prey. [closed]

[Halfstar]

He woke to the sound of rushing water, always a relaxing quality, he noted. He glanced around the warrior den, cats were curled up and sleeping. Quietly as he could, he squeezed himself out of the den and let the cold air slap him in the face. Yawning, he stretched, his body relaxing a bit when he finished. He was a large cat, not in the sense that he was fat but in size, and for that, he was glad. The dawn patrol would be gathering soon, the sun was below the horizon and not there. Perhaps he could see if he could join them, of course asking his young leader if he join their patrol.

He moved slowly and yet at a quick pace towards his leader's den, his eyes showing nothing of what he was feeling, not that there was anything buzzing in his brain. His ears flicked back and forth before he sat down outside of the den and gave himself a good wash.

[/size]

[Thistlestar]

Thistlestar was up early as well.
Yawning she rolled over on her belly in her den, she blinked against the dim light, signalling that the sun had not yet risen above the horizon.
Suddenly, Thistlestar's ears pricked, hearing some sound outside her den; it sounded like another cat washing his fur. Noting how early it was, Thistlestar concluded that it could be only one RiverClan cat: Hailstorm.
Jumping up into a standing position, Thistlestar stretched her back and stiff legs. Leaf-bare always bothered her muscles. With one last yawn, Thistlestar exited her den to see that she was correct upon assuming Hailstorm.
"Good morning, Hailstorm," Thistlestar greeted her senior warrior.
Thistlestar reflected that it was strange... her position. She had only been leader of RiverClan five moons, and it was still a shock to wake up alone in Spotstar's old den... as the leader of RiverClan.
Thistlestar was happy of course; she could now prove her worth, and knew she was good leader. But, it still felt strange to be the leader of cats much more experienced and older than her. The cat before her, only four moons older, seemed like a lifetime. Thistlestar remembered Hailstorm becoming a warrior 3 moons before her, and before that training alongside him when he was still Hailpaw.
Remembering her apprentice days --- was it only ten moons ago? --- made Thistlestar remember her older sister, Heronclaw whom was ten moons older. Way more experienced than either her or Hailstorm. Heronclaw held bitter sentiments to her much younger sister, who beat her out for Deputy. Thistlestar still does not understand why Spotstar chose her --- such a new warrior! --- over her much achieved sister.
Bitterly, Thistlestar narrowed her eyes. Heronclaw barely spoke to Thistlestar anymore. It made her angry, and hurt. But, she knew Spotstar must've had a reason for choosing her over her sister. She just hoped one day she'd know what it was, and maybe then, Heronclaw would forgive her.

[Halfstar]

He dipped his head respectfully, "And a Good Morning to you, Thistlestar." meowed. No trace of his usual personality was aimed at her, despite him wanting an older more experienced warrior, though not himself, as a leader, Thistlestar was decent enough to keep the clan going and not fall into an oblivious dark hole that would take forever to get out of. He looked up, his eyes guarded as he looked at Thistlestar's narrowed eyes, he may not be a she-cat but the "link" between her and her sister Heronclaw, he could only guess what she was thinking about. With his claws sheathed he batted the younger cat on the head lightly, "You have to love today. Not have bitter resentment to yesterday." He meowed, giving Thistlestar a reassuring lick on her head. Sometimes he treated her like a leader, sometimes like a sister, sometimes he ignored her.

"Mind if I join the dawn border patrol?" He asked, his eyes guarded as he looked past Thistlestar's head.

[Thistlestar]

Thistlestar thought about it for a brief second, before cuncurring.
"Yes, that would be helpful. Thank you, Hailstorm. Take three available warriors and one apprentice with you."
Dipping her head to the older warrior, Thistlestar tried to convey her appreciation.
"Oh, and please make sure to refresh the scent markers by the marshes. All the half-rain, half-snow has buried it."
Thistlestar spoke to Hailstorm, though he did not look at her, but past her. Thistlestar tried to not take this to heart; she certainly wasn't deaf to his personality... and his feelings towards her leadership. She too, wishes she was older; maybe then, her Clan and others, woluldn't be so sceptical of her leadership abilities.

[Halfstar]

~ "Continued on Watching the Sun rise" ~