|Strut through the trees|

[havenfrozenpool]

[Reserved for Tangerine]

The forest was oddly quiet, as most forests brimming with stray cats shouldn't be. A white blur ran rapidly in between trees, his paws tapping swiftly on the mossy forest floor. Haven jumped to a sudden stop. "You know...There is so many scents out here, but no cat around!" Haven opened his mouth to drink in the colorful scents around him. A brisk breeze blew through the tree tops, as a few leaves detached themselves they floated slowly down to the bottom. The albino tabby looked up just in time for a leaf to land on his muzzle. The sky was growing a navy blue and Haven couldn't help but stiffle his yawn. He finished stretching and set off on his pointless journey once more.

"I escape death and run right into the forest, for what? Some measly trees and some stones? No cats at all...not even a she-cat. Heck I can even deal with a tom at this point!" Haven kept leaping through tree to tree, disappointment swirled in his red eyes. "I'd do anything for company right about know" Haven again slowed his walk to a crawl. It was so quiet Haven couldn't help but think to himself, which he didn't want to do. "If those darn humans would have just kept my family together, I wouldn't have been so unruly. And then to think they were going to have me humanely uthinized." Haven held hi head up high and pursed his lips. "If you ask me there's nothing "human" about it"

Haven kept walking, unsure of where he was going. He was getting tired and his head slowly started to slump down. The breeze picked up again and something grabbed his attention. "A cat...a SHE-CAT! A smirk crept onto his pure white face and he headed toward the scent. He looked diligently through the brush and he saw her. A ginger she-cat was turned away from him. His ears perked up and he pushed his chest out a bit to look more built. This femme was a bit older then him, but he was a persistent cat.

[tangerine]

Tangerine's orange striped body wormed its way around a few trunks of trees. Her ears were in their normal position, flat against her head. Her head was held low, nearly tucked to her chest. She was moving in a slow lope, paws bouncing over the shrubs and broken branches of the trees that had fallen from the nearby trees. A chilly brisk breeze whipped over her short haired body. Her tail was hanging low between her back legs, sweeping over her back hocks. Tang didn't know why she had bothered coming out here. She would only end up meeting someone that would bother her or leave her and not bother talking to her. Sighing, Tangerine slowly ducked under a low lying branch that gently scraped against her back. Her large amber orbs were locked a head of her, scanning around hoping that there wasn't anyone there yet.

Above the sky was a bright blue color. Fluffy white clouds drifted lazily across, and birds chirped happily in their branches. Tangerine paused a moment to look up at the direction. Giving the birds a irritated glance. Why would anyone be happy in the world today? It wasn't as if good things ever happened to good people. It was always bad things happening to good people. Bad people got good things. It never made sense to Tangerine. This is why she goes through life not caring or keeping herself in reality because she knew nothing would ever come of it good.

As Tangerine neared a spot, she sensed a Tom cat nearby. Oh great here we go now, she thought sighing to herself but she pressed on ward. She spied him not too far away. Not wanting to draw too much attention to herself, she stopped a good few feet away from him and crouched down. She could see him puff out his chest proudly. But keeping to herself was the one thing that Tangerine was good at doing. She never really wanted to bother talking to anyone. Why would anyone find her interesting anyway? Her childhood sucked and she had no family. Nothing but bad things had happened to her. Tangerine wasn't unique in any shape or form. Still she stayed there, wondering what he would do.

[havenfrozenpool]

Haven walked proudly toward the orange she-cat, the brush under his paws snapped under his pink paws. She didn't seem like she wanted to be bothered, but that never stopped Haven before. He put on his best sincere smile and pounced right infront of the ginger cat. "Hi pretty kitty! Are you lonely out here too?" He looked down into the swirling amber eyes of the crouched ginger cat. Haven held his smile and he even winked her way. He was such a flirt, and sometimes he just couldn't help himself. He usually isn't a flirt all the time though, he was lonely and needed someone to play around with.

He could be quite the serious cat aswell, but he figured this wouldn't be the place or the time to be serious with this she-cat. She needed someone to lift her pretty ginger tail, and Haven figured he'd be the one to do it. The clouds pushed on past the trees and the night was coming closer, but Haven didn't mind. He was actually fond of the night because be albino had it's disadvantages. His skin was not used to the sun and it never would be.

That's why he headed for the forest in the first place, to get out of the sun. Haven's stomache growled loudly and he chuckled as he took a seat infront of the she-cat. If she doesn't want me in her way she'll tell me....or strike me heh, Haven thought witha pur and a chuckle.

"So, what's your name missy? Mine's is Haven Frozenpool, at your service." He grinned and waited for the reaction of the new ginger she-cat, bracing himself fot the worst.

[tangerine]

Tangerine heard the Tom speaking to her. Flirting nonetheless. What else would you expect from them? She hunched her shoulders forward and lowered her head a bit more, flattening her ears against her head. She let out a low rumble of a growl in her throat however she responded to him anyway.

"I'm Tangerine Windfur, or just Tangerine," she said in a low voice.

What was this Tom getting at? Why her? Why was he bothering to talk to her all of a sudden? She was nothing special, she thought to herself and blinked, keeping her gold eyes locked on him, picking up for any signs of a hostile motion.

Birds continued to chirp in the tops of the trees, His name was Haven Frozenpool. Unique name Tangerine had to admit that. Still, his body language wasn't TOO threatening, but still she was keeping her guard up in case he tried anything out of steps that would require a good slash of her fore paw across his face, nails out. Tangerine might be reclusive and keeps to herself, however, she had a nasty way of fighting. And rather a horrible and strange way at that. She would use her forepaws to slash across her opponents face, but mean while, use her back paws to slash as the most private of areas. She'd managed to escape several Toms that wanted to force breed her that way. Never the less, they weren't able to breed for a while after encountering her.

Ears remained pinned back as she regarded Haven. She also realized he'd asked another question. Using the same tone, she replied.

"And I like being alone out here," she replied, warily keeping her orbs on him, waiting for him to make the next move.

[havenfrozenpool]

"Tangerine, huh? Pretty name for a pretty cat!" Haven's grin grew even wider, even if he noticed the orange cat's body language screamed go away. A low growl rippled through the cat's body and Haven couldn't help but flinch a bit. He looked at her curiously, his red eyes passing over every centimeter of her lean, well-built body. He chuckled, and he liked what he saw. He turned away from Tangerine and he took a few steps forward, his ears completley up. The birds became a bit quieter know, like the forest was getting ready for sleep.

"And I like being alone out here," Tangerine said in a low monotone meow, and Haven just looked to her. His ruby eyes met hers, and this time he spoke in a softer voice, rather then his sly voice he usually used. He didn't want her to think he was all about play. "No cat should be alone out here...especially when you're a newbie stray. I know you're new because your scent insists you weren't in this forest long." He looked to her know, but with an understanding smile. It was a slight glimpse of who the real Haven was, not the flirtatious, conceeded one most cats see.

He looked in front of him to the endless sea of trees. Night was coming, but there was plenty of places for a stray to sleep. Maybe life out here wouldn't be so bad. Haven remembered the femme behind him and smirked. The old Haven was back. "I know you're probably thinking I'm like other toms. His voice trailed off for a split second. "But I'm not....I'm better! Haven mewed and pounced around launching himslef in the direction of the she-cat. He landed right in front of her. She was about ready to attack, when surprisingly Haven snuck a tiny lick on Tangerine's ear. He chukled, his red eays filled with pure delight. He bounded off atleast two yards away from Tangerine and sat his rump on the floor. He curtly folded his tail around his albino body, and smiled, his pale vanilla teeth shown.

[tangerine]

Tangerine's body language tensed a bit when he bounded toward her, and was utterly shocked when she felt a faint lick at her ear. She was briefly startled and kept her ears back but when he went away from her she relaxed much more. She felt her tail go rigid as she looked at him and began responding to his lyrics.

"Why on earth are you taking the time to talk to me? I'm nothing special," Tangerine said in a slow and dejected voice. Her ears began slowly lifting off her skull and actually she had a curious interest as to WHY he was actually talking to her. Orbs looked over his ivory body and she had to admit he was a nice looking Tom.

Which was all the more reason for her to be suspicious. Handsome Tom's never looked at her twice, never mind actually stop to give her the time of day. Half the time they would laugh at her or call her a freak of nature. Now there was nothing wrong with the way she looked of course, they were just being cruel and downright horrible to her. Tangerine learned then never to trust the word of a Tom. Actions speak louder than words and from then on thats the way she lived her life. Making actions tell the stories in stead of words. Words were useless. They could be taken back at any time and for any reason. Actions were sometimes more clearer to read than anything else.

Dont get her wrong. Actions can be misinterpreted as well. It was a hit or miss with that really. It was just best to keep yourself feeling neutral and not get carried away by frivolous girly feelings that half the time were ending up being wrong in a whole.

"And yes I'm new to the forest," she said bristling slightly. What? was that on some kind of freeking bilboard or something? she wondered. Why doesn't he just go and tell the whole world

Her whiskers twitched as she inhaled the forest smell and the earthy smells while she waited for him to speak to her again.

[havenfrozenpool]

Haven turned abruptly to stare at the she-cat in bewilderment. "Nothing special you say? Such words shouldn't cross the tongue of a ginger beauty such as yourself. To even think you were nothing special would be a crime to all of nature. Haven mewed and smiled sweetly toward the femme. He could tell that she had relaxed quite a bit, but she had been hurt a many a times by a few toms, just like he was hurt by humans. He turned away from her, a bit lost in thought. Should I even continue pestering this she-cat, Tangerine? Am I only stirring up old memories laid waste. She does seem in need of some help though....and I'm just the cat to do it. Of course I do have problems of my own, but who says she needs to know, Haven purred and turned back to Tangerine as she as she confermed his inquiry of being a new stray.

"Just in case you're interested, I'm a newbie stray too." He didn't look at her when he said this, and his voice was monotone and serious. He didn't want to give away how he really felt. His real feelings of lonliness when he ran from the pound and into these forsaken woods of Nenwood. He sighed and slowly lifted his head and quickly replaced his lonley disposition with the contentment he had earlier.

He had an idea, and he put it into action when he opened hi mouth wide to take in the scents again. He quickly turned to Tangerine and meowed hastily, "Wait here! I'll be right back". He lifted one brow, if thats waht you'd call it, and gave her a sturn look like a father cat would give to his kitten. Then he bounced off nimbly into the forest. He ran hastily hoping the femme would not leave. He suddenly caught sight of what he was tracking. A small squirrel was scratching away at the earth and had no idea what was stalking him. Haven lept into the air, and with one foul strike the squirrel lay motionless. He picked up the kill and swiftly ran back to the femme, evading trees as he went. He was determined to please. He bounded into the smaall clearing and started to walk. His bad leg was acting up again and he couldn't help but flinch in pain. He had a huge gaping scar that ran down his hind leg which caused him to limp every know and then. He guessed it was his punishment for messing with humans......He pulled up next toTangerine and dropped the kill in front of her. He winced a bit as he took a seat a couple feet away and sat down on his bad leg. "Take it. I know you're hungry" He mewed thoughtfully.

[tangerine]

For a moment, Tangerine was taken aback by this new strays words. She'd never had anyone speak to her like that in a long time. It was new but wonderful at the same time. She heard him say that he was new as well. So far they had something in common but Tange wasn't about to drop her guard fully just yet. Tangerine watched as Haven bounded away.

What in the world is he doing now? Tangerine wondered to herself skeptically as she raised a furry brow at Haven's retreating rear end. She wondered what he was doing. Probably got a whiff of another she-cat more prettier than me. It wouldn't be the first time anyway she thought to herself and sighed as she waited for him to return.

When he did, she was startled to see that he'd brought her somethign to eat. Silently her stomach grumbled and she realized that she was hungry. She cocked her head to the side and looked at him when he offered it to her, saying if she was hungry.

"Well I am hungry. I havent' eaten since yesterday," she admitted still watching him with a bit of wariness. She still wasn't sure what he was about at this point, but she had relaxed a great deal then what she was before. She lowered her head, but looked at him, wondering if he was going to eat as well.

"What about you? Are you going to eat?" she asked as a bit of suspicion arose in her chest. For all you know he could've dropped it into a batch of poison ivy, the voice warned in the back of her head but she shook her head, clearing her thoughts and watched him, muzzle over the kill but jaws shut. Ears were still flat back, as she waited for him to respond

[havenfrozenpool]

Haven watched as the she-cat bent down over the kill, and not a peep came out of Haven's mouth. Haven cocked his head to one side wondering why she hadn't taken a bite, atleast a nibble would have made Haven happy. He laughed a bit at her question, but it was stiffled out quickly. His leg was hurting more then he thought, but he wouldn't mention it.

"I ate before I left the pound, I'll catch something a little later when it gets a little darker. I like to hunt by moon light" Haven sat shifty-eyed and laughed. "Go ahead you eat up. I didn't poison it if thats what youre thinking. I wouldn't do that to a she-cat like you. Maybe to a tom, but definently not you" He smiled and his mind trailed away again.

The night was coming in over the forest like a thick blancket. Crickets started to chirp and the small forest birds were tucking themselves in early. "I wonder where my mum is know....Probably forgotten about me that's for sure." He sighed loudly and remembered the pretty she-cat a few feet away. He smiled, a bit embarassed his face turning a pale pink.

"When's your bedtime?" Haven asked. He was sincerly curious because he didn't plan on sleeping that night. He'd just gotten out of his depressive mood whrn he left the pound that he had too much energy raring to go.

Of course he didn't want to loose this potential friend. He slowly got up, wincing a little more as he shifted his weight off of his bad leg and wobbled toward Tangerine. His ruby eyes were swallowed into her amber vortexs and he waited for her responce.

OOC: I guess my muse tank is on full X3

[tangerine]

Tangerine eyed him still, but slowly opened her jaws and began eating hungrily. She hadnt' realized just how good this tasted until she actually dove into the kill. Her stomach growled hungrily as she continued to eat, completely in bliss as she ate. Once she was full, she yawned and stretched, lowering the front half of her body in a bow before becoming normal and stretching each back leg out one by one. She turned to Haven again, and heard him ask when her bed time was.

"I dont really have a bed time persay. I pretty much go to bed when I'm feeling tired," she said eyeing him.

He had said that the kill wasn't poisoned, that he wouldn't do that to a cat like her but maybe a Tom. Raising a furry eyebrow in curiosity, Tangerine began seriously wondering if this Tom wasn't for real. Perhaps he was the first genuine Tom Tangerine had met in a long time. Her tail flicked from side to side, sweeping over the ground. Above the setting sun finally vanished, and the full moon peered out now. Stars twinkled merrily beside it. The temperature dropped a bit, but not to the point where it was cold or anything, just comfortable enough.

She pulled herself up onto all fours and spread her legs, giving her body a rigorous shake. Once Tangerine stopped, she regarded the Tom in front of her.

"Why are you asking?" she asked cocking her head to the side in a curious pose.

Her orbs caught the silver-blue coloring of the moonlight, making them appear to glow like golden coins. Ears were still pinned back against her head, but she found she was much calmer now, still rather suspicious of the Tom before her. Either this Tom is genuine, or he has a hidden agenda behind all this sweet talk, Tangerine thought to herself as she briefly narrowed her eyes in suspicion. Best to keep on her toes anyway in case. She learned that it was better to be safe then sorry. If he tried anything, he would be in an awful lot of pain. A fain smile formed on Tangerine's face as she sat there, but quickly wiped it away as she waited for Haven to respond.

[havenfrozenpool]

"You don't have a bed time, huh? Cool! That's exactly what I wanted to hear." Haven mewed and a slight smile appeared on his muzzle. As he watched Tangerine stretch he couldn't help but stare. She was lean, yet petite and her eyes sparkled like the very core of each star.

"Your eyes are quite the pretty orbs" He meowed and he bounced onto his paws, making sure not to do anything to quickly in fear his leg would bother him again. I hope she doesn't noticed I've slown down a bit...maybe she'll just think I'm a little tired....Yeah! She won't notice. He sighed. The last thing Haven wanted was sympathy, especially fake sympathy from a she-cat who was weary of him.

He looked up at the dark sky, but he had all the energy in the world. He wasn't sure what he was going to do though. Maybe walk around a bit and see the scenery, or maybe he'd hunt around and look for a cozy moss bed to camp out in. He looked to the ginger she-cat as she asked why Haven had brought up the subject. Haven shrugged and meowed his thoughts aloud, "Well it's getting late, but I'm not exactly tired, and I don't want to just ditch you here. Maybe we can get more familiar with eachother and more familiar with Nenwood....

He didn't smile this time when he spoke. He wanted to make sure she knew he wasn't playing around this time. He could easily be a mature cat, and he wanted to show her he was capable of doing so. He was just hoping she'd agree and not walk away like most she-cats did to him. His ruby eyes swirled with anticipation as a cool night breeze brushed its way through his soft, white pelt. His bad hindleg twitched a bit, and he hoped it wouldn't act up if she did decide to take a stroll. He didn't want to slow her down with his flaws.

He stood silently, his tail held high with pride as he waited for her decision.

[tangerine]

Tangerine eyed him still warily as he mewed at her. She took a few steps forward before stopping and turning around to look at him over her shoulder. She listened to him speaking. He was glad to hear that I didn't have a bed time? Interesting...but keep the guard up! she thought to herself and narrowed her eyes briefly. She heard his response about wanting to get to know each other better. Truly there must be something wrong here. No Tom cat ever asked to get to know her better. Was he playing some kind of sick game? she wondered to herself. Still she found herself responding to him.

"I guess so. I don't know why, but come on. I feel like taking a walk," she said as she extended one forepaw foreward before stopping and looking over her shoulder at Haven, waiting for him to respond and move.

Tangerine's little voices inside her head were warning her not to go through with this. He would only end up hurting her, they said. But for the life of her, she couldnt' understand why she was still moving , actually talking to him and not bolting like lightning with her tail up in the air. A gentle breeze whipped patches of her ginger and ivory fur, causing a tingle to run up her spine. Ignoring this, the voices continued to voice their detests and protests about actually getting to know Haven. No matter what Tangerine did to try and silence them they kept popping up anyway.

Ears were pinned back still, eyes wide and watching him very very closely. She tucked her chin against her chest and gave it a few licks before turning her green/amber orbs onto Haven. He had smooth talked her saying that her eyes were pretty orbs. Tangerine smothered a snort. It was typical Tom talk trying to smooth things over before they try and mount you to get what they want out of you. Well, Tangerine was not falling for it. She waited for Haven to move again, wondering where they were going to go.

[havenfrozenpool]

The orange tabby's fur light up, and as she wlked ahead of Haven it seemed to ripple. Haven couldn't help but stare and he hoped she wouldn't mind. He took in a deep breath and brace himslef for Tangerine's rejecting words, but instead she said she actually felt like she wanted to walk. Haven's eyes widened with utter surprise, but shook it off. He could tell the she-cat kept her guard up, but he felt confident in time she would learn to trust him. "Excellent! I'm looking forward to our stroll. We'll walk together under this starlit sky" Haven meowed and winked to Tangerine, as he pranced in front of her.

As Tangerine gave her chest a quick lick, the albino tabby walked past her and gave a quick lick on her pin backed ear. "lighten up. I give you permission to if I do anything to hurt you, rip me to shreds if that's what makes you happy. 'k?" The light of the moon bounced off his ruby eyes making them shimmer. He smiled to her thoughtfully and limped off ahead of her. All playfulness aside, he turned back to the she-cat and bowed his head slightly.

He turned back to the blackened forest ahead of him. He had no fear that Tangerine would loose him in the forest. The moon was bright and his pelt was bright against the darkness. The only thing he feared, was that Tangerine would intentionally loose him. Walking on into the froest he heard the she-cats light steps behind him, and he hestitated so they could walk side-by-side.

[tangerine]

Tangerine felt him lick her ear and was strangely not surprised by this gesture. She just glanced at him with a bit of mild suspicion but proceeded to walk beside Haven , matching each step perfectly with her own gait. Her tail was held up high behind her, swaying gently from the motion. Large green lanterns were locked a head of her as she walked. The temperature was just comfortable. It wasn't hot nor was it cold. It was just the way Tangerine liked it.

Her paw stepped on a small twig, snapping it in half. Finally, Tangerine turned to Haven. She heard him say how if he tried anything she could rip him to shreds. She felt a smirk tugging at her lips as she glanced at him sideways.

"Why are you being so kind to me? What makes you different from those other Toms or anyone else for that matter? Everyone that ever cared about me left me," she asked him.

Shoulders and blades moved forward as a gentle breeze whipped parts of her ginger band fur, moving in all directions. She blinked and yawned, but wasn't feeling tired. She wanted to know for her own reassurance why he was actually treating her kindly. Why wasnt' he acting like a normal Tom after her to get to spread his bloodlines? she wondered.

Perhaps there were good Toms out there, though if that was the case, this was certainly an exemption to the rule. Tangerine's ear cocked toward Haven, awaiting his reply. She hoped he didn't mind her asking this. If he did too bad it was something she did to reassure herself. It was just her way of trying to get logical reasons to calm her voices down in her head, even though the majority of them were warning her that he was just like the other Toms, that things weren't as they seemed. Tangerine's gold eyes caught the silver moonlight, making them appear to glow slightly. Her nose quivered, and her whiskers were pulled back against her cheeks as she continued to walk, waiting for.

[havenfrozenpool]

Haven silently breathed in the fresh scent of the forest, his new home. He opened his mouth slightly to take in the sweet aroma of Tangerine's scent aswell. He kept his pace with the ginger she-cat. Limping a bit, he ignored the pain that burned his hind leg, Thats gonna come back and bite me in the rumb later. His breathing was shallow and he heard the rythmical songs of the night. He was happy to see that Tangerine's tail was held high, instead of cautiously low to the ground.

His tail was held high as well and he walked along with a pep in his step. He had loved the night. The smells, the atmoshere, just the fact that it was dark and his pelt stood out was a perk. He took a step closer to Tangerine and nudged her a bit, and chuckled. She always seemed a little surprised when he would show her friendly gestures.

Haven looked to Tangerine more closely after she asked him the strange question. "Well most she-cats say I'm not the nicest tom around, but I happen to try really hard to please them. Perhaps I try a bit too hard. I'm certainly not perfect, but you seemed like you could've used a friend back there. He mewed sincerly as he looked straight ahead know. "Toms can be real jerks, believe me I know. I am one after all. And I know you have had you share of mistreatment. So have I." He gestured toward his massive scar on his hindleg. He sighed, "If anyone that truly cared for you, left you. Then they're mouse-brained and have gone utterly mad", He smiled and stopped his walk.

He bowed slightly and meowed in a sweet tone, "I personally think we can become great friends, that is if you give me a chance. And I promise I will do everything within my power not to hurt you." Haven held his breath yet again and hoped she wouldn't dash off. Maybe she would think it was a lie!