Lonely Rivers Flow to the Sea [c]

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Something had changed in her since that day at the Outcropping.

It was nearly impossible to place her paw on it, and it wasn't the fact that a large scar now permanently marred her shoulder. It had disrupted the vibrant pattern of oranges, silvers, and white, sticking out as a reminder and warning to anybody who dared venture into the territory alone. A permanent burn from the blaze that she had been so keen to wield, the harrowing reminder that not every cat was keen on peace. Her mind often ruminated on that day as she had found it hard to leave her nest, thinking over and over and over about what could have gone differently. How she would not have had to endure the pain that she did, or the fact that she nearly had to reteach her leg to be able to bear weight and allow her to run in the exact same fashion as she had done so prior to the incident.

Two things had become abundantly clear in that time, however. The first of which was the fact that she had not done wrong. Sure, arrogance had come in quite the healthy dosage from the apprentice at that time in her life, and that hadn't fully died away. But there was no arguing the fact when presented with the evidence as to who her opponent had been that it was an uneven match. Had the onyx tom been so desperate to reclaim the territory for his own Clan, he could have very simply waited until she departed. It wasn't as if she had the skills to have detected him, or would have even thought twice about it if she would have refreshed the markets then left. He could have very easily been there right after.

She was just an apprentice.

She was just an apprentice.

That was what played in her mind over and over, and even though she now had her full warrior name, it didn't make her feel as if she deserved it. In the evening hours, the intrusive thoughts had played their screeching tunes, pecking at her with the beaks of vultures that it had simply been out of pity. It was what had drove her paws to finally leave the confines of camp for what felt like the first time since she had earned her name.

A familiar figure was not far ahead of her as she moved through Windclan's territory, her step still somewhat uneven. It was still a long road of healing ahead for the molly, and part of her wondered if she'd ever be able to run at the full speed that her body was otherwise capable of. That didn't matter as she saw the tuft of breath billowing into the sky; a physical manifestation of the ruminations that troubled the mind. Coming to the side of the tom, Crakeburn sat at his side. There was still enough space between them to be respectful, but she would easily be spotted out of the corner of his vision. If he hadn't, the loud swish of her tail among the grass would indicate her presence. "May I keep you company?"

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All that she had needed was that singular breath of permission, and the young warrior found herself taking a seat aside the tom. It had been an entirely subconscious decision, but she sat with her scarred shoulder facing Galestorm. Something deep down had made the decision for her: it would be much safer to place her weakness towards that of a trusted Clanmate than towards the elements to potentially paint a target for any predator or even enemy that had made their way into Windclan's borders. Even as she was ever-aware of how she sat and looked, it was calming to know that she would at least be protected in having her shoulder face Galestorm.

One green, one gold eye kept itself focused on the distant horizon, studying as the myriad of colors blended into one another. The promise of deep blue faded to a lovely lilac, which melded into a deep orange, finally settling on a vibrant yellow. Clouds speckled the sky, disrupting the consistent gradient with its presence, much as the patches of tabby and white disrupted one another on her own pelt. Her gaze seemed to snap to certain patches of sky in which silverpelt's stars began to shimmer, the beginnings of nighttime gently making its way onto the moors.

Galestorm's question pulled her from the lull of her observances, and the warrior was quick to nod her head. "Partially." She admitted with the singular word, removing her observing eyes from the sky and once more to the snow-blanketed earth. It had mostly melted, but small patches still remained. "It's good to exercise after such a large injury." The words may as well have come right from Daisyfang's maw instead of her own. "I wanted to literally walk through some of my thoughts... and just simply keep working at regaining the strength in my shoulder. I spotted you, and, well... The company of a clanmate isn't ever a bad thing, I hope."

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A mismatched pair of eyes widened at the words that she thought had reached her folded ears, which had twitched in immediate response. From the way that he seemed to spin away as soon as she swiveled his direction, it all but confirmed what she had heard. A prickle of warmth reached her own cheeks, but as the tom would change the topic, Crakeburn would follow suit. Tried as she did to entirely shake away the feeling that had resulted from his small comment, it didn't entirely ebb away.

She could, however, always get behind hunting. "I don't see why not, but only if you want to." A quick glance at her paws covered up the way her whiskers nervously twitched. "It's a really pretty evening, after all. I would hate to ruin it by the fact that it's hard for me to catch anything... and, well... still working on the fact I grumble when I miss." Another small giggle to diffuse the nerves that she felt. At least she enjoyed talking to Galestorm... he was easy company. "But... I'll take your lead. It's always good to hunt and bring something back to camp."

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