Fallenstar padded forward into the clearing, her paws making no noise in the undergrowth.

This was her favorite place in all of Thunderclan territory. It was a place where she could think without being distracted, without the stress of clan leadership bearing itself on her shoulders.

Sometime she didn't feel that she was suited for leadership in the first place.

She still couldn't quite wrap her mind around the fact that Thunderclan's previous leader, and her former mentor, Brackenstar; choose her for deputy when Robinwing had fallen in a battle against Riverclan, despite it being so many moons ago.

"I trust you," she remembered the dark brown tabby meowing quietly when she spoke to him after he announced her as the new deputy at moon high. "I know you would sacrifice your life for a clanmate's, and would protect the clan to the best of your ability. And you-"

"But any warrior would do the same," Fallenstar, then Fallenleaf, argued, her tail twitching anxiously.

"Interrupting a clan leader, hmm?" he meowed, his yellow eyes glinting playfully, "I do believe-"

"Sorry!" She yelped.

"Oh, and, uh...sorry again…" She mumbled, realizing she had interrupted him yet a second time. She found a sudden interest in the dirt hidden between her claws.

"As I was saying," Brackenstar continued, mock-glaring at her, "You also have a sensitivity to what is going on beneath the surface of a cat's actions, making you very talented in settling disputes."

Brackenstar sighed. "I know many do not approve of my choice. They consider you young and inexperienced, which, in reality, you are. But you have proved yourself many times over in the moons you've been a warrior, and I believe you to be the best candidate."

"It will be challenging." His eyes bored into hers. "Even more so for you, because of your youth. But I have faith in you."

Brackenstar had spent his last life when greencough hit the following bareleaf. He was an old cat, to be sure, with an increasingly graying muzzle, and would have most likely been in the elders den had he not been clan leader, but nevertheless, it hit the clan, not to mention Fallenleaf, hard. Brackenstar had been a father figure to her.

Leadership was incredibly stressful, and sometimes she felt as if she were suffocating.

But she was getting by. She was getting used to the rhythm of leadership, able to shuffle the clan cats into line. Once the first few moons of hectic nervousness were over, she actually found it…enjoyable. Whenever they weren't at war, at least.

It was so incredibly satisfying to see a hunting patrol come back with jaws full of freshkill, to see a litter of kits be nursed by their mother, or to watch an apprentice master his first battle skill.

It was hard work, but it was rewarding work.

Ermm... so yeah. Not so good. But seriously, con. crit. is really appreciated!