[spade]

StarClan was something that had always mystified Kestrelstar. Despite the lives proving themselves true that he had received back during his leader ceremony, the gray tabby still found it hard to wrap his mind around his dead ancestors. It was easy to picture Duskfall because he didn't connect her with StarClan, despite her belief in them. So whatever this in between place was that Fernpaw spoke of, it baffled him.

The others... Kestrelstar tried to not allow himself to stiffen as the names that Twilightstar had announced ran through his mind; Deadpool. Nettlespark. Fernfrost. All warriors who had served their Clan, who had been loyal down to the very end - the bloody, and brutal end. None of them had survived, their corpse dismissed as nothing more than crow-food.

Bile threatened to rise once more, but this was no time for his mind to wander to the vendetta he held against ShadowClan - and more importantly, Dawnstar.

Wrapping his tail tighter around Fernpaw, Kestrelstar gave the top of his head a quick swipe of his tongue in an attempt to ease the anxiety that bubbled out from him. "You're safe here, Fernpaw. Nothing can get you. You're safe." Reassurance was the only other thing Kestrelstar knew he could offer Fernpaw. There was only so much comfort he could provide; the rest would be delivered once he was back with his own Clan.

As much as Kestrelstar felt his heart begging him to remain in this happy memory for as many moments as he could, the leader knew that WindClan was grieving. They had lost so much, and the RiverClan leader had a sympathetic heart for them.

"I'm sure the only thing Twilightstar needs to know is that you're safe. How about we go on an adventure to find her? You can stick right by my side; no one will harm you when you're with a Clan leader." A smile stretched across Kestrelstar's face, true and genuine. One reserved for the likes of Snakeheart or Duskfall. A rarity that barely saw the light of day, reserved only for those who held a special place in the gray tabby's heart.

"What do you say?"

// @BILL.