𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐒, stars and moon 4

『 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟷𝟾 』

SPOTTEDSONG AWOKE TO warm fur pressed against hers, and a muzzle rested against her own. She blinked sleep from her eyes and saw that Gorseberry was sleeping peacefully, curled around her. She stretched her jaws wide with a yawn, and she sat up and began to stretch. Gorseberry stirred beside her but didn't wake. As Spottedsong stretched her legs, Owlheart peeked into the den. "Spottedsong, I'd like for you, Gorseberry, Skystorm, and I to go on a border patrol whenever you're ready."

"Yes, Owlheart. I'll be there soon," Spottedsong meowed.

Owlheart dipped his head and left the den.

Spottedsong finished washing herself and then nudged Gorseberry's cheek with her nose. Gorseberry opened his eyes and looked at her, blinking sleep from them. "Owlheart wants me and you on a border patrol."

Gorseberry nodded as he sat up, then he licked her nose.

Spottedsong purred and gently cuffed his ear. "Not now." She couldn't keep a hint of amusement out of her voice. "You know how Owlheart is. Let's go."

Gorseberry didn't respond, but then he nodded.

"We'll be waiting for you," Spottedsong mewed as she left and Gorseberry began to stretch and groom his sleep-ruffled pelt.

Before she could leave, Gorseberry ran after her and jumped on her before she could leave. They fell down together and back on their nest. Spottedsong purred as Gorseberry licked her cheek and nuzzled her neck. She curled her tail around his and licked his head and looked into his eyes affectionately, leaning her forehead against his.

"If you're quite done, I would like to go on patrol now."

Spottedsong looked up to see Skystorm standing beside them. "Sorry. But come on."

Skystorm's eyes glittered with amusement. "You know I'm just teasing. I'm happy for you two, really. But seriously, can we just go?"

"Fine." Spottedsong touched her nose to Gorseberry's before she stood up. She gave Skystorm a sideways glance, feeling slightly embarrassed. "All right, let's go." She waved her tail and led the two toms out of the den and toward where Owlheart was waiting by the camp entrance. "Sorry for the delay. We're ready now."

"Great. But Skystorm, the hunting patrol needs an extra pair of paws. Would you mind going with them instead?" Owlheart asked, gesturing toward the hunting patrol. Hollyfern was leading them away from camp.

"I don't mind. See you two later," Skystorm added to Spottedsong and Gorseberry before he left.

"All right, let's go now." Owlheart waved his tail, and they were off.

***

When they were at the ThunderClan border, they all stayed together as they headed for the far side of the border first. The ground was still a bit muddy from the bad storm half a moon ago; it had been extremely cloudy ever since, and the water had no chance to dry up. It did dry up a lot, though. Spottedsong despised the squelching of mud under her paws, but she didn't complain. Gorseberry didn't seem to like it much, either, as he made a disgusted face as he walked through the mud. Owlheart strode confidently a whisker-length ahead of them.