Dream Aria[C]

Sootstorm yawned, tail flicking as he waited by the camp entrance. The sun had rose, shedding its golden light on the moor while pale pink covered the dark sky in a gentle flush. It was time for the Dawn Patrol, and he would be patrolling with Shrikestar this time. It was so peaceful this time of the morning, it was almost as if none of the horrors that had happened in the past moon had ever occured. The dappled brown-and-white tom watched the sun rise slowly, unaware of the Windclan leader padding up to him from behind.

Shrikestar padded out of his den, stretching his legs and flicking his tail. It was time for the dawn patrol, and he of course would be leading it. He could see Sootstorm waiting at the edge of camp, so he padded up behind the warrior before suddenly appearing at his side. "Sootstorm, are you ready to go?" he asked kindly before looking out towards the territory. He let out a soft sigh: it was as if nothing had happened, but he couldn't forget what had happened, and what he had to witness. This was explicitly why they were patrolling, though. Maybe, on the off-chance they found Owlshade... He shook his head before, after Sootstorm's response, he led them out of the camp and onto the territory proper.

"Wha-" Sootstorm jumped back when Shrikestar's voice suddenly sounded from behind him. His pelt burned with embarrasment as the dappled tom stammered out his reply. Thankfully, the Windclan leader wasn't focusing on him, instead already heading out to. Sootstorm followed after him, ears pricked for any signs of Owlshade or predators.

The two cats went along the territory, making sure the scent markers were clear and that there was no one milling about the territory. Unfortunately, as they kept going, there was no sight of Owlshade, which made Shrikestar fear the worst. The patrol he had sent out had come back with news that Owlshade's scent did indeed reach the borders, so there was no doubt now. The relationship between the two clans was, of course, deteriorated beyond repair. If they wanted to get Owlshade back, they were going to have to fight for him. And fight for him they would.

The leader shook his head, having been lost in his thoughts for a moment. "Everything going alright, Sootstorm?" the leader asked, as if anything was going alright for anyone.

"Yeah, as well as anyone," Sootstorm replied. Nectarpaw was to be a warrior anytime now, though he could take the chance now to inform Shrikestar of her progress. "Nectarpaw has improved her skills very well since she was apprenticed. I think she should be ready to receive her warrior name soon," He mewed, watching his leader carefully. Some of his clanmates' disdain for the leader was obvious, but Shrikestar had done nothing wrong yet, at least in Sootstorm's oppinion.