`` P R O L O G U Eā¦
"Sunstar!" howled the sleek tom as he dashed through the camp entrance, as if a pack of dogs were right on his tail. His clan, already hunkering down for the night due to the setting sun, looked up from their tasks to eye their frantic deputy. Though the cat did not seem to notice their questioning glares; he had to speak with Sunstar!
He desperately clawed at the earth as he awaited his leader's response to his greeting. The leader -- constantly observant -- seemed to have heard the urgency that had cracked the tom's voice, for he briskly allowed his deputy's entrance. It seemed the tom had dashed through the opening and was standing before the golden ā almost yellow ā leader within the blink of an eye. As Sunstar rose from his rest upon the moss bed, his eyes widened, then swiftly narrowed into accusing, thin slits.
"Tawnyspots?" Sunstar sounded as if he didn't believe his eyes. This ragged and bloodied tom could not be the deputy he had come to respect and depend on. "What in the name of StarClan happened to you?" The leader was sure to keep his tone in check, not to let his words turn harsh due to his thirst for answers. As he studied the haggled deputy before him, he impatiently flicked his tail. It seemed as if Tawnyspots was gazing at something in the distance, like Sunstar was no longer a part of the place he called reality. Then, Tawnyspots abruptly shook his head and adjusted his gaze so that it was upon Sunstar, piercing him and causing a sense of fear to run through him.
"RiverClan have taken Sunningrocks!" howled Tawnyspots, hysteria breaking through, "Th-they ambushed me as I went for a drink!"
Sunstar's eyes widened once more, his emerald orbs clearly visible between the parted slits, "What?" This time, he was unable to force back the devastation that attempted to seep through his dialogue. Sunstar's mouth slowly sagged, and then quickly grew taut, "Sunningrocks is rightfully ThunderClan territory," he growled through clenched teeth.
"That's precisely what I told them when one of their warriors confronted me. He simply stated that RiverClan was larger, so they rightfully deserved the territory. Just as I pounced on him and attacked, a whole patrol of RiverClan warriors and apprentices emerged from behind him. I... I couldn't possibly have taken all of them. They tossed me around like a ball of moss, but I managed to escape with my life." Tawnyspots appeared upset as well, anger glinting in his eyes as he brought up the shameful memory.
Sunstar looked away, his teeth bared and his ears pressed flat against his skull, a habit of his whenever he was under pressure and needed to think. Tawnyspots was enveloped in the dumbfounded stupor once more while Sunstar contemplated. He was too shaken to fully comprehend this conflict, merely acting as a messenger for the RiverClan intruders.
Sunstar finally concluded his thoughts and returned to face his deputy. A look of determination had fallen upon his features, gushing through his emerald eyes and causing his yellow fur to bristle. "Well, the solution is obvious. We're just going to have to double up our patrols and reinforce our scent markers. If a similar incident occurs, we will have to take matters to an extreme level."
Tawnyspots eyes flashed and became glazed after Sunstar had finished. His jaw dropped and began to form a word, but it seemed he thought better of it, and demolished his pending rebuttal. Though thoughts and emotions churned within his conscience, roaring to be vocalized, but he couldn't possibly contradict his leader. In the back of his skull, the words lingered. They had attacked him on his own territory! Tawnyspots curtly nodded to Sunstar, but the leader did not catch it, for he had already turned and began staring at the wall of the den. Tawnyspots scoffed and headed out of the small shelter, his tail high and steps almost strides.
After Sunstar was certain his disgruntled deputy had left, he shook his head in dismay and gazed at the entrance with pained eyes. Tawnyspots needs to understand that everything cannot quickly turn to a blood bath. If that cat takes control of this clan, I am certain only war will rule the forest. Where had the compassion and understanding gone, the attributes that Sunstar had once liked about Tawnyspots. They seem to have been dashed away as soon as the thought of clan deputy entered the ambitious tom's mind.
"Sunstar, may I come in?" The soft mew came from the den's entrance.
It had caught Sunstar unprepared, and caused him to flinch, but then he quickly blinked and gathered himself once more. Clearing his troubling thoughts, he stifled up a welcoming mew and returned with, "Proceed."
A ruckus could be heard as the newcomer padded down the short hall. From the twilight that glimmered from behind the cat, Sunstar was immediately able to patch a name to the voice.
"Moonflower," greeted the tom, blinking warmly, "Is something wrong?" For a heartbeat, panic blossomed in Sunstar's chest. What if the pretty she-cat knew of this entire RiverClan conflict? He surely couldn't have that. He was keeping this a secret from his clan for a reason: to not cause a pandemic. He knew that they would turn this harmless mouse into a lingering hawk.
"No, I'd just like to speak with you about Snowkit and Bluekit's apprentice ceremony," she mewed Moonflower, oblivious to the spark of worry that appeared in Sunstar's eye, "I'm certain they're ready. It seems the nursery is shrinking, and there must be more room for Stormcloud's last litter."
Sunstar nodded, understanding Moonflower's concern. The clan seemed to be in a rut with cats, and they needed all the protection they could get. "Of course. I was planning on doing their ceremonies tomorrow evening, along with Thistlekit. He's coming of age as well.
Moonflower dipped her head thankfuly and meowed, "Thank you, Sunstar. They will make fine warriors someday." A hint of relief seemed to seep through her features, but it vanished in a heartbeat.
"That I am sure of." Sunstar returned her kind gesture and anxiously flicked his tail. He needed to be alone so that he could think through this entire Sunningrocks feud. If only there was a way to settle this once and for all.
Moonflower seemed to have caught Sunstar's impatience, and turned round, gracefully striding out of his den. Sunstar let out a long and tiresome sigh, his haunches losing their perk and his eyes hollowing out. He was completely and utterly drained, yet he had to come up with some sort of way to keep the RiverClan cats at bay. StarClan, help me!
