you've seen me before, you'll see me again [O]

Birdstar

Once the sun properly lit the sky, and Birdstar felt she had enough energy to do more than sit and complain, she set off of Highstones. Though she still felt weary, the strength and sureness in her paws was a surprise. Where yesterday's journey had been a toil, this felt like a walk through the territory. A walk through the territory that would have her retreating to the nearest nest once she returned, but regardless. It was easy. It was hard to tell if that was the force of StarClan that now coursed through her blood, or if it was just that her sickness was gone. Whatever the reason, she wouldn't complain.

Her travels passed on quickly, late morning wearing soon into evening. When the soft voices of her Clanmates reached her ears, Birdstar's heart jumped with excitement before falling just as quickly. Nothing terrible had happened in her absence, and SkyClan remained safe in Fourtrees– but hearing their voices, registering their scent... it made the ceremony that had been replaying in her mind for hours feel heavier. It was that dark tom Wolfstar's voice that hit her in particular, his words about how difficult a path leadership would be. Sighing, Birdstar padded onward until she was standing right at the top of the hollow, looking down on SkyClan.

Queens were bundling their kits into their makeshift nursery, shushing them for an early rest even though the sun had not fully set. Many of the warriors were lounging quietly, sharing tongues and fresh-kill as the day came to its hopefully-quiet end. A handful of the apprentices were stretched out to relax, too, though others were sparring amongst each other. If it weren't for the stone buried in the center of the clearing and the towering oaks above them, the dying sound of twolegs retreating for the night, it would look just like their proper camp. Despite her worst fears, SkyClan was mostly fine. Whatever hardships came for them, they would be fine, and she would lead them well. After closing her eyes for a moment to gather herself, Birdstar stepped forward, making her way down the slope.

As she crossed the clearing, Birdstar's eyes searched the crowd for her family. A flicker of nervous started in her chest when she did not spot them immediately, though she silently hushed herself. They were just obscured by other pelts, that was all. When she looked away from the groups of cats, she found her gaze pulled towards the Great Rock. It felt like she should climb up there, call them all together for a meeting and say... something, eloquent and meaningful about how she was properly their leader now. But she didn't have anything to say, at least nothing worth stirring everyone at this hour. Instead, she moved to sit in the rock's shadow, shoulders squared and tail curled against her forelegs.

Birdstar

There'd barely been enough time for Birdstar to sit fully comfortably before an irritated and frustrated face came hurrying over to her. She could only smile while Wolfblossom growled at her, tipping her head slightly to listen to the huffing. When her deputy moved forward to press against her side, Birdstar stretched to briefly rest her chin on her head. "Birdstar, yeah," she affirmed softly. "I didn't have to go alone, but you know how we are." She shrugged, forcing out a laugh. Maybe... maybe Wolf had a point, and the ancestors that had spoken to her. If she had nudged Plumleaf awake before she left, maybe she wouldn't–

"I didn't want to bother her. I was fine, I promise." She settled on the lie. She would... she would tell Wolfblossom what happened one day. Not today though, not right now. She hadn't really wrapped her head around it herself. All that mattered was she had what was left of her lives, she was well again, and SkyClan was on the way to being properly stable.

Birdstar had considered talking more about her ceremony– telling Wolfblossom that she'd seen dad, namely, but another set of pawsteps drew her attention. She was surprised to see it was Stormwatcher that approached, and her ears flicked downward for a second. He sounded... surprisingly timid, and genuine when he bowed his head. Birdstar silently nudged her sister, humor brightening her smile. The apprentice, the work Wolfblossom was doing with him– it seemed like it was going somewhere. Dipping her head in return, Birdstar mewed, "Thank you, Stormwatcher. I guess I can't bark at you for calling me Birdstar anymore, hm?"