#fogstar

The way Graypounce got that prophecy made him feel so queasy. If Star Clan were made out of all-knowing and wise cats, than why did Fogstar give it right when she was jumping for a prey? The fact that the former leader risked his deputy's health for a prophecy that could've been delivered anytime angered him. Why would she make such a risky decision? What if Graypounce broke her neck, than what? Who would get that prophecy than, Roachtimber? Would Fogstar do the same thing to her too? The idea of losing both his deputy and medicine cat as the result of the former leader's incompetence made the fur on his neck raise slightly. He felt air rise and stay at the back of his throat, ready to be used as extra fog whenever he wanted.

Darkstar placed his front paw down, than pushed himself up on his hind legs. He knew there was someone nearby. The strange smell had gotten stronger. His cold gaze flicked between the lush grass blades and trees, seeking the stranger. As the sun kept on rising, the leader inhaled deeply and tried to focus. It doesn't smell like fresh snow, so it's not Icy Clan. It doesn't smell like burnt fur, so its not Flame Clan, Darkstar thought, running all the scents he knew of through his head swiftly and compering them with the one he smelled. And it surely doesn't smell like fish, so it's not Otter Clan either. This means it's an outsider.

Darkstar's back fur rose up as he fell back on his paws. The outsiders were interesting. Despite not having neither Star Clan's Elemental blessings nor any community to stand together with, they had found a way to survive and adapt. On a fine day, he could've appreciate an outsider's attempt and struggles on survival. However, this wasn't a fine day for the leader.

Darkstar crouched low into the ground and let the grass blades cover his already dark fur up. He lowered his tail and curled his tail tip down to ensure it wouldn't brush against anything unwanted. After he completed the steps, he began to sneak. The wind barely existed, meaning that there was nothing to cover his own movements nor smell up with. However, this also meant that if he were to aim, there would be zero resistance against his fog. The air hitting at the back of his throat tightened, making him clench his jaws. It wanted to be let out and let out he would.He saw the tufts of two brown shoulders ahead and readied himself. Between the grass blades, he also saw the intruder flinch and whip around to look at his direction. Darkstar sniffed.

Not an Icy cat, not a Flame cat and not an Otter cat. That's a stranger. He reminded himself as he slowly wiggled his behind. If i launch an attack, it would not lead to a domestic dispute.

He darted from the ground and leapt high. The brown Molly jumped with surprise but before she could move, Darkstar breathed out most of the fog that collected inside himself. It surrounded her inside a thick cloud that that spread larger and larger by the second. He landed and dashed inside the fog cloud swiftly. His amber eyes picked up on her shape quite quickly. She was standing on her spot unmovingly, fur puffed up and back arched. Darkstar launched himself and pinned her down with his front paws.

That must've helped her get out of her daze, as she began to whip her tail and tried to kick her hind legs up with a hiss. Darkstar, as a counterattack, tried to pin them down with his while pushing her into the ground. Her one hind leg snaked past his and slammed against his underbelly. The strength of it made him cry out in pain and hop backwards, allowing the Molly to roll away from him.

Darkstar gulped when he realized that this cat was at least 60 Moons older than him. If there were any unique techniques she knew of, he would be unprepared. He spat out the rest of the fog towards her as she tried to get up, making her pause with uncertainty and blindness, than darted sideways in an attempt to ram his shoulder against her torso. The Molly rolled again, moving to the opposite side as him and smacking his right leg as she did. Darkstar fell over and stumbled onto his side, than he planted his paws to the ground and looked at her. Seeing that her back was exposed by the move, he didn't hesitate to shoot a beam of mist. She let out a howl of pain as it hit her spine and knocked her down.

As the off-white substance megan to spread around, Darkstar sprinted again. “Wait, stop!” He heard the Molly yell. “Please hear me out!”

Darkstar squinted. He did not want to kill a cat, he just wanted to protect his Clan. If she was to leave, than he wouldn't mind listening her. He darted around the older cat in a semicircle and stood in front of her. Her wide, hazel eyes focused on his dark fur as she flinched, but Darkstar didn't move. “Go ahead and spew your excuse,” he said with a flick of his right ear. “I'd love to hear why you were trespassing into the Fog Clan territory.”

She blinked up at him with a squeak. “The whe- where?”

“The Fog Clan territory.” Darkstar echoed. He swished his tail from side to side and the fog disappeared. He raised his chin up and strode over the row of trees behind her, than spun around to face her. “Are you aware of these trees?” he said as he turned his left ear backwards, pointing at the said trees.

“I am.” She said shakily, than got up to her paws. “Are they where your ter-territory st-starts?”

He flicked the same ear. “That is correct.”

The brown Molly lowered her head and took a deep breath. “Than i apologize for coming. I didn't even know a Clan existed here. I was just wa-wandering around.”

“That is fine,” Darkstar reassured as he strode back to her side. “All the Clans are recently formed and we've just decided on our border lines.”

The Molly looked around with a twitching tail. “Which makes this land yours.”

Darkstar nodded. “That’s correct. While i don't seek out any fighting, I have my duties to perform for as the leader of my Clan. One such thing is making sure nobody's intruding into our land.”

A thoughtful mist covered over her eyes as she nodded slowly. “I understand, I'll leave.”

“That would be appreciated.” He said with a tiny smile. “Just be careful next time. Not every cat is as understanding as I am, both in Fog Clan and the other Clans. Personally, I wouldn't want you to get hurt simply for misunderstanding the replacement of a piece of land.”

The Molly's head snapped up at that. “All the Clans.” She echoed.

Darkstar nodded. “Correct. There are three other Clans around here. It might be hard to learn every one of their places for an outsider, but such is life.”

She took a deep breath and rolled her shoulders back. “It is fine; I'll learn and a-adapt.”

“So will the rest of us, fret not.” He said with a flick of his tail.

“Well, alright than.” She said, ducking her head down as she began to walk. She passed by him and kept on going, before suddenly stopping to took at him. “So long, ummm, Fog Leader.” She meowed slowly.

Ha! While he wouldn't admit it out loud, that was hilarious to hear. Darkstar flicked his ear as he licked his muzzle. “So long, outsider.”

As the sun kept on rising and the two cats went on their separate ways, Darkstar couldn't help but feel a dash of pride over how he handled his first border fight and dispute. Hopefully, he can maintain this and handle the future problems inside and outside the Clan just as smoothly.