A/N: Hey there. Thought I'd start up a new story. This one'll be…interesting, to say the least. The idea is actually based on the life of an elder I own on a role-playing site. So yes, I do own the main character, but there are a few background characters (no one who plays too big a part, really) that I don't own. And I don't own the concept of warriors…that would be Erin Hunter.
Please enjoy, and don't forget to review! I know it's short, but it's meant to be. This is just the prologue, after all.
The afternoon sun shines through the tangles of the den's roof, but its rays do not warm my graying pelt. I doubt very much if I can feel any sort of warmth any longer. If I closed my eyes, I wouldn't be able to tell if it was Green-Leaf or Leaf-Bare. That is how pathetic I have become.
Some of the warriors of my Clan have the honor of dieing in battle. Of giving their lives to save ThunderClan. I'm afraid to tell you that I had no such honor. I have lived a life of lies and loss, and now I sit alone in the Elder's den as useless as a new-born kit. My Clan-mates smile at me and bring me food each day, and respect me for my wisdom. I accept their courtesy as any elder would do, but I do not forget for a second what I am: a leech.
Presently, a rustling breaks the empty afternoon silence, and draws my attention to the den entrance. A small kit tumbles in, squeaking excitedly. He is alone. My ears twitch -- a subtle display of my irritation. Doesn't he have any siblings he could bother?
"What is it you want?" I grunt impatiently.
He stops, looking a bit taken aback by my tone. "Mother said you could tell me a story?" He says, looking a bit crestfallen.
I snort. So one of the queens has decided she's earned an undisturbed nap, and is trying to dump her offspring on me? I won't have it.
"You wouldn't want to hear any of the stories I could tell you." I reply icily, turning away from him and curling up to continue my rest. I can sense him behind me, opening his mouth to argue, so I cut him off before he can start. "Believe me."
There is silence, and I close my eyes. Eventually, I hear him padding away, leaving me alone once more.
I wasn't always alone, and I wasn't always numb. Not like now. But that, in itself, is a very long story, and it isn't one that reach the innocent ears of a kit. But perhaps you would listen? No one has listened to me for a long while now.
It isn't a beautiful story, and the only moral to be learned is…well, don't make the same mistakes I did. Maybe you can figure out why I ended up this way…alone.
Maybe.