Enemy or Lost Friend [Tagged/Open]

[Dyzzie]

OOC:// Backstory to what happened. Flowerkit(paw) ((Haven't decided if it happens right before or right after her would have been apprentice ceremony)) wanders out of camp, her father following to keep an eye on her sorta thing. She falls into a river, he jumps in after her to bring her back to shore, but the current is too strong and it carries them far from camp, to which the two begin their long journey to come back, often running into all kinds of trouble and what not. Flowerkit(paw) will return at roughly the age of 18-22 moons, and will be given a warrior ceremony soon after coming home.

Anyone can jump in, After all no one has seen either of these two cats in quite a while ;P

Tags: Ambrose

Duskpounce yawned as he sat up early that morning, slowly stretching out his long limbs before his gaze flew to his sleeping daughter. She was no longer the kit that he'd saved from the river (not that being dragged so far away by the river could be called saving). She was grown up . . . and it pained him to know the time he'd missed while he was away from camp, the other kits he couldn't watch grow up . . . the mate . . . . who had probably already replaced him by now. The thought pained him, and he vowed to forget about it. He wouldn't hold it against her, after all for all she knew he was dead. No one had seen what had happened - at least not that he knew off, and with how long he and Flower had been gone, well, again . . . . he wouldn't be surprised if someone else had stepped into his role. A beautiful she-cat like that . . . . any tom would be lucky to call her his. He was lucky, for the short time they had together, the time when she was his everything . . . no, she was still his everything, the reason that he fought so hard to return home.

It had been a long journey, but he and Flower where towards the end of it. Flower . . . . she had missed so much of the clan life too, having to grow up on the trail with him. but he'd made sure that her days were spent learning clan rules, warrior code, all the normal things an apprentice and young warrior would know. She was a remarkable student, too. She took to each new piece of information - each new technique with abundance. And with the few individuals they'd crossed paths with teaching her other hunting and fighting techniques . . . . the frisky little female was quite the interesting being. She was light and agile, delicate and precious, a keen hunter and climber, and not afraid to push herself to the limits. Her fighting wasn't quite up to par to her hunting skills, but she was still a decent fighter in a tough spot too. She had grown up so quickly, and into such a striking young female . . . . she looked so much like her mother that it often tore at his heart.

The small female blinked her eyes open, feeling her father's attention and looking up with a tiny yawn. Sitting up, the lilac tortie female stretched out slowly, her short fur reflecting slightly in the sunlight, giving off the same glimmering (shimmering) effect her father's did. One of the few things she got from him. That, and her green eyes. With a slow stretch of her muscles, she stood and shook some of the snow from her pelt that had blown into their shelter some time in the evening. Looking up, she tilted her lightly to the side, her eyes sparkling with kindness and joy, "You said we'd almost be back to the clan, right Duskpounce? Later today?" She asked, keeping her voice light and airy - mainly to hide her fear. She'd been gone from the clans for so long - she hardly remembered what it was like. She hardly remembered her siblings, nor her mother. How was she suppose to rejoin clan society? What if the outcasted her for the time away. She was basically raised like a loner (except for the deep knowledge of clan life thanks to her father's determination to keep her mindset that of a clan cat). What would anyone even think of their return. Of course, her biggest question was: What if they weren't allowed to return.

Their disappearance was probably a mystery to the clan - none know what really happened, and she couldn't imagine that any would be likely to have guessed that they were swept away against their will. but still . . . she could only hope that their return would be met with positivity - homecoming . . . . not . . . . anything else. The tom flicked his tail tip against his nose, catching her attention quickly, "Relax Flower . . . . it'll be fine. Let's go home." Flower . . . . he'd called her Flowerkit and occasionally Flowerpaw the first few moons they were trying to get home, but as she grew older, the suffix dropped - likely because by now she should have a warrior name - or at least be getting one soon. She looked at her father calmly, trying to gain her strength, before voicing her big concern, "Duskpounce, what if they won't let us back . . . . let me back in. I wasn't raised beyond my 7 moon in camp, and now I'm a warrior's age . . . . what if . . . . what if they don't want me."

Duskpounce frowned gently, before licking her ear, "Then they'd be foolish for losing two loyal cats." She looked up at her father in surprise, and managed a faint smile at his wink, "Like I'd leave you out here to defend for yourself. Besides, how will they not love you . . . . your an angel . . ." Her smile grew softly, her heart lightening at his words until she flicked her tail and cast a sly glance around the area, her diva side showing a bit more, "I am pretty fabulous, aren't I?" She asked with a soft laugh before following her father out of their den.

They still had a few hours worth of ground to cover, but finally they were with in Leafclan territory. The female felt her nerves strike up again, uncertain, hesitant, a tad afraid as she ventured closer to her father, looking around the land that smelled like home, but still looked unfamiliar . . . . Home . . . Leafclan . . . She just felt like running and hiding back in the den they'd used last night for shelter. It felt more familiar than this place . . . . Oh how was she ever going to survive this.

[Ambrose]

It was a strangely warm day for Leafbare; the sun cast beautiful rays of light upon the land, and it was almost like it was newleaf. Newleaf... still far away, but it was a reachable goal for Willowbranch. She knew she'd get there; that fire inside would never let her give up on hope, and the fire was one of the best things that happened to her. Lit when she was a deputy, she would never let it go.
Willowbranch was out, walking, celebrating the great weather. She came to this place all the time; a tiny meadow, dotted with daisies and forget-me-nots. It was truly beautiful, especially illuminated by sunlight like this. 
She reached the highest point of the little meadow and sat down, her gaze pouring out over the land. It was here that Willowbranch always thought about things. Was it ever the right choice to take Smokecloud as her mate? He was a great mate, sure, but Willowbranch would always love Duskpounce. He had stolen her heart, and when he disappeared, he never gave it back. And Flowerkit.. she must be a warrior by now. Willowbranch thought, her eyes filling with tears. Why did they go? Were they even alive? And Toadpool.. greencough stole him from her, too. It was difficult, being her, but she could deal with it. She was Willowbranch, deputy of LeafClan.

It was sunhigh now. She had been out there for an age; or rather, since dawn. She was all alone- wait, what? 

Two cats walked from the bottom of the clearing, perhaps rogues; the meadow didn't face any other Clan. but as they came closer and closer, Willowbranch recognized them. A blue and white tom, and a lilac- 

It was them. It was Duskpounce and Flowerkit.

Willowbranch pelted down the stretch of meadow. "DUSKPOUNCE! FLOWER! DUSKPOUNCE! FLOWER!" she yowled, choosing not to use a suffix for her daughter who was probably warrior aged now. Tall flowers hit her pelt as she ran like the wind to meet her family. After a 5 second run that felt like forever, she reached her daughter and her first mate. She nuzzled both of them, then tried to get words out. "I-I.. thought you'd never come back!" she stuttered, smiling uncontrollably. "Where did you go?"

[Dyzzie]

The tom kept a close eye on the area around him - on his daughter who was already looking ready to start complaining about having to be out and about so much . . . . Of course the moment a figure was seen racing towards him he froze, his tail motioning his daughter to stop as well - preparing for a friend or foe, who ever might be coming this way . . . . What he wasn't expect for that voice to shout out his name. He froze, his eyes wide as he properly took in the female, the way the light reflected off her fur, the leanness of her form, the beauty that was Willowbranch. She'd grown far more lovely since they'd been taken from the camp. The tom felt frozen as the female came up to them, nuzzling the both. He remained frozen as Flower recognized the scent, and practically tackled the other female with a shout of "Momma, Willowbranch!" He remained frozen as words left the mouth of the female, stating about them never coming back, asking where he'd been. Where they'd been. This entire time he remained frozen, from the moment she'd touched him and he caught the scent of anothers where his should have been . . . . She'd replaced him.

Her question brought him back to reality, as he shook his head, moving to gently nuzzle her back, his green eyes shining, soft, tender as he looked upon the female who had his heart, his soul, his being wrapped around her paws so tightly, "We've been trying nothing but to return since we were . . . . forced away." He responded softly, quietly. He'd spent many sleepless nights trying to find the way back home. He'd faithfully avoided the advances of a few females as well. He was constantly trying to return to her . . . . and suddenly he wasn't sure if he'd have a place to return to . . . his home was where she was. His happiness was her. His world features only her . . . . And . . . . she had a new mate . . . His gaze quickly jumped from the female to his daughter, "Flower got caught in a river, all those moons ago. I jumped in to save her . . . . but we both got carried by the currant. It's a miracle neither of us drowned . . . ." He explained, "The river carried us far beyond any place the clans had ventured before . . . . it was a hard journey back . . . ." He added.

Flower smiled as she moved to lean against the she-cat she hadn't seen since she was a kit, her eyes shining with tears, "Duskpounce and I weren't sure if we'd ever return . . . especially on some of those longer - colder nights. but we're finally home!" The sweet lilac hued female told her mother gently, lightly licking her mother's cheek, "And Duskpounce made sure to train me while we traveled too! I'm practically a warrior in all but name . . ." A warrior who knew some super awesome skills and techniques taught to her by cats in far different environments then this. She smiled as she looked from Willowbranch to Duskpounce, "It took us a long time to get back . . . but I'm just glad we finally made it home.

[Ambrose]

Willowbranch closed her eyes and took it all in as Duskpounce nuzzled her back. He was always my mate, and I was cheating on him. I was unfaithful to my mate. she thought, her eyes welling with tears. It was one of the things she had always promised herself she would never do. "I'm sorry, Duskpounce. I love you always." she whispered. Why did she take a second mate? And how was she going to explain to him that her one true love had returned? A tear slipped down her face. She would always, always love Duskpounce, no matter what. "We've been trying nothing but to return since we were... forced away." Duskpounce explained, Willowbranch listening carefully to every word. "Flower got caught in a river, all those moons ago. I jumped in to save her... but we both got carried by the current. It's a miracle neither of us drowned." Shock spread itself across Willowbranch's face. "Aw, sweetie!" she mewed, nuzzling Flower, and then nuzzling Duskpounce again. "You two are miracles." Willowbranch listened again; she had missed the two so much and was eager to hear everything that happened. "The river carried us far beyond any place the clans had ventured before.. it was a hard journey back." Duskpounce said. Willowbranch's eyes gleamed with respect. "You two are heroes! Wow.."

Willowbranch purred greatly as Flower leaned against her once again. Her touch reminded her of when Flower was just a kit, cuddling up to her mother. She listened to Flower's recount of the story, too. "but we're finally home!" Flower mewed, licking her mother's cheek. "Oh, how glad I am that you two are home!" she purred, smiling intensely. "And Duskpounce made sure to train me while we travelled too! I'm practically a warrior in all but name." Willowbranch smiled at Duskpounce, thanking him for training her. "I'll make sure that Sunstar makes you a warrior as soon as possible." We better start walking home now." she mewed, turning around and walking back, her pelt brushing with Duskpounce's. "My beautiful family.. So much happened while you were gone. Bluewing is gone now, for one." She would wait and let them see about Toadpool, and refused to mention it.

[Dyzzie]

Duskpounce could feel his heart weighing heavily in his chest - though he could never hold anything she had done against her. She was his everything, he loved her far to dearly to be angry with her. He loved her far to dearly to be upset she'd found another . . . but he'd have to restrain himself to avoid not taking out his fury on the situation with the male . . . At her apology he turned his face towards, frowning gently at the tears in her eyes, her confession. He gently licked her cheeks, lapping the tears away, "You're far to pretty to be seen crying . . . . An angel should never have to feel reason to cry," He purred gently to her, his tail ghosting over her back gently as if to try and calm her down . . . . but he was trying hard to keep himself in check. She had a new mate now. One who probably wouldn't like his return. One who might go after him if he was . . . to affectionate with the one who held his heart. His tail dropped from her fur like it had been stung and instead he just brushed his cheek briefly - faintly - against her own, "It's alright. I could never hold anything you've done against you . . ." He murmured gently to her, his voice to soft for Flower to hear, hoping she wouldn't catch onto the situation, "I love you . . . until the end of time. To the ends of the world . . . ." Unspoken: He'd always come back to her too . . . nothing could forever separate him from her . . . even if he had to come back and just be her friend, as hard as that would be to him.

Flower smiled faintly at the shock on her mother's neck, before laughing as she was nuzzled, licking her mother's neck gently, before her eyes danced towards her father, green meeting green briefly; "I wouldn't call it a miracle . . . Just luck." She meowed, before playfully raising her nose to the sky, "Besides, Starclan couldn't dare take such a pretty thing like myself from this world . . . . Not before enough cats had a chance to meet the wonders that is myself." She teased with a laugh, instantly earning a growl from her daddy he responded in a gruff voice, "Meet any she-cat you want, I'll claw out the faces of any tom who thinks he can meet up with you." Her daddy was never too keen on the idea of her growing up.

Duskpounce was the one to dismiss them as heroes though, lightly shaking his head, "I think the term 'explorer' might fit better than hero. We really didn't do anything heroic. Just very . . . explorative." Instantly Flower wrinkled her nose, "Exploring isn't much fun when you're not sure where you'll sleep that night though. It's like . . . . horrible!" She added, a hint of priss to her tone. She didn't mind the going through pretty areas - but she'd been less than pleased during leaf bare when they trekked through snow and cold, with half-warm dens to cuddle together in night. They'd likely never tell Willowbranch - but it was a miracle either of them survived the trek back too. Especially with some of the creatures that tried to get in there way.

She giggled as she leaned against her mother though, smiling as she relaxed, glancing at her mother as she purred, declaring she was glad they were back. Just her mother's warm welcome had the feline thankful, and feeling more confidant about returning to the clans. Much of the last few days had been spent with her worrying if she would be welcomed back or not. Especially considering the odd happenings of their disappearance. At her mother's mention of having herself be made a warrior as soon as possible, the female smiled in delight, lightly pressing her forehead to her mother's shoulder, "Thank you." She mewed softly, respectfully before glancing up when it was stated they should walk back now. Instantly the nerves were back for the female. Cats she'd not seen since she was 7 moons old. Many who might not even know or remember the lilac female . . . She took a deep breath before turning to follow her parents, her expression trying to hide her hesitance, even as her father smiled reassuringly and walked besides her mother, his blue pelt glinting in the sun.

Duspounce was finally home, and he really couldn't be happier . . . . well he could - had he come back home to a mate not involved with anyone else . . . but he couldn't hold it against her. He had been gone for a long time. She had probably thought him dead -- or that he'd abandoned her . . . no, he hoped she would never have thought. That she would have known better than to even consider it. but either way, she was involved with another. As the female spoke, he tilted his head frowning gently at her words, feeling like there was a lot that he'd missed. He was silent for a moment, before he spoke softly, his voice grave but gentle, "Tell me everything that has happened . . ." He half asked - half pleaded. What had he missed while away . . . How had his kits faired while he'd struggled to keep Flower alive. How had the others faired . . . . His heart grew heavy as the worry strengthened. How had any of them faired?

[Ambrose]

OOC: After this we can really encourage people to join the thread; I'll tag Wolf as well after you post ^^

IC:
Willowbranch could see the fury, the sadness, the pain of being replaced in Duskpounce's eyes. How was she going to tell Smokecloud Duskpounce was back? What if Smokecloud tries to hurt Duskpounce? she fretted, knowing who she'd side with. Poor Smokecloud; Willowbranch realised that what she had for him wasn't as intense as her burning love for Duskpounce, and now everything was going to be hard for a while. Willowbranch continued walking, her head occupied by a storm of emotions.

"Tell me everything that has happened."

Willowbranch frowned before starting with better news. "Hawkkit and Owlkit are now Hawkstep and Owlstrike, and all of our kits are at least apprentices. There are a lot of cats to rank up though, so they couldn't all be warriors together." she explained, faking a smile. It melted off of her face as she started to talk about the greencough epidemic and its effects. "but there was a greencough epidemic. It stole many of our greatest warriors.. including Toadpool, our beautiful son." she faltered, tears slipping down her face again. "I was with him when he left, and I made sure to tell him we loved him." She hung her head as she continued walking.

When she had recovered from delivering the awful news, she talked more about happy things. "I have two apprentices now; Stumpypaw and Cedarpaw, and they're just the best," she purred, flicking Flower's ear with her tail. "I heard you were a good little apprentice, too. We'll have to test those skills out some time." They were nearing the LeafClan camp now, and Willowbranch's fur started to prickle with anxiety as she realised they would be faced with shocked faces and probably an even more shocked face from Smokecloud.

[Dyzzie]

OOC:// Oh yes - tag who ever you'd like <3

IC:// The tom was careful not to bring up too much about the obvious fact he'd been replaced, trying hard to avoid the emotions from showing - not wanting to hurt her . . . . not wanting to make her feel bad . . . With how gentle and pure a heart she had . . . he couldn't bare it if she did feel that way. The family walked together though, the lilac colored female who was obviously a mixture between the two was watching them slightly. She had no doubt that there was probably going to be a bit more ease about accepting her father back . . . but what about her. A stranger to practically all the cats out there. Her green eyes closed breifly before she hid the fear of not being accepted away. She was a beautiful, strong and courageous cat . . . surely they'd be foolish to turn her away. Right?

As her mother spoke, the names brought a bit of information back to her head. Hawkkit. Owlkit. The names were familiar. The others were apprentices as well - soon to be warriors . . . and then her mother spoke of greencough, and she twitched her ears in concern before freezing at the mention of her brother's passing. Toadpool . . . Toadkit. Her father had faltered in his steps as well. His expression unreadable, "I'm . . . I'm sorry I wasn't here . . . . " There was unspoken pain in his voice, the knowledge that a kit of his had passed beyond his time . . . while he was away . . . He couldn't have even said good by. He looked at her gently, before nuzzling her, "It's alright . . . atleast he's with Starclan now." He murmured gently.

Flower looked up as her ear was flicked, before smiling at her mother, her expression gentle and playful, "I was the very best . . . . I'd be happy to show off any time you give the word." She mewed back, playfully put a prance in her step as if she didn't doubt that her skills would exceed expectations. There was a pause before the cat looked to the older female, and she managed a half smile, "It'll be okay, Willowbranch . . . I'm sure . . . I'm sure once the clan gets passed their surprise of our return . . ." Her words trailed off as she fought to hide her own uncertainty and concern for the situation they were about to be in, "I'm sure we'll be welcome back . . ."

[Deleted]

Deerfur was out for a small walk when she saw flower "um hello she said then realized the shecat looked a little sad " are you alright" she purred feeling sympathetic to the poor shecat deerfur had been feeling down in the dumps herself all she wanted was a mate but everywhere she went every Tom refused all I need is a leafclan mate she thought oh well she said to herself well I better start finding ways to cheer this shecat up

[Ambrose]

IC: Wolf for Smokecloud. Sorry this is sort of short!

OOC: Willowbranch had forgotten what it felt like to be with Duskpounce; electric joy flowed through her veins at any given moment, and it was like nothing else. It was sort of funny and inexplicable as to how it had ever worked; she was the serious deputy and he was the playful, flirtatious little furball of a warrior. What each one lacked was made up for in the other, though of course they shared a few things, namely sass and wit. The LeafClan camp was dangerously close now, and each pawstep made Willowbranch feel sicker and sicker. Suddenly she noticed another she-cat who she recognized as Deerfur. A little shocked, she smiled nervously. "Um, hello, are you alright?" asked Deerfur. Willowbranch nodded and smiled. "Yes. Thank you for asking, Deerfur; I was just remembering something upsetting." She continued walking on until the camp was but a foxlength away. She turned to Flower and Duskpounce and mewed, "You might get some funny looks, but what else can you expect from being away all these moons? You will be welcome, and I will make sure of that, but you're probably a legend the elders tell kits now." she said, throwing in a joke to calm them down. She just wondered what Smokecloud would think.

And with that, Willowbranch stepped back into camp.

[Dyzzie]

Flower jumped faintly at the approach of another, turning o the cat that her mother called Deerfur. Deerfur . . . was there a Deerkit back when she was younger? She couldn't remember. The feline kept her muzzle shut though as she looked between the two. Duskpounce nodded politely, once to the young feline, also trying to figure out if he could place her, before chuckling at his . . . . Willowbranch's words, "I would be surprised if we didn't get some odd looks. And I can imagine Flower would be delighted to be a legend." Flower preened at the idea, swishing her tail faintly, smiling at her father, "It would be rather . . . fun." She admitted with a laugh.

[Wolf]

The large grey and white tom slowly approached the reunited family as they entered the camp, yellow eyes narrowed to slits. He recognized the tom instantly as the mate of Willowbranch who had vanished and left his family behind, leaving Smokecloud to be the one to help the deputy raise her family as a step-father. He opened his mouth to speak to Willowbranch, his mate...no, Duskpounce's mate...but turned away with a lash of his grey-to-black tail. How had he been so foolish to believe the beautiful tortoiseshell would really choose him over her mate? The anger took his breath away and sent the already sickly tom into a coughing fit as he stalked away from the camp entrance, digging his claws into the ground beneath his paws.

(Sorry it's short, my muse is really low right now)

[Whiteleaf]

Just as Whiteleaf was about to pounce on that water vole a few tail lengths away, the ginger and white warrior blinked open her green eyes. She sighed, realizing that it had just been a dream. The she-cat looked around the almost empty warriors den, quickly realizing how late in the afternoon it was. Standing up with a yawn, Whiteleaf stretched out her long limbs before hopping out of the nest made of moss and feathers. Careful not to disturb the few warriors that were there, she made her way to the entrance of the den.

After peering outside for a moment, she quickly slipped out of the den. A thin blanket of snow covered the Leafclan camp clearing. Slightly fluffing up her fur as she glanced around, she spotted a group of cats enter the camp together. Stepping towards them to take a closer look, Whiteleaf saw that it was the Leafclan deputy with a couple of cats she didn't recognize, a tom and young she-cat.

She slowly headed for the entrance of the camp, wondering who those strange cats were, and why Willowbranch had brought them there. The experienced warrior opened her mouth to scent the air, but that instead alerted her to Smokecloud's angry presence coming from behind. She watched as the large tom passed her to stand before the trio of cats, and with a lash of his tail, marched off wordlessly.

"What's going on?" Whiteleaf muttered to herself in confusion, wondering where Sunstar was. She padded over to the deputy and the others with a flick of her ear in greeting. The she-cat then tried to discreetly take a closer look at the tom, knowing she somehow knew him. After a couple of moments, her green eyes widened in astonishment, finally being able to place him. "Duskpounce?" she asked quietly. She remembered that he had disappeared moons and moons ago with one of his kits. They hadn't talked much before, but it was still a nice surprise.

[Ambrose]

OOC: Deku with Sunstar (if you want!)

IC: Willowbranch felt as if she were diving into a pool of water, shutting her eyes, and letting go. She was back in the camp now, and she was ready for any questions or ridicule or what else was to come her way.
The camp was, for once, not entirely covered in snow, though there was a thin layer of snow and ice in certain places, making the camp glisten with the last remnants of leafbare. Leafbare could go as soon as possible. Willowbranch surveyed the scene, noticing a few cats out in the clearing, though her eyes were searching for a certain grey and white tom; Smokecloud. Her heart was conflicted with feelings of both joy and sadness, unsureness and love.

Her eyes came to rest upon him, at last. Smokecloud made his way slowly to the reunited cats, his eyes slitted with.. unsureness? Anger? Willowbranch couldn't tell what he was thinking, but she knew that it probably wasn't joy. Willowbranch looked at him with sorrow in her eyes, mouthing that she was sorry. Could she say much more? I should have never taken a second mate.. Willowbranch felt a pang of worry as Smokecloud opened his mouth to speak, imagining the things he'd say to her, but he just turned around, said nothing,. She glanced anxiously at Duskpounce for a moment; while she did love Duskpounce more than Smokecloud, she couldn't help but feel extremely sorry for Smokecloud. He left, sick, his body rattling in a coughing fit. 

Willowbranch had other things to focus on, now that Whiteleaf had stumbled upon the scene, asking; "What's going on?" Willowbranch sympathised with her confusion; after all, here was the deputy with two cats most of the Clan had never seen before. The deputy smiled shakily and answered, "This is my mate and my daughter; they went missing many moons ago." The impact of using the word mate with Duskpounce again struck her hard, but in the best way. She noticed other cats making their ways towards them, continuing to smile shakily at the newcomers. She couldn't help but wonder where Sunstar was; with the growing crowd, she must have noticed the ruckus.

[Dyzzie]

The tom eyed the approaching tom, taking in the other's position, the way he held himself . . . . the look in his gaze. Duskpounce frowned lightly, watching the tom suddenly spin around and leave, a sigh leaving the tom, "I'm sorry . . . If my return will cause you problems, Willow." He purred gently to the female. He didn't get the chance to say anything else, however, before another approached them. He glanced over at the other, recognizing her faintly, As his name was given, he nodded lately, "Yes . . . ." he stated, a simple response to it indeed being him, even as his gaze turned towards Flower who was beginning to wilt under the attention. He nudged her gently, reassuringly as the violet-tinted female's tail seemed to go limp with all the active. Of course, his attention was pulled away by Willowbranch's next words, looking at her when she introduced him as her mate . . . . his heart pounded, a moment of a smile touched his muzzle, though he kept from leaping at her and embracing her with the knowledge that it would be improper . . . As much as it pained him to not just sneak her away and cuddle with her until they were both old and in the elder den . . . For now he'd settle with a brief, quick lick to the cheek, "We've only just managed to return. but that's a story for another time." Duskpounce stated with a gentle grin, his gaze moving back to Flower, gently nudging his mate and motioning to their daughter who looked ready to bolt with all of the attention that was currently on her. "Flower, relax."