The galaxy before dawn...(open)

[wolfwarrior4jesus]

Galaxyshadow stretched out his muscular frame, enjoying the feel of shaking the sleep out of his limbs. He yawned widely, and glanced about the clearing. It was quiet...peaceful...And for that, he was grateful. There wouldn't be too many quiet and peaceful moments like this one for once...he sighed. He didn't really want to think of the tensing relationships between the other clans and the threat of war that loomed on the horizon. His thoughts immediately turned to Dawnstar, his beautiful mate, and the leader of Skyclan. She had her paws full in this troubled time...He missed her presence, but he knew she had to focus on the clan and put them first. Dawnstar wouldn't be the great and kind leader she was if she did not put the safety of her Clan first. Still...He missed the feel of her soft fur against his own...The way her eyes glimmered like twin suns in her beautiful face. If only things were peaceful...but now was not a time for "if only's" He had to do the best with what he had.
Getting to his snowy white paws, the muscled warrior made his way to the freshkill pile, hoping to find a juicy sparrow or mouse for his lunch. He could tell that the apprentices were doing a great job, for the pile was well stocked. Why should he be surprised? Skyclan was one of the best clans- its apprentices were focused and willing to learn, and it's warriors fierce and loyal. He was proud to be a member of Skyclan, and would defend it to his death.
Picking up a squirrels (alas, no sparrows or mice- the elders had probably taken them) he padded over to Dawnstar's den, but did not go in. Instead, he laid down to the right of it, and calmly began to eat his squirrel. He just wanted to be near his mate, and this would have to do. Her scent rose from her den, reassuring him and soothing him as he ate...

[lakeripple]

dawnstar

[/color]

life punishes, life rewards
hey girl, what's it done to you?
just what has life done to you?[/center][/font]

It was dark outside, the sun hadn't even decided to come out yet. But why miss the dawn? After all, it was Dawnstar's favorite time of day, when the whole world is waking. So she stretched and stepped out from the warmth of her nest, getting ready to go out of her den and await the dawn.

Just outside her den was a familiar scent. It made Dawnstar's heart leap. Then she bitterly remembered the cat that used to do that to her. He had loved her, then left her, flat. To go off with her best friend, no less! But now she didn't know if he was dead or alive. And her heart no longer beat fast at the mention of Lightmask.

It now beat for Galaxyshadow. Her mate, the tom who loved her for who she was, the tom who had loved her before she was leader and the one that didn't care that she could never bear kits, that her job wouldn't allow it. She breathed in his scent, rejoicing at its SkyClan fragility.

Then she stepped out to see him, letting her brown tabby tail run across the entrance of her den, as she always did, as if to remind herself who she was now. She turned to her mate, purring. He was here, just when she was getting up.

[wolfwarrior4jesus]

Galaxyshadow purred as his mate exited her den, her plumy tail resting against the side of the den. The dawn lit up her fur, highlighted it and brought out a mysterious, natural beauty. He didn't move for a moment, just admiring her, the way she moved, the way she gazed at him, her eyes full of love...mmm..truly this was a piece of Starclan here in the Clans, he thought to himself, finally managing to rouse him from his stupor to greet his mate.

"Mmm.. good morning beautiful..." he purred, his voice deep and a little rough. "I brought you some breakfast, if you're hungry for it." His tail flicked towards the uneaten squirrel next to the one he'd been eating. "May I, gracious Dawnstar, share tongues with you?" His eyes lit up humorously. "I've missed being with you...." he rubbed his cheek against hers, relishing the feel of her soft fur against his rougher one. What had he done to deserve such a mate as she?

[lakeripple]

Dawnstar smiled as she bent over the squirrel. He had called her beautiful. Briefly her eyes darkened, and she was glad that he couldn't see it as she was facing the squirrel. The last cat that called her beautiful had betrayed her. He had used her heart and then run off. But Galaxyshadow wasn't that cat. She glanced at him for a second, purring, then returned to the meal. He wouldn't do that to her.

As she finished, licking her lips and cleaning her face, Dawnstar beamed at her mate. "You never have to ask," she mewed softly, feeling the wind ripple her pelt. "Whenever I can, sharing tongues with you sounds wonderful."

She sighed as he rubbed against her fur. It felt so good. It felt so good. It felt so... forbidden. Dawnstar wondered if she would ever stop thinking about the loss of having kits. She could never, and it was because she was the leader. But Galaxyshadow loved her anyway. He hadn't left her when she became leader of her Clan. If anything, the two were closer now.

"I've missed you too," Dawnstar whispered. I think about you constantly, she mused inwardly. Galaxyshadow was too good a cat. He was too good for her. She didn't deserve him. No, not at all.

[wolfwarrior4jesus]

Galaxyshadow's purr deepened at Dawnstar's words.. Oh how he'd missed these times they shared together! But the time apart only made the times they did have together more dearer, more precious. He gently ran his tongue over her ear in soft, gentle strokes, and then started down her neck fur. Her fur smelled even better than he remembered, and that sweet taste still lingered in it... The sun grew higher in the sky, and it turned her pelt into a shining brown..

"How are you feeling?" he asked, concerned...He could feel the tension that shimmered around the camp- the smell of fear, and worry as the clans grew more hostile to each other...He wanted to know if she was okay..."I'm always here for you..you know that, right beautiful? Mmm...These are dark days...days when no cat can really see the light...It has to be hard, trying to keep up the Clan's spirits..." He looked around at the still silent camp... He could see the clan sleeping....dreaming... the one moment of peace that still existed...

[lakeripple]

It felt so good just to relax with her mate as the sun came up. It felt so good to allow him to wash away all the responsibilities and pains of the past couple moons. It had come as such a shock for Dawnstar when Rosefeather had announced that she was not going to become leader, and that instead a warrior with much less experience than her - Dawnstreak, would take the position.

So long had Dawnstar been scared and confused. She didn't understand why Rosefeather had done that. Rosefeather would have made a wonderful leader, much better than Dawnstar ever could hope to be, and Dawnstar wasn't sure that she wanted to lead the whole Clan. But she had gone along with it, at the cost of so many things.

She got the impression that Rosefeather wasn't that happy with not being leader. And so it made no sense to her why she hadn't just stepped up to the position as she was expected too.

It was hard leading a Clan, especially during these difficult, warring times. Dawnstar had kind of been flung into the heat of this, told to lead when she would rather follow. Everyone was looking to her. Yes, Rosefeather would have made a much, much better leader.

That's why she like this start of day so much. Everyone was quiet, not coming up to her with their problems. Things seemed more normal. Dawnstar could close her eyes and be a regular warrior again, looking towards the next day and nothing else, laughing with her mate and wondering if she would have kits. So many questions had been answered. No, she would never have kits. She couldn't now. It was her duty to her Clan not too.

"It's hard," she murmured, just a slight bit above a whisper. "And I feel stressed and confused and scared and just plain worried that I am not doing things right. But then I remember that all I have to do is say your name and you'll be there, ready to help me. And Rosefeather is such a great cat..." Dawnstar's voice trailed off. She just didn't understand. She didn't understand anything.

[wolfwarrior4jesus]

"I'm always here for you, whenever you need me..." The tom purred, swiping his tongue gently over her cheek. "Always. And so is Rosefeather...there must have been a reason she stepped down. Perhaps Starclan revealed to her that you must be the right cat to lead Skyclan." He meowed, sitting back on his haunches to observe her beautiful face. His gaze softened. "And you are doing wonderful as a leader... Can't you see how much our Clanmates trust you? They look up to you.. admire you. You've put your heart and soul into this Dawnstar...and they see that." He entwined his tail with hers. "Just remember...Starclan watch over you always. If you weren't a little scared, I think that would be unusual.. what leader isn't scared and confused when they care deeply for guiding thier clan well? Your fear helps you strive to do the best, just don't let it control you my sweet Dawnstar." He rumbled, nuzzling her. "Skyclan stands behind you all the way. No matter where this path leads, you always have your clanmates...Rosefeather.. and I behind you. And I will never, ever leave you...I love you Dawnstar.." He meowed softly, intensely... He meant his words with all his heart... He hoped he'd some how eased her fears, if only just a little.. She deserved a moments peace... a time to enjoy herself and shed the stress of her responsibilites. He got to his paws and gave her a roguish wink.
"Dawnstar, my lovely mate...will you grace me with your presence on a short walk?" He knew it couldn't be long...her duties called her, but at least he could give her a sort of peace for a small time... His heart ached.. He hated seeing her afraid... Galaxyshadow wished he could shelter her from all the things in the world... Just protect her...but he knew he couldn't. It just wasn't possible...still.. it never hurt to dream.

(sorry about taking so long Lakey! I just wanted to make sure I thought this through XD Im tired of replying with lameo posts =P)

[lakeripple]

As usual Dawnstar was surprised over how well Galaxyshadow could read her mind. He said everything that she needed to hear, even if she didn't believe it all. But it still felt nice to be believed in. It felt good to know that somebody cared.

When he suggested to go on a walk... Dawnstar's first reaction was to say, "of course, why not?" But then she thought more and her mind said, "uh, sorry, but I'm supposed to..." Then she heard him say the word short and decided that it couldn't hurt.

Getting to her paws, Dawnstar walked a couple of steps closer to her mate. "Of course." She rubbed her fur against his just the slightest bit before leading the way away from her den. "But just around the camp and a little bit outside of it," she shot back, stopping near the apprentice's den. She did have things to do today. Very important things. The forest was in the midst of war. Yes, there were very important things to do.

[wolfwarrior4jesus]

"Even just a small time alone with you is fine," He purred, his eyes shining happily as she agreed to his request. "I enjoy every moment I get with you, my beautiful Dawnstar..." His tail arced over his back in pleasure, and then lowered, twining with Dawnstar's tawny one for a brief moment, before she took the lead. "Where shall we go first?" HE meowed, his blue eyes taking in the camp. So many places to go... where would his mate take him first? He chuckled to himself, for no apparent reason- he was just in a very good mood. He saw Dawnstar glance at the apprentice's den and tilted his head to the side in mild curiousity.
"Are we to have new additions to the warriors den tonight?" he asked, making up his mind to try to distract her from her duties for just a short while after she answered his question. She deserved a time to just enjoy life....He knew he'd enjoy this time with her...Alone...
The wind breezed through his fur, and he shivered, loving the way the wind seemed to make his skin breathe. It had never done this before...but then again... he was with Dawnstar... anything could happen with her.
He waited for her reply, not at all hurried. She could take as much time as she wanted- all he wanted was her presence for as long as she could give it...

[lakeripple]

The leader of SkyClan couldn't help but smile at Galaxyshadow's words. He really was much too good for her, but she wouldn't want any other cat to have him. He has hers now. Dawnstar's. And he loved her. he told her that every chance he got.

When he asked about the warriors, it gave Dawnstar pause. She angled her head to look through the branches, checking to see that everyone was asleep. Then she sighed.

"By all accounts Dreampaw is old enough, and skilled enough, to become a warrior. But she hasn't had her head screwed on right lately... I just can't right now. Once a cat becomes a warrior they are fought against that much harder in battle. If she isn't paying enough attention to the world around her... I can't make her a warrior yet."

Dawnstar played through the images in her mind, of seeing her apprentice with that EarthClan one, Flashpaw. How she had felt when she realized that Dreampaw had fallen into the same trap - forbidden love - that she had when she was younger. And how she knew that she couldn't intervene or it wouldn't end well, it would only end in Dreampaw becoming bitter. But now... It was affecting her apprentice's life in the Clan.

"Did I make the right choice?" Dawnstar murmured.