sitting in the morning sun [appleleaf]

[Semper]

The sound of running water had soothed her for as long as she could remember, so much so that she had been named after the small river. It was rather large now, due to the melting of the snow as New-Leaf came. Sunlight sparkled on the rush water at her paws, and as the river rushed over the rocks, it cast glittering droplets everywhere. Echostream blinked and sniffed as one landed on her nose, shaking it off with a jerk of the head. Something as small as that, however, could not spark any irritation; the day was simply too nice and the water too calming.

It was no secret that the she-cat often sat by the stream's edge, crouched on the moss covered rocks. Occasionally her habit irked the harder working, more motivated warriors, but they simply did not understand. It was better that she stay by the river and look pretty. Echostream had no talent for hunting or fighting; she would probably end up scaring prey away anyway and making it harder to catch for those who could hunt. Besides, she was content to simply sit by the stream and admire her own reflection.

The she-cat licked a paw and ran it over her face a few times as thoughts strayed to her clanmates. Most of them were decent to her - at least to her face. They were polite enough, certainly, and though she loved talking with other cats, they did not always seem willing to talk to her. Of course the kits were always fun; they did not know the intricacies of life yet and were always pleased at the prospect of a warrior taking the time to play with them. Perhaps she would want kits some day... it was always a possibility. Echostream hummed quietly to herself in satisfaction as her thoughts continued down that path. Maybe it could happen, some day.

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[Shizuka]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true] [bg=a9e429] ----------------------------------------- Appleleaf's fluffy tail flicked off droplets of water that fell from above. New-leaf had come at last! Even though the only season that didn't give him a hard time hunting without looking like a bright red target saying, "here I am, world! All prey look out for the bright red cat!", was New-Fall, he, like most other cats, found the return of New-Leaf to be quite a relief from all the stress that Leaf-Bare brought with it. Of course, the tension with Thunderclan wasn't over, but at least both sides now didn't have to worry so much about sickness, starvation or dying of cold. Appleleaf crawled out from under the bush he thought would be a nice peaceful spot to relax and take a cat nap. Oh well, that can wait, I guess. He thought to himself cheerfully. With the arrival of New-Leaf, nothing could keep his good mood away. One nice thing about his thick red pelt was that petty water droplets just ran right off it. Appleleaf smiled to himself, and was coming around a tree, purring cheerfully, when he saw the beautiful she-cat sitting by the edge of a stream, full of water that was the melting snow from the fading Leaf-bare. As always, he felt the same warm tug on his heart when he saw Echostream. He wondered, and truly hoped, that maybe now that they had only good seasons to look forward to, they could get to know each other more, and become...more than friends. Appleleaf walked up to the she-cat still purring cheerfully, and meowed. "Beautiful weather, isn't it?" He smiled and sat beside her near the stream. "Mind if I join you?" He asked just to be sure. ----------------------------------------- ooc: <3 ^^ words: 283 words tags: Echostream

[Semper]

She sighed softly and her eyes strayed to her reflection. If she wanted to have kits, she would have to start by finding a mate. The warrior had always thought that life was lonely without a family; her own father had left her and her mother when she had been 5 moons. In fact, her reflection almost seemed lonely with no one there beside her. A voice cut through her thoughts. At the pleasant sound, Echostream jumped slightly and turned pale green eyes on the newcomer. A small smile touched her lips as she recognized him as Appleleaf, one of the few who genuinely enjoyed her company. Or he was an amazing actor. However, for her own sake and self-esteem, the warrior brushed that thought from her mind, instead letting the hopeful happiness take over. "Oh, I don't mind at all," She hastened to reassure him as he sat down beside her. "Appleleaf, what a pleasant surprise; I was just thinking that some company might be nice, and then you came!" Her smile widened as she glanced sideways at him.

Her silvery tail flicked as she looked back down at the water rushing past their paws. "The weather is really nice," She agreed amicably. "It's always a nice feeling when New-leaf comes. Prey returns and the cold weather slowly subsides..." Her voice trailed off as she purred softly in satisfaction, feeling the muscles along her spine ripple slightly as she shifted position. The sun shone brightly down on them, warming her fur; combined with the sound of the stream, the warm rays comforted and soothed her. If she stayed here long enough, Echostream thought that she would be able to fall alseep. Idly, she wondered if Appleleaf felt the same way about the stream. It would be nice if someone else understood how she felt here, since no other cat seemed to.

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[Shizuka]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true] [bg=a9e429] ----------------------------------------- Appleleaf purred even more, and returned Echostream's beautiful smile with his own, brightened by his brillient emerald eyes, also pleased by the coincidence. "That's good. I also just happened to be looking for someone else to spend a pleasant morning with, and there you were, by the stream." He replied, his wide smile framed by the slanting shape of the fur lining his cheeks as he gazed down at the water rippling by, giving off a pleasant trickling sound that he could fall asleep to. It was like an inner peace that he had yet to embrace. "Mhmm..." He purred in agreement. "I wish New-Leaf would come and stay forever." He meowed blissfully. "Then this place would stay the same, and the stream could continue flowing forever..." He reached his paws forward until they touched the stream's surface as he stretched, then proceeded to lie down. "It's so calming, I could fall asleep right now! Don't you think so, too, Echostream? And the stream is so pretty, I could stare at it forever, hehe." He purred happily. ----------------------------------------- ooc: <3 ^^ words: 283 words tags: Echostream

[/quote]

[Semper]

Echostream purred softly and smiled at him. He shared the same sentiments as her about the stream. It was nice to find someone else with whom she could relate. StarClan knew that those cats seemed to be few. Nodding in agreement, she settled herself beside him, though she kept her paws out of the stream. "Yes, I would be so nice if New-leaf could stay forever." Her voice was soft, tone pleasant, though still loud enough to hear over the water. A purr seemed to mix in with it, her underlying glee and contentment at the situation. "If the sun would shine like this every single day. If the river flowed on for eternity." She paused, then added daringly, playfully, "And of course, you'd be here beside me, enjoying it and keeping me company; I should hate to be alone all my life." Even if he would be there as a friend, he would be company. And really, she favored Appleleaf over many of ShadowClan's other toms.

At his next words, she purred once more in agreement. "Yes, often when I sit here I end up dozing. The water is just so soothing, you know?" Her pale emerald eyes travelled from his bright green orbs to the river and their reflections. They rested side by side, her pale fur almost touching his fiery orange-red. Their eyes were bright against their fur, and her's appeared light and happy. And very satisfied. Extremely satisfied.

[Shizuka]

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[atrb=width,204,true][atrb=background,http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad342/Shizuka_Hyuga/Appleleafscrollie.png][scrolly:h(258),w(204),sy, c()] ------------------------------ He felt his heart almost skip a beat, just at the mention, or the slightest hint of her saying that she enjoyed being with him. Appleleaf smiled affectionately at Echostream, as their green eyes met when she nodded in agreement. Every moment he spent with her, he found it harder to hide his feelings of affection for her. She was beautiful, and kind, and still there were things that he didn't know that he wanted to know more about her. For now, he felt it was a miracle that someone as insignificant as he could be able to even spend time alone with Echostream. "Mhmm." He purred in agreement, blinking slowly. After gazing, his bright green eyes half-open, peacefully at the stream, his ears flicked up and a red paw shot out at a passing minnow. But he was left empty-pawed, and the minnow swam by untouched completely. Appleleaf smiled and chuckled in embarrassment. "Guess I should leaving fishing to the Riverclan cats." But the cool water felt good on his toes at least, and he licked his paw, while watching the ripples in the stream fade away and be washed along to wherever the stream went. ------------------------------ [/scrolly]

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[atrb=background,http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad342/Shizuka_Hyuga/Appleleafmiddle.png] o o c || sorry for the delay and lame post >w< w o r d s || 196 t a g s || Echostream <3

[Semper]

Echostream had closed her eyes as well in contentment, letting a soft stream of continuous purrs leave her chest as she sat there, soaking in the sunlight. Of course, she always felt Appleaf's presense by her side; how could she not? He was a friend, and a very close one at that. There would be no harsh comments about relaxing and wasting time from him. The sun felt so nice... She might dose off. The scent of the forest was all around her, and her companion's mingled with it, putting her even more at peace. This was what she wanted to live with every day. This was perfec---

A splash from her side made her eyes snap open. Quickly she took in the scene around her: Appleleaf's paw in the water, claws unsheathed, a small fish darting away at top speed, Appleleaf's sheepish expression. Her lips broke into another grin as she looked at him and he let out a small chuckle. "Yes, Appleleaf," She laughed softly, "I think that would be best. There's a reason we're in ShadowClan -- the best clan in the forest -- and not in RiverClan. Apart from the fact that I don't think I could spend my whole life eating fish. Blech!" She pulled a disgusted face, imagining what the scaley creature's must taste like. Since RiverClan seemed to smell of their prey every time they had a Gathering, she did not have high hopes for the taste of the creatures.

OOC: Also not good, but it's something. And sorry for any typos; I can't type today. x.x

[Shizuka]

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[atrb=width,204,true][atrb=background,http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad342/Shizuka_Hyuga/Appleleafscrollie.png][scrolly:h(258),w(204),sy, c()] ------------------------------ Appleleaf sighed. "I've never tried a fish before-partly because I can't catch one to safe my fur-but last time I smelled a Riverclanner's breath at the last Gathering I went to, I can only imagine that it must taste terrible!" He squinted his eyes and wrinkled his nose as he remembered the disgusting scent. "Even if I did catch one, I'd certainly not be the one eating it!" He laughed cheerfully. He continued to lay down beside the edge of the stream, watching the ripples quickly fade away, and the current return to its course, and he began to truly wish that they could stay like that together forever. Gazing over at Echostream and smiling, he again was overwhelmed by the one wish; that he could protect her forever, and that they could always be together. He loved and cherished the precious times they spent together as good friends who grew up together as kits, apprentices, and then warriors. But whenever he was with her, a warm feeling came over him, and he felt a tug at his heart. He wanted...to be more than friends. He wanted to be the one Echostream loved more than anybody else, for he felt like she was the only one he loved more than anything in the entire world. It was only seven seconds, just seven precious moments that he needed, with courage out-lasting any other, at that moment. "Echostream" He meowed softly, pronouncing her name with such passion. "I want to tell you how I feel about you....I...I love you, Echostream!" He meowed, and his bright emerald eyes shone as he gazed at Echostream with affection. As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt his pelt go hot all over in embarrassment, but he couldn't look away. He had to know how Echostream felt about him. Did she feel the same way? Or would this mark the tragic end of their friendship. ------------------------------ [/scrolly]

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[atrb=background,http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad342/Shizuka_Hyuga/Appleleafmiddle.png] o o c || I'm bad at keeping up with rps where they just sit and chat, and so yay! He finally confessed! ^^ it was about time anyway lol w o r d s || 321 t a g s || Echostream <3

[Semper]

Echostream grinned widely, turning her head slightly so that she could take in the river at their paws. Her smile faded slightly as her thoughts ran the ever present track. Appleleaf. She knew now what those bursts of warmth and affection were in her chest every time she saw him, why her heart skipped a beat whenever he spoke. Echostream wanted to tell him of her revelation - it was about him, after all - but what if he took it the wrong way? What if he cast her away like every other cat did? He was the only cat in ShadowClan with whom she could truely hold a conversation, who seemed truely interested in what she had to say. Could she risk all of that and tell him?

She looked up at Appleleaf, split in two and hoping that the sight of him would help soothe her conflict. He himself appeared to be gathering up some courage. An ear flicked and she smiled at him in encouragement. Go on. You have nothing to worry about. Nothing could make me leave your side. And that was true, she would be with him as a friend, even if he met another she-cat... The jealousy and hurt that coursed through her, tangled and intwined, surprised her with its strength. No. The thought of Appleleaf and some unknown other she-cat was unbearable. That was the last motivation she needed. On an impulse, gathering her courage, she opened her mouth to address him.

But he stopped her. He spoke her name so softly, with so much feeling, and she loved the way it sounded on his tongue, with his voice. It distracted her from her previous thoughts, and she had no problem letting them settle for the time being. Had she never noticed the way he always addressed her? Perhaps she had, but if she had not, she certainly would now. But he was continuing, his voice remaining as soft as before. How does he feel about me? The question existed only for a moment, and that moment seemed to last an eternity. Thoughts, worries, fears flew through her mind, crowding it. If it was something bad... Would he set her up for a fall like this? But he had spoken her name so gently... One also did before delivering bad news as well... Panic coursed through her. Wait! I don't want to know! I don't want to know if you hate me!

But the moment was passed. He continued on. The truth was all that she had hoped for in her dreams. Echostream let out a loud, relieved sigh and could not prevent the wide smile that crossed her face. All her worries were calmed; now she had to soothe his. "I love you too, Appleaf," She meowed with ease, not needing any courage since she knew how he felt about her. "I've loved every moment I spent with you, cherish every conversation we have." Now that she knew that he loved her, Echostream felt as though she could continue on all day about the depth of her love for him, which she had truely only discovered moments ago. The amount of love a cat could hold startled her, but at the same time, it wasn't enough. Not for him.

[Shizuka]

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[atrb=width,204,true][atrb=background,http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad342/Shizuka_Hyuga/Appleleafscrollie.png][scrolly:h(258),w(204),sy, c()] ------------------------------ Seconds felt like hours to him in that tiny moment as he awaited Echostream's reply to his confession, and the reply came as a whirlwind of miracles better than anything he had ever dreamed of. This was almost too amazing to be real! Was this a dream? It couldn't be! Because if it were so, than nothing else would be real! For soon after, Echostream proved her words with more, and he realized he wasn't breathing. "S-s-f-f-r-really!?" He finally managed to stutter, his brilliant emerald eyes wide in amazement, a wide smile coming over his dark ginger face. There was hardly anything he could say to thoroughly tell her how much he loved her, and his happiest purr yet began a-rumbling in his chest. "I want to be with you forever! You're the only one I love more than anything in the entire world!" His bright green eyes shone as he meowed passionately. "Will you...will you stay by my side forever and ever, until only death brings us apart?" He then proposed, gazing honestly into Echostream's eyes as the sun seemed to light up his red tabby pelt. This was the climax, but a climax that could only get more heated up from there, for now it seemed like simple words could change the world. He wanted to love and protect her forever. ------------------------------ [/scrolly]

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[atrb=background,http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad342/Shizuka_Hyuga/Appleleafmiddle.png] o o c || d'aww Appleleaf is so happy xD w o r d s || 223 t a g s || Echostream <3

[Semper]

A purr, deep and very, very satisfied broke from her chest when she saw the effect her words had on Appleleaf. They had been simple, definitely not some eloquoent confession of love, and yet they made him just as excited. Warmth and fondness flooded her, mingled with this great, constant joy that had come with his words, making her feel so light she thought she could jump off this rock and take flight. Her tail flicked lightly, her mind still trying to comprehend the fact that someone liked her enough to love her. And then to tell it to her. Those might have been the best, the most meaningful words that anyone had said to her; sure, her mother had told her offspring of her love, but she had always thought that love had started as love from a mother to her kit, instead of a cat to another cat, such as this. Appleleaf had no obligations to love her. He loved her just for being her, and that was what she had always dreamed of; then she would wake and berate herself for dreaming of the impossible.

But this was real, was it not? It was not some sick, twisted dream of a fantasy that she longed for like a bird for the sky. No, she remembered vividly waking up and coming down to the stream, being joined by Appleleaf and then their announcements of love to each other. This was true, this was real life. Echostream kept light green eyes locked on brighter emerald eyes, soaking in all the joy and love she saw there. The ridiculous grin would not leave her face, and she just sat there and smiled at him. He opened his mouth and started to speak once more, and she listened intently, wanting to hear and to memorize everything of this encounter.

"Will you...will you stay by my side forever and ever, until only death brings us apart?" If she could feel any more happy, any more content and loving, Echostream thought that she would burst. Already, she felt like she had died and gone to StarClan. She did not know what to say, did not want to say anything. Words were so inadequate in these situations. Instead, she shifted to the side and pressed her fur against his, leaning over to lick his cheeck fondly. Then she pulled back slightly and just looked at him again, soaking in every detail, the smile plastered on her face, unmoving. In case he had not received her message, she leaned over again, and whispered in his ear, "Of course, my dear Appleleaf." However, she found that she did not move back as far as she had last time. She told herself on the surface that she was comfortable like this, but her conscious argued dryly that she enjoyed being this close to the tom. She told her conscious to jump off a cliff, even if it was right.

[Shizuka]

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[atrb=width,204,true][atrb=background,http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad342/Shizuka_Hyuga/Appleleafscrollie.png][scrolly:h(258),w(204),sy, c()] ------------------------------ His purr rose to join in resonance with Echostream's, a gentle, but powerful rumble that almost seemed to emphasize their love for each other. Warmth flooded through his veins, and he felt so happy that he could leap up in the air and yowl in joy right then and there. The affectionate feelings he received from her when she pressed her soft fur against his and licked his cheek fondly, and when she smiled at him so passionately he felt that her love could melt him away; he could have never been a happier tom. Leaning over, he nuzzled Echostream's head with his muzzle, then affectionately licked her ear. "Thank you." He whispered. "and I promise to be by your side forever and ever, even after death parts us." He promised, closing his eyes contently. ------------------------------ [/scrolly]

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[atrb=background,http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad342/Shizuka_Hyuga/Appleleafmiddle.png] o o c || I'm so sorry I totally forgot about finishing this thread! Dx w o r d s || 136 t a g s || Echostream <3