chapter 14

                                    

                                          
It had been half a moon since Hawkhowl's exile and things were slowly falling back together. Tigerstar's demeanor had completely changed into something much more mellow, however Dawncurl wasn't stupid. She knew her father's act was just that; an act. He couldn't risk another stain on his reputation.
                          
Frostbird's kits were also apprenticed and in her favor, Dawncurl was chosen as a mentor. Truth be told, she wasn't surprised. She had been sticking close with her father and he seemed to rely on her more than his own deputy, however Flowerbee never complained.
                          
Risingpaw was her apprentice's name. She was a pale cream she-cat with green eyes, and she carried a relatively strong personality. Either way, Dawncurl was satisfied.
                          
To be honest, life carried on and Dawncurl wasn't as guilty about lying as she thought she'd be. She ruined a cat's life, yet she continued on with her own. It almost gave her closure with her mother's death.
                          
In a way, it was almost empowering how easily her clan believed her words without a single doubt and she honestly felt worse about her lack of empathy for the situation then the actual situation itself.
                          
The worst part was, Dawncurl wasn't even entirely sure her father was innocent.
                          
But she knew Hawkhowl was.
                          
~~~
                          
"Redpaw is respectful. I think he'll make a great warrior." Doveflutter spoke as she walked side-by-side with Dawncurl, sage eyes staring ahead of her.
                          
"I agree," she spoke, "definitely the most responsible out of his littermates. Risingpaw is fierce, though."
                          
"She reminds me of you." Doveflutter chuckled and Dawncurl sent her a playful eye roll.
                          
"In your defense, it's a good thing." The calico prompted and the two made brief eye contact.
                          
"How so?"
                          
"You guys have your similarities, and some of my favorite traits in her, are in you." Doveflutter shrugged, and Dawncurl flicked her ear as she felt her cheeks instantly flush with warmth.
                          
"Didn't know you thought so highly of me." Dawncurl mused as she sent her friend a playful smirk and Doveflutter just rolled her eyes.
                          
"Don't get too cocky now." She spoke.
                          
The two warriors spent the rest of the evening together and it brought Dawncurl a wave of nostalgia of her childhood. If she had told her younger self that she'd become so close with her nemesis, she would've flat out refused it.
                          
As nightfall settled in, Doveflutter had brought Dawncurl to a little cavern where the moonlight was able to shine through, making the hanging icicles glimmer.
                          
"This is pretty. When'd you find it?" Dawncurl queried, meeting dim sage eyes.
                          
"I don't know, I just did." Doveflutter shrugged, however she offered her friend a faint grin. "You're the first cat I showed, though."
                          
"Really?" Dawncurl smirked. "Careful Doveflutter, your inner fan is jumping out."
                          
"Shut up." The calico groaned as she nudged her friend away, resulting in them both laughing in response.
                          
The two had agreed to spend the night inside the cavern, and Dawncurl was in no mood to retort. Besides, the walk home would've been long and she was tired. She had settled down a few mouse-lengths from the calico who she supposed fell asleep until a gentle voice spoke up.
                          
"I'm cold."
                          
Dawncurl froze, blue eyes fluttering up to meet soft green eyes, however she didn't say anything. She didn't need to. With hesitance, she slowly approached the mottled molly and settled beside her, their fur brushing as she laid down. She felt awkward at first, and the two just shared a shaky laugh but it didn't take long for her to feel comfortable.