Mistshine led the way into camp, heavy laden with prey she put it down on the stocked fresh kill pile Quailfeather was sitting with Brightsmoke and discussing hunting techniques Mistshine didn't join them instead she padded over to say hello to Blueshadow the blue she cat was chatting to Brackenfrost "hi Mistshine, anything to report about the patrol?" Blueshadow asked Mistshine shook her head "nope" suddenly a moan sounded from the nursery and "what was that?" Mistshine asked turning around "Dawngaze's kitting" Blueshadow meowed and Mistshine purred remembering when she had been a kit "good timing, they'll be apprentices come leaf bare" Blueshadow nodded her green eyes were full of warmth "yes, it's been a long time since kits were in camp, well young kits anyway" she meowed turning to look at Stormpaw who was leaping from tree to tree around the camp Mistshine shook her head "I'm not going to talk to her" Blueshadow chuckled "I didn't expect you to, she doesn't listen to Juniperstar so I hardly think she'll listen to you" Stormpaw leapt off the branch onto Lightningflare's belly. Lightningflare leapt up throwing Stormpaw off he gazed around wildly then snorted crossly and padded into the elders den Stormpaw limped over "Lightningflare threw me into the brambles!" She wailed loudly Brackenfrost and Blueshadow both seemed to be trying not to laugh and Mistshine felt the same way "serves you right, you shouldn't have jumped on him, he deserves respect" Mistshine meowed and Stormpaw turned on her "yep, respect like last moon when you told Gustbird that he was so old that he couldn't outrun a snail" hearing Blueshadow's laugh Mistshine realised she was beaten, she sighed and took a bit of mouse another moan sounded from the nursery the cries seemed to be getting weaker. Smokeflight pushed his way out of the den and began pacing the camp "everything ok Smokeflight?" Mistshine called Smokeflight didn't respond, his gaze seemed to be staring into something Mistshine couldn't see Stormpaw padded towards the entrance "Dawngaze will need water" she meowed over her should Blueshadow nodded Shadedrift padded over, his blue eyes were wide with anxiety he sat next to Blueshadow "I hope she's ok" he meowed Blueshadow stiffened and looked at him her eyes wide and murmured "StarClan what are we going to do Shadedrift?" Mistshine looked from one cat to the other "what am I missing?" She asked slowly Blueshadow sighed slowly Dappleflower padded over and sat next to Mistshine "I'm expecting kits" Blueshadow meowed heavily Mistshine blinked in surprise "isn't that good?" She asked and Blueshadow nodded "of course it is, but I guess I'm just... scared" Mistshine's surprise went up another notch she'd never heard Blueshadow say she was scared before suddenly Mintbreeze padded out of the den her eyes wide with triumph "Smokeflight come and meet your kits!" Smokeflight scrambled to his paws and shot across the clearing into the nursery Blueshadow broke into a relieved purr "thank StarClan" she breathed Mistshine shared her mentors relief Juniperstar padded over her eyes bright with happiness "I remember when you and your sister were born, it was the best thing that ever happened to me" she purred Mistshine knew her words were more for Blueshadow than for her Blueshadow hurried across the clearing as Smokeflight pushed his way out of the nursery "how's Dawngaze?" She asked Smokeflight purred loudly and meowed "Dawngaze is fine! She has four kits, she's exhausted but she's fine!" Blueshadow purred and Mistshine sighed happily we are safe, Soarstar will never threaten us again.
"Smokeflight! We want to get back sooner rather than later" Blueshadow meowed Smokeflight raised his head
"but I want to catch a squirrel for Dawngaze, it's her favourite!" Blueshadow shook her head it had been three moons since Cinderkit, Duskkit, Lynxkit and Finchkit had been born and Smokeflight seemed to talk about them non-stop Blueshadow had gotten bigger and the whole clan knew she was expecting kits she had begun to get slower, though she could still raise her claws which was why no cat dared mention it Mistshine paused and sniffed the air, Squirrel? She thought maybe Smokeflight would catch one for Dawngaze after all no! No Squirrel! "Fox!" She yowled as a russet creature exploded from the bushes and lunged for Blueshadow. Blueshadow tried to turn but ended up unbalancing and falling on her side the fox sunk its teeth into her hing leg Blueshadow let out a shriek of pain and Mistshine lunged for the fox yowling "let go of my mentor right now!" Smokeflight lunged for the fox and well and sunk his teeth into it's back the fox had contented itself with another bite to Blueshadow's flank before it yipped in pain and ran Mistshine dropped onto her paws Blueshadow was lying where she was as Mistshine padded over she moaned and Mistshine gasped "Smokeflight! We need to get her home!"
Mistshine is one of my favourite characters so, I'm really excited about writing about her in the future! Stay tuned! Also if you'd like to make a cover for the book please let me know
-Sandstorm