the phrase that pays [Windclan meeting!]

[NightStar.]

Nightstar emerged from his warm, comfortable den, shaking his pelt and turning his head to observe the many cats that were bustling about, the hunters laying their fresh kill onto the fresh kill pile, and the queens nursing their kits. The onset of a harsh winter was well on its way, and Windclan had to soon be prepared for the cold winds that would endanger their clan. Kits needed to be promoted to their mentors and apprentices needed to be promoted to warriors. Their hunting strategies needed to be improved in order to keep the clan from starving during leafbare, and they all needed to get organized.

As Nightstar calmly overlooked his clan, his tail began to twitch behind him from his swarming thoughts. From a quiet kit to a rather misfitted warrior, he never wanted to become the leader of WindClan. Most kits dream of becoming leader when they are young, playing with their brothers and sisters as if they are elders fighting against rogues that have invaded their territory. They hold their own playful fake ceremonies and they boss one another around. But Nightstar had never done that. He'd always found himself to me rather mediocre, with nothing very special about him at all.

But Whitestar had obviously seen something in Nightstar (who was Nightgleam at the time) that no one had. Even Nightstar himself hadn’t seen it. Whitestar had told him that he was a brave warrior, and a strong leader when he was put on the spot. And boy, had he been put on the spot. When Whitestar passed on to Starclan, he appointed Nightstar as leader unexpectedly. Nightstar had expected it to be Anaxfly, for that cat had seemed much more useful than any other cat in the clan. But he was proven wrong. And here he was, overseeing the duties of every single cat in the clan of Windclan. And for some odd reason, if felt strangely fitting in his heart.

Nightstar came out of his daydream soon enough, only to notice some of the warriors and apprentices giving him odd stares from his frozen face. He shook his tail from side to side and adroitly advanced towards the Darkstone, where he bounded atop it and regained his composure. Nightstar lowered his head, said a quick prayer to Starclan to guide him through his first clan meeting, and parted his jowls for the first time for his whole clan to hear. ”May all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Darkstone for a clan meeting!”

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[Anaxfly]

Oh, sweet Jesus! its about time!

The sweet scent of barley never escaped the WindClan territory. It was always around, no matter what else might be around that may have a strong pungent smell. Barley was so imbedded into the earth and those that inhabited it, that nothing could escape its grasps. In its inescapable perfume, Anaxfly found comfort. Even though she had a fresh rabbit in her mouth, she could still smell the barley. It pleased her. It was in the moment that her happiness was threatening to force her to leap into the air as she was padding into camp, she heard Nightstar's call. Suddenly, everything came crashing down around her. It was as if she had fallen off the falls and been plunged into the ice-cold river. The rabbit thudded onto the sandy floor. Her mouth was agape.

Anaxfly knew this moment was coming, but she'd been avoiding thinking about it. The dream from Sunfur still lingered in her mind. What was she going to do? She couldn't run away. Yet, the thought of StarClan choosing her as deputy scared her more than a ShadowClan cat, or a monster on the way to Mother Mouth. Although, StarClan had appointed her, would Nightstar? She didn't know the cat as well as she knew some of the other cats in the clans. What was she going to do if Nightstar didn't choose her? What would happen then? Did she even want to be deputy? She had to admit to herself that she did help a lot and volunteered to do many things, but, did she officially want the position? Even if deputy was fine with her, after deputy, came leader. That would be something to swallow if, Nightstar died while she was deputy. She would be in no way suited for that position. But, if Sunfur found her fit for the job, she must be right for the job. At least if provided some kind of immunity when in battle with the other clans. Not that she planned on needing that immunity, whatever happened, her clanmates would always come first.

Anaxfly picked up the tawny rabbit and proceeded to take it to the freshkill pile. The soft sandy earth sunk as she heavily stepped towards the pile. It seemed to be getting further away with each step she took. She began to flick her tail in annoyance with herself and the mindtricks she was playing on herself. By the time she reached the pile, a very quiet and low growl and began to rasp out of her throat. This soft rabbit was becoming more trouble that it was worth. Instead of tiring herself on moving closer to the flatrock, she took a few steps away from the freshkill pile as to not seem to eager to eat, and plopped herself down. She was trying to act completely natural and clueless, but she knew what was coming. She wrapped her stripped tail around her white toes on her forepaws. She began to lick the inside of one of the forelegs, and pulling it over her face.

After a few licks to her face, Anaxfly looked up at Nightstar, still licking, remembering that this was his first time he had ever made an announcement. Maybe he was just as nervous as she was. She gave him a small look of sympathy before she returned to her own thoughts of fear and anxiousness. What would she do as deputy? How would she do it? She flicked the tip of her tail back and forth over her paw. What was she going to do?

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