Chapter 25 - Moss Balls
Bramblesnow shifted in her nest, uncomfortably. Her mate, Lionstorm lay next to her, fast asleep. Still. He couldn't help her current dilemma. Waspflight had been kicking and moaning all night. Bramblesnow knew he missed Mintleaf, his new mate but it was no excuse to be an annoying loud furball.
“You don’t have to make such a big deal of it!” She grumble-whispered when Waspflight’s leg jabbed at her side.
“Hm?” Lionstorm groaned, half asleep, turning his head to see Bramblesnow.
“Nothing.” she murmured, gritting her teeth. She wanted to yell at Waspflight, or even kick him back, but she knew she had to be calm, like she always was.
If she was like Lionstorm all yelly and sometimes bossy, the clan would go nowhere. But Bramblesnow’s mate was Lionstorm, so she supposed she didn't mind it too much.
It was then and there she made a decision. She would finally not be nice. Finally not be peaceful or calm. Just her messy, annoyed sometimes self. I start tomorrow… She thought, happy to have a goal again. But then of course, she fell asleep.
The Next Morning…
“Get up!” The acting deputy, Shadedmoon announced “It's time for patrol.”
Bramblesnow almost said fine, but remembered her idea.
“Its to early for patrol!” Bramblesnow grumbled. “The sun isn't even up!”
The sun was up. Bramblesnow just wanted to be grumpy and don't know how. Ha! This is already fun! She thought happily, still half asleep.
“You alright?” Lionstorm asked tentatively, “You seem a little off…”
“Better than ever!” Bramblesnow exclaimed, “I’m going back to sleep. Tell Shadedmoon I’ll go on patrol another day.”
“Ok?” Lionstorm replied, curious. Luckily he didn't say anything, but she knew he knew something was different. She also knew he thought that difference wasn't good.
But today she didn’t care. She wanted to be free, and so she did that. But laying down, she wondered if this was the right choice.
A Little While Later...
Bramblesnow sighed. The whole being rebellious thing hadn’t worked. She was now on the moss gathering patrol. Apparently her ‘Falling asleep when the clan needed her’ idea hadn't gone over so well with Shadedmoon. Now Lionstorm and her, as a little punishment, were gathering moss for nests… At least they were almost done.
“Do we have enough now?” Bramblesnow asked, kind of glad to be back to her normal self.
“I think so…” Lionstorm chuckled, looking at the moss ball in his paws, so big it reached up to his belly. Bramblesnow’s was about the same size.
“Race you to camp!” Bramblesnow giggled, already off.
“I’ll win!” Lionstorm exclaimed, rolling his moss ball slowly compared to Bramblesnows.
They ran through the wood, clumsily rolling their moss balls , behaving like kits. Bramblesnow loved it. She wanted to be in this moment forever. But while she was lost in happiness, she didn't pay attention to her paws. Or her nose.
So of course she was surprised when she fell down the gorge entrance to a huge, smoking fire.