a dash of fate {clan leaders}

[Bliss'star]

The cold night was a little harsh for the RiverClan leader. Even though it was Green-Leaf, the temperature still threatened to drop to cold temperatures with killer winds, since her Clan's territory was hilly and mostly barren. Shivering, the small silver cat slid toward Fourtrees. Tonight was a very special night for the Clan leaders--they were meeting here tonight, afterall. She had given just a small goodbye to her clanmates. They were a little confused at where she was going, but wished her well. Opening her mouth, she took in the nearby scents. A few prey animals still roamed, most heading home with a meal for their new offspring. The thought of a midnight snack appealed to the she-cat, but she didn't want to miss the leaders or even keep them waiting. She wasn't really close with them, but tonight that could change. This was the night to decide who could be trusted or not. Please StarClan, let it be a peaceful little meeting, she prayed as she approached the large, looming oaks. With a little curiosity, she wondered if she could actually climb all the way to the top, like she used to do in EchoClan. Smiling at the thought, she continued the small journey, her paws lining up in rhythm with ease. She lept into the clearing, her body just a little worn out. She had led a hunting patrol just a few hours ago, catching loads of fish. They could feed every clan with their fish if the other clans would stop worrying about the smell and the water. They didn't know what they were missing. Taking a seat, she began to wait for the other leaders, her tail curling around her body to keep her from shivering. Her Mainecoon-like pelt had already shedded most of the thick peices of hair, and this was nothing like her insulated den. The breeze died down a little, which helped during her wait. ____________________________ bliss'star acts ; "bliss'star speaks" ; bliss'star thinks/dreams/hears word count: 323 tags: leopardstar, miststar, moonstar comments: sorry it's a little rushed. stella's begging for the computer. grr. [bg=31102b][atrb=border,0,true]

[Miststar]

Of course, being a leader was a great honor. It meant you were a great a warrior- smarter, stronger, faster, and ultimately better then all the other cats in your clan. You got the best nests, dreams from StarClan themselves, the ability to shape your clan the way you see it fit. It meant that no stupid senior warrior was going to boss you around or tell you to go play with the kits or talk to the elders, or even- StarClan forbid- help the apprentices. But most of all, it meant you were better then the others in your clan, and that you could do whatever you want.

...But, it had its downsides- a very small amount of downsides, but still downsides nonetheless. This silly leader meeting was one of them. Miststar would have to get out of her comfortable, mossy nests, and walk all the way to Fourtrees to talk to all the other leaders, and then trudge all the way back to camp, sleep for a while, and then have a normal day, all after walking so far to Fourtrees. True, being awesome meant that you should be able to easily walk to Fourtrees and back, but that didn't mean that it didn't make a cat tired and bore them half to death.

More then once, Miststar had been caught by WindClan and ThunderClan patrols declaring to small groups of apprentices and young warriors that ThunderClan and WindClan were fairly weak clans with no backbone and horrible leaders... Whether the patrols told their leaders or the young cats actually believed or even cared about what Miststar said, the ShadowClan leader didn't care one bit. It wasn't like leaders launched attacks for mostly peaceful speeches to enemy clans about how horrible their own clans were... Usually.

Getting to her feet with a groan, the silver tabby staggered out her den, and once she had recovered her absolutely amazing balance, bid a slightly confused guard goodbye and strutted off to Fourtrees, snapping the neck of a sleepinh lizard afterwards. Tearing off the weak but hard outside, Miststar devoured the gray creature in a few quick bites, and continued on her way to Fourtrees. ShadowClan were slinking through the trees, and with a nod, Miststar caught the eye of a senior warrior helping mentors train their apprentices in the night ambush techniques and tail signals, which, as all cats very well knew, were stolen- yes, stolen- by all the other clans. The leader couldn't help but feel a twinge of pride as her clan stepped through the shadows with ease, but of course, no one did it better then the great Miststar.

Of course, the silver tabby did seem like a horrible leader on the outside. But she did have some actual common leader sense- not that she would ever admit to anyone, especially not herself, that she wasn't actually fit to be leader in any possible way. As she continued strutting to Fourtrees, slackening her pace slightly, the leader scented another leader already there. Not even bothering to check the scent, Miststar leaped down the slope to Fourtrees- a slightly dangerous move- and looked at the other leader, the ShadowClan leader mentally preparing to snarl if nessacary.

Oh, it was Bliss'star, the only leader Miststar actually liked- more like tolerated. Perhaps it was the fact that RiverClan and ShadowClan didn't share a border, and therefore, Miststar had no reason to pick a fight with the RiverClan leader. Silently, the silver tabby reminded herself not to make enemies with the leader she barely knew- she couldn't make enemies with every clan, Miststar knew, using what valuable leader sense she had. Walking over to the one-eyed leader, in a warm, deep purr, the leader greeted, "Hello, Bliss'star, a fine night for hunting, isn't it? Oh, your clan doesn't hunt at night much, do they? Please pardon me, I forgot..."

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((Word count- 663.))

[Bliss'star]

"Hello, Bliss'star, a fine night for hunting, isn't it? Oh, your clan doesn't hunt at night much, do they? Please pardon me, I forgot..." The cat had almost made her jump. Bliss'star blinked, letting her eyes focus on the feline in front of her. She was a silver tabby, much like herself. She took a small sniff. ShadowClan, she noted before realizing, something she should've done in the first place, that this was Miststar, the bold ShadowClan leader. She was a crafty and mysterious character, but she didn't hate her. She didn't really know the other leaders at all, really. She was a little new to leadership. So were they. "Oh, hello Miststar!" she purred, her tail now curling tightly against her body. "It's quite alright. The fish seem to jump from dawn until dusk onto our river banks, but I could still go for a midnight forest hunt," she replied. Even though RiverClan was known for rolling hills, they had a little bit of territory with some trees, plus the fact that the leader was from a mountain tribe and a forest clan. She blinked, turning an ear toward the WindClan and ThunderClan border, hoping to pick up any sign of the other two late leaders. The moon was slowly moving over the clearing, lighting up the shadows made from the four empty oaks. "Where could they be?" she murmured mostly to herself. "How is ShadowClan? I hope prey is running well this season for you as well," she commented. Even if they had to talk about prey and the weather, she was deturmined to learn a little bit more about the other three Clan leaders tonight. She just wished she could think of a few more topics to bring up. ____________________________ bliss'star acts ; "bliss'star speaks" ; bliss'star thinks/dreams/hears word count: 292 tags: miststar, leopardstar, moonstar comments: --- [bg=31102b][atrb=border,0,true]

[Leopardstar]

OOC: Hazze, do you think you could make your text a little bigger? It's really hard to read.

Leopardstar's muscles tensed as a alarming thought entered her mind. I'm late! I'm late for the meeting at Fourtrees! The golden, leopard-like she-cat sprang out of her nest, as she was about to fall asleep. Bluefire, (my charrie soon to be bad after I post...) her mate, was sitting in the camp, looking up at the trees. "Watch the camp, I have to go!"

Leopardstar was almost always on time for everything, and was rarly forgetful. Rarly. She didn't know how the time slipped away from her. All she did was lead a dawn patrol and lounge around camp. She had plenty of time to think and plan for this, for it would be very important. Since the leaders were all fairly new, StarClan had agreed on calling them to a meeting at Fourtrees. (Mind if I make that up? It seems right.)

Racing in the trees was the ThunderClan leader's favorite thing to do. No other cat could do anything like it. It was a talent of her own. Leopardstar moved swiftly, her large frame and huge muscled mad it easy for her to jump and run. Even though she was a heavier cat, Leopardstar barely made the branch creek when she ran on it. Within only a few minutes of running above the soft, leaf covered grounds of ThunderClan territory, she could see the two other leaders. She pricked her ears to try and listen to what they were saying. Eh, I didn't miss much...

The spotted she-cat made a cool, but safe entrance. Leaping over the closest tree overhanging Fourtrees, she picked a weak branch near the bottom and made it bend her to the forest floor. Leopardstar jumped off, letting the branch whip back into place, and walked over to the other two clan leaders. She took long, graceful steps, making now sound on the delicate leaves under paw. "Greetings, Bliss'star and Miststar. Sorry for being late, there was clan business to take care of that could not wait." She hated lying to them, but it would sound worse if she told them the truth. Her golden pelt stood out between the two silver tabbies when she sat down, making a circle of them.

[Moonstar]

Word Count: 185

Round green eyes glowed in the night shadows. Paws flew as a silver she-cat made her way hastily across the Moorlands. Oh foxdung! I'm late for the meeting! Why did I have to get up so late?? Moonstar cursed in her mind, panting as she dashed across the rolling hills, dodging around the occasional boulder, before heading down the dip in the land. There, the four looming trees awaited her, standing as marvelous black silhouettes against the moon, who seemed to all scold her for her absence.[/color] Tardiness is unacceptable when you are the Clan leader, Moonstar, especially since you are the closest to Fourtrees. The three leaders certainly won't be pleased with this.

Slowing her pace into a canter, Moonstar made her way through the brush only to find the remaining Clan leaders already discussing with one another. "Sorry for being so late, I, uh, lost track of time," she said, desperately hoping that they could find some way to forgive her. "There was a rogue seen multiple times on WindClan territory, and the deputy and I were discussing on how to approach it."

[Leopardstar]

The end of the day seemed to be hard for most leaders. Leopardstar looked at the WindClan leader arriving and dipped her head. She looked at the three of them and meowed in a strong voice, "Well, now that we are all here, what would you like to discuss?" The question wasn't pointed towards any of the leaders in particular, but she kept her gaze with Bliss'star.

In a little while, the sun would be gone, as it was already setting at the moment. The air started to get cooler, and the wind was picking up speed. Leopaedstar wondered if her clan was ok, and warm in theor nests. Bluefire, no doubt, would be warm in their nest in the leaders den, worrying that everything went ok, and that she made no enimies between the clans. She shook her pelt, the wind bitting at her skin through her soft pelt. She wished she had longer fur now, but in the middle of Green-Leaf when it was extremely hot, she was thankful for what she had already.

[Miststar]

"The prey is running well- and so are the rats at the Carrionplace, as well." Miststar noted, before beginning to scoff. "Apprentices tried to go hunting there- against good judgment, I should add- and those frog-brains came back with 'prey' and many rat bites. It's lucky the fools escaped with their life. Hunting in the Carrionplace during Greenleaf! After what happened two Leaf-Bares ago, I'm surprised they even had the guts to do it! We were hunting burdock roots for days!"

As Leopardstar appeared over the ridge to Fourtrees and greeted them, Miststar simply dipped her head in greeting before waiting for Moonstar. Once she appeared over the top of Fourtrees from the moorland, Miststar cast her a scornful look, but continued to look at the others. She wasn't going to be allies with a bunch of rabbit-eaters! Well... Maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea. The silver tabby decided that she wouldn't pick any fights with Moonstar tonight, but still, the ShadowClan leader narrowed her eyes.

"Moonstar," Miststar began, "You smell like moss, heather, and gorse, not much like rogues or your deputy. Are you sure you're telling the complete truth?" The silver tabby's voice had a bit of a challenge in it. "Really, I thought a leader was supposed to be honest. There's no harm in being late, as long as nothing bad actually happened- unless you feel the need to lie about it."

Turning to Leopardstar, Miststar added, "Leopardstar, I was on the dawn patrol this morning, and we all scented some ThunderClan scents over the border. The smelled slightly faint... As of it had been over the night. What is the meaning of this? Are you really worthy of being a leader if you can't even keep a bunch of your mange-ridden ThunderClan pelts out of my territory? Shouldn't be hard to keep the silly cowards inside." The silver tabby challenged. She had scented ThunderClan. Probably scents that drifted across the Thunderpath, maybe the stale scent of a couple of apprentices on a dare, but it could have been anything, really. Leopardstar didn't need to know that.

---
Word count- 366

[Leopardstar]

Leopardstar cooly looked at Moonstar, as Miststar raved on about lies. She yawned, bored with the meeting already. Is this all Miststar cares about? Proving herself better than others? Leopardstar mad a mentle note not to make allies with ShadowClan as long as this leader lived. She hoped there wouldn't be a fight, or StarClan might send clouds over the coming moon. It would be all Miststar's fault anyway, she was the one trying to start a fight. Some leader...

"Leopardstar, I was on the dawn patrol this morning, and we all scented some ThunderClan scents over the border. The smelled slightly faint... As of it had been over the night. What is the meaning of this? Are you really worthy of being a leader if you can't even keep a bunch of your mange-ridden ThunderClan pelts out of my territory? Shouldn't be hard to keep the silly cowards inside."

The golden leader's eyes flickered to Miststar, as she insulted ThunderClan. Her haclked raisded, and her eyes carried the anger of a wild storm. "Well, Miststar, I assure you none of my warriors were crossing your boarder last night. Even the kits, and the youngest apprentices have the sence not to cross your boarder. They wouldn't want to scare your little warriors." She ignored that Miststar had questioned her leadership, but didn't want to look foolish. "Oh, and I'm sure StarClan wouldn't approve of you speaking about my leadership that way. Afterall, the past leader of your clan gave me one of my nine lives. Surley you wouldn't want to uppsent her?" She gave Miststar a small smile, and let her hackled fall.

She licked her paw silently, as she waited for the other leaders to comment.

[Bliss'star]

"It's lucky the fools escaped with their life. Hunting in the Carrionplace during Greenleaf! After what happened two Leaf-Bares ago, I'm surprised they even had the guts to do it! We were hunting burdock roots for days!" "I'm very sorry to hear that," the fluffy she-cat mewed sympathetically, sorrow running through her gaze. Rats weren't a problem in RiverClan, but she could imagine how painful and harmful it could be to a clan. Warriors shouldn't be injured in this time of season. This was where they collected their power and continued to merge to strong, fit cats to survive the upcoming leaf-bare. "I hope to hear that they are well soon, and if there is anything I can do to help, just send a few warriors our way," she nodded, giving Miststar her winning smile. She turned her head as she heard footprints, leaning in for a listen. Bliss'star could easily tell it was the ThunderClan leader--the scent of brambles, trees, and soft grass was flying with the breeze. It seemed none of the leaders even attempted to keep downwind and make their lateness a surprise. Shrugging off the thought, she dipped her head, welcoming Leopardstar. Just a few moments later as the ThunderClan leader merged in with the two, Moonstar quickly arrived, the smell of rabbits and open hills flowing around her. The four scents of these cats seemed to combine and flow, masking their rival hearts. "Well, now that we are all here, what would you like to discuss?" "Well, it was StarClan's will to get us together. We're all fairly new leaders, so I think we-" "You smell like moss, heather, and gorse, not much like rogues or your deputy. Are you sure you're telling the complete truth? Really, I thought a leader was supposed to be honest." "Oh, Miststar, we shouldn't worry about that no-" "...we all scented some ThunderClan scents over the border. The smelled slightly faint... As of it had been over the night. What is the meaning of this? Are you really worthy of being a leader if you can't even keep a bunch of your mange-ridden ThunderClan pelts out of my territory? Shouldn't be hard to keep the silly cowards inside." "Please you two, this is supposed to be a peacef-" "Oh, and I'm sure StarClan wouldn't approve of you speaking about my leadership that way. Afterall, the past leader of your clan gave me one of my nine lives. Surley you wouldn't want to uppsent her?" Rage filled the quiet RiverClan leader. She kept out of this. Miststar put herself into this position, and even though she was interrupted, she made sure to hold her tongue. Her tail twitched impatiently as she watched the two leaders, her violet-blue eyes narrowed with anger. Can they not see that this is supposed to be peaceful? We're trying to work as one tonight. It's like a gathering! ____________________________ bliss'star acts ; "bliss'star speaks" ; bliss'star thinks/dreams/hears word count: 483 tags: miststar, leopardstar, & moonstar comments: ohmygosh, i love Miststar already. she's got personality everywhere. <3 [bg=31102b][atrb=border,0,true]

[Leopardstar]

Leopardstar was so focused on Miststar she didn't seem to hear that she was rudly interupting the RiverClan leader. She dipped her head to Bliss'star. "Sorry about that, Bliss'star. I didn't realize I was talking over you. My apologies." Her gaze sofened as she looked the small leader up and down.

Would Miststar just shut up already? Bliss'star's right. This is supposed to be peaceful. She now remembered what the leader had said inbetween Miststar's words. She thought back to her first question, and tried to remember what Bliss'star said.

"Well, it was StarClan's will to get us together. We're all fairly new leaders, so I think we-"

"Bliss'star, what were you going to say? About us discussing something?" She looked at the longhaired she-cat in anticipation, wanting to get away from the bad mood that was already sent over their meeting.

[Miststar]

"Bliss'star, I am ever so sorry to contradict you, but may I point out that we are not ripping each other's faces off, and therefore, we are being peaceful. Please forgive me for going against your word, but as a fellow clan leader, and therefore, an equal, I feel that I have the right to speak my mind to another equal in the full view of StarClan and others." Miststar said, before turning back to Leopardstar, and quickly saying, "It does not mean anything to me, Leopardstar, that my former leader gave you a life- it does not mean you hold anything over me, and I humbly request you stop acting like it does."

Oh, how much Miststar absolutly hated having to be nice. If this wasn't a peaceful meeting, and she wasn't trying to start an alliance with RiverClan or WindClan, she would have already attacked Leopardstar. She was a clan leader, for StarClan's sake- stronger, faster, wider, and ultimately better then her clan, and now, as Miststar met the others, possibly the best cat in the entire forest. Clearly, none of these leaders possessed Miststar's important, useful talents that made her good enough to be leader. What in the name of StarClan were the old leaders thinking?

"Bliss'star, please continue. I apologize for cutting you off, but we must have started at about the same time, and therefore, I did not hear you. However, if you cannot come up with a better solution, I would recommend we talk about how ThunderClan's squirrels dance in the moonlight and how the supposed great warriors can't even catch them." Miststar said with a quick but bitter glance at Leopardstar. StarClan, provoking ThunderClan cats was so much fun! Next, maybe ShadowClan would break into the ThunderClan dirtplace and steal some dirt to make it look like ThunderClan had been on ShadowClan territory... But that would smell bad... And be a tad too risky. But Miststar would come up with something.

---
Word count: 343

[Leopardstar]

Leopardstar turned to Miststar, again. Her gaze turned cold, and she wasn't trying to provoke the ShadowClan leader, but rather stand up for her clan, and stop the bitterness. "Miststar, rather than trying to pick a fight, why don't we talk about something productive?"

She didn't care that the silver tabby was trying to make her and her clan look bad. It was really Miststar who was making herself and her clan look bad. Not like they already were. Leopardstar also wanted to make allies with the other two leaders. This could be one of the most important days of her leadership.

[Moonstar]

"You smell like moss, heather, and gorse, not much like rogues or your deputy. Are you sure you're telling the complete truth?"
Moonstar's heart raced. But, maintaining her cool, she replied to the ShadowClan leader, "Of course I am. WindClan doesn't lie." Not like ShadowClan. the she-cat almost hissed, but held her tongue. She didn't want to put herself in more suspicion than she might be in.

"Well, other than these rogue sightings, WindClan is dealing quite well. Prey is plentiful, no deaths, injuries, or sicknesses, and we just appointed 2 new warriors." Moonstar reported happily.

[Bliss'star]

Bliss'star's mind was racing as the two bickered. She wasn't the boss of these cats, but they did react a little to her small voice. She didn't want to really raise her voice and interfere--this was Miststar's problem for picking a fight, not hers. She didn't have any say in it. But she was a little upset and disappointed they had to snarl and glare at each other during a night like tonight. A special night, and it was like no other. When did any of the leaders meet together? Think about it. "Bliss'star, what were you going to say? About us discussing something?" The somewhat shy leader blinked as she was called out. Curling her tail around her paws, she raise her posture a little as her day dreams scattered. The leaders were focusing a little on her. She felt a little embarrassed. "Well, I just thought maybe...we could just try and stay a little positive. It is green-leaf, the season of warmth and full bellies," she blinked, hoping to continue this conversation with a purr on the edge of her mew than a snarl. And boy could the small she-cat grow ferocious. The scents of the four leaders seemed to merge to one, but it still did have it's silent boundaries. Night air circled, silencing the freezing wind and replacing it with a warm breeze. She let her body relax, letting the sweet scents of the RiverClan moor flood her nostrils. Knowing that home missed her was what kept her awake and alert for the meeting. Her clan-mates would be excited for her returning stories and reports, after all. ____________________________ bliss'star acts ; "bliss'star speaks" ; bliss'star thinks/dreams/hears word count: 272 tags: miststar, leopardstar, & moonstar comments: --- [bg=31102b][atrb=border,0,true]

[Leopardstar]

Leopardstar smiled, and nodded to Bliss'star. She gave a little glance to Miststar, but quickly turned her gaze back to the RiverClan leader. "I agree. Hopefully it doesn't get too warn as the season progresses." Leopardstar finally felt like she was happy with the choice her previous leader made. She felt so on top of things, and also liked the feeling of responceablility.

Although it seemed like a short time had gone past, the sky quickly darkened, and the moon started to shine. A few clouds were scattered in the night sky, floating peacefully. As long as Miststar doesn't try to fight again, StarClan should keep the moon uncovered for us. The wind blew a little faster, and made her fur blow.

(OOC: Sorry, so short, I'm in a bit of a rush...)