|  | Birdstar |
Rainpaw was growing up. Even though he hadn't gotten much larger from his first day as an apprentice (something that amused Birdstar greatly when they stood next to each other), he
had grown, a touch taller and so much stronger than he had been. It was not just physically, either; perhaps the unkindness of the last season forced it on him, but he was so much less the kit she had brought home. In many ways, he was the same– but day by day, he looked and seemed more like a warrior. It put an unfamiliar tightness in her chest, to think of his warrior ceremony. The mixed feelings of pride, fondness, love, and joy... and fear. Freeing him to the mercy of the forest terrified and excited her.
But there would be no ceremony without a proper assessment of his abilities. Shaking herself from her thoughts, the leader gave Rainpaw a gentle nudge with her shoulder to make sure he was not lost in his own. This would be an important day for him: hunting without guidance or instruction, relying only on himself with no mentor to fall back on. Her tail whisked affectionately over his back as they walked side-by-side through the territory. She knew he would do well; she had raised and trained him herself, after all. Silently, she mouthed a prayer that there were no badgers lurking between the trees, and that she'd be the only threat he had to face. But that part would come later.
Slowing her steps, Birdstar drew to a full stop, propping idly against a nearby tree. This part of their territory was dense– they were closing in on the Fallen Oak, and the trees here were thicker, growing in clusters from the snow-covered stone. If it was green-leaf, they would have been shaded too, heavy canopy blocking out all but dappled sunlight; but the crowns were stripped bare, and the midday sun blessed them with proper vision. With a deep breath, Birdstar confirmed that there was prey in the area. And with a glance (though she'd been watching their whole walk), she didn't see any of those cursed traps. Rainpaw would have an easy time... she hoped, at least.
Leveling her gaze on the apprentice in question, she steadily meowed,
"The weather's good today. You're going to do fine, I think." She'd already told him how assessments went in camp; she didn't feel the need to re-explain, if he didn't ask. Stepping away from her relaxed post for a moment, Birdstar bent to touch her nose to his ears and whispered,
"Good luck, Rainpaw. I believe in you. I look forward to seeing what you catch." A smile softened her neutral expression, and Birdstar stepped quietly back to the tree she'd been leaning on, bunching her muscles before springing into its lower branches. There she perched, perfectly within view and watching him expectantly. She didn't want to disappear from sight
too soon, in case he had needed something first, but she had faith in him. Now, her only job was to watch.
