Starkit stared up at the black tom whom called himself Shadowstar. She wasnt sure what to do or say. Shadowstar seemed to be the exact opposite of Blazestar. Blazestar being her warm sun, and Shadowstar being the cold illuminous moon.

Starkit blinked. Illuminous? Yes, Shadowstar was being illuminated by light, what looked like moonlight, but it was sunset. She could barely see the golden orange light that reminded her of Blazestar's fur above the trees. The camp was shadowed, and yet, Shadowstar seemed to glow with soft, white moonlight. She blinked again, crouched low, and the light vanished.

"Starkit of Sunclan. Come with me." He said. He turned and started walking, only giving a small, backwards glance and nod for Starkit to follow, before he headed off to his den. Starkit followed.

His den, like most of the enterances in the camp, was in a thick, thorn-covered bush, an opening made with stone, though Starkit noticed the stone in his and another den, the medicine cat's den, as she noticed Featherpelt go inside and come out with some herbs, had small colorful stones in them. The medicine cat's den had pretty blue stones, while the leader's den had blood red stones stuck in the rocks of the opening.

Inside the den, it was suprising to think they were in a thorn bush. Years of feline inhabitants had opened a wide cavern, large enough to fit at leadt five full grown cats with space to spare for a kit or two. Shadowstar laid down in a bed of moss, and motioned for her to sit in a smaller bed of moss infront of him. Starkit nodded, and did as instructed, laying in the bed of moss, its familiar smell a comfort. She detected a faint sent of Sunclan when she sniffed it, and looked up at him quetioningly.

"I had it fetched when you arrived from an area close to Small Land. Most grows thick there, on both sides of the river. I had one of my warriors grab a small amount for you. I figured a familiar scent would make you more at ease." He explained. Starkit wrapped her tail around her, and laid her head on her paws.

"I wanna go home." She whimpered. She felt something nuzzle her head, and soft breathing. She sniffed as Shadowstar moved back into place, his gaze sympathetic.

"You are of Sunclan correct? I want to ask you a few things."

"Can I go home if I answer?" Starkit asked. Shadowstar remained silent.

"There is a warrior, named Tigerstripe in your clan, correct?" He asked. Starkit nodded.

"Yeah, him, Sandtail, and Smallclaw."

"Smallclaw?" Shadowstar asked. Starkit nodded.

"Smallclaw is Tigerstripe and Sandtail's kit, though he is a warrior now. He doesnt like me." She could hear Shadowstar give an airy chuckle, but she kept her gaze to the ground, her head still on her paws.

"Is he happy? Tigerstripe I mean." She heard him ask.

"Yeah, I guess. He scares me, and Sandtail doesnt like me much, so I dont go near him."

"Why doesnt she like you?" Shadowstar asked.

"She said I'm not clan born, that I must have been a kittypet. Whitestorm and Braveheart found me, when I was younger, and took me to Sunclan. Sandtail said I should have gone back to the Twolegs." She said, her voice a little sad. She felt Shadowstar nuzzle her head again, and this time, she rubbed up against him for comfort. When he moved back into place, she felt oddly cold.

"Just becouse you may have been born a kittypet, does not mean you could not be a warrior. I heard in one clan, a kittypet became a clan leader after all!" She heard him say. She nodded in understanding. One-Ear had told her the story of that kittypet with a flame colored pelt and a destiny to save not just his clan, but the whole forest he lived in.

"Do you really want to go back then, if they are mean to you?"

"Not all are!" She rose to her paws, her fur bristling.

"Whitestorm isnt! Mama isnt! Just becouse Sandtail, Tigerstripe, and Smallclaw doesnt like me mean they all dont like me! Blazestar said it was like I was his own daughter!" She hissed. Shadowstar didnt even flinch, his gaze steady, and even, though oddly warm. It was like he expected her reaction. Her anger dying, Starkit laid back down, but held her head high, holding Shadowstar's gaze, her former discomfort vanished. Shadowstar seemed to be smiling at her.

"You really like Sunclan, don't you?" He asked.

"I might not be born in Sunclan, but I'll prove every drop of blood in my body is Sunclan blood!" She said determindly Shadowstar chuckled again.

"That would be interesting to watch."

"Does this mean I can go home?" She asked. Shadowstar nuzzled the side of her muzzle affectionately.

"Soon. Just have patience." He said, "I have one more question."

Starkit looked at him again, suddenly feeling a little tired, and hungry. She waited for him to ask the question.

"Is Blazestar aware that Sun-Drownclan is stealing prey from Riverclan?" He asked. Starkit looked at him questioningly.

"Shouldnt you ask Blazestar himself that? Or one of the warriors? If he knows, he hasnt said anything to me or Bluekit, Shadekit, or Fernkit." She said. Shadowstar nodded and got up.

"Rest here for now, no one will bother you while you are in here. I will go get you something to eat." And with that he left. Starkit laid her head down, shifting only slightly, before yawning loudly. She closed her eyes, letting her mind drift. She opened them up a crack, when she felt something warm snuggle close to her. Looking over, she saw Nightkit, laying down next to her. He didnt seem to notice she was awake a he nuzzled her neck with affection, before settling down himself.

Starkit wasnt sure why, but the gesture made her feel very warm inside.

-

She gave a low grumble, being woken from a dream where she had just pounced on a mouse, by something nudging her in the side. She groggly got up, using a paw to wipe her eyes.

"Wha's wrong Mama..?" She muttered.

"I'm definitely not your mama, now come on quietly Starkit, it is time to go home." A male voice said. Her vision still a little blurry from sleep, she looked up and saw Shadowstar, or rather, just his eyes, everything else blending in perfectly in the darkness of the den. He nudged her towards the enterance, Nightkit still sleeping peacefully in the bed of moss, undesturbed. Starkit, though she culdnt explain why, gave his ear a lick before leaving, not really noticing Shadowstar's silence gaze on her the whole time.

Outside his den, everything was silent. There were two cats at the camp enterance. As they neared, Starkit recognized Batear, and Venomheart. Shadowstar gave a nod to Batear, and the two toms joined them as they left the camp. As they left, Starkit looked back and saw an unfamiliar cat at the large stones placed to represent the Highstone, like in Sunclan. It was sitting on top of the stones, with a triumphant look in its eyes, its pelt brown with black tabby tripes. Its claws unsheathed. She looked up at its face, and shivered. Cold, gleaming eyes full of ice-cold bloodlust, and triumph stared at her coldly, the face of the tom scarred so heavily, Starkit had to wonder how he survived the wound. She heard a meow from infront of her, as she had stopped walking. She blinked, and the scarred tom was gone. She shivered and raced to catch up, rubbing up against Shadowstar's leg for comfort, though all he did was nudge her farther forward, which seemed even better, than if he had just nuzzled her head.

-

No one spoke as they walked through Moonclan's territory, to where, Starkit really couldnt say. She was so frightned when she arrived, she hadnt really looked at where they were going, so now, she had no idea if this was the same path from which she had come, or if they were taking her somewhere else entirely, though she hopes Shadowstar would keep his word, and take her home.

It wasnt long before she could smell the faint scent of water, and faintly hear it from up ahead. She almost wanted to run ahead, but was afraid that she might get attacked, like how Bluekit and Braveheart were only yesterday. A few minutes later, they stood infront of the twoleg bridge, leading to Small Land. Shadowstar nudged her forward, and Starkit began to walk across.

Still no one spoke as they stepped onto Small Land, and continued across to another Twoleg bridge, and the familiar Sunclan scents started to flood Starkit's nose. She kept her wide eyes forward, no really believing she was going to go home. They stopped suddenly though, halfway across the bridge.

"Why are we stopping?" Venomheart asked, taking a few steps forward, so he was next to Starkit, who was shaking out of the willpower to keep her from dashing forward, into the familiar forest.

"You said you wanted to take Starkit home, and explain to Blazestar what happened. We'll leave you both here, you take her the rest of the way back." Shadowstar said. Venomheart looked at him in shock.

"But, for all you know I could take her and run off, or kill her! Why trust me?" He asked. Shadowstar's gaze ran cold, though Starkit didnt pay any attention to them, her eyes only on the forest.

"I will ask Blazestar at the next gathering if she was returened or not. If I find out she wasnt, all of Moonclan will hunt you down and kill you without remorse or second thought, no matter how far you run, or where you hide." He said, Venomheart nodded, and as the two Moonclan cats left, Venomheart picked up Starkit, despite the kits sudden mewl of protest, and started to carry her into Sunclan's forest. She quieted instantly once they ducked into the foliage.

Venomheart seemed to know his way, as he walked farther and farther into the forest, Starkit recognizing certain things, telling her she was soon going to be home. They came suddenly to the training clearing, and Venomheart set her down, she tried to make a dash for the path that would take her to camp, but Venomheart held her down.

"It is to late at night to go now. No one would recognize you, and you might be attacked. Lets rest here till dawn, then go in the morning, when it is light and they can see us clearly." He said, laying down near the pond. Starkit glanced form him to the path, and back to him, before reluctantly nodding and laying down next to him, nuzzling closer for warmth. His tail wrapped around her, and she relaxed a little. However, she was so excited to be home, she couldnt sleep, and just laid there, her eyes open, staring at the training clearing, while Venomheart slipped into a light sleep beside her. She didnt move, and just stared out, waiting for sunrise.

A few hours later, the pink rays of dawn came, and Venomheart began to rise, urging her to drink, and catching a mouse, which only she ate, Venomheart saying it wouldnt be right for him to eat it, since he wasnt of Sunclan.

They had waited some time longer, for the sun to fully rise before Venomheart started to lead Starkit to Sunclan's camp. The path silent, aside from a few bird calls. A sudden snapping twig made both cats freeze, Starkit diving under Venomheart's legs for protection. Both cats looked around wildly, Venomheart crouching down, making sure Starkit was completely under him, and out of harms way. Four cats came from the cushes, surrounding them. Starkit couldnt see them well from under Venomheart. She heard hissing growls that sounded painfully familiar, and suddenly saw a fifth cat join them.

Seeing that familiar sunset golden and orange fur, Starkit coulndt hold back anymore, letting out a loud, and choked wail, she dashed from under Venomheart, startling the black and white tom, and ran headlong into the golden orange tom infront of her, nuzzling him, and licking his shoulder an neck. The other four cats were all shocked, but she didnt care, barely making out any other sound, then Blazestar's startled mewl, followed by comforting purrs as he licked her head, neck, shoulders, back. The other four cats joined in, nuzzling her when they could, their words almost muted in her relief. It took a small amount of time, before she calmed down enough for talk, the four other cats around Venomheart, making sure he couldnt escape, Starkit snuggled close to Blazestar as the golden tom laid down. Venomheart laid down as well, and two of the four cat sat. Finally looking at them, Starkit was overjoyed to see Lionclaw and Whitestorm sitting near her. Smallclaw, most of his wounds form Leaftail healed, was still standing near Duststorm. Starkit was a little worried about Smallclaw, but when the black and ginger tom looked at her, all she saw was warm relief in his eyes.

"You are a rogue, correct? Did you not steal Starkit from us, and injure Willowpelt and Braveheart only yesterday? Why come back?" Blazestar asked, his voice cold, and even. Starkit stiffened at the mention of Willowpelt and Braveheart, wondering if the two were ok, she snuggled even closer to Blazestar, the leader's tail wrapping around so it rested beside her to comfort her.

"I did not attack your two warriors, nor did I steal Starkit. Addertalon was the one who decided on those things, him and that other cat that was with us, Jayfog. They were the ones who decided to attack and steal. I simply wanted to leave the clans area, and live alone if I could." He said. Blazestar blinked. Once. Twice.

"I believe you. What you said matches up with what Willowpelt and Braveheart told us. You came to return Starkit?"

"Yes, I felt horrible about what happened. She was only a kit, and Addertalon took her only to get back at Braveheart. I fought with Addertalon, but Starkit took off. She ran right into Moonclan territory.." He continued to describe what he had seen from yesterday. Starkit remained silent though the whole conversation, nuzzling Blazestar's side affectionately. Blazestar only once turning to nuzzle back, before turning back to the conversation.

At one point, the cats got up, and Blazestar had to keep nudging Starkit to the point it was faster for him to jut pick her up and carry her back to Sunclan camp. Venomheart joining them.

Once inside, Starkit was taken with Blazestar as he jumped up on highstones, placing her in his paws, he called a clan meeting for all cats to join. Starkit stared wide eyes at all her clanmates as they stared at her in silence, waiting for Blazestar to start. Leaftail wasnt seen, and one cat, Snowfur, went to get her. She looked over near the medicine cat's den, and saw Braveheart and Willowpelt, cobwebs covering minor wounds, the relief evident not only in their eyes, but their body postures. She looked back at the nursery, Shadekit, Bluekit, and Fernkit urging forth a familiar yellow shape.

"Mama!!" Starkit shouted, as Leaftail looked up her eyes flying wide.

"Starkit!" Leaftail cried, running up to Highstone, only to be stopped by Whitestorm and Smallclaw, the two toms having to explain to her to wait for a few moments, then she could once again be with her kit.

Leaftail sat where she was, her eyes never leaving Starkit. It didnt seem like she was even listening to what Blazestar was saying, as Blazestar explained what happened to Starkit, where she had been, and that Venomheart would be a Sunclan warrior, as a reward for returning Starkit. Venomheart agreed to being a warrior of Sunclan, and the meeting ended.

Back with Leaftail, Starkit was licked clean by the thankful queen. That day, Leaftail wouldnt let Starkit go far from her, always by her side, licking her and nuzzling her at every chance she got. Starkit's reunion was over joyous, as she ran to each cat, even Sandtail, Tigerstripe, and Smallclaw, the cats all welcoming her back with comforting licks and nuzzles.

Yes, she was truly home in Sunclan.

-

-

Starkit mewled in discomfort as Leaftail cleaned her. Today was a very important day. Today was the day she became an apprentice. Her milk siblings Shadekit and Bluekit were already apprenticed, though Bluekit and Starkit had to wait a little while longer, as they had fallen ill with greencough, though the newly made Medicine Cat Ravenfur was able to cure them, and today was their big day. It had been a moon and a half since she had been returned. Venomheart had adapted to life in Sunclan quickly, and it almost seemed as if he'd always been there. Willowpelt and Braveheart had healed, with no real lasting effects, though Braveheart had a slight limp, as his front left shoulder gave him slight trouble.

Willowpelt and Dawnflower suddenly had joined them in the nursery, both cats now expecting kits. Snowfur herselg kitting soon after Starkit arrived, and not long after that, it turns out Leaftail was also expecting more kits, their father turning out to be Blazestar.

Snowfur licked her kits affectionately, their mewls softly heard. Their eyes open, they had looked at Starkit and Fernkit with awe as Leaftail cleaned them. Three total, two male, and one female. The largest of them was a male brown and black tabby with gold eyes, his name being Bramblekit. The next male, the medium sized one, was a solid brown tom with gray paws and amber eyes. The final kit, Moonkit, was a white she-cat with soft green eyes, and brown,bacl, and orange sploches on her two front paws. Why Snowfur decided her name to be Moonkit, Starkit was unsure. Starkit turned to look at the entrance, Leaftail giving her a final lick, as her two, already apprenticed siblings, Shadepaw and Bluepaw came in.

"Ready to be aprpentices yet?" Bluepaw asked. Starkit gave a light mewl. Leaftail looked over at the two apprentices.

"Blazestar will call the meeting any minute now, why arent you two with your mentors?" She asked. Bluepaw and shadepaw giggled.

"We wanted to come see Starkit and Fernkit as just kits one last time before they became apprentices as well." Bluepaw said. Leaftail gave them a warning growl, and the two dashed off.

"I wonder who out menotrs will be." Fernkit said, her tone completely calm. Starkit wondered how she could be so calm, where as Starkit was more jittery than a jitterbug.

"You'll find out, soon enough." Leaftail said. The familiar yowl of Blazestar calling a clan meeting made the cats in the nursery all file out. Leaftail sat between Fernkit and Starkit as they sat infront of Highstone, Blazestar sitting above them majestically. Starkit looked up at him, her eyes wide.

The light seemed to dance in his fur. It looked exactly like that time, moons ago, when she'd seen the same vision before, only this time, it wasnt a vision, as the light let a dazzling array of the sunset hues of red and orange in his fur.

Starkit looked away, and at the other members of the clan. Bluepaw sat with her mentor, Lionclaw, and near them, Shadepaw sat with his mentor, Braveheart. That was a little disappointing to Starkit, as she had hoped Braveheart would be the one to mentor her. She turned back to look at Blazestar, as he began to talk.

"Cats of Sunclan, today we bring forth these two kits, Starkit and Fernkit. Both over six moons old, and ready to be apprenticed. Fernkit, stand forward." He said. Fernkit nodded, and stepped forward a few paces, utterly calm, even with all eyes on her.

"Sandtail, you will be Fernkit's mentor, teach her they ways of a warrior, and channel all your wisdom and skill into this apprentice." He said. Sandtail approached Fernkit, the two touching noses, before turning and sitting near Tigerstripe and Smallclaw.

Starkit gulped, but looked encouraging at Fernkit, who was now Fernpaw.

"Starkit, step forward." Blazestar said. Starkit shakily took a few steps forward, her heart pounding.

Starkit looked up at Blazestar, trying to appear confident, and strong, though her insides felt like they were going to erupt.

"Starkit, I have thought long and hard on who your mentor shall be," Blazestar began, Starkit gulped and for a moment, though that one moment felt like an hour, Blazestar stalled before looking her straight in the eye.

"I myself will mentor you, Starpaw." He said.

-

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FINAL CHAPTER OF BOOK ONE!!!!

Yup, Final Chapter folks! This means you need to keep watch for Blazing Star Book 2: Apprentice's Pride!! Comming Soon to What this also means is that if you have any characters you want to submit, and havent yet, and want them to appear early on, you need to submit them soon, becouse once Book 2 starts, and you submit a character, you'll have to wait till after a she-cat becomes a queen and gives birth to kit again.

Also, show of hands, who knew Blazestar was going to be Starpaw's mentor?

Also, check out my deviantart page .com (copy and paste it into your browser) The Blazing Star comic has been posted, you'll find info on future characters/clans (yes as in, there are more than six clans in the fanfic) and unique things, like pictures of some of the characters! So please check it out, ok?