Fashionably Late [Nightstalker]

The evening air was cold as the last rays of sunlight bathed the barn in ruddy light, the dusting of snow on the ground outside an unwelcome addition to the scenery that Brackenwing did not appreciate. She sat just inside the barn, where the roof thankfully meant the snow left the hay-strewn ground untouched, and gazed out at the setting sun. Despite everything, she was... content. Had anyone asked the former Windclanner if this was what she had envisioned for herself even a year ago, she might have laughed in their face and sneered at the thought. Abandoning the clan for the quiet barn life had somehow wound up feeling like the best decision she could have made for herself. With Whisperear and the occasional wanderer for company, and blessedly little drama though, she was happy.

Movement outside of the barn drew the marbled she-cat from her thoughts, and her head lifted, searching the encroaching darkness for the source of it. A cat, she realized, striped tail tip twitching. A cat meant her quiet evening was likely to come to an end, though in the darkness and glare of the sun's last rays it was hard to make out who the cat in the distance was.

Where Nightstalker had been staying and recovering had swiftly grown crowded with the addition of three other cats that he had never known before. In an attempt to get his own space away from the clueless mousebrains, Nightstalker made his way to the barn that held some bittersweet memories. He needed space to decide if he was going to stay in Thunderclans camp and play a big happy family until he inevitably got chased out, or just leave before his behind was chased by claws and teeth. Nightstalker was lost in his own thoughts a privilege at least with so many clan cats gone and a considerable amount of them if not all of the ones that did know him gone with. Shadowclan was dead to him, and he was dead to them as it should be, even if there were still cats he loved there. Didn't matter anyway, he was certain at least all but one spat and cursed his name.

Nightstalker was so lost in his thoughts and indecision that he didn't notice a familiar face until they were face to face and his paws were just past the threshold. Panic was the first emotion to rear its head before recognition of who it was finally processed, but knowing who it was didn't particularly settle his nerves either. Brackenwing could let anyone know that he was still alive, and what then? Would he be hunted down like the predators Leopardstar loved to hunt? Would they force him back not as a companion but as a prisoner for deserting his clan in their greatest need? Would he be put to death for his misdeeds, even if he brought so much good and skill to Shadowclan and learned with them skills that none of the clans ever had?

He was frozen as he looked at Brackenwing with shock and indecision, his mouth cracked open. Maybe she didn't know who was in front of her right now, he could flee and that would be it. He took a step back, his fur prickling.

The figure stepped forward, into the barn, and Brackenwing's gaze settled on him, recognition flashing in her eyes at the familiar scarred pelt with small flashes of white, an amber-eyed tom that she'd last seen at a very unpleasant gathering. "The clans are gone, and we still find ways to run into each other." Brackenwing spoke up after a moment, tail settling around her paws. He seemed just as surprised and shocked as she... somehow didn't feel. It seemed to Brackenwing that their paths were forever cursed to cross.

"When I said you and that idiot had lives to spare, I didn't think you'd take it as a challenge." She added dryly. "But if you're here I'm assuming you aren't in the clan anymore, either?" He lacked the scent of Shadowclan, at least, just as the scent of Windclan had long since faded from her own pelt. How strange it was, to see the cat she'd known as Shadowclan leader wandering this far from home.

"Seems that way." Nightstalker responded dryly, his tone gruff as he stopped in his escape. "No. I left. Short and curt in his response, the black tom stood fastened to his spot in the doorway. "You left Windclan then?" The tom inquired, wanting to change the subject from himself to anything else, he didn't want to talk about himself or his predicament.

So, he had left too, then. Brackenwing didn't really care for the reasons why, at least part of it would have been obvious anyways. To be called out by your own clanmates at a gathering, then struck with lightning sent by the stars themselves... "When I said you and the idiot had lives to spare, I didn't mean for you to take it as a challenge." She commented dryly. "He exiled one of my dear friends and lied about why - omitted information, whatever, same thing. He got two of my closest friends killed and my own brother kidnapped. And still refused to take responsibility. How could I stay, after everything? Even with a change in leadership..." She shook her head, "I am here with Whisperear now, and this is where my paws will stay. It's more quiet than camp ever was, and with less threat of foxdung."