dark days, seeking shadows (open)

[**Burn**]

FEAR struck through Cloudypelt so quickly it felt as though he'd been struck by lightning. Dusky blue eyes widened as the pale grey tom watched Gentlecall's green eyes slide closed. It was as if she was falling asleep. That wouldn't have been worrying if it hadn't been in the middle of a conversation in the middle of the day right after he'd just woken her up from a nap. Also, he knew Gentlecall well enough to know she wouldn't be so rude, nor so tired without good reason. So, lurching to his feet, Cloudypelt crossed the medicine cat's den and used his nose to nudge the tabby she-cat into a more comfortable position laying on her side instead of sitting up. His heart fluttered worriedly as he looked for some logical reason for her to fall asleep. Was it StarClan? He had no idea. Sure, Cloudypelt knew about StarClan, about as much as any other normal warrior but he'd never been around a medicine cat when they had a vision. What was he supposed to do? LOOKING around, as though expecting help to pop out of thin air, Cloudypelt lashed his tail as indecision swept through him. Should he go find Palestar? Maybe even his own mother could help somehow. She was one of the older cats in the clan, surely she'd know what to do? Before he could make a move to leave however, Gentlecall moved a bit, not waking but shifting. Her head brushed his leg, drawing his gaze back to her. She looked calm, serene. Whatever she was seeing, it wasn't dangerous right now. Glancing at the den entrance, still unsure, Cloudypelt took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Then, very slowly, he shifted so that he was standing next to Gentlecall's back. SLOWLY, unsure, Cloudypelt lowered himself down so that he was laying with her back against his soft underbelly, curled in something of a protective pose around her. If anyone walked in, they would say it was inappropriate under the new laws. Cloudypelt didn't know how else to do to offer comfort or support. So, he laid his head on her ginger-furred flank and waited. He hoped against hope that no one would come in and see, he'd be thrown from the clan for sure for trying to seduce the medicine cat or some such nonsense. CLOUDYPELT wasn't sure how long it took for Gentlecall to move again but when she did, it startled to tom out of his own half doze, half daze. Raising his head, he twitched his ears as she spoke, her own voice whispery and faded, as if she was still in the dream. She burrowed into his fur, murmuring words he only half heard. Rasping his tongue soothingly over her ears, Cloudypelt tried to offer whatever solice possable to the emotional she-cat. "MAYBE it was StarClan telling you that things will be that way again, hmm?" Cloudypelt offered, touching his nose between her ear. [bg=969992][atrb=border,0,true]