Barricade Of Moss[C]

Ever since she became an elder, life had been... peaceful. Too peaceful. She's wake up at dawn, ready for the day's patrol, then remember where she was. The elder's den was empty, her nest the only warm one. She'd poke her head out of the entrance and watch in silence as the warriors walked off with their apprentices and gather their friends for patrol. And, just before the last patrol left, she'd return to her nest, tired and miserable. She didn't want to be reminded of her new worth-- or lack of it. She'd curl up in her nest, raising her head only when the apprentices approached her with fresh-kill and sticks of mousebile. As if she had lost the ability to even groom herself. At least that meant that she no longer had to take care of herself, and just let the apprentices do it, too tired to even complain when they tugged too quickly or missed a spot. She shouldn't waste too much of their time...

And so she remained, hidden away from the rest of camp, hardly aware of the life that bustled in camp. Until one day, she was awoken, not by an apprentice, but a small patch-furred tabby she-kit, who looked up at her with stars in her eyes.

Her mom... Tawnyshadow blinked, unsure of who the kit was for a heartbeat before she recognised the spotted tabby striped that covered the small she-kit's pelt. One of Leopardstar's new lutter... was that jealousy that rose up in her? Leopardstar could start anew with this litter, surely that was a good thing? "I won't tell your mother," She agreed softly, beckoning the she-kit forward. Her voice was soft from lack of use, and she shifted self-conciously in her nest. Her shoulders ached, though she couldn't tell if it was from the still-healing wound of the awkward position that they had been in for more thna a day. "Why were you avoiding your mother?" She prompted, head tilted to the side as she regarded the small kit.

Of course Leopardstar was busy. As Tawnyshadow had remained when she had her own litter. Busy. With warrior duties, and patrols, everything but her kits. After Leopardstar lost so much, the elder had no idea how the molly held herself back from coddling her new litter every heartbeat of every moment, but perhaps, to Leopardstar, ShadowClan would always come first. "The next time you want to explore camp, just ask me, and I'll bring you around. Your mother wouldn't object if I was around-- if you do decide to tell her, that is," She offered the small kit with a smile. She honestly didn't know what Leopardstar would say, nor did she care much at this point. "Now, since you're here, how about you tell me about yourself? What do you want to be when you grow up? The best hunter in all the Clans? The deputy? Or perhaps a medicine cat?"

Briarkit's excitement was adorable, and she couldn't help but smile as she purred in agreement, "I'm sure you'll be the best hunter in all the Clans!" She huffed at the mention of Sablestrike making the she-kit an apprentice. Stars, she remembered when she was a kit; it had seemed like a lifetime away that Leopardstar, then Leopardsun, would make her an apprentice. And look where she was now. "Don't you worry, little one. I'm sure your time will come soon. And if it doesn't, I'll give Sablestrike a nudge or two," She assured the kit, adding the last part playfully. But on a more serious note... Sablestrike would be hearing from her if he waited too long for an apprentice's ceremony.

"How was being a warrior like... well, it was a honorable title, thats for sure. I valued my duties very much, and I certainly wish I could still do them. It got difficult at times, but that's just life, and at the end of the day... I made a couple good friends too, some of who are waiting for me in StarClan now," Her gaze softened as she recalled Moondancer and Sagestone. She's always remember her first two friends, the cats who had been by her side throughout her apprenticehood. If only they could still be here... her heart ached. The day she stepped into StarClan... she'd have a lot of cats to meet again.

"Oh, I was an amazing warrior. Killed a fox all by myself too," Tawnyshadow purred. Where had she left that musty old pelt anyway? It was probably at the back of the elder's den. She paused for a heartbeat at the mention of Echomist, but quickly got ever it. "Yes, your father's in StarClan, and one day you'll meet him too," She confirmed. How much had Leopardstar told her kits about Echomist anyway? "You'll have to work hard to be as great a warrior as he was," She suddenly added. Echomist had been much older than her, and from what she recalled, twice as strong. It was a pity that ShadowClan had lost such a respectable warrior.