Watch the steady flow of the Nocturnalriver {join}

[.:Rippledstream:.]

A large, fluffy tom sat on the side of the river, in the meadow. He looked up at the sky, deep in thought. He was taking a haitus from his warrior duties to tend to his personal mental and emotional health. He needed to sort things out for himself so that he'd be able to get things straight as to help improuve his concentration. He had joined RiverClan, and not long after had his heart touched by the deputy, Tenderpool. He felt comfortable around her, as though she where his soulmate. He knew it was a ridiculous was to compare the two of them, and it made him blush to think of her that way. But when he had reached out to her that day in the meadow, it was as though she had already reached out to meet him half way, for she too seemed to need someone. He had heard many stories of Tenderpool's mother and father. He had met Riverleaf the day before the tom had disappeared, many suspected he had gone off on his own to die as to join his mate in starclan. Nocturnalriver ached for her, knowing the feeling for he had witnessed such a thing when he was a young cat as well. Not that he was old, but he was wise, making him feel occasionaly older in knowledge then he should be. Flightwing, Tenderpool's brother, had been Nocturnalriver's first and only friend for a long while until he had gone off to search for his father, having not yet returned and no body had been discovered to prouve the death of the later. Though, many despaired for the cat who had been a respectable cat amongst the clan, though not as powerful as his sister, he had been equally as respected. Nocturnalriver and sought Tenderpool out that day to console her and confind in her, for they both had similar woes. But he had honestly been surprised to find her where he had always sat to think, though she had understandably started to sit there and think long before he had joined the clan. He had heard from Flightwing that this had been the spot that the deputy and his best friend's parents had met. Nocturnalriver sighed, licking his paw and drawing it over his muzzle. If only he could sort out his feelings for the she-cat whom he admired so much. He despaired to think that maybe she was still mad at him for what had happend with the other she-cat who had walked up to him, trying to be the flirt she always was. He held on to the slight and silent hope that Tenderpool would come back to this spot today and that maybe she would agree to sit with him wether it be in silence or in conversation, just the way he felt when she was with him made Nocturnalriver warm and content. She really was a magical cat for him, he just hoped that maybe, just maybe she felt the same way about him.

[xXx.R.i.p.p.l.e.s.t.a.r.xXx]

Tumblingfoot trampled through the reeds and almost bumped into Nocturnalriver," Opps!" He yelped. And he jumped backwards, landing clumsily and he fell to the ground, spitting curses under his breath... He stared up at the gray tom and he smiled," Hello Nocturnalriver, how are things going?'

(You know it's just a matter of time he gets hurt! )

[.:Rippledstream:.]

Nocturnalriver jumped as he was bumped into by another cat. He had heard the tom approach but hadn't been expecting to land on his belly in the mud. He looked up to see who had been the cat to knock him over and, as he expected, it turned out to be Tumblingfoot. Nocturnalriver sat up straight, frowning at the mud that was covering his pelt but decided not to make a big deal out of it. Instead he smiled "Hey Tumblingfoot, things are great thank you, and yourself?" he wondered polietly.

[xXx.R.i.p.p.l.e.s.t.a.r.xXx]

" Okay." The gray tabby tom muttered," Sorry about the mud.." He mewed not making eye contact with the tom.

[.:Rippledstream:.]

Nocturnalriver laughed good heartedly "I'll clean myself up later, a little bit of mud helps build character" he purred, trying to make his friend feel more comfortable about the situation.

[xXx.R.i.p.p.l.e.s.t.a.r.xXx]

He smiled adn looked at him in the eye," So how are you and Tenderpool going?"

[.:Rippledstream:.]

Nocturnalriver's eyes grew wide. "Whaat?" he mewed, stupefied. He like the sound of it, guilty pleasure, but he was confused, what had been said? "I don't understand" he repeated bluntly. "She's simply my friend so as far as friends go she and I are going great" he replied, his eyes reflecting his senserity.

[xXx.R.i.p.p.l.e.s.t.a.r.xXx]

Tumblingfoot smiled," Great!" He secretly had wante him to say that since he liked the deputy.

[.:Rippledstream:.]

Nocturnalriver smiled "Yes" he purred, obviously distracted. He had hoped to see Tenderpool that day so as to speak to her, he had to settle things properly.

[xXx.R.i.p.p.l.e.s.t.a.r.xXx]

Tumblingfoot looked at him and mewed," You like her too don't you..."

[.:Rippledstream:.]

Nocturnalriver looked up absent mindedly, "Yes, I do" he whispered. "Very much so" he breathed, thoughts of her filling his head,

[xXx.R.i.p.p.l.e.s.t.a.r.xXx]

Tumblingfoot smiled and mewed," You can have her... it wouldn't work out for me and her anyway."

[.:Rippledstream:.]

Nocturnalriver gave his friend a sympathetic smile "I won't deny that no competition makes it easier on me but as your friend, I really want to know what makes you feel that way" he whispered, feeling horrible for what his love for the deputy was doing to his friend.

[xXx.R.i.p.p.l.e.s.t.a.r.xXx]

He smiled," Realy it's okay, i don't want to hurt her. I know she likes you too." He purred.

[.:Rippledstream:.]

Nocturnalriver raised an eye brow for the second time in less then a few minutes. "She does?" he mewed in wonder "I thought she only liked me as a friend" he admited "Though I was hoping for the best "