Sunlight streamed into the branches. As usual, Silverkit's nest was empty. No cat got up earlier than her. She made sure of it.
Some called her queer. The nicer ones called her shy. But Highkit and Scatterkit and Frogkit and Russetkit always called her by her name, "Silverkit". And both Icestep and Heathersong called her their "little one" or "Early bird" or "daughter". Daughter. She liked that word.
Every day, whenever a cat woke up, if they glanced at the edge of camp, near the leader's den, they would spot a pair of light aqua, tiny eyes. If that cat locked eyes with her, they would quickly look away. Even as a kit, it was hard to win a staring contest with Silverkit, who quickly earned the nickname "Starekit". Not that a lot of cats noticed - or wanted to notice her. She was fine with that.
Silverkit liked to watch every cat wake up, one by one. First came Willowheart from the Warrior's den, to think about and then organize the patrols later. It was usually her that woke up first, but sometimes Oakstar was out before her. Silverkit liked Oakstar, but admired him from a distance. "He's a very busy cat," Icestep always replied when she asked her father why the leader seemed to always be coming and going. "He has a big responsibility and usually a lot on his mind."
One day, Silverkit wanted to have that responsibility. She wanted to be leader, just like any other kit. Most would assume it to be for the same reasons, but really, deep down, it was because being leader meant two things for her: acceptance, and trust. If she was leader, cats would like her, and being leader meant the leader who had appointed her had faith in her. They would have believed in her. And in her heart, Silverkit knew she wanted that more than anything else in the world.
Next came the Warriors. Some lifted their heads high, taking the challenge of a new day. Others yawned and crept out, blinking in the morning light. Silverkit didn't understand those ones. There was a world of possibilities out there! Why didn't they see that?
The Warriors with Apprentices would wake them after that. They would either grumble about how early it was - It was late! Even a sliver of the sun could be seen! - some would pad out, half asleep, but Bubblepaw always seemed to be the first one up. Silverkit was told that on her first day of Apprenticeship, Bubblepaw had ordered the whole camp to wake up bright and early. She quickly learned that Foxleap and the other Elders were not morning cats.
After the patrols leave, when the sun fully rises, is when the queens, other kits, sick cats, and Medicine Cat wake up. They were lazy and never bothered to wake up early, according to Silverkit.
Silverkit liked the night. It was cool, and dark. For the little time she had before Oakstar or Willowheart woke up, she liked to believe she was the only cat alive and had all the world to herself. These were the only peaceful moments of her life, and some of the wisest. Sometimes Silverkit felt the whole camp was filled with StarClan cats. Sometimes she felt she had a connection to these cats. Sometimes, she felt as if she were a part of these cats. She realized whenever she felt alone, she never really was. No matter when or where, she would still have these cats.
Silverkit liked the night. She liked these cats, and she liked their company. But she knew she liked it the most when her playmates woke up the most.