the ground then.” Kazuro glanced around, locating the safest route down before giving the cub a soft smile.  “Like I said: I’m going to have to carry you down so don’t wiggle around much…” Then a thought suddenly came to mind. If he carried he in his mouth she might end up hitting the branches as they went down. However, the alternative didn’t appeal to the cougar. He was the one who got her stuck up here though…
Crouching down so he laid flat on the branch, Kaze turned back to his companion. “Right, climb on my back and please, hold on tight.”


The little hybrid tilted her head as the older cat seemed to think over things for a moment. What was wrong? Why the sudden change in method? Oh well, this way sounded much better! "Okay!"   She chirped as she lowered herself to the branch and started to crawl towards him, claws out for grip, dad would surely be proud of this stalk! As she reached him she tentatively placed a paw in him, careful the movement of his skin didn't make her slide straight off. With a small hop and a scamper, she was laying on his front shoulder's with her front legs wrapped in around his scarf and neck, claws carefully sheathed as mummy always insisted. "Reeadddyy! This is gonna be great!"

Kazuro
Ouff, this is going to be an interesting climb down. Kazuro shifted uncomfortably under the change in his center of balance. He was used to changes in mobility due to him climbing with different weights in his scarf. However, a cub was definitely the heaviest out of them all. Hopefully the branches can hold our descent with the momentum from it all.
When he was satisfied that the cub had securely wrapped their paws around his neck, Kaze gingerly dropped down onto the branch below. His ears were craned for any disconcerting sounds... however, the only response was the soothing sounds of leaves dancing in the cool breeze. Perhaps he was just being paranoid. Afterall, how much did a cub realistically weigh relative to a full-grown cougar. If they had held up against his leaps up, they could survive a few shakes back down...
Now more confident, the cougar glance back at the cub briefly, smiling happily, before continuing down. Yeah, this isn't that bad! His pace slowly increased as they slowly made their way  downwards aside the cliffside

Altan
Altan giggled as the body beneath her shifted, before popping down onto the next branch. She tried to stop her body from flopping onto him too much but she couldn't help letting out a gleeful laugh, when he looked back at her she gave him a big grin and nodded enthusiastically as Jay always moaned when she spoke next to his ears... This cat probably wouldn't like it either..
It seemed that he grew more relaxed as they went and it wasn't long before the ground was getting nice and close. As much as she had enjoyed her little explore in the trees she was looking forward to being able to jump around as she pleased.

Kazuro
Feeling the crisp air russel through his fur, the pair swiftly descended until the group was within a few tail lengths. The cougar halted briefly on the lower branch, tail swinging around to counter his extra load. His eye's eagerly sought out the clearest section of the ground below before giving a clean leap in that direction. He hadn't felt this relaxed since the flood, and the feeling of guilt lifted off his chest for a moment.
Upon contact with the ground, the cougar slide along the wet earth with the momentum from the jump. He gave a quick jump up onto a patch of grass, and then turn to let the cub get off. "Well, I don't know about you but I think heading up to camp to clean up sounds like a plan about now."

Altan
The chubby cub did her best to keep her voice down but IT WAS JUST SO FUNN. As they hopped down she could almost imagine they were flying, with each leap a small squee escaped her mouth but hopefully it didn't disturb the cougar much. The slide might even have been the best bit!
As he turned she hopped of his back, careful to untangle her paws fron his scarf! Her feet barely touched the grass though before she was hopping on that spot! "THAT WAS SO MUCH FUUUNN!!"  She spluttered breathlessly.  "Can we do it again!!"

Kazuro
Whilst her excitement was partially infectious, it wasn't enough to move the cougar to repeat history. Although, he didn't want to dampen the drive for climbing... but he could also get in trouble for dangling a cub off the side of a tree... "Hmm, I don't know... won't you have any family or friends who also like climbing? I'm sure they would want to take you up themselves," his whiskers twitched wirely with a friendly smile, "besides, you were playing with your sibling earlier, right? We better go up and check up on them, just in case they tried to come after you. Catching one tree-climbing cub is enough for one day."

Altan
"Uuuuuh" the cub pouted as he suggested not.  But she quickly perked up as he mentioned going to find Proteus.  "Yes! You can come play with us! I bet Tey wouold love to meet you!  Jay doesn't like new people very much but we can try!" She giggled cheerfully.. starting off in the direction of the temporary camp. "Oh! I forgot to ask! What's your name?" Mum was always going on about introducing herself and getting to know other cats... she was supposed to find out their names at the beginning!

Kazuro
"Oh, I'm Kazuro, but most felines just call me Kaze," he replied, a smile, partially in relief, emerging on his face. Noting her already moving away towards the camp, he swiftly picked up pace to catch up with the small cub. With all the noise she made on the way down, no doubt someone would question if she strolled into camp alone.  "And you're the healer's cub, right? What might your name be?"

  Altan
"Kaze! I like it!" She gave the tom a big grin before hopping forward a few more steps "Yeahhh she really likes plants... It's weeeiiirrrdd" She stuck her tongue out with her eyes closed, "She even makes me eat them sometimes!"  She giggled and hopped another step before looking back again, head held high. "MY Name is Altan-Tsetseg, But you can call me Altan"   She giggled before hopping back to be alongside him. "Race ya!"
Omg this rp <3 Altan's hyper happyness is such a joy to rp and Kaz was so sweet with her <3 I luv it!!
Thank you so much for rping with me UnityUniverse! So much fun!

Summary: 
The day after the flood Altan get herself into a sticky situation after trying to catch a monster that just so happens to be Kaz. Luckily being a sensible cat, Kaz sorts it all out and get them both home safe!

3633 words = 7 + 5 = 12 EP to both Altan and Kazuro

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Sparaze's avatar
Counted +12 EP for both Altan and Kazuro! ^^
UnityUniverse