The return of the clans: Prologue

The forest scents were all around. It was the middle of Greenleaf and prey was plentiful, but the two cats who traveled side by side didn't stop to enjoy it. They were in a hurry, on a mission. The one on the left, a beautiful dark tabby she-cat, turned to the other and sighed. She looked anxious about something.1

"Featherstream, I don't know about this," she began and when the other, a gorgeous silver spotted she-cat, looked up, the tabby continued. "I know we had dreams and Breezeberry, Riverwalker, and Silverclaw agreed, but how do you know the dreams weren't just dreams. I haven't spoken to Starclan in ages. I don't think they would contact me again after I became a kittypet." The silver she-cat called Featherstream stopped and looked slightly annoyed.2

"I don't think that is a problem, Wildfire. Starclan knows you became a kittypet for a good reason," she replied. "The clans were destroyed. You had nowhere to go. If Hollywing hadn't been with me, I probably would have done the same."3

"But I don't even go by that name anymore! My twolegs' called me Noel," said Wildfire.4

"So what," Growled Featherstream, "I don't care what they called you! You are a clan cat for life! You were deputy! You had a responsibility!"5

Featherstream was angry now, and Wildfire knew it. Her old friend didn't get angry easily, but it had been seven and a half moons since the clans were destroyed. Secretly, and against her will, she was worried she wouldn't be able to cope with clan life again. 6

Wildfire didn't reply and they began to walk again. They were headed into what used to be Shadowclan territory. They didn't know if they would find what they were looking for, but it was worth a try.7

As they went further and further, they began to scent two cats. They knew these cats, but they had no clue what sort of welcome they would get. 8

Suddenly, a battle cry sounded from above and a huge white she-cat jumped from the trees and onto Featherstream, while a slim dark black she-cat flew into Wildfire. The wind was knocked out of them as they were pushed to the hard ground.9

The she-cats suddenly stopped as they noticed who they were attacking. A gasp emerged from the black cat and she backed off from Wildfire10

"Wildfire of Riverclan and Featherstream of Thunderclan?"11

"Yes its us Fearstar. We have come to ask you and Moonfeather something," Featherstream's soft mew came from where Moonfeather, who had been the toughest fighter in Shadow, still had her pinned down.12

"Let her go, Moonfeather," ordered Fearstar, who had once been the Shadowclan leader. The white cat obeyed without question, letting Featherstream get up.13

"What do you want Wildfire," asked Fearstar, as she sat down and curled her tail around herself. The question was directed at Wildfire and Featherstream looked pointedly at the ground.14

"We want to start back the clans. We wish you to lead the new Shadowclan. Moonfeather can be your deputy," Wildstar replied. She expected Fearstar to completely deny their request, but surprisingly the she-cat stood up and nodded.15

"I have been waiting moons for this day to come. Absolutely," said Fearstar. Moonfeather came to stand next to her, also nodding her huge white head.16

"Then its settled. Breezeberry and Silverclaw of Windclan have agreed to lead the new Windclan and Riverwalker of Riverclan will be my deputy. The last thing is that we must find cats to join our separate clans. We will use the old territories and the clans will begin again."17

"Starclan walks with us."18