CHOOSE KIND // yukio

[Shimmerkit]

Round blue eyes stared out at the camp before him. There were a lot more cats here than he'd expected, and the nameless kit didn't know what to think. Sitting back on his haunches, the boy took in the surrounding scene for a few moments before scooting out into the sun. He'd yet to make himself known to very many SkyClanners. What if they laughed at him? Or worse yet, what if they realized he had something wrong with him and chased him away? He couldn't go back to his housefolk!

But he supposed he couldn't stay hidden forever either. Shuffling nervously forward, he padded further out into the camp, glancing around anxiously as he searched for signs of trouble, or cats who might chase him off.

@YUKIO

 

[YUKIO]

.don't rush something you —————————

————————— want to last forever.

▵ ———————— ◮ ———————— ▵

THE CREAM TICKED TABBY HUMMED AROUND A MOUTHFUL OF FRESHKILL, tail twitching happily beside him which lay curled around his compact frame. His knobby spine was ever so present through the creamy peach flesh covered with fur. The queen blinked several times, head cocked, catching sight of the lone kit with a curious chirp. Oh!

With some effort, Yukio heaved himself up, padding over towards the kit with a soft grin dusting across his darkened lips. “H, Hello little one!” He gave the kit a warm greeting, mismatched hues brimming with warmth.

The flower crown ( of soft daisies ) he’d woven days before sat, tilted on his helm, drawing most to his ticked tabby face and mismatched optics. “I, I’m Y, Yukio!” He settled onto his haunches, willowy tail curled loosely around fuzzy paws. “W, What’s your n, name little one?”

thoughts speech​

​

​

 

[Shimmerkit]

The kit looked up at the older tom, his worry suddenly evaporating at the sight of the stranger's flower crown. Beaming, he gave a small hop of excitement as he spoke. "Hi! he chirped. "I like your flowers!"

The older cat offered his name then, and the kit's face suddenly fell. He knew what was coming next. The dreaded question. It was a normal question. Cats were asked their names all the time. But it was one the undersized kitten had never in his life had an answer for. He dropped his gaze to his feet, his pelt growing hot with embarrassment.

"I, um…" he trailed off, tail swishing anxiously. And then in a tiny voice, he finished, "I don't have one. My mama never gave me one."

 

[YUKIO]

.don't rush something you —————————

————————— want to last forever.

▵ ———————— ◮ ———————— ▵

THE CREAM-TICKED TABBY GIGGLED, DARKENED LIPS CURLED INTO A warm grin at the mention of the flowers his helm adorned. “T, Thank you!” He trilled.

Yukio watch the other’s face fall, brows furrowed in worry until the kit spoke, making the queen shiver. Oh. He winced, offering the kit a sympathetic smile, tail reaching to brush against the kit’s side in a comforting gesture. “N, No worries!” He chirped. “H, How about this?” He gestured towards the nursery. “I c, can make you a p, pretty flower crown and … and we c, can come up with s, some names!”

He still had a handful of daises stashed in his nest for safekeeping, having wanted to braid them into the nursery. But he supposed he had another reason to use them now! “H, How does that sound, little one?”

thoughts speech​

​

​

 

[Shimmerkit]

The kit fidgeted nervously, embarrassed at his confession of namelessness, but he almost forgot his embarrassment entirely when Yukio offered to make him a flower crown. Tail swishing excitedly, the tom beamed up at the older cat. A flower crown would've been enough, but the offer to help find him a name made the kit's heart flutter with hope. "Yes please!"

 

[YUKIO]

.don't rush something you —————————

————————— want to last forever.

▵ ———————— ◮ ———————— ▵

YUKIO GRINNED, USHERING THE KIT TOWARDS THE NURSERY where the rest of the flowers were, humming a cheerful tune. With some effort, he wiggled into the familiar den he’d grown to see as a safe haven, nose twitching as he went about grabbing the leftover flowers.

Returning shortly afterward, the cream-ticked tabby grinned, letting the flowers flutter into a messy pile beneath his paws. “I, I only h, have white f, flowers left, but I can m, make you a, another one with a, all sorts of colors n, next time!” He chirped, easing onto his haunches until he lay with a sigh of relief.

With steady paws, Yukio braided the stems, easing into the familiar movement with a purr, mulling over names for the kit. His thoughts drifted to what the little one mentioned previously, a frown adoring his darkened lips. How cruel. He glanced down at his own swollen belly, wondering how someone could abandon such a helpless kit. He wouldn’t have the heart too. Life was a precious thing, especially when they’re brought to life by one’s own doing.

Names. He mulled over ones he’d heard, tail twitching in curiosity. Mismatched optics tilted to watch the small bundle of fur, smiling warmly. A name to treasure. Something that even his mother will sure to regret abandoning him! “H, How about—” A paw pressed against his maw, owlish hues blinking in thought. “S, Shining?” He offered. “O, Oh! Splash!” Heavens no. He giggled. “S, Shimmer?”

thoughts speech​

​

​

 

[Shimmerkit]

“White is fine!” the kit said excitedly. He looked down at himself, sticking out one small paw to examine his fur. “White goes with everything!” He leaned forward, peering at the plants as Yukio wove their stems into a tight chain. He played the movements over and over in his mind, intent on remembering the method so he could make one himself for the older cat.

As Yukio began to slowly list off names, the boy paused to take each of them in, considering each of them for a few moments. None of them seemed to fit. Or maybe they did. What did he know? He’d never named anything before. He fidgeted nervously. What if he made the wrong choice? What if—

And then Yukio suggested the final name. Shimmer. The kit beamed. It was the perfect word. It was shiny and flowy and reminded him of dewdrops glistening in the morning sun. It was perfect.

Too overwhelmed with excitement to speak, the newly named Shimmerkit could only bob his head in eager agreement.

 

[YUKIO]

don't rush something you want to last forever .​

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶​

Yukio giggled, nodding in agreement as he connected the two sides, humming in triumph, twisting to set it on the small feline’s helm. He grinned. “All done!” He chirped, tail whisking around the kit in a hug.

As the kit beamed, bobbing his head, Yukio brightened, mismatched hues sparkling. “W, Wonderful!” He trilled. “W, Welcome to y, your new home S, Shimmerkit!” He cooed, reaching to boop the kit on the nose gently with the tip of his tail.

“P, Perhaps once I get m, more flowers I, I can teach you?” He offered, nudging the flower crown with the tip of his nose. ​

​

thought speech​