And the Crashing Waves [Closed]

Stars above her siblings were loud.

Insistant on playing moss ball, or pouncing on her tail as she tried to rest. They complained she rested far too long and that it was time to play. Wherever that got the energy to play, Sleepykit wasn't certain. But they seemed to find her wherever she went, in the back of the nursery, by the warrior's den, even in the thick reeds surrounding the camp. Other hiding places got her under paw and she couldn't stay there long. How exhausting.

But, there was one den she knew of. The exhausted kitten was willing to try, even if it meant maybe getting in trouble. With a mighty yawn, the silver tabby trudged into the den, green eyes half-lidded with sleep. Not even paying Perchstar much mind, the kitten stepped into the white and grey she-cat's nest, spun a few times, then settled into the empty space between the leader's paws. Paying no attention to her faux pas, Sleepykit's eyes shut and a gentle purr escaped her.

Finally...rest.

Recent events had left Perchstar feeling exhausted... not physically, as she was used to, but a simple mental fatigue that left her feeling drained from simple conversations. She wasn't hiding in her den, of course. She was just... resting, was all. Poppyshine said that she could take as much time to rest as she needed. And so it was that the leader was not basking in the sun, nor lying on the warm, sandy banks of camp, but curled up in her goose feather studded nest. Just for a little while, she promised herself. She would just take a few moments. A few moments to gather herself. A few moments to breathe. However, a few moments turned into minutes, which then turned into hours.

When she heard light pawsteps entering the den, Perchstar was sure that it would be Poppyshine coming to talk to her about something. Telling her to get out of bed. Or maybe Ashflight, returning from his patrol. However, when she turned her head, weary eyes searching the entrance, she saw neither. In fact, it was one of the last things she expected to see. A tiny kit had wandered in, looking almost as if she sleep-walked her way from the nursery. One of Maplespring's kits... Sleepykit, she would have to guess, from the way the little kit's eyes were dropping even now. The leader was too shocked to say anything as the silver kit curled up, right between her reclining paws, and-- apparently-- went back to sleep immediately. What just happened? Perchstar blinked, looking down at the small form nestled into her paws. Well... there was nothing to be done about it now. No way she could simply ruin the kit's slumber. Maybe Maplespring would come looking for her? Either way, until then, she would take the excuse for more rest. That was what she told herself, anyway. It certainly wasn't because of the pangs her heart felt, looking at the adorable kit who was so comfortable. Not at all. It had nothing to do with the pang of grief she felt, knowing that Snowpaw and Beetlepaw would never become warriors. Remembering that Tinypool was still missing. Thinking that soon, Poppyshine would have her kits. Life just kept going, didn't it? It was important to take a moment and drink everything in. So, Perchstar leaned her head to the side of Sleepykit, and closed her own eyes.

Another day, another trip.

Her siblings had gotten into a tussle, learning how to bite, and when to not bite very hard. Or learning how to scratch, but bring their claws in so they don't hurt their siblings. Which was good, but the emphasis was on learning. Sleepykit had one too many bites from her siblings, and she left. There was a place she went to before that had been comfortable, and quiet. Perhaps today she could head in there once again. Shaking out her pelt, the kitten trotted towards the solitary den. Peering inside for a moment, she noted that the nest this time was empty. Whoever slept here must be out at the moment. Oh well, more space for her. Tail high at the thought of sleep, Sleepykit reached the nest with a happy purr.

Her purr echoed throughout the den, growing louder as she turned a few times, only taking up a tiny portion of the nest. Settling down, she placed her head on her paws and shut her green eyes. Here, she was safe from the maws and claws of her littermates. Comfort, certainly.