Dark shadows could be seen chasing the sun away from the sky as the clouds rolled in, blocking out the light. It would be another of those days. The ones that where so humid and sticky that there'd be no relief until the night enveloped the forest and the result of this would be that the world would return to a normal temperature once more. This had been the climate for several dreary days now and moods where being affected by the poisonous surroundings of the heat. There would be an occasional moment where a drop of rain would tickle one's nose or a spot of blue sky would tempt you from behind a drapery of clouds but neither delicacy would last long. Just long enough for one to savor the moment. This wouldn't make the situation better in the least, it would simply make things worse, driving all the clan cats into a foul mood.

Even Silentshadow, a young ShadowClan warrior who was a very light-hearted individual indeed. ShadowClan cats where known for adventuring only at night and sleeping during the day. But even they where sensitive to the heat and sleep was very hard to come by. Many would visit Boulderash, the medicine cat, hoping to take something that would immune them to the heat that was ruining their sleeping and life cycles. How the cats of the forest wished they where as fortunate as the swimming cats of RiverClan for surely if they had such a talent, they'd be spending every moment in the refreshing water of the river. It was even said that some cats of ThunderClan, who shared a border with the mighty river, had been seen bathing there so as to ward off the condemning heat.

Although many cats where very warm and sluggish in the humidity, the attitude towards the situation made the blood boil and already the cats of ShadowClan found themselves in a battle with the exhausted and considerably weaker WindClan who had very little protection from the heat. Hushedstar, the wily ShadowClan leader, had made a compromise with Elmstar, the WindClan leader, and the two clans had put the battle off until they where fit to fight. Silentshadow, a brave she-cat of Tribe origin, was the cat that had made the preposition to her leader. The two had been friends for a very long time and the tom took the slender tabby's advice to heart.

Silentshadow blinked open her eyes. Relief flooded over her as she was met with the familiar blackness of the warrior's den. She yawned, her pink tongue looking so alien against the blinding brightness of her sharp teeth. She stretched gently, enjoying the feeling she got as her spine re-aligned itself after having been in such an awkward position for so long. She remembered waking up several times during the day and being unusually restless. She got to her paws gracefully, giving her dark colored tabby pelt a few swiftly licks, persuading every hair on her pelt to line up in its proper place.

Looking around her, she noticed she was one of the last to wake but she was certainly not alone. Many warrior where sitting in their nests, enjoying the inviting night breeze. Of the forms in particular, she could easily pick out the muscular frame of Banditshard. He was looking at her and as she met his gaze he smiled, his blue eyes freezing her brilliant green ones in place. She returned his smile as she padded to his side, admiring his silver pelt with its handsome dark flecks. She had the bad habit of always doing this, savoring the way her heart pounded and her body responded to such a close study. She didn't feel too guilty though because it was rare that a she-cat could resist the temptation he clearly displayed. Silentshadow figured that she had a fairly good sense of control when it came to hiding her desires.

As she sat down at his side, Banditshard licked her cheek gently, letting his tongue drag over her muzzle a few times before meeting her gaze. It was definitely not just a friendly good morning but Silentshadow made nothing of it. For all she knew he treated all she-cats this way. How wrong she was.

"Good morning" he purred, his blue eyes enchanting her once more.

"Did you have a nice sleep?" he laughed, realizing the weight of the spell he could put on her. Silentshadow had to shut her eyes for a moment, using the time to think clearly.

"Hi" she purred

"Yes, I had a surprisingly good nap, though I must admit I was slightly restless during the night" she added, her green eyes wandering around the den while she spoke before returning to meet his gaze.

"How about you?" she wondered, trying to be polite. The tom winked at her before replying

"It was relatively good" he made sure his voice was audible to all at that point but lowered it into a whisper as he continued "I saw you get up a few times" his voice was full of concern

"Are you feeling alright?" he asked, his eyes roaming over her sleek figure, a deeper meaning lay behind his question. Silentshadow, oblivious to it, nodded

"I'm alright, it's just been so humid lately" she replied. The tom nodded, clearly relieved.

"Shall we go get some breakfast?" he mewed, getting to his paws. Silentshadow nodded, getting to her feet the second he invited her to eat with him.

"Let's go," she purred excitedly,

"I'll race you" she challenged with a laugh, shooting out of the den like a rocket, Banditshard close on her heels.

Hey guys, let me know what you think! Kind of a shaky beginning I know and I apologize. If you'd like to give me some advice it would be appreciated as well as suggestions. I will add Boulderash, the medicine cat, and Elmstar, leader of WindClan, to the list of characters later but they aren't really that important right now so I think it's alright to come back to them.

Anyways yeah please read and review if you have the time!

.:Nocturnalriver:.