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Cloudpool

The oppressive heat was back, slowly heating the moisture of the air until it almost seemed to broil. Cats all around were panting, both in the shade, in dens, and out. In fact enclosed spaces were nearly unbearable as they became funnels for the damp heat, leaving cats nearly dripping from the steamy mist. Cloudpool had suggested the other queens come outside, where there might at least be something of a breeze to clear the air. With her light short fur, Cloudpool was one of the luckier ones, although the downy consistency of her fur still made the heat uncomfortable. However, she was fairly resilient and she could tell some of the younger queens were struggling with the heat. Some cool water should replenish them and possibly calm the two little kits which bounced around Ashwhisker.
Fernkit and Sedgekit were old enough to be making trouble and enjoying every minute of it. Now they were hounding the other she-cat, Gentlebreeze, who had raised kits of her own and enjoyed helping out sometimes in the nursery. The white she-cat looked very patient as she fielded questions and suggested games to the two little kits. Cloudpool chuckled at their antics, remembering a time when her own kits had been that age, and feeling the pang of loss and longing for more little ones of her own. 


 Cloudpool shook her head and padded up to Ashwhisker, chuckling. "These little sprouts seem like they never lose any energy do they?"

The grey she-cat across from her shook her head slowly, a haggard expression on her face. "No indeed, and it is even worse with the heat keeping them from resting."  

Cloudpool tipped her head sideways, then nodded. "The heat has affected all of us. But maybe some water and fresh kill will help. I'm sure you and Gentlebreeze can make sure those rascals don't wander too far." Ashwhisker assented, before turning slowly back to her kits.

With that Cloudpool turned back to the center of camp, her whiskers twitching at the commotion she was leaving behind. She noticed several warriors resting in the shade of the trees or sharing tongues. Approaching them, she casually paused, her black tail waving lightly behind her.

"Hey, any of you want to help me get some water and freshkill for Ashflower and the kits? Or maybe play with the little fluffballs?"

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It was hot. Many cats were trying their best to stick to the shade and not move. With nearly all of TreeClan having the same idea, the shady areas were very few and very crowded. Those with shorter fur were lucky; while some cats were burdened with heavy winter coats year-round, those lucky few were able to get around with more ease, the light breezes sufficiently reaching their bodies. For cats like Rowanberry, however, the heat was far more oppressive, the weak winds barely ruffling her long sorrel pelt.

She had managed to snag herself a section of darker shade not long after returning from an early hunting patrol and hadn’t moved since. Her jaw was open, attempting to pant some of the heat from her body, but to little relief. Her sides rose and fell with each deep breath dragged in slowly and released with a huff.

Pawsteps caused the ear that wasn’t pinned to the ground to flick backwards, and the calm voice made her twist her head back to look at Cloudpool. Water actually sounded nice, but Rowanberry debated whether making the trek to the brook would be worth it. After a moment’s hesitation, she reckoned that she might be able to cool off in the water, at least a little, and looked up at Cloudpool. “I can come with you.” Bringing her head back around to a normal position, she slowly rose to her paws. Just that small amount of effort had her wanting to change her mind and lay back down, but she had agreed to the mission and wouldn’t back down now.

@dreamer

[Fawn]

"I can keep the little fluffballs company until you get back, Cloudpool." Volunteered Appleshade in her mellifluous voice. This raised a few eyebrows among her Clanmates, who had never known her to volunteer for much—but seeing as how the nursery was well shaded compared to the long walk to the sparkling brook, Appleshade had clearly chosen the more convenient of the two options. It wasn't that she was lazy (well, perhaps a little), it was that she preferred to save her strength for things that mattered; like Gatherings, or border patrols with handsome toms. And speaking of handsome toms... Cloudpool just so happened to be the other of two very handsome warriors, Skyfall and Whiteclaw. Appleshade had noticed them many moons ago, but it wasn't until recently that she'd begun to narrow down her field of vision to just cats within her Clan. Crossing the 40-moons hurdle, realizing that her life of frivolity and self-interest might be coming to an end, Appleshade had been... toying with the idea of settling down. Whiskers twitching, she waved her pale plumed tail at the two she-cats left for the sparkling brook. She could ask Cloudpool a few questions when the kindly queen returned. In the meantime, Appleshade turned, looking to Sedgekit and Fernkit with renewed interest. "Hello kits," she crooned to cover up her awkwardness. "Who wants to learn how to properly groom your ears?" This was not met with an enthusiastic response, so she winked and dropped into a play-bow. "Just kidding~ Who wants to be TigerClan?"

Word Count: 255 Words
Tags: Amber , @dreamer
Notes: Feel free to skip my turn if need be! =)

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Cloudpool

Sun lanced down onto Cloudpool's pelt, and the direct sunlight was making even her uncomfortable as she spoke. Yes they definitely would need to get a move on the stream, cats would need this water. When Rowanberry replied, albeit  looking quite belabored, Cloudpool smiled in gratitude.

"Don't worry, we'll take it slow and rest. We will take rests in the shade if we need to, and if it gets too bad for you, you can come back." It was important that every cat stay healthy and hydrated. Cloudpool remembered one Greenleaf when a cat keeled over from being in the heat too long and got very sick, vomiting, staggering around, with quick gasping breaths and racing heart, and the medicine cat got very concerned. Several warriors had to spend the day grooming him and getting moss filled with water. He recovered, but it had been an incident imprinted on everycat's mind at the time, and the rest of the greenleaf cats were not allowed to go out at all during Sunhigh, only during early and late day.

Since kits tended to be particularly susceptible to this sort of sickness, they were so small and did not retain water as well, Cloudpool had learned the symptoms of heat sickness well enough to identify it for Bluejay and Littletimber. So far Fernkit and her brother seemed to be okay, but she was getting them water and prey to prevent anything worse happening to them.

Cloudpool gestured for Rowanberry to follow, and made her way to the camp entrance, turning back to explain her plan to Rowanberry. "So, we need moss, but I know a place by the stream that has some moss, and while I am getting it, I suggest you put at least your paws in the water, and if you're comfortable you can find a quiet pool and just lay in the water for a little bit. I can almost guarantee it will help you." 

Amber