Long Lost Relatives (Closed for Prince Smokey)

The dark grey and white tom padded next to the kit, chuckling at how she bounced up and down excitedly and listened to her stories. Having more blood related kin in the clan would be nice and just thinking about having his granddaughter becoming a warrior made him get excited. For some time, the two cats padded next to each other at a relatively slow pace and Smokepelt was caught someone off guard by her next question.

Why did Berry leave WindClan? That was a good question. It'd been such a long time since he'd last spoken to his daughter and it pained him to think about how the she-cat had chosen love over loyalty. Trying to clear the lump that was caught in his throat, he looked from Brindle to the path ahead of them, not making eye contact when he spoke. "Your mother was a very... headstrong," he started. "She knew what she wanted when she wanted it, and wasn't one to take no for an answer. When she was on a patrol and met Marley, I guess it was love at first site. I'll admit, he was a nice tom and matched her personality almost perfectly, but even so, I couldn't believe that she would leave her clan for... love," the deputy finished with a sigh, hoping he didn't ramble on for too long.

Brindle gazed up over at Smokepelt and listened intently as they continued to cross the moorland, the Leaf-Fall winds buffeting the mixed swaths of heather softly while also bringing the scents of prey and other cats. Noticing how Smokepelt quickly diverted her gaze from her as he softly explained the story, Brindle's ears perked as Smokepelt spoke about how he was surprised that Berry chose love over loyalty. "Well maybe it's because some cat's aren't satisfied with only having a life of loyalty. Some cat's aren't made for Clan life, and it's an understandably difficult situation." Brindle murmured, whiskers twitching as she absorbed the new information. Keeping stride with the larger grey and white tom, the dull ache in Brindle's paws was beginning to return as her thoughts over the still-vague story of Brindle and Marley.

"I never really met Marley," Brindle mewed softly, the name of her absent father felt odd on her tongue, "He died before my mother kitted- or that's at least what she said. She never talked about him much." Brindle stated, looking up at the cloudless sky- noticing that the sun had already sunk down further in the sky- hopefully they would arrive at the camp; Brindle felt like her paws were about to drop off and she could sleep for a moon right after she was able to eat something.

Smokepelt looked back down to the kit, surprised that she was so knowledgeable in this certain topic. She'll definitely grow up to be a fine warrior. He nodded in agreement as she spoke, although he hated admitting that she was right. Berry was born a clan cat, why did that life easily suit everyone else but not her? With questions racing through his mind, the tom could barley calm his own thoughts and had to take a deep breath, releasing the tension and hoping that it'd help keep his emotions at bay.

Like Brindle, he'd never heard much about this Marley character and felt bad for his daughter that she had to go through kiting without him by her side. The fact that she never seemed to talk about her mate made Smokepelt wonder if he was really dead or had just left her. If I ever see him, I'll rip his fur right from his foxheart skin. Usually the deputy wasn't one to think violently like that, but if someone messed with his kits, he was going to make sure they learned a lesson.

Walking next to the small cat, he could tell that their pace was slowing and hoped she wasn't in too much pain. Luckily for them, they had finally made it to the camp and stopping a few fox-lengths away from the entrance, he looked down to Brindle with a soft smile upon his muzzle. "Ready?"

Brindle stopped when Smokepelt did, her eyes dropping towards the shallow dip in the moor that was sheltered by great bramble thickets that rose high into the surrounding sky. Even from a distance, Brindle could scent all the different cats within the camp and around it- and she could see several fuzzy shapes within the shallow scoop. Brindle suddenly felt nervous- a cold claw of anxiety working its way up her spine- as she stared down at the camp; since when did Clan cat's ever accept rogues- even if they were half-clan? At Smokepelt's gentle prompting, Brindle looked over at the tom with wide, nervous eyes that betrayed her true level of anxiety. "Are you sure they'll truly allow me to stay?" Brindle murmured, her tail flicking as her paws gently kneaded the tough soil, her eyes refocusing on the camp once more. "No cat's ever heard of a Clan welcoming outsiders with open paws." Brindle mewed softly, a soft tinge of bitterness edging her mew as she thought about her apparent 'half-Clan' status.

"Of course they will," he replied. Smokepelt didn't need or really want to tell her that he'd adopted other kits from outside of the clan and hoped that she'd trust him. "You're my kin, and even if you wern't, I'm positive Ashstar would let you stay," he meowed softly. She seemed worried that she wouldn't be accepted and he knew that acceptance was a big part of clan life, so she had a right to be nervous. Leaning down, he gave her a lick on the top of her head. "Trust me."

OOC: One more post from u then I'll finish this topic.
(no need to reply to this OOC)

Brindle looked up at Smokepelt with wide eyes, but after his reassuring words and the soft lick her gave her, Brindle's anxiety melted until it was nothing but a small nagging sensation in the back of her mind. As Brindle looked back down at the camp, she realized just how truly exhausted she was- the tenderness in her shoulder had turned into a steady burning sensation and her paw's were so numb and her claws ached deeply. Fluffing out her pelt, Brindle breathed in deeply- the rich scent of heather, cats, and fresh kill mixing together into a comforting blend, while also inspiring feelings of satisfaction; this was her new home. "Alright, let's go." Brindle mewed, her tail twitching as she began the decent to the camp.

Glad that he was able to help her get over her fears, even if it was only a little, Smokepelt padded next to the small she-cat. By the look in her eyes, he assumed her injuries were causing great pain and knew he'd have to get her to the medicine cat as quick as possible. The deputy was so overjoyed that he was able to bring more blood related kin into the clan and couldn't wait to see her thrive. I'll miss you, Berry. he thought to himself quietly. He hated to admit it, but he assumed that his daughter was dying of the same sickness that took Brindle's little-mate and at this point, he had to accept that he probably wouldn't see her again.

Making it to the entrance, Smokepelt slowed the pace and entered the tunnel with Brindle next to him. It was almost like they were at the gates of StarClan, as light shown through, yet they couldn't see the end. Reaching the end, he looked down to Brindle who seemed to be in awe, or maybe shock, he didn't know what she was feeling, but hoped it was something happy.

"Welcome to WindClan, Brindlekit."