✦Dawn of a new day✦【Closed】

❒ For the first time in a while, young Forestkit had been able to sleep soundly—seldom without nightmares since his parents had disappeared from his life. Duskflight had been the desperate help he needed. The conversation with the older tom had soothed the kitten's aching heart with comforting reassurances and some much-needed physical contact—having been touch starved for about a moon prior to that day. Now, a few days had swam by—two days to be more precise—and the grey-and-white kit was still content.

❒ Waking with a comically wide yawn, Forestkit sluggishly stood up in his nest to begin his day. He quietly padded to the nursery's entrance, his small body giving a harsh shiver as the freezing temperature slapped him on the face the moment he exited. He huffed and urged his little legs to rush over to the clan's prey pile to pick out his breakfast. The kit's eyes moved to-and-fro as he decided on the meal he'll be having. A frog's leg caught his attention as he noticed it sticking straight up while the rest of the body was buried underneath other pieces of prey. He giggled softly and took a good hold of it before yanking it out of the ground. He let out a startled cry as he went tumbling due to the force of his pull. Luckily, the frog was now in his possession. The kitten pouted down at the cold amphibian for a moment but got back up and shook himself off. He didn't think anybody had seen the little accident since it was early dawn but he still scampered off back to the nursery in an embarrassed manner.

❒ The moment he made it to his destination, Forestkit placed down the frog and settled himself just outside the den. He was aware that it'd make more sense for him to eat inside where it was warmer. However, just being near his late mother's nest—other than when he was trying to sleep—put him in a somber mood. It's one of the main reasons he woke up unusually early. The other was the nightmares.

❒ Forestkit shook himself from his thoughts and began to dig into the breakfast he'd chosen. He'd never had a frog and noted that it had a much different taste than a mouse. It was... odd. He didn't hate it though—didn't even dislike it. It'll be an acquired taste for sure. With a gulp, the kit looked up and let his eyes wander in the direction of the camp's entrance. He had decided against his vigil this day. He wasn't sure why though. It was a welcomed change nonetheless. He wondered if he'll be seeing Duskflight. He hadn't spotted the dark-furred warrior the day prior. He was likely very busy and Forestkit probably shouldn't expect to see him too often. It wasn't fair to the warrior or the clan. He had his own life to attend to and shouldn't have to kitsit a kit he barely knew just because he was a bit lonely. Forestkit played with his lip as he looked down at his paws. He didn't want to be a clingy or needy kit. Future warriors weren't those things—at least it's what he believed.

❒ The young kit jumped as he was promptly removed from his thoughts by a cold-sounding voice. Despite the tone, the words were gentle and curious and Forestkit quickly relaxed then looked up. Ah. That's why it sounded familiar. It was the clan's deputy! Frostgaze had always been such a cool tom. Many of the kits had looked up to him, even young Forest did. The fluffy kitten offered the deputy an awkward smile. He wasn't sure how he'd answer the questions but he'll have to anyway.

❒ Forestkit shuffled his paws again as he thought for a moment before opening his maw to speak, "A-Ah well, I don't like to sleep in my mama's nest more than I-I have to..." He looked away—not strong enough to meet Frostgaze's, well, gaze. "I-I'ts just such a big nest and mama's—" he gulped, "Mama's not here anymore and it's too lonely for me. I don't like to be lonely..." He'd whispered the last part—a tad ashamed and insecure about his lack of emotional strength. His expression turned sorrowful and his throat felt tight. He continued on though. He needed to. "U-Um, I'm used to it by n-now but I still get n-nightmares and need to get out." The grey-and-white tom-kit finally met the older tom's eyes and silently pleaded for him to understand. He had nobody anymore but he didn't want to appear as weak as he felt. He wanted to be as strong as his older clanmates—someone like Duskflight or Frostgaze!

❒ Frog long forgotten, the kit was enthralled with what the deputy was telling him. A flurry of emotions raced through the kitten—primarily sadness and hope. Frostgaze had gone through something similar to him. Had he felt similarly back when he was lonely too? Maybe. Now, here was Frostgaze offering to keep him company in his own nest. The kit's amber eyes lit up. He didn't have to spend time in his mother's old nest!

❒ He quickly nodded his head, eyes gleaming with hope. "Y-You really mean it? O-Oh thank you, Frostgaze!" he meowed, voice dripping with gratitude. As soon as the words left him, he was gently pushed into the nursery. He went along obediently—rather thankful to be out of the cold despite his love for the outdoors.

❒ The gray-and-white kit watched as the deputy set up the nest he used then settle into it. He bit his lip. He knew that Frostgaze offered to share his nest with him but he was still a bit nervous to intrude too much. After a few moments of weighing his options, his need for comfort and warmth won and he quickly padded over to the older tom and settled beside him. He nuzzled with a content sigh. "I missed this..." he whispered wistfully, eyes misting up a tad. He quickly blinked them and looked up at Frostgaze. "T-Thank you truly," he murmured with a sincere smile.