Introduction: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1287758138/ @Musicandcats4lifvlog for a vlog! Studio: https://scratch.mit.edu/studios/51464715
Starblossom looked at the rising sun as she breathed in the early morning air. She turned to see Tornear, who politely nodded in her direction. She dipped her head in response and sat down, neatly curling her fluffy tail around herself. As soon as the sun peaked over the horizon, Tornear meowed to her, " It seems like a good day. Did you know that this is the last moon of Newleaf? " Starblossom shook her head. " No, I didn't. It seems like just a few moments since Bareleaf. " Starblossom thought about the cold, snowy days of Barleaf, her heart aching as she thought of her younger brother, Snowtail, who had disappeared, and her younger sister, Icepelt, who had died in a terrible snowstorm right after becoming a warrior. Starblossom was knocked out of her thought process when Cherrykit excitedly ran into her. " STARBLOSSOM!!!!!! I'M ALMOST SIX MOONS OLD TODAY!!!!!!! I'LL BE AN APPRENTICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! " Cherrykit yowled loud enough for the entire Clan to hear. " Cherrykit. I know you're excited, but please calm down. " Starblossom meowed calmly. Frostgrass poked his head out of his den. " CHERRYKIT! You woke me up! Ugh, annoying little kits. " He hissed spitefully in her direction. Poor Cherrykit, Starblossom tenderly thought. Burrstar suddenly appeared by her side. " Starblossom, can you lead a hunting patrol to near the edge of the Mudpath? We need more fresh-kill. Take Ashdust and Softnose with you. And- take the apprentices, would you? They need to be prepared for the warrior test." He meowed to Starblossom, not letting her look away. She disliked how he stared at her with harsh, stern eyes. " OK, Burrstar. I'll take them. " She immediately dashed for the apprentice's den and gently woke them up. " Ugh, I could SO go for some mouse right now, right, Ashdust? I'm SO hungry! " Softnose complained loudly as the cats padded toward Mudpath. " Keep you voice down, Softnose. Burrstar expects prey. " Starblossom meowed quietly, barley looking at her. " Starblossom? A-are there going to be any monsters at the Mudpath? " Bleakpaw mewed untrustingly, his voice shaking. Bleakpaw's own mother had gotten killed by a monster when she was crossing Mudpath, when he was a kit. He had witnessed it, and the scene scarred him for life. " Aw, is the little kit scared? " Softnose meanly meowed, swiping at Bleakpaw. " Softnose! You need to stop. I'll tell Burrstar how you disrupted the hunting patrol. " Starblossom hissed. " O.K, O.K, fine. " Softnose meowed, looking at the ground. Finally, Starblossom crouched down, her soft belly fur touching the ground. " Duskpaw, Leafpaw, come here. I- " Ashdust interrupted her, meowing desperately. " Starblossom, I don't know where Leafpaw and Duskpaw are! I- they were behind me, and I turned around, and they were gone! " Softnose turned to Ashfur and said sweetly, " I'll help you find them. " Ashfur uncertainly glanced at Starblossom, trying to hide his discomfort. " We'll all go. Bleakpaw, please try to stay with us. " Starblossom meowed, taking off with Ashfur and Softnose. " Duskpaw, Leafkit! You two know better than to run off exploring! We are heading back to camp and telling Burrstar what happened, but first, you are catching at least two pieces of prey. " Starblossom said to the naughty cats, feeling a bit stupid for not watching them. " We're sorry, Starblossom! We just wanted to play! " Both apprentices mewed in sorry tones. " You can play on your own time. But next time, please stay." Starblossom meowed softly. " Bleakpaw, go help them! " Softnose barked - sorry- yowled at the remaining apprentice. Ashfur started to gallop back to camp, the two she-cats following behind. " What is wrong with apprentices these days? Softnose, please tell Dottedfur and Blackheart that they need to discipline those cats. " Burrstar meowed after they had told him of the distracted mews. Softnose nodded, and with a fierce glint in her eyes, she ran off to find Dottedfur and Blackheart. Starblossom went to the warriors' den and laid down on her nest, which had a pleasant ray of sunshine warming her sleeping place. She cleaned herself for a bit, then, with no other duties, closed her eyes and fell asleep. " Starblossom! There you are. " Starblossom turned to see Icepelt sitting in a patch of wildflowers. " Oh- Icepelt! " Starblossom burst into sobs of happiness and sorrow. " Starblossom, this is no time to be sad. I have a message for you from StarClan. " Starblossom listened, confused. " A leader's paws may guide his Clan, but beware of the shadows he hides within. In time to come, his strength and guile, might be untrusted against StarClan's will. " Icepelt's voice and body melted away, and Starblossom awoke with a very unhappy feeling. She looked around, and seeing that it was dark outside, she laid down to fall asleep again, but her thoughts raced. A leader's paws.. Icepelt.. Shadows..? Starblossom shook her head clear of the thoughts, and fell asleep once again. THE END
