A //Longing// For Tomorrow

[nightsky]

It's one of those hot, lazy days in ShadowClan camp. Or at least, it feels that way in the Nursery. The day seems to wear on and on, and warriors are too busy hunting or patroling to pay any attention to the little she-kit who sits outside the nursery, her tail wrapped around her paws. She seems to be in a sulky mood--as any kit would be when boredom knaws away at them. Maplekit wishes so badly that she were a warrior. They probably never get bored. She thinks irritabley. But as a kit, she's seldom even allowed outside the nursery!

Maplekit's bored amber gaze turns to the shadows that lurk just outside the clearing that serves as ShadowClan's camp. Her little paws prickle with the urge to explore that mysterious terrain. She wonders what it's like out there. "Probably a lot better then this stupid camp."
She mutters under her breath resentfully, her eyes narrowing.

But, on the bright side, she'd be an apprentice soon. Then she'd show the camp just what a great warrior she could be! Maplekit's eyes brighten at the thought. It spirits her a little, and she abruptly stands up and glances around. Perhaps one of her siblings will want to play with her in the mean time.

[sleetpaw]

Hazelkit was outside of the nursery, watching the clouds that floated elegantly above the pine trees. The day was unbearably hot-- the mud around the camp had dried up and cracked, and the water ponds that were used to drink were beginning to evaporate as well. Hazelkit hated the dry spell-- she liked splashing in puddles and watching the reflection of the world, as on a mirror. The gray-brown femme smelled a stale fox scent mixed in with the fresh, lovely scent of pine needles. Hazelkit wondered why the other Clans disliked their scent-- it was much better than WindClan scent, which stunk of rabbits and long grass, or RiverClan-- the cats all smelled like fish!-- or even ThunderClan. Stinking of badgers and all kinds of leaves. Hazelkit wondered why they liked smelling like living bushes.

Hazelkit, darker gray tail in the air, padded back into the nursery. She only saw one of her siblings, Maplekit. Hazelkit's tongue was usually sharper than her claws, but around her siblings that she loved, she remained a sweetheart. The kitten bunched up in a crouch and pounced on a pile of needles just a few tail-lengths away from Maplekit. "Hey, Maplekit," meowed Hazelkit, her voice sounding like the rustle of needles in the wind, "wanna play?"

[nightsky]

The rustling and crackling of the distrubance of the pine needles draws Maplekit's attention. Her ears flick toward the sound, and she turns to see her sister, Hazelkit, nearby. "Hi, Hazelkit!"

She purrs softly, happy to see her sister and relieved to have a distraction from her boredom and the heat of the day. Maplekit's whiskers twitch in amusement at the sight of Hazelkit crouching on the pile of pine needles, but she is much more preoccupied with the idea of playing a game. "Okay!" She agrees, padding over to Hazelkit and giving the other she-kit a playful, gentle nudge. Her boredom, it seems, is quickly forgotten.

"What do you wanna play?" Maplekit asks curiously. Maybe they could race. Or play tag! Or look for dragonflies! The possibilities excite her, her tail twitching in anticipation.