H A Z E L F A C E
The only constant in life was change. That was one thing that she tried to remind herself of every day. The fact that not every day was guaranteed and that the "normal" was not to be expected, you'd think by now she would be used to it. But sudden change was jarring. That would ring true for anyone, and despite what most cats thought of her, Hazelface was no different. She didn't think that a day like this would ever arrive for her. She had left her Clan, her home, to follow suite her relationship with Figtree and yet... Today, they parted ways.
Hazelface had just broken up with her mate. The tom she left ThunderClan for.
That was a decision that didn't come lightly for her. Of course, like anyone else, if you were to leave your home for someone, you would have likely thought that someone would have been your forever. But that just didn't turn out to be the case. Hazelface found herself yearning for ThunderClan more than anything and Figtree was adamant that he didn't want to go back to the Clans. So, the hardest decision of her life came to fruition.
She left him.
And after she had spent her time privately crying her eyes out in the woods, the proud and hard-headed little gray cat waited at the ThunderClan border. She knew that she would have mountains to move and leagues to prove to earn her place back in ThunderClan, but she was willing to put forth the work. After all, no one ever expected less than the most of her.
BASILFANG
Thunderclan Warrior
At first the tall molly was confused when Briarberry told her not to move, but once the familiar scent hit her nostrils, her head spun to face the entrance of camp. Her eyes widened, and every instinct in her body told her to run to Hazelface and throw herself at her mother, wailing that she had missed her more than anything. But she managed to stay put, clearly Briarberry was not about to just welcome their mother back so easily.
Standing, she approached shortly behind her sister, the fierce warrior looking far more subdued than usual. It was hard to watch her sister tear into their mother, but she knew that it was what she needed. If she didn't, it would eat her up until it bore a hole through her. But she could understand the anger. They'd been abandoned as newly made apprentices near enough, and now that Figtree had disappeared, Hazelface had decided she wanted her kits back. And yet, she couldn't help but want to forgive her for everything.
Briarberry An unwelcomed familiar scent wafted up the mollys senses, a soft growl happening before Briarberry could process what she wanted to say to her mother. The duel toned tabby molly standing firm in front of her much taller sister Bailfang; not like she could block much, but mentally she wanted to shield her sister from any more heartbreak. Not wanting their mother to waltz back into their lives just to leave again. “Stay here sis.” she muttered marching her way over to their mother. Briarberry, standing at the same height as her mother, eyed her before an expression settled on her muzzle that screamed ‘I am better than you.’
Hmp Hazelface didnt even deserve her words, pivoting on her heels her tail flicking in Hazelfaces muzzle. Briarberry had begun to return to her sisters side when she felt her blood boil, her claws digging into the hardened dirt, it felt like her chest was closing in on itself, while her heart was pounding trying to escape. Her nostrils flared with each heavy breath she took. Briarberry left lightheaded like her entire world was about to fall from under her feet. How could she? Briarberry never vocalized her feelings when Hazelface and Figtree left. She had the choice to leave with them but then who would look after her littermates. It was hard not to take it personally when your parents leave.
Closing her eyes, Briarberry took a long deep breath trying to push down all the emotions that were fighting inside her, centering herself. Her eyes darted back to Hazelface, studying the molly she only smelled Hazelface, Figtrees scent had long faded from her pelt. “I guess now that you’ve been dumped we are finally good enough for you.” She spat coming to the conclusion on her own. “We dont need you here. Go back to whatever hole you crawled out of.” Her tone was harsh, but even through her hissing Briarberrys eyes still gave away how sad she was.
When Snarlingbadger did, in fact, reply to her, Hazelface almost did an about-face. For even during their mentor-apprentice relationship, the black-and-white tom rarely ever verbally said anything to her. She only ever knew Snarlingbadger to speak when it was worth saying. That's why she was almost surprised that he had actually replied to her at all. Hazelface listened quietly when he spoke with that raspy, unused voice of his. She nearly bit back when he questioned why she came back, but she forced herself to silence until he was finished talking. For she feared that if she interrupted him, he may not finish what he had to say.
That being said, she was grateful for his reasoning and his welcoming. But he was also right. She had more than one wall to face when it came to returning to her Clan. "You're right." She said. A very rare admittance on her part. However, she followed it with a quick, "But if you ever tell anyone I said that, I'll slice your nose off!" Despite the irony that Snarlingbadger would probably never speak for many moons to come, Hazelface turned from him with her tail lashing and entered the ThunderClan camp.
〚 𝕊𝕟𝕒𝕣𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕓𝕒𝕕𝕘𝕖𝕣 〛
𝕎𝕒𝕣𝕣𝕚𝕠𝕣 𝕠𝕗 𝕋𝕙𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣ℂ𝕝𝕒𝕟
Very seldom did Snarlingbadger ever have to speak, but as Hazelface addressed him, he paused as well and glanced towards the small fluff of sass. Good question. Grunting, the largest tomcat turned to where he gazed down at her, his eyes narrowing as his lips finally parted. “Why return?” His deep voice was scratchy and unused as he spoke, chin tilting slightly. “It is not me that you should be concerned with welcoming you back.” He warned, knowing many of the clan would not take kindly to Hazelface suddenly returning, seeking the sanctuary of her former Clan. Silence passed between the two of them as they gazed at one another, even the soft chirps of birds in the treetops echoed loudly before he began to speak once more.
“That said. I had great respect for your birth parents, they never turned me away.” He spoke of his childhood injuries of where his parents turned their cheeks on him, believing him to succumb to his injuries. “I will never turn you away, Hazelface. But are you prepared for the rest of them?” He spoke softly, his yellow eyes boring into her.
〚 𝕊𝕟𝕒𝕣𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕓𝕒𝕕𝕘𝕖𝕣 〛
𝕎𝕒𝕣𝕣𝕚𝕠𝕣 𝕠𝕗 𝕋𝕙𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣ℂ𝕝𝕒𝕟
ThunderClan cats were known for their pride and yes, even their hardheadedness. But every now and then, they were also known for their compassion and empathy, which was prove to be useful this early Newleaf day. What had begun as a routine border check, lead to the tomcat lifting his snout as a familiar scent filtered through his scent glands. Being an elder warrior within ThunderClan, and being mostly mute, Snarlingbadger had always made it his goal to know the scents of each clanmate. Pale yellow eyes peered through the ferns and budding leaves of a bush as he could see a familiar grey furred feline waiting patiently near the border. Odd to see Hazelface so close to the border after not seeing her around for moons, but the swell of her eye sockets indicated previously fallen tears. Even her gaze appeared attentive, little ears twitching, she was waiting.
Slowly the massive black and white furred tomcat emerged from his hiding spot, the old scars across his throat, chest and muzzle marked him as one of her former clanmates. For a brief moment the two just stared at one another, before the tomcat slowly walked towards Hazelface. His own former mate had left ThunderClan to find herself, two of his daughters had left ThunderClan for others in pursuit of happiness. Who was he to judge? Giving a gravely purr, he lowered his head lightly tapping his nose against her forehead before he stepped to the side, wordlessly inviting her over the border. Now was the time to take her home.