Pikestar's Point of view

MARSHCLAN

"Congratulations! I heard the big news."

Pikestar was startled back into reality. He wasn't aware that he was spacing off again. Lately that's all he felt like he did. Making him feel guilty that he was distracted from his clan. Pikestar looked over to whoever it was that snapped him back to reality.

He should have known it was Nightclaw. The deputy to Marshclan, helping Pikestar lead. Nightclaw was an old cat, his mate already retired to the Elders den. But Nightclaw insisted on continuing his duties for a few more moons. Pikestar appreciated the enthusiasm and dedication but Nightclaw was practically working himself to death.

"Err…Excuse me?" Pikestar shifted to better look at his clan mate. Pikestar was taking the free moment to lay down and soak up the last of the Greenleaf sun. But Nightclaw's bony body was now covering that sun.

"You and Rainfall are having kits right ?" Nightclaw lifted a paw and looked to the clearing. It was obvious how awkward Pikestar just made this interaction. "Oh! Yes, thank you!" Pikestar searched desperately for something to say that would clear the awkward moment. " I'm sorry I just ha- "

"A lot on your mind" Nightclaw interrupted with a huff. " Pikestar, you are always distracted now. I need to know what's on your mind" the old black cat nestled down into a loaf beside his leader.

Pikestar flicked his tail. Collecting his thoughts. Pikestar opened his mouth to speak, but again interrupted. Just this time by a different cat.

Poppysong had worked her way across camp, carrying two minnows by their tails. The red she-cat nodded to the two of them before dropping the fish at their paws. " hopefully you two are hungry, someone needs to eat these before they go bad." She gave them both a smile, lingering on Pikestar.

Pawing at one of the small fish, Pikestar pulled it closer to him. Purring out thanks " Why, thank you, Poppysong. That was kind of you." He gave her a soft smile. Flicking an ear in dismissal. Looking down at the fish, he could almost feel sudden icy eyes from Poppysong. Pikestar ignored the young Warrior's desperate attempt for his attention.

Pikestar bit into the soft flesh of the Minnow, as the she-cat walked away. The flavor Hadn't gone bad yet. Nightclaw was now the one glaring holes into his Leader's pelt. " what?" Pikestar's voice was more harsh than intended.

"I'm not hungry." Nightclaw spoke quickly, Sliding the fish closer to Pikestar. The old warrior licked at his black paw to clean it of any lingering scales that may have been stuck to his paw pad. "You should see if Rainfall wants it. I'm sure she's hungry."

Pikestar took another bite, watching as his Deputy began padding away to the Elders den. Chewing on the last of his fish, Pikestar looked around at his camp.

It was a clearing surrounded by tall grass and dead trees. It was a small hill-like island area in the middle of wetlands. The trees were mostly what they used as supports for dens. Weaving reeds and mud walls to make up the spaces in the roots. It was mid day and most of the clan was out hunting or patrolling borders.

The brown tabby Leader twitched his whiskers. Heaving a sigh, Pikestar picked up the small fish and headed his way to the nursery. Nosing his way past the loose hanging reeds. " I was wondering when you would come visit me."

Rainfall was purring as he lifted her head out of the den. Flowerbrook, the Marshclan medicine cat, had told Rainfall she needed to stay in her nest until it was time to kit. The small queen was expecting an unusual amount of kits, as far as they could tell, and her small body was too heavy to be walking around too much.

" Im sorry, Rainfall, I just have a lot on my mind." Pinestar laid the fish at the side of her nest. Rainfall planted a lick on his ear as he did so. The action started him and caused him to lift his head quickly.

" Is it about what you are going to do with Nightclaw?" She spoke softly. Mothbreeze, another queen, was resting in the opposite corner with her kits. So the two of them need to stay quiet.

Pikestar watched his mate drag herself out of her nest to eat the prey. "That, and Slateseer is going to be visiting soon."

Rainfall didn't look up but her ear picked at the name. Slateseer was the current Oracle, the Clan's major connection to Starclan. Once or twice a moon the Oracle would make his way to each of the clans to catch up on present issues.

The queen spoke after swallowing a mouth full of fish. "You always worry about Slateseer, if there's something important Starclan would tell Flowerbrook." Rainfall leaned back down to finish the last of her food. Minnows aren't that big, Pikestar figured he would probably need to bring her more prey soon.

" Who do you think you will ask to replace Nightclaw?" Rainfall rose up after finishing, licking her paw to run them over her whiskers.

Pikestar's claws picked at the moss that lined the nursery den floor. "I was thinking Rotwood." Rainfall stopped her grooming to look at her mate. Pikestar knew of the majority of the clan's thoughts of Rotwood. He was a cold warrior but Pikestar saw potential in him. Rotwood could lead this clan to greatness if someone just gave him the chance.

"Pikestar, I don't think that's a good idea, he's too battle hungry…" her voice was low but there was a hint of fear in it.

"I think he would be the best of the clan, and I'm not going anywhere, I have a few lives left." Pikestar leaned closer to his mate and rubbed his cheek on hers, attempting to ease her worries.

She pulled away as soon as their fur touched. Rainfall looked him in the eyes. Her gray fur starting to stand along her spines. " Your thoughts are just as confusing as your actions." The Queen's yellow eyes blazed as she backed away. Working her way into her nest. "Your choice will lead to unnecessary blood on your paws"