Rushing through the Stars. [open]

[Elmo]

The aging tom cat stalked through the reeds alongside the river, green eyes glaring at the sunbathed rocks on the other side. His rocks, Riverclans rocks. The brown tabby felt that familiar wave of anger tingle his coat, threaten to overwhelm him.

It wouldn't be long now, of that he was sure. He couldn't stand for Thunderclan to own what obviously should be Riverclans. Rushstar would have to send another patrol to mark the borders over there, despite the promise he'd made to the other leaders at the last gathering. He wasn't about to keep it. He couldn't.

[•• hawky]

^{Brushing through the reeds, Saltkit followed in suit of his leader. As the tuxedo tom finally caught up with Rushstar, he began to trot alongside him, blinking up at the old tom. "Are you going to take back Sunningrocks?" the kit asked quietly, gazing at the towering boulders.}

[Elmo]

For a moment the leader went still with shock, and then he spun about to confront the kit. Yellow eyes narrowing, "what are you doing out of camp?" His voice a perfect mix of gentleness and stern order. Shaking his broad head he bent down in an attempt to gentle push the kit toward camp.

"Lets get back before your mother has my hide," he meowed with a chuckle. The kits question unanswered for a long moment, Rushstar sinking back into his thoughts. "Yes," he meowed. "Sunningrocks will be ours again. Soon."

[•• hawky]

Eyes showing no fear in being confronted by the leader, Saltkit allowed himself to be herded back toward the camp. "I saw you leave, and I was curious to see why you left," he answered softly. At Rushstar's statement, he shook his head. "My mother was sleeping when I left," he replied. "When you do, I hope Lilypads will let me help her heal the injured warriors and apprentices,"

[Elmo]

He smiled at the kits lack of fear. Good, fear was a horrible thing. Only caused hesitation. He needed fearless cats, cats ready to defend what was theirs. Which only lead his thoughts back to Sunningrocks and the anger that came with it. It would be his, theirs!

"I'm certain if you ask her nicely she is likely to let you help her," he meowed absentmindedly.

[•• hawky]

"That would be cool," Saltkit mewed, tail tip twitching. Slowing down, he fell in beside Rushstar and stared up at the large, aging tomcat with awe. "Do you like being a leader? Is it hard? Is it fun? Do you ever wish you were a normal warrior?" The kit pelted his leader with questions.

[Elmo]

He grumbled silently at the kits barrage of questions, remaining silent for a long time before he opened his mouth to answer. "It is never easy to lead an entire clan.... but it can be fun." He'd never thought about that last question before, ever since becoming deputy he'd been prepared to take his place as leader someday. Hell he'd always wanted to be leader, ever since being a kit, so no.

"No, I've always wanted to be leader, and I wouldn't have it any other way."

[•• hawky]

"It must be scary, getting up in front of the other clans at Gatherings. And calling clan meetings. Everyone's staring at you," He shivered.

[Elmo]

The aging leader shrugged, thinking back on his first days up on that rock at the gathering and at camp. Yes, he had been nervous about all the attention. Afraid he wouldn't be as great as the previous leader but, those fears had long since left him.

"I suppose I was nervous those first few days but it's something you get used to." Deciding to turn the conversation about he asked, "and what are your ambitions young kit?"

[•• hawky]

Saltkit thought for a moment. "I like the idea of being a medicine cat apprentice. Lilypads is really nice, and herbs are very interesting," the tom decided. "I want to be wise and helpful, just like her."