[Deleted]

    Smokefur had accepted long ago that Shadowchaser was perpetually having a moment, and she was willing to give him that it was at least partially justified. The young tom had been through a lot, and given his soft nature he had coped as well as he could, perhaps better than many other cats would have in his position. The rift that had grown between he and Newtstripe had hung over the young tom like a cloud, and it had served to perpetually darken his mood, even if only slightly. Smokefur mused that even whilst working hard and tending to his duties as a medicine cat of NightClan Shadowchaser still found a small portion of his attention being stolen by his friend. Recently however their rocky relationship seemed to be on the mend, or at least Smokefur figured as much given the subtle change in Shadowchaser's attitude. Wanting to hear it confirmed, and perhaps in an effort to understand the two tom's relationship a little better, Smokefur had asked Newtstripe to accompany her outside of camp under the pretense of medicine cat things. In truth she hadn't even bothered to think of a good excuse, however it likely wouldn't matter as her questioning began almost immediately upon leaving camp. "So it appears you and Shadowchaser are working things out?"

Phoenix

[Phoenix]

Newtstripe

It was interesting. Only after it had started feeling full again had Newtstripe had the perspective to properly realize just how empty his heart had felt without Shadowchaser – another burst of warmth that had a small smile turn the corners of his lips upward – in his life. When it had happened, the other tom’s transition from a constant to nonexistent had been a shock at best (he did not like to think of those long days where he had thought of something to tell his friend and even turned to say it, only to find empty air where dark fur and warm gold eyes should have been), but the initial pain had settled into a dull numbness. It had hurt to think about the medicine cat apprentice and his conspicuous absence, so he hadn’t. But avoiding their old haunts was nigh impossible, and so he had found himself growing increasingly tired, increasingly battered from the onslaught of memories that he was trying to forget.

But then, once again, everything had changed. Shadowchaser had started talking to him again, his wonderful friend had forgiven him despite everything, and the hurt on his heart had started, at long last, to heal.

When Smokefur had requested that he accompany her on some medicine cat business, there had been a trill of nerves that traveled up his spine. Why him and not Shadowchaser, he had wondered, but he was never one to deny the older healer a request. Despite the amount of time he had spent in the medicine cat’s den, he couldn’t say that he knew the she-cat very well – admittedly, his attention had been mostly directed at her apprentice – but they got along well enough. Well enough, however, that he rather than the dark-furred tom assist her on medicine cat business? He wasn’t sure.

As it turned out, he was vaguely worried for entirely the wrong reason. Almost immediately upon leaving camp, Smokefur turned to him with a question dancing off her tongue. Flushing, the warrior faltered. ”Uhh…” Newtstripe hadn’t thought anyone besides his mom (mothers knew all) would notice, but evidently the change hadn’t been as subtle as he’d thought. Embarrassment had him looking away from her level stare, heart racing as though the ground would mercifully swallow him up if it beat fast enough. ”Y-Yes, Smokefur,” He said quietly, wondering just what she thought about their falling out and subsequent reunion. He wasn’t proud of the way the past few seasons had gone. ”We’re better now.”

@poptart | background image

[Deleted]

    Smokefur was pleased that her assumptions had been proven correct, however she was surprised in the way Newtstripe had answered the question. Perhaps she shouldn't have been as the younger tom had always seemed timid, however she didn't particularly see herself as someone to be wary of. Perhaps in her old age her patience had been known to quickly grow thin at times, or perhaps there was just no helping it in this case with Newtstripe. Smokefur decided it was best not to dwell on the warriors reaction however, as now she had to figure out what to do. The whole excursion had been a ploy and she hadn't necessarily expected to receive a straightforward, no nonsense answer from Newtstripe after the very first question. The aging healer mused that perhaps she should get to know the tom, given he would likely be spending plenty of time accompanying Shadowchaser again. "Well that's good, it's nice to see that you have worked it out. I would say your friendship has been good for Shadowchaser, wouldn't you agree?" Smokefur replied putting a small flair in the word friendship.

Phoenix

[Phoenix]

Newtstripe

He couldn’t help the small smile that crept onto his face as the dark-furred tom lingered in his thoughts. Warmth bubbled up in him both from the mention of Shadowchaser and at the she-cat’s words, and he felt himself relaxing somewhat as the anxiety started to slowly seep away. She had never given him any reason to be nervous around her – indeed, Shadowchaser had only good things to say about her, and he trusted his friend’s judge of character – but he couldn’t deny that her opinion mattered quite a bit. She was the medicine cat, after all, and he was, well, he was just Newtstripe. Even more importantly, he could see that Smokefur meant quite a lot to Shadowchaser; he didn’t want to offend her and cause tension where there ought to be none.

He could feel the tension returning to his shoulders at the thought and forced himself to take a deep breath. “I hope so,” Newtstripe offered with a shy smile. StarClan only knew how good his friendship with Shadowchaser had been good for the orange warrior. Never one of those cats who commanded attention, he had kept mostly to himself before he and the dark-furred tom had crossed paths and struck up their unlikely bond. Having a friend was a novel experience, one that he found he treasured quite a bit. He could only hope Shadowchaser felt the same. ”I think he’s happy.” Striped shoulders rose and fell in a shrug, followed by an earnest, “I like talking to him. He’s a good friend.”

@poptart | background image

[Deleted]

    Smokefur listened intently as Newtstripe spoke. His sentences were short, and the sum total of the words leaving Newtstripe's maw were comparatively small when referenced against what Smokefur was used to receiving. That didn't mean what was being said wasn't decently impactful, as this was potentially some of the most she had ever heard Newtstripe speak. He seemed to speak more freely and comfortably with Shadowchaser, but she personally hadn't ever held a deep conversation with the tom. He was usually much too anxious and shy for such things it seemed, and Smokefur was pleased he was doing so well. "I have known Shadowchaser for a while." Smokefur began in reply, "And I can tell you it seems like he's happier than he has been in a while, I really hope he's as happy as he seems." Smokefur said whilst flashing a soft smile in Newtstripes' direction. "You are a good tom Newtstripe, and I sincerely hope you are doing well yourself."

Phoenix