Swanfeather awoke in the warrior den. Six other cats curled on their moss around her. She tiptoed around them, awaking none.

As far as she could see, it was sunup. The sun barely peeked above the horizon.

The camp was empty. A few squealing noises emanated from the nursery.

Swanfeather padded over to the boundaries of the camp. The hills were asleep with animals, and ripe for hunting. 

She lay low in the tall grass, waiting for a rabbit or a bird to pass by. White fur wasn't the best camouflage in grass, but any prey was too dull witted at this time of sunrise. 

There was a rustle in the grass. Swanfeather's ears tilted. A mouse darted through the grass. 

Swanfeather pounced, squeezing the mouse between her claws. 

She picked it up between her teeth, tail dangling, and stalked back to camp. Meanwhile, the deputy, Snowface, was organizing a Dawn Patrol. 

Swanfeather dropped the mouse in the ever-growing fresh-kill pile. 

"Swanfeather." Snowface called out. "You seem out early."

Swanfeather bowed her head and padded over. "Indeed, yet when am I ever late?"

Snowface sneered. "Care to join Petalfall and Icewhisker on Dawn Patrol? I do know you enjoy your brother's company." She said, gesturing with a flick of her tail towards the awaiting warriors.

Swanfeather hissed softly. "You seem to have it wrong, deputy. But of course. When have I been known to turn down a patrol?" 

"Ah, yes. But you know what you have been known for..." Snowface trailed off, flicking her tail back and forth.

"And what might that be?" Swanfeather asked with mock interest. Snowface purred.

"And that might be rubbing up Reedstar's StarClan-blessed flank. I know what you're up to. Trying to get me replaced as deputy. Well, listen here. As long as I'm around, you'll never be deputy, much less leader." Snowface hissed, advancing into Swanfeather's face.

Swanfeather tried to keep a straight face. She flicked her tail calmly and waited for Snowface's notorious I'm-afraid-of-being-usurped speech to end.

"Of course, Snowface." She stated calmly, padding over to Petalfall and Icewhisker.

Petalfall's face erupted in glee.

"Swanfeather! How kind of you to join us!" She said with joy. Petalfall, previously Petalpaw about a half-moon ago. A fresh warrior, she was keen to do any task presented to her.

"Swanfeather, indeed, how kind." rasped Icewhisker, an icy, glowering stare on his face.

"Petalfall, Icewhisker, Swanfeather, why don't you start your patrol." Snowface called from afar. 

The cats started around the borders, walking a very close line bordering on RiverClan and ThunderClan territory. 

As they approached the scented borders of RiverClan, a piercing hiss rang out in the air. 

"Who be you, crossing on our territory?" someone yowled. Swanfeather sighed. 

"Let me take care of this." She told Petalfall. The eager warrior nodded.

"I am Swanfeather of WindClan, and we are on our own territory. The scent isn't marked until a few tail-lengths forward!" She called out, stepping forward. 

Three cats padded into view, tails waving, back arched. 

"Why are you here?" The front one called.

"Are you serious? I'm here for Dawn Patrol!" She answered. The first cat hissed, but one of his partners spoke out.

"Gorsefeather here is recovering from an epidemic of greencough and Streamstar wanted him to go out on patrol. We apologize." 

Swanfeather bowed her head in acceptance and proceeded to mark the territory. 

They continued back to camp when the sky was blue. Red tints faded away, leaving long, stretched clouds like claw marks. 

Petalfall pranced around.

"Oh, that was so cool!" she exclaimed. Icewhisker strode at a brittle gait. 

They reached camp. Loudpaw, Swanfeather's apprentice, came strolling up to her. 

"Can we go hunting? Or battle practice? Or-"

"You can-no, you will go and change the moss on the elder's den." Swanfeather purred, interrupting. Loudpaw groaned.

"Maybe when you're done with the grit we can do some hunting." Swanfeather told him. Loudpaw rolled his eyes and padded off to the elder den. No doubt he would just laze around with his friends all day. 

Swanfeather walked over to the nursery. Mewling and meowing emanated from the cave, entrance covered with moss. 

Four fuzzballs tumbled around outside, play fighting and nipping. One of them sprung up as Swanfeather plodded by and attacked her leg.

"Swanfeather!" called one of them. She turned and looked at their delighted faces and down at the one rubbing around her leg.

"Ashkit! Dustkit!" called leg-rubber. The two quarreling kits immediately stopped and ran over to their aunt. 

"Where is Ebonyclaw?" Swanfeather asked. Ashkit jumped around.

"Oh, mother? She's in the nursery, helping Shadowheart and her kits. Ugh, they're so whiny!" said Sunkit. 

Swanfeather lead the kittens into the cave, them following her like ducklings. She padded past the two queens to the third in the back, resting on moss and weaning a kit. 

"Swanfeather!" She called out gaily. The kit lost the nipple and Ebonyclaw hushed her, directing her back to the milk. The kit suckled weakly. 

"Ebonyclaw. It seems you kits have found me." Swanfeather said, bowing her head. 

"Ahh, my kittens seem to distract you from your work, don't they." Ebonyclaw said with a wave of her tail. 

"Distract, not so much. I have Loudpaw 'cleaning' the elder den." Swanfeather dismissed coolly. 

"Yes, cleaning. These kits aren't but barely apprentices. Five moons, going on six. Hah, Reedstar better be naming some of those noisy mousebrains warriors or there'll be no room for my darling kittens." Ebonyclaw purred.

"I don't think Loudpaw is anywhere near ready, let alone old enough. Sorry to keep you waiting, sister."

"Waiting indeed! You know, I do think that Ryewing would-"

"Ebonyclaw, hush. If I found Ryewing suitable as a mate I would have asked him already." Swanfeather hissed. Ebonyclaw gasped in feint shock and offence.

"Have fun with your kits, sister. I do hope Sunkit would at least become my apprentice." Swanfeather whirled around and stalked out of the cave, fur bristling. The kits pounced on her tail as she left, until she ushered them off.

Loudpaw strode up to her with moss stuck in his paw fur. 

"So you actually did the job after all." Swanfeather murmured to herself. Loudpaw looked offended.

"Of course I did!" He said indignantly, "Now can we hunt?"

Swanfeather sighed. "I suppose we must."

------------

[[A/N: Good? No? Please rate :')]]