SIMPLE.and.CLEAN ---> [[locust x elm

[(aurora) of the problematique]

through the monsoon

[/size][/blockquote]Locustpaw ««

beyond the world

to the end of time

[/blockquote] <sup>"Hey, Elmpaw?"

Fluffy gray fur had seemed to fade away in Locustpaw's case of extended kithood. He was almost a warrior now, around 11 moons old. He trained constantly with his mentor, and he was perfecting his talent for climbing trees and catching the bird prey that was there.

The lilac-pointed Siamese yawned comically and blinked his dark-blue eyes, wondering if his friend was awake. Locustpaw had spent the afternoon hunting with Berryleaf and now that it was nighttime and he had bathed and eaten, he wondered if Elmpaw had tucked in earlier than he.

The gray tom padded over to the tortie and sat next to him, hopping into his nest and looking over at Elmpaw. "You awake, man?" They hadn't been chosen for the Gathering but it was alright. Locustpaw didn't mind.</sup>

[kee :]]

xx Actually, Elmpaw had just been dozing off in his carefully placed nest of fern and moss when Locustpaw came to his side. Being at this age now, training sessions were long and hard. Slatesky was very proud of his growing apprentice and the talents he was able to take on. Elmpaw hadn't expected himself to be very good at fighting, but surprisingly, he could be a very good defense cat. Attacking, he was a bit slow on, but Slatesky was determined to get him faster with the rebounds. Hunting was his favorite, and he preferred the birds and rabbits, since they were a challenge. He also liked fishing at the lake, swimming, and climbing trees. Training sessions were always better with Locustpaw there though. The other apprentice always made thing brighter and more fun. Neither of them enjoyed fighting but Elmpaw had to admit, Locustpaw was damn good at it. Better than him.

Just as he was about to doze off, thinking of his fun day and Locustpaw and Slatesky, Locustpaw himself appeared at his side, asking Elmpaw was awake. Well now he was. But he wasn't bitter about that. Elmpaw was actually happy that Locustpaw had come over to talk to him. Lately, training sessions were split so each apprentice could get good equal sessions with their mentors. He hadn't seen Locustpaw all day. So the sight of him now, his flawless pelt, his dark blue eyes, and the smile on his face, made Elmpaw's day even better. The tortie lifted up his head and sat up, smiling at Locustpaw and nodding as he did so. "Well, I'm awake now," he mewed quietly, a soft chuckle escaping his maw, which was unusual for Elmpaw. He just felt so light and happy when he was around his friend. And embarrassed. Oh jesus, his fur was coated in dirt and moss from training and then laying in his nest. He hadn't cleaned himself and now he looked like a dirt ball next to Locustpaw's gleaming pelt. He began rushing to clean himself, his cheeks aflame with embarrassment.

[(aurora) of the problematique]

through the monsoon

[/size][/blockquote]Locustpaw ««

beyond the world

to the end of time

[/blockquote] ^{"Ah...sorry,"} he replied softly, bending his cloudy-gray ears back sheepishly. Locustpaw lifted his paws onto Elmpaw's nest and saw that the tom was a bit embarrassed at the state of his own pelt. The blue-eyed tom leaned forward and licked Elmpaw over the ears and on his muzzle, just like mothers and fathers do for their kits. That's kinda how Locustpaw felt around Elmpaw. Like...the warm feeling you get when you see your child become an apprentice or warrior. Maybe it wasn't that but he sure got the warm feeling part, especially around the tortoiseshell.

"You shouldn't let it get all dirty like that. I like seeing your fur," Locustpaw laughed. "Don't want to become a dustbunny or something, right?" When he finished cleaning Elmpaw's face, the Siamese withdrew and smiled, his skin growing a bit hot around the cheeks. He always had fun around his friend. What was with this odd feeling?[/sup]

[kee :]]

xx Elmpaw felt even slightly more embarrassed when Locustpaw then started to clean his face, but it sure got the job done a lot faster. He was able to get his chest and shoulders while Locustpaw cleaned his face and ears and the rest he hopefully could shake off when they were away from the snoozing apprentices, tired from their rough days of training. When Locustpaw commented on his fur, Elmpaw grew even more hot around his cheeks, and even a tingle went down his spine. He had never cared about someone complimenting his pelt, because really, they were just saying 'Oh darn, that poor fellow can't have kits.' But with Locustpaw it was actually a compliment. Elmpaw couldn't help but smile at that, or grin to be correct. "Right," he responded in a jokingly forceful voice.

The tortoiseshell then padded out of the den, his pale green eyes peering behind him to see if Locustpaw was follow and he sat down outside the den. The sun was setting and casting off marvelous bright colored rays of sunlight against the sky and below. For once, it was a beautiful evening, not clouded by rain or fog. He could enjoy the sunset with his best friend. The thought made him happy but also... Different in a way. He reached a spot near the entrance where he could see the sun through the trees and he shook his pelt as hard as he could. As you can assume dust and moss went everywhere, some drifting in the breeze and some falling to his paws. When he was as clean as he could possibly be, he sat down in a clean spot and smiled at Locustpaw to come join him. "It's a nice evening. Figured we could get out of that musty den and watch a nice sunset for once."

[(aurora) of the problematique]

through the monsoon

[/size][/blockquote]Locustpaw ««

beyond the world

to the end of time

[/blockquote] <sup>His chortle was gentle and soft, like the fur that coated the silvery boy. "Right," he said quietly, nodding and turning on tiny dark-gray paws. He padded after his friend, sighing a bit when he reached outside. "Maybe I'll get to go to a Gathering the next time." It seemed exciting to be around all those cats, to meet new people. He thought he would like to do something like that. His cobalt orbs flickered over to Elmpaw.

"How cool would it to lead a Gathering? Elmstar! Locuststar!" He grinned and tackled his friend, trying to flip the calico onto his back playfully. He suddenly felt like being a kit since no one was there to scold him or make him do work at the moment.</sup>

[kee :]]

xx Secretly, Elmpaw was quite pleased that he wasn't picked to go to the Gathering. Sure it was a great opportunity to meet new cats and all but that really wasn't his style. He preferred to stay back and wait for the news when they returned. He'd been to one Gathering and that was enough for the time being. But he didn't want Locustpaw to know how he felt about these Gatherings, so he just nodded and smiled slightly, looking at the gray tomcat with a dazed gaze.

This zoning out made it impossible for Elmpaw to be ready for Locustpaw's sudden attack out of no where. The tortie yowled in shock and excitement when he felt Locustpaw barrel right into him, but the play fighting made him realize how much he missed doing this as a kit. He was never one to do it, but some days with Turtlepaw, he just got into one of those moves and they had a battle of some sort. Being with Locustpaw made him feel like a kit.

"Wait, if we're both Leaders at the Gathering and we are fighting, won't we get punished by StarClan?" Elmpaw asked in almost a serious voice and he pushed his friend off gently. Regaining his posture, he thought for a moment before grinning at his friend. "Hah! Rules shmules! I like to do it my own way!" he exclaimed, grinning as he had his attack for Locustpaw this time. He'd never felt so carefree before...

[(aurora) of the problematique]

through the monsoon

[/size][/blockquote]Locustpaw ««

beyond the world

to the end of time

[/blockquote]
<sub>The pretty tom paused and stood on his paws, pausing as Elmpaw spoke. "Oh...I suppose you're right," he mumbled, feeling a bit sheepish at his mouse-brain idea. He looked thoughtful for a moment but in letting his guard down, Locustpaw found himself on the ground underneath Elmpaw.

"Ack!" he yelped, blinking his cobalts and pawing at the tortoiseshell. Now back on track, the tom grinned and bit Elmpaw playfully on the ear, growling in jest. "Tell StarClan we're just playing around then!"</sub>

[kee :]]

xxLaughing softly, Elmpaw realized how odd it was to feel so carefree and light as he did now. Usually, he was hiding behind a barrier or tripping over his own feet. But now he could giggle freely and play the games he always wanted to play but was always too afraid to do so. Locustpaw was so easy to have fun with and play with. And that made it easy for Elmpaw to be so happy. Now that Alderpaw had his little girls, things would get much better for Elmpaw. He could feel it.

"Pfft! Tell them yourself you lazy furball," the tortie responded, cuffing Locustpaw lightly over his ear in return from the little bite he'd taken of Elmpaw's ear. "We'd be the first Leaders to get into a play fight at a Gathering I bet. The other Leaders would think we're such goofballs." Elmpaw laughed in his high pitched voice, still gazing down at Locustpaw, who was still pinned under him, with bright green eyes.

[(aurora) of the problematique]

through the monsoon

[/size][/blockquote]Locustpaw ««

beyond the world

to the end of time

[/blockquote] <sup>The gray tom smirked and lashed out with his powerful hindlegs to try and kick Elmpaw away from him. "Maybe I will!" Locustpaw grinned, sheathed paws assailling Elmpaw's sides. The Siamese wrestled with his tortoiseshell friend, wondering why he felt this way only with the tom and no others, not even Lycorispaw, Quailpaw, Venompaw, or any of the other apprentices.

"Let them think what they want."</sup>