Waking up from the Night Before

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Moonshadow lifted her head to the sound of warriors moving around. She groaned knowing she would have to get up whether she wanted to or not. She felt full of energy but she wanted to sleep more. She covered her ears and her eyes as she waited for everyone to stop moving around. After she heard no more shuffling she peeked out from behind her arm and saw one last cat leaving the warrior's den. She stood up and shook her pelt her blue eyes scanning the clearing as she walked out of the den. Everyone was joining their groups to have breakfast before patrols were given by the leader or deputy.


"I guess I'll eat if nothing, I'll definitely need my energy for today" she mumbled to herself.


She walked towards the fresh kill pile peering at all of the fish. She sniffed the pile before moving about three fish that were on top and grabbing a big one from the bottom. She walked over to a grassy patch of land that was covered by a tree, which provided a good amount of shade. She curled up and set the fish down in front of her. Her eyes once again scanning the clearing.


She took a bite out of her fish making her mouth water just at the taste. The fish was cold but fresh which she enjoyed. She continued to take a bite out of her fish as she quietly sat there. Before she knew it she had finished her fish. She licked her jaw and looked up watching everyone else talk about how they plan to spend there day.


She pushed up on her paws into a sitting position as she waited for the morning to pass. Her tail curled around her small frame as she sat watching the apprentices come out of the den and the kits coming out to play. She gave a small smile as every ran around and talked happily. Her mind keeping focused off of the amount of sleep she got. She continued to focus on everyone else.

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Oakleaf felt a sharp pain on his tail. Flashing his eyes open he heard another warrior quietly apologizing. Before padding out the den avoiding other sleeping cats. Oakleaf groaned and got up stretching out his stiff muscles from sitting all night. He almost felt his bones crack, and he shivered knowing that he shouldn't be dealing with that already. He shook out the reeds in his fur and skipped grooming because he was still pretty well groomed from last night yet.

Oakleaf padded out of the den and out into the sunlight. He wasn't one of the last warriors to leave but he wasn't one of the first to leave. There were other warriors that should be up by now that he could talk to. But mostly he just wanted to curl up back in his nest and sleep for a while longer.

He narrowed his eyes with the bright sunlight and his vision went fuzzy at first but after a few quick blinks he could see that the camp was starting to wake up. Other warriors were at the fresh kill pile and many were eating before they had to go out on a patrol. Oakleaf sighed and hoped that he would be on a hunting patrol or training someones apprentice today because personally he had no energy to do anything else, but at least if he was only on one patrol he could go outside and find a nice quiet spot to sleep some of the tiredness away.

Oakleaf padded over to the freshkill pile and looked at his choices. He wasn't all to hungry because of the fish that Moonshadow had caught last night, but yet if he didn't eat now he would get his eating time off track and that wouldn't be a good thing. Looking at the pile he wasn't really in the mood to eat a fish because it was just too big so he found a water vole and scooped it up and carried it over to a sunny spot to eat it.

Oakleaf sat down with a thump. A little dust flew up when he sat down. Placing the water vole at his paws he sighed, the tiredness flooding over him once again, he shook his head trying to wake up a bit. Then he started to eat, quickly finishing the vole. He sat up looking around and almost wait for the leader or deputy to tell him what he was going to do today.

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Moonshadow quietly tapped her tail on the ground her blue gaze looking towards the leader's den as she waited for assignments. Her tail tapping focused her on a beat she intended to keep. Soon she got bored and just curled her tail around herself again. The morning seemed to pass slowly as her eyes became half-closed. She shook her head making herself fully awake for the time being, her eyes looking as the warriors moved around. She scrunched her nose up as boredom overcame her from just sitting. She sighed and got up shaking her pelt just slightly to get anything off of her. She padded towards the entrance taking one good look around before going through it. She was tired of waiting and decided she would just go hunting by herself.

She walked through some grass and towards a river that was once again running like normal thanks to the recent rain. She walked over to it dipping a paw in as water rushed past her. She quickly shot her paw out of the water launching a fish into the air. She took a couple of steps back and opened her mouth catching the fish on the side. She set it on the ground and walked back over to the river and stuck her head only inches away from the rushing water. The sun was slowly crawling above the horizon as the sun was just barely past sunrise. Her blue gaze scanned the water before she dipped her paw back in and grabbed another fish this time just throwing it behind her on top of her other fish.

She plopped down on the ground and sat there with her eyes on the water. She was tired, yes but she couldn't fall asleep knowing he needed to get something done. She looked back at her pile of two fish. She decided that not much hunting would need to be done today considering the fresh kill pile was plentiful but it kept her busy. She turned back towards the water as it continued to rush by splashing her every now and then.

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Oakleaf sat there and watched as more apprentices and other cats came out of the dens. He looked back over and saw some other warriors talking and usually he would go over there and join their conversation but today he didn't feel like doing anything. But if he did nothing that would be worse but every once in a while a cat should take a day off shouldn't they maybe today was his day.

Looking around camp he seemed to be looking for something but yet he didn't know what. It was like his brain wasn't controlling his head anymore and it was his instincts that were kicking in.

Finally Oakleaf was sick of waiting, he wasn't an apprentice anymore though compared to other warriors he became a warrior at a late age, probably because he talked to much at a gathering or something. He stood up and blinked a few time before padding out of camp.

Once getting outside he felt free to do anything he wanted. He took off into a run, just sprinting off and going where his paws wanted to take him. Things were passing by in a blur, the reeds, the dirt. Slowing down he stopped and listened to the world around him, and a roar poured into his ears. Smiling he headed towards the river, it had rain a few days ago so the river was flowing smoothly. He padded up to the bank and watched the river flow freely as it bended around rocks and the ground around it.

He waded in and kept going until the river started pulling at his underbelly and he stopped. He shivered a bit at first stepping in because the river was cold yet from the chill of the night, but it felt good to just get into the water. For a while he stood there feeling the river pull at his fur, then he climbed back out. Then there was a flash of silver, turning to see what it was he noticed a white she-cat that he recognized right away. Smiling, he watched her a bit while she caught another fish.

Then he padded over, quietly seeing if she would notice him.

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Her ears flicked as she heard paw steps walking towards her. She continued to study the water pretending not to know they were there. Soon she stuck her paw in the water and flung a fish in their direction hoping they would catch it. If not she didn't mind. Her tail flicked back and forth as she stood there for a few more seconds. Finally she looked up and saw Oakleaf. A smile spread across her face.

"What brings you out here? I thought you would be on morning patrol. But what do I know, they put random cats on patrol." she said with swirling her tail in a circle.

She looked back at the water her ears perked up so she could here Oakleaf over the rushing water. She eyes were concentrating but every now and then her vision got blurry from the lack of sleep. She shook her head and stuck it under water. The second she hit the water a shiver was sent throughout her body. She pulled her head back out and shook her fur getting water droplets everywhere. Now being fully awake she crouched down and peered back into the water.

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Oakleaf padded up he knew that Moonshadow had heard someone coming over but he still didn't know if she knew it was him. Then out of no where a silver fish was flying in the air right towards him. Instantly he jump up catching the fish in his jaws and landed on the ground. It was flopping still in his jaws and he tightened his mouth killing the fish instantly.

He stopped and when he saw her look up and then there was a smile on her face he wanted to smile back but of course it might of not looked like that because of the fish that was hanging out of his mouth at the moment, but what ever at this point he was glad to be out by the river and with a friend.

"What brings you out here? I thought you would be on morning patrol. But what do I know, they put random cats on patrol." He heard Moonshadow say over the roar of the river and he flicked his ear letting her know that he heard her but would answer later. He padded closer and dropped the fish into her pile of two other fish that she had caught just a moment before he came over.

"You never know when your going..." and then he stopped. Oakleaf looked at Moonshadow with a puzzled look on his face. Questioning himself asking if he just saw her dunk her head in the water. Then he saw her shake her head after wards and Oakleaf started laughing, he just clearly saw the whole thing.

"Either you were staying up to late or the water just ate your head." Oakleaf said with a hint of laughter in his voice.

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Moonshadow looked back at Oakleaf her whiskers still dripping with water. She gave him a glare before turning back to the water flicking her tail back and forth. Her ears lowered as she squinted into the water. Soon a fish jumped out of the water and Moonshadow reached forward grabbing it with her jaws but falling into the water. She plunged into the water sending off a giant splash before going under.

After a few seconds passed she quickly surfaced and climbed out with a big fish in her mouth. She walked over to her pile and set down the fish before looking at Oakleaf.

“I don’t stay up late I just happened to stay up really late last night.”, she said with her nose in the air.

She walked back over to the water and crouched down waiting for the next opportunity and her ears perked up as she listened for anything Oakleaf said.

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He saw the glare from Moonshadow and he instantly stopped laughing. He didn't want to offend her but if he did it was too late to take it back but he would make it up to her. He stood by the pile of fish and waited for her to either say something or do something letting him know what to say next.

The a fish jump out of the water and Moonshadow was quick enough to grasp it into her mouth before going under. A big splash came up and hit him right in the chest and face getting him and his fur soaked. The thing is he was smiling before that and as soon the water hit him there was no smile at all he was just had an expression like 'you have got to be kidding me.'

Just as she left her white pelt appeared again. He just blinked slowly as she came towards him. There was water dripping off his face and whiskers that he didn't even bother to take care of because his legs were already wet and if he was fishing today he would be even wetter.

“I don’t stay up late I just happened to stay up really late last night.”, Oakleaf saw her nose go into the air and Moonshadow turned back to the water. He let out a sigh, and just looked at her stare into the water waiting for another fish. Things on what to say went through his mind but he couldn't really pick which one to answer that with but he had to say something considering that he offended her.

"I'm sorry." He padded up to where she was watching the water and carefully up himself where he wouldn't ruin her fishing. "I know you don't stay up late," He paused again and looked at her there was tiredness in his eyes but he continued "well I just don't know what to say."

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Moonshadow grinned as he walked up to her and just as he finished talking she pushed him hoping he would fall into the water.

"Now were even!" she yelled over the rushing water with a smile plastered onto her face.

She shook off her pelt and back up to the fish pile and sat down. She stretched out her legs and laid down with her tail curled around her. She let out a big yawn before looking back at the water. Her eyes were dull but instantly became full of life as the water splashed up high enough so when the water hit it, it created a small rainbow. She gave a small smile and her eyes softened. She decided to rest for a few minutes considering she already puled out four fish.


"So now that were both even. How do you plan to spend your day?" she asked with her ears perked up.

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He felt a shove from Moonshadow and he felt his feet slip on the rocks and he went under the water. The water went over his head and he could feel it pull on his body but he dug his claws into the river bank and stood up. He had heard something from Moonshadow above the water but he couldn't quite catch it considering he had his head under water when she had said it.

He climb up out of the river his soft silky fur was clinging to his body making him look just a bit smaller than than before. Glaring at her he knew she was just teasing but she didn't have to push him into the river. Padding over to where she was sitting still dripping wet.

"So now that were both even. How do you plan to spend your day?" Moonshadow simply said. Oakleaf then decided to shake out his make sure she was getting wet. The said "Now I believe were even."

He smiled and sat down, yawning he simply replied. "I was hoping to take a nap sometime today but I can cancell that if I need too." He paused and looked back at the river knowing he should at least hunt before he took a nap but that all depended if Moonshadow would push him in again.

"What are you planning to do today?" He asked.

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She looked at him her mouth forming and upside down her v. Her eyes were big and innocent, and she had one her perked up with the other leaning forward just a bit. She looked so sincere almost like a begging kit.

"Why did you splash me, that was so mean...", she voice was like one of a kit's as she spoke.

She continued to look at him her eyes colored her usual blue color. Eventually she smiled and looked back at the river. Her ears leaning towards Oakleaf as he said "I was hoping to take a nap sometime today but I can cancell that if I need too.". She looked at him again then turned back towards the river her eyes on focused on something in the distance.

"What are you planning to do today?" Oakleaf asked pulling her out of her thoughts.

"Huh, oh umm... I think maybe go on a patrol and relax for the rest of the day. Maybe play with some kits.", she mewed her voice sounding more like a warriors. Her tail was curled around herself again as a glistening water droplets fell to the ground. She was completely soaked and cold, but she got used to it in only a few moments. she still shivered as a morning breeze blew past. The sun just slowly crawling over the horizon. She welcomed the warmth into her pelt as she sat continuing to stare across the bank.

"Well I should head back soon, I need to get the fish back anyways.", her eyes still fixated on something in the distance as she spoke.

She broke her eyes sight away and looked at Oakleaf again waiting for him to reply.

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Oakleaf saw her big round eyes stare up at him. She leaned forwards, and he didn't move just looking down at her. If cats had eyebrows, he would have one raised up while she spoke. "Why did you splash me, that was so mean...", He heard a voice like a kit and he rolled his eyes, not buying anything she said, but it really didn't matter cause she was already soaked. It couldn't have made a difference whether he splashed her or not.

Then Moonshadow turned back towards the river while he spoke of his plans that day, but it was just taking a nap. Which he really needed, Moonshadow had slept longer than he had but it would of been the same if that other warrior hadn't stepped on his tail making him wake up.

He noticed she was staring across the bank and he turned his direction to where she was looking. He didn't see anything that caught his eye, to him it was a river then a bank and then into the forest of an another clan. Why would she be looking over there with so much attention, But he just put the statement to rest knowing where his loyalties lie and it wasn't his job to accuse anyone of anything that was the leaders job. Yet it was his dream to become leader someday, so it would be his job one day if he ever gets a chance and he hoped.

"Huh, oh umm... I think maybe go on a patrol and relax for the rest of the day. Maybe play with some kits." Moonshadow's voice broke his thoughts and he turned back towards her with narrowed eyes. There was a bit of a breeze making his pelt and more cold than it already was but he got used to it being a Riverclan warrior. He noticed that she was still staring across the bank. "Okay." He just simply said, still watching her.


"Well I should head back soon, I need to get the fish back anyways." He noticed that she was still watching something across the bank and he couldn't understand but for some odd reason it bothered him. "I guess I'll help and maybe instead of going on that patrol we could do something."

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As she stood up she froze as he suggested going on patrol with her. Her tail was sticking straight up while frizzed out. She quickly shook her head and stammered "I-I d-d-on't k-know I t-think it w-would be better i-if w-we w-w-went on separate p-patrols."


She didn't feel nervous around him she just thought it might be best to keep suspicions too a low with her. She already had enough problems with cats gossiping about who she hangs around with. She picked up the fish she caught her eyes lowered to the ground to avoid eye contact. As she started to walk away she looked back stopping to see if he was going to follow. She quickly lowered her eyes back down and turned around towards the direction of the camp waiting for him to take the lead.


'I feel bad blowing him off over a patrol, but i'm just not too sure about starting up rumors again. Besides I did say I was going to play with the kits. He could've joined me there. But oh well I guess I should hurry back before they send out patrols' she thought to herself.


She kept her eyes onto the ground studying her paws as she started to walk forward the fish in her mouth and under her chin. She hardly glanced up unless it was to look for the camp, and kept quiet unless she was spoken too.

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"I-I d-d-on't k-know I t-think it w-would be better i-if w-we w-w-went on separate p-patrols." Oakleaf heard Moonshadow's shaky voice. Narrowing his eyes he looked at her not understanding what was going on. was she embarrassed to be seen next to me, or do I smell is what went through Oakleaf's mind at that moment.

"Fine" It wasn't a snap or anything it was more just a stern sounding. He didn't want her to feel bad but by the way she was acting he knew she was, but he had plenty of cats that would go on a patrol with him, or he would just skip that and go on that nap he was thinking about earlier.

He quickly grabbed a fish in his mouth before she could take all of them and watched for any kind of eye contact to read her expression but she didn't give him a chance to see her eyes. She started padding away and he snorted and looked across the river wondering if that had anything to do with it but once again he didn't want to accuse her of anything and making her mad at him which at this point she might already be with the way he said 'fine' to her.

Turning away he took off, with the fish bouncing in his jaws at his speed. He didn't really care at this point if she was following because he knew if she wanted to do something where to find him. He just hoped that there was still a patrol that he could quickly join that he could get his mind off of her.

Padding into camp he headed right to the fresh kill pile and set the fish down. Then padding over to where other cats were gathered in front of the leader, who today was setting up the patrols. He came to the back and sat down.

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Moonblossom padded quietly into camp her head hanging low and her tail dragging behind her. She hardly lifted her gaze as she set down her catch and padded slowly towards the rock. Her tail sent up some dust but she picked it up as she reached the other cats. She took a seat beside a brown tabby. Her eyes never left the ground and her ears hung low as she listened quietly. She wasn't put on any patrol or hunting group. She swayed her tail to the side as everyone seemed to have moved around her. She gazed to the side at the medicine cat's den wondering if she should help there.

Her gaze soon drifted over the where the kits were. She was still sitting as everyone began to leave for patrols and hunting. The sun was just barely above the horizon as the sunrise colors made her pelt seem different. She stood up and padded towards the kits before stopping and turning back. she kept her gaze on the ground as she continued to walk her tail still high up. She walked to the warriors den and peered in and looked at the bed. She stared at them for a moment longer before taking her head out and looking back at the medicine cats den her eyes now off the ground and her head held high.

She stood for a moment longer her thoughts getting the better of her as she zoomed out and lost focus on what she was doing. She stood there quietly waiting like something was going to happen...