At the Lake of "WHAT?!"

[blade]

The burning sunrays beat down mercilessly on the baked earth below, white-hot in the bluebird blue sky. Scrubs dotted the wide expanse of sand prickly and sharp, the thin needles more then a match for unprotected skin and fur. Burrows abounded, dug deeply into the soft ground, a sanctuary for rabbits and mice alike. However, these harmless havens can conceal something deadly, snakes and Gila monsters. One bite could kill a cat in thirty minutes. No part of the barren wasteland is safe. Multitudes of sand dunes enveloped the area spreading in every direction. Strange squiggly lines, like mysterious geometric art, imprinted the surrounding sands. Only small patches of hidden oasis’s offered shelter to predators and prey. Few creatures could survive in this bleak and hostile place. With night looming ahead, numerous creatures left their abodes to scavenge during the cooler part of the day, spared from the feverish heat of sun-high. Though the afternoons may be roasting, Moon-high is worse. Bitter cold creeps up, unsuspecting on a poor, helpless victim. Hot and cold, cold and hot, enough to drive any sane fauna mad. But a minuscule amount of indigenous creatures thrive and prosper in this dry, burning land.

Aquapaw padded on, her black pads moving noiselessly on the soft sand underneath. She scanned her surroundings, slitting her aqua-colored eyes against the glare of the dying sun. Her long legs glided over the sands with ease, brown, tabby-striped pelt a blur in the surrounding heat haze. She pointed her reddish nose towards the sky, inhaling deeply. Her ears pricked. Did she smell water? Aquapaw immediately followed the scent trail.

Aquapaw skidded to a halt. In front of her lay a wide expanse of blue-black water, calm as a millpond, dappled with the light of thousands of stars. She approached the strange lake, caution making her wary. Gingerly, she descended towards the lake’s pebbly shore, ready to fight or flee. She stared into the water, but her eyes could not strain into the watery depths. Aquapaw’s eyes narrowed, she knew better then to lick a strange substance. Her aqua eyes brightened, and a smile touched the corners of her mouth. She would do what The Tribe did to scare away snakes from the nursery. Aquapaw deliberately lifted a dull pebble and threw it. The effect was instantaneous. With a small plop, the pebble sank into the depths. Her aqua eyes open wide, amazement clearly written on her features. The pebble rose from its watery grave, and flew out of the lake. Aquapaw’s training instinct kicked in, she ducked. Eyeing where the pebble had landed, she crept up hesitantly. Touching it with one paw, to her shock, it was as cold as ice. No longer dull and gray, but with a slight sheen. Aquapaw stiffened, feeling a set of orbs watching her every move. Suddenly feeling insecure, she raced away.

[kiwawa]

Amber eyes, that would freeze any cat in their spot once looked into, scanned the desert with intense silence. Not a sound was heard as the lean tom padded on, his long tail swishing in a relaxed matter. His black fur made him hot, and dehydrated even though it had begun to cool. He had been travelling all day, needing to be away from his family for awhile. This wasn't new from him, he was rarely around his home, but out somewhere in search of who knows what. His paws skidded to a halt, and his amber orbs looked emotionlessly at the lake, ears pricked as his dark grey whiskers twitched. He was thirsty, extremely thirsty to the point where his pink tongue was hanging from the side of his mouth. He craved even just a drop of water, and sniffed the odd lake. He sensed something different from it, and was cautious. He ever so gently pawed the water, instantly drawing it back as the coolness of it startled him. His eyes narrowed, and he dipped his head down to sniff, his ears slightly flattened in mistrust. After much more thought, he decided to risk it, and took a few laps of the icy water.

[blade]

The sand dues parted, revealing a charcoal-pelted she-cat. Her delicate whiskers twitch in annoyance as a fly buzzed in the vicinity of her glowing green eyes. A sleek, clawed paw darted out, impaling the offending insect on silvery claws. Disdainfully, she wiped the blue bottle fly off of her claw-tips and continued gliding through the territory. She padded like a ghost, dark pelt glaring in the sunlight. The heat caused her pelt to gleam coppery in the bright rays. The cat was still small, her pelt kit-soft, barely six moons, yet she excluded a grace and self-assurance that was truly breathtaking to behold. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted a tom rearing back from the still placid waters as if scalded. Reedpaw, unfazed by the sudden appearance of the older warrior, gazed back calmly. Her serene green eyes flashed with curiosity. " She drew herself stiffly upright, neck curved in defiance. "Who are you to tred in The Tribe's domain?", she echoed."

[kiwawa]

He growled low, then soon stopped, his eyes softening in realization he was talking to an apprentince, and not a warrior. He may have been a grumpy and quiet cat, but when it came to kits and apprentinces, he was much different, even if he didn't like them much. He would never curse at a kit or apprentince and act abusive, even if it was an enemy. He held his head high, his amber eyes glaring into her green ones with pride, and also slight confusion. He softly spoke, his tone questioning,"What is this tribe you speak of?" He had a deep and strong voice, that slid from his throat smoothly, giving him a handsome tone. He didn't once move, and didn't once look away from the she-cat's eyes, his body upright and straight as he every so often flexed his muscles with impatience. He was calm, and not at all intimidated by the apprentince.

[blade]

Reedpaw was adamant. "This!", she mewed; sweeping her tail across the sandy ground; "is property of The Tribe of Shifting Sands.", she finished in a dignified flourish. "We have resided here for many moons." She was astonished at the fact he had NEVER heard of the Tribe. A thought crossed her mind, was this what the Savior meant about "visitors?" The fur on her ruff relaxed visibly. To clear her confusion she dipped her head to lick at an errant tuft of sable coat on her chest. She cleared her throat and nearly to speak; then thought better of it. "Come with me to the Tribe.", she mewed quietly. "It is not wise to linger near the Starpool." With a knowing glance at the lake she padded off, pausing only once to scan the skies for diving birds. Who IS this cat? Where did he come from? , her mind buzzed. She stiffened a tad, claws sinking into the soft sands. IF there was any mystery it was proper for The Chosen One to be informed.

[kiwawa]

Freezegaze was silent, his amber eyes still clouded with confusion as he studied this apprentince thouroughly. He hadn't seen anyone like her before, and this "Tribe" she spoke of, was catching his interest quickly. His eyebrow was raised, and his head up as he blinked for a few moments. A peculiar incident I got myself into, and to think it was all because of a simple pool I drank out of, what did she call it? Ah yes this 'Starpool'. He thought as he finally began to shift, his body recovering from the chill that had run up his spine once his tongue had connected to the lake. He stood and followed the she-cat, continuing to think,She seemed utterly shocked that I had no clue what the tribe was, infact she seems disgusted by my presence. He padded to her side slowly, eyes straight ahead as he let his senses lead the way if she were to change directions. His ears were pricked and he was alert, keeping in mind that since he had black fur and no hiding place, he would be extremely volnurable. But what surprised him was that this she-cat the same hue of him looked so healthy, and unharmed. As if she were born here and could survive with ease.