PROLOGUE
The tabby cat held her head high as she listened to the excited meows of her clan. Finally, she was where she belonged. Leopardstar slid out her claws, enjoying the feel of the smooth rock beneath her pads. She could see her clan far below her, their pelts like the surface of a rippling lake, tainted by the red streaks of the evening sky. The scent of early newleaf hung in the air and she could feel her own triumph at conquering her clan as their rightful leader. She opened her mouth and let out a yowl of triumph... "Leopardkit, stop yowling or you'll wake the whole nursery!" her mother's voice was mildly annoyed, as if she'd been doing it all night. "Sorry, Oakflower." Leopardkit felt hollow inside. She wasn't leader and wouldn't be for moons. She wasn't even an apprentice! The small kit curled up next to her littermates and drifted back to sleep. Her distinctive markings and tabby pelt were in stark contrast to the red, cream and brown fur of her littermates. Her sleeping form seemed smaller than ever and she let out small puffs of breath as she slept. Her mother gave a small sigh which ruffled her brown tabby fur. Her forest-green eyes were full of worry. "I'm worried about her Snowsong; she never sleeps properly and wakes up yowling like she trod on a thistle twice her size! On top of that all she ever talks about is being leader and ruling Stormclan. She's too ambitious for a kit so young!" She was focused on a pretty white cat crouched in the shadows of the nursery. The cat raised her head and focused her intense blue eyes on Oakflower. "Kits will be kits Oakflower!" her voice was as gentle as a greenleaf breeze, "and there's nothing wrong with a little ambition. She's the size of a small mouse! You don't really think she'd try to take over the clan?" She ran her snow-white tail over the tabby's ruffled fur. Her voice was more serious now. "Look Oakflower, whatever faults Leopardkit may have, she has a good heart." The tabby let her fur fall flat and gave a small sigh. "You're right as always Snowsong! Besides I know her and I love her. I shouldn't doubt my daughter. Thanks for your help. I'll see you soon?" "Of course Oakflower! I'll always be here when you need me." With that she turned and disappeared out of the nursery. When she emerged into the faint dawn light you could see how pale she was. She kept walking slowly upwards to the fading moon, leaving a trail of stardust in her wake.
