Hawkstar entered ShadowClan camp briskly, with Ospreyshadow treading so closely behind them that their steps missed brushing one another by inches. Thing time Ospreyshadow was noticeably more cowed, sticking close to his kin and Leader and not making any eye contact. Not that he needed to do so much as breathe to ruffle pelts in the camp. But after the talk they’d had before departing, he ought to be on his best behavior, or so Hawkstar hoped. He’d seen how distraught Ospreyshadow truly was that his tactlessness had resulted in such a spiral of violence and death. But Hawkstar supposed it was easier for him to empathize with his grandson. He knew of his troubles with communicating well enough to see past the bluntness with which he spoke.
They made quick progress to Juncostar’s den, escaping with just a few stray hisses and looks. The scent of Juncostar washed over Hawkstar when they padded inside, causing a slight swooping sensation in his belly. He wrote it off as nerves. After all, if today didn’t go well would they be forced to fight again? Bloodying each other until nothing was left? He decided not to even go there.
“Greetings Juncostar.” He dipped his head respectfully and Ospreyshadow followed suit, but remained himself silent.
“I suppose we’ve got to figure out….how best to compromise.” Hawkstar grunted, shifting uneasily. “I’ve gone over and over it in my head. In the past, Clans have always awarded the litter to one or the other. I’ve never heard of Clans trying to share members– after all, conflict rears its ugly head eventually. And a Warrior must pledge themselves only to one Clan. Being half-raised in another would just make them torn, I would imagine.” He shook his head wearily.
“I don’t know, Juncostar, what are you thinking?”
Squirrelkit
Shadowclan Kitten
His blue eyes widened slightly at Mappledawn, watching his mother lunging at Ospreyshadow. All the young kit wanted was for this conflict to be over, for his siblings to stay together and be raised happily. There wasn’t no need for all this fighting, especially when it appeared all four kits wanted to stay together. It was almost inhumane, separating littermates because of clan traditions and not because of their mistakes.. But their parents’
“Don’t separate us!” Squirrelkit gasped, running towards his brother. “We don’t want to be apart, this isn’t fair!” The ginger kit wailed, tears coming down from his face. He had been raised with his three other siblings, but now because of the clans.. He would only be raised with one now. “We won’t be together, because of our parents' mistakes? Because the rules say so?” Squirrelkit questioned, the little kit was certainly wise for his age.