Stormstar brushed through the long grass beneath the trees and drank in the warm scents of prey. Sunlight sliced between branches, casting dapples onto her gray-blue colored pelt. For a moment she paused, unsure of whether to stop and retreat deeper into her clan's territory, or to continue onward. A few seconds later Stormstar began walking again with sure footed paw steps. Her thick tail swayed in the gentle breeze and a half smile formed on her lips, her mouth curled back slightly which revealed gleaming fangs.

Her front paws met sand; it was the border between the clan boundaries. Her own clan, Ravenclan, controlled the forests. The neighboring clan, Seaclan, owned the beaches. Stormstar scowled at the white blazing sand. Her claws unsheathed and dug into the soft ground.

Her blue eyes flicked over towards a boulder and she bunched her muscles, preparing to spring. She leaped towards it, revealing the strength in her haunches. She smirked to herself, pleased that she still had her sense of balance despite her increasing age. None the less she was still young and strong.

A gust of wind buffeted her fur and she dug her claws into the stone, she braced herself and faced her clan mates. They looked up at her eagerly with the prospect of battle itching in their pelts. Excitement swam in their eyes and anger only fueled them with more energy.

"Today," she began fiercely, "Seaclan will fall."

Cheers erupted around her, she held up her tail calmly and the warriors became silent at her command. Stormstar continued speaking, or ranting really.

"The leader before me was weak. He foolishly let Seaclan gain power over us. But no more shall they torment us, no more shall they steal from us!" Stormstar shouted.

"I will lead this clan to prosperity once more," she mewed triumphantly. Then she flicked her ears and bounded gracefully off of the boulder. The warriors gathered around her in subtle anticipation. She lowered her silver head to discuss the battle plan.

"I want a decoy patrol of no more than five. It will be enough to cause a diversion, but we will still have the upper hand with more warriors," she stated smoothly. Her deputy Shadelight organized the decoy patrol with a mix of older and younger warriors. She nodded at her approvingly.

"Okay, the decoy patrol will come in from the South and launch a false attack. Once the Seaclan warriors are completely occupied, four more patrols of three will come in from other directions and capture sections of their camp. Then a second wave will come in to ensure victory," she announced. Everyone agreed with the battle plan fervently.

"Brackenfoot, Willowpelt, Starlingheart," Stormstar addressed several warriors, "you will capture the nursery."

"Mousewhisker, Voletail, and Ashstripe will take the elders den. Kestrelspot, Applefur, and Whitedawn will take the apprentices and medicine cats. Lastly, my patrol and Shadelight's will combine to attack the warriors," she declared. Immediately the warriors assembled themselves and prepared to launch their attack. Stormstar signaled with her tail for the decoy patrol the set out. They left with a blatant war cry and drew the attention of the Seaclan warriors. Stormstar noted smugly as the warriors were quickly surrounded by victorious Seaclan cats. Seaclan was oblivious to the oncoming storm.

Then she motioned for the other patrols to capture their assigned sections. The cats stealthily stalked across the sand. Stormstar's belly fur brushed against shells as she led her cats closer and closer to the camp.

The salty air burned her eyes and made her pink nose crack but she persisted onward. Then she was surging forward with her own cats hot on her tail. They emerged into the camp and wasted no time in surrounding the chaotic warriors. She could see shock and surprise etched onto their faces. However, they quickly regained their bearings and began to fight back. Her canines met flesh and she heard a howl of pain, but she only bit down harder. Eventually she released the writhing cat and a trail of crimson stained her lips. She licked the blood away before launching herself back into the fray. Stormstar lurched around and scratched at any cat near her. Her fangs grabbed at someone's scruff and she violently shook them.

The cat shrieked and struggled free, its white dappled fur was ragged and torn. It stared at Stormstar for a heartbeat before streaking away. Its white fur disappeared across the sand. She was distracted by the fleeing warrior, and another cat took that to its advantage. Stormstar was bowled over by a tremendous weight. Her and her attacker went flying across the camp ground.

The tom raked his claws across her exposed stomach before she landed a couple swift blows to the side of his head. The tom went reeling and Stormstar escaped his grasp hissing and spitting.

Almost instantly she became reoccupied with another brawl. This time she squared off against two warriors, a tom and a she cat. They appeared to be mates from the way they guarded each other's backs. Stormstar knew it would be a touch match. She narrowed her stormy blue eyes and prepared to fight for her life when a shadow flew overhead. The opposing warriors stared with open mouthed shock as the Ravenclan deputy landed gracefully beside Stormstar. Stormstar smiled at the now evenly matched duel. Her deputy and sister Shadelight hurled herself at the tom while Stormstar battled with the she cat.

Tufts of tabby fur were wrenched off of the she cat, the fur drifted about on the breeze in an almost gentle way. Stormstar then closed her eyes and lowered her sharp fangs to the cat's throat; she prepared to deal the killing bite when a defiant roar made her open your eyes.

"If you are going to kill me at least have the decency to look me in the eyes while you do it," the she cat snarled viciously.

Stormstar obliged by clamping down on her throat with opened eyes. She watched the shock fade from the warriors gaze, a glazed look rested on her face and Stormstar withdrew from the cat. Her body was already growing cold. She looked around the tattered remains of the Seaclan camp. Her proud warriors remained victorious as they herded the Seaclan cats into a tight huddle.

"Ravenclan," Stormstar yowled for attention. All eyes focused on her. "We have won this war; take the Seaclan prisoners back to our camp!"

She watched with a vivid gaze as her cats lead the straggled group of prisoners away from the beaches and towards the looming forest. Tall pine trees and wide oaks greeted her as she followed behind. Shadelight fell into step beside her. They had no need for words; they understood each other perfectly well. Shadelight and Stormstar silently gazed at their forest as the air of victory settled around them.

The instant the Ravenclan camp was in view the sounds of cheers drowned out all other forest noises. Stormstar wanted her clan mates to see her first so she moved ahead of her warriors and lead them into the camp. The cheers intensified.

Stormstr allowed the celebrations to continue and she simply groomed her fur while waiting for the clamor to die down. All of the blood and dirt from the previous battle were wiped away, leaving Stormstar as impeccable as ever.

Stormstars gaze traveled about the camp lazily. It was placed in a grove of sycamore trees that was slightly elevated from the rest of the forest floor. White stones surrounded the camp, building the perfect wall. The elders den was constructed out of a fallen tree. The nursery was beside it, tucked snugly in between two gigantic boulders. A curtain of lichens concealed the entrance. The warriors den was hidden inside of a holly bush on the other side of the elders den. Moss covered the ground beneath the bush, making comfortable nests. To the right of the warriors den was the apprentices den. The apprentice den was underground, located in a cavern dug out by fox's moons ago. On the far side of camp was the medicine at and leaders den. The medicine cat den was at the base of a sycamore tree, its roots held storage's of herbs. Directly above it was the leaders den, placed expertly inside of a giant hollow in the tree.

Stormstar blinked slowly, realizing she had become lost in her thoughts. She quickly walked to her den and jumped into the tree. She let out a rumbling purr as she watched her clan mates below. Then she let out a subtle roar which demanded attention.

"All cats who are old enough to fight their own battles gather here beneath the high tree for a clan meeting," she announced. The cats of Raven clan situated themselves below her while keeping a stern eye on the prisoners.

"Today I would like to congratulate every cat in the clan for a job well done. The mission was executed perfectly," she started. "Our warriors fought bravely and our apprentices guarded the camp dutifully. Owlpaw, Rosepaw, and Brackenpaw please step forward."

The bewildered apprentices stumbled forward. Realization swept over their faces and they looked to their leader eagerly. Stormstar hopped down form the High Tree to be at eye level with the apprentices.

"Owlpaw, today you lead the younger apprentices in a very important mission. You protected the camp while all of the warriors were away. For that you have earned your warrior name," Stormstar smiled softly, all of the venom disappeared from her gaze.

"Owlpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect your clan mates, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do," Owlpaw mewed with conviction. His chest was pushed out like he was about to burst with pride. Stormstar stifled and snicker of laughter, apprentices never ceased to amuse her.

"Owlpaw, from this day forward you shall be known as Owleyes for your diligence and keen eyesight. Under Starclan's watchful eye you are now accepted as a full warrior of Ravenclan." Stromstar said before stooping down to rest her muzzle on the cats shoulder. In turn he respectfully licked her shoulder before breaking apart and standing back to allow his companions to be named as well.

"Rosepaw, despite your young age you are one of the most skilled fighters Ravenclan has ever seen. I hope no one will doubt your loyalty and power simply because of your gentle appearances. There is a fire lurking inside of you. Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect your clan mates, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do," Rosepaw whispered fiercely. Her green eyes were wide with the praise from her clan leader.

"From this moment on you shall be known as Rosethorn. You make look soft but your claws are as sharp as thorns. We welcome you as a full warrior of Ravenclan."

Stormstar rested her chin on Rosethorn's brown dappled muzzle while the newly named warrior licked her shoulder. Then Stormstar turned to the last apprentice to be named.

"Brackenpaw, you have shown devotion and courage to Ravenclan ever since your first wily escapade from the nursery. I know that you will make an excellent warrior. Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect your clan, even at the cost of your life?" Stormstar demanded gently. Brackenaw met her intense stare evenly.

"I do," he declared.

"From this moment on you shall be named Brackenclaw." He licked her shoulder as she rested her chin on his muzzle. And with that the clan began chanting their names.

"Owleyes! Rosethorn! Brackenclaw!" Ravenclan chorused.

"Now, instead of sitting vigil these new warriors will guide our Seaclan hostages to the prisoner den which they had constructed while we were away at battle," Stormstar mewed, flicking her tail and sending the new warriors scampering away. The defiant Seaclan cats were forced into a pit which had been dug out of the ground earlier that day. The watchful new warriors guarded the pit as though their lives depended on it.

The rest of the clan walked over to the hefty fresh kill pile which had recently been stocked up. Each cat selected their own piece of prey and the celebratory feast began. Stormstar selected a thrush for herself, she began to devour the plump bird with famished gulps. Shadelight calmly padded over to her side and sat down next to her sister. Shadelight ate her own magpie quickly and waited patiently for Stormstar to finish her meal. Once both piles of bones were discarded they turned to each other to discuss plans to further Ravenclans grasp of power.

"Today Seaclan fell. Next I presume you will target our other neighboring clan, Cedarclan," Shadelight mused.

"I am aware." Stormstar retorted. Shadelight smiled good naturedly at her sister's natural sour attitude. However Stormstar always wore a proud smile in front of her clan.

"I'm simply curious what you plan to do with the prisoners in the meantime," Shadelight yawned like the topic really didn't' even interest her. "They are dead weight right now; they'll never agree to follow you." Shadelight continued, stretching lazily on her side.

"I will make them loyal. All I need to do is strike fear into their cowardly hearts. Execute the leader and deputy tonight. When the clan has no one left to follow they will turn to me." Stormstar decided. Shadelight nodded and slunk away to do the dark deed. Stomstar turned back to the pile of bones which was the remnants of her prey. She quickly buried the bones, as was a tradition of Ravenclan.

There was a legend a long time ago of a cat, a nameless cat who was in every sense, ordinary. But this cat was hunting one day when he saw a raven eating worms and seeds off of the ground. The raven was utterly oblivious so the cat crept forward to kill the raven. But right before the cat could make the killing leap the raven took to the air and circled above the cats head just out of reach.

"If you kill a raven you shall be cursed!" the bird squawked before flying higher until it was out of sight. The cat shakily walked away, traumatized by the strange encounter with the black bird. However the next day the only prey the cat could find were ravens. He didn't kill any of the birds though. But the next day once again there was no other prey to hunt except for ravens. The cat became so hungry he decided he didn't care if he was cursed. He hunted one of the ravens and killed it, but when he went to bite into the flesh he found it ridden with maggots even though he had just killed it. He looked up and the raven he was met before was perched in front of him. The raven and the cat stared at each other for a moment before the raven took to flight. The cat abandoned the rotting carcass of the bird and made its way back to its nest. But the curse had been activated; now whatever prey he caught became soiled with maggots. The cat slowly began to starve. He realized he had to find a way to break the curse or die.

The very next morning the raven was waiting outside of the cats den for him.

"To break the curse you must bury the bones of the fallen, show no disrespect or the curse will live on in you and your kin forever," the raven crooned. The cat was unsure of what he was supposed to do. What had the raven meant by burying the bones of the fallen? The cat decided his best chance of breaking the curse was the find the raven he had killed and to bury it. He relocated its rotting corpse and buried it under a thicket of brambles.

He never saw the raven again, but his curse had been lifted. In honor of the raven he had killed the cat took the name Raven, and went on to create Ravenclan. But that is another story entirely.

Stormstar stared at where the buried bones lay for a moment before retreating to her own den. The night air had long since turned bitter and cold. Just like her.