reflection [o]

The blazing sun was high overhead as Sunfire shouldered his way into SkyClan's camp. The cat on guard outside had been one he knew, and had accepted his sudden reappearance - with Firepaw on his heels - with a mere blink and a dip of the head. Unchallenged, the yellow tom made his way inside, ignoring the bewildered looks of the SkyClanners he knew, and the suspicious stares of the ones he didn't. His eyes flicked back and forth, casually searching for a mottled gray-brown pelt among the present cats. Wolf did not appear, however, and unease prickled Sunfire's hackles at the sudden worry that his son hadn't made it here yet.

He shook his head, dismissing the thought. He had enough to worry about without adding that on top. Once he spoke with his mother, once his place within SkyClan was secured (though it was an absurd thought that Wolfstar would turn him away), then he could find and drag the young tom back here... if he actually hadn't made it in the first place. Trusting that someone by now had gone to fetch the SkyClan leader, Sunfire stood near the center of camp, and waited for her to respond.

Someone had indeed come to fetch the Skyclan leader. All it had taken was a mention of Sunfire's name, and Wolfstar was out of her nest, shoving past the unfortunate messenger. Wolf, not Timberpaw, had told her that he'd return. Part of her had still been in disbelief, not wanting to risk disappointment.

The golden and white tom stood in the center of camp. Wolfstar blinked, half-fearing that he'd disappear. He did not.

"Where in Starclan have you been?" Wolfstar demanded, trotting toward Sunfire. Her tone held a mixture of anger and relief as she pressed against him. He was home, he was actually home. "I-" Thought you were dead, you stupid foxheart, "-missed you. Welcome home, son." Sunfire had missed a lot too... She could feel the dread curling in her stomach at the idea of just how many cats were gone.

He'd tried to keep from staring directly at the leader's den, half-fearing that when he met Wolfstar's gaze it would be full of anger, or disappointment, but the moment her gray-white pelt appeared in his periphery, Sunfire couldn't help but look. She moved towards him, and he ducked his head at her touch, chest vibrating with a deep purr. She didn't hate him, at least.

"I missed you too, mother," he kneaded the ground at his paws, relishing in the embrace for a moment longer before pulling away and looking her in the eye. "I am sorry for my absence, Wolfstar. And for my behavior prior to that. I will go into detail if you wish, but know that I would not have left if I thought there was another way to protect the clan."

Sunfire took a breath, the stub of his tail twitching a few times with nervous energy. "I understand if you feel the need to demote me for vanishing without a word, and I accept that. But know that I am here to stay, now - and to be what SkyClan needs me to be." He hesitated, for just a second, and then in a low tone, added. "The only thing I ask, is that you do not confine me to camp for longer than you must."  

"Wolf - Timberpaw now, told me you were on your way." She mewed, "Try not to keep us waiting so long next time. You belong here, Sunfire. Not wandering parts unknown." A huff escaped Wolfstar. She fell silent as her son spoke, tail tip twitching.

"You deprived the clan of a valued warrior while dogs were making a mess of the territory." Her voice was a soft growl as she stared at him, blue eyes meeting gold. "You don't know half of the destruction they wrought." Wolfstar turned away, ears flattening as she tried to keep the burst of indignant fury rising in her chest in check. The leader took a deep breath. Now was hardly the time to start yelling at Sunfire, who'd only just returned. She knew he wouldn't have left the clan willingly, that much had never been in question. And it was unfair to place that blame at his paws, even partly.

"I am glad you weren't among the casualties, but foxdung, Sunfire. Don't do that again." She turned back to the tom, weariness winning out over the fury and bitterness that had battled for her expression.

"Confining you to camp won't do anyone any good now, I expect. But you won't be joining border patrols for the next moon. Things on that front have been quiet. I intend to keep it that way. As for another potential vanishing act... Perhaps an escort while outside of camp would do you well." With some of the more responsible warriors, that was more likely to teach the tom something than a demotion would.

He couldn't help the quick sigh of relief that escaped him at the mention of Wolf - or Timberpaw, apparently. Sunfire nodded in approval, glad both that he'd made it here and that he'd assimilated so quickly. His eyes swept the crowd once again, searching, but he still didn't see the tom. He supposed that was good, if he was busy and out of sight.

"I know the damage," Sunfire said quietly. "Firepaw told me..." Unwelcome grief heated his core as he repeated the names in his head of the cats that had been lost in his absence. "I'm so sorry, mother. Graywind..." His sister's name came out barely a whisper, but it was all he could manage. The yellow tom bowed his head, a heavy, shuddering breath tightening his chest. Thankfully, she continued, allowing him the opportunity to compose himself.

So she wasn't confining him to camp, that was a relief. The stipulation of a babysitter, however, was equally as vexing, though he accepted it with what he hoped was a convincing nod. He could deal with having a shadow... for a little while, at least. "Of course, Wolfstar." He let silence fall between them again, and then finally. "If you don't mind, I'd like to seek a nest and perhaps a meal to take to it. I will join a hunting patrol as soon as I am rested, with your permission."

Of course, he'd been told. Of far more than just Graywind, she assumed. "I'm sorry I couldn't keep her safe." If she'd been faster, if the guards had been in the trees instead of on the ground... Wolfstar's gaze dropped to her paws, vision blurring. Graywind, Blazepaw, just two in the string of so many lost to those dogs. Their tyranny had ended in camp that night, but not without cost.

Sunfire's voice pulled her from her thoughts, and Wolfstar nodded. "Go and rest." She mewed softly, leaning forward to press against his shoulder briefly before pulling away.