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[Wolfstar]

Birchstar laid next to some reeds, looking at the waters and dipping a paw in. "You're welcome. It's not the streams back home, but it's something." He looked down to see a minnow by his paw. "The minnows aren't afraid to swim up to you."

"Nothing can beat home, but it's the closest we can get here." He felt thorns against his back, ignoring them as he continued walking. "Is there anything you'd like while you're here?"

Ashstar lead the way, the songs from the birds leading her to the spot. "I'm here if you have any questions to ask."

Ripplestar broke the silence, "We kept these two for a reason. Are we going to talk about it or stay quiet?" Oakstar looked at the black tom, who shuffled his paws before the she-cat nudged him.
"R-right. I'm sorry to keep the two of you here, since you might have questions for your ancients."
"Darkened Sky, if you keep delaying, you're going to hate yourself for being awkward later," Broken Flower meowed.

[Shadow Sharpfang]

Icepetal paused in her paddling and stood still, mimicking the reeds as the current caused her to sway to and fro. Before long, a cluster of minnows darted past, then collected themselves around the fluffy mass that was Icepetal. She bit her tongue to keep from giggling as they tickled her.

Dawnscar brushed past the thorns without a problem. "Could we do a bit of hunting? Don't get many chances to just enjoy the afterlife while you're still living, and maybe it's childish, but I've always wondered what the prey up here is like compared to what we hunt down below."

Burningsky shrugged. "I dunno. Not many questions. Got any interesting stories to tell from when the ash trees back home were still saplings?"

Hollowpaw sighed. "If there's something to be said, then please, tell us. Delaying will do no one any good," he said in his ever pragmatic voice. Mintpaw nodded in eager agreement.

[Wolfstar]

"I wonder if they're confused. They might think you're some odd reeds," He chuckled, sliding into the waters slowly. Birchstar stood in the waters, his tail raised as he copied the movement from the reeds as well. "Believe it or not, this helps catching fish."

Cedarstar nodded, "Go ahead. It won't be as good as the living ones, I'll tell you that now. Hunting is the same here too, so the prey is still clueless. I'll meet you back here." He turned his head, lowering it as he walked off.

"How about a story about one of my friends getting stuck in a burrow?" She purred in amusement at the memory, stopping once she reached the alder. Ashstar laid down, looking around to see a few butterflies. The songs the birds sang were quiet, but she could hear them clearly.

The tom nodded, looking up and relaxing. "When the sun sets, familiar blood will stain the oaks." Oakstar stiffened at the mention of oaks, but shook his head and looked at Willowstar. She leaned against the black-and-grey tom, and he responded by licking her ear.

[Shadow Sharpfang]

"It would! They swim right up to you. Little do they know, you're not a reed, but a hungry cat!" Slowly, careful to maintain balance, she lifted a paw and slashed through the water. The startled minnows darted off into the distance, save for one. Icepetal lifted her paw out of the brook and revealed the minnow she had captured in her pads. "Got one!"

Dawnscar nodded and took off on the hunt for prey. Stalking among the thick thorn bushes made him feel like he was home again. It was endlessly comforting.

Burningsky got comfortable under the alder tree. She snorted at the mention of a cat getting stuck in a burrow. "Why not? I'm curious now."

Hollowpaw was silent, pensive. Then his head jolted upwards and he looked at the leaders, as though surprised. "Why tell us and not the warriors?"
Mintpaw glared at him. "What? What were they even trying to say?" she asked, blatantly confused.
Hollowpaw looked at her. "It's a prophecy, naturally." Then he looked at his paws. "When the sun sets... Blood staining the oaks... Then there's the matter of literal and figurative speech..." His young mind was already working far ahead of capacity trying to decipher the ever cryptic riddle.

[Wolfstar]

"Staying still in the waters do help catch fish, but seeing as some cats are drypaws, they wouldn't do this. It helps you get used to the current, and you can see how the fish move closer than watching from the bank." He chuckled, letting his tail sink into the waters. "It also surprises your entire family when they see you in the water."

Cedarstar stalked through the bracken, his attention caught by a squawk. Looking up, he spotted a crow on a branch above him. Digging up a seed, he spat it at the base of the cedar, a small thump as it collided with the wood. It caught the crow's attention, and it flew down to peck at the seed. He took a step forward before leaping, his claws catching its wing and he killed it quickly.

Ashstar nodded, wrapping her tail around her paws. "His name was Hidden Cloud, and he was one of my best hunters. He stood out amongst the undergrowth, his cream pelt and his black tail and ears. Rising Sun and Briar Thorn were his sisters, and his mother was named Bright Sun. She worried for them, for their father died moons before they were born. The tom's pride was like his fathers, Bright Sun would say, and it was that pride that got him stuck."

"You know them the most, and will be the most affected," Oakstar replied. "I wish I could help you with the prophecy, but that would ruin the point of it."
"Who knows, it may just end up in an odd, or unnatural way," Willowstar said, smiling quiet happily despite the glares she received from her brother and mother.

[Shadow Sharpfang]

"Shame the other clans can't enjoy the currents as much as we can. But if they did, we'd lose what makes us special, I guess, wouldn't we now?" She let the minnow swim free again.

Dawnscar's keen feline ears caught onto the chattering of some type of rodent. His nose told him a rat was nearby. He wasn't typically fond of rats, but he supposed that this was Starclan. He doubted prey items in Starclan would harm him too viciously. He set about stalking the rat and it turned out to be quite an easy kill.

Burningsky didn't wish to interrupt the story, so she stayed quiet and focused on listening.

Hollowpaw paused his thought process to listen to the ancients speak. "Hm, okay, I understand," he said to Oakstar with a dip of his head. Then he gave Willowstar a curious glance, wondering what her little hint might entail.
Mintpaw, meanwhile, was completely unable to comprehend the situation. All she knew was that something important was going to happen, and that was enough to put her on her toes. "Oh, this is so cool," she murmured.

[Wolfstar]

He nodded, "True. Now, did you have some questions for me?" Looking down, he spotted a fish between his paws in the water. He flicked a paw up, claws unsheathed, flinging the fish onto the bank. Birchstar leapt onto the bank, killing the fish so it wouldn't try to get back into the brook.

Picking up the crow, he walked back to where he left the warrior. Cedarstar plucked some feathers before taking a bite, wondering when he would find a frog or toad. They were odd to catch, but they were tasty.

"I heard him boasting one morning, how he said that he could catch rabbits right from their burrows. We've only caught them as they ducked into them, so trying to crawl to just catch them just sounded crazy. I told him this, and he just puffed out his chest. 'I'll be back with a whole family of rabbits!' he said, his head high as he walked out of camp. Broken Flower had heard this, purring in amusement as Bright Wind started freaking out. I told her I'd follow him, and the sisters decided to stay to tell Darkened Sky where I was gone." Her voice held amusement and joy, apparently happy to be telling a story about a clan-mate. A butterfly flew past her, and she had to keep her attention away from it as she told the story.

"Cool?" Ripplestar asked, baffled at the comment. "I know you're a bit happy to be told something like this, but knowing that it's about a death of someone you know isn't that great." Willowstar nudged him, and he averted his gaze to her. Broken Flower cleared her throat, looking at the apprentices.
"That'll be all for now. Your ancients will answer your questions, for now, I'm sure you young ones have many things to ask. This night is far from over, but you'll awake and feel refreshed." Standing, she turned and walked away.
"Respect and listen to your elders, for they know stories that may help you on your path and possibly be your greatest ally. Now, I hope we meet again. It was an honor talking to the two of you," Darkened Sky said, dipping his head before going after his mate.

Oakstar stood, turning to Hollowpaw. "I'm sure you have plenty of questions, and there might be time to tell you a story afterward as well."
Willowstar and Ripplestar walked up to Mintpaw. "Let's go to a lavender patch, there's plenty of butterflies there to watch and play with," she offered.

[Shadow Sharpfang]

Icepetal sat back and lifted her chin, gazing at the beautiful sky above them. "What was it like, before the clans? Was it more peaceful when we weren't all divided up like this, or was it just worse that way?" She lowered her head and her ears drooped sadly. "After all, I suppose everything happens for a reason, right? For something as big as this division between us to come into place..." She returned her attention to Birchstar and finished, "There must have been an important cause."

Dawnscar returned and sat at Cedarstar's side. He lowered his head and ripped a mouthful of flesh from his ethereal prey. He inclined his head and chewed thoughtfully. "Huh. I'll admit, I'm surprised. When you said that food down home was better, I didn't entirely believe you, but I see what you mean now. It isn't bad. It's good, actually, but it's..." He huffed. "It's not alive, in the end."

Burningsky chuckled at the sound of this boastful tom, interrupting only to comment, "Sounds like a child. Mm, what happened next, then?" She folded her paws and relaxed. Listening to the story was quite calming, and she was enjoying it.

Mintpaw lowered her ears when Ripplestar spoke and Hollowpaw flicked her with his tail in reprimand. They both bowed their heads and thanked Darkened Sky and Broken Flower as they left the scene.

Hollowpaw looked up at Oakstar with an inquisitive expression, a bit of awe lurking just beneath. "'Plenty' is an understatement, Oakstar," he pointed out respectfully. "But I have to admit, I might be interested in a story..." The kit in him showed its face in the bright, curious light that flickered to life within his murky green eyes.

Mintpaw grinned at Willowstar. "I like butterflies! They have so many pretty colours, don't you think? And doesn't lavender smell so nice?" She hopped to her paws and pranced away as though she knew which direction it was in. "C'mon, c'mon! Show me the way!"

[Wolfstar]

Birchstar laid down, setting a paw on the fish. "From what Darkened Sky told me, they all lived in a gorge that had a wall made of wood. When it came down, they all had to leave or drown. The only casualties from that where his mother and father. They can to where we live today, but they were eventually divided into two. Then into five. My littermates thought that we could reunite everyone, but instead divided us even more. It kind of hurts to know that your enemy is your own littermates."

"Exactly, you don't really feel it squirm underneath your claws. It just gives up," Cedarstar flicked his tail. "Didn't mean to make it sound that way. Anyway, I have a couple of questions to ask you, if you don't mind. I'm somewhat curious about modern clan-life."

Ashstar couldn't help but laugh. "I found him stuck in a burrow, his front end underground while his tail was lashing in irritation. 'How's the rabbit hunting?' I asked him, receiving an annoyed growl. 'Just help me out of here!' He snapped, and I did so. But when I entered the tunnels and found him, I merely laid down in front of him. His face was priceless! I just started a small conversation with him, then pushed him out awhile later. A tom is always stubborn, but to get the look of embarrassment from them is the best!" She smiled, then sighed. "I'm getting worked up over telling a story, sorry."

"It'll pass the night, and frankly, I'm looking forward to what your questions are. Let's find a tree with a good view," Oakstar padded away, flicking his tail.

Willowstar nudged Ripplestar, who nodded and padded up to her. "Come along then. And keep up!" He raced off without another moment. Willowstar stopped beside Mintpaw, smiling.
"Fun fact, he's a half blooded cat," she said quietly, speeding off after him a moment later.

[Shadow Sharpfang]

Icepetal showed a solemn smile. "Yes, that must have been awful. But things are better this way. Sometimes we have little spats and skirmishes, but in the end, I think this is the best way for us all to be at peace, what with our differences and all."

Dawnscar nodded his heavy head in agreement, then swung it around to meet Cedarstar's eyes. "Question for me, eh? Shoot, I'll answer. Least I can do is keep you up to date on things back home, right?" He smiled a calm, if slightly teasing smile, then took another bite.

Burningsky purred in amusement. "Oh wow, what a doof. I would have liked to meet him, encourage his temper a bit with some teasing. Toms are so fun to pester, with their fragile pride." She chuckled some more, then her ears perked at Ashstar's apology. "Aw, don't apologize, I'm having fun. You're so animated, it's like I'm right there watching it happen. It's obvious it's a memory you're fond of, and I can't blame you, I would be too."

Hollowpaw lowered his head. "Hm, that's new. No one has ever been eager to hear my questions before. They just... Give me this look, it's something like this." He looked up at Oakstar and slackened his expression into one of tired irritation, then completed it with a subtle eye-roll. "I don't know what they mean to communicate, but it's distracting. I tend to lose focus when they do it."

Mintpaw looked at Willowstar in surprise, then shook it off and grinned. "Haha, don't have to tell me to keep up!" she purred as she raced off after them. Her firm legs propelled her small body along at high speeds and ensured she never lingered further than a tail length behind the pair of leaders.

[Wolfstar]

"If only Cedarclan and Oakclan would just get along. Even though Ashclan is between the two, they quarrel like a bunch of grumpy elders," Birchstar snorted, taking a bite before pushing it forward a bit. "Would you like a bite? It's not as good as living fish, but it's something."

"What is Cedarclan known for nowadays? When it was started, we were known for our thick pelts and our skill to hunt at night. Now I'm not sure if that stayed the same or changed." He tore some flesh off the crow, letting the dull flavor bathe his tongue before swallowing.

"Meeting him would be nice, but he's back home." She shrugged. "But teasing him would set him off. Teasing is good from time to time, but not all the time. I teased him a lot afterwards, and I swore he hated me for moons. When I finally apologized, he did so as well. Guess I was just a love struck she-cat during that time. Ugh, now I'm sounding like White Moon."

"Questions expand your mind, what you think and how you express things. When I was alive, I frequently asked Darkened Sky questions, even some of my own clan-mates received my questions. That's how we learned how to attack from the trees, a tactical surprise attack in battle." Oakstar stopped in front of a tree, unsheathing his claws and leaping up and digging them into the bark. He continued to climb until the leaves shielded him from view.

Ripplestar slowed down, yelping when Willowstar shoved him into a nearby pond. She laughed, rolling the lavender and letting a few butterflies fly up. "You can swim, I know you can!"
"I know, it's just the water's cold!" She continued to laugh at him.

[Shadow Sharpfang]

Icepetal laughed and nodded her agreement. "I've heard they have quite the squabbles." She brought the fish closer to her. "Thank you," she said before taking a bite. "Mm, I miss the taste of fish," she mumbled. "Even if it isn't the same as the ones back home."


Dawnscar sighed. "I guess that isn't too off. I'd say more cats know us for our sneaky tactics in battle nowadays, though. We're silent, and we're strong, and we're dangerous. Or something like that." He laughed to himself and added, "I bet you mothers in other clans tell their kits, 'Behave, or a Cedarclan warrior might jump out of the bushes and eat you when night falls!' It wouldn't be a surprise, at least. I know that they tell the apprentices that I'll come out and get them if they misbehave, but that's another story." His eyes were bright with amusement.

Burningsky's smile remained stuck to her maw. "Hey, nothing wrong with that. If all was good in the end, then all is good. Right?"

Hollowpaw watched Oakstar climb with a frown. "Wow, your movements are so fluid. I could only hope to climb like that." He looked down at his paws and his lanky legs. "I'm an Oakclanner who's useless at climbing trees, what kind of joke is that?" He hopped up and attached himself to the trunk, then clumsily clawed his way up until he found Oakstar among the leaves. "Definitely couldn't do it to save my hide," he muttered to himself.

Mintpaw felt a few stray droplets of water cling to her pelt and she flinched. "Whew, it is cold!" she gasped, stumbling into the bushels of lavender with a hearty laugh.

[Wolfstar]

Birchstar nodded, wrapping his tail around his paws. "Do you have anymore questions for me?" He asked. "I think I have a couple for you, if you don't have anymore for me, that is."

Cedarstar nodded, somewhat amused and yet skeptical. "Alright, next question. Do you see yourself as a clan leader?" This one was bothering him ever since the current Cedarclan leader lost his eighth life. The deputy was a good one, but he wasn't sure if he was the right one.

Ashstar gave a slow nod. "Yes, but what about your relationship with your clanmates. I'm sorry if I sound like a mother, but what do your clanmates think of you with your teasing?"

"There's nothing wrong with your legs. Come on now, the branch is right here." Oakstar pulled himself onto the branch, walking along it before sitting down. The view showed a starry landscape, and it was almost similar to the land below. "Everyone has their own skills, and some need to unlock others. Now, ask as many questions as you'd like. I'm listening to your every word."

Willowstar nodded, pushing through a lavender bush. "Look at this Willowclanner swim!" She teased, watching Ripplestar swim through the pond with ease.

[Shadow Sharpfang]

Icepetal hummed for a few moments. "Hm, I don't think so, no. Well, maybe one thing. What was it like, leading a clan of swimmers back when you were all first divided? We're really the odd ones of the bunch, so what did the others think of us?"

Dawnscar blinked and grunted in surprise. "What? That's a weighty question, especially coming from yourself," he commented, shuffling his paws. "I wouldn't want to sound arrogant, nor like I'm planning some kind of coup." He let out a laugh to ease the tension the question had struck into his nerves. "Well, I guess I'll just be honest, then. I think I wouldn't be the best leader the clan has ever seen, but in Starclan's name, I'd try my best. I'd try to be the leader who their clanmates can trust to make a good call in a bind, and who can rally up their morales even in the darkest of moments. I'd want them to be strong, I'd want them to carry their heads high, 'cause we're more than a bunch of thick-skinned shadow rats. But anyone starts getting cocky with me," he mewed, swiping at the air. "They're gettin' cuffed right around the ear." Then he laid down. "Eh, I'm a bit strict, but that isn't a bad thing, is it?"

Burningsky snorted. "Oh, my clanmates? You do sound like a mother," she admitted. "They get pretty annoyed, but hey, it's funny, so who cares? Not like I don't do my duties as a warrior or anything, so no reason for them to complain."

Oakstar's reassurance was comforting, and Hollowpaw managed to haul himself up onto the branch thanks to the faint hint of motivation it instilled within him. "Thank you, I appreciate hearing that," he said, taking a seat. "Now, my questions. Well, best to take it one by one. This might be an abrupt start, and I apologize, but I'm simply being mauled by curiosity. What is it like to die? What happens the moment your body stops functioning? Do you wake up here immediately, or are there a few moments of nothingness or emptiness beforehand, perhaps? I wonder..." He zoned out, losing himself in his own train of thought shortly after finishing his question.

Mintpaw laughed. "Wow, that's weird! Do you eat fish too? Ew." She stuck her tongue out at the thought of fish. "Gross."

[Wolfstar]

"They thought of us as furry fish," Birchstar chuckled at the 'insult.' "The fish we ate surprised them, but I've heard some wonder why are pelts are sleek. Fish causes that, but they don't want to eat what's slimy. Which is good, don't get me wrong, it's the main prey we go for. Willowstar was the most curious of the bunch, and decided to keep to her rabbits and runners to herself. Ripplestar has had fish before, and was actually happy to try some again." (runners as in roadrunners)

"It's not, it's a rather good thing actually. Be too loose and the apprentices might rebel. But every leader believes they won't be the best leader for their clan. All they can do is try their best, and that's what matters." Cedarstar sighed, looking at his paws. "The reason I ask this, is because Tatteredstar is on his last life. And I don't think Alderpelt will be the one leading the clan. My, I sound like I don't trust my clan."

"They care, Burningsky. Yes, you're teasing, but haven't there been times where they think you're words hurt? Is this how you want to be remembered?" She asked, concerned for the warrior in front of her.

Oakstar was taken back by the question, but after some thought, he thought it was something appropriate to ask. "Well, you're enveloped by darkness for a moment before opening your eyes. You see yourself standing above your body, with loved ones around you. You're lead to Starclan by a friend or family member, and you meet everyone you've missed. Cedarstar died before me, as well as Darkened Sky and Broken Flower. Seeing them again filled me with joy, but I was also sad too. To know that there were many cats that I left behind. To know I left my mate and kits..."

"I used to, and Willowstar has too."
"I rather eat rabbit's tail or a runner's foot instead of a fish!" Willowstar spat, sticking her tongue out.
"You have eaten both, so I wouldn't be surprised." He pulled himself out of the pond, stretching his limbs and lifting a paw to lick dry.

[Shadow Sharpfang]

Icepetal chuckled. "Ah, I see. Furry fish, that isn't too bad." Satisfied with the answer, she sat back and nodded. "Anyway, you had questions for me?"

Dawnscar looked relieved, but was put on edge again when Cedarstar confessed to his concerns about the clan's future leadership. "Ah... No, your worries are completely reasonable, Cedarstar." He gazed off into the distance. "I know it's not my place, but I still worry about Tatteredstar sometimes. He's a tough tom, but age catches up to the best of us, like it or not." He returned his focus to Cedarstar. "Care to share your thoughts on Alderpelt?"

Burningsky blinked vacantly and turned her head away. "Being remembered..." she murmured. "Eh, I don't want anyone to remember me, anyway. And if they do, I'd like passing knowing I did my justice as the clan's renowned jerk. Ain't that fair?"

Hollowpaw nodded slowly. "It must have been painful," he said. "Emotionally, I mean. The physical part is - ah, never mind." His technical observations didn't fit the mood, so he stifled them. "This place is so interesting. Do you ever wonder how it got here?" He looked to the left and to the right. There were starry fields as far as the eye could see. "Does it stretch forever? Is there a border somewhere, or does it just never end? If there was an end, what would lie beyond? It's so odd." He looked at Cedarstar again. "But I doubt even you can answer something like that. So tell me instead, before we were split into five clans, did one cat rule all of the other cats? That must have been a big duty. I wonder who the first leader was... To assemble so many cats, it's such a feat..."

Mintpaw looked at both of them in disgust. "Eww, stop, you'll make me sick," she groaned, feigning illness by wobbling on her paws and grumbling drowsily. Then she straightened up again and laughed.

[Wolfstar]

"This may seem as an odd question, but which rank do you see yourself in the future? Still a warrior, or something else?" He asked, curious to know her input on the subject.

Cedarstar hesitated, shuffling his paws as he looked up. "He's a good cat, don't get me wrong. But he isn't stern, if you know what I mean. There's moments where he's nervous and hesitant, and it takes him awhile to figure something out." He tore off another piece of crow flesh, taking his time. "There will be a moment where he will decide who to choose, if it's necessary. Such as, he either had to choose a kit or a warrior."

"No!" Ashstar jumped to her paws. "I don't want to lead your life, but I don't want you to be forgotten. You're a kind cat, I know it! You just don't know how to show it."

"From what Darkened Sky told me, we all lived in a gorge, where a wall of wood blocked a torrent of water. When the wall collapsed, they had to get out or drown. Darkened Sky's mother and father were killed, but they left and came here. When they did, however, the group split into two. Hawk and Darkened Sky lead the two groups, even letting some rogues and loners join among the ranks. When my littermates and I were brought into this world, we wanted to reunite them. But in the end, two split into five with us in the lead." Oakstar thought for a moment. "From what Ripplestar said, Starclan stretches far and wide across the skies, but there's different ones for each group of clans. Where he came from, there was a different Starclan. He actually showed us our ancestors, eventually bringing the codes we live by today."

Ripplestar rolled his eyes, continuing to lick his fur dry. Willowstar snorted, laying in a patch of lavender. "Is there anything you'd like to ask us? About our life, the clans during the beginning, anything you would like to know will be answered."

[Shadow Sharpfang]

Icepetal smiled and promptly answered, "Why, I'd hope to see myself nestled into the Queen's den at some point in my life. I wish to reach no higher than that. Raising kits would be the most rewarding achievement of them all, in my eyes."

Dawnscar nodded in understanding. "Yes, I see your point. I see why that might concern you." He lowered his head. "Seems we're heading for an impasse with our leadership, if you don't mind my saying so. I'm certain we can sort it out, though."

Burningsky looked up at Ashstar, confusion painted onto her face. "I don't see why you're so concerned," she murmured, taken slightly aback. "But I'm just walking fate's path. Dunno how to change it, and dunno why I'd bother. It's easier to just go with it."

Hollowpaw stared up at Oakstar, eyes round with intrigue. "Oh, wow. So it's so large that it can accommodate for every group of clan's deceased. I wonder how many cats there are out there like us. How many different versions of Starclan there are. It's fascinating, don't you think? I wonder if other animals have similar things, too. Maybe the mice and birds we hunt up here were once living, too."

Mintpaw sighed. "No, that's too much for me. A lotta stuff happened and it gives me a big fat headache." She tapped her head with her paw to emphasize her point.

[Wolfstar]

Birchstar nodded, smiling slightly. "I was never able to raise kits of my own, but Willowstar and Oakstar were able to. Cedarstar died shortly before receiving his nine lives because of infection, and Ashstar loved someone who was already taken. Love has always been a tricky thing."

"I'm sure, but the storm that's coming may prove who'll be the next leader of Cedarclan. The tie-breaker." He shook his head. "Ignore my words, I'm just dwelling on the future."

"You sound like you've given up," Ashstar whispered, her tail drooping. "Where do you see yourself in the future, may I ask?" She remembered something that might help the warrior, but wasn't sure.

Oakstar chuckled, "Ripplestar told me that there were tales of a badger and a hairless cat that helped them before and during a great battle. So I think they have something similar to a Starclan as well."

"Then what would you like to do?" Ripplestar asked, paused in his grooming to ask the question before resuming.

[Shadow Sharpfang]

Icepetal looked at her paws. "Oh," she murmured. "That is sad. But you know what?" She looked back up at him with a warm smile. "You should think of all of Birchclan as your kits, and I expect you to love each and every one of us and guide our paws from the stars just like the parent we all need in our lives."

Dawnscar considered Cedarstar for a long moment, then faced ahead once more. "I understand. The burden of the future must be heavy. I shall keep my guard up. Anyway, is there anything else you have to say?"

Burningsky thought about that. "I dunno, Ashy. I kinda like where I am right now, just goin' with the flow and being a warrior. Without warriors, what would a clan be, right? We're like the muscles that form together to build one giant cat." She stood up tall and puffed out her fur to make herself seem bigger. "Or somethin' like that."

Hollowpaw nodded slowly. "Wow, how wondrous the skies are," he breathed. "I'm infatuated. Wait, did you say a hairless cat? How would a creature like that survive in the winter moons?" He shivered. "Even my thick pelt is privy to chills."

"Wait, wait!" Mintpaw exclaimed. "I do have a question. What's it like to be a big, strong leader?" She puffed out her chest. "I wanna be a leader, too, so I've gotta know what the big scary old leaders did to be so cool!"