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The clock struck 10:00 pm as they all tucked themselves into their sleeping bags, waiting for CatNap. Before bedtime, the feline had made sure everyone got through the group night routine. Hoppy and Bubba had warm milk tea with cinnamon to help them relax, as did Picky, but she also got some oatmeal so she wouldn’t wake up hungry during the night
He gave DogDay his usual tea and promised Crafty that he would keep track of her dreams for later. He made sure Bobby had her weighted plushie to cuddle during the night, and gave Kickin the softest blanket there was. And now everyone was ready, or so he thought.
“CatNap,” Crafty said from the comfort of her sleeping bag, “ would you… Would you sing us a lullaby?”
A lullaby? Well, this was new.
“A lullaby? Really Crafty? We’re too old for lullabies,” Kickin said. This earned him a pillow to the face. Bobby was looking at CatNap with wide, innocent, pleading eyes. “Oh, pretty please, CatNap. Could you sing us a lullaby?”
The others also began asking him to sing–even Kickin, despite his earlier comment. They gave him the biggest puppy dog eyes they could. CatNap hesitated; he wasn't comfortable using his voice.
DogDay looked at CatNap sheepishly. “We would really appreciate it if you would sing for us—you don't have to, of course…if you don't want to…”
CatNap smiled thinly, brows furrowed. ‘But I don't know any lullabies that you would like.’
“ That's ok, CatNap,” Picky reassured. “ Just sing the ones you do know. Like from when you were just a little kitten, getting tucked in by ya mom all cozy and warm. ”
CatNap rubbed his paws nervously, whiskers twitching. By my mom, huh? He sighed but relented, agreeing to their request. Everyone smiled, got comfortable once again, and waited eagerly. CatNap sat down on the couch, looking at his friends. He grabbed his tail, petting it to calm his nerves down. He took a deep breath, opened his mouth, and began:
~ Sil…Silver light
She turned her face up to the starlit sky
And on this night began to wonder why
She knew that soon the day would come ~
Everyone listened in awe. They didn't know what CatNap’s voice sounded like, since they never heard him talk. Not even a peep. It was difficult for him to speak, and it could be hard for him to express himself through mere words.
~ Born to be
An heir of beauty and serenity
Into this world she entered quietly
To her surprise, she was the one ~
CatNap’s voice was like CatNap himself. Quiet but comforting. Soft and gentle, like a whisper in the night. It made them feel safe and calmed them down. But there was a sense of vulnerability in his voice, reminding them that despite how responsible and reliable CatNap was, he was still young.
~ Destiny was close behind her
Phantom of borrowed life
And the sea was a reminder
Mirror of given light~
CatNap closed his eyes, gently kicking his feet, his tail curling slightly. The others all began to yawn, tired from the day's events, and CatNap’s singing made them sleepy.
~ Then one day,
The sign she waited for
In the skies in grey, traversed a winding road, and came her way
She found the love she hoped she would~
CatNap opened his eyes ever so slightly, grabbed his moon pendant, and solemnly looked at it. He slowly ran a finger across the stone, feeling its smooth, cold texture. A crescent moon, not a full moon, not even a half moon. Just… a crescent moon.
~ But she knew
That she had promises to stay true to
The dormant daughter of the silver moon
Then all at once she understood~
CatNap looked up to see that all his friends had fallen asleep. All he could hear was their soft breaths and see the slow rise and fall of their chest. CatNap made his way around the room as he always did during sleepovers, making sure they were comfortable and getting rid of anything that could disrupt their sleep.
Once he was sure they would be ok, he walked out. CatNap shivered as the chilly night air hit him. But it did not deter him from continuing on his way. The night was quiet, not a single soul in sight. Not even the crickets were out tonight. It was just him.
He made his way to a cliffside that overlooked the forest below him. From here, he could clearly see the night sky. It was a beautiful, deep purple with stars scattered across it. They reminded him of her. And the way her white spots always looked like stars in the sky against her dark purple fur. The stars twinkled and shone in a tune similar to that of the lullaby he sang. If he paid close attention, he could clearly hear it.
And the moon.
…Oh, the moon.
It was big, round, and beautiful. Illuminating every part of the valley. With a soft white glow that sparkled, making everything that was touched by its rays glimmer. It made sure that there was light even among the darkest of shadows. A constant, comforting presence that promised that no matter what, it would always be there. Even on the nights she couldn’t be seen. His pendant glowed, reflecting her light, but it would always be a pale imitation of the real thing. …like he was.
If he raised a paw toward her rays, would he glow and shine as she did? Would he finally be able to say that he was like her? And take his place in the sky? Like he always wanted to.
CatNap didn’t know, and he never would. For now, though, he would remain here, underneath her watchful eye. He closed his eyes and let himself fall backwards.
CatNap lay there, for who knows how long, just gazing at the sky. His ear twitched at a sound. He sat up, ears swiveling as he tried to pinpoint where it was coming from.
“CATNAP!?”
There to his left, among the trees. That’s where it was coming from. And it was a voice. Many voices.
“CatNap?...CatNap!!”
It was Bobby. And Crafty. What were they doing out here? Both girls' eyes lit up in relief as they ran toward him.
They pulled him into a tight hug, crying. Bobby hugged his waist, while Crafty wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
“Oh, CatNap, we were so worried,” Bobby cried, burying her face against his chest, tears falling down her face.
“Yes, please do not leave,” Crafty agreed, looking at him, eyes glittering with unshed tears.
CatNap was confused. He tried to move, but neither girl was willing to let go. The more he squirmed to get out of their hold, the tighter they held on. CatNap gave up, too tired to keep trying.
Picky appeared from the treeline, spotting the trio. “ Guys, he’s over here. Bobby and Crafty found him,” she called out. Picky ran to them, in such a hurry that CatNap thought someone had left the stove on. From the darkness of the forest, the rest of his friends appeared, running toward him.
They each cried, pleading with him not to go, not to leave them; they would miss him too much if he did; and that he wasn't allowed to leave; and how things wouldn’t be the same if he did. Hoppy insisted that if he did go, to take her with him. CatNap didn't understand what we were talking about?
DogDay made his way to the front of the group. Bobby and Crafty released him, moving to the side as DogDay made his way to stand in front of him. Finally, he could breathe properly. Nothing against the two, but they were making it difficult to do so.
Just as CatNap gained his breath back, he lost it once again when DogDay grabbed his paw with both of his. The canine held it gently but firmly. Almost like he was afraid that if he didn't, CatNap would slip away.
“Please… please don't go, CatNap. Don’t leave us,” he begged. “Please don't leave…me,” he added quietly.
CatNap's eyes widened.
“ Please… don't leave us. Don't leave me…”
He heard this request before, but instead of the honey-warm voice of a sweet sunny pup, it was the scratchy, funny-sounding voice of a different critter. One that was filled with desperation. And CatNap had witnessed this scene as well. Except he hadn't been on the receiving end like he was now.
CatNap looked at DogDay. His friend looked nervous. But he didn't look at CatNap; he kept his head down. And yet CatNap could still make out his expression. His quivering mouth, his eyes that shook with fear, and he could feel the tremble in his paws. Fear that CatNap would leave.
CatNap gave them all a soft look and lifted DogDay's head, so he could look at CatNap.
‘ I’m not leaving,’ he signed.
“You’re not?”
He shook his head. DogDay sighed in relief; the others silently cheered.
‘Why did you think I was leaving?’
They shared a look. Hoppy was the one to speak up. “Well, when you were singing, you just looked so sad, and well…”
“We thought you were going to leave us, man.” Kickin finished for her.
Huh?
“Crafty woke up and found you gone, CatNap,” DogDay informed him. “She woke us all up, and when we didn't find you in the house, coupled with how you looked before we fell asleep… We thought that…you had left…”
Picky then told him that they were convinced that the lullaby was actually CatNap's way of saying goodbye, and how some of them had come up with the crazy idea that he was going to leave them to go to the moon.
“Thankfully, that is not true. And you're not leaving,” Bubba chuckled. He seemed relieved and pleased that CatNap was, in fact, not leaving. CatNap let out a silent laugh. It was odd, but he couldn’t help but feel immense joy in knowing that they cared so much.
The stars twinkled a melody, and the moon’s glow flickered. CatNap could hear a soft, soothing voice.
~ Destiny was close behind her~
‘Everyone, the lullaby is just that, a lullaby. It was sung to me…When I was still very young…’
“But then why’d ya leave the house?” Picky asked.
‘I wanted some fresh air, that’s all.’
Crafty raised a hoof. “ So, you're really not going to leave,” she asked hopefully.
~Phantom of borrowed life~
‘No. No, I’m not.’ he warmly smiled.
Crafty returned the smile.
~ And the sea was a reminder~
They made their way back. It was late, and they were all tuckered out. DogDay held CatNap's paw all the way back.
~ Mirror of given light~
Once they were back inside, CatNap used his poppy gas to put everyone to sleep, making sure they would have the sweetest of dreams. Crafty thanked him for the lullaby as she slowly drifted off. Feeling exhausted, CatNap made his way to the cat bed in the corner of the room, curling up in it. He was about to fall asleep when he felt something soft fall on him, and something warm next to him. DogDay was lying with him in the bed, resting against him.
“It’s…not… good…to fight..off..sleep,” he whispered with some difficulty.
“I know—” DogDay yawned, his voice drowsy—” But I wanted to lie with you.” He gently nudged the feline with his nose.
CatNap licked the top of the canine’s head. The smooth, rhythmic motion coupled with the sweet smell of lavender and poppy lured DogDay to sleep. Once CatNap was sure he was asleep, he looked toward the window. He could still see the moon. And maybe it was his imagination, but it almost looked like it was glowing brighter than before.
In his head, CatNap finished the lullaby.
~ From the sky
She watched the life
She’d known she… would leave behind~
He lay his head down, nuzzling DogDay, wrapping his tail around them both, as sleep called to him.
~ Said goodbye
And gave her people,
Life through her sacrifice…~