A blue gray she-cat sat staring up at the stirring night sky, as the sun has disappeared over the horizon and the last clear blue fades from the heavens. Her shoulders parted by a long scar, and her worn silver muzzle wrinkled with each deep breath. The snores of her sleeping clanmates tucked away in hidden dens not even stirring a whisker, her eyes opened for a second as she took a sharp breath in and released it in disappointment.

From behind the shadow of a dim rock, a tortoiseshell she-cat slowly exited with her head turned backwards. As she turned her head to look at the blue gray she-cat, her ear flicked before she cautiously approached her leader's side. quietly sitting down beside the tired elder before she gave a bow of greeting; one that was welcomed with one just as warmly before either cat spoken after a moment's peace.

"How is Mousefur?"

"Her wounds are deep Bluestar, but she can be expected to be in better condition given a couple moons." The tortoiseshell answered softly with a breath of relief and the flick of an ear.

"And what of the others?"

"Give or take a few days and they should be as well."

Bluestar sighed, her eyes resting closed again. "We are lucky to have so many of our warriors survive this battle, though never since I have been leader… that battle was a little too close for my liking. You are a gifted Medicine Cat Spottedleaf, ThunderClan is lucky to have you in such uncertain times."

"Our clan has thrived for moons before Bluestar, one battle will not change that permanently." Spottedleaf added with a bow of respect to her leader who turned her silver muzzle away to stare down at her paws.

"I wish that I could be so sure, our clan is growing small. With more violent battles and illness possibly on the horizon, we may not have enough warriors to protect our territory in the near tomorrow. With so few apprentices in training, and such little kits in the nursery to grow to fight… it does not look bright."

"The season is only just beginning." Spottedleaf injected, her ears perked at her tail twitching as she tried to look into the tired blue gaze of her leader. "There should be more kits come this next Greenleaf."

"Yes but will we have anyone left to train them, and their training will take time to get to and time to get through… we need hope as much as strength." Bluestar continued with slumped shoulders.

Spottedleaf dropped her shoulders. "Have you come to speak with StarClan then?"

"It is these times that I must rely on their guidance, but it has been a quiet night so far for me… perhaps they have spoken to you…?"

Spottedleaf shook her head. "Not since last Leaf Fall i…" the tortoiseshell shse-cat stiffened, as her amber eyes stared up at the bright stars above the she-cats' head. Bluestar sat and waited as she watched her medicine cat drift through the night sky. As quickly as it had come, it was gone with a breath of fresh air. "It was a message from StarClan."

Bluestar instantly shot up. "What did they say, what did they show you?" she asked urgently and desperately as she looked between the other she-cat and the night sky.

"Upon dark wings up on high, listen for its warning cry."

Bluestar's look of hope quickly faded. "Dark wings up on high, what cry are we suppose to listen for?" she puzzled turning to solely focus on the night sky once more.

"That is all I am afraid, our ancestors have said their peace." Spottedleaf answeres as her now tired eyes drooped.

The blue gray she-cat sighed. "You have never been wrong before, if we are to listen then we shall wait." Bluestar meowed as she stood and turned towards the large rock in the clearing.


Allegiances:

THUNDERCLAN:

Leader: Bluestar– blue gray she-cat with a scar across the shoulders

Deputy: Redtail– white tom with a ginger tail, spots, and ears
Apprentice: Dustpaw

Medicine Cat: Spottedleaf– tortoiseshell she-cat with a distinct dappled coat

Warriors:

Lionheart– long haired golden tabby tom
Apprentice: Graypaw

Tigerclaw– dark brown tabby she-cat with long front claws
Apprentice: Ravenpaw

Whitestorm– big white tom
Apprentice: Sandpaw

Darkstripe– dark gray tabby tom with black stripes

Longtail– pale tabby tom

Runningwind– swift tabby tom

Willowpelt– white she-cat with gray spots

Mousefur– dusty brown she-cat

Apprentices:

Graypaw– long haired solid gray tom

Ravenpaw– black tom with a white tipped tail and spot on the chest

Sandpaw– pale ginger she-cat

Dustpaw– dark brown tabby tom

Queens:

Frostfur– white coat

Brindleface– dark tabby

Goldenflower– golden tabby she-cat

Speckletail– pale tabby, oldest queen in the clan

Elders:

Halftail– big dark brown tabby tom with half his tail missing

Smallear– gray tom with torn ears

Patchpelt– small black and white tom

One-eye– pale gray she-cat, virtually blind and deaf

Dappletail– tortoiseshell she-cat

SHADOWCLAN:

Leader: Brokenstar– dark gray tom with a twisted tail

Deputy: Blackfoot– black tom with white paws

Medicine Cat: Runningnose– small gray and white tom

Warriors:

Stumpytail– brown tabby tom
Apprentice: Brownpaw

Boulder–silver tabby tom
Apprentice: Wetpaw

Clawface– battle scarred brown tom
Apprentice: Littlepaw

Nightpelt– black tom

Queens:

Dawncloud– small tabby

Brightflower– black and white she-cat

Elders:

Ashfur– thin gray tom

WINDCLAN:

Leader: Tallstar– a small black and white tom with a long tail

RIVERCLAN:

Leader: Crookedstar– large light tabby tom with a twisted jaw

Deputy: Oakheart– reddish brown tom

CATS OUTSIDE OF THE CLANS:

Yellowfang– old dark gray she-cat with a flat face

Barley– black and white tom who lives on a farm near the forest