It felt as though it had been many moons since Sedgestrike had been able to get away for a bit. Not that he didn't love his family with every inch of his pelt and every whisker, but it could be overwhelming sometimes. He paused and took a chance to look back towards the nursery. Echoflame and his kits were curled up in a sleeping pile, but that wouldn't be forever. Soon, too soon, his own kits would become apprentices.
The mere thought had a chill running down his spine. The idea that his kits, their kits would one day be out there in earnest... Sedgestrike frowned. What a difference they had made. Where once the arrogant apprentice might have bolted around, declaring his family above all others, that he was probably starclan touched or some nonsense. Now, he stood a warrior, proud and concerned. His precious family held his heart in their firm grip, along with one other cat. One who understood him better than any one cat.
He padded towards Rippedsky with a confident stride. His posture didn't belay his concern to a cat who didn't know him. Some cats sniffed and padded away or glared at him. That was fine. He knew well that their fury at his former arrogance wouldn't simply cure itself. He had to do something to earn that respect. Especially... he turned his head away from Amberpaw when he spotted her at the edge of the clearing. He still didn't have the courage to say the words that needed to be said.
"Rippedsky." He meowed as he approached his former mentor with a confident smirk. "Feel like going on a patrol with a real cat?" He ignored the looks at his arrogant, but light, tone.
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Kestrelpaw ♀ Marshkit ♂
