THE SONG: Book 1- The New Home

Prologue

A golden she-cat with mossy green eyes was pacing along the side of a starry pool, stars shining in her fur. Next to the pool, crouching and gazing into its sparkling depths, was a snow-white she-cat with pale green eyes. She, too, had a starry pelt.

"What do you see Snowblizzard?" the golden cat hissed impatiently.

"Patience, Mapleleaf," Snowblizzard murmured. "All will come clear soon enough." Though Snowblizzard was visibly younger than Mapleleaf, her voice had a wiser tone to it.

"Patience," Mapleleaf grumbled. "All I seem to be able to do is be patient. I need to know, Snowblizzard."

Snowblizzard sighed.

"Alright then, Mapleleaf. Since she is your kin."Snowblizzard looked back at the pool and, lowering her head, blew gently on the starry surface, making the water ripple. When it cleared, it showed an image of a kit. The kit's fur was as silver as moonlight and her eyes the same exact color as Mapleleaf's. As the two cats watched, the she-kit sniffed curiously at a nettle patch, then pulled away and ran to a bramble den, twigs and leaves woven thickly to create warmth and security. She raced to the entrance, only to be met by a dark brown half-mottled she-kit with twinkling pale blue eyes. A silver-and-white she-cat stepped behind them, her green eyes bright with amusement and she started licking the silver kit clean.

"Birdwing," Mapleleaf breathed."My dear Birdwing."

"It is clear now, Mapleleaf. We have asked the Pool of Stars to guide us to the one in the prophecy. It is now obvious who must fulfill it."Snowblizzard meowed.

"Moonkit. My granddaughter, only two moons and already the heart of a prophecy."Mapleleaf mewed.

"And now, my dear friend, we have an important matter to resolve."Snowblizzard meowed, looking at Mapleleaf expectantly.

"Yes, yes of course."Mapleleaef answered."I'll be back later."

Mapleleaf dashed into the world of the living, heading for ThunderClan's camp.

Into the trees of oak, beech, and maple, and many more. Mapleleaf's golden paws skimmed the ground as she joyously bounded through the territory, as she had done so many times before. And then, when the pack of four foxes had moved into the territory, all that had changed when she was struck down by the leader for killing its mate. She reached the camp entrance and padded inside.

She headed to a cave, somewhat away from the main part of the camp. In this cave were rows upon rows of herbs and berries. In a nest made of moss and feathers lay a golden-ginger she-cat. She was sleeping, awaiting her dreams.

Mapleleaf bent her head and whispered,"Larkflight."

The she-cat's eyes opened and she saw Mapleleaf. She sat up and looked over the StarClan she-cat.

"Mapleleaf?"Larkflight asked." Last I saw you alive was when I was in the nursery. I haven't gotten a message from you yet. This must be important for you to come here ."

"It is important. If this prophecy is not fulfilled, then it may well be the end of the Clans, as many of the prophecies would have been. The prophecy is:

Under the wing, has song sheltered

During the time of the cats, it shall vanish

Traveling with wind and others

For it is the star's wish

On the night of the stars

Shall they return

But must leave at the wing's command

Or the whole forest will burn"

Larkflight blinked.

"But what does it mean?"she asked.

Mapleleaf shook her head.

"I'm terribly sorry, Larkflight. But I can't tell you. No matter how I want to. You'll have to figure it out for yourself."Mapleleaf mewed.

Her form began to fade, until she was only a breeze, flying out of the den.

Larkflight pondered the prophecy for awhile, until the moon was directly overhead outside the den.

She lowered herself back on her nest and slept.

***

The next day, Larkflight was out searching for herbs close to the camp when she heard a gentle voice on the soft breeze:

"For it is the star's wish..."

Then the gentle voice of Mapleleaf was gone.