Chapter 1

(P.O.V: Sunstar's)

Sometimes a dream is just a dream. Other times, they tend to have a deeper meaning to them.
The tortoiseshell tossed and turned in his sleep, heart pounding wildly in his chest. He felt cold, although Greenleaf made the nights warm. The tom felt as if his sanity was being wiped clean from his mind, and it was all the dream's fault. In his dream, he was running. He heard voices all around him in the darkness, and he begged himself to arouse himself from his slumber.

He found it impossible, and was forced to continue running. While he was running, he noticed a faint blue outline of a cat. It was then when he was stopped in his tracks. When he stopped, the light became stronger and stronger and he forced himself to look around from the alluring feel of it. Suddenly, there was a white flash and he slowly dared himself to look again. Instead of just an outline, a familiar tawny-colored she-cat stood in front of him. His heart dropped as he slowly stepped towards her.

She had been his beloved, his everything. He felt weak with misery as he noticed the scar running across her neck- remembering how she had risked everything for the safety of the clan. However, an amused purr rose from deep inside her, and her tail swept across her paws. Her mud-colored eyes shown with pure love, but hinted wisdom beyond her years. He surprised himself when he spoke first, his voice raspy and dry as if he had not spoken for many moons. "S-swift..." He took a gulp, unable to finish her name in fear that'd he seem even more desperate to be with her then he already was. She met him half-way, pressing her muzzle against his, and she felt a loud purr thunder from inside him.

"Oh, my Sunstar..." She whispered, her voice making his heart pound wildly in his chest. He prayed to Starclan that she could not hear it. "How I have miss you and our kits." She pulled away from, and he gave a mew of protest. "But I am not here to love you again." He looked at her, searching her gaze. Her eyes were just as saddened as his were, he opened his mouth to speak but closed it quickly. "Starclan has sent me." She moved back quickly. "Starclan has sent me to warn you of a great danger."

"Swiftfoot." He murmured, "How you taunt me. I miss you so much, my one and only." A flash of guilt shone in the she-cat's eyes, it was obvious that she was felt just as much pain as he was. He gave a sigh of defeat, leaning towards her and licking her muzzle. When he did, it was as if he had licked nothing at all. She was nothing more but a soul, now. "What more can Starclan take away from me?" He met her gaze evenly, becoming more like the leader he once was.

"Much more, I'm afraid." Her voice was calm and steady now. Her voice became slightly distorted, or at least off-sounding. "The sins of those who dream will dry the lake." As soon as she said what had to be said, she turned and began to pad off into the stars.

"Wait!" He begged, and caused her to turn around. "What does that mean? You have to tell me more then that!" She shook her head, but he knew there was so much she wanted to tell him and could not.

"Take care of our kits, Sunstar. I love you so much." She whispered, as she began to fade. She was once again walking in the path of Starclan, leaving her mate staring at where she once was.

It was then that the tortoiseshell woke up, his heart pounding wildly in his chest. Moss was entangled into his fur, and he tried to shake it off as he rose. The early light of dawn was shone into the den, hitting him and forcing him to shut his eyes at the sudden brightness. He licked his chest fur, which had puffed up from fear and walked out. He needed time away from the dream, and coming out of his refuge in his den was probably the best way.

As soon as he came out of his sleeping quarters, his deputy (who had been giving orders for a dawn patrol) turned his head to look at him in shock. After all, the usually confident leader had been in his den mourning for two days. "Sunstar!" The golden tom bounded towards him, his eyes wide with surprise. "You're finally out of your den!"

"Yes." His voice low. "I suppose it is time to stop acting like such a queen and tend to my duties." He looked at his deputy, nodding his head. "I see you have taken care of the dawn patrol?"

"Of course. I sent Berryfrost, Coldnose, Thornwhisker, and Pebblefoot. Is that alright with you?" He tilted his head, in worry.

Sunstar shook his head, and only when he spoke did the golden deputy sigh with relief. "That's completely fine. Allow me to send out the hunting patrol, however." He looked pointedly at the other tom. "I think Darkpaw is getting bored of just cleaning out the elder's den all the time, Whiteblaze."

Whiteblaze sighed, tilting his head to the apprentice den just to see his troublesome apprentice coming out, yawning and stretching. "He could use some battle training." He murmured.

"I agree. Which is why you..." He lowered his head and pushed him gently. "Should go and make sure of that. You are his mentor, correct?" Whiteblaze gave a small chuckle as he padded off in the direction of the younger tom.

Sunstar watched them for a moment, Whiteblaze talking to the apprentice to far out of earshot. Darkpaw's eyes widened as he darted off into the general direction of the clan's lake, Whiteblaze chasing after him. He shook his head in amusement as he walked towards the warrior's den, holding his gaze directly in front of him. The nursery was right next to the warrior's den, and the last thing he wanted to do was look at his kits. As soon as he entered, a wave of nostalgia hit him.

It had been a long time since he had been here, asleep alongside the other warriors. Sleeping in his own den had been lonely at first, but he was used to not having company other then Swiftfoot. At the mention of his mate's name, he froze. It took him a while to snap himself out of it and continue stepping over his sleeping cats. He had thought about who to take for a bit, before nudging the selected warriors awake. "Come on." His voice held a 'no-nonsense' tone. "You've going on the hunting patrol."

A few of the cats growled at him, but when they realized who he was, they were automatically awake. "Of course." A light brown she-cat said, dipping her head apologetically. She stepped outside. After his warriors were awake, he commanded white-creamed colored tom to go and get both the leader's and his own apprentice. He finally stepped outside, and when he did, he was tackled by a small, brown kit.

"Hi Sunstar!" The kit greeted, his yellow eyes shone, matching his father's. Sunstar looked down at him and his siblings who were giggling and bouncing around him. He gave a soft purr, bending down to nuzzle his attacker.

"Don't do that. You scared me." He teased, "For a moment, I thought a fox had entered the clan." The

kits squeaked with laughter and darted off back into the nursery where a silver she-cat was waiting for them. It surprised him to see them in such high spirits- only two days ago, their noses were pressed into their mother's fur, wondering when she was going to come back. He loved his children dearly, but it pained him that they would never know how wonderful their mother was.

"Sunstar?" He turned to see his hunting patrol gathered around. His fur prickled with embarrassment to see amusement in their eyes.

"Ah, yes." He straightened, trying to hold onto his pride. "Come on. It is about time our fresh-kill pile grew, isn't it?" They mewed their approval, and he turned walking off. They followed him, and his apprentice was right by his side. They were nearly to their hunting ground when Thunderpaw spoke up.

"Are we going to hunt fish?" The golden tom asked, his blue eyes wide.

"Of course." Sunstar looked at him, answering him not un-kindly. "What else can you hunt in the lake?" Will dry the lake. The voice wandered into his head, and his eyes widened. "Of course." He mused.

"What?" Thunderpaw asked, blinking at his mentor.

"I apologize." The Lakeclan leader mewed, "I need to take care of something. Robinflight, please show Thunderpaw the correct way to fish." With that, he darted back towards the camp. The hunting patrol looked rather confused, while Thunderpaw huffed.

"He never takes me anywhere."

That was the last thing the tortoiseshell heard as he literally darted back into the camp, he only stopped in his tracks when he was right in front of the medicine cat den. He should have done so before- tell the dream to his medicine cat. "Ivyheart!" He yowled, not really caring that he would disturb the other cats as well (They needed to get up, anyway.) His claws unsheathed, digging into the mud. As he felt it, his mind did wander off into the last rainstorm.

"Yes?" A pleasant voice came from inside, and Sunstar padded inside. Green eyes met golden as both high-ranking cats looked at each other.

Sunstar sighed, sitting down. "I need you to help me solve something." He mumbled, causing the medicine cat's ears to flick with sudden interest.


Yes. No prologue. This started out as one, but I had to keep going and so...

Chapter 1 is complete! P.O.V changes all the time. :)

So... be aware of that. Yeah.

Please R&R, I would love critiques on my story! It'd make me a very happy camper! ^_^