The Day Begins

Loststar padded out from her den, cracking her jaws open in a yawn. She glanced around the clearing, the ShadowClan camp laid out before her. Two warriors sat sharing tongues in the early morning light, and the Leader saw a tail whisk away between the entrance. Good, someone sent out a dawn patrol Loststar thought approvingly.

It had been two sunrises since the ShadowClan Leader had been out on patrol, and for this she felt guilty. The Clan's leader needed to show she was still strong, though she was proud of her deputy for taking on the patrol's responsibility. Loststar's one good eye shone amber in the sun's quiet rays, and she turned her head to the sky.

Silverpelt had gone away, replaced by the soft grey of the day's beginning. Small shafts of light shone over the edges, proving the sun's existence as it began to climb in the sky. Still out of view, it's light reached the camp, casting all the cats in faded golden light. Loststar smiled lightly, returning her gaze to her clan. More warriors woke now, shuffling out of their dens, waiting to be told of the day's duties. Apprentices went out with Mentors, Warriors were sent hunting, elders lay off to the side, and the queens rested just out of the nursery.

Loststar couldn't be prouder of her clan. They were so strong, and luckily, most accepted her as leader. She had been worried that they wouldn't, because of her missing eye. She noticed that one of the cats especially treated her with teasing and mockery. Though Loststar would never admit it, she sometimes found herself believing the queen's words.

Shaking her head, Loststar let out another yawn as she tried to shake her thoughts from her mind. She sat back on her haunches, looking up at the leaves surrounding them. Since ShadowClan territory was in the heart of pines, the trees didn't change color. Only the few oaks and maple's dotting the land turned the colors of leaf-fall. Loststar took in a deep breath through her nostrils, relishing in the scent of the day. Such a beautiful day, shame it'll be leaf-bare soon

Foxfur nuzzled her kits awake, and both of them stirred.

" Come, Moonkit, Stormkit. Why not play with the other kits?" she urged. Both kits eagerly trotted off to play, and the queen gave a small, smug smile. Her kits would be the best warriors one day. She rested outside the nursery, and narrowed her eyes as she saw a certain Shadowclan leader lacking an eye. And lacking the proper strength Shadowclan could have if it weren't for her.

" Odd she hasn't lead a patrol by herself lately, isn't it?" Foxfur purred to the others, loud enough for the she cat leader to hear. " I just hope she'll be strong enough to lead us through leafbare," she added, her eyes boring into Loststar's across the camp.

This can't possibly be Starclan's will! Her eye is weak, and when the time comes, so will her heart. But then again, so far, Clan life had been fairly peaceful. There hadn't been a disagreement between the clans for a awhile now.

Loststar's ear twitched at the queen's voice, her words piercing the leader's heart like a thistle. She had to suppress a shiver, sometimes it seemed as though the she-cat would become mutinous. Loststar quickly shook this feeling away, padding over to greet the orange-colored she-cat.

"Greetings Foxfur." she nodded respectfully, looking out at the queen's kits. "Your kits are looking well, they're almost six moons aren't they?" She asked, watching the two with warm eyes. With leaf-bare on the way, the clan needed their cats as strong as possible. New apprentices would be perfect.

Foxfur gave the kits a proud look, and nodded smugly. " Yes, aren't they? I should only hope they will each have worthy mentors once they are apprenticed," the queen meowed, and quickly groomed her smooth coat briefly.

" Who exactly were you thinking of as a mentor?" Foxfur questioned casually. Perhaps the deputy could train Moonkit. A shiver suddenly went down her spine, as a cool breeze flew past her. Leafbare really would be here soon.

"Hm, I'm not quite sure." Loststar replied softly, watching the two kits with her one good eye. "Do you have any preferences?" The leader turned her head to face Foxfur, watching for the Queen's reaction. She wanted her clan to respect her, and to trust her, but it always seemed that the she-cat would always resent her. Loststar was never sure why, but she suspected it had something to do with her missing eye....

Whatever the reason, Loststar only wanted Foxfur to trust her, and like her even just a little. The ShadowClan leader didn't want her clan to doubt her power, and one cat could make the difference. Foxfur was a strong cat, and Loststar knew she would need her on her side.