Lakepoppy drifted through the leaves on the ground, her dark blue-gray fur fluffed up against the cold.

She looked up, a slight smile on her face when she saw the barren trees. She loved leaf-fall. All the leaves fell on the ground, and she got to collect them.

She shook her fur, and leaves flew up around her. She purred, and batted a paw at them, acting like a kit.

She pounced on a leaf, and more swirled around her paws. She laughed. "I've got you now!"

She picked up a mouthful of leaves, and brought them over to a bare patch of ground. She picked her favorites of them, and kicked the rest back to the giant piles of leaves behind her.

"Are you still collecting leaves?" The disbelieving mew sounded behind her, and she turned around, bumping into Lionstep.

She jumped back, startled. "Oh." She said, relaxing. "It's just you." She stuck her tongue out at him. "Yes, I am."

He laughed. "Can I help?" She nodded vigorously. "Of course!"

He laughed, picking up another mouthful of leaves. Lakepoppy showed him where to put them, and they began to sift through them, looking for the most colorful and interesting-shaped leaves.

They worked in silence for a while, before Lionstep spoke. "So... how's it been going?" He asked awkwardly.

Lakepoppy rolled her eyes. "You know what I've been doing, mouse-brain!" She cuffed him gently over the ear.
"But if you forgot, silly, I'm good."

"You're feeling better, I take." He said.

She nodded. "My cold is completely gone!" She let out a rough purr.

He smiled. "That's good." He turned back to the leaves. "How in SpiritClan's name do you keep them from crumbling?"

Lakepoppy shrugged. "I don't." She said simply. "When they crumble, they crumble, and I find new ones."

She looked up from her work suddenly. "Tell me the truth. Do you really enjoy sorting through leaves with me? Or weaving feathers into nests, or searching for pebbles by the river?"

He looked at her, surprised. "I do enjoy it. Honest. I love spending time with you, and I like your passion for nature."

He flicked his tail over her ear. "Plus, I like saving you from trees. It makes me feel important."

Lakepoppy felt her pelt heat up. She dipped her head, embarrassed. She scuffed the ground with her paw. "Well, uh, thanks then." She said quietly.

He purred, turning back to the leaves. He suddenly grinned widely, and picked up a bright red maple leaf in his jaws. He placed it in front of her. "I think you'll like this one."

Lakepoppy gave him a small smile, picking up the leaf and putting it in the pile she wanted to take back to camp. "Thanks."

He still smiled as he went back to sorting once more.

Lakepoppy was quiet for a long moment. "I think the pile is good." She said.

Lionstep nodded, and he picked up half of the pile. "Then let's go out these away." He said, his voice muffled.

Lakepoppy purred. "You look cute when your jaws are stuffed with leaves." She picked up her part of the pile.

"You look cuter." Lionstep said through his mouthful.

Lakepoppy rolled her eyes, though her pelt flushed.

They walked in comfortable silence, their pelts brushing.

Lionstep twined his tail with Lakepoppy's, and surprisingly, she didn't resist. He allowed himself a small smile to himself.

They were almost to camp when Lakepoppy stopped, looking up. The leaves she was carrying dropped from her gaping mouth.

"Look!" She squeaked. "Look at that! A birds' nest!" She gestured with her tail, which she yanked away from Lionstep. The tom gave a small pout.

"You want feathers more than leaves?" He asked.

She shrugged. "There might not be any feathers." She dig her claws into the bark of the tree and thrust herself upwards.

Lionstep gasped. She was scared of heights! Did she forget?! That seemed like a Lakepoppy thing to do.

The blue-gray she cat clambered up the trunk of the tree, her fur on end. She crept towards the nest, in a crook between two branches.

Then she looked down...

The whole forest was silent. Her eyes widened. Lionstep could see her tensing, digging her claws deeper into the tree.

"Hang on!" He called. "I'm coming!" He raced up the tree, quite used to this.

"No." He stopped in his tracks.

"N-no. I... I can do it." Lakepoppy whispered, her voice shaky. She began to s l o w l y turn around.

Lionstep was astonished. Normally, she couldn't even speak through fear when she got stuck in trees!

He watched, his whole body tensing as she turned fully around and began to scoot along the branch.

He called out encouragement as she crawled. "You can do it! You're so close, just a little more!"

She closed her eyes, and he saw the tears of fear and frustration dripping down her cheeks.

"Don't worry!" He called. "I'll catch you if you fall!" He began to climb slowly towards her, extending a paw for her to reach for.

So close, just a little more... and then her claws caught in a wood knot, and she slipped...

The world moved in slow motion. Lionstep yowled, and leapt towards her. Her jaws were open in a silent plea for help as he reached for her.

And he caught her. She hung below him, her eyes closed in fear. He hauled her up, being as gentle as possible, only his branch.

She sobbed, pushing her nose into his chest fur. He comforted her gently, licking her ears as she cried.

He comforted her with sweet whispers. "It's ok. You're fine. It's all right."

"I'm here."