[IC/Open] The omen

Moonpaw flung herself from the apprentice den. Burnpaw was still sleeping. How could she possibly ever sleep! And she was the one that always wanted to work. But with their new duties where was the time for play if they didn't use this time when everyone was still asleep. Moonpaw stopped when she notice Laurelheart. Something had been troubling him lately but she had no idea what? What could be wrong with green-leaf here? There were no sick cats and a lot of prey! Nothing could be better! Moonpaw bolted forward, skidding to a halt at his side. "Hi Laurelheart!" She squeaked.

Lack of sleep had dulled Laurelheart’s normally sharp senses for Moonpaw was almost on top of him before he noticed. He looked her over quickly, searching for any signs of cuts and scrapes. She looked fine and if she was running around like that, things were probably okay but it never hurt to be certain.

“Oh, hello Moonpaw. Are you feeling alright this morning?” He said a little too casually. “I was just getting some food. Why don’t you join me?”

He turned back to the freshkill pile. The smell wafting towards him was a stale, stomach churning imitation of the way prey should smell. But he had to eat. Laurelheart snagged a small mouse, it’s grey-brown fur soft despite the rigor of the body, and tried to compose his face let someone think he didn’t appreciate the meal.

Moonpaw nodded her head. "I'm doing well," she answered enthusiastically. Instinctively she checked herself over real quick, it was just part of her normal routine. She didn't realize she did it before looking back at Laurelheart. "Sure!" Moonpaw yelped enthusiastically. "I just wish I could get some prey, but Rookstar would kill me if he found I ate before feeding the clan," Moonpaw groaned dramatically. "How are you doing today?" Moonpaw asked Laurelheart as she moved closer to him.

“That’s good.” Laurelheart said automatically, stifling a yawn.

He watched as Moonpaw checked herself over, following her movements carefully for any sign of strange tension or tenderness in the way she moved. As she finished the quick inspection he let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding and averted his eyes. All was well. Moonpaw hadn’t come to him with any major injuries yet and by Starclan’s wisdom their record would hold.

Heat flushed across his cheeks. Of course Moonpaw couldn’t share a meal with him. The clan must be fed first. A long time without a proper sleep and far longer without those rules had their importance slip his mind. Would one mouse hurt anyone really? He tilted his head to the side, weighing up the apprentice and the dwindling freshkill pile. Finally he shook his head slightly in answer to his own question. The only argument in his favour was Moonpaw’s strange illness, and that kind of display from his was exactly what they were trying to avoid by keeping things a secret. She could handle a morning without food as well as the next apprentice.

“Ahh forgive me, I had no intention to fill your belly with empty promises. You’re right to wait, Rookstar would be very proud.” He straightened up slightly, shocked and touched by her concern. “I’m okay, a little tired.... You haven’t seen anything strange in the forest have you? Hawks, half eaten carcasses…” Laurelheart swallowed and fought to keep his voice steady, “o-owls?”

Moonpaw cocked her head to the side. That was a weird question. She shook her head, "No I haven't seen anything why?" Moonpaw asked. She then leaped to her paws. "Did Starclan tell you something?" She yelped. "Are owls gonna attack camp? That would be so cool!" Moon kneaded her paws excitedly. It would be so cool if owls attacked. She had never even seen an owl! "I bet it is owls," the words just kept pouring from Moonpaw. "I can't wait!" She finished with a squeal, looking to Laurelheart to confirm what she already figured out.

Blood drained from Laurelheart’s face. Stomach churning he couldn’t help but glance up at the sky, eyes huge. Owls. Owls were coming. He barely managed to supress a shudder. Before him Moonpaw looked moments from bouncing off walls bubbling with excitement. She had absolutely no idea.

“Keep your voice down!” He growled.
 
Heat flushed his cheeks and his disappointment with himself brought him back to his senses. Owls didn’t attack like that and even if they did an owl too large to hunt hadn’t been seen since he was a newly named warrior still Starclan’s warnings fluttered around his mind. Laurelheart took a deep breath to steady himself. There was no point scaring everyone until

“I’m sorry Moonpaw but you can't go around yowling things like that. Show some respect. We’ve lost good cats to owls.” He paused and picked over his next words carefully. “I merely thought I saw an owl scat in the forest. Most owls pose no threat. I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about.”

The way he was almost shaking in his fur, shooting feverish glances up at the sky every few moments discredited his lie. Laurelheart took another deep breath and bit into his mouse to buy him a few moments.