Hawkbite passed over the ShadowClan border with trepidation. It was a testament to how deeply ingrained Clan life was in his blood that doing so even with permission caused the hairs on his neck to bristle disconsolately.
He waited patiently until a gray shape parted the ferns. In the relative darkness, it took more time for his eyes to discern who it was.
“Juncostar.” He stood and nodded, feeling some respect was due. Had he ever even spoken to another clan’s Leader? He didn’t go near their section at the gatherings, mainly to avoid Firestar. Not that a Warrior of ThunderClan like himself had much cause to approach them in the first place.
“I’m…I'm impressed you came to deal with this personally. You have my gratitude.” He meowed and motioned for them to begin walking. Hawkbite didn’t know their territory, but he knew his son, and had a gut feeling about what he might consider a suitable hiding spot. And he was impatient to find Coldkit as soon as possible.
“Still I’m….sorry about all this. Coldkit has run off before, but we will definitely be having a talk with him.” He shook his head.
“Have you any children?” He then asked conversationally, as he scanned the woods for the dark pelt of his son.
Juncostar
shadowclan leader
Drawing his lips tight, Juncostar hummed a quick agreement, glancing at Hawkbite through the corner of his eye. "Somethin' like that," he agreed, leaving it at that to avoid going too much into detail. He didn't really feel like getting all worked up again, especially so soon after having to tell the story to his son. There were few things that could get the tom genuinely angry, but that whole situation with Darkberry was at the top of the list.
Thankful for the change of subject, Juncostar simply nodded in response to Hawkbite's mention of the Code. "'Good thing it is, too; kits get in all sorts'a trouble." He looked away as the other tom seemed to become a little distant. Even if he was the one helping, he knew that on principle Clan cats were wary of how much they shared with outsiders. It didn't make any sense, of course, but that's just how it was. Juncostar had never understood hard borders and cautious conversations, but there wasn't going to be any change any time soon.
Brushing off the last of the discomfort from the earlier conversation, the grey tom once more had a bounce in his step. "Don't worry, we'll find him. He couldn't have gone far-- little legs 'n all," he soothed, hoping a little humor would help ease Hawkbite's nerves. Turning his attention to the scents surrounding them, Juncostar attempted to pick out any ThunderClan scent. It was a little difficult to get past the other tom's own scent, but soon enough he found a trail that must've been from Coldkit. "Smells like he went this way," he announced, turning his paws to follow the scent.
"Would he have gone into the water?" he asked, voice becoming quieter. A twinge of anxiety sparked in his gut, remembering his own experience in the swamps as a kit. Though he tried to hide his worry, he didn't know if he could hide this very well.
“You and Tigershadow? So that’s why he left!” Hawkbite exclaimed, coming to a brief stop as he digested the news. “No one knew why. Some cats said they heard raised voices between you and Wildstar at the time, but no one made any connection.”
They kept walking for a bit longer in silence before Hawkbite spoke again.
“I won’t say anything if you’d rather, it was his business after all.” He vowed. “And of course, even if no one else did I would. It’s in the code, isn’t it? Something about helping kits. Either way, it’s the right thing to do.”
Hawkbite sighed heavily, turning away again to scan the forest with his fiery amber eyes.
“I’m not certain, he’s always been imaginative. But sometimes his own creations scare him? It’s very strange. My first litter never had problems like it, but I’ve no idea who to ask for advice. He’s a kind, healthy kit in all other regards.” His tone was somewhat guarded. Given the situation with Oceanstorm, Hawkbite wasn’t sure if Coldkit’s odd behavior was something he wanted to be public knowledge. But he got the feeling he could trust Juncostar. Something about him felt kindred to Hawkbite. Almost a bit like a missing brother, though he knew for certain he had none.
Juncostar
shadowclan leader
Though this was probably going to be a huge mess, Juncostar had felt he needed to be the one to accompany Hawkbite on his search for Coldkit. When word had come back to camp that a ThunderClan kit was lost within ShadowClan territory, the grey tom had felt some pull to find him. Perhaps it was that his own son was half ThunderClan, or maybe he just wanted to be there for the gossip. Whatever the reason, he'd set out immediately, urging Aspenkit to remain in camp for his own sake. He wouldn't have been able to focus on this Coldkit if his own son was following him.
As he came to the border, catching sight of Hawkbite, Juncostar offered a lazy grin. "Nah," he responded, "It's not such a big deal, don't worry." He waved his tail, beckoning the other tom to follow. He turned to lead further into the territory, ears flicking as he listened for any sounds from the lost kit. As the ThunderClanner asked on his own family, Juncostar beamed. "I do!" he confirmed, chest puffing in pride. "His name is Aspenkit; Tigershadow and I started a family, and we had him. I'd hope that ThunderClan would help find him too, if he was lost over there."
Pausing a moment, the ShadowClanner cast a glance at Hawkbite. "Any clue what he was lookin' for?" he asked, curious, but also wondering if there may be some hint in the young tom's intentions as to where he could've headed.