How Things Change [Sagelight]

Beechfang padded through the star-speckled forest, ears pricked. She had seen both cats she'd loved and hated in Starclan's territory, and tonight she sought out another. One she had not seen in... Stars, but how long had it been since the fire, since that day the clan had returned to their camp wreathed in the heavy scent of smoke and fresh blood in the air? How long had it been since... Beechfang shook her head.

Beechfang had her thoughts about her former mentor, though they had mellowed out at some point in her life... After the dark forest and Cloverheart, and everything else, she found herself almost unsure if she wanted to face him or not, however.

He had plenty of time to think on things while he relaxed in StarClan. His life, what he could have done differently, things he did well, his family and friends. Many of his loved ones were now alongside him in StarClan, and he cherished every moment he had with them.

There was one cat that he hadn't seen yet, however, and he had much to discuss with her. Her familiar large, gray-striped pelt came into view and Sagelight's face blossomed into an excited grin. He got to his paws where he sat and trotted towards her, tail held high in greeting.

Beechfang looked quite different from how he had left her all those moons ago, and yet somehow...she was the same. He purred heartily as he came right up to his former apprentice, butting his head against her shoulder with affection. At this point in his afterlife, he had no hard feelings for any cat, much less Beechfang.

"Beechfang, it's so lovely to see you again," Sagelight mewed, gazing up at her with stars in his eyes.

The familiar figure who trotted toward her was as jovial as he'd been in life. Beechfang nearly choked on the purr his greeting brought forth, her former mentor banishing the internal distress she had felt at the idea of facing him. "It's good to see you too, Sagelight." She meant it now, though she hadn't exactly handled being his apprentice gracefully in life.

The last time she had seen his starry pelt had been... When had it been? After the Asylum fell? After she had broken the code with Wrenspring. The thought very nearly made her laugh. She had broken that part of the code a second time without reservation, only as a warrior.

And under the dark forest's rule. So clearly it didn't count. Right? Riiiight.

"I... Am glad to see you, actually." Mostly. "It's been... A long time, hasn't it?"