Kiichigo: Fwee! First chapter/fanfic here! Yaay! hands out cookies Enjoy, and please, please review! Constructive criticism only, and NOOOOOO FLAAAAMES!!

Disclamer: Kiichigo does not own Redwall, so no suingness! She wishes she did, but... she doesn't Brian Jacques-sensei does. I do, however, own this plot. Anyway, no suing, please! --
Enjooy!!

Note: This plot/characters ish also made by my friend, Zakuro-chan! Oh, and Chi-chan has a character too!

KAI OF ARCRIN
CHAPTER 1

Abbess Lily sat on the limestone battlements and gazed off into the distance, watching the magnificent Cascade River that ran alongside her beloved abbey of Arcrin. Across from the powerful, waterfall-filled river was a great limestone canyon, from which the materials used to build this abbey were harvested. Surrounded by high, wide mountains, the abbey was considered to be hidden. The otter admired her beautiful home, smiling fondly at the laughing Arcrinians playing in the walled orchard. Mice, squirrels, moles, otters, hedgehogs, shrews, and even birds were about the grassy area, doing their own thing; some were eating breakfast on picnic cloths, while Dibbuns ran about, trying to see who could find the biggest butterfly, or the most colorful flower. Elders watched the young ones enjoying themselves, as they shared stories and recipes. The morning sun was shining very brightly, causing the dew drops on the lush grass to sparkle, intriguing many Dibbuns. Wonderful smells came from the kitchen, and a small group of friends held up their noses to take in the wonderful smell. One of them, a white-furred squirrelmaid, leaned back on a quilt that covered the grass. She lifted her paws and rested them comfortably behind her head.
Ah, it's such a nice day out! She mused, gazing up at the puffy white clouds that adorned the bright blue sky. That one looks like you, Pear! The little brown squirrel crossed her arms indignantly.
Nu-uh, I look much better'n dat! Pear protested. An older squirrel, who's fur was of a rusty color, rolled over on his back so he, too, could see the cloud.
You're right, Pear, that one looks much more like Kai! He laughed. The white squirrel, Kai, glared playfully at her friend.
Beech! If that cloud looks like anyone, it's you! The three friends laughed together, arguing over who the cloud looks most like. The abbess watched the three young ones from her perch on the battlements, smiling fondly of them.
Hoi, Lily! Got room up there fer ole Tanly? A middle-aged mouse lifted her skirt above her feet so as not to trip, as she climbed the limestone steps up to where her friend sat. Her fur was of a creamy chocolate color, and she wore the simple dress of the recorder. Abbess Lily smiled at her.
Of course there's room up here, Tanly! Come, we can have Friar Sham bring brekkist up to us! The otter waved Tanly over. The two sat on the smooth limestone battlements, enjoying the beautiful day. Tanly reached into her pocket, catching Lily's attention.
What's that, Tanly? She asked, overcome with curiosity. The mouse held up a pawring, made of a smooth red coral. Engraved on the front was Kai'.
On the day we found Kai in the woods as just a baby, she had this around her paw. I just unearthed it from my cupboards, and decided, seeing as how there was nothing else to do, to study it a little, maybe find out where young Kai is from even. She explained, turning the smooth pawring over in her paw. Abbess Lily leaned forward, eager to hear more.
She asked, her impatience growing to that of a dibbun's. Tanly grinned at her friend's childlike ways.
I researched the type of coral in all of the books, scrolls and parchments in the library, and found one hefty volume of the far northern beaches. This type of coral can only be found there. Also, in the back of the book, was a translation of many of the different words they use there. Nami', for instance, is their word for wave'. Kai' means seashell'. So, I came to the conclusion that Kai must have been from the far northern beaches. It makes sense. Lily nodded.
So it does... Well, I'll talk to her after dinner, but first, let's go and take brekkist! The two friends ran off down the battlements and toward the great limestone abbey, acting like the Dibbuns that they were deep down.
Dinner that night was magnificent. Kai, the white squirrel, sat between her friends Beech and Pear. They watched wide-eyed as steaming pots of ramen, an old Arcrinian recipe, were rolled in by trolley from the kitchen. Served with the noodle soup was hot bread, who's crusts were still glowing from the oven, and a wide selection of cheeses, including the three friends' favorite, garlic jack. Barrels of drinks were set up along the wall for all to come up and fill their beakers with. Many different choices were there; greensap milk, mint and pennycloud cordial, strawberry fizz, cranberry/raspberry cider, and even cranberry/apple cordial, a delicious drink popular among elders and Dibbuns alike. Kai eyed the ramen with great interest, while Pear turned to look at the barrel of strawberry fizz. Beech, however, stared at the cranberry/raspberry cider, grinning in a playfully evil way. The abbess, who was placed at the head of the awesome table, stood.
A good evening to all, and thank you to Friar Sham and all his wonderful assistants for making this marvelous meal! Now, if I may cover some rules first... All must finish their serving of something before taking another, so as not to waste food, all must stay seated unless to get a drink, and Beech, stay away from the cranberry juice; we don't want any more incidents' occurring today. Beech slouched under the table, embarrassed by the reference to his habit of pouring the juice on others' heads. Tanly sat with all the Dibbuns monitoring them with the help of a young haremaid, Sister Daminsing, or Damin as she was called by her friends. The cream-colored hare found herself swamped with many Dibbuns, as the little Arcrinians sat on her lap, hung from her shoulder, and pulled on her long ears and bobtail.
'Ey, ye likkle beasts! Gerroff me! Yowuch! I say, wot wot, get off me ears! Owowch! Leggo, stop hangin' on em like that! The Dibbuns took great pride in this, and did not ease up, until Sister Tanly went around popping candied chestnuts into their mouths and threatening to send them to bed early. Afterwards, the little beasts sat at their seats quietly, munching away on their candied chestnuts. The abbess rapped a spoon on the tabletop for silence, and all immediately became quiet, staring towards the otter expectantly. After a moment, the abbess smiled.
Everybeast, dig in!
Roars of approvement went up, as creatures reached for their favorites, Kai leaping forward for the ramen. After a few minutes, everybeast was sitting in their seats, their plates and bowls heaped high, chatting with their friends. Kai shoved a large spoonful of the ramen noodles into her mouth, slurping them up noisily. Pear took great swigs of a tall beaker of strawberry fizz, grinning as the bubbles tickled her mouth.
Heehee, Miz Kai, tis all tingly and wunnerful! The little squirrel couldn't help but exclaim. Kai nodded, unable to speak through the gigantic amount of noodles filling her mouth. Beech, however, was busy picking through his salad to remove any radishes in it. The rust-colored squirrel was not very fond of the bitter, spicy roots.
Ach, whoever thought o' eatin' these things must have been bonny well mad, aye? He mused, flicking one to the side of his plate.
After dinner was served, dessert immediately was put in the oven. While it cooked, Abbess Lily called Kai over to her. The old otter lead the squirrelmaid up the stairs to the library, and the two sat down. Lily took a seat by a hefty volume, and barkcloth package that had been put there before. Kai took a seat across from her, and could not help stealing a glance at Beech's desk; ink stains blotted the hefty oak desk, while parchment and quills, along with charcoal sticks, were strewn across it. She snapped back to attention at the sound of Lily clearing her throat.
Sister Kai, as you know, you were not born at this abbey. On an exploration expedition, you were found alone in the northern woods. Thistle brought you back here and we took care of you, and now you're all grown. When we found you, all you had was this pawring... At this point, Lily opened the barkcloth package, revealing the very same pawring. It was perfectly round, and made of a smooth red coral. It was bumpy, though, and felt good in the paw. was etched on the outside, then painted in with a deep blue paint. Lily continued, Only recently, we decided to take up this case again. In this volume, we were able to find that the coral is found in the northern beaches. There is another language spoken there, as well as English. There was another volume, a translation book of that language's words to english. Your name, actually, was in it. Kai means seashell. We were able to conclude that you were from this place, these northern beaches.
Kai nodded solemnly, lost in confusion. She shook her head as if to clear the fact that she didn't understand. She reached for the pawring, and picked it up lightly in her paws. It felt nostalgic and comforting. The squirrelmaid couldn't help but smile as she ran her claws across it. Kai came back to reality for the second time that day, but this time to the delicious smells of the nearly completed dessert. She licked her lips, looking forward to the delicious treat that would soon be served. Abbess Lily smiled at Kai, and patted her on the shoulder with a free paw. Tomorrow, you'll begin to travel there. We believe it would do you well to be able to meet your real parents, and it would also help our abbey records. Would ye mind taking the journey? We will send a small group with you so you will be safer, not to mention less lonely. Kai nodded at this, but had to interject. Mother Abbess, I think I could fare with a small group; Beech, Pear, and I. Beech would be able to keep records and draw a map,and Pear could be in charge of medicine, since she helps out so much in the infirmary! She suggested. The abbess contemplated this for a moment, then gave in. Fine. But, we will have to supply you with food, medical supplies, writing materials, and more for your journey. We'll also have to run this by Pear and Brother Beech, of course. She remembered as she opened the door. A thud followed, and Pear and Beech lay in a heap in front of the oaken door. The two had been leaning against the door, eavesdropping on the whole conversation. They jumped up, and immediately began shaking the abbess' paws. Yes, yes, we'd be glad to go!
Yup yup, very gladda go!
You needn't worry about a thing, Mother Abbess, we'll take good care of Kai!
Lily smiled at the young squirrels. Kai interjected, suggesting they go down for dessert. Her two friends agreed, and the three squirrels ran down the stairs into the dining hall. Abbess Lily stood in the hallway, watching the young creatures fondly. Oh dear, I do hope they'll be all right on their own...