[ti]Private[/ti]Even Wise Warriors Make Mistakes

[mewmehh]

Sunlight filtered into the camp through the tall wall of trees that surrounded the stony camp of Ivyclan, gracing the small clearing with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Prey scent was heavy on the air from a successful morning hunt and the sounds of kits playing could be heard from the scuttling around the place. All was well, or so it seemed as the lean form of a white and ginger warrior pushed his way through the entrance into his home. And despite the cool breeze that sent Ivyclan into a peaceful lull that late Newleaf morning, Longwing had a hard time relaxing his sweaty, trembling body.

Upon entering the camp's clearing, Longwing's odd eyes of gold and turquoise immediately shot over to the stony den of his clan's leader and the warrior felt his belly twist up. He was nervous. Why was he so nervous? He had talked with Owlstar many a time and never once felt as unsettled as he did now. The she-cat was one he liked to think of as not only a leader, but a role model and friend. Someone he could confide in. Yes, confide. That's what he was doing. But then, why the paranoia? Yet, deep down, the angora warrior knew why. And while he tried to reason out the outcome of what he had to say, he was still scared of the unknown factors. As well as he knew his leader, he couldn't read her mind.

His deep, panicked thinking halted as he caught the scent of Owlstar herself, snapping the warrior back to reality. Well, it's now or never! Shaking his worries away, the tall tom padded gracefully over to the leader's den in the hopes to greet Owlstar before she had to start her duties.

Tentatively poking his nose into her den, Longwing called gently, "Owlstar? May I have a moment with you?"


M'Lady

[M'Lady]

She'd been resting quietly, unfortunately not asleep. It'd been awhile since she'd had a night peaceful enough to sleep all the way through. But it was morning, and she had already lingered much longer than she should've. The leader rose to her paws, and turned to head towards the entrance of her den... When a voice interrupted her muddy thoughts. Everything seemed to sharpen as the scent of Longwing, one of her warriors, invaded the space that always smelled like her. Shook her head clear of thoughts, and peered over at him with curious but otherwise unreadable yellow eyes.

"You may. Come in." She spoke, finding herself sitting once more despite the fact she had just gotten up. Duties could wait, it wasn't often that one of her warriors needed to speak with her privately. Why else would he seek her out in her den rather than in the clearing? Or on patrol? So yes, she was curious. And had a sinking feeling in her chest. Why did it feel like he was going to deliver bad news? It seemed like all she was getting these days was bad news.
"What's on your mind?"

[mewmehh]

At the smooth sound of Owlstar's voice, Longwing ducked into the den with his head lowered a bit as to not bump it against anything. Such were the woes of the unusually tall cat. Tucking his slender legs into a settled position opposite of Owlstar as he had seen her do, the warrior twitched his ears and flattened them a bit. "I'm sorry to bother so soon in the day, but I'm afraid I have some news and I'm not quite sure what to do about it." His breath seemed to get caught in his throat and he did his best to soothe himself before continuing.

Closing his eyes briefly, he then snapped them open to lock them onto the dark she-cat with a nearly watery look. "I've made a mistake- an awful slip-up for a warrior to make. I.....err....it seems that a cat has had my kits, Owlstar. One who was not my mate, and one not of Ivyclan." There was almost a whining tone to his voice as he spoke with much regret. And yet, despite such regret, a nagging feeling pulled at his belly. A request that would be the reason for his punishment, surely.

With his eyes cast to the ground, heavily lidded and somber, he continued, "They have been born to a kittypet of the Twolegplace and I worry that they will not be cared for properly by such monstrous creatures..." He only hoped that the she-cat would understand where he was coming from- after all, she too was a mother, and he hoped she could at least somewhat empathize.

[M'Lady]

She didn't speak for a moment, nor did her face give any indication of her emotion. Her eyes were unreadable. After a moment, she couldn't find it in herself to be angry. It seemed like she was furious so often these days. Instead, she gave a long, heaving sigh.

"I'm disappointed." She said simply, her tone as even as it could be, even if it was dripping with her distaste. "But you've proven to be a loyal warrior, otherwise. I shall count this as a mere mistake." She hummed, yellow eyes boring into him, burning, as if they could stare holes through his hide. "Bring them here, to Ivyclan, if you can. They are of our blood. Should you decide to give them a chance, you are welcome to bring them home." Her gaze suddenly flickered into something darker, then. "If not, however, I don't want you thinking it's okay to see them. To see her. If your loyalties remain in our clan, then stay here. You should have no obligation to kittypets." She hissed the last word, shaking her head slightly.

"I want you doing apprentice duties until the next Gathering for your mistake. Take care of the elders, clean out the dens, even do errands for Larkbeat if she asks them of you. Blackheart and Roseblaze will be monitoring you until the next moon." She hummed, gaze finally faltering, and flickering to the side. "Who else knows of this?"

[mewmehh]

Longwing lowered his head even more and gave a deep, slow nod of understanding. He had certainly been expecting such disappointment- he had been disappointed at himself too- and he did his best to not pay too much attention to the disdainful tone to Owlstar's voice. He hoped he hadn't failed her. Such would surely break the cat's heart which so wholly belonged to his clan.

"Of course, Owlstar. I shall bring them here, where they can be raise properly." His heart lurched as the image of his ginger-furred friend's smiling face filled his head. How would Tallulah react? To have her offspring pulled from her? Longwing growled internally to himself. You should've thought of that before! She's still so young! It's better off this way...

Owlstar's delivery of punishment and her final question snapped Longwing back to reality and his odd eyes of aqua and honey peered blearily at the molly. With a soft shake of his silky head, Longwing replied, "No one. Just me and you. They born a few days ago, but they've been well-hidden from her twoleg." With his gaze flicked back to the ground, he offered in a small murmur, "I'm sorry."

[M'Lady]

Golden eyes flickered softly as he quickly agreed with her demand. "See if you can bring them here early. I'm sure one of the queens will gladly agree to spare some of her milk. Ivyclan will accept them quickly if they are raised here from the beginning." She sighed in relief when he answered her next question, and dipped her head slightly. "Then let us keep it that way. I will not have my warriors questioning your loyalty, or that of your kits. If someone asks why you've been punished, they can take it up with me." She hummed, ears pricking forward as she heard a soft murmur slip from his throat.

She studied him quietly, yellow eyes gleaming with her unreadable emotions. They seemed to be either foggy or burning these days, this was barely an in between. "Do not beat yourself up over this, Longwing. If you're a true warrior of my clan, you'll redeem yourself, I'm sure. Especially if you manage to bring new loyal warriors as well. Lay low for a few days. Go on patrols. Take care of your clanmates. That is the best way you can make this up to me, to your fellow warriors."

[mewmehh]

The tom gave Owlstar a thankful look as he sat back up, straightening up his posture to face the she-cat head-on. No more time for pity. He nodded in understanding, agreeing with his leader's advice. "I will do that." He would step out camp later today to get them, he figured. But then, another question entered his head.

"What....What should I say to the queens?" It was reasonable question in and of itself, but Longwing still felt foolish in asking. It was moments like these where the usually wise and experienced warrior was reminded of his relative youth. Queens usually didn't ask too many questions when it comes to taking in new kittens, but some could be nosey and others preferred to know where the little strangers came from before lumping them in with their safely-suckled and healthy clan kits. Longwing knew they would accept his kits, but they would certainly be curious of who mothered the warrior's offspring. And Longwing wasn't one to make a habit of lying to his clanmates.