As they entered the clearing, Tanglepath stayed close to the once missing deputy of Thunderclan. Helping him into the camp, curious eyes from her clanmates looked at the warrior and the decimated black n white tom. Tanglepath didn't care what they thought or had to say, what mattered to her was that Jaggedthorn was alive and home. Stopping in the center of the camp, her fluffy brown dipped tail laid across Jagged's shoulder thoughtfully. "I'll get Hawkstar." She mewed softly. "I'd take ya closer to his den, but I figured you should just rest here for now. So I'll bring him to you."
Turning away from the warrior, Tanglepath stalked off to the outside of the leaders den. "Hawkstar!" Tanglepath yelled as her blue gaze glanced inside. Unsure if he was there, her ears twitched slightly listening for any movement. "Hawkstar! It's Tanglepath! We have someone you need to see immediately in the clearing." She added seriously.
Taking a few steps back, Tanglepath sat and cocked her head slightly as she waited for him to emerge from his den.
Until today, things had been seemingly slow and calm in camp. Turning her gaze on Jaggedthorn, she smiled and waved her tail at him as other warriors talked amongst each other on what was going on. Some probably didn't reconize the deputy as they werent around when he was chosen by Hollystar, while some did reconize him. It still had surprised Tanglepath herself that he had reappeared after so many moons of being away. She had deeply missed Jaggedthorns presence in the clan.
Hawkstar nodded astutely at Tanglepath, and moved closer to offer his shoulder should the older tom need it. He could see how malnourished he was, and guessed his time in the outlands had not been easy.
"Come, the healers den is not far. You are welcome to join us, Tanglepath, but we must not crowd him." He said softly, and began making his way toward it. Echosong was out, but Hawkstar felt comfortable leading Jaggedthorn inside and directing him to the patients nest. The rest was beyond his skillset. Peachblossom had tried to teach him a few herbs when they were apprentices together, but none of it had ever stuck.
"I'm sure you've had a long journey. But you are of ThunderClan, so this shall always be your home, if you'll have it. If you need anything else, please let myself or my deputy Briarstep know. Echosong will return soon, and she'll be able to give you the care you need."
Jaggedthorn blinked as the brown tom stepped forward, Tanglepath behind him. The tom blinked in appreciation at Tanglepaths support. Then he turned his gaze back to Hawkstar.
Jaggedthorn tilted his head quizzically for several longs moments, studying Hawkstar with blank eyes. Whatever Jaggedthorn seemed to have been looking for in Hawkstar, he must have found.
It became almost unbearably awkward before at last Jaggedthorn dipped his head low and murmured, eyes closed. “I come before you now, asking to come home. I have traveled far and long after being held hostage by twolegs.” He kept his gaze down, showing respect.
Truth be told the tom was a shell of his former self. Flesh clung to bone. His long black and white fur once shown bright, smooth and clean, now hung dry, torn and matted together.
A healing gash sat ender his left ear, a pink scar etched across his left shoulder and several bits of fur had fallen out or been torn out. Circles hung under his eyes and the yellow orbs themselves were dull and hazy with pain and fever.
Hawkstar stepped out of his den with a massive yawn. He’d been enjoying a very good nap, but duty called. Shaking himself, he focused his fiery amber eyes on Tanglepath.
“This better be good.” Grumbled the young Leader, as he followed her to the camp center where quite a many cats had now gathered. Hawkstar strolled boldly through the throng, which parted for him.
“Tanglepath, who is this cat?” He asked sharply, looking the rugged tomcat up and down. He didn’t recognize a hair on his head, though that hardly meant his Warrior had not had good cause to bring him to the camp. Under Hawkstar’s reign, relations with outclanners had eased greatly, so most cats were less hostile and more curious about him than anything.
Jaggedthorn stuck close to Tanglepath as they entered the camp. He could feel the eyes and hear the undisguised murmurs of his Clan mates.
He nodded once, settling to a sitting position. The Tom's gaze roaved his surroundings and for the first time in a long time he felt unsure.
Meanwhile, a pale she cat with dark paws, ears and face peered at him closely for several moments, blinking rapid blue eyes. Applewillow frowned, staying back.