Soon enough Mirehound heard the familiar large foot fall of her other littermate and turned just as Starrycrash bumped his head to hers. A moment that lingered for nothing longer than a second, finished off with a flash of gratitude. She already felt stronger with her kin beside her, knowing that whatever this darkness was inside of her, she would survive it. She was silent a moment, but ended in shaking her head.
"I have to bury them." She owed that to Ivyleaf, at least, after how valiantly the she-cat had fought. Mirehound didn't need to keep looking to kno wher kin would understand.
Eyes on her pelt had her turning her blue gaze to Shadowfur. He seemed to be watching her, though whether it was him being guarded or her own exhaustion, Mirehound couldn't make out what he was thinking. She stared back at him, blue eyes blazing. As it usually did with her mentor, words swirled in a chaotic storm within her mind. None of them came to the tip of her tongue though, and instead dissipated into silence.
Near her was a kit though, who had come up. Were the queens not watching them?? And that particular one - that was Frostscreech's daughter, was it not? Sliding out a paw, Mirehound aimed to draw the kit over to her, if only to keep her out from under the paws of the warriors who would no doubt move to take the bodies away soon.
"Frostscreech," she called, ear flicking towards the kit as if to signal the tom to come collect his offspring.
More opinions from lifted voices as Mirehound's attention was quickly brought back to the meeting. Sunsetthorn, her mate Branchfire. Havengaze. Most of what was said drew deep irritation from the shadow but she remained silent, knowing their leader well enough to deliver reprimands where needed.
Then, a rather surprising voice spoke up. Oliveglow's sister. Blue eyes turned to watch as she padded up, laying his claim on her brother's fallen body. She kept a neutral expression as she listened, silently acknowledging the pain she must be experiencing with a single flick of her ear. Losing a Clanmate was often something one could get over in time - a littermate was different. Mirehound didn't even want to entertain the idea of no longer having Starrycrash or Iciclestrike at her side. It wasn't a world she could picture.
However, she did not agree with burying them right away. What would she do if her kin were killed, giving Mirehound no chance to say goodbye? That thought was worse than the last, and something dark flashed in her gaze.
"How is bringing them into the clearing for their Clan to mourn their sacrifice not honoring them?" A dangerous venom dripped from her word as the shadow fixated onto Grapevine.
"Taking their territory is a start to reminding them that any lives they take from us will come at a price. " Forgotten was whatever pain her Clanmate must be experiencing.
"If you truly believe that measly herbs and prey are all that your kin are worth, I hope you never touch mine when their time comes." And that was that.
For now Mirehound just tried to focus on what Dawnstar was saying, letting her gaze leave Grapevine and refocus on the leader. As there were many instances where she did not see eye to eye with their queen, this was not one of them. ShadowClan had done nothing to ThunderClan as of late, and she knew first paw how arrogant the ThunderClanners had been. For stars' sake, one of them had leapt with the intent to kill her - a lone warrior with three apprentices! A low growl rumbled in her throat as she remembered, blue eyes darkening at the mere memory. Cowards, the whole lot of them. For a Clan who preached the code, they sure were blind to the most important parts of it.
Just as much as any of them had, so too had Dawnstar been down in the trenches. Fighting alongside them. For the faults she had, that one was non-existent. If any cat loved a fight, it was their leader - and as she said, she had the scars to prove it. Her words were nothing but a warranted lecture for many in the Clan, reminding them of the very oath they had sworn. To protect and fight for not her, but ShadowClan. The Clan as a whole.
Silence held her tongue as Mirehound continued to watch the queen atop her perch. Something about the sight... stirred an unknown emotion in her chest. Longing? Desire? The shadow wasn't entirely certain as to what, only that it made her wary. Her eyes narrowed subtly in thoughtfulness, the rest of her posture still upright and solid. Dawnstar never hid who she was, and yet was a master of control. She never showed weakness, she never bent to the expectations of others. No other cat in this entire forest held power over her head and... Mirehound coveted that. Ever since she had been eight moons old, trapped with no way out... she had wanted that. Power. The ability to make those who would harm her, her family, or ShadowClan pay with screams and blood. Flashes of memories that felt a lifetime away now had her letting out a breath she hadn't known herself to be holding.
Finally it seemed the moment was passing, and Dawnstar was speaking of waiting until after the next gathering before any moves were made. Information collection would be vital, as it would provide the ability to form a strategy of some sort. A Clanmate of hers nearby seemed to spout... some sort of nonsense about 'weak warriors' and 'babies'.
"ThunderClan is already full of weak kits playing their paw as warriors," Mirehound muttered, frustration sparking in her gaze. What was this tom even saying?
"Waiting until after the gathering is smart," she added with a glance to Dawnstar,
"but letting their indiscretions go too long without justified punishment sends a message that ShadowClan has lost its edge." A sharp gaze to Owltree.
"And I can assure you, that is far from the truth."
Outside of that, Mirehound had no other thoughts to add. So for now the black rosetted warrior returned her attention to the Shadowledge and awaited the continuation of the meeting.
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