Open to Join Basking with the Sun

Leopardrose's approach went somewhat unnoticed by Sunstrike until the last moment, almost startling her. While she and the spotted cat were around the same age they had never really spoken. Although Sunstrike did feel there was something similar about the two of them - never really fitting in within the clan. Her request to join Sunstrike was kindof unexpected - as was her question. She didn't necessarily feel nearly as calm as she looked apparently. Although maybe it was by comparison to her usual self.

"Oh, no please." She scooted over so Leopardrose could have a share of the sunlight. She looked out across the clan trying to put her thoughts in order. "I. I'm happy with how things have turned out. You know, I'm really not a great warrior like my kin - not really aggressive. A lot of my training, kit-hood and life in general has been dictated by others. As expected, but..."

She instinctively groomed her paws - her fur had not exactly healed but the herbs that Tigerrush had prescribed helped a bit with her anxiety. Or it was just the changes in her in general that helped.

"This is something in my life that I chose, with no one able to argue with me or judge me. My dame can't influence me, my mentor can't influence me. Wrentalon can't influence me - unless I ask for his input." Her tone was lighter at the mention of her chosen sire. She appreciated his agreement and input on her scheming. "Plus, it doesn't require violence or aggression. Just the opposite in-fact." She stopped her sentence as one of the kits wiggled - it was probably quite cramped in there. She purred as she continued, somewhat conspiratorially "Just, affection and time and love - plus it's nice to not have to patrol for a little bit. You actually do get to enjoy the 'calm' as you say."

Wrentalon trotted back into camp, a freshly killed mouse clamped carefully in his jaws. It had been a good while since Thunderclan had had any queens, but Sunstrike was progressing nicely, as far as he could tell. His sister seemed pleased so far, which was a good sign.

He headed over to the nursery as Sunstrike and Leopardrose were chatting, catching something about Sunstrike's kin and bravery. He held back his own comments on those elders' constant disapproval, instead placing the mouse down beside the orange-and-white she-cat. "Afternoon," he greeted, settling down beside her with a nod to Leopardrose. He nudged the mouse toward Sunstrike. "Everything still going well? Have you eaten yet?"

He'd been trying to be reasonable with checking up on her, leaving most of that to Tigerrush or other queens who actually knew what was best. But still, he knew his friend to be a rather nervous cat, and with leaf-bare coming soon, her health needed to be strong.

"I don't think I'm brave. Just fed up." She laughed as Leopardrose agreed with her about her kin. "Right!? I hate it when Wildcry and Gingerthrash go out to hunt. It feels somehow worse than if an enemy warrior attacked me when I'm out on patrol. At least I could send them back to their clan with missing chunks of fur. Not so much if it's my grandfather and aunt. There was this one time I got stuck-" Sunstrike didn't get the chance to finish her story with the tree-incident before a fresh mouse was dropped in front of her paws.

Looking up, it was just the cat she wanted to see. Blinking at Wrentalon as he settled down, she purred at him. "This morning, I had a mouse." She gently bapped the rodent with her paw. "But maybe it will convince them to stop practising hunting?" There wasn't an ounce of annoyance in her voice.

Wrentalon had left her alone for the most part over the past few moons beyond checking in occasionally. She had a feeling his sister has a lot to do with it - and his respect for her. But that also meant he hadn't ever really felt the kits move and she did want to share that strange experience with him. It was partially his fault after all. Sunstrike gently guided his paw over to her belly, where the kits still seemed to be wrestling. She could certainly still feel them anyways.

Turning to Leopardrose, she continued. "If you want to check that mouse for that green mush, I'll share. But I don't think you have to rush this sort of thing. You are a good warrior in your own right Leopardrose. This isn't the only means to that end - you can stand toe-to-toe with my cousins. There will be a moment when you can shine. Regardless of what others think."

Wrentalon blinked as Sunstrike guided his paw. His eyes widened at the unexpected, strange twitching sensation he felt through her fur. "That's so--!" He couldn't come up with an accurate word. Strange? Exciting? Wonderful? He tucked his paws under himself as she spoke to Leopardrose again.

He gave his head a quick shake. He hadn't been entirely sure what the conversation between the she-cats had been before he sat down, but still he replied, "You're a good warrior, nothing drastic needed. This is just...what Sunstrike felt was right to do. Even if the kits will be born during leaf-bare." He did regret not thinking enough ahead to account for that fact. Kits were fragile, and who knew what a freeze might do to them? It wasn't time to worry just yet, though--they'd solve that problem when they came to it.

He looked back to Sunstrike, glancing at her belly. He could still feel the odd movement, even as he rested on his own paws. "Does that--is it happening all the time? They're just moving around in here?" He couldn't imagine having that constantly happen in his belly.

Sunstrike felt a twinge of fear at the mention of leafbare, but she managed to keep her frown from showing. She had been advised by Tigerrush to not stress herself out too much which proved to be a dedicated effort these days. "We'll figure it out. There aren't any other kits in the nursery at the moment, and Coyotekit is going to be apprenticed sooner than later."

There was more than enough cats to feed, but there were also many cats still hunting despite their elder status. That, and even though she didn't like many cats in her family there was no doubt in her mind that the Fiercebloods would take care of their own. For better or worse.

She was broken out of her own head by Wrentalon's awed question. He looked almost like an owl with wide eyes - should have been called Owltalon. She purred, and leaned into Leopardrose. "Sometimes. I can't really predict when they choose to move, but they have definitely been more active recently. Probably isn't much space in there."

After a moment of satisfied silence, she perked up. "Oh - I almost forgot. I wanted to ask you about them actually." She looked over at Leopardrose from her semi-prone position by the she-cat. "You can join in too if you want. I wanted to think of a theme for their names. Given Moosestar has to name them and all."

Wrentalon stretched out his legs on the ground as Sunstrike leaned into Leopardrose. He hadn't realized she'd been so close with the she-cat, and it was a bit of a relief. It was good to know she'd have more cats to really support and care for her, even when she didn't need it anymore.

His ears flicked at the mention of names. He didn't remember too many other cats speaking about names for future kits, but he still gave himself the fun of imagining for a moment. "How about something like...Bramblekit? Thistlekit? Something striking." Wrentalon gave a half-smile at the unintended pun on his mate's name. "You know, encourage the warriors in them." And still more excitement--the thought that soon there would be little kits running around with so much potential. He was going to make sure they were great.

"Well, it might be nice to give Moosestar some ideas. He is quite particular about names though. In the end he makes the final call." Sunstrike took her mate and Leopardrose's advice into consideration. "I do really like the color idea - but you are probably right Leopardrose. I should do something to do with my family..." She considered it for a moment before lighting up.

"Oh! What about bird themes?" She blinked at Wrentalon. "A lot of people in my life who are important to me - or were important to me - are named after birds. I could continue that trend, make it intentional. It's up to Moosestar if he wants to name them something fierce."

She would be happy with the kits regardless of their perceived 'potential' as a warrior. They were already great to her before they were really even alive. But, having them named in such a way brought back fond memories of her own kit-hood. Before everything went sideways. Plus it would please her mother, Kestrel, and Wren all at the same time.

Wrentalon relaxed a bit at Sunstrike's suggestion. He recognized the importance both he and Kestrelswipe played in her life, but underneath it, he knew she was thinking of someone more specific. He remembered the she-cat's brother from their kit and apprentice days, and couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy at the grief he knew she still carried with her.

He kept his tone humorous as Leopardrose made another suggestion. "Thrushkit's nice, yes. But also, Eaglekit, Hawkkit, Owlkit..." he trailed off, trying to think of any more predatory birds he could add to the joke list of bird-AND-strong-warrior-names. "There's a compromise there, is all I'm saying."