Rising Daughters

The soft, sweet voice of Dappleshine drew Thornbriar's attention away from taking stock of the fresh-kill pile. A hint of a smile warmed her features as she gazed down at the pretty silver she-cat. She couldn't help but think of her as her daughter. Thornbriar may not have been the one to name or birth her, but Dappleshine was as much her kit as...

Well... you know.

Turning to fully face the Riverclan warrior, Thornbriar dipped her head slightly in greeting. "I would indeed." She purred roughly. Really, Dappleshine's timing couldn't be more perfect. Then again, almost any time to hunt was a perfect time right now she supposed... with a clan and a half occupying one territory, supplies were constantly low. Patrols would return with what little prey they could locate, only for it to quickly evaporate due to hungry kits and apprentices.

Most of the warriors had decided to ration the remaining prey into smaller portions among themselves, and others had simply opted to go hungry so the others would have more to eat.

The more prey they found, the better.

Nudging Dappleshine, Thornbriar followed her to the camp entrance. They hadn't really had a chance to speak now that she'd thought about it... not that Thornbriar was usually concerned with empty conversation just to "catch up." Dappleshine was a special circumstance.

That thought was what drove her to speak as the duo exited the camp, looking sideways at the she-cat beside her.

"How have things been, kit?"

Thornbriar almost did a double take. She'd noticed the silver she-cat's new, semi-fresh scars but she hadn't thought...

Pride bloomed in her chest as she studied her daughter. "I haven't fought one myself, but I'm certain they are... and two eagles? ... I feel like I should have a talk with Scorchclaw about letting you patrol by yourself. You seem to have picked up my penchant for finding trouble, little kit." Humor felt almost alien to her lately, what with how serious their situation had become. It was almost relieving, being able to speak openly like this.

Recalling the days when Dappleshine wasn't even as tall as Thornbriar's shoulder, a question slipped into her mind. "I remember you being close with that scrawny skittish apprentice, but I haven't seen you around him since we arrived." The question remained unspoken, but it was obvious what she was asking.

She chuckled at Dappleshine's response. "You don't need to try, kit. You're already more like me than I'd like to admit. In fact I'm surprised you don't take more after Scorchclaw. You did well with that eagle by the looks of it though." However, at the mention of that little apprentice Thornbriar watched the young warrior's face harden.

The shadowclan warrior instinctually flexed her claws in preparation for the she-cat's coming words. Her own expression grew stony as her daughter explained the situation. She almost admired at how well the kit shielded her sadness, but Thornbriar knew. After all, a mother always knew.

At least, that's what she recalled her own mother saying back when she and her brother used to get into trouble as kits.

A mother always knows.

The memory of Snakegaze did nothing to improve the rising anger that had darkened her mood. She made a mental note to have a few words with the little mongrel the next time she had a moment. She resisted the urge to turn around and hunt him down. She mused that he would likely make good crowfood. For now though, she just silently let her tail brush over Dappleshine's in a comforting manner, her gaze softening ever so slightly. The kit shouldn't have to know the pain of rejection... in any form.