don't go, not yet [o]

Fishpaw was returning from a hunting patrol, chin and tail held high. Despite the… hiccup with Wolfpaw, training was still going well. For once, Fishpaw actually thought he could be something under Quillsplash’s guidance. A frog hung between his teeth, and he was proud of it. As he made his way toward the fresh-kill pile to deposit his prize, his eyes raked across camp. The few deciduous trees that grew healthy enough to bear leaves, and grew close to ShadowClan’s camp, had started to change colors. Fishpaw found the sight dazzling; he’d never seen leaf-fall before, and all the burning colors were gorgeous. It was nice to appreciate the view of leaves scattered about as he crossed camp. But, just before he reached the fresh-kill pile, something caught his attention.

He almost missed it, the kit huddled up with the leaves--they were nearly the same color. But Fishpaw spotted the shivering. His ears angled forward and he diverted paths to take a few steps closer on pure curiosity. As he padded nearer to the kit, he realized it was one of Lilyvalley’s… the last one of Lilyvalley’s. And the kit, whose name he couldn’t remember, wasn’t shivering for no reason--he was crying. Fishpaw’s ears fell back. He wanted to turn around immediately. He didn’t know what to do about a crying kit. He, rather plainly, didn’t want to talk to a crying kit. But he’d already gotten close enough to draw attention, and--geez, he sort of had to say or do something, didn’t he? It’d be poor of him if he didn’t.

Fishpaw padded close enough to stand just on the other side of the pile of leaves the ruddy tom-kit had gathered. He knelt down and gently set down his frog before looking up to meet the kit’s eyes. ”Hey,” he said with a friendly wave of his tail. ”I’m Fishpaw. Wanna tell me your name?” He settled fully onto his belly, then rolled easily onto his side. ”Oh, and you can have that.” Fishpaw smiled and pawed at the frog he’d dropped. He didn’t really want to give the frog up, but… ”Food always helps me feel better.”