Rushing Rivers

It had been moons since Vixenstar had taken the time to simply sit by the water, and watch as starry fish swam about in a hurried frenzy. It was something she'd spent countless hours doing, both during her living days and in her time among the stars. She'd always been able to find time to do so- up until recently, when she felt the Clans needed her own watchful eye to keep them in line. For now, Lavenderbreeze stalked the borders, ensuring that no cat crossed the border unless they were meant to do so. Tonight, Vixenstar had a different job to do. Her amber eyes occasionally drifted over to the chosen she-cat, who was slumbering gently in the land of her own dreams. She was, of course, bundled up in her own nest back at RiverClan camp, but it seemed her dreams had taken her to the sandy shore of the River.

After what seemed like moons to the star-pelted leader, the young cat began to stir. "Rise, young and faithful warrior of RiverClan. It is time for your dedication and loyalty to be recognized." The tabby leader was now standing, amber eyes locked on the familiar pelt of the warrior before her.

Poppybloom's sleep had often been troubled lately, by dreams that she could never quite remember upon waking. She was worried, which she felt like she had every right to be. After all, the Clans were in pretty deep. She hadn't been at the last gathering, but hearing about it was bad enough. It was enough that she was honestly afraid to take her new apprentice too far from camp, although she knew she needed to. She was frustrated at how much of a hold her nerves had over her, and also by how she had no idea what the next step needed to be.

She blinked her eyes open, a groan escaping from her throat. She was failing at this whole restful night's sleep thing again. As her eyes adjusted and her ears pricked to hear a voice speaking to her, Poppybloom realized she was definitely no longer in the RiverClan camp. Getting to her paws, she realized she was dreaming, but she hadn't traveled to the moonstone...

"Wh-who are you?" She stammered out. Although the other she-cat's pelt glimmered with starlight that did little to relax the warrior. After all, the stars were unpredictable lately.

Vixenstar grinned as Poppybloom rose to her paws, meeting her worried amber eyes with a comforting smile. "There is no need to worry, my dear. I am not here to harm you, and peace is all that I desire." Her voice was gentle, but strong in the same way as the river. It flowed nicely, but if you didn't flow along with it, it could be deadly. "I have come to you with a request... A task, if you will, from those who reside in the stars above you. You see, those chosen by the stars have failed at tasks of their own... The medicine cats were given an opportunity to bring peace to the Clans, and all we asked of them was to deliver a simple message to your leadership. They practically spat in our faces, and it is because of this disrespect and lack of regard for their responsibilities that you Clan, and the forest, found itself in the predicament that it is in now. That is why, young Poppybloom, I have come to you for help.

"You see, you come from a line of honorable warriors, as I'm sure you are well aware. Addershade and Lightsong are two of RiverClan's finest warriors, and have produced a wonderful bunch of offspring for the Clan. You and your brothers are RiverClan's strongest, bravest, and most valiant warriors. That is why you are the perfect warrior for the task I will present to you, so long as you think you are up for the challenge...?" Her questioning tone matched her gaze as she stared at the she-cat, her starry eyes unmoving. Poppybloom was strong, and she had chosen well- Vixenstar was sure of it.

Poppybloom wasn't sure she believed that there was no need to worry, but she did try to relax. It was pretty hard when she was fairly sure this figure was responsible for the death of Torrentstar, but she wanted to hear every word she had to say. Information was strength, or so she hoped.

While she appreciated the ego boost that the starry she-cat provided with her words, she couldn't help but feel that the praise was a little empty. After all, it seemed like most of those attributes were solely because she'd had the good fortune to be born to the parents she had been born to. She hardly thought that she was the strongest, bravest, or most valiant, but she wasn't about to disagree. She wondered if Spiderquill had been the one to receive whatever message she was speaking of, and what had happened. She wondered why, if they were all so great, it hadn't been one of her more daring brothers that had been chosen.

"What do you want me to do?" She questioned, unwilling to agree to anything before she had heard what it was.