[Hellion]

Owlfrost

warrior of RainClan

Of all the cats in RainClan, Owlfrost was perhaps the most prone to introspection and guilt over things out of her control. A thinker and dweller on the 'what if's of life. In the wake of her family's demise and the reality her large family had shrunk to just five members, it threatened to crush her. The weight of being the provider weighed heavily on her chest in the early days upon finding safety. The way Drakekit and Cranekit both mewed and wailed for milk unsettled the tabby she-cat. Fear they would die nearly crippled Owlfrost into inaction, much like that fated day when her uncle saved her from a fox. Guilt that Owlfrost still stowed away in her heart over that day edged ever closer to bringing her down once more.

Yet, a blessing in disguised made herself known; Brinefang. Owlfrost noted the queen was still producing milk, but no kits tumbled around her paws. So when she offered her time to nurse the young RainClan kits, Owlfrost had enough sense not to ask any questions. Thankful beyond measure, Owlfrost agreed right away, trusting the StoneClan queen without hesitation. So started their mutual relationship.

Owlfrost neglected her duties beyond tending to her niece and nephew. She spent most of her day with them in a nest, bringing them to Brinefang several times a day so that they could nurse. She would not burden Brinefang further with their care but offered the StoneClan she-cat portions of her meal under the guise that she had already eaten her fill. Never mind the fact, her stomach still rumbled, and her mouth watered. She knew the hunger she could bear for the success and health of her kin, and by extension, because of her care, Brinefang as well.

Owlfrost never wandered far when the kits were with Brinefang. However, unease related to the suddenness of the chaos that was their lives made it difficult for her to part from them for long. Owlfrost often lamented over that fact she could not keep up forever, that kits would eventually need to spread their claws and learn about the world beyond, but for now, her task was to keep them safe.

Content to watch them, nurse, Owlfrost's ear perked at Brinefang's words. She took this as permission to ask further questions. Never in her life had kits graced her tummy; even during her sister's pregnancy, she had been consistently curious of what it felt like for her. Learning they were zestful as Brinefang put it, Owlfrost smiled. Of course, they were; RainClan did not have kits that flopped about like gasping fish. From start to finish, RainClan cats were 'zesty.' She chuckled a bit to herself. "They will make fine swimmers and fighters; I'll see to it myself if I have to," Owlfrost remarked. Out of respect for Brinefang's space, Owlfrost did not reach her head over to nuzzle each kit as she wanted but rested her head near their rumps, careful of Brinefang's tail and how she was tucked up to nurse. Their small tails twitched back and forth, and in another world, when it was her sister nursing the kits, she'd tease her sister that she had a pair of otters and not kits at her belly. Swanflight would flick her nose with her tail and shoo her away, and then Owlfrost would find her brother, and the two would venture to find feathers for their sister's nest. Sadness filled her eyes at the loss of them, but genuinely thankful with Brinefang spoke once again.

"Yes, his name is Drakekit. It's the name of a male duck. My dad suggested the name to my sister. She thought it was cute," Owlfrost sat up to speak to Brinefang, but her eyes stayed on the kits. Upon learning that he was a biter, Owlfrost ears pitched backward. Was Brinefang regretting helping them? "I'm sorry, is there anything I can do to help?" Owlfrost fretted for a moment, relaxing after Brinefang mentioned his future mentor. Perhaps there was a bit of care there, not enough to fill the void Owlfrost suspected Brinefang had, much like in her own heart. Yet, she let herself purr at the compliment to Drakekit's potential. "I hope they will make good warriors and live long happy lives," The wish she bestowed on them was not in vain. Owlfrost held their responsibility close to her heart; they would have a good life as long as she could help provide that for them. "I can't thank you enough, Brinefang,"

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[Hellion]

Owlfrost

warrior of RainClan

Owlfrost's knowledge of the kit was short-sided when compared to the StoneClan queen. Her experience with kits was heavily limited to past interactions with Troutsplash and Stormwind. Learning that Drakekit would be ready to try prey-scraps came at a surprise. Where had the time gone?

Not that Owlfrost wanted to dwell on the time since the shattering of the ground. How in a single day, her world tipped sideways and refused to the right itself. Like falling out of a tree, a paw caught on a branch and prevented a clean landing. Owlfrost still felt as if she was falling, claws trying to dig into anything strong enough to bear her weight, but all she was found was the company of Brinefang and dedication to her kin. Her brow knitted forward, studying Cranekit a bit more. Aside from trouble nursing, what kept her from growing as quickly as Drakekit? Did a sickness linger in the young she-kit tiny frame? Owlfrost's nose twitched after taking a moment to nuzzle and sniff her kin; nothing seemed off. She smelled soft and gentle, a bit like milk and a lingering smell of cold earth. The cave was leaving its mark on the growing kit. Owlfrost missed the scent of fish and reeds, where the nursery had been seemed safer than the inner dwellings of the earth. Knowing her family's last moments made her uneasy in the cave, but she endured for the kits.

Owlfrost ears flinched at the mention of StarClan. It wasn't precisely taboo not to believe, but Owlfrost knew it wasn't to be discussed. Owlfrost had taught the fear of StarClan and trust in their power to her, but the lessons never sunk in. Owlfrost far valued what she could touch and feel in her heart. Prayers to StarClan did not fill her chest with hope or soothe her worries. They felt empty and forced.

Her father had been devout, prayed to them each night. She could remember those moments in the quiet of the nursery just before her apprentice ceremony. He prayed that StarClan could guide them on the right path, lead their paws to follow the warrior's code, and heed their leader's guidance.

Owlfrost hummed along, not quite ready to boldly state she did not believe in a cat, so clearly doing her an excellent service out of respect for the code and obedience to their ancestors.

Her choice not to discuss StarClan was further supported when Brinefang cited the warrior code for why she had offered her time and energy to strange kits.

"Code or Not, you have saved them, and for that, I will be forever in your debt" Owlfrost insisted, attempting to catch the gaze of the StoneClan she-cat. "I don't want to upset you, but if I am ever graced with being a mother, I hope I'd be half the queen you are,"

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[Hellion]

Owlfrost

warrior of RainClan

Owlfrost witnessed the Brinefang's lips turn into a thin line and her tail flick; dread fell into Owlfrost's stomach. The weight of it threatened to pull her heart down into despair.

As Brinefang started to speak, and the truth was gradually revealed. Owlfrost shifted her attention away from the she-cat out of respect, affixing her gaze to the few members of her family.

Endless questions came to Owlfrost; if Brinefang hadn't wanted to be a mother, why did she accept the affections of a tom knowing what came of it. Had she been pressured? The thought seemed ridiculous to Owlfrost; the idea of Brinefang being pressured to do anything was ludacris. Yet, even in the short amount of time she had come to know of the warrior-queen, she seemed steadfast in her ways and determined to serve her Clan.

There was so much hidden in Brinefang's past, and given how intertwined their lives had become in the past few days, the curiosity to understand her had grown.

Then she uttered words that broke Owlfrost's own composure.

'I miss them,'

Her grief about her family had been compartmentalized for days, and hearing such a strong-willed she-cat, one she had quickly come to admire, admit that weakened Owlfrost's resolve.

"I lost my family, I know it's not the same as kits, there is something cruel about the loss of little ones," Owlfrost paused, attention returned to the kits at Brinefang's belly. "What I mean is, I know how you feel, missing someone and not being able to do anything about it. It hurts and makes me sick every day," She admitted, turning her head full this time to avoid looking at either kits or Brinefang. Her voice wavering and threatening to break. "I miss my mom, I miss my dad, I lost my sister and brother, and I'm terrified every day that I will lose them too," She closed her eyes, a sigh eased out of her as she practiced composure attempted to return. "I'm sorry, I can imagine you don't want a third whiny kit at your side," She attempted to make a joke, anything to ease the tightness in her chest and shake the guilt she had for needed Brinefang as much as the kits needed her.

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