Warriors #3: Shifting Shadows

Chapter 1

Lilypetal's POV

As soon as I opened my eyes, I saw bright post-dawn sunlight burst into the warriorsden. It wasn't exactly something I could've overlooked.

I screwed my eyes against the strong light, then blinking a couple of times. I then took a huge stretch before fully standing up. I let out a satisfied huff as I realized that I felt very well-rested, and was ready to take on the new day. Before leaving the den, I curiously turned around and noticed that only a few more cats were still sleeping.

I stretched one last time and then walked out of the den. I definitely have missed the chance to join the dawn patrol, I thought disappointedly, but I'll be ready for any other patrol Firestar or Brambleclaw needs to put me on! I then realized how guilty I felt for sleeping in so late. No way am I letting myself return to my old kittypet ways! I insisted to myself. One of the most thrilling things I got to do then was sleep!

I then let out a hiss as I thought about my old kittypet life, that I was so glad was moons behind me. It had now been about two seasons since I had joined ThunderClan, after being a kittypet for most of my life.

What was absolutely mind-blowing was the fact that now, I had two daughters here that were fully grown - Snowflight now being a full medicine cat alongside Jayfeather, and Goldenshine being a warrior for six moons now, both so dedicated to the paths they had chosen. My heart welled up with pride even at the sounds of their names. Thornclaw, my mate, and I couldn't have been more proud of our kits even if we tried to be.

I have to admit, even now I'm a bit jealous that Goldenshine and Snowflight got to grow up in a Clan, I thought joking as I crawled out of the warriors den. But thank StarClan that my curiosity of wild cats got the best of me!

I stepped out into the camp clearing to see that dawn patrol was returning - with Thornclaw, Goldenshine, along with Brightheart and Hollyleaf. I let out a breath of relief as my gaze fell on the fluffy black she-cat thankful to StarClan that she had managed to find her place back in ThunderClan after the crazy events of one of the full-moon Gatherings. She had revealed to all four Clans that Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw weren't her parents, along with Jayfeather and Lionblaze. Wanting to escape it all, she had then run into one of the old tunnels in ThunderClan territory, Goldenshine heroically but stupidly leaping in after her as the tunnel collapsed above her

I had then led a rescue patrol to save the two she-cats, refusing to believe that Goldenshine and Hollyleaf were dead. And, with a smart idea created by Snowflight, Snowpaw at the time, we had found the both of them alive and well, able to return to the Clans.

At first, ThunderClan cats were reluctant to speak with Hollyleaf because of how she had chosen to handle herself that night, but slowly, her Clanmates began to warm up to her again. Of course, things were still incredibly tense with her, Jayfeather, Lionblaze, Squirrelflight and Leafpool, and the wound certainly wasn't healed yet, but a good poultice was being applied each day.

Pulling myself out of my own world, I then watched as the dawn patrol immediately walked over to Firestar, the ThunderClan leader, to report. Firestar watched them approach, his gaze serious and his green eyes glowing with anticipation.

"No sign of anything wrong, Firestar," Thornclaw meowed proudly, dipping his head to the flame-colored tom as he padded up to stand in front of him.

Firestar nodded, sighing with relief. "Good. No other Clan scents at all?"

Thornclaw simply shook his head.

Firestar nodded back again before padding over to the fresh-kill pile to join his mate, Sandstorm and his old friend, Graystripe. My eyes still being on the ThunderClan leader and his closest friends, I didn't notice Thornclaw approaching me for a few heartbeats. I felt a purr rumbling in my throat as he then proceeded to settle down beside me and gently licked my head.