*Dawn Rising in Shadow*

[Yoko]

The sky was a silent, warm, shade of black. The only hint of dawn's arrival was a orange and violet glow radiating just above the sharp pine needles. The scents were familiar, the grass was soft and damp. Snaketail yawned and stretched, careful not to touch Twistedclaw. Though, admittedly, the small tabby seemed more calm then he had in a while. Feathercloud's patience rubbing off on him? he thought, remembering how startled he had been to discover that Twistedclaw had agreed to help the Medicine Cat in battle training and herb collecting. The three tabby brothers waited beside the camp entrance as always, but this time they were not waiting for their own apprentices.

Apprentices were not allowed on border patrols anymore. They were focusing on hunting and battle-training. So, they asked around for any cats that would want to patrol with them. As it might be rather dull to go alone, and Snaketail was in a rather chatty mood. He wanted to speak with some of his other Clanmates. To Twistedclaw's displeasure, all the volunteers were she-cats: Thistlefur, Lightningclaw, and Darkflower. Snaketail thought that they would be interesting company.

Lizardeye waited with his tail wrapped around his paws. The morning felt cold to him, though it was a greenleaf morning and should be warmer than most. He watched the quiet camp with little interest. He wondered how the kit exchange would go this morning, but he had no desire to attend without his brothers. Specklestar certainly would not allow Twistedclaw to go. Lizardeye glanced at his battle-hungry brother. Twistedclaw was unpredictable when it came to other clans. So Lizardeye resigned himself to hearing the news once they return.

Twistedclaw lay flat on his stomach. Reviewing the battle-moves he would have to teach today, both to the apprentices and to Feathercloud. The apprentices were in good shape actually, even Honeypaw though she was behind her sisters. After going over a few of the combination moves, and then they could do a few practice battles. Feathercloud had to relearn a lot, but if she managed dodging and simple attacks she would be a force to be reckoned with. He smirked to himself, almost forgetting the patrol he was about to go on.

[. s p o r e l e t t ♪]

Lightningclaw shifted in her nest, gradually rousing into wakefullness though no cat had wakened her. It was almost dawn; time for the patrol. She knew this simply from the feel of the air and the thin grey light that filtered into the den, and that was enough. Cracking her jaws in a wide yawn, the pale tortoiseshell arched her back in a stretch and gave her pelt several quick licks to neaten it. She had a bit of time yet, but she didn't want to keep the other cats waiting. Having removed all the scraps of moss that were clinging to her pelt and returned her fur to its usual gloss, she rose to her paws and padded out of the warriors den.

Stepping into the cool gloom of the clearing, Lightningclaw looked around briefly, quickly spotting the three tabbies who were waiting by the entrance of camp. As usual, the three toms were together, making the lithe warrior wonder if she had ever seen a day go by in which the three of them weren't together at some point. Padding over to them, she dipped her head casually at all three and sat down, wrapping her tail loosely around her paws.

She was looking forward to the patrol, despite the early hour. Some cats found dawn patrol a chore, but she was just happy to be out and about. Staying in camp with nothing to do was infinitely worse than going on a patrol, though she wasn't averse to some relaxation now and then. Over all, Lightningclaw was happy doing anything, as long as she had good company. Turning her head to address her Clanmates, she smiled lazily as she mewed a greeting. "Good morning."

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[Kitty]

A white tom emerged from the warriors den, jaws opening wide in a yawn as he padded over to a sunny spot halfway across ShadowClan's camp and sat down a few tail-lengths from Twistedclaw, Lizardeye, Snaketail, and Lightningclaw, moss still clinging to his pelt in random spots from his slumber. Amber eyes roved the camp as he bent his head to clean his pelt of the clinging pieces of green. What was he going to be doing to today? Ah, yes, that was right. Today was the day that four of Foxfur's kits would be coming to live with them, here in ShadowClan, and if Icepelt knew anything, it would be that they probably wouldn't much enjoy being here. It wasn't too different from WindClan, but he suspected that the kits wouldn't like leaving their home to live with ShadowClan.

Ah well. If it meant more cats for ShadowClan, Icepelt didn't mind. He was sure that the kits would get themselves settled in before long. Kits were very adaptive, after all. Perhaps he'd get to be on the patrol that went with Specklestar to Fourtrees to pick them up. Maybe if he didn't have anything else to do he could pay a quick visit to Smokeheart before he woke Reedpaw.

"Dreampaw!"

A black tom poked his head into the apprentice den in an attempt to rouse his apprentice for his daily duties. "Wake up, you lazy lump!" he called. "If you want to go out battle training today, you better get your tail out of that den within the next ten heartbeats or you'll be stuck here in camp until after sunhigh cleaning the elders den!" he threatened, although it was good-natured. Scorchclaw really did like his new apprentice.

He turned and padded a couple tail-lengths away from the entrance of the apprentice den to leave room for more entering and exiting cats and wrapped his tail around his paws, trying to look as if he'd been sitting there for ages as he calmly lifted a paw and began grooming it.

Stormclaw rustled in his comfy nest in the warriors den. It really was comfortable. Maybe he could just lay there for a few more heartbeats...but no, there was work to be done, patrols to go on, prey to catch. He reluctantly opened his eyes, but they closed again of their own accord. Surely only a few more heartbeats wouldn't be too bad... Sighing happily, he sank back into a light slumber.

The tortoiseshell had already been up for a while, unable to sleep and sitting there beside the apprentice den and observing her surroundings. Her pelt was already groomed, free of moss. That place where she'd been poked with a few thorns a couple nights ago was still a bit sore, but not so bad that she cared enough to complain. She was simply waiting for her mentor, Cedarfur, to get up, so that they could go do something interesting, like hunt or battle-train. Maybe Reedpaw would get up first. Then she'd have some cat to talk to. talking to another cat, be it warrior, apprentice, kit, or elder, wasn't exactly what Dapplepaw was in the mood for, though. Instead she would much rather sit and get lost in her own thoughts. But hunting or battle training wouldn't be too bad, either.

[Yoko]

Snaketail turned to the newest arrival. Lightningclaw, of course. She was always an energetic one. He smiled brightly at her. Lizardeye gave the she-cat a glance of acknowledgement, and Twistedclaw was looking down, either ignoring her or too lost in other thoughts. Snaketail would guess the former.

"Good morning, Lightningclaw," Snaketail mewed amicably. "It's been so long! How have you been?"

Snaketail hated to be behind on news of his clanmates. He liked to know every scratch of information he could, but Lizardeye had kept him so busy with those other things, he had not chatted with another cat in quite a while. Lightningclaw was far from his closest acquaintance, but he tried to keep in touch with all his clanmates, more out of his natural socialness than to keep his brothers informed. That part was just a consequence

SPECKLESTAR

Specklestar exited her den in silence. SHe was tingling all over with excitement. If WindClan refused to hand over the kits, surely they would go to war! The thought should have frightened her. Her Clan was certainly not prepared and yet- She sighed. From what Foxfur had told her,Rivermist would simply hand them over. She scolded the red warrior for setting arrangements for the exchange without her consent and scent Ravenstar a message via a passing patrol that ShadowClan would only meet them at Four Trees, where a Peace Treaty was held. It was safer for both clans that way.

Specklestar pondered what else needed to be done. For one thing, she would have to return as soon as she could because she promised Dustpaw that they would do early battle training. At least Snaketail and his brothers are handling dawn patrol. Specklestar looked at the sky and sighed. Perhaps she should gather her back up now, the warriors who would accompany her to Four Trees. She had already ruled out Twistedclaw and his brothers, not just because they were already on Dawn Patrol either... She needed a patient and experienced cat. Formidable but not too intimidating in case WindClan really was really submitting. She found herslef in luck as Icepelt exited the Warrior's Den. She rose up and padded closer to the white warrior so she would not need to shout.

"Icepelt, good morning," Specklestar mewed. "I know it's short notice, but I want you to accompany me today for the exchange with WindClan. An experienced warrior like you would be nice to have. Or have you made plans with Reedpaw? Either way, would you mind waking Whiteheart? I'd like her along as well. She's more patient than most."

[☆ Y e l l o w ☆]

Many other warriors were waking up, and the noise in the den woke Whiteheart. Deciding to join them, it wasn't long before she had emerged from the warriors' den, awake and glancing around. She wasn't sure what to do, maybe join a hunting patrol or something. If she wasn't needed she could just hang around camp, maybe doing little things if needed. ShadowClan was so large that patrols could easily be made, and more were required for hunting, but there was still plenty of spare time in the day.

She saw Specklestar speaking with Icepelt and wondered what it was about. It probably didn't have anything to do with her and she normally didn't like to eavesdrop, but she was curious. She also remembered the WindClan kits were supposed to be coming to ShadowClan today. Could it be about that? She angled one ear toward them curiously.

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[Kitty]

Pointed ears flicked up, partly in interest and partly in surprise, at Specklestar's announcement. Icepelt's amber eyes also hinted at pride, for his leader had trusted him enough to allow him to accompany her to Fourtrees. Although it was hardly surprising - Icepelt was a senior warrior, after all - it still made him feel that pride that every warrior felt at some point in their lives; the one that came with respect and trust from your leader. He blinked and the look went away, to be replaced with respect. He dipped his head.

"Certainly, Specklestar, I'd love to come along," he agreed, rising to his paws. "And I'll go look for her now," he added, turning towards the warrior den. Only to stop when he saw the very she-cat the two cats were talking about sitting nearby. Ah, she must have slipped out while Specklestar had been talking to him. He turned off towards the white she-cat. Yes, his leader had been right about something. Whiteheart was indeed one of the more patient members of ShadowClan.

Approaching the she-cat, he mewed, "Good morning, Whiteheart. Specklestar would like you to accompany us to Fourtrees to pick up Foxfur's kits. Do you have any other plans for the morning?" he questioned. "If not, we'd like you to come along. We need patient cats for this task."

[. s p o r e l e t t ♪]

Lightningclaw grinned widely at Snaketail, feeling cheerful at the thought of patrolling with the three toms. She was only a moon younger than the trio, and they had shared the same den almost unfailingly since the time that she was born. She knew all three of them well enough to be comfortable in their presence, even the volatile Twistedclaw, and Lizardeye, who said very little. But of course it only made sense that it was Snaketail who she knew the best, if only because he tended to speak to her more than his brothers. The silvery tortoiseshell tilted her head at his question, considering it momentarily before shooting back a reply.

"You say it as if you haven't seen me for moons," she said with amusement. "We share the same den, you know." Blinking slowly, she grinned again, adopting her customary expression of confident ease. It was hard to ruffle Lightningclaw; cats had to work very hard at it, or they had to be very precise with their words. Either way, such a thing wasn't advised. "I'm the same as always," she drawled. "Thinking of the Clan first, going on patrols and hunting until my paws are ready to fall off. It's exciting, though, the upcoming battle with ThunderClan. And just what the Clan needs, especially with WindClan's kits arriving today."

Lightningclaw glanced at Snaketail's brothers, who, as always, weren't saying much. She didn't know either of them to speak unless they felt they had something important to say, although Lizardeye at least made sure to maintain a cool politeness with the rest of his Clan. Noticing that Twistedclaw was ignoring her, she focused her gaze on him, her green eyes glinting mischievously. Few cats in ShadowClan would dare to push Twistedclaw's buttons in a deliberate manner, but is just so happened that Lightningclaw was one of them. Getting to her paws, she sauntered over to the small tom and nudged his shoulder affectionately. "Why the silent treatment, Twistedclaw?" she inquired. "Snaketail greets me like I've been to Highstones and back, and you can't even manage a simple hello. What's the matter, mouse got your tongue?"

[☆ Y e l l o w ☆]

Whiteheart had been looking away, so she was surprised when she saw Icepelt heading over to her. She sat up as the senior warrior approached, showing her respect. She listened to him and her eyes started to widen. They had been discussing the kits! But she was supposed to come with? It surprised her that Specklestar chose her apart from all the other warriors to go with. But of course she couldn't disagree. "Sure, of course," she said quietly, nodding. They would be getting four new kits and the Clan was soon to become even larger. Although there were doubts about their territory being able to support so many cats, it was still to make ShadowClan stronger. For the good of the Clan she would do it. "So, do you know when we're leaving?"

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[Kitty]

Good question, Icepelt thought with a glance at his leader. They'd probably be leaving soon so that they could be back before mid-afternoon. No telling how long it would take to get the kits from WindClan. A quick look at the sky revealed that the dawn patrol should be leaving soon. They were probably going to leave soon after, maybe even earlier.

"I'm not sure, though I imagine we'll be leaving soon. I think Specklestar doesn't want to be too long, and since apprentice training is being sped up we both have to get back and train our apprentices." He shrugged. "Come on, let's go and find out. She might want to leave right away." The white cat turned and trotted back the few tail-lengths to Specklestar, beckoning with his tail for WHiteheart to follow. "We're ready when you are, Specklestar," he announced when he reached his leader.

[Yoko]

Snaketail grinned even wider. "Well, it seems like forever since we've last spoken. These two," he mewed sweeping his tails over his brothers, "have kept me busy!"

He listened attentively to her as she talked about how well she was serving her Clan. He did not doubt her for an instant. Then he laughed at her taunting of Twistedclaw. "Well, you've not changed a bit, I see."

Twistedclaw squirmed, unnerved by the close proximity of Lightningclaw. He had spent some time with the she-cat, but as with all she-cats it made him uncomfortable and slightly edgy. He glared up at Lightningclaw for the taunting, and in a flash looked back down at the ground, ears burning.

"I'm. Fine," he grumbled. "Hi, Lightningclaw."

He dragged a claw through the dirt, so the earth bled deep brown dirt amongst the leafgreen grass.

Lizardeye observed in silence, and mused about how Lightningclaw seemed to know them so well. She had always made an effort to hang out with them, not desperately or anything, just more than most of their clanmates did. He supposed they ought to be grateful, or at least more polite.

SPECKLESTAR

Specklestar was sitting with her tail curling and uncurling around her paws. She was impatient but she did not want to seem as overly eager as she felt. Icepelt's sudden return startled her.

"We leave after Dawn Patrol leaves," Specklestar mewed. She caught sight of Whiteheart behind him. "I suggest we all have a quick meal, we'll need the energy in case things don't go as expected."

She padded past him and towards the fresh-kill pile, though she was hardly hungry. What if Ravenstar doesn't hand them over?

[Ki]

Blinking sleep out of his eyes, Bluethorn emerged from the warriors' den. He wasn't on the border patrol, but he was assigned to the hunting patrol. His muscles were still sore from the fight with the dog. Feathercloud had looked over his injuries, though, and deemed him fit enough to carry on his duties so long as she checked the scratches occasionally to ensure they were not becoming infected. He stretched himself out one leg at a time. Today would be another full day. Hunting patrol, then training with Thornpaw, then more training with Thornpaw. While war with WindClan didn't seem like much of a prospect any longer, the war with ThunderClan still loomed on the horizon. It made his skin tingle beneath his fur. He looked around the camp. Now, where was Thornpaw?

[hedgie]

A ruffled ball of dark ginger fur padded out of the Apprentice's den, moss clinging to Reedpaw's fluffed-up fur. He looked back into the den, amber eyes wide with worry. He sat down just outside, waiting as a larger, silver-furred version of the apprentice made his own way over.
He was probably looking for Honeypaw, seeing as the two had spent most of their time together the past couple of days and was about to walk in when a loud, hacking cough sent him backing out.

"Is he alright?" Heronstripe asked, and Reedpaw's eyes said everything. "Well, shouldn't we go get Feathercloud or something? He sounds horrible."

Reedpaw growled. "I was about to do that. Give me time. I had a rough night." He stood up almost too quickly and almost fell. Heronstripe grabbed onto his younger brother's tail, pulling him back.

"Where are you going? Feathercloud's not going to want to leave the kits. We'll have to carry him over." Heronstripe mewed, dissapearing into the den with Reedpaw following behind, silent and serious. The two brothers came out with Flintpaw between them, the gray tom looking miffed between coughs and sniffles. He faintly struggled to get away, but in his state, there was no way to get out.

"Let me go." He growled, barely able to fit the words out between coughs as they made their way across camp. Neither of the two brothers said a word in response, dutifully carrying their closest friend into Feathercloud's den.


"Feathercloud!" Reedpaw called. "Flintpaw's sick again."


"I am not. I'm fine." Flintpaw grumbled, and Reedpaw, showing signs of his ususal self, smacked his friend on the back of the head.

"Stop trying to be tough." He growled. "Anyone who's bothered by you being sick needs to go swim in the river." He looked at Feathercloud. "Can you help him?"

((TOO THE MC DEN WE GO!!!))

[nightstorm]

Dreampaw raised his head sleepily. A voice, accompanied by a familiar scent, had awoken him. "Coming, Scorchclaw," he said, suddenly wide awake, and ready for that day's training. Licking down his mussed up fur, the ginger tom bounded out of the apprentices' den, and came upon his mentor, waiting outside, serenly washing a paw. "Oh, come on," he sighed good-naturedly. "You haven't been waiting out here that long...You just called me! Are we going to be back in time to welcome Foxfur's kits? 'Cause I want to see them! Do you think they'll like living here in ShadowClan? What if they don't like our food? What if they decide that they're better off in WindClan, and run away?"

Thistlefur padded out of the warriors' den, her fur groomed neatly. Spotting the rest of the Dawn Patrol already up and waiting, the she-cat padded over, her eyes half-closed with drowsiness, though it soon faded as she drew nearer. She nodded to Lightningclaw, Snaketail, Lizardeye, and Twistedclaw.

"Morning," she said cheerfully. "Ready to go? Where's Darkflower?" Her gaze wandered over to Specklestar, and then turned back to the group. "When will Specklestar lead a patrol to WindClan to pick up the kits?" she asked, turning to Lightningclaw. She curled her tail around her toes as she sat, waiting for Snaketail to give the order to move on out. It looked like they weren't going anywhere until Darkflower showed up anyways.

[. s p o r e l e t t ♪]

Lightningclaw grinned broadly at Twistedclaw's obvious discomfort. She knew she shouldn't be mean, but he just made it so easy. "There, a real greeting," she proclaimed, beaming exaggeratedly at the other warrior. "Nice to see you again, Twistedclaw. We don't see nearly enough of each other." Glancing over at Snaketail, she flashed a smile in his direction as well, and thought to herself that his assessment was very accurate. "Nope, I'm just the same as ever. Although I might have to join the elders' den if we sit here much longer. What's taking Thistlefur and Darkflower so long?"

As if summoned by her words, the grey she-cat appeared only a moment later, padding cheerfully up to the four cats with a greeting on her tongue. "Hey, Thistlefur," Lightningclaw returned. "Darkflower hasn't shown up yet. Did you not see her when you were coming out of the warrior's den?" The lanky she-cat tilted her head thoughtfully. "Perhaps it's her old age catching up with her," she said with mock-seriousness, referring to the fact that the she-cat was a full year older than any of the other members of the patrol. "In any case, she'd best wake up soon, or we'll have to leave without her. We can't be waiting all day!"

[Yoko]

Snaketail turned and smiled even more brightly, though it hardly seemed possible, at Thistlefur as she approached. The dark grey tabby looked as bright as ever also, and Snaketail knew that today's Dawn Patrol would surely be brilliant. He had never forgotten Thistlefur's run in with fox dung, but the warrior's reputation was recovering nicely, and he would never bring it up to be mean. She was nice, curious, energetic, and a tad tempermental.

"Hello, Thistlefur," Snaketail mewed in his usual silky voice. "The kits are coming here at last!" he lowed his mew so only the group of patrollers would here, "And StarClan help us if they don't come."

He chuckled and winked an amber eye. Specklestar, he believed, was a quite serious about fighting for the kits. Pride alone would warrant a battle. He was not as battle hungry as Twistedclaw, nor as serious as Lizardeye. Just trying to keep a light mood.

"Yes," he mewed, looking about, "Darkflower is running a bit late. But not every cat can rise before the birds like you two can."

Eclipsepaw slipped out of the apprentice den in silence and made her way to a dark corner of camp, where the Twistedclaw and his brothers usually shared meals. Out of habit, she had awakened early, as if to go on Dawn Patrol. Apprentices were not allowed on border patrols anymore, they were to hunt and battle train with the utmost focus.

Eclipsepaw took in her surroundings. Her mentors were gathered at the camp entrance, chatting with Lightningclaw and Thistlefur. Apparently the Dawn Patrol was incomplete and therefore stalled. She shifted her gaze to the freshkill pile, where Specklestar was downing a rather small mouse. Why was she eating so early? Why not just hunt? Then it struck her that today was the day the kits would arrive from WindClan. She didn't care much, so long as WindClan proved themselves to be the weaker and hand the kits over without qualms.

She kept looking and her nose promptly wrinkled with disgust, as if she smelled a rotting lizard baked in the sun. Heronstripe was out and about. Probably hunting for her sister. Disgusted, she watched in quiet, smoldering, hatred as he approached the apprentice den. When he entered, she dug her claws into the ground, but Reedpaw stuck his head out and called for Feathercloud. Probably because of Flintpaw's very loud hacking noises. Sure enough, the two brothers carried the small grey apprentice out. He was protesting.

Eclipsepaw felt no pity for the apprentice, but beneath her hateful glare at Heronstripe, she felt a flicker of a wry smile twist onto her muzzle. The cat had fight in him!