What We Keep Alive [Tara]

For once, it wasn't snowing, and Smokefeather limped from the den, determined to make use of the break in weather for a little while. The sun was just nearing its peak in the sky, rays of weak light making their way through the pines and dappling Skyclan's camp. It wasn't the warmest day out, but being stretched out in the sun was better than staying cooped up in the shade of the den, and so Smokefeather rested her head on her paws with a sigh. Despite being relatively young for an elder, the seasons of little exercise and a lack of physical activity due to her injuries had made her frailer than she might've otherwise been. The cold made her joints painfully stiff, especially the ruined hind leg that had sent her into retirement last newleaf. Muddythorn did his best, though Smokefeather wasn't keen on taking any more herbs than the bare minimum. Leafbare meant sickness, and this leafbare had been particularly harsh. Those herbs were better spent elsewhere, like the warriors and apprentices who contributed to the fresh kill pile and who were out in the elements every day rather than sitting about camp.

The fluffy tortoiseshell closed her eyes for a moment, though the sound of approaching pawsteps made her ears twitch and she turned her head slightly in the direction of whoever had decided to approach without opening her eyes. The sun wasn't the warmest, but it had lulled her into a sense of peace for the moment and she was content to merely sit and rest.

Bloodstar dropped a small rabbit on the freshkill pile. What pitiful thing that was... but it would do. He turned his ehad once he caught the familiar shape of Smokefeather in the corner of his eye. He hesitated a moment and was content to just watch. She looked serene for once... and he remember how they had always played in the snow together. Much to Bloodstar's misery... but at least she had liked it. He glanced around guiltily for Briarthorn... but not seeing her, he approached Smokefeather. Saying nothing, he simply sat beside her, careful not to block the weak rays of sunlight from her.

"I'd ball up some snow and smack you with it... but I get the feeling we're all a little tired of this mousedung." He lazily slapped some of it away from his toes, but to no avail. There was always more. It was always nice to talk to her, despite how things have turned out between them. She pulled him back into a time where nothing really mattered. He didn't have responsibilities yet... and he didn't have a murderous traitor of a son either.

It was nice to forget these things, even if just for a little while.

A small smile crossed Smokefeather's face at Bloodstar's voice, the hint of a smirk tugging at her maw. "We all are." She agreed, shifting to lay on her side and glance up at him. Through everything, she was glad that she and Bloodstar had managed to get on good terms again. Admittedly, Smokefeather had been somewhat reclusive lately, fading into the background and not interacting much with her own clanmates. It was a shock to realize that she was well and truly one of the oldest Skyclanners left in the clan, with most of the clan's warriors and apprentices being much younger than her. The knowledge was disconcerting, and had only served to further the feeling of isolation from much of the clan. At least Bloodstar and some of their kits remained for her to feel comfortable talking with, as did Lynxpetal.

"It feels as if this leafbare is unending, doesn't it? I'd love a break from the cold, if nothing else." Smokefaether's fur was long, but it was thinner than it used to be, and didn't seem to help nearly as much as it used to in the cold. And her leg... The old injury was not suited for the cold at all. At least her fur managed to keep her somewhat warm, though her shorter-furred clanmates didn't have that luxury.

Unending was a light term for this season. He sighed, taking in a lungful of cold air and exhaling it as a silver mist. He lie down next to her and tucked his legs under him like a loaf. It was easier to keep warm this way.

"I would be fine with an endless early greenleaf after this. Still some rain with mild temperatures." He stopped talking about the weather after that. He and Smokefeather were still far too close to be lingering on such trivial subjects. "It was a challenge Smokefeather, but we did it. We successfully raised many kits and they are thriving. I became a leader and my clan is doing well. Would you say we accomplished our most important goals in life?" He didn't want to think about or bring up Dawnhawk. He wanted this to be a good conversation between them.

Bloodstar himself was older than most of the clan cats here too. He was on the tail end of his prime and he had noticed. He still hadn't decided if he was going to end his life before becoming an elder. When he was younger there was no question... but now? Now he wasn't entirely sure that he should. Maybe he would live long enough to not let Smokefeather die alone. After that he might go find a nice sized pack of dogs to fight to the death.

Bloodstar didn't want to end up in the elder's den. He didn't want others taking care of him. He would, however, linger around in whatever mediocre stage of life that was to come for Smokefeather.

Smokefeather pressed against Bloodstar, a purr rumbling in her chest for a moment as he spoke. He was purposely ignoring a certain someone, and she was grateful for that. "They're all respected warriors. Ashstorm is doing well as deputy, I knew she would. Even Beechfang seems happy for once" She held nothing but pride for how well their daughters were doing. And Beechfang... There hadn't been an argument in moons, as far as she could tell, and whatever anxieties she'd had over Bloodstar becoming leader, she seemed to be over them. And being a warrior suited her, it was obvious. "You've led the clan well, and will continue to lead them well, whatever happens. Can't ask for much more than that, I think." Well, maybe not growing old and frail while she sat around doing nothing, but Smokefeather had made something resembling peace with that fact.