Scratch's Territory

**gs29513** · #1 July 26th, 2021, 03:21 PM

He hadn't expected it. None of them had. The flood had come swiftly, day of rain upon rain upon rain exploding through the beaver dam upstream with the force of a tsunami, sweeping through his territory. Everything flooded, everyone gone. He had lost his leverage, his prisoner, and all of the kits. Too small, too easily swept from the crest of the hill where they had taken refuge. And with One, Two and Three gone, Nala and Hazel had gone soon after, one in another swell of water, and the other after a fleeting glance at him, off into the woods. He had been too busy trying to save his own skin, clinging tightly to the tree that had protected him so far. And now, finally, it had receded.

After what felt like a moon without rain it was finally safe to venture down, set paws onto muddy ground and move towards his den. It was destroyed now, collapsed in a dirty heap, the stump long uprooted. It was all gone. All destroyed. And so, after a meal of what might have once been a rabbit, since drowned, Scratch set off to find a new home. Preferably away from the river. Traveling farther and farther into the outskirts, the tom eventually found a place that might be suitable enough. At least, for now.

It was a small clearing, surrounded by oak trees. Two large boulders lay against one another, a small crack within them certainly suitable for a den. Pleased, Scratch collapsed on the grass, resting from his ordeal. He would have to retrieve Hazel and the kits of course, but that could wait. First he must fashion this place into a good home.

He began at once, swathes of moss sliced from tree roots with the accuracy learned through battle. Fashioning his and several other nests in the rock cleft took only moments after he had acquired a goodly supply of material, and before the sun went down he was able to quickly hunt, a mouse falling prey to his claws. The place already seemed like it had been lived in, and he fell quickly to sleep.

The next day he was up and going again, marking out a rough border for himself that encompassed dozens of trees and bushes, all good spots for prey. After hunting he continued to improve his camp, excavating a small dirtplace and draping a large sheet of moss over the entrance to the den, allowing for some degree of privacy. The whole place looked nice, respectable, welcoming. Perfect really. After a break to drink from the stream twenty foxlengths away, Scratch began work on some less tasteful projects.

After marking a rough circle on the small hillock with his claws, the tom began digging. After going straight for a tail-length or so, the narrow and low tunnel became much deeper, a full cats height deeper than the passage above. Into this dark place Scratch brought many thorny branches, covering the walls, ceiling, and floor with them before leaping out. Having collected several large stones already with which to block the tunnel, he retired for the night.

The next day there was little to do besides hunt. After several mice and a squirrel met their demise at his paws, the tom set off. He knew his cats were out their somewhere, and he meant to find them. Especially Hazel. She had his kits after all. And he meant to get them back. But first, he had to retrace his steps.

**JackHunt_17** · #2 July 26th, 2021, 03:25 PM

(Is this open, @gs29513, if so, may I join? )

**gs29513** · #3 July 26th, 2021, 03:26 PM

(Yeah, it's open although I might not be the most speedy with replies.) @Bramblefire01

**JackHunt_17** · #4 July 26th, 2021, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gs29513

(Yeah, it's open although I might not be the most speedy with replies.) @Bramblefire01

(Thats fine)

**JackHunt_17** · #5 July 26th, 2021, 03:30 PM

Thrush was wandering alone again. The eyeless cat Void he had met a few sunrises ago had gone, like the rest of them. Like his mother, father, littermates, and younger siblings, all the same. They were there one day then the next, they just left. He caught scent of another cat and sighed. Was there really a point in trying again? He didn't want to be denied once more. But his curiosity & friendliness got the better of him. He approached the cat, another tom. "Hey there, I'm Thrush." Mewed the large longhaired gray tom. Despite only being 9 moons he appeared much older, by the worry & exhaustion on his face, his size, and his way of talking. ( @gs29513 )

**gs29513** · #6 July 26th, 2021, 03:55 PM

@Bramblefire01
Well! Scratch hadn't expected to have neighbors, after all, he had purposely found a spot without any great amount of cat scent. But it appeared he had missed something, or else this tom was a traveling sort, who happened to be passing through. Momentarily dithering over the desire to run them from his territory and to try to make friends, Scratch decided on the second track. Friend to potential servant. Hello! he purred, a smile stretching across his maw with ease. He had practice after all. My name is Scratch! What brings you to my humble abode? he inquired, swinging his tail in a sweeping gesture.

**JackHunt_17** · #7 July 26th, 2021, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gs29513

@Bramblefire01
Well! Scratch hadn't expected to have neighbors, after all, he had purposely found a spot without any great amount of cat scent. But it appeared he had missed something, or else this tom was a traveling sort, who happened to be passing through. Momentarily dithering over the desire to run them from his territory and to try to make friends, Scratch decided on the second track. Friend to potential servant. Hello! he purred, a smile stretching across his maw with ease. He had practice after all. My name is Scratch! What brings you to my humble abode? he inquired, swinging his tail in a sweeping gesture.

Thrush smiled at the niceness he was greeted by. "Nothing much, just trying to find my family, or other cats... and I guess I have, since I've found you." Thrush mewed to Scratch. "I come from a twoleg dump where I used to live with my large family, but one day they were gone, and I was alone." The young tom mewed sadly.

**gs29513** · #8 July 27th, 2021, 07:44 AM

@Bramblefire01
He was correct on the wandering bit at least. This cat was just walking around, doing nothing in particular, and Scratch could definitely put that to use. Yes, you certainly found another cat. he purred, settling onto his haunches in a subtle invitation to stay and talk a while. The more he found out about this cat the better after all. And it seemed the tom was quite ready to volunteer information. Family left him? That could definitely be used. I'm sorry to hear that. And they all disappeared at once? he inquired, wanting to make sure he had all the details he possibly could.

**JackHunt_17** · #9 July 27th, 2021, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gs29513

@Bramblefire01
He was correct on the wandering bit at least. This cat was just walking around, doing nothing in particular, and Scratch could definitely put that to use. Yes, you certainly found another cat. he purred, settling onto his haunches in a subtle invitation to stay and talk a while. The more he found out about this cat the better after all. And it seemed the tom was quite ready to volunteer information. Family left him? That could definitely be used. I'm sorry to hear that. And they all disappeared at once? he inquired, wanting to make sure he had all the details he possibly could.

"One day I woke up and my family was gone. Everyone was gone." Thrush sighed. "Its like my life never happened... but it did." He mewed. "And from then on every cat I met was also just a wanderer and wanted me gone as soon as possible. Some took pity on me when I was younger, but now no one really cares about me because I look like an adult, even though I am only 9 moons old.."

**gs29513** · #10 July 27th, 2021, 10:07 AM

@Bramblefire01
This was perfect. Too perfect almost. He just had to play his cards right and all would be well. I understand. You want someone to remember you, really care about you. You don't want to be forgotten. Closing his maw for a moment, allowing a chance to savor the words, he added I don't pity you. You're clearly a strong cat, if a bit lonely. Just a bit more and he would likely be able to convince him to stay for the night. Of course, he probably could have done that from the outset, but he did have all this wonderful information he could use. Oh, he would be a great friend to Thrush. His only friend, who he would do anything for. Yes, that was how he wanted this to go.