[Taxx]

My shadow's the only one that walks beside me

Tadpole was halfway up to his legs in the stream, ears up and tail waving as he watched the fish flit away from him, sleek bodies flashing silver in the sun. He wasn't hungry at the moment, he was just having fun riling up the creatures, splashing his paws and watching as they went from calm to panicked, their slow movements switching in a moment to rapid flight away from the threat.

The warm day, the cool water swirling around his legs, and the love of life and freedom all served to ease the weight that had been on the tom lately. His eyes sparkled as he tensed his legs, crouched a bit, and sprang forward; he landed with a splash among the school of fish, their bodies hurtling away in a frenzy. Chin just above the water, Tadpole laughed, bright and carefree at the reaction of the easily spooked fish. Straightening, he turned and hopped toward the bank, paws landing on the warm grass. He shook out his dripping coat and sat down to groom, sprawling out in the sun and settling in for a lengthy session of self-care.

Or he would have, if he hadn't spotted the black-and-white cat padding toward him from the StoneClan side of the border. Tadpole watched, but he didn't stop his grooming. He wasn't on their land, so they had no call to chase him off. Besides, there was something familiar about them, an old interaction... ah, yes, the chatty little she-cat he'd met about this time last newleaf. He couldn't remember her name, but she'd been friendly. Talkative, but not quick to attack. No reason to let his guard down, and Tadpole's eye never left her, but he didn't get to his feet just yet.
@zen

Tadpole

Loner