Rosestar leaped down from the greate stump and watched her kits walk off with their mentors with concern. I hope Daypaw's okay with Iceheart, I know he was a little concerned about becoming an apprentice, she worried. Nightshine saw her leader's furrowed brow and approached her. "Greetings, Rosestar, you look worried, maybe you could use a trip out of camp, you've barely seen the sky since the fire," she said, gesturing to the forest. 'I'm sure we could find some herbs." Rosestar shook her head, "I have to stay here and watch over the Clan, Iceheart's out with Daypaw." Nightshine sniffed, "They'll be fine, just out Newtstream in charge." Rosestar laughed, "Sure, and let him convince the camp I've died of a bee sting and he's an honorary member of StarClan. I'll let Heavybelly keep watch, it doesn't seem like you're giving up on this." Nightshine smiled. "You know I won't," she smirked. Rosestar called for Heavybelly to watchover camp and padded out with her medicine cat.

Rosestar purred as she got into the forest. "You're right, I've missed this since being a warrior." Rosestar remembered her days as a carefree warrior of SunClan, before it was cut short by Eaglestar's decision to make her deputy at only fifteen moons after the greencough epidemic killed Stonefall. It was only days after that when Eaglestar lost his last four lives to a mixture of twoleg poison and disease. Nightshine saw Rosestar's lips turn up into a smile for the first time in a while. "See, isn't this better than sitting in camp?" she mewed, bending down to pick up a leaf of borage. Rosestar nodded in agreeance and bunched up her legs at the foot of a large oak. She sprang up onto the lowest branch and ran along the treetops until she had circled Nightshine."If only I was as good at leading as I was climbing," she joked. Nightshine rolled her eyes, "You're a great leader, you've just been listening too much to Stonefrost's crew of downers." Rosestar sighed, "You know, i thought he would stop this whole thing after a moon or two, but it's been almost a season and it seems like he's gotten more upset. Even worse, it seems like he's dragged Newtstream and Badgerstripe into his group." Nightshine looked at her leader, shocked. "I wouldn't think Newtstream had it in him to hang around with them. He always seemed so good-natured. I suppose Leopardflame is in on that too, she always seemed to be close with her brother," she theorized. "She doesn't seem to notice it much, actually. I think she's too busy doting over Voleclaw like a kit that lost its mother," Rosestar mewed, shaking her head. Nightshine looked back up at her leader, "It's good that we have all these new new warriors, the Clan seems to be coming back after the sickness. Once Redfurs' kits are here, we'll be as large as ever. She's due any day now, you know." Nightshine smiled, "You do a good job with your kits, don't let Stonefrost tell you otherwise." Rosestar sat down on the tree branch and sighed. "I know there's always going to be times when I'm not there, but it's the only way I can handle both," Rosestar lamented. She jumped down from the tree onto a patch of moss. Nightshine laughed, "Oh, good, you've stopped pretending to be a squirrel." "Yes, I suppose my Clan needs me on the ground, we should head back, I want to make sure my kits are doing well with their mentors," Rosestar added, padding off towards the camp entrance. Nightshine took her herbs and followed.

Rosestar came into camp just before the hunting patrols returned. Yellowwhisker plopped down a large squirrel onto the pile with pride in her eyes. Quailspring and Juniperfang were both carrying large shrews behind her. "Good job, Yellowwhisker, your patrol brought back lots of prey," Rosestar complimented. She saw Yellowwhisker's eyes light up at her praise. "Thanks Rosestar," she mewed. "But- um, can we talk for a moment," she murmured more quietly, her expression turning more serious. "Of course, we can go talk in my den," Rosestar mewed, leading Yellowhisker to her nest beneath the Great Stump's roots. "Now, what do you need to tell me?" she asked, her voice soft. Yellowwhisker looked away for a bit and turned towards her leader. "I think it's time for me to retire," she practically whispered. "Retire?" Rosestar gasped. "You're much too young, Yellowwhisker." Yellowhwisker shook her head, "I've just been so shaken up by Lionclaw, I think it would be better for everyone if I went and became a permanent queen, I would at least get to see Lionclaw's kits grow up- be a part of his legacy in a way." Rosestar softened, "If that's really what you choose, I won't stop you, but I want you to remember that you're always welcome to come back to your warrior duties if you want." "I doubt I'll go back on this, but if I do I'll make sure to tell you," Yellowwhisker meowed. "Thank you for understanding, Rosestar." Rosestar nodded her head, hiding her displeasure that she was losing another senior warrior. She let Yellowwhisker leave before regaining her poise to meet with the dawn patrol. Hawkflight led Antseed and Birchlight into the clearing. "No intruders, Rosestar, but we found a ton of scent marks out near the Star Pond, MoonClan might be planning something," Hawkflight reported. "Thank you, Hawkflight, your patrol can rest now," she said, dismissing him with her tail. Hopefully they don't try anything, I don't want Trutlestar to start disliking me, I have enough problems in my own Clan.

Rosestar jumped up onto the Great Stump, sighing with fatigue already. Just as the sun started to come down, her kits walked into camp with their mentors. Daypaw wore a scowl of discontent on his face, and Duskpaw looked injured. Stonefrost seemed to be looking at his apprentice in a new light of respect, but it was hard to tell. Skytail murmured something to Dawnpaw, and the cream she-cat nodded and rushed off into the apprentice's den. Rosestar frowned at the sight of the patrol and approached Iceheart. "What happened?" she asked with concern. Skytail looked straight at Duskpaw. "A lot, maybe they'll tell you themselves after Duskpaw and Daypaw head off to the medicine den to get their wounds treated," the deputy answered. Rosestar sighed, exasperated. I'm too young for any of this, I wish Eaglestar had never chosen me for his successor.