[ti]Private[/ti]A New Future

[Meow]

Wildwing's purr rumbled louder as Shadowgaze agreed that this would be an adventure. No more borders for them- once they left, they'd be free! No more warrior code to worry about! And he could be friends with anyone he wanted to! "I wanna see everything!" Wildwing chirped his agreement to Shadowgaze as he lovingly brushed noses with his mate, wondering where their paws would eventually take them.

When Shadowgaze jumped away from him, Wildwing's smile fell a little bit, a quiet whine sounding from him as the warmth of his mate disappeared. Apparently, they couldn't celebrate just yet- they needed to go tell Rainfur the news... and they'd be leaving tomorrow! "Okay!" Wildwing had stopped controlling the volume of his voice as he cried in agreement, before bounding after Shadowgaze.

Rainfur had sat himself down at the edge of camp, staring absently up at the sky. There was a tired peacefulness in his thoughtful expression, as if a great weight had just been lifted from his bony shoulders. He barely even noticed the pounding of pawsteps as the two warriors raced towards him, and he was completely caught off-guard as one of them tackled him, their weight crushing the air out of his body as he was pushed into the earth. Rainfur didn't have to look up to know that it was Wildwing who was standing on top of him. "Rainfur, Rainfur!" Wildwing giggled as he began to snuggle his adoptive father-in-law, not bothering to voice why he was so happy to see the gray tom as he practically smothered him.

[silverfang218]

Shadowgaze stops just short of running into Rainfur and Wildwing as Wild practically attacks their adoptive father; the grey tom giggles softly as he watches. He had been scared that Wildwing would be reluctant to leave their home, but Wild seems excited. The big tom’s excitement is infectious, despite Shadow’s sorrow from leaving his home and a couple old friends behind. No, Shadowgaze reminds himself. This place isn’t my home. My home was on our old mountain, where me and Wildwing were kits. It was in our old camp, where Owlstar would snuggle me when I was cold, then I could sleep on top of Wildkit next to Hungrybelly. And where Barkfur would be waiting for me every morning, to teach me things and play with me whenever Wildkit was in trouble and couldn’t play. And where Greyears would screech and yell whenever I would chew on his tail. That was my home; this place is only home to heartbreak.

“We have both decided to come with you, dad. I’ll say all my goodbyes in the morning and then I’ll be ready to go before sunhigh.” Shadowgaze declares, a soft but confident smile on his face. It’ll be a rough transition and the loss will hurt for a good long while, but Shadow knows they’ll all be happier for it. “But we should all go back and try to sleep a bit. Don’t wanna be exhausted when we go try to find Starling, hm?”

[Meow]

Rainfur grunted as he pushed himself up, forcing Wildwing off of his back as he straightened himself into a sitting position. Wildwing simply giggled as he stumbled a little bit, his tail continuing to wag.

Rainfur turned his attention to Shadowgaze as he voiced his and Wildwing's decision- Rainfur wouldn't be leaving IvyClan on his own. Rainfur's lips curled up slightly in an effort to mirror Shadow's smile, though a pang of dread had begun to spread in his chest at the mention of saying their goodbyes. Tomorrow morning, he would have to confront Owlstar... unlike Scorchpaw and Starling, he couldn't simply vanish. Rainfur would have to be brave one last time before heading off towards his new life. "Thank you," Rainfur mewed simply, grateful to his son for sticking by his side. As painful as leaving everything behind would be, Rainfur knew he'd be okay as long as he had his family by his side. As Shadowgaze mentioned sleep, the blue-gray tom lowered himself to the ground once more, knowing he wouldn't be getting back to sleep anytime soon. "You two go on ahead- I think I'll stay up a bit longer," Rainfur murmured, sending Wildwing and Shadowgaze a worn smile. "Good night, you two. I'll see you both at sunhigh."

[silverfang218]

Shadowgaze simply nods in response to Rainfur’s thanks. They’ll both have to say their goodbyes to Owlstar and they’ll likely have to face her wrath, but neither of them will be alone. That, and they will be able to leave once they have had enough being screamed at, should Owlstar decide to yowl at them.

As for Rainfur’s invitation that Shadow and Wild can go back to sleep, Shadowgaze plops down, snuggling into Rainfur’s side. A wave of his tail serves as a signal to Wildwing that they are going to sleep right here, cuddled up with Dadfur. It also serves to beckon Wildwing over to snuggle with because Shadowgaze wants that Wild warmth. “Goodnight, Dad. Goodnight Wildwing.” Shadow purrs softly as he starts to drift off to dream of adventures to come.

[Meow]

Rainfur blinked at his son with slight surprise as the younger tom plopped down right next to him, snuggling into his side, clearly not interested in sleeping in the warriors' den. He felt his mouth curling up into a genuine smile, however, and he leaned down to give Shadowgaze an affectionate lick to the forehead. He didn't know how Shadowgaze came to love him so much, and he didn't care. He was the luckiest father on the whole planet. "Goodnight," Rainfur hummed in response, watching as his son quickly began to doze off.

Wildwing wasn't far behind in the snuggle party, as he quickly plopped down next to Shadowgaze, a loud, rumbling purr sounding from his chest as he submerged himself in both Rainfur and Shadowgaze's fur. "G'night! Adventure awaits," Wildwing chirped, pressing his cheek into Shadow's warm fur as a content, sleepy grin crossed his face. In only seconds, the Bengal warrior was asleep.

That night, Rainfur watched the stars as they sparkled high above his head. He would never be ready for the morning ahead, though the dread and guilt he felt faded with the coldness that had seeped into his pelt, the warmth of his companions soothing his troubled mind.

(da end)