[Hellion]

Her ebony pelt had quickly started to be dusted with grey and the brightness in her eyes started to fade. Gracklefire had avoiding going hunting for the past few days due to the pain in her hips. The proud she-cat also avoided going on dawn patrols due to the difficulty she had getting out of her nest in the morning. It was easily noticeable by her Clanmates, but few wanted to approach one of NightClan's noblest warriors. One cat did however, Starlingcry respected her mother but also knew the harsh realities of life.

Blissfully unaware, Gracklefire walked the distances between the warrior den to the nursery before greeting her daughter at the entrance.

"I sent the little ones to play with Linchbreeze's kits. So you and I can talk" Starlingcry told her mother, flicking her long black tail to direct her mother to sit across from her. Confused for only a moment, Gracklefire curled up and winced when her hip threatened to lock up.

"I wanted to play with my grandkits," She teased her daughter who met her mother's look with a short shrug. There were more pressing matters on her mind then her mother playing with her kits right away.

"I wanted to talk to you about them," She started, sitting across from her with her pawns tucked neatly under her. "Cederbranch and I have both noticed a few things about you, that you seem to be avoiding hunting and going on patrol," Starlingcry was careful in choosing her words, however, even if Gracklefire was older she knew what her daughters were talking about. The matriarch wanted to stop her blue-eyed daughter but held her tongue.

"Mom, we are worried about you and want you to be happy and safe," Starlingcry went on to say, moving closer to nuzzle her mother for a second, earning a purr that reminded her of her kit-hood. "We already lost one parent too soon, we can't bare to lose you right now,"

"You two worry too much," Gracklefire replied, adding a lick to her daughter's ear. Starlingcry knew he mother had a point, but she wasn't going to admit it. Gracklefire was well past her prime and deserved to relax in the elder's den even if she didn't think she was ready.

"Mother, I think we worry just the right amount. And we were thinking that you should maybe considering joining the elder's den" Starlingcry hated how blunt her words came but she kept her eyes soft and directed at her mother. Gracklefire wasn't surprised with her daughter suggestion and instead let her dim-fire eyes drift to the ground.

"I always imagined my moons in the elder den differently," Gracklefire replied her eyes remaining on the ground. A feeling of deep sorrow over came the aged-warrior as her daughter did her best to help her in this moment of grief.

"Mother, I would rather you safe in the elder's den relaxing then in the warrior's den too tired to get up," Starlingcry added licking her mother's cheek a purr hidden with her well meant concern. "Any when my kits are apprentices they will visit you almost daily, not to mention that you will still be apart of their life," She added, attempting to reassure the senior she-cat that just because she had moved to the elder's den didn't mean she was going to beforgotten there.

"You are just as persistent as your father," Gracklefire praised which had her daughter's eyes flashing her own bit of sadness. But it was short lived. Starlingcry had spent many moons in a state of grief and wasn't about to let herself fall back to that dark time.

"Will you go mother?" She asked again her words softer and full of encouragement.

"Yes I will and I'll tell Dimstar later today. Promise me that you all will visit me. I don't want to feel left out," Gracklefire meowed, her voice full of unshed emotion toward her own life and what the future had in store for her. For a moment she was lost in the knowledge she'd likely never see either of her grand-kits have their own brood.

These tired old bone won't carry me much longer,"

It was a dismal thought but a realistic one. Perhaps it was the acceptance of her age and her place in life that made the thought a little less grim. Even as went to live in the elder's den she was proud of her life. Proud she survived her upbringing, glad to have met and fallen in love with Roughthroat and no words could describe the feeling she had toward her kits. Perfect in her tired eyes.

Starlingcry simply nodded in agreement to her mother's request. It wasn't much for her to ask for and while the warrior-queen wa aware of her mother's fleeting life. It didn't ease the sorrow building. She'd be glad to have Gracklefire see her kits grow into apprentices and after that Starlingcry would visit her often, ensure she was comfortable until the day came.

"You'll see father again," She wanted to say but felt it was wasn't the right time. Instead Starlingcry attempt to scoot closer to her mother for a moment. Gracklefire didn't protest as her daughter curled beside her despite the discomfort in her bones. Gracklefire focused on that gesture and committed it to memory, it felt almost like Starlingcry was little again. That alone made Gracklefire feel as if no time had past.

"MAMA!" Shouted Coalkit as he poked his head out of the nursery to see her curled beside her mother. "Oh! Grandma Gracklefire" Coalkit greeted the she-cat by stepping over his mother to nuzzle against the she-cats greying muzzle.

"Grandma Gracklefire is moving to the elder's den so that means you kits must visit her everyday," Starlingcry told him, his pale eyes glanced upwards at his mother and nodded in agreement.

"Only if she tells us stories," He replied which earned him a gentle lick by Gracklefire and a purr to match.

"I'll tell you all my stories little one," She cooed before meeting her daughter's gaze. Starlingcry smiled before uncurling herself from her mother's side and turning to coax the other two kits toward Gracklefire as she started the story about how Gracklefire fell in love with grandpa Roughthroat.

_{Fawn Insidious @sparrow
Gracklefire is now an NPC elder}