First story in a while! Please R&R!
Prologue
"Larkfeather! Larkfeather no!" A cracked screech sounded from the elder's den.
Cats emerged from their dens, eager to know what caused the distressed wail.
"Excuse me, pardon me," A thick furred blonde she-cat pushed her way through the multicolored pelts.
She emerged into the den, the putrid musk of blood and rotten prey filled the air.
"Shallowstar! Oh, Shallowstar, she's… she's gone!" a frail brown tabby elder sobbed.
Shallowstar tried to hide the horror in her moss green eyes.
Before her lay her mother, belly slit open. Blood poured from the deep wounds, nearly lapping at her paws. Her formerly bright eyes were glazed over with fear, and she reeked of death.
Poor Larkfeather had not even had a chance to put up a fight. Whatever had done this had used stealth and swiftness.
"Fetch Cherryshine," Shallowstar said sternly.
Moments later, the medicine cat emerged.
She tried to suppress her gasp of horror.
"Shallowstar… Our mother…" She choked, padding forward to examine the body.
After a few moments of eerie silence, anger and fear filled Cherryshine's gaze.
"Well? What did this?" Shallowstar meowed eagerly.
The medicine cat met her sister's gaze evenly, eyes narrowed in to thin slits.
"Not what, who." She hissed.
Shallowstar cocked her head in confusion.
"A cat did this, Shallowstar. But there is no scent; only rotten prey, which the killer must have covered themselves in to mask their murderous stench. There is a killer amongst the Clans. Whether they be from ThunderClan or one of the other three; who says they won't stop?" Cherryshine snarled.
"I will not let something like this happen again," Shallowstar promised, pushing her way out of the den to the highledge.
"Let all the cat's old enough to catch their own prey, join beneath the highledge for a Clan meeting!"
The summoning was almost unnecessary, as the majority of ThunderClan was already gathered, curiosity sparking in their gazes.
"Larkfeather has been murdered," The blonde leader began, pausing to see the reactions of her Clanmates. They stayed silent, waiting patiently for her to continue, "By a cat."
Gasps of fear and dread rippled through the crowd, and commotion started to rise.
"What about the kits?"
"What if they strike again?"
"How did they sneak in here so easily?"
Shallowstar silenced them with a flick of her bushy tail.
"I shall be enhancing the security until we are sure there is no longer a threat. Adderfoot, shall be putting together nightly patrols and extra guards shall be placed around camp. We will hold a vigil for Larkfeather, preparations will begin immediately. Clan dismissed."
With weary paws, cats began to head back to their dens, aside from Larkfeather's family, who would prepare her for her vigil.
Shallowstar padded back to her den momentarily, grief suddenly hitting her like a boulder.
"Mama? Mama what happened?" three pairs of blue eyes gleamed in the darkness, and Shallowstar headed to greet them, touching her nose to each of their tiny heads.
"There's been an accident, dears. I will talk to you in the morning, alright? Go back to sleep. I'll be back in a little bit." She meowed.
"It will be okay, right Mama?" A little black tom squeaked.
"Yes, Nighkit."
"Why can't you tell us now Mama?" A brown she-kit piped, eyes wide.
"Cedarkit, you need your sleep," Shallowstar insisted.
"I'm not tired. Can you tell me?" a light gray she-kit asked.
"Now, Briarkit, that wouldn't be fair to your brother and sister. I promise I will tell you in the morning."
The three kits let out a few more squeaks of protest, before giving in and snuggling close together.
Shallowstar waited until their breaths slowed to head in to the forest.
She gathered bird feathers and wild lavender, wild flowers and vines.
She returned to camp at dawn.
Larkfeather lay in the center of camp. Her eyes had been closed, and her fur groomed sleekly.
Carefully, she placed her collection so it would cover her mother's wound.
Multiple Clanmates joined to help her, and the whole Clan had gathered to celebrate the elder's life.
Larkfeather had been loved amongst ThunderClan. She was always telling stories to the kits or helping clean up the camp.
She had a kind soul, and always wore her shining smile.
"Mother," Shallowstar whispered, "You will be missed. I love you."
Cherryshine was sobbing quietly beside her, and Shallowstar shuffled over so her sister could lean on her shoulder.
"Why? Why her? She was the sweetest cat. She never did anything wrong. Why?" Cherryshine wailed.
"I.." Shallowstar trailed off, and then sigh, "I don't know. But I do know, that whoever did this will regret it. Whoever did this, will pay."
Yay! Prologue done! Chapter 1 coming soon :) Please R&R
Also, I am open to constructive criticism to help me improve my writing.
QUOTD: Who is your favorite warrior cat and why?