Prologue
Amidst darkness, dim mist swirled. The darkness consumed everything, allowing not the smallest bit of light to flourish. Faint footsteps echoed through the clearing. Their sound began to grow louder as a slim, light-gray she-cat slid into the clearing. Her pointed ears twitched as she raised her muzzle into the icy air.
"You can stop wasting my time now, Whiteheart," she growled to a nearby bush. It shook slightly, and a sleek, black she-cat with a white muzzle and chest emerged from it. Her green eyes were as cold as a frozen leaf.
"You've found me, Silentstar!" she mewed, her voice sounding half-amused. "Your title as a legendary bush tamer is not unearned."
"You're not funny, nor are you cute," the gray she-cat growled. "You can be serious just once, can't you?"
Whiteheart rolled her cold green eyes. "Fine, fine. Seems like someone can't have a little fun." The she-cat sat down on the marshy ground, trying to get comfortable.
"At long last we've found another you," Silentstar began. "I trust you have enough sense to understand me?"
Whiteheart shook her head. "Actually, that's ridiculous," she snarled. "Another Whiteheart? You clearly aren't even attempting to make sense. I am the one and only Whiteheart. I always have been, thank you very much."
"Nevermind," hissed Silentstar. "I can explain later, when you're feeling less stupid." She began to pad back into the eerie darkness, but the black and white she-cat blocked her way.
"Tell me what you're planning," Whiteheart growled to the older she-cat. "That is, unless you're in the mood for a beating." She unsheathed her claws, which were as sharp as thorns on a rose.
The gray she-cat only shook her head. "You'll learn soon enough," she muttered. "Just keep Lionfang's promise on your mind." She walked around the younger she-cat and fading into the darkness once more. Whiteheart only muttered a curse under her breath, and padded the opposite way, leaving the clearing murky and empty once again. She looked back once more, giving a cold, empty glare to the darkness.
"We will meet again. And next time, I'll be ready."
...
"Cloudstar, wake up. We need to talk."
A familiar voice opened a white and gray tom's pale blue eyes. He glanced up drowsily, his vision blurred. He noticed a muscular dark brown tabby looming over him menacingly.
"Fallenflight, what do you want now?" the tom muttered sleepily, "It's not even dawn yet."
Fallenflight thrust his scarred muzzle closer to Cloudstars face. "So? Doesn't mean we can't talk, not does it?" he growled, disrespect hinting his tone. "Besides, this is more important than a nap."
"Don't disrespect your leader," Cloudstar said, trying to avoid his deputy's amber gaze. He stood up, stretching his scrawny body. It was leaf-bare, which meant less prey for his clan and all the clans. Things were going better in Brookclan than in any other clan, though, so not everyone in his clan was starving. "What did you want to tell me?"
"It's about Cherryblaze," the dark tabby began, "she's not well."
Cloudstar's pale blue eyes widened in shock. Cherryblaze, Fallenflights mate, had always been a healthy cat. She was a strong warrior, and was very dedicated to Brookclan. Strange, out of all cats, how does she get sick? Cloudstar thought to himself silently. Then again… it is leaf-bare. It's not surprising for any cat to get sick, even the strongest warrior.
"Send her to Sagefoot. Hopefully it doesn't get to severe," Cloudstar sighed gently. He shut his eyes, lowering his soft, white muzzle. He paused for a moment, and looked towards the back of his den, looking away from Fallenflight. "If Sagefoot asks anything about Ripplebreeze, tell him you don't know."
Fallenflight stared at him, startled by his note. "Excuse me?"
Cloudstar looked at the ground, shaking his head. "Nevermind. Go, leave me in peace," he muttered as he curled into his nest again. He could feel the huge tabby's gaze creeping over him like a wave of freezing water.
I shouldn't have added that last part. He doesn't need to know about Ripplebreeze at the moment. Besides…What's the worst that can happen to her kits? Cloudstar thought silently as he watched his deputy pad out of the den, who seemed confused. He didn't need to know anything about Ripplebreeze, nor about her kits.
If Sagefoot is right about one of Ripplebreeze's offspring, things could go horribly wrong. Gah, Sagefoot doesn't know what he's talking about. It's best to ignore. Cloudstar slowly shut his eyes, and drifted into a calming, long sleep.
To be continued...
Thank you for reading! I appreciate it! Remember, this is my first fan-fic, so please remember that if you give me a review ^^' I would love a critique. I always aim to go forward! Also, credit goes to my friend LightFlame The Warrior who edited the first part for me along with my friend Rosey, who helped me a little on the second part. Big thanks to you guys! Chapter 1 should be out soon, but remember, I can't promise ^^' Also, it was not Cloudstar dreaming about Whiteheart and Silentstar. It's just a transition, I guess. I'm really sorry if that confused you.