From under the tall birch, her eyes could not help but follow the foolish tom around on his antics. As he got closer, she recognized him as Dangercloud. She smiled, watching him pounce and tumble around like an apprentice. She had never seen him so carefree and jovial. She continued to sit motionless, allowing the wonderful sun rays to warm her, idly wondering when he would see her. It was not often she could go unnoticed for long, her long, gleaming white pelt did not exactly blend in with new leaf world.

He abruptly looked towards Fallenstar, and she smiled and waved her tail in greeting. She had never really talked to Dangercloud before, besides the obvious camp hellos and giving out patrols and such. Looking at him now, she realized this tinted gray tom was rather handsome… in a kit-like way.

“Greetings Dangercloud.”

She calmly resisted a good-natured giggle as the tom introduced himself. Perhaps he was just remembering mannerly etiquette? She studied him as he ducked his stormy colored head. Fallenstar smiled reassuringly, assuming him to be a tad shy. When he began to speak again, she gazed at him patiently, accepting the pause until he decided upon some words. A small stutter at the mention of her name, told her perhaps she could skip her own introduction. Her gaze traveled slowly around the lightly forested area, creating a short pause before she answered.

“Just getting away from the bustling chores of the camp for a bit. A privet patrol I suppose some might call it.”

Fallenstar grinned warmly at him, ignoring his shuffling of paws. Idly she wondered if it was a habit, or if he was uncomfortable with her. Many cats found her title dividing, and Fallenstar often felt isolated. She couldn’t help but wonder if Dangercloud had reached the barrier, where Leader and Warrior cannot truly mingle. Where she could never really be of the same rank and status as other cats. She looked thoughtfully away, and pushed the vile thoughts to a dark corner of her mind. He was probably just on edge when socializing… yes, he was just a little startled when he found her out here… She just startled him was all.

She continued telling herself that, until she almost had herself believing it. Being sulky was dishonorable to her title, her clan. She scolded herself roughly, and turned back to Dangercloud, vowing to rid herself of those terrible thoughts.

“So what brings you out here off the beautiful moors?”

Fallenstar had been staring off into the forest, simply listening and enjoying the sound of his voice. Her sky blue pools had been idly roaming the tree’s, easily understanding Thunderclan’s love of the forest. It was easy for her to notice he talked of things deeper then just the love of moors. As he spoke, her delicate ears caught each word to analyze. Was she being compared to the moors, was she the incredible presence? No, she was only being vain. Fallenstar could only see herself as the protector and leader, she could not truly be seen as anything but a motherly figure. Could she?

“Dangercloud…”

She trailed off and thought for a moment. Taking this the wrong way would be extremely embarrassing, for what if he truly was only speaking of the moors. His next verse however, erased all of her doubts. Has she really been seeing through him all this time? No, Fallenstar sees all that happens in Windclan, never overlooking anyone. She has seen the flirtatious Windy, melting even the fiercest she-cat warrior heart to honey. She has seen the young and troublesome Reedkit and his siblings, grow into eager Apprentices. She has even watched helplessly as elders have left to hunt with Starclan. Dangercloud has been no exception, she even saw his creamy colored pelt back in her warrior days.

A smile crept upon her lips, “You can step out of the shadows dear Dangercloud, you have nothing you must live up too.” I flicked my tail affectionately over his ear.

Fallenstar stood and stretched leisurely, following suit to glance at the sky. Indeed it was later then she expected, evening patrol would be a little late she suppose. A surprise night patrol might be good for the lands though, break out of the schedule a bit. Who would be good to head out at night? Rainmask would camouflage nicely, Weaselfoot would also go nicely in the dark. Though they were both quite young, no, they would be safe together. Who else could she send out? Hollowpaw was the oldest apprentice, a little nighttime adventure would be good for him… Squallfoot as well. There.

“Oh! Yes, I lost track of time out here in the shade.”

She was slightly embarrassed after sitting there lost with her thoughts. Fallenstar shook her head, and set off walking slowly towards camp. Now that her attention was turned back to it, she really did need to get back. Glancing over her shoulder, she yelled back to Dangercloud good naturedly.

“Race you back!” then her snow white pelt took off, booking it to camp.