Awaiting the Stars (Open)

[Eclipsefeather]

A female leopard lay at the top of the Glimmering Waterfall, enjoying the smell and sound of the rushing cascade as it fell to the pond below. The leopard was awaiting for the stars, though the sun still shone, and for their ancestors to choose the next leader and deputy. LeopardClan's had passed on so quickly in the last battle, killed by a pack of wolves. The Clan was unable to save them in time, leaving them devastated and in a state of slight panic.
The sun warmed the golden hue and black spots of the leopard's pelt, her gold eyes closed in relaxation. She was anxious to know of her new leader and deputy. Everyone did, but StarClan assured them they would have their answer by that night and that they would choose suitable warriors. This comforted the Clan, but the fact that there was no leader or deputy at the moment scared them. Eclipsefeather was one of few to remain calm in the situation.
She sighed, opening her eyes and looking to the sky. It was beginning to darken, and the Warrior was able to see a few stars dotting the sky. Silverpelt was starting to emerge, though there was not nearly enough stars nor was the moon high enough for the Clan to receive their answer.
A small murmur reached past her lips, "StarClan help us... We are desperate in these times." Eclipsefeather was ready to serve the new Leader and Deputy, protect them, for she (among others) failed to do so for the last two. She was aware that any Warrior was eligible to be picked for the two positions, but she didn't even bother fathoming the idea that she could be picked. StarClan would choose strong and worthy Warriors. There were many of them in this Clan, Nightcloud and Whisperclaw were some of them.

[Nightstar]

Nightcloud had been taking an evening swim and now she pulled herself out of the water shaking water from her black pelt. The evening sun turning her fur blue her gold eyes sparkling. She looked ahead and noticed a golden pelt in the green grass. She noticed it as Eclipsefeather and walked over to join her and dry to dry her wet fur. She went over and sat down beside her turning her golden eyes to hers. "Hello Eclipsefeather, how are you on this fine evening?" she asked. You could see her jetblack markings clearly when they are wet and when the sun is on them.

She turned her head and started to dry her back rubbing the hair in the wrong direction then smoothining it again with her tongue. She was still worried about the clan without a leader and deputy, someone needed to lead and she hoped starclan would reveal it tonight, there were many in the clan who could get the positions and she knew it wouldnt be her she was just happy to be a warrior and nothing else, but she worried about the clan as she now waited for for night to fall and the warriors of starclan show to reveal the true leader among Leopardclan.

[Eclipsefeather]

Eclipsefeather was slightly aware when the black leopard approached. The two were good friends, but, in some sense perhaps, always competing. That was a common way among most Warriors, especially when they had previously been apprentices. It was always a contest to see who could be promoted first or who could catch the best prey. She met the she-cat's golden gaze.

"I am well, Nightcloud. I anxiously await what StarClan has in store for us." She murmured, ears going back at the thought of who could be chosen. "There are many deserving Warriors in LeopardClan who could be picked, but I want to ask you something." Eclipsefeather paused, turning her head to the rushing river beside them, then looked back at her comrade. "What if you or I were chosen for Leader or Deputy?" She smiled some. "Eclipsestar or Nightstar. Both sound lovely."

She chuckled to herself, caught up in the small daydream of being the Leader of the Clan. Even being Deputy would be nice. She wanted the position, but it didn't matter. It was StarClan's decision, and the two of them probably wouldn't be chosen. It was up to their ancestors, and Eclipsefeather was happy with any choice they would happen to make.

[Nightstar]

Nightcloud's eyes widened when Eclipsefeather asked about being the leader or deputy. She hadn't really thought of it that much but now as she sat there in the setting sun she considered it. She invisioned herself standing on cunning rock speaking to her clan, The great Nightstar the leader of Leopardclan her loyal deputy at her side. She shook the thought away for the moment and turned her eyes back to Eclipsefeather.

"Yes both names would sound lovely, but there are many in the clan who are worthy and could be chosen. I will respect Starclans decision with whoever it is. If I were chosen I would do my best to protect the clan and make the best decisions at any cost. If you were leader I would be as loyal as any of the warriors here and respect your decisions." Nightcloud smiled at her friend she would do everything she had said and more. She would be happy with just being a warrior but deputy and leader did sound great but like all good things there are some negative things to go with it. She would never be able to have kits or a mate, she would always be worrying about the clans problems and try to make the best decisions to benefit the clan. She continued to think of all the stuff she could and couldnt do if she was leader or deputy as the last of the sun set showing the first warriors of starclan.

[Eclipsefeather]

Eclipsefeather nodded in her agreement, looking once again to the sky. Silverpelt twinkled brightly against the black blanket that engulfed the light of the sun. The members of StarClan were bound to reveal themselves sooner or later. Excitement tingled through her tired limbs and she stood up, stretching them out. She could barely contain herself, but would do so out of respect for her ancestors. She didn't want to be seen as childish.

"Come on, Nightcloud. It's time." She purred happily, a smile breaking out on her face. "Our ancestors will reveal themselves soon." The female leopard used her powerful legs and leaped down from where she was, landing in the clearing where LeopardClan was beginning to gather. She sat near the center, allowing a few of the others to sit in front. She left some room for Nightcloud to join her.

"Oh, my paws are itching for their decision. I cannot wait to find out who has been chosen." Eclipsefeather was anxious, greedy in no way about the position. She wanted it, for it was something she had often dreamed of as a kit. However, just as Nightcloud had said, she would respect any decision StarClan made.

[SunChaser]

As the night around darkened. All of the leopards gathered around, waiting for the silvery cats to appear. Once the moon had risen that was when the cats decided to make a apperance. Blackstar, the old clan leader steped forth. "Greetings leopardclan." The male leopards form was darker then many of the others because he was pure black. One of the rarer cats that just was black with no markings.

THe male looked around him, nodding at old friends before moving forward to nightcloud and eclipsefeather. "Nightcloud, Eclipsefeather. For your courage and bravery Starclan has decided to make you leader and deputy. Nightcloud, for your bravery and loyalty you are now called Nightstar. Eclipsefeather, for your intelligance and spirit you shall become the new deputy."

Blackstar moved forward, touching noses with Nightstar. "I give you this life to use wisely." One after the other 8 cats came forward to touch noses and give NIghtstar a new life until he had a total of 9. With each new life a spasm shot through the male who was now no longer nightstar. "Nightstar. Lead the leopard clans with greatness. We will always be watching." With that the silvery cats dissapeared and the moon seemed to shine brighter then ever before.

[Nightstar]

Nightstar's eyes widened in shock, she had never expected to become the leader of Leopardclan. She felt new power in her as she recieved her lives each one different than the last, making her feel like she could do anything in the world. She looked at Blackstar her previous leader with gratitude and kindness and gave him a polite nod before he vanished in the moonlight. Nightstar looked to Eclipsefeather her golden eyes shining. "Come, Deputy" she had that mischeivious sparkle to her eyes as she spoke to her friend, now her deputy. She took two powerful leaps landing on Cunning Rock gently and turned around to face her clan the moonlight making her black pelt shine and the water below sparkle. Gesturing with her tail for Eclipsefeather to follow.

"I am lost for words, I had never expected to get this position and I thank Starclan for all they have done, I respect their descision and will lead you well. with a brief nod, still smiling she stepped back to give Eclipsefeather some space, so she could step up front and say words of her own. She gazed up at the stars hoping the best for her, her deputy and her clan and thanking starclan. She hoped everyone else agreed with their descision and that no rebellions would start up because of this. But in the meantime all was well.

[Eclipsefeather]

Eclipsefeather was stunned, frozen with shock when her name was announced. She watched with surprised silence as Nightcloud--Nightstar received her nine lives. She seemed to gain more power and happiness through each one. The new Deputy's golden eyes were wide through the duration of this, for she was honestly, thoroughly caught off guard by Blackstar's words. Though he was no longer the Leader and no longer lived on the earth, she had a feeling everyone would respect his decision.

Nightstar beckoned her with words, calling her by her new title. Deputy. It was strange to Eclipsefeather and it would take some getting used to, but she was sure she could adjust to it. For a moment, she was unaware of what to do, keeping her eyes on her Leader as she stepped onto Cunning Rock. Then, there was a nudge on her shoulder and she turned her head, finding her old mentor, Emberspark, standing there with a smile on her face.

"You have no idea how proud you parents and grandparents would be right now. I, for one, cannot be prouder." She murmured to her former apprentice, jerking her head in the waterfall's direction. "I suggest you go. Your Leader awaits you, my Deputy."

Eclipsefeather licked her cheek and bounded through the cats, easily reaching to where Nightstar was. She allowed her Leader to speak first, again taken slightly by surprise when she stepped aside to allow her to speak. She gulped thickly, hiding her nervousness, and moved forward to the edge of Cunning Rock.

"Well...isn't this a surprise?" She raised the level of her voice. "As Nightstar said, we certainly didn't expect to be picked for these positions, but we are to honored to have been. I know the Leader is the one who cares most for the clan, but, as Deputy, I will aide her in those choices and actions. Also, StarClan forbid she passes, I will try my best to live up to her greatness. I hope you can all come to respect our ancestor's decision and that we can work as a clan, become the strongest there is! This...is for LeopardClan!"

Eclipsefeather was relieved when the clan member cheered loudly into the night. She looked back at Nightstar, smiling. For now, everything was going to be all right. Everything...was well once more.