Coming Home [Open]

Crimsonflame led Spottedfrog to SkyClan's camp, a wide grin on his face, as the rest of his patrol followed behind. "Wait here, I'll go get Briarstar. She'll be so happy to see you!"

Without waiting for a response, the tom rushed over to the leader's den. With everything that had been going on, he was sure she would love some good news. This was her daughter after all! How could she not be happy? Crimsonflame would be thrilled if Asterkit was found after being lost for so long.

"Briarstar! Spottedfrog is back! Come see!"

He was so excited to see the reunion ensue.

Briarstar had been inside her den, attempting to perhaps catch up on some sleep, or at least come up with some sort of plan to get ShadowClan where they needed to be. She didn’t mind rendering them aid- she’d certainly hope some Clan would do the same had the tables been turned- but to say that it wasn’t depleting their resources and running the Clan ragged would be a lie. Her ears lifted when she heard Crimsonflame approaching, though, and immediately she got to her paws. Spottedfrog?

Stars, it had been countless moons since her daughter’s disappearance… And even so, what did the molly think of her? Nevermind that… How would she adjust to what had happened in the time she’d been away? Following Crimsonflame’s voice outside of her den and into camp, Briarstar’s expression fell flat when she saw her standing at the entrance. A flurry of emotions flooded her head- genuine love, worry, confusion, and a faint sense of anxiety settling at the pit of her stomach. What would Spottedfrog say to her? Approaching the other molly slowly, Briarthorn softened her features and dipped her head. ”It’s been moons… I… I’ve missed you.” She murmured. She didn’t want to overstep her bounds- she knew she hadn’t been the most attentive mother to Spottedfrog and her littermates.

The remnants of Bloodstar's bolstered defenses around the SkyClan camp could still be seen as Spottedfrog and Crimsonflame approached the familiar heart of the territory. Back then, Dawnhawk had been but an honorless rogue, out to cause destruction and misery. It seemed a far cry from the literal monster that had caused so much death and heartache since then.

Her nephew bounded ahead of her, and the she-cat's eyes followed him, wishing she could join in on his excitement. Instead, a lingering sense of dread tugged her ears to the sides of her head, and set her tail to a nervous flicker. What if her mother was angry with her for leaving - again? What if the clan saw her as a traitor? Beechfang certainly had.

Hesitation stalled her paws as Crimsonflame ducked into the camp, and she kneaded the ground anxiously. But she could hear him now, calling out to Briarstar. It was too late to change her mind. Spottedfrog drew in a breath as she passed through the barrier and released it as she entered the camp proper. Crimsonflame was waiting for her, and she moved to his side, following the tom's gaze to see her mother approaching.

The tuxedo she-cat dipped her head, too, half expecting to be scolded... but her mother's words were kind, and... tentative, almost? Tears pricked the corners of Spottedfrog's eyes, and, wordlessly, she stepped forward, tucking into the thick, plush fur at Briarstar's chest. Truth be told, she didn't know why she was suddenly so teary, but the relief of being back, accompanied with the worry and confusion she'd seen in her mother's gaze, broke the dam.

"I've missed you too," she sniffled between sobs that she tried to keep silent. "I'm so sorry."