Hello [Loonxgoose] Is it me you're looking for?

[Whiskers]

She loved border hopping.

It was probably Goosefur's favorite activity these days. She would abandon camp, claiming she was out hunting and then she would head straight for the borders. It didn't matter which border, since she liked to switch it up from day-to-day, get some variety in the calm routine that was her life. Plus switching borders challenged Goosefur and kept her on her toes-- because border hopping wasn't just a game. It was an art.

See, when one goes out border hopping, they must keep several factors in mind. First, the type of border is very important, as the conditions vary from border-to-border. Meadowclan borders-- depending on the border-- was very hard. If it was the sparser border, there was rarely a place to hide if one scented a patrol, and the wind caught the scent easier when one's out in the open like that. So border hopping in Meadowclan was the risk, the one that got Goosefur's blood pumping, heart pounding, eyes wide and glazed. But borders like Fogclan...those were easy. Not a problem.

Of course, after one has chosen the respective border, one must also invest the time to learning the usual patrol schedule for that clan. This was harder. It took a lot of watching and listening during Gatherings, along with milling through scents, finding out which ones were old. She had spent much time doing this; her tracking skills were improving because of it.

Finally, one had to actually work on the hopping itself. It wasn't a matter of putting a toe over the border. You had to get your whole body over and then back really fast. It was a work-out really. You hop over, you hop back. Sometimes, if one is very talented, you can progress to zig-zagging. But hopping is the most fun.

Today, Goosefur was practicing those skills. She had spent an entire day hopping a bit of Meadow, before relaxing with a quick hop-over at Pine. And now it was evening and the sky was still bright, but the tinges of the sunset were beginning to tease her. She would have to go back soon. But first, she'd accidentally on purpose follow the faint scent of a cat she knew very well. When she had first caught wind of it, hope had sprung in her heart and she had hopped her way farther and farther until she reached here.

The Gathering meeting place.

She hid at the edge, her eyes searching for Loonstep, hoping for Loonstep, wanting Loonstep to appear and to smile at her. Or, if he didn't see her, she could surprise him.

That would be great fun. Goosefur loved surprises.

[Cloud of Diamonds]

Good earth, did he need to escape. Life was just...complicated right now. He had no idea what the future held.

First there was the rescue of Rain, which he'd helped in. If ever there was something intended to upset PineClan, that was it. Rock in a beehive, that had been. Not that he was blaming the strangely accented loner; he was grateful, like all PineClanners were, that he had saved Willowpaw. But whether Rain deserved to stay...he didn't know. He honestly didn't know. He didn't even know whether or not Rain wanted to stay. Maybe he'd just leave as soon as he was fit.

But what if he didn't? That was the question that kept on occurring to the tom as he rock-stepped his way toward the Gathering place.

And if Gingerstar didn't want to let him stay? Even she couldn't be so hardhearted...right? He found himself feeling anxious for the large gray tom. Perhaps more than he strictly should.

So absorbed was he in his troubling thoughts that he only realized he'd reached the center of the four Clans when old scents barraged his nose like blows.

But there was one scent that was much fresher than the others...much fresher. With increasing anxiety that he was being watched, the PineClanner sniffed the air repeatedly, trying to single the fresh scent out from so many others. Oh, he knew it so well!

Her.

He let out a breath. Of course. Now where was the little rascal?

[Whiskers]

She loved her luck. It made her want to throw back her head and just laugh-- she wished Loonstep knew where she was so she could bump his shoulder and force him to laugh with her. Knowing him he wouldn't until she did, and then her actions would be so goofy he'd have to laugh. He wasn't an natural laugher. He needed a push.

Hopefully this push would be enough. Goosefur's eyebrows raised as she locked her gaze on his form. He was such an interesting specimen when he concentrated, or when he had something on his mind. She always found him the most... amazing when he was in those moods. Ne one could touch him. He went away, to places magical and mysterious, where the sole occupant was him. She wondered if it ever got lonely there; even if he did get lonely he would never let anyone in.

She could see the clouds of thought in his eyes, even from here. The way he put his ears down and then flicked them back up tipped her off too, and his crouch, was was always a flustered badger pup, looked like a limping, three-legged dog now. He always needed to put one hundred percent into his crouches because of his unusual step, so his terrible crouch meant he was thinking of something more important.

All this told her she would easily surprise him. All she had to do was be quiet and stealthy, like the first falling leaf of the new season.

She pressed herself to the ground, her belly touching the warm earth. She slid like an adder toward her prey, slowly letting her body rise into a more natural crouch as she came closer. She was no badger or bumbling two-leg. She was a predator.

And then his head came up and a breath was inhaled and she knew that her sneaky-beautiful-creepy surprise was about to get ruined because of her scent! She had no choice but to take a risk and hope for the best-- so she did not slink closer like she should, as she was still too far away from him to really attack. She took the leap of faith-- in this case a literal one-- stretching her body, pushing herself out and--

flop

Goosefur managed to pounce on half of Loonstep-- and the half in question was his rump. She slid off and fell onto her own bottom with a slight "umph" and she sighed in disappointment. If she had put just a little more power into that jump she would have tackled him like a pro. He would have been so impressed with her.

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[Cloud of Diamonds]

"WARGH!" Was his first response, a loud yowl that no doubt any cat within four treelengths would have easily heard. Great job, genius, he growled at himself.

Because, of course, it was only his kithood friend. A bemused turn of his neck told him that. A sight more comical could not have greeted his yellow eyes. He could not help laughing as he looked at the small StreamClanner who was so ungracefully sprawled behind his short black tail after trying to leap on him.

Ah well, we all get what he deserve, he thought, still grinning.

"How's the weather down there?" The warrior couldn't resist asking, though he knew it probably only serve to make her more bent on revenge.

Getting up, he turned with wide steps to face Goosefur. "You know, you might have been able to properly tackle me if you'd only put a bit more spring in your hind legs. Even with your puny size, you had the element of surprise, so you were stronger. But now I know you're here, so I can do whatever I want." His face lit up with mischief, an emotion so rarely seen upon his often withdrawn and serious visage.

So rarely. For a moment he thought of all the problems waiting for him back home, and also an unexpected pang of guilt that he didn't see Cranetail or Duckstripe as much. He should try, at least. But they were so committed to their Clans - like he should try to be. Instead of trying to run away from his problems like a kit. But it was as a kit that he'd been the happiest, and here was living proof. Was it really so wrong to enjoy this?

It was, but he wouldn't let that ruin this now. This was completely unplanned, and they weren't breaking any rules. Well, not strictly.

[Whiskers]

How's the weather down there?

Goosefur let out a tiny groan. He was going to hold his over her head for a long time, wasn't he? Maybe even forever. And as embarrassing as it was, it was equally parts hilarious and story-worthy. She could already hear the tale he would weave at the Gathering, when it was only him, her, Cranetail and Duckfang. So I'm strolling along and this little goose comes flying out of no where, hitting me square in the rump...

She just had to giggle. It would become an age-old classic, she realized and those were always fun. Soon it would be a remember when, a perfect tale that would transport them back to the times of togetherness and completeness. Thinking this way-- optimistically as always, that was Goosefur's style-- put her in a great mood and she came to terms with her failure easily. Just look how happy it made Loonstep! Why, his eyes were sparkling and Loonstep's eyes never sparkled!


His last comment struck her as a bit odd though. Were her ears deceiving her or was that lil' comment rather suggestive? Her ears perked, her head tilted as she considered this. He could do "whatever he wanted," eh? Well, Loonstep wasn't known for being naughty in any sort of... physical way-- heck, in any way-- so she decided that whatever connotation she was pulling from the phrase was wrong. He was just trying to be all mysterious, mischievous, pull a laugh from her muzzle.

So she giggled again, louder and heartier, still splayed across the ground quite awkwardly (but who cared? It was Loonstep, he probably didn't mind her bein' all foolish). "First of all-- don't lecture me on my crouch and pounce, I could beat you in a hunting competition any day. Just name the time, the place and be prepared for utter and complete annihilation," she tried to make her voice deep and aggressive, but she just sounded weird.

"And secondly--" she rolled onto her belly and peeked at Loonstep's looming form through her eyelashes. She purred. "The weather down here is soooooooo nice. I think I'll stay a while. You can join me if you want."

She waited a heartbeat and when he did not answer her right away, she extended a paw and lightly swiped at his chin with her paw, as if she was a kit playing with a moss ball. She grinned; how she loved playing and/or annoying Loonstep.

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[Cloud of Diamonds]

He laughed his strange, hissing laugh that almost sounded like he was angry, except he wasn't. "Ss-ss-ss-ss-ss-ss-ss-ss-ss-ss-ss-ss-ss." The bird cat laughed, rocking back and forth so much that he nearly collapsed. That would have been bad - he might have crushed his dainty friend.

The hunting thing hurt a bit - he winced reflexively. Not Goosefur's fault, of course. It's just that was true, and there was very little he could do to change it. His odd step made him bad at catching anything faster than the average snail. He could catch things besides fish, of course but only if it was a good day for him, he was focusing like heck, and he got lucky.

Catching fish, though...so much easier. So much better. Just thinking of how much he loved water and catching fish made him close his eyes and sigh. There was absolutely nothing he loved more. With the possible exception of his friends.

But not like that. A sudden thought of himself and a she-cat popped up, and he tried his hardest to shove it away. He couldn't help wondering, though. Wondering what life would be like if there was one cat he loved more than anything.

That's never going to happen, he argued with himself. I'm not in love and I never will be. It's not for me. There was also of the feeling of betraying his friends if he ever fell in love with a PineClan she-cat. He had always loved them the most - he didn't want that to change. Friendship love only. It was all he was allowed.

But he smiled - sure it was all he was allowed, but that was just fine. Look what he had - look at this cute goofball before him who was his best friend forever and always would be.

"Oh, really?" He said lightly, just dodging her paw swipe. "Well then, I will." He flopped down beside her, purposely bumping her as he stretched out. It was almost comical how much bigger he was than her - nearly twice her size. Yet despite that, he was still smaller than Bluefur and Rain, but then they had to be the biggest cats in the Clans, if not ever.

[Whiskers]

Goosefur was delighted when Loonstep actually took her up on her 'offer' though it had just been a teasing, off-handed comment really. But that didn't matter; she squealed as he flopped down with the awkwardness that only Loonstep could achieve and she didn't even care that she was bumped a bit to the side as his body came down. She quickly changed her position, rolling away from Loonstep-- he had situated himself practically on top of her-- and settling on her stomach. She was still pretty close to Loonstep, of course, maybe two mouse-lengths between them, she didn't really know, nor did she care. Actually, now that she had gotten more comfortable, she realized she missed the brief contact that she and Loonstep had shared.

And so she crawled back toward her friend and snuggled up against his side, tail curling behind her in happiness. Goosefur rested her head on her paws. Instantly, she felt at home and she breathed deep, filling her whole body up with the scent of Loonstep and the forest. True, she was still missing her sister and Cranetail. Both should be here, Goosefur thought to herself. After all, Goosefur had another side to snuggle with, and she was so used to being practically suffocated by her friends. They all insisted on sleeping close of course. It had been a tradition since they had been small kits.

"Mmm, that's better," she breathed out and flicked her tail against Loonstep's before she turned her head to look at him. "Y'know I forgot how comfortable you were. I remember when I used to use you as a pillow." She recalled this with a signature giggle. He had complained about being laid on back then, called her a fat lazy kittypet if she remembered correctly. Of course he didn't mean it. Loonstep would never insult her like that if he knew it would actually hurt her feelings. Sides, he had never pulled away, even when he insisted that he was going to. So he secretly liked it.

At least, that's what she thought. Goosefur almost wanted to hoist herself up and put head on him just to replay old times. Buuuut she knew things were changing. She just snuggled a bit closer, eyes closing.

"I"m tired," she murmured against him.

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[Cloud of Diamonds]

OOC: OMFG I'm so sorry this is so late. D: How will you ever forgive me?

BIC: His feelings were complex and most had history - but a few were completely new and strange and he wasn't sure how he felt about them. Well, except that he knew he wanted to push them away.

First off was something good: His amusement. The white and tabby StreamClanner knew how to make him laugh like no one else, maybe not even his brother or her sister. He felt warm inside from how happy she made him. Or maybe that was just the heat of her head.

Then there was pain. This was easily recognized and explained: He knew that things like this could not last much longer. He was buying them on borrowed time. One day, he would have to break away, no matter how much it hurt. He would have to pay. Everything had a price, and he was deep in debt already.

The returning, unwelcome, weird thoughts of having a mate. Loonstep had never wanted a mate, never thought about romance, never looked at a she-cat for love. Like all cats, he had felt some small urges, but he had repressed them to nearly the point of nonexistence. Or so he thought. Now, for some unknown reason, they were springing up again. He wanted to destroy them, but to do that he would need to -

Goosefur.

And there was the answer. The horrible answer he did not want to be real. But it was. And it was all his fault.

His oldest fear of falling in love with his kithood friend might be coming true. No. He would not let it. He hardened his resolve. They would be friends. They would be that and nothing else. Forever and always.

"Well then, fall asleep. I'm sure Cloudstar will let you off." He teased in a lighthearted tone, trying to put his dark thoughts aside.

[Whiskers]

How lovely would that be. Falling asleep, Loonstep by her, keeping her warmer than any of her clanmates ever could. It was a summer day anyway, so she was pretty comfortable. And the longer she lay still, the heavier her eyelids were becoming. It would be so easy, falling asleep here. She wondered if Loonstep was sleepy too. She looked up at him, through her eyelashes again, trying to be discreet about it. His eyes were wide open, not at all tired. And they were yellow. Well look at that. For some unknown reason, Goosefur was surprised. Back in her old den, she remembered Loonstep with these bright green eyes, the exact shade of the forest that was once the backdrop of their many adventures. It perturbed her greatly that she would forget something like that. The color of her friend's eyes, the 'windows to his soul'-- she could never forget such a thing again. If she did, she would never forgive herself.

She looked away, desperation creeping into her soul. Things were changing. She did not want them to change. Ever. But here they were, stuck in the Gathering, a place of many cats, currently only occupied by two. Loonstep would go soon. If she fell asleep, she felt this disturbing feeling that she would wake up and he would not be there. He would leave her. Slip away carefully, hardly make a sound, be extra careful with his strange, awkward gait. She would not miss him, nor would she stir. Only when her eyes opened again would she be faced with the reality that she was alone and her friend had left.

It made her want to cry. It was such a stupid thought-- so sad-- but there was so much truth in it that Goosefur wanted to bury her head in the ground and cry like a kitten. It never occured to her before, how much she missed her friends. Maybe because she didn't see their parting as good-bye back then. Now she saw that it was becoming that. One day they might all be strangers to each other. It was inevitable wasn't it? Even she was beginning to branch out and make new friends, speak to new cats. It was ridiculous, but her happiness in Streamclan was making her feel terribly sad now.

She remembered something a kittypet once told her, when she was on the road. It was a two-leg saying. Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold. It was terrible that Goosefur was wondering which was which now, when she had been so positive back then.

No, no, no. She knew the right answer. It was in her soul. It was the reason she was so close to bawling childishly right now. Loonstep held the answer in his golden eyes, didn't he?

But it was not a comforting thought. In fact, for some reason, she wanted to cry even more now.

"I can't go to sleep," she said-- and her voice was shaking, so it was no use trying to smile and hide it, Loonstep would see she was upset. So she might as well just admit what she was thinking. This was her bestest friend forever. She told him everything. He had seen her when she was blissfully happy, and when she was heartbroken and miserable. "If I do, you'll leave."

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[Cloud of Diamonds]

Her words struck him like a stone - because they were true. If she had fallen asleep, he would have laid by her for a little while, then left as quietly as possible. Was it bad of him to do to her? Was it the right thing to do for his Clan? Which, ultimately, was the right decision? Clan, he mumbled to himself shamefacedly. Clan comes before everything, before friendship, before kin, before life itself. But did he really want to live that way? He didn't know. Yet if he left PineClan, he would never see them again. At least here, he had a chance. Hints of other drastic thoughts whispered in the back of his mind, but he shut them out. That was another promise he had made to himself, never to be broken.

He sighed and bowed his broad black-splotched head, his night-colored tail waving softly over the ground.

"I cannot deny the truth; you are right. But it is nothing against you, you know that. I would die for you if I could." He said comfortingly in his soft, deep mew. He would. She was his friend, always, even if there came a time when they could no longer see each other. "It is that I cannot pretend to be sure of anything anymore, Goosefur. I know nothing, now - not what I would do, or anyone else." His face grew even sadder, wistful, regretting that he must harm the little StreamClanner.

"But I can stay for just a bit longer." He murmured, licking her head in an effort to cheer her up. She had always been the most sensitive of them all - this must be breaking her heart. And he felt horrible - but there was nothing, nothing at all, that he could do.