Fish, fish, fish. It didn’t really have to be a specific kind of fish - any would do in his opinion. Kestrelwing reached the pond at a rather fast paced trot, crouching alongside the bank to skim the water with his eyes. It was just turning into newleaf and the water was still...

There.

Out of the corner of his eye the surface of the pond broke, revealing a scaly tale flip out and back in. ”Stupid fish,” the gray tabby purred, sliding out a long, slender paw. Three... two... one... Claws unsheathed, Kestrelwing’s forepaw shot into the water, coming up with the fish hooked on it. He let out a purr of satisfaction as he stood to his paws. A fish, and a water vole - that should be plenty to add to whatever the other three caught.

Making his way back to where he’d buried the vole, Kestrelwing quickly uncovered it and added it to the fish in his jaws before heading back to camp.

[not open - for rp purposes]

Once the last bit of patrols had been reported in, and Kestrelwing felt that he could finally slip away, the gray tabby left camp under the veil of dusk. It was easy to track Junipersong's scent through the undergrowth, slipping past reeds and rocks. Whatever kind of blood had been on her must've dried by now, as he didn't see any trace of it along the path he now followed.

But it memory served him right, Cattail Pond was the closest place to camp that Junipersong might go - the only other options being the training island that would be full of apprentices, or the border. Showing an enemy that she was covered in blood? Not something the tank of a warrior would do. So that left the pond.

"Junipersong," Kestrelwing called as he spotted her soaking in the pond. From what he saw it would take a bit to get all of the blood off. He didn't mind. He needed to know what happened.

He made his way to the pond until he stood on the bank, paws barely in the water and yellow eyes narrowed at her. Kestrelwing didn't speak again, didn't make any other movement, as he waited for his Clanmate to explain what exactly had happened.


// @Dizerel

The initial reaction that Junipersong had to him arriving confused the tom. Kestrelwing was a Clanmate, not a threat. He thought the first set of shock would wear off once she recognized that, but still a mask of unease covered her expression. What was doing on in her mind. What had happened at the border that made her look like this?

As she began to explain the beginning, Kestrelwing just nodded, imaging the scenario in his head. Splashleap and Junipersong getting split up; both of them marking the border but Splashleap heading back, thinking Junipersong had already gone back to camp, but Junipersong staying in the cave, inching closer to the remaining pup.

Honestly, no emotion at first showed in Kestrelwing's expression as he watched his Clanmate recount the events. The murdering of the pup. Taking out all her worries on it. Blinded by anger and loyalty and grief. Much like how he'd been when he'd come across the rogue in the territory. How each slash of his claws felt like a personal trial being resolved. How soon his paws and chest were soaked in blood, the body before him now unrecognizable.

Kestrelwing swallowed a lump that he hadn't notice rise up before as memories cascaded down in his mind. The limp body of the rogue. His conflicting emotions. Fawnsqueak helping him dispose of it. How old had the cat been? Older or younger than him? Had he taken the life of someone's child? Father? Brother? It felt like a voice was screaming in his head with all the thoughts that raced around.

She had did this because of the coyote that had almost killed him? She cared for him? Of course she did - everyone cared for their Clanmates in that regard. But this felt like more... The possibility that Junipersong would put her life in danger by attacking one of the remaining pups because she had feared for his life? He was disposable. Easily replaced.

"No!" Lunging forward, Kestrelwing dug his paws into the riverbed below him, propelling himself until he stood over Junipersong. Without hesitation he laced his teeth through the scruff of her neck, hauling upwards with all the strength he could until he felt her head begin to lift. Out of the water, out of the abyss that she had tried to drown herself in. Dropping her scruff now, he backed up and looked her dead in the eyes, pupils narrowed. "You did what was best for RiverClan, do you hear me? That pup would've grown up to become a real threat. We've already lost Firehawk. We can't afford any creature, no matter their age, to threaten more RiverClan lives. Do you understand?" His tone was deep and snarly, though laced with a sense of urgency as he spoke.

He'd made a promise to Lionstorm that he intended to keep, and however she had gotten there, Junipersong had played a part in helping him keep it. No creature would ever take another RiverClan life again.


// @Dizerel

A knee-jerk reaction caused Kestrelwing to flatten his ears against his head and for his claws to slid out. One moment Junipersong was still and the next she was thrashing about, yelling. What had gotten into her?? Where had all of this come from? He knew her as the happy cat, the one who always had a kind comment to give whether the recipient wanted to hear it or not.

At first it sounded like the work of a Dark Forest warrior. Had they infiltrated his home? Was there some sort of plan in the works to twist around the roots of loyalty that already had some cats dug so deep into RiverClan? No, that was foolish. Their threats were real, tangible opponents that surrounded them from either side. The other three Clans, coyotes, and now foxes apparently.

Kestrelwing had no time to waste any worry on evil dead cats coming back with a vengeance. To him, they had no more control over the living than they had when they were alive - actually, even less than that! He would give them no piece of his mind, no space to plant seedlings of doubt in his own Clanmates.

"...I do not hate you, Junipersong." The warrior forced himself to speak calmly, a rare sight for anyone who knew the impulsive and rash tabby. His yellow eyes were still narrowed though, but had lost a bit of their edge. "You're an intelligent cat, so I know that you know what is good and bad in light of the warrior code. You can utilize these thoughts against our enemies. Against those who wrong RiverClan."

Again, he thought back to his own battle against the rogue in the territory. How brutal he'd been. Reckless, almost craving the taste of crimson blood that flowed with each claw slash. No - no, no, no. Not the time.

"You're an exceptional warrior of RiverClan. One of the toughest we have. You're a good cat, Junipersong. Know that that is true, and let everything else melt away." Was he talking to himself now? Or Junipersong? The lines were muddied, and not for the first time that day he heard the whisper of his mother dance around his ear.

"Little bird. I am so proud of you..."

For a brief moment his own gaze clouded over, and slowly his yellow eyes went round again. Mother... No. No, no, no. He couldn't fall into that memory pit - not right now. Refocusing his attention on Junipersong, he examined her. "Are you sure you're not injured?"


// @Dizerel