[h2][center][b][color=917655]Hawkstar[/color] and [color=EB8100]Gingerflame[/color][/b][/center][/h2]

The chilly breeze wafted into the Leader’s den, ruffling his patchy fur and edging the large cat out of his slumber. His eyelids fluttered open, adjusting to the ever-growing light which seemed to stubbornly steep in. Stretching out and unsheathing his claws, he rolled over onto his stomach, carefully lifting himself up in a stiff and awkward manner. Once you get old, like he was, nothing you do is ever smooth. Always stiff, always creaky and definitely not graceful. 

With a muffled yawn, Hawkstar made his way, slowly, to the entrance of his den. Once there, he skimmed the area, making sure everything was in order. Since he was an early riser, not many cats were up quite yet, only a few warriors dotted here and there. It wasn’t surprising as Hawkstar always liked to be one of the first awake, in that aspect, he takes after his father. First to wake and last to sleep was something he was reminded of when he was a youngster. Obviously, as a youngster, he was never interested in being the first to wake, realisticly, always one of the last. [i]Oh, how things have changed[/i]. 

Hawkstar twitched his tail to the side, standing large and proud as he scanned the camp once again, noting the absence of frost which seemed to have cleared up overnight. The fresh-kill pile was looking meagre, a hunting group would certainly have to be sent out soon to restock it. [i]And a border patrol too[/i], he couldn’t forget about that. He let his mind wonder briefly, letting the breeze sway through his fur once more.

His attention was caught by two cats sitting outside the Nursery, talking together quietly. He could instantly recognise one of the cats as being Gingerflame, a Queen who, thinking about it, was actually expecting a litter of kits very soon. The other cat must have been Ravencoat, the Deputy, his jet black pelt always being a dead give-away. 

Hawkstar shook his head, ensuring he was fully awake before approaching the two ThunderClan cats. He was keen to see how the Queen was doing since new kits have always been such special and important occasions for the clan. [i]Ah... that reminds me. I better go talk to Leopardflower too, she’s also expecting. [/i]

As he neared, he could over-hear some of their conversation. 

[color=EB8100]“Why do you intend to make my life harder?”[/color] The ginger cat meowed, swishing her tail in annoyance. 

Ravencoat smiled warmly at his mate, tilting his head to the side in a slightly sarcastic manner. [color=465578]“Oh, I’m sorry. My cough is very inconvenient for you.”[/color] He said in a playful tone, and as if on cue, splattered a single cough to the side.

Gingerflame twitched her whiskers, the word ‘displeased’ couldn’t quite describe the look that appeared on her face. [color=EB8100]“I know you’re jealous of me being pregnant, but you didn’t have to get yourself sick. Did you?”[/color] She hissed, her words matched his playfulness, yet her tone did not. 

The black cat nudged his mate affectionately, his cold, pink nose burrowing through her fur. [color=465578]“You’re worried about clan again, aren’t you? Look, you know that if something happens, I’ll be there. You don’t have to fight everything alone, you know. If an attack happens, we have plenty of warriors who can handle it.”[/color]

The she-cat sighed, gazing at Ravencoat knowingly. [color=EB8100]“I know. I don’t like feeling helpless, that’s all.”[/color]

[color=465578]“You? Helpless? Oh please, even while heavily pregnant, you could still kick big old Redstar’s butt any day!”[/color] He spoke cheerfully, nudging against her with a childish glean in his eyes. Suddenly, he turned his head away painfully, letting out a loud and rasping cough.

Gingerflame’s smile soon grew serious as she stared at her mate with a worried, yet firm gaze. [color=EB8100]“I swear to StarClan, if you go poorly on me, I WILL BRING OUT MY CLAWS AND STICK THEM UP YOUR... Oh, Hawkstar...”[/color] The Queen quietened down once she saw the Leader face her, looking somewhat amused. 

[color=917655]“Your claws up, where, may I ask?”[/color] The old tom-cat chuckled, his greying fur moving with his laugh. 

Gingerflame smirked, the Leader could always cheer her up. [color=EB8100]“The git’s got a cough, sir. I keep telling him to get himself to Mallownose, but oh no, git knows best.”[/color] She chirped, adopting Ravencoat’s former playfulness with a ‘I win’ expression on her face.

[color=465578]“It’s nothing to-”[/color]

[color=917655]“Didn’t you hear the Queen, now off with you, lad. Can’t have my Deputy under the weather, can we? I suppose Mallownose would be in his den right now, you better catch up with him.”[/color] Hawkstar moved forward to sit next to the Queen as Ravencoat rolled his eyes and made himself scarce, searching the camp for the Medicine Cat. 

[color=EB8100]“Thank you, Hawkstar.”[/color] She soothed, her eyes following the slender black cat.