Warriors #1 (Arc 2): Dawn Shadows

Prologue

The forest was quiet, the only noises being the light ripple of a perfectly clear stream, and the slightest shiver of leaves from the most calm breeze. The sky above was a dark blue, filled with countless glittering stars that lit up the never-ending night.

These stars shone down on the entire forest, giving everything a sort-of whimsical glow that would make any cat stare in awe. It also made the large pond of water set in the middle of a grassy clearing glow like a thousand moonstones.

It was blinding in the most beautiful way, however, the misty gray she-cat staring down into it wasn't phased at all, her pale blue eyes calm but intent as she stared down into the sparkling pool. Her long fur was tingling with excitement and anticipation, and her whiskers were twitching with curiosity.

She wasn't sure how long she had been sitting like that until she slightly lifted her head and twitched at the stirring she heard behind her. She then looked over her shoulder to see the flame-colored pelt of a tom she knew very well. "Not afraid of the water anymore, Mistpelt?" the tom purred, a teasing gleam in his green eyes.

Mistpelt narrowed her pale blue eyes, letting out a sniff. "Very funny, Firestar," she muttered. "I'd watch it – one of these trees might be struck by lightning, catch on fire, and then fall on you."

Firestar then rolled his eyes and purred with amusement. Mistpelt then only looked at her friend, old Clanmate, and leader that had come to StarClan after the Dark Forest battle for another moment before shifting her gaze back to the pool. "And no, I'm not afraid of this kind of water."

Mistpelt then narrowed her eyes, proceeding to lower her head even more to get an even deeper look into to the water. To any other cat – like Firestar, possibly – likely just saw a shallow pond from where they stood. However, from Mistpelt's view, this water was deeper and more mysterious than the largest oceans.

Just beneath her, Mistpelt had a bird's-eye view of the stone hollow she knew to be ThunderClan's camp – the place she had called home for so long, and the place she had gotten to enjoy for the second half of her life. The place where I found my daughter again after so many moons, Mistpelt then thought, the day she discovered her long-lost Wrenkit again after losing her at three moons old. And the place where I got to she her grow up in Clan life, have a family of her own, and become a cat that anyone would respect.

And Mistpelt found her heart swelling with an overwhelming love as she actually caught sight of her daughter below, where she was curled up in what Mistpelt recognized as the warriors den. Her long-time mate, Thornclaw, was pressed up right against her, his tail wrapped around her flank protectively.

"Ahhh," Mistpelt heard Firestar meow understandingly as she padded up to sit next to the fluffy she-cat. "Checking on our Lilypetal again?"

"Of course," Mistpelt meowed. "I may not be able to be with her physically, but I have promised her that I will be with her in spirit, in whatever way I can. And anyway,"

Mistpelt then let out a sigh. "Even though we were able to spend so many moons together once we both found our way to ThunderClan, I..." She then trailed off, closing her eyes for a moment. "After all we've been through – when we were both taken away... when we weren't speaking to each other soon before I..."

The gray fluffy she-cat then opened her eyes again. "I still feel as if I somehow to make up for lost time. Watch over her whenever I get the chance."

Mistpelt could see Firestar giving her an understanding, sympathetic nod. "I see," the flame-colored tom as he flashed her a supportive glance. "I am certain that she appreciates it, and feels it. Mistpelt, I can't even begin to tell you how she was grieving after you came here."