Heavenlykit was recovering from the attack from Soullesspaw, though more from the shock of it all. Though you could see the potential makings of a scar across her nose. The last thing she remembered was red covering her vision, she never got to hear anything after that. It's why after waking up in the Witch's den, the first thing she asked was what happened to Soullesspaw. Heavenlykit still trusted her family, because what else was she supposed to do. She didn't even notice the way her mom's eyes darkened when she looked at her, or how her father had become more distant than usual. Her fate swayed in the balance, and Heavenlykit had no clue.

She was getting bigger, only a few days away from her apprentice ceremony. But it also felt like she was catching up on sleep, never quite having enough. Her squeak was quiet when Dottymask woke her up, a sleepy haze over her still baby blue eyes as Dotty told her they were going on a trip. Heavenlykit couldn't imagine where. She had been forbid from the prison, everyone made that clear no matter how much she wanted to see Soullesspaw. But could it be worse? The idea made her blood run cold. She couldn't relive that day again. She kept putting on this brave face, but it was chipped away so easily. "Okay, Mom." Heavenlykit said as she was put down, pulling herself up to her paws. The walk to the new camp was hard enough, she did hope this wouldn't be as bad.

She remembered walking up the hill to the new camp. Now she could at least keep up without wearing herself out immediately. Dottymask made the right call resting her tail across her shoulders, cause Heavenlykit did look back. There was nothing back there now, and she was forced to face forward.

And then the speech came, and Heavenlykit felt every emotion run through her. Sad that she disappointed her parents so much. Fear for her dad that she hadn't had until now. But also a hollow realization that she could just be a tool for whoever she was arranged to. Pureblood was too coveted, it felt like a curse. In a sense, it would be like nothing would change. She was just going to be somewhere else rather than Winterclan. This was the closest she had seen Dottymask pour her heart out, but she didn't know how to comfort her. Cause Heavenlykit's thoughts just kept going back to the people around her.

"Mama..." Heavenlykit trailed off. Could she really leave everything she'd known behind? That must have been why this mystery boy was here. Tears clouded her vision, her emotions left with no other outlet. "Okay... okay, mama." Heavenlykit could only agree, for her mama more than her.

The walk down the mountain felt like it took forever, but was only the beginning of her journey. Lionpaw's bright orange pelt stuck out against the wintry landscape like a sore thumb. She expected to feel something, anything with realizing who she would be following for the rest of her life. But she didn't. Lionpaw and her grew up around each other, sure. But Heavenlykit barely knew anything about him. Just that his half Winter blood was enough for her mother. Dotty had been looking for a mate for her since she was born, so the idea was nothing new to her. They were still strangers, and Heavenlykit was extra baggage for him to lug around.

He was still friendly, and Heavenlykit forced herself to stand her ground when he touched his nose to her's. "Hi Lionpaw. I--" She started but stopped when Dottymask started talking again. Her attention swinging back made her realize she wasn't sure what she was gonna say anything. "Okay." She nodded, leaning into her mom's touch. It was really happening, the reality only dawning on her when Dottymask pulled away. Heavenlykit barely held back tears, "Mama... I love you. Do you love me?"

Heavenlykit bit her lip. Why would her mom choose this life? Choose to not... show her love again? Now Dotty wouldn't be there to gently reprimand her for being too nice to Soullesspaw and Sinfulpaw. Not be there to fret over her, or let Heavenlykit hide in behind her when she made Rosemarykit mad at her. She looked down at her paws, choking back a sob before looking back up at Dottymask and nodding. Newfound determination in her eyes, only there to try and hide her sorrow, "Okay, I will."

Lionpaw would be right, she didn't want to move. Even with that bravery, she didn't wanna act on it. Looking over her shoulder at him when he spoke up, Heavenlykit nodded and stood to follow him. "Bye mama. I love you. Keep the good parts of me too."

This was supposed to be the last time she looked at Dottymask, but she kept looking over her shoulder as the pair began their trek. When they were far enough away to where Dottymask looked like a snowflake in a snowstorm rather than a cat, Heavenlykit gave her neck a break and turned forward. "Sorry about this Lionpaw." She felt compelled to say, breaking the silence that had formed over the pair like glass.

His answer wasn't what she expected, wide blue eyes only meeting his rich pelt. After a moment, she looked away and back to the path in front of them. The grass parted beneath them, like it had been ran numerous times over. Her heart had steadied as they walked. "I-- I expected you to resent me." Heavenlykit spoke honestly, maybe too much so. Marriages seemed to go only a few ways. They got divorced, or stayed together for the kits or the clan, and then there was a small percentage that actually loved each other. She wasn't sure where the two would fall.

Then I'll lean on you too. And you can rely on me. I promise." The blush on her face was clear through her white fur. She couldn't let herself mess up again, loose someone again, "and I love you too Lionpaw. You're always looking out for everyone, that's admirable."