"I-I-I-I'm l-lead-der n-n-now..."Leafstorm stuttered.

Littlecloud hushed her with his tail.

"Before you say anything else, just know that this was meant to happen. Bluestar, your old leader, came to me last night and told me that you were destined to be in this Clan. You were destined to lead it! Don't have any doubts about this arrangement. Please, don't, Leafstorm...Leafstar."

"Don't! Don't call me that!" She shrieked.

Littlecloud looked desperate for a moment but then he disappeared into the medicine cat den. Leafstorm was sitting alone, watching the sun slowly rise, spreading a red streak across the sky.

She leaped onto the High Step.

"Cats of ShadowClan," She felt mouse-bile rise in her throat. It was hard addressing the Clan when you were so...alone.

"Tigerstar has died." Some cats stayed silent, some gasped, some yowled.

She continued, feeling the stone cease out of her stomach.

"And now I am leader,"once again were some shrieks of protests, but nevertheless, Leafstorm continued, "and I shall travel to Moonstone to receive my nine lives."

The clearing stayed silent and she felt more confident.

"And I must appoint a deputy." The cats seemed to be holding onto breath.

"I pick Glacierclaw to be my deputy." Calls of approval rang out through the camp clearing and Glacierclaw stood up to dip his head to Leafstorm.

"Glacierclaw, Sunpaw, and Shadowpaw...Please accompany me to the Moonstone. I shall leave at sun high." Sunpaw dipped her head to Leafstorm as Leafstorm padded down from the jagged rock.

"Yes, oh great leader..." She teased. Leafstorm cuffed her ear.

Glacierclaw cast her a soft glance across the clearing and she felt warm sensations burn in her.

"Hello? Are you still alive?" Sunpaw's voice broke her out of the illusion.

"Oh, wha-? Yeah... I'm just...thinking..." Leafstorm sighed.

"Get some rest, Leafstorm..." Sunpaw rolled her eyes and trotted off in the direction of the apprentices den.

Leafstorm went into the leader's den and sat. This would be her new den... It was pretty nice but all the same, there was a pit of loneliness inside of her. No furry, warm warrior bodies to curl up next to. No Glacierclaw to tell her good-night. No sounds of purring, scuffling, and snoring any more. It would be a silent, cold, lonely den. She rested her head on her paws, closing her eyes.

Suddenly, a wave of happiness flooded over her for some reason.

She was sitting by the Fourtrees. It wasn't a Gathering but she saw other cats. Misty, white, glowing cats. She saw Bluestar and Fireheart among them.

"You were chosen..."

Spottedleaf stepped forward out of the StarClan council.

"Leafstorm, don't be afraid. We'll always guide you to safety. But there is darkness ahead of you. He will pull you out with a shower of light. Don't worry."

Leafstorm was back in her den. It was light outside and the den flooded with light.

Was this the light? But who was 'he'? Who would pull her out of the darkness? What darkness?

Everything was so confusing to her as she padded out into the clearing, ready to start her new life as the ShadowClan leader, chosen by StarClan.