[Insidious]

[These two needed a final moment before Razorfang loses him in the upcoming battle</3]

The LightningClan camp was unusual in every way possible for RainClan's deputy; used to marshy surroundings he had called his home for many a moon. The alliance they had formed in secrecy to pit against StoneClan had been decided upon shortly after the hazardous flood that had swallowed whole RainClan's camp. Razorfang remained undecided upon exactly how he felt about driving out a fellow clan. There was nothing to make him depressed about it, for Razorfang had no ties whatsoever toward StoneClan or any of its warriors. He simply remained skeptical of the idea. There was absolutely no way they could predict the coming storm; the advantage they had over StoneClan's head was almost... unfair. Razorfang knew, however, that RainClan's supremacy was to be in his best interest. They required more territory due to the natural disaster that had occurred. As for LightningClan? Although they lacked any particular reason to need the territory; extra space was foolish to deny, should the opportunity be presented as it had. StoneClan didn't deserve what was being plotted against them. But, it was StarClan's way. Survival of the fittest, one could claim it to be. RainClan and LightningClan, together as StormClan, understood what had to be done. Sympathy was a pointless emotion to have toward the situation. It was fate's way; the clans would do what was necessary of them to survive.

“Do you want to fry your head for peete's sake, Razorfang? I'd hate to have to announce you mouse-brained for all this over-thinking you're doing. Your expression says it all.” Razorfang's head had abruptly twisted to the left, prepared to offer a brutal, verbal smack-down to the feline that so rudely addressed him. His expression, however, was quick to soften – if it had been any other than Coldgaze, they surely wouldn't ever be doing that again. “What's on your mind, Razorfang?” White hackles folded into a sit, the Senior Warrior fixating the black furred tom-cat with a pale blue stare that radiated his contentment to staying awhile; engaging in a serious, one-on-one conversation they honestly hadn't had much time to do lately, what with Razorfang's new responsibilities as clan deputy.
With a huff, Razorfang twisted his mirroring, seated stature to be directly facing the white Senior Warrior. He often didn't like to talk about the problems that clouded his mind, but with Coldgaze, it was somehow okay. “The battle,” he mewed quietly, gray-green eyes glazing over with a deputy's concern. “the territories of StoneClan will not be won over lightly. I cannot imagine this battle being anything less than a royal blood-bath. There are... cats participating that I can't afford to lose. Russethawk, yourself... I don't know how I'll be able to fend for myself and everyone else I care about at the same time.” These were the kind of words Razorfang would never dare say aloud in the presence of anyone other than Coldgaze. There was likely few passed the white-as-snow tom that knew Razorfang to possess such caring emotions. Russethawk and Roselight, maybe. (Thank StarClan that Roselight would not be at the battle alongside Russethawk and Coldgaze)

For a moment, it seemed as if Coldgaze was sharing a similar outlook – the way his pale blue stare lingered upon the deputy in intent analysis. The words he spoke, however, were not as... heart-felt as Razorfang had perhaps expected. “Snap out of it, Razorfang.” A snort from the Senior Warrior caused Razorfang's ears to twitch, gray-green eyes widening in shock at the tom's unexpected display of annoyance. “Just because you're deputy doesn't mean that everyone depends on you to be having their back in this. You have to have some trust in your clan; trust they can handle themselves just fine and know exactly the risk of their life that is being put into this.”
His words were far more piercing than the speech Razorfang had perhaps believed himself to require. He knew better of himself than to allow another's criticism – especially Coldgaze's – to effect him. Coldgaze had been brutally honest; the Senior Warrior knew Razorfang well enough to know that was exactly what he needed. Nodding, Razorfang took a moment of silence to consider what Coldgaze said. Regardless of how t rue it was, it didn't lessen the fact that lives he cared about were still being put on the line. “It isn't that I don't trust my clan. I do trust them. But, I can't shake off the feeling that... yes, they're at my side today. But tomorrow? That might not be the case anymore.” He recalled Russethawk; the death of his parents must have been a blow to the heart. Even now, he still didn't seem entirely... over what had occurred during the flood. If it took this long to heal the wounds of a loss... Razorfang couldn't imagine having to face something similar.

“Although they may not be with you tomorrow, that doesn't mean you shouldn't cherish them being with you now. Razorfang, you have to stop worrying about what could be. And, start savoring what is currently being. If you allow yourself to constantly worry about the risks those you love are taking, the time you have with him will be gone before you know it.” Coldgaze cocked his head to the side, knocking his shoulder with Razorfang's own. “Is that what you want?”

No, That wasn't what he wanted.

A bland smile curled the corner of his hazelnut lip, returning the nudge to Coldgaze. “Your wisdom has never failed to impress me, Coldgaze.” It was true. At every corner, Coldgaze found another way to leave Razorfang impressed; thankful. He didn't know what he would do: should his former mentor suddenly no longer be an element of his life. All he knew, was that he couldn't allow himself to worry about it – risk wasting the time he did have with him.

A low purr sounded within Coldgaze's throat, brushing passed Razorfang with a hearty swipe of his paw at the deputy's neck – the rough-house-like way that they communicated with one another symbolic of their father-son-like bond; regardless of the genetics they failed to share. “Don't you even think about thanking me for it. You're no longer my apprentice, but that doesn't mean I won't continue to do the job that was once expected of me for you. Take care of yourself, Razorfang.” Blinking pale blue eyes toward the hazelnut masked deputy, he offered the flick of his white tail and the solemn dip of his head as his goodbye; as his see you later.

Returning the two gestures, Razorfang watched as the white Senior Warrior slipped away. Take care of yourself, Coldgaze.