noted but not understood

[Crowzerplorodon]

He sat there, hidden by the few shadows that could be found in the open MeadowClan camp. Normally one would have to wait until the sun was setting (or just as it started to rise) for shadows to form over the camp. But today, even with the sun high in the sky, just seemed like the type of day for shadows. Jaypaw blamed it on the thick white clouds.

His bushy tail twitched slightly, the tip of it making marks in the dirt. Any other day and he would have been frantically licking at his tail, cleaning it from the dirt before moving to an area covered in grass. But now he just didn't feel the need too. Now all he wanted to do was keep staring up at the blue sky and the clouds that cast all the shadows he hid in.

Not long ago he had watched Mistystream, his mentor, speaking with Dappledflower before the queen said something about going to StreamClan to get some fish. The idea amused the apprentice, but the chaos that could possibly come from this idea bothered him. Was Dappledflower really going to risk the good terms between their clans for some fish? Hopefully his mentor would keep the queen in check, though Jaypaw had the strongest urge to tag along.

But he wouldn't. He'd leave his mentor to going with the queen and finding something else he could do now. Perhaps the elders would want some fresh moss. He could go fetch some (and maybe a mouse while he was at it) and in return listen to one of their fascinating stories. Or maybe the nursery or some other part of camp could use some repairs. Yes, that might do.

Of course, both courses required him actually getting up from his shady spot. And try as he might, the gray apprentice couldn't get his legs to move and lift him up. Maybe he was being lazy. No, he was definitely being lazy. And Jaypaw did not like that, not one bit. An almost-silent hiss to himself finally gave the young tom the motivation he needed to get up.

His tail was covered in light dust, that was the first thing he noticed. Almost by itself the bushy limb wrapped around himself loosely, Jaypaw bending down to give it slow, meticulous licks to rid it of the dirt. It took a little longer than he would have liked to finish it, curse the fur that never shed.

He took a few extra moments to stretch out his legs, feeling the blood rush back into them after sitting for so long. No longer sitting down (though, sitting upright wasn't much different), Jaypaw let his gaze drift around camp, trying to pick something to do.

[hostlietakeover]

Two black slender paws walked through the pathway into the Meadowclan Camp. Soon the rest of Blackwhisker's body followed, along with the large rabbit that he hauled from the rest of the forest nearby. "I wonder where everyone is?"he thought, looking around. He noticed Jaypaw hiding in the shadows looking around but doing nothing. After Blackwhisker put his piece of prey he caught for the clan on the fresh-kill pile, he slowly walked over to the young apprentice.

"Good day Jaypaw! Where's Mistystream, and why aren't you training today?"

[Crowzerplorodon]

He jolted, caught off guard by Blackwhisker speaking to him. The tom smelled of rabbits, he had obviously been hunting, and perhaps that's why Jaypaw hadn't noticed him at once, his scent was disguised. Or maybe he was just making excuses for his surprisingly lazy day.

"Hello, Blackwhisker," he said politely, giving the black cat a short nod. "Mistystream just left with Dappledflower on a patrol or something." He really didn't feel like giving details today, though the idea of a pregnant queen going on a patrol was slightly ridiculous. "No Mistystream, no training."

[hostlietakeover]

"Hello, Blackwhisker, Mistystream just left with Dappledflower on a patrol or something."

Blackwhisker stopped. "But I thought Dappledflower was expecting kits? Why would Dappledflower go on a patrol then?" Blackwhisker admitted he was confused with the story the apprentice. "I wonder if Jaypaw is telling me the whole story," he thought as he kneaded the dirt under his paws with his claws. I know for a fact that Dappledflower wouldn't risk harming her kits by going on patrol. Mind telling me the truth Jaypaw?" Blackwhisker asked while glaring at the apprentice. He thought of going to ask Cedarstar why Dappledflower left with Mistystream out of the clan camp.

[Crowzerplorodon]

He dipped his head in shame, wondering why he hadn't told the warrior right away. Something was definitely off inside his brain today, that much Jaypaw knew. Maybe he had eaten a bad piece of prey the day before. Or maybe he needed some sleep. Either way, he needed to stop thinking and speak to Blackwhisker.

"She... She, Dappledflower that is, was craving fish and barged into Cedarstar's den. She demanded to go to StreamClan territory and trade prey for prey. Mistystream went with her to protect her." Maybe he should've gone with them. Then he wouldn't be in this situation.

[hostlietakeover]

"She... She, Dappledflower that is, was craving fish and barged into Cedarstar's den. She demanded to go to StreamClan territory and trade prey for prey. Mistystream went with her to protect her."

Blackwhisker stood there in shock. "Why would Cedarstar allow a pregnant queen to go out of the Meadowclan camp?"he thought to himself. It was true Dappledflower acted like she could always get her own way, but to actually leave camp on a craving of fish? And to think Cedarstar let her leave!

"Jaypaw, did you hear Cedarstar allow Dappledflower and Mistystream?" He paused. It would just be quicker to take the apprentice and chase after the two Meadowclan cats to stop them in time to make sure nothing truly bad would happen.

"Jaypaw, I would like you to come with me to chase after Dappledflower and Mistystream. We can not have a battle and the blood of cats, both Streamclan and Meadowclan on our paws if Streamclan attacks them." Blackwhisker stared down at the apprentice to see his reaction.

[Crowzerplorodon]

"Well, no..." he admitted, running a paw across the ground. "I could only hear Dappledflower, she was being very loud. But I'm sure Cedarstar agreed," he hurriedly added, "Dappledflower wouldn't just ignore an order from her leader. That would be bad."

Though the fact that Cedarstar would led a pregnant queen out was sounding more and more rediculous to the gray apprentice. Could Dappledflower really have ignored their leader? Jaypaw nodded quickly after Blackwhisker finished speaking.

"Yes, I'll come with you." It didn't take him long to start heading toward the exit, stopping only when he realized Blackwhisker should probably take the lead.

[hostlietakeover]

"Well, no, I could only hear Dappledflower, she was being very loud. But I'm sure Cedarstar agreed. Dappledflower wouldn't just ignore an order from her leader. That would be bad. Yes, I'll come with you."

"Alright then. I guess you better follow me quickly to Streamclan." Blackwhisker took the lead that Jaypaw had let him occupy. Blackwhisker turned to see if the apprentice was following him, and ran out of the clan camp to catch up to Mistystream and Dappledflower.

"Speed is needed. May Starclan guide my pawsteps to Mistystream and Dappledfur." Blackwhisker sent a small prayer to Starclan as he ran off to catch up to his clanmates.