keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground[c]

"You wished to speak to me?" He didn't know why, after so long, that was all he could come up with to greet his sister. The rest of the cats had disappated, finally, and he could seek out her presence. The news of Tigerstar's disappearance still he had him stumbling, unable to quite right himself after what felt like the most important factor of his life was ripped away from under his paws. He couldn't help the waves of guilt that accompanied the news either. If he had been here, would Tigerstar still be missing? And how much time had he missed, running off like a fool and forgetting what remained for him at home? Now Father was gone, and Leopardwind might never even seen him again. What had become of his Leader? How had Tigerstar spent the last few days in Camp before he too was gone with the wind? He had so many questions, so many experiences he had missed for the sake of what could've been. Just a few moons had passed, and he felt like time had been stolen from him. The world he knew had changed, shifted with time. What else was hiding in the corners, waiting for him to unviel what time had stolen from them-- from him?

He did not bother to linger, rushing forward to press his muzzle into her soft, soft fur and breathe in deep, as much as he could. Was that tears that stained her fur when he finally drew away? "I have missed you," He murmured, the words slipping out as if they had waited seasons to be spoken. When was the last time he had said something like that? Once, he would've thought this a moment of weakness, and perhaps it was, but he was content to be soft, if it meant being with his sister yet again. "How is everyone? Thistledown?" His brother, who he had yet to congratulate properly on his new name, despite all the time that had passed since. "Have Foxpaw, Falconpaw and Moldpaw earned their names yet?" He did not want them to have-- he wanted to be there when they did. He wanted to be with his family when they achieved something great. He simply wanted to be with his family.

There was so much to ask, so little breath to say it all. "How are you, Viperpaw?" Since Tigerstar's disappearance... his sister must have had it hard, losing her father and what she must've thought was her brother too. Leopardwind couldn't help the fresh guilt that made his whiskers twitch. And even that foolish, complaining fool that Leopardwind only now realized must've been Viperpaw's friend. And where was her mentor, Auburnrain? Surely not gone too? The black tom drew his sister into an embrace. He wondered if Viperpaw could hear his heart in his throat, taste the fear that clung to his fur. "I am sorry."

「R」

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Quillsplash | Bird / Tom / ShadowClan T5 Warrior / #802318
Leopardwind / Tom / WindClan T4 Warrior / #cc9900
Milkkit / Tom / RiverClan Kit / #dbc6ad

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As the rest of the clan had moved in to greet both Coyotegrin and Leopardwind, Viperpaw had pulled back, letting everyone else have their moment. And to give herself a moment of reflection, to gather her thoughts and feelings before her promised talk with Leopardwind. Undoubtedly her failures were going to become apparent very fast, especially when it seemed everyone was charging ahead. Thistledown with his name, and then those who had once shared her den as a kit now had apprentices of their own and where was she? The same place she'd been since kithood. Behind everybody else. Always behind and never in front, where she was suppose to be. Last to be an apprentice, last to find out about Creamlily, last to be a warrior. Leopardwind was going to be so disappointed. More lies, more compensation, it would have to suffice. She would not be the failure that the stars were trying to tell her that she was... This, another challenge. These feelings she would overcome, good leaders were sure of themselves, they did not have doubt and regret.

The crowds began to dissipate, and she found her brother's eyes already on her. From here, the molly could not read his features. She heard his voice though. "Well, yes-" Before she could comprehend what had happened, he nose was buried in her scruff, inhaling her scent. To say Viperpaw was surprised was an understatement, had they not already had their emotional reunion? Could they go back to normal? This physical affection... She hated having a mussed up pelt, and well neither of them were the cuddly type. Who would want to hold a snake? She sat there, unmoving, not sure what to make of it all.

Things really had changed, and she needed to change with them. A sigh, a reluctant but pleased one, escaped her as she rested her head atop his. "I'm not surprised, I'm irreplaceable." The black tom pulled away, the absence of his warmth revealing where his tears had stained her golden pelt. Her heart stuttered, and she bit her lip. That gentleness she claimed to have found, now was the time to find it again. Clearly, it was what he needed, and had she not said they were the same once? Perhaps he felt the same, like a failure, a burden, a fool. Viperpaw didn't think Leopardwind was any of those things. He was the only cat she really and truly cared for the opinion of.

His journey, whatever answers being away had given him, had changed him, as the loss had changed her. The black warrior asked about their family, but she wanted to ask him about his experiences. Patience. "No, none of us, just Thistledown. He is... Overbearing at best and a royal pain in the tail at worst. I understand why he is how he is, this string of losses has not been easy. I wish he would get off my back, I'm not going anywhere, I've put up with way too much to give up." answered Viperpaw with a grin, though she was deadly serious about her other brother. His efforts were better directed to Falconpaw, Moldpaw and Foxpaw. They were airheads, even if they were family. They didn't see it like her and Leopardwind did, they needed looking after. She would be fine, she wasn't broken yet.

Tears glimmered still in her brother's eyes as she spoke. Her tail swatted at nothing, a flicker of her holding herself back from giving into her own emotions, and her previous go to when faced with something confronting, whether it be harsh words or emotions. He asked about her, the question ending with an apology as he once more hugged her. He couldn't see it, but the she-cat's lip wobbled ever so as she uttered "Don't be. We can't change the past, we can only move forward. Do better." Viperpaw was not speaking about her brother. She sniffed, being the one to break the embrace.

"As for myself, I..." words seemed to fail her, shame about addressing anything holding her back. It wasn't fair, he was being so vulnerable with his emotions and this was the best she could give. The best she would allow herself to give. Faltering wasn't an option, and yet she wanted to tell her brother everything that had happened, lay it bare. How she felt being held back, how she longed for her father to return desperately, even Creamlily and... She couldn't even admit that to herself. It was disgusting. Viperpaw swallowed "I am fine, unchanged, clearly. I think my ceremony will be soon, I'm glad you'll be here for that. What about you, Leopardwind, how have you been? You seem changed, in a good way."

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keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground[c] Giphy

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