Walk and Talk [Lighttail]

The air was warm as Wolfstar led the way from camp, and they had hit the point of late newleaf where it was honestly a little less than comfortable with her thick pelt. There was a breeze at least, and so long as the leader kept moving, things would be fine. She had taken Lighttail out on patrol today, and could only pray that it was a peaceful one. There were new kits in the nursery, and if Wolfstar had to guess, there would be more to join them sooner rather than later. It was good to see her clan growing despite everything that had happened recently.

"How are you, Lighttail?" She asked as their path led them toward the creek that ran through the territory, the water just able to be heard up ahead.

“I could be better, could be worse,” Lighttail answered honestly. “I’m not sure how far word has traveled by now, but I’m expecting. The kits started moving a few days ago and one little stinker has discovered she can kick me in the bottom of my rib cage. It doesn’t hurt now, and I’m glad she’s healthy, but I expect I’ll be changing my tune when she gets bigger. And no, I don’t know why I’m calling her ‘she’, I just have a feeling. You’ve had kits before, right? Any tips for a new mother?”

"Congratulations." Wolfstar smiled at Lighttail. She had wondered if kits would be in her and Stoatclaw's future eventually, now that they were in the same clan. It was good to see the clan grow.

A soft laugh escaped the leader at the other she-cat's words, "They'll do that. And always when you'd rather not be uncomfortable... I think they know." She mewed, "Nothing wrong in hoping for a daughter, either. Long as you're not disappointed if that's not the case." She missed her own daughters, Graywind's death had been more recent, but Quickpaw's downfall to illness had also stung even if it was long ago.

"They'll keep you up for days on end, but it'll be worth it in the end if they're healthy and happy. Kits are a gift... Even if their antics can be exhausting. But then, that's what the other queens are there to help with too, as well as Stoatclaw. If you ever need a bit of a break and want to paw them off onto someone, there's no shame in it. Not that it feels good to do so, but you gotta take care of yourself too, not just the little ones." She added, "I helped raise my grandkits when their mother was ill -" Juniperheart had never truly recovered, to everyone's grief. Wolfstar would have stepped in again in a heartbeat. "- and it's not a one-cat job. I'd do it again in a heartbeat, even with my responsibilities having grown since. They all had such different personalities it was a pawful at times, but nothing they don't grow out of."

Lighttail nodded, taking in everything Wolfstar had to say. “I just hope they’re all healthy. I wish I could just keep them safe forever, y’know? By the way, I want to thank you again. You have no idea how much better my life is now than it was before. You and SkyClan have been so welcoming, and I hope to provide loyal warriors, both through mothering and mentoring.”

"Good health is all we can ask for." Wolfstar knew what it was like to have a sickly kit, and wouldn't wish that pain on anyone. Kit or mother. She was afraid to hope for more, like wishing that they would not have to face some of the hardships their elders did. If Wolfstar had realized one thing, it was that the forest was too cruel to allow them that wish.

"I know things haven't been easy here either," The leader added, "you've been a loyal warrior. And you make Stoatclaw happy." After the Redice incident, he deserved that much.