Loose Lips

Chapter 14

The sun was barely brightening the sky in a grayish glow, much earlier than it was when he rose the previous day. Shrimpo didn't intend to wake so early, but he was used to waking up at whatever time his body deemed it. His body was currently aching in its usual soreness, similar to the previous day as well.

He was currently sitting up against the tree, breathing slowly as he blinked upwards at the treetops, its leaves obscuring most of the sky. Soreness wasn't the only thing bothering him. Hunger was. Of course it would be. A single fish wasn't going to be enough.

He didn't know what time it was, nor the time he had fallen asleep. He felt tired—maybe he should try and get more sleep. But the thought of falling back asleep with pain clawing at him deterred the idea. He exhaled, and continued to lean his head back, his tail bent downwards, his eyes resorting to staring blankly up as the sky continued to grow brighter.

There was nothing of interest to even look at, other than the fact he just wanted to look at something. The only thing he could note was the gray of the sky. It was pale blue yesterday, and the day before that. Was it going to rain? It didn't really 'rain' often on the show—maybe for a couple of episodes' plots—so he didn't really know. If it was anything like how it rained on the show, then they would need some kind of shelter if they wished to stay dry. Yet another thing he hadn't considered. He knew Boxten had brought it up once before.

He exhaled again—more of an aggravated sigh—then looked back downwards. His bag was next to him, full of nothing but empty jerky bags and clothing. The last bag was used by Boxten, both of them void of any food. He looked down at himself—he didn't even really need to change clothes, at least he didn't think so. Wasn't as if he was rolling in mud. Rubbing at his palms with his fingers, he didn't exactly feel dirty either. Oh well, he'd be fine.

Ahead of him, he saw Boxten, lying on his side, curled into a ball. Shrimpo kept his gaze locked on the music box. He sure hoped he had actually slept last night. Maybe then they could find a better place to stay. Then again, he didn't know what he had in mind as 'a better place.' Oh well, he'd figure it out in time.

He scooted a little closer to the lying down toon, and poked his foot against his back. "YOU AWAKE?"

The touch, as well as the volume of his voice, earned him a tired groan from the music box. He waited for a few moments, and after nothing more from Boxten, he nudged him again.

"HEY. ARE YOU AWAKE OR NOT?"

He heard another groan, sounding more like a bothered grumble as the toon shifted, moving his arms underneath himself.

" Yeah..." He heard the mumbled voice of the music box.

"GOOD." Was Shrimpo's reply, backing away more to give him room. After a few moments, the music box began pushing himself upwards, albeit slowly and shakily, and soon rested lazily on his knees, his arms dusted in dirt from the ground beneath him.

Shrimpo watched as he yawned, and rubbed at his face. He noticed how Boxten's key was starting to turn, breaking into a few out-of-tune notes. Shrimpo held his tongue despite his opinion of the toon's sorry excuse for music, and waited as Boxten poorly attempted to wake himself up.

Shrimpo's whiskers twitched as Boxten fully turned to him. Clear indication of his displeasure was written all over his face. Shrimpo almost couldn't believe it, but he looked worse than yesterday. Not to mention the look he was giving the crustacean.

Shrimpo shook his head, keeping his brows furrowed. "DID YOU GET ANY SLEEP?"

"Not really." Boxten said flatly, his blinking slow and his key turning. Shrimpo's brows raised, as if he were to be surprised. He felt a bitter stir in his gut, and his frown deepened.