A Star Sparkling Among The Snow Fall

[Snowy]

NAME: Snowstar
ALIASES: Snow, Snowy, Snowflake, Snowfeather
SEX: Female
ORIENTATION: Straight
AGE: 35 moons
CLAN: Shadowclan
POSITION: Leader/warrior

APPEARANCE:

Born small, she hasn't grown much since her young age. Barely coming up to most cats chins, she seems to cower under everybody, their shadows covering her. She uses her height to her advantage though, using it to duck around others, and get in areas where others can't. In battles, she can easily come under an opponent, and slash their uncovered stomachs. She also can use it to fight in smaller areas; where the roof is low, she can jump on their backs, while they are stuck by their height. Because of her shortness, she also weighs much less than other cats. She is still unnaturally skinny, allowing some of her ribs to show. It isn't because she overworks herself or because she doesn't have enough prey in the camp to. She was born small and frail, and has kept some of that. But the biggest reason for her ribs peeking through is because she doesn't allow herself to. She believes that a warrior should be allowed to control themselves, and she does this by fasting, among other things. Weighing less also gives her less weight to carry when she runs, and less weight to transport when she jumps.

Pelt long and soft, with a nice glittering sheen, her pelt isn't what would be expected of a cat of her stature and build. It's long, almost brushing the ground as she walks, spreading across it as she lays down. Behind her leg it slightly shortens, as to not interfere with running. On her stomach, it lays in small twists, slightly clumping together in parts. This is natural, and she is unable to stop it from clumping itself together. On her chest, it is also slightly shorter. Her tail is long, with fur laying low on it, to her happiness. Her fur is always kept clean, yet it usually tangles itself in bushes, branches, and any other sharp object. It also picks up various objects, which have to carefully be groomed out. This is worst when it comes to swimming, because it can get caught on underwater plants, and weighs her down. But it does help make her look better built, which can help her seem less pitiful.

Her fur is a bright white color. It varies in places, such as being a slightly darked shade of gray on her stomach- it is barely visible in normal light. Her paws have gray splotches, also a very light color. She has a gray-white tinted chest, and the tip of her tail is the same. It gets muddy during the rainy season, and takes much grooming, just like the rest of it. She easily blends into snow because of it, causing it easier to hunt in winter, and in the snow. She has long claws, which she uses to grasp onto prey and enemies alike. She is careful though, with how she uses claw. She has to be careful that they don't get caught in her long fur, because if they do, they get tangle, and it's a pain to extract them. She also has to be careful about not tearing her claws off; it will bleed and stain her fur for days.

Her face is pretty normal. She has a long muzzle, tipped with a pink nose, which can pick up scents from far away. Her eyes are deep blue, accentuated by the white fur surrounding them. In the snow, they are the only thing seen. They are usually seen darting from side to side, searching for prey, an enemy, or a clan mate. She rarely focuses them on one thing. She has two ears, daintily placed on the top of her head. Her ears don't add much height, not only for the reason that she usually holds them bent close to her head. Not out of fear, but a learned habit.

She has been scarred from battle and training as a small kit. Her body is scattered in scars, luckily covered by her long pelt. Most of them are scattered across her chest and stomach, covered by her long white fur. Though many others litter her legs, some of these more visible than others, lacing her snow-colored pelt with the red and pink of badly healed scars. She also made an unfortunate mistake in battle a couple moons ago, giving her the scar which now sits on the right side of her face. Stretching from above her right eye, bordering it, and then traveling to stop halfway down her muzzle, it's the most visible of all scars. It healed rather nastily, leaving a dark reddish line, which, when irritated, will still ooze blood.

PERSONALITY:

[She acts differently around everybody, having different expectations and limitations for each of them. At first glance, she doesn't seem formidable. She walks in, smallest of all, thin, and nobody cowers. Though once she starts speaking, it's obvious of just how she can lead. She barks out orders as if she knows them- she speaks loudly, and in a voice that says she isn't to be messed with. She will not argue with you- much at least. She will argue with you up to the point where she finds it hopeless, then tell you to either agree, or you're free to leave the clan. She stands as tall as possible while giving orders, also making it seem as if she knows what she's doing.

Deputy- She expects her to follow her every order. She will tell her exactly what she wants done, and if it doesn't happen, she will enforce it on her. Snowstar trusts her deputy with important duties, but not with many decision making ones. She likes to be in control, and will make sure that she knows everything that is happening. If the deputy is giving a decision to make, she will make sure that she agrees with it, and then allow it to happen. She is very controlling, and strict. She will tell her deputy some problems, ones that relate to the clan.

Medicine cat- She is very proud of the medicine cat, seeing that they help protect the clan. She treats them as one of the highest priorities, under kits. She believes that without a medicine cat, the clan would fail. She is very kind- kinder than to anyone else- to the medicine cat, asking their opinion on matters she wouldn't even confide in her deputy. When injured, she makes sure to go to the medicine cat before continuing her duties, no matter how small the wound is. By now, she has learned that even the smallest wound will infect. The only time she ever is hostile towards the medicine cat is when she is faced with spider webs. Here, she tends to shy away, showing fear for one of the few times in her life.

Warriors- She works the warriors just as hard as she works herself, from dawn to dusk. No slacking is allowed, and the one who does gets yelled at and punished. She is rarely kind, and most of the warriors find her as cruel, strict, and controlling. Few have seen her softer side, and most just know her controlling, hard-working side.

Apprentices- Apprentices are treated just like warriors. They are training to be warriors, so they should be able to live up to the expectations, and not slack off. They are sent off to clean the elders den when they have done something wrong, and are expected to fetch prey for the elders and queens regularly. She doesn't pity them at all. She has gone through being an apprentice, and understands the hardships of it. She expects the same amount of hard work from them.

Queens- These are the few cats who get to see her soft side. She believes queens to be the foundation of the clans; without the queens, they wouldn't have kits to train. She is respectable, as is expected of a leader. She tends to be more caring, not as harsh as to the warriors. Many queens come from the nursery, telling stories of how kind Snowstar is, with the rest of the warriors disbelieving it. They are always well fed around her.

Kits- A soft spot for the leader, she is usually too busy to pay attention to them. But her general attitude towards kits is caring, and if another clan dares to hurt a kit, she will react. If a kit wanders up to her, she will generally speak to it for a moment, tell it about the importance of being a great warrior and working hard, then continue on her way.

Other clans- She is rather neutral. She doesn't hold a strong like for them. She tends to keep away from them, and advises her clan to do the same. Inter-clan relationships never lead to anything good- that she learned from her younger days. She is hostile when faced by a threat, and will respond quickly towards the other clans.

Kittypets/loners- She doesn't care what they do, as long as they stay off of her territory, and leave her clanmates alone. If they don't steal prey, attack them, wander onto their territory, and leave them alone in general, she will let them be. She isn't one to wander off searching for them, for any reason, and will refuse to allow one into her clan.

In general, Snowstar comes off as uncaring and cold. This pushes many away from her, and causes her to have few allies out of her clan, and not too many inside her clan either. One of her biggest flaws is that she tends to over-think. She plots out very well, but many times, instead of taking the easier road, she goes around it and makes it more difficult for her clan. This may lead to additional deaths, and to more issues. She has problems of thinking of plans that don't involve violence, because she tends to leap to force at the slightest threat. She won't talk things out, without much coaxing.

FEARS:

She is a rather fearless cat, being brought up to be strong and not fear anything. Through her young days, she would run through rivers, and attack foxes. Though there were things she feared; she wasn't invincible. One of these things are spiders. It is a rather ridiculous fear, but she can't stand them; the way they looked, all the legs they had, and the use of their cobwebs. Even if she had a bleeding wound, she is resentful to use them; she dislikes the feeling they have on her pelt, and many times, when they are applied to her, she pulls them off. This is a cause of most of her scars. She also has a fear of Two-legs: more specifically, there monsters. Having bad experiences as a child, and losing a parent to them, she has a fear of the monsters, and roads.

ASPIRATIONS:

Since the beginning, she has aspired to be great. Whether it be as a medicine cat, a deputy, leader, or even as a queen. She believes that without the queens, the clan would die, with no kits. She never expected to become leader, but has always wished to, knowing it would give her power. Power, which she could use to strengthen the clan. Now as a leader, she knows that she most likely won't have the chance to grace the clan with kits, but if she does, she will force them to be the best. She believes that you have to be the best, to any extent, and will carry this on as leader.
One of many goals as a leader is to keep her clan safe. Like all leaders, she cares for their safety. But this isn't her only motive. She believes that if she can prove to the other clans their power, they won't be bothered, and not only would the clan have more prey, but they would also grow. She strives for her clan to be the biggest, and therefore overcome the other clans. Her main goal is to take over as the leading clan, and to never have to bother with border skirmishes and clans taking her clans prey.

RELATIONS:

FATHER: Sullenheart- A great warrior, he had few time for her and her sisters. But that didn't mean that he didn't care. He still spent as much time as possible with his three kits, and cared for them, enough to sacrifice many things so that they could survive. A dark pelted tom, with brown flecks, and green-brown eyes.
MOTHER: Graytail- She has a close relationship with her mother, after being raised for a very long time by her. She has been worrying as her mother slipped into elder age, and keeps a sharp eye on her. Has gray fur, and deep blue eyes.
SIBLINGS: Brighttalon- She is her only sister. They have been very close since the beginning, and they have been supportive of each other. Slightly farther away in their older years, they still have a bond, but it isn't as close as before.
Treefall- Her brother, she cares for him dearly. He stands up for her- or at least used to- and she appreciates it. She looks at him as one of the best warriors in the clan.
MENTOR: An old mentor, she went through two in her years.
Fallennight- her first mentor, a gentle female. She liked Fallennight very dearly, and was eager to train under her. The she-cat taught her most of what she needed to know, and never needed to pressure her to do anything. She willingly worked for her mentor.
Stolenlight- her second mentor after her first mentor retired to be a queen. He came to her when she was mostly done training, and taught her how to toughen up. Though his methods might not have been conventional-she has scars from training- she learned how to withhold pain, and ways to battle.
CRUSH/MATE:None yet, but she is hoping that someday she will be graced with the honor
OFFSPRING: Also, none yet. But if she ever does happen to give birth to kits, they will be trained to be strong warriors, and protect the clan. Despite her wants to be a medicine cat, she refuses to allow any of her kits to follow the path.
OTHER:
Silentflight- A close nursery friend. They grew up close, almost as close as she and Brighttalon, and stayed friends through out apprenticeship. She thought of Silentflight as a close friend, someone to go to when she needed to tell someone something, and never could. This is impossible now, since Silentflight has gone slightly deaf in one ear, and fully in the other, due to some nasty battle wounds around the area.
Cal- a kittypet she met as an apprentice. She had a hatred since the beginning, and it never changed. They only met twice, both by coincidence. Yet she still remembers it, as a reason for why kittypet's shouldn't be allowed into the clan.
Darkstar- Being the leader before her, she respected him greatly. She grew rather found of him as his deputy, and mourned him once he died.
Otterpaw/heart- Apprentice. A tan tom, who was very hyper. She got him when she was a warrior for three moons. She trained him traditionally, and then he soon became a warrior. They have a pretty close bond.
Echoingwinds: A tom. They grew up together, and seemed to have a thing for each other back as apprentices. They have become more distant now, but there is still the possibility that they will become mates. He is one of her clanmates which she isn't always harsh with.

HISTORY:

The night was dark, and the moon was obscured halfway by clouds. The stars were hidden: maybe an omen, and maybe a blessing. They didn't shed light upon the queen, laying on her side, stomach heaving in pain, eyes clenched tight as her teeth gritted. Her mate stood by her side, worried eyes focused on her as he stood, pity overflowing, pain showing in his own eyes. The medicine cat also stood by, her eyes watching helplessly also: there was nothing that could be done now. It was all up to the queen now. The den around them was made of brambles, the entrance covered by them, the floor covered in moss, nests, and tiny kits, huddling off to the sides as they watched the queens pain with wide eyes.

The calico she-cat took a deep breath, and finally felt something let go. And as father, healer, and observers all watched, the first of the tiny kits were born: a tom, by no means small. Of large build already, he lay on the ground, dark brown pelt plastered to his body, tiny eyes closed. His tail was already in movement, moving from side to side, brushing against his fathers face as the tom licked the kit dry.

The second was soon born, not too long after. This one was marginally smaller, almost half the size of her brother. She lay still, tail still, eyes closed, chest still, much to the worry of her parents. Frantically licking her, Frostblossom, the medicine cat at the birth, started to pray to Starclan. This kit wouldn't make it without there help. Maybe it was a chance of fate. Maybe it was pure luck. Or maybe Starclan had a hand in it- for the kit twitched its front leg, and soon squirmed, letting out a squeal as she did. The calico she-cats chest started to rise and fall steadily, much to the happiness of her parents.

And the third soon came, probably the least eventful of the three. The smallest, she slipped out with ease, landing with a small plop. As her white body sunk into the soft moss under her, she twitched her front right paw, entangling it in the moss. With no worries, her mother turned around, and started to lick her dry, untangling her stuck paw, as the kit once more twitched the front paw. She let out a high-pitched mew, and squirmed under her mothers warm tongue, ears pressed against her body, tail sticking straight out.

The kits were soon licked dry, and all nestled securely into the cradle of their mothers stomach. Suckling hungrily, they laid sightless, dry, and adorable, as they were being named. Their mother, Graytail, slowly surveyed the three. She made her choices quickly, looking up at their father, Sullenheart, after naming each one. Sullenheart nodded back each time, approving of his beloved mates wishes. The biggest tom was named Treekit, for his lovely bark-colored fur. The larger of the two females was named Brightkit, for the way her pelt seemed to shine, even in the dark containments of the nursery. And the smallest, named after her bright white fur, was named Snowkit, the lightest of them all.

Soon after their birth, the medicine cat left, feeling sure that the job was done. Returning with some borage leaves, she soon retired to her den for the night, leaving the happy new parents to their kits. The other queens soon resumed their respectable nests, and soon fell asleep, the sound of kit mewls sill resounding around. But the two happy parents lay there: the deep silver pelt of the mother, nestling the kits as close to her as possible, her deep blue eyes flicking from kit to kit at the slightest movement. The father, his dark brown and black speckled fur pressed close against his mates pelt, his darker black eyes also watching the kits, but occasionally flicking to the entrance. He'd soon be called back to his warrior duties, and have to leave his family.

The kits lay close to their mother, barely leaving her side, for the next couple weeks. Half-way through the first moon, they opened their eyes- blue eyed Snowkit, lighter blue Brightkit, and deep black for Treekit. To Sullenheart's sadness, he was off on a border patrol, and had to miss it. But when his mate ran from the nursery to tell him the news, he sprinted in faster than her, to share their kits aging together.

Their kit-hood was only starting. As they started to get older and older, growing even larger- Treekit now towering over his sisters, they soon started to move. At first it was a stumble after a couple steps,. Soon, they were managing jumps, and runs, and tackling. Snowkit had been the first to master it, parading around her siblings like it had been no big deal. She had beat them. She was the nimblest, her brother had been the largest, and her other sister was the most hyper. The kits had soon excelled to play-tackling, spending all living moments attacking each other, training for their apprenticeship, and stalking each others tails, stalking their 'prey'.

Snowkit had started to expand from just her siblings, starting to talk to the other kits. The older kits, those closest to apprenticeship, didn't pay her much attention. The younger ones, younger than her, were too small to even look around. She soon made friends with another kit, with the name of Silentkit. Despite the name, Silentkit never made a moment of silence. The two soon became as inseparable as Snowkit and Brightkit, going everywhere with each other. Whenever Snowkit wasn't with one, she was with the other. But blood beat friendship, and Brightkit still remained her best friend. But Silentkit was always there, to cheer her up when she was done, to help her to her feet when she fell, and to share prey when she wasn't that hungry.

And soon her day of glory had come. Waiting anxiously, she groomed her fur,m over and over again, licking over the stubborn tufts repeatedly, to make sure she looked her best. Her mother helped, and her father wanted to, but she mostly did it herself. She had to be independent: she was going to be an apprentice. Her sister bounced around her the whole day, even more excited than her- if that was possible. Treekit was playing it cool, sitting by the entrance to the nursery, talking to the kits about how he was 'moving on the bigger things'. She missed the comfort of Silentkit by her side at big events, but the older kit had grown up earlier, and was already in the apprentice den. She'd join her today.

At her apprenticeship, Darkstar had looked upon them fondly. Who wouldn't, making another litter of kits into apprentices? Her brother had gotten anxious, twitching and squirming the whole time. Brightkit had sat, tail hopping from side to side the only indication of her nervousness. And Snowkit had twicthed that front right paw, as she always did, now more instinctive than by choice.

Treekit had gotten his mentor first- he was after all the oldest, if only by a few seconds- and was excited to find out his mentor was their fathers best mate: Firepelt. Her sister was second- guess Darkstar was going by age- and was soon apprenticed to a harsh tom by the name of Stonewind. And she was last, quickly hobbling up, paw twitching excitedly as she stood, waiting for her assignment.

“Snowkit, your mentor is Fallennight. You are officially Snowpaw.” Her held back her purrs as she touched her nose to the black she-cats pelt, staring into he amber eyes, before quickly padding off. After the ceremony, she approached her mentor. They were to train tomorrow. She was to get some rest today: in the apprentice den. She had an interesting day before her tomorrow.

–

She woke up bright and early, not having to go through the first groggy seconds of confusion: she opened her eyes, and ran straight out of the den, pausing to shake the moss off her. Maybe Fallennight had expected it, because she soon approached her apprentice, and they set off. It was a custom to travel the first time around the territory with family: but her siblings and their mentors had decided to sleep in. their loss. She kept her tail high as she was shown the borders. The one to the left she had paused and glanced out. The one to the right of the camp, she had paused, and crouched, thinking she smelt a mouse. But her mentor bopped her about the head with her tail, explained that it was coming from the other side of the border, and they continued.

She liked Fallennight- like a second mother. Maybe she took over the fatherly role, since Sullenheart hardly had anytime to spend watching his kits. He was too busy working to be deputy, and he was pretty close. She ventured into the territory, hunting with her mentor, training with her mentor, patrolling with her mentor. As her brother built on muscle, training endlessly upon hours, spending all days memorizing techniques and strategies, working with sheathed claws. Brightpaw worked on her hunting, chasing mouse after mouse across the territory, climbing trees to catch squirrels, and even daring to place her paws into the water to catch fish. Snowpaw had decided to master everything: she worked her mentor overtime. From dusk to dawn, she trained everything. Anything she needed to know about, she asked about. Anything she had problems on, she trained until she mastered it. She didn't take breaks, and tried to do her work in the elders den and nursery as quick as possible: she needed to go hunt, or to go and train.

In a tiny hole, stuck in a cave of snow. She was padding around the territory, sent off on a solo hunting trip. She could barely hold her excitement, as she crouched, thinking she heard a bird. But once she scented the air, she noticed that the scent was unfamiliar. Wrinkling her nose, she slowly crept forward, before peeking through the bush. At the sight of the enemy cat, she hissed, before emerging from the bushes. “What are you doing here?” He growled, fur bristling. The cat soon turned, and she noticed the collar. A kitty-pet. Lovely. The house-cat soon spoke. “Just looking around.” Fur bristling,s eh unsheathed her claws. “Leave.” Snowpaw hissed, ready to fight her. The she-cat shook her head. “Hmm.... nah.” She said, and then turned, and darted away from her, farther into the territory. Snowpaw ran after, eyes narrowed. Stupid kitty-et. Defying an apprentice.

They soon neared the Thunderpath, and she started to slow down. But the kitty-pet didn't, so she soon sped up. Before she stepped onto the Thunderpath, she heard a yell. Turning her head, she just saw a familiar figure. But it was soon covered by the bright yellow light that was flashing in her eyes. Her deep blue eyes widened, as she stood, frozen. The ground was shaking as the monster came even and even closer. She couldn't move. The kitty-pet had made it to the other side before the shaking of the ground, and was just watching, not caring to help her.

She was bowled out of the way by a dark blur, and seconds after she landed on the other side, did she heard a loud thud. A screech came from the monster, as she saw her fathers body bounce off it. He landed in a ditch by the road, and she ran over to him. Our of the corner of her eye, she saw the kitty-pet disappear. She stood by him, feeling helpless, as he fluttered his eyes open. But they soon shut once more, and she shut her own, biting her tongue in a pathetic attempt to not break down. Her father was dead. The stupid kitty-pet had killed him. She would kill her. That's what she would do. Picking her fathers scruff, she dragged the tom who was twice her size back to camp. Refusing help, she laid him carefully in the middle of camp, and waited her vigil for him.

What are you doing, laying around? Go attack. Kill them for what they did. If it had been a warrior, would you be laying around in camp? Wouldn't you go and get them? Go. Get your fathers revenge... you'll never be able to hunt with him. Never to nuzzle his fur. Never to feel his lick on your cheek. Never hear him comment on your fighting. Never bring him a piece of prey in the elders den. Never be able to help him. Not anymore, at least.
The thoughts made her want to tear at the ground, to scream at everyone... to end everything. Right now.
Yes, but if she did, then wouldn't she just be harming herself? Take for example, if this kitty-pet's Two-legs left the house at the moment she was attacking. Then she would get hurt, and possibly end up with her father. It isn't worth it. Also, how would she know where the kitty-pet lived?
Not anymore helpful. Maybe even more upsetting: reminding her of how useless she was.
Well, look at those clouds. Aren't they just gorgeous?
Her father would never look at clouds anymore. Upsetting,
Shut up, you guys! You're not helping her. Can't you see the pain you're causing her? It's going to be okay, sweetie. At least he's not in pain anymore. He's all well, and won't have to worry about getting hurt, or going hungry anymore. It's going to be okay.
A soothing voice. One that made her feel better. That made her see some hope.

And so she met the voices. Maybe they were part of her mind. Or, as she liked to think of them, Starclan cats, sent down to her, to help her cope and become better. Sometimes they helped, and sometimes they didn't. At least she was never lonely. Padding through the territory, she always had someone to talk to. They weren't always there: while trying to fall asleep, they were kind enough to be quiet. During battles, they instructed her, helping her survive. Ever since the accident, she wouldn't go near roads... not even fox-tails by them. At the sight or noise of one, she froze up, unable to move, replaying the scene of her father being hit by the monster.

She had vowed revenge against the kitty-pet. So she padded towards where she had first seen her. Maybe it was luck, or maybe fate, that made the kitty-pet be there again. Snowpaw didn't even give a warning. She just crept up behind her, and attacked. Her claws were unsheathed, and her teeth ready for use. The kitty-pet screeched at the feel of claws, and rolled over, squishing her. And so they fought. Little did Snowpaw know that the kitty-pet had skills. She didn't sit around by a fire like most. She went out and traveled the woods. It had been a simple impression that had caused her the problem. The kitty-pet had turned around, and slashed a claw down the side of the apprentices face. Snowpaw let out a whimper, as blood poured down the side of her face, cut from forehead to a close by the chin. She returned the favor though, by taking a bite at the kitty-pet's neck. She lunged backwards, but the apprentices claws still left a pretty deep mark. Blood started pouring, but Snowpaw didn't look at it: she was already gone, back towards camp, staggering half-blind. She would blame it on tripping and hitting herself against a sharp rock once she returned to camp.

Silentpaw had been suspicious, but she hadn't told her. Instead, she poured her heart out to Brightpaw- didn't she deserve to know how her father's killer had been attacked? But she slightly pulled away from both at this time. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea. She'd never know that she was slowly losing someone. And as her mentor announced that she was going to have kits, Snowpaw was even more exasperated. She was losing everyone in her life. Her father, her mentor... who next? Her brother? Or maybe her sister?

She was given a new mentor: Stolenlight, a tall and burly tom. They agreed to train the next day, since she seemed decent enough in hunting and patrolling. She sadly retired to the den, wishing she could still have her old mentor. The morning came quickly, and she padded out of her den, yawning as she did. She was quickly hurried out to the territory, where her mentor instructed her for a bit. They soon started battle training, and she lunged at her mentor, powerful leg muscles propelling her over. But he drew a claw, and dragged it across her side as he dodged. She gasped in pain. Claws had dug into her side, and when she turned, she saw blood. She turned her shocked eyes back to her mentor.

“You must learn to withstand pain. If you can't hold pain, then you won't be able to hold your place in a battle.” He drew another claw, this time across her face, and she yelped. It had scratched over her scar. He smirked. “Don't be weak.” And she went back to focusing on training.
That's inhumane! You should tell the leader!
What's that pretty red stuff on the ground?
Attack back. Rip at his throat. Learn how to fight!
I think you should stop, and return to camp. Let someone else deal with your mentor.
They spoke up, but she ignored it. She'd battle, and learn how to fight the pain. She'd be the best. That's what her mentor wanted for her.

She continued to train, working harder and harder every day, to become the best. She took care of her own wounds, and if someone asked she'd tell them that she cut herself on a rock, or on a tree branch. They believed her, but became a bit suspicious. She grew bigger, and stronger. She soon came to her warrior assessment. Using all she had learned, she passed. Her warrior ceremony was grand, as she sat, smiling from her achievements. She was going to be a warrior. Her brother was made a warrior first: Treefall. Then Brighttalon, and then her: Snowfeather. Such a sweet and innocent sounding name. Smiling, she accepted, and soon waited at her vigil, sitting silently next to her siblings. She had made it: her mother, siblings, clan, best friend, and mentors had all seen. She had made it. She was officially a warrior. Officially able to choose for herself.

She had finished her vigil, and returned to camp. Silentflight padded out of the warriors den, a warrior for three or so moons now. They started talking, and Snowfeather soon lay down, revealing a patch of skin that her fur hadn't covered. Her scars caused the female to gasp, and Snowfeather soon covered them, using the excuse of rocks and branches again. No one would know. She would keep her and her mentors secret to herself.

The moons passed, and she continued on her duties. The clans waged battles, over territory, and useless things. Prey was scarce, and then plentiful. Warriors died, and kits were born, and apprenticed. She had spent her moons training and hunting, gaining muscle and agility. Three moons into her warrior days, she was given an apprentice. Otterpaw. A feisty tom, and one she could definitely handle. Patrols, hunting... training. She didn't put him through what she was put through. He couldn't handle it: he wasn't as determined as she was. She might have given him a good swat upside the head once or twice, but never with claws unsheathed.


During a particular battle, between Thunderclan and her clan, she and Silentflight were taking on the deputy. Valiantly fighting against the large tom, she swept a claw forward, hooking him across the face. But he had swung out his claws at the same time. Not at her, but at her childhood friend. It clawed her ears, and Silentflight let out a loud yelp. She turned tail, and left the battle. Snowfeather turned back to the tom, gave him some claw marks he'd soon remember, and then ran after her friend. Sadly, Silentflight couldn't be saved. Her hearing had been broken. Few things went through her ears now. Snowfeather had to watch her closest childhood friend- next to her sister- retire to the elders den, at such a young age.

At this time, she was also connecting with all old kit-hood friend. Echoingwinds had started to ask her to go on patrols with him, and her being the devoted clan cat, agreed. She had first focused on hunting, but it started to become more talking than actual hunting. She couldn't explain the feelings inside her stomach and her head. She didn't want to become a queen, not being able to help. But at the same time, she liked him. Maybe it was more than like. She didn't want to admit it, but her hardworking self was slowly pushing Otterpaw aside.

But Otterpaw was a quick learner, and became a warrior at his twelfth moon. Just like she had. She was nearing twenty-five moons at this time, and still healthy. As the deputy died in a border skirmish, Darkstar was searching for a new deputy. Strong, concentrated, willed, caring, she was the obvious choice. Was it a shock that she had become deputy? She had always thought Treefall would be the one to become leader, but she was chosen. All the hard work had paid off.

At this point, she knew what had to be done. Kindly and quickly telling Echoingwinds it wouldn't work, she then ran off to return to her duties. She had just barely seen the look of hurt on his face. It had to be done. If she wanted to be great she couldn't have distractions. And a mate and kits were a huge distraction. She had to become a leader to lead the clan to greatness. She couldn't become a queen and be leader.

Being a deputy drained her energy partly, but was worth it. She commanded patrols, and hunting trips for a bit under eight moons. In this time, Darkstar continued to be leader, valiantly leading his clan. But he was getting older, and weaker, and it didn't take much to finish him. He simply died of old age, calmly and peacefully. And so she was thrown into leadership, at the tender age of thirty moons.

“Take care of my clan.” She stood over the leader, and nodded, trying to hold back her anger. Why did old age have to put this pressure on her? Why was she forced to go through this so soon?
It will be fine. Don't worry. The clan will support you, and you always have us for help.
You aren't that young. Just stay calm, and think it over. You'll do fine.
It partially helped her calm down, as she licked her leader between the ears, as he faded away. Sitting a vigil for him, head bowed, eyes shut, she was preparing herself.

She soon stood, in the morning, and padded into the middle of the camp. Hopping up onto the rock, she glanced around. “Shadowclan! All old enough to catch their own prey gather!” The call went something like that. Speaking to the clan, for the first time, she broke the news to them, which most already knew. On a happier note, she appointed Chaosfrost her deputy. And since then, she has led the clan, with the valiant deputy at her side.

The voices continued to help her lead the clan, giving her strategical information, and advice on how to fight. She has been very strict on the clan, earning her the title of 'that insane leader'. She doesn't approve of it, but knows that the clan calls her that. Fine. Let them think she was some insane and crazy leader. Names didn't matter. Snowstar knew, that she would bring Shadowclan to great places. All it took was some time...

EXTRA:

It isn't known what the voices are. They may be cats sent from Starclan, their voices residing in her head, to help her survive and make Shadowclan the best. Or they may be a mental disorder, caused by watching and causing her fathers death. They aren't always there, usually sitting in silence, unless if needed, or wanting to say something. They act like people, and just because they're not talking, doesn't mean they're not there.

Leaf- the sweetheart. She is caring, compassionate, and very sympathetic out of them, she is the one who usually cheers Snowstar up, and shows her the bright things in life. She stays rather quiet and calm at times, but she will voice her opinion if it is needed to cheer the leader up.

Cotton- the oddball. He is very random, and points out useless things which don't matter. He tends to never stay on topic, and instead zones out and focuses on something else, which causes him to miss things. He can be very talkative and annoying if he gets excited, which is over small things.

Seven- the analyzer. He has to analyze every situation, and think of its outcomes and what course of action to take. He is very smart, and usually the voice of reason. He goes by what should happen, not by what she wants to happen. He will not be swayed in his opinion, but isn't too picky if his opinion isn't taken as correct.

Cutter- the fighter. He is aggressive, loud, and blood-thirsty. He focuses on how to defeat the enemy, and how to cause them to most pain. He is very territorial, especially to other clan cats and non-clan cats. He isn't tolerant, and always pushes her to be stronger- whether it's a good thing or not. He also is easily angered.

(I can cut this out. It's not very important, it's just one of those quirks to the character.)

ATTRIBUTES:

One of the things that makes Snowstar best fitted to become leader is her quick wit. When other leaders may think things over, she is one to jump in, and quickly throw a complicated plan together. Occasionally failing, most of the time it causes her to attack quicker than the other clans, and to therefore give her the element of surprise. She can shock them, and her clan can quickly cut down any threat.
She also isn't scared in battle. She will do what she has to do in battle to make her clan the best. She will lose lives to save her clan, and to help them win. If it means she has to lose half her lives, fine, if they win. She is set on making Shadowclan the best, and she will accomplish that in her reign of rule.

IMPLICATIONS:

She wants to become leader so that she can lead the clan to greatness. She has been working hard her whole life, trying to become great. She wants to make them the best clan of all, so that no one will dare threaten her and her clan. She is set on making sure that all apprentices are well trained, so that the future warriors will be strong. Her warriors need to keep up on patrols, and make sure that no border crossing or prey stealing occurs. She also wants to make sure that everybody in the clan is well fit, and happy with how they are. But, more important than happiness, is that they all work hard. Without that, how will the clan become the best?

[>> H a z e l]

Accepted!

Whitestar is now leader of ShadowClan!