how the mighty fall ❧ // warrior cats

VI - WORRY

     Stonetail keeps her distance for two days. It is in part a request, quietly given to Streamheart the morning following the incident with Coal, and in part a command, passed from Greystar to Lakewhisker and ultimately to Stonetail.

     At that time, Lakewhisker told her to "do something relaxing for a couple sunrises," and she had. Ignoring the tug in her gut when she caught sight of Streamheart and the loners training or chatting or simply being amicable, Stonetail rediscovered what it felt like to hunt and patrol in a functional unit. There was a freedom she had forgotten in the moons spent training Thrushpaw, and it breathed new life into her paws. So reluctant to step away from her duties as a mentor on the first morning, she found herself disappointed when her border patrol came to a close the evening after. Returning to camp meant that this brief excursion as an average, unburdened warrior was drawing to a close.

     But then came the rain, putting her unconventional duties at bay.

     Now, huddling within the warriors' den for warmth and awaiting the return of patrols trapped in the downpour, Lakewhisker says, "Greystar wants you to resume with the loners when the rain passes. She has also asked that you attend the Gathering tonight."

     Lightning illuminates the den in brief flashes, but it is enough for Stonetail to see the old tom's concern by.

     "What is it?" she asks bluntly. "You're worrying." She's seen the expression Lakewhisker is wearing many times in her life, but most frequently when he could only stand aside and watch as Greystar solidly ended yet another argument.

     "She expects much of you," the old tom admits as a peal of thunder passes, "and I feel as if you think yourself...incapable."

      "She demands much of me, more than any warrior ought to be capable of," Stonetail counters, though not without an uneasiness to her tone. Lakewhisker's troubled demeanor takes no reassurances from this.

     "That is because she believes you are capable. Stonetail, look at your lineage. You are the daughter of Greystar, in turn the daughter of Flowerstar, in turn the daughter of two fine ShadeClan warriors. If you were to travel further down that line, I am confident you would find legends, warriors we can only dream to be. A family built on strength and greatness? It is in your blood, and your mother knows it. She only wants to draw it out of you."

     "When you put it like that, it feels like she's only checking to see if I'm really her daughter at all. For someone with all that greatness," –here her lip curls into half-hearted snarl– "I've already lost one apprentice, been saddled with two more who aren't Clanborn, and caused arguments with all three in less than a moon. Some blood I've got." Stonetail drops her chin to her paws and stares out at the pouring rain as it drills into the earth. It creates a shimmering curtain so thick that seeing across camp is impossible; the grey tabby lets herself gaze absently into the haze. Somehow, between the constant motion of the rain, the shrieking winds, and the symphony of thunder overhead, it's easy to get a little lost, so easy that Lakewhisker's voice is jarring despite the way it retains its usual, soothing tone.