Redhawk Caldera No matter how much it hurts, no matter how hard it gets, you gotta keep grinding.

She blinked when her godmother signed at her, mostly to be rid of the moisture she felt building behind her eyeballs. Towhee hadn't realized what a weight she was carrying until it lifted right then. She exhaled shakily and nodded, feeling even weaker now, but with relief. She enjoyed the moment of solace, then drew in another breath to steady herself for whatever surely came next.

The Xi wanted to respond immediately, though she paused to consider what Finley was asking. -With my life,- she responded, signing slowly. -What I did has nothing to do with that,- she added a bit more rapidly. -I figured—well, I hoped—you'd agree it was necessary... but you and Uncle Elwood have other things to worry about it. And I'm a guardian of this pack, and of those babies. It's my job to do stuff like that, so you don't have to.- She felt hopeful that she'd made a strong case, but even so, she didn't hesitate to add, -I'm sorry if I was out of line.-