The Sandman took a vacation

[Snigger]

A moonless night with only stars twinkling above. The nice sound of rustling leaves could just lull anyone right off into a deep slumber. Everyone but one. A lone cat, slinking in through the entrance of the camp, was as restless as a stirred bee’s nest. The she-cat limped through the darkest of shadows, keeping her weight off her right forepaw. She slid down to the ground and licked the injured paw, trying to get the blood out of her white fur. Though at the moment it was a dirty white, covered it dust as the rest of her pelt. The dappled area looked dull in comparison to how it usually was. Her green eyes fell on the ground and stayed there in a half-closed state. Even though poor Soulpaw was tired with exhaustion sleep would not come to her. For some time she would sneak out at night to train herself in fighting. Her miniscule body wasn’t made for fighting, but hunting. Though she refused to give up any idea of being useless in a fight. She had grown some, but still was about the size of a young apprentice. She licked her paw again as the throbbing pain pulled her out of her daze. For some time she hadn’t seen head or tail of Joypaw. Not even Twilightpaw, who fate seemed to throw at her repeatedly in a violent manner. Her whiskers twitched as she slowly turned her head to look at the apprentice’s den. When was the last time she had even slept in there? The corner in which she laid now was a bit worn down from coming back here night after night. Awhile, she imagined. Her eyes fluttered for a second, promising sleep, but they snapped open right afterward. She just couldn’t get a break, could she?

[Legion]

Twilightpaw, small, lithe, and rather aggressive, Twilightpaw. Covered in scars from head to toe, with ruffled fur and patched skin. Why was this young apprentice so beaten and battered. It was under ThunderClan's Leader's orders that he do this. Venturing into foreign territory to check if expansion was possible. He hated Leopardstar so much now. That mission was fruitful, but so dangerous. Badgers and foxes, other wild cats, and even twolegs had interrupted his journey. Of course, it hadn't been all bad, there were some good things that had happened on his adventure, some bad too. But, that was all in the past, and now he was back. Back and as strong as could be. So why did he feel like his legs were about to give out. He looked at the sky. He had long since forgotten the cycle of day and night, whatever time he had energy was the time to walk, when ever he didn't it was time to sleep.

He looked at the stun guards for a moment, and ignored them. Better to just ignore the looks and continue on with his work. Reporting to Leopardstar, what a drag... He meowed in a low tone, cursing that slothful giant of a cat with every word in his vast vocabulary, he had even learned some new ones, but they lacked the oomph he was looking for. He looked around ThunderClan... Same as always, not much had changed in the moons he was gone. He wondered what had happened to all his friends... What friends? There was... Nope, none of them had names. He had no friends. Sad to think about, but a fact he had to acknowledge or he'd forever be moping about it. Maybe he'd try making some friends, but it seemed like needless strife, seeing as how he might be sent on a mission, or his friends might die before he could get to know them well.

He coasted into the apprentice dens, knowing that sleep was something that was unattainable, with all the thoughts that were burning through his head, but not feeling up to recounting a whole journey to Leopardstar who must certainly would be on his last legs by now. That slacker... Always sleeping, or talking to some she-cat. At least, that's how he saw it. And yet, something about that cat disturbed him. Why did Leopardstar take an interest in him anyway? Why not one of the other cats whose names he did not know. Why not a warrior of all people? Strange. He'd have to ponder this more after a good nights sleep.

[Snigger]

Pawsteps, they filtered to Soulpaw’s ears. Lazily her head swiveled to watch someone else come from the entrance. Her pelt prickled as her green eyes picked out a ragged and scared pelt. It wasn’t someone she recognized and the scent only carried fresh scent of ThunderClan. Her lips pulled back as she barred her teeth at this stranger. She pulled herself onto her paws, her injured one spiking with pain. But she ignored it as she crept through the shadows. It was a perfect stalk. No noise, no disturbance, and completely hidden in the shadows. She drew closer and studied the tom. Something twinged inside her. A prickling sensation she couldn’t place. A memory was trying to resurface into her mind. Has she met this cat before? He slunk into the apprentice’s den like he owned the place. Not if she could stop that. Her paws lightly stepped forward as she followed him inside. And like he was a piece of prey, she pounced.

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