|☾ ☼ ϟ ≈ Skyclan: The Resilient and Tough |☾ ☼ ϟ ≈ ☁| ☼

“Compliments will get you everywhere, Ashfeather.” Redspring smirked, though she suddenly found herself feeling that same crestfallen feeling. Willownose and Ashfeather already seemed so close with eachother, and the thought of getting inbetween them crushed her. As much as it crushed her seeing both having eyes for the other. She thought then of Jadefeather, Whitesun and Obsidianflower, envious of how easy and warm their relationship had been. All three adoring eachother, all three looking at their kits with such love, and the way Whitesun and Jadefeather had mourned Obsidianflower in a way only mates could. Surely, Ashfeather and Willownose did not both love her, as she realized she loved both of them.

Flarestorm was a bit surprised at the sudden embrace, but he quickly found himself lowering his muzzle to brush her head gently. Hearing that she had held in the truth because she had been scared to say it made his heart ache for her. “Hey. You kidding? I know it’s probably way earlier than we’d expect, but I can’t imagine a better cat to be a mother. And I’ll just have to get lessons from Whitesun or Wildstorm on how to be a father, but we’ll do all that together too. And hey, now I can finally call you mushy nicknames to tick you off.” He assured.

Lilith groomed herself in camp, idly waiting for an opportunity to go on the patrols. She mostly wanted to see what Phantom’s old group was up to, not that she had any care for those weak rats that tried to always catch his attention. She admittedly missed his cold strength, and his fierce dedication to her. She looked over to Bloodrime and Spectorswirl, conceding that they probably were loyal to Skyclan first and foremost. If Lilith were to ever ditch the Clan, she supposed they’d just have to stay. But, so far Clan life was easy living compared to rouge life, so she chose to stay.

Cobrafang looked around for Quickwing, wanting to see if his younger sister was excited or not about these patrols.

Ashfeather licked his chest as his fur grew hot, "Nothing ever gets past you Redspring. I can never just say something nice without you pointing it out." he mewed with a grin. He was once again internally panicking, how did he always get back here? He needed to pull himself together, maybe he should talk to Shadowmask. It had been a while since he had confided in his sister. His eyes flashed back over towards Willownose, wondering what the other she-cat was thinking.

Briarpatch pulled back just enough to look up at him, staying close enough that their pelts were still brushing. "You'll be a great father Flarestorm," she replied sincerely. "Just hearing you say that we'll be okay makes me think that we will be. I'm just scared. My mother died when I was born, how will I know what to do?"

Redspring tried to save face, a peal of laughter escaping her as she pushed her feelings down and assured. “Don’t worry. It makes you you, Ashfeather. Don’t change a bit.”

“We’ll talk to every she-cat in the Clan that’s had kits if we need to. Learn how they all did it. I’ll do everything I can so that it doesn’t happen to you.” Flarestorm promised, knowing how deeply her mother’s death had affected her. “In fact, we’ll just have to be so good at this parenting thing that cats will come to us for advice when they have kits.” He decided.

Redspring felt her heart lift. She often felt like many cats would prefer if she was more like her brother, more gentle and social, but she liked who she was. Hearing Ashfeather say that, that meant more than any other compliment. She gave him a rare smile, genuine instead of snarking, and gave a light chuckle.

“Oh, Starclan, that’s an understatement. The other Clans are probably swimming with kits.” Flarestorm mewed, before he assured. “But, that also isn’t at all what you should ever have to feel you are worth. Kits or no kits, I would be your mate just as readily.” He admitted, before continuing. “Oh! I guess this means we can think of names and stuff too. Kit stuff.”

“I won’t turn down a good patrol. Willownose and I were going to go out together, so it works out.” Redspring agreed, giving a knowing look to the other she-cat, always in a better mood when she was out on patrol with the both of them.

“The Clan will be so distraught that their prettiest Warriors are off the prey pile.” Flarestorm smirked, confidence brimming in his voice as he felt both nerves and excitement that he finally had a mate, that he could finally say he felt a genuine connection. “Oh, Starclan, Poppyclaw’s going to never believe it. He’s going to hound you relentlessly, you know that right?” He snorted, knowing how little his brother cared for the concept of mates and kits. “I hope the kits have your lovely eyes.”

“Thunderclan border’s going to be hopping with cats soon enough, so I’d say the Shadowclan border.” Redspring offered, stretching her legs before falling in step beside Ashfeather.

“Poppyclaw will be excited that I’ll be focusing on the kits instead of bothering him on a daily basis. I still plan to do that though.” Flarestorm smirked, though he knew his brother was very protective of his clanmates. So long as Poppyclaw wasn’t expected to have kits of his own, Flarestorm knew he would protect any kit in any of the Clans. He was devoted to the code and his duties as a Warrior.

“As if you aren’t going to teach our kits to go bother him too. He’s going to have to flee camp just to have a moment to himself.” Briarpatched mewed with a laugh.

Ashfeather couldn't help the little smile that made itself known as Redspring continued to walk this close to him. He suddenly turned towards her, words rushing out of his mouth before he could even think about them. "Do you think you'd like having a mate?" (Should we take these two to the border page? )

Briarpatch's tailed flicked back and forth, the idea of their kits' ears being cuffed already annoying her. "He better watch his nest if he does." she sighed, giving him a small smile. "Thank you." she whispered. "This is everything I could have wished for the moment Lavendersky told me."

(posted Ash on the border page )

Briarpatch returned his purr, looking over her shoulder to make sure they were still alone. "It'll be a little while until it's obvious. For now it's just a little secret between you, me and Lavendersky."

Briarpatch got to her feet, stretching out before they continued on. "Yeah, maybe we can catch some prey on the way back if we scent any. I could use a nice sparrow right about now." Her stomach panged with the usual hunger of leafbare as she thought of the plump prey of newleaf. "I can't wait until it gets warm again."

"I know, I'm glad we won't have to worry about them going hungry as kits. I always feel bad for the queens who kit right at the start of leafbare. It must be an awful feeling watching your kits go hungry." Briarpatch replied, scenting the air for any nearby prey. "I think I smell a few birds not too far away. Let me know when you think it's a good time to climb and I'll start hunting from down here."

Briarpatch nodded silently, she waited for a moment as she allowed him time to climb up into the branches before she made her way over to the faint sound of birds chirping. She stalked through the sparse undergrowth quietly and when she was in position to scare them, she looked back up into the trees for a sign that Flarestorm was ready.

Briarpatch crept forward until she was just out of sight of the birds. She waited patiently until they seemed to all be distracted before she burst forwards with a growl. The birds squawked in panic and began to lift off. Briarpatch gave chase on the ground towards the tree Flarestorm was hidden in.