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.