As Dusk fades to Night [Nightstar]

Duskflight

The moon was bright that night. Duskflight peered up to see a brightly-lit night sky, faint layers of clouds occasionally covering some light from the moon. Crickets chirped to their melodies, the grass rustling beneath their paws as the two felines walked through the marshland. He breathed in the scent of pine and marsh, intertwined together to create the perfect balance of ShadowClan's essence.

The moon reminded him of both darker and brighter times. He'd seen so much live, grow, and fade in his life, it felt strange to see such new kits following the new generation of ShadowClan. Back from Murkystar, Froststar, and now, Nightstar. Following would be Leopardsun to take the place as leader after Nightstar... Though he still remembered the tom more fondly by his warrior name. He had a grand responsibility now as the clan's leader.

They weren't as close as how he was with Ratrunner or Loudnose throughout his apprenticeship, still, they talked. He'd invited Nightstar out for a peaceful walk tonight. "I hope leader duties hadn't been treating you too harshly?" Duskflight began, his voice comforting and warm. "I'm glad I got to see the day you become leader, Nightstar. Froststar would be so proud of you."

Duskflight

"It truly is a shame. He was a great deputy and leader, despite the little moments he had with the more major role." However, their new leader now brushed it off as if he didn't deserve to be honored — it made the tom's brows lower with guilt. Had he truly felt that way?

"I understand that his passing was shocking news to everyone, especially you. But you should know you're worthy of the role, Nightstar. Froststar had trusted you enough to make you his deputy. And, I believe he made the right choice." He paused, hoping the tom would give in. "I trust you."

Turning the topic away, Duskflight didn't want to sadden the mood. It was meant to be calming, after all. "Anyhow, I'm just glad we're back to ShadowClan. I've missed everyone, really."

Duskflight

Nightstar's comforting words made him give a warm, thankful purr in response. "I'm glad you're able to trust in me, Nightstar." Duskflight nodded with the following sentences of the tom. Truthfully, they all worked hard for their camp to be rebuilt and protected as before. Without ShadowClan's influence, even for just a temporary amount of time, predators lurked to claim the territory as theirs. They were back now, and that was solved, of course.

He enjoyed the silence of the night, the occasional chirp of crickets and glimmer of fireflies from a distance sparkled in the serene darkness. Though, with that came the crisp air that any cat would be able to realize — Leaf-fall was here. If anything, he was glad for his thick coat of fur. It had saved him numerous occasions in Leaf-bare, the season soon after that. "After Leaf-fall would soon arrive Leaf-bare. I hope the best for our clan, all things considered," He offered a small smile.