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It was Lilacdream who first felt the flicker of ice on her pelt, having been in the middle of a grooming session when she noticed the drifting snow above. She looked up at it, purring softly. While she had certainly seen snow, there was a new magic about it. Now, there were more cats to enjoy the serene atmosphere with.

The kits were the second, third, and fourth cats to notice, respectively. Lilacdream watched from afar as Antkit, Birchkit, and Mousekit began excitedly pouncing at snowflakes, giggling amongst themselves and roughhousing.

Honeypurr's litter was so rambunctious, even, that they almost crashed right into Stormflower as she passed. The spotted healer didn't seem to notice nor care, ignoring the altercation like she had already gotten used to this sort of thing. How many leaf-bare seasons had Stormflower seen, Lilacdream wondered? She and Pepperfrost were still rather young, so she knew that Stormflower had been around a lot longer than them. Perhaps the healer had just been around so many kits frolicking in the past that she'd expected this? She'd even wandered off into her nest to take a nap...

As the snow began to stick to the forest floor, the kits only grew more eager to play and run around. It was good that they were so excited, pouncing and dancing amongst each other like this. They would be apprentices soon, according to Lightrunner. Soon, their prancing and playing would be gradually replaced with patrols and hunting. Lilacdream hoped they would enjoy these final days of freedom while they still had the chance They were kits, after all.

...Just watching made Lilacdream resist the urge to stick out her tongue and catch a few snowflakes...

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The first snow has fallen. The clan is celebrating by prancing about in the fresh blanket of white.

Pepperfrost teaches Magicpaw some snowy battle techniques.

Honeypurr and Lightrunner chat about the weather in passing.

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A harsh rain had befallen the clan's territory. Lilacdream was still adjusting to the whole "living in the wild" thing, but she supposed it wasn't so bad. She missed her home, she missed her family, and she missed her mate. But she could always visit Rudd at the farm, and she had Pepper- no, Pepperfrost- to accompany her here.

Besides, the cats here seemed to understand her. Lilacdream hadn't met any travelers quite like these, who openly spoke of the Star Cats with pride and reverence. Was it really so special that Lilacdream heard their whispers? The Clan cats seemed to believe so.

Walking toward the healer's den, where Lilacdream had been told she would stay, she pondered the true nature of her connection to the stars, as well as what her new status within the clan would mean.

Then suddenly, out of nowhere, a flash. There was a loud crash of lightning, the bolt of electricity striking just a few fox-lengths ahead where Lilacdream had planned to walk. Accompanying the sudden crash, a piercing shriek rang in Lilacdream's folded ears. It was unlike any cry she'd ever heard before, yet it was undoubtedly feline. Startled, the healer hissed and jumped alert, eyes flashing with terror at what could have been- and what almost was- a deadly encounter.

"Lilacdream?"

A tom's voice called out to her suddenly from across the clearing. Skunktooth was there, staring with a concerned expression. "What happened? Are you alright?"

"Huh..?"

"Y-You just yowled really loudly," He mewed, as though he thought she was unaware. "You scared me out of my fur... what happened?"

"Wh-what do you mean 'what happened'? T-There was..."

Lilacdream turned her head back to the spot where the lightning had struck, expecting the charred circle of sizzling grass that's scent still filled her nostrils. But when she did so, she found nothing out of the ordinary. It was like the lightning hadn't struck in the first place... but if that were true, who else could that shriek have come from?

"...I mean, I- I thought I..." The molly trailed off, dazed and confused. The two stood in silence for a moment, the only ambiance being the pitter-pattering of the rain.

"...You look really out of it," Skunktooth said finally, concern still edging his mew. "Get some rest, will you?"

"I- Um... okay..."

With that, Skunktooth walked away without a care in the world. Lilacdream watched him go, then looked around the camp for... something, anything that might imply one of her clanmates saw what had just happened. But no one was looking, nor had anyone even seemed unnerved.

Was it a dream? Was it related to the Star Cats? Lilacdream knew she would have trouble sleeping until she figured out what, if anything, it meant for her new companions.

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Lilacdream has a mysterious, terrifying vision. She chooses to keep it to herself until she can figure out why.

The clan spends the rainy day fishing while the pond is thawed. Pepperfrost and Lilacdream begin to hone their hunting skills to better serve the clan.

Lightrunner and Briarclaw spend some time fishing together. Trust between the two cats increases.

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Standing atop the flattest rock-- the Light Rock, as she supposed they'd call it-- Lightrunner felt incredibly out of place. She never wanted to be a leader, but right now, she was all the clan had in terms of one. Briarclaw was right, just as she was right about many things. Until they had found a proper leader, Lightrunner would have to step forward. "Cats of-" Yikes, her voice cracked. "Cats of LightClan, it's- it's time that I held our very first Clan Meeting!"

Of course, as she said that, it dawned on her that every grown cat in the clan had already gathered. Did she command respect already? Or did they just assume she had something to say based on her stuttering and the anxious prodding of her paws? She cleared her throat and tried not to think about it too hard.

"We've- we've come a long way so far, with all of you leaving your homes in order to join me here... to start something new and alive! I can't thank you all enough for that."

She could spot Honeypurr and Skunktooth sharing a look amongst the group, which made her a little concerned. However, Briarclaw gave her an encouraging nod. Lightrunner smiled. Finding the confidence to raise her voice a little, she continued.

"I think it's time that we had our first proper ceremony," Lightrunner mewed. "Lyla and Pepper, you are both strangers to our camp, but StarClan has deemed you both worthy of ranks in LightClan."

The younger of the sisters, Pepper, seemed to beam with pride. Lyla seemed a bit sheepish, but still happy to be there. Good, Lightrunner thought, I haven't scared them off yet.

"Pepper, as is customary for clan life, you will adopt a new name to match this new journey ahead of you. StarClan shines upon you like a ray of warm light. From this moment forward, you will be known as Pepperfrost, a new warrior!" When Lightrunner had once seen loud roars of cats chanting a new warrior's name, back in her home clan, there were only a few cats cheering with various "woo"s and "yay"s (mostly just from Honeypurr). But with a clan of this size, Lightrunner could pick out each cat's voice individually, knowing their response was approval in their own individual ways. Pepper- now Pepperfrost- seemed to purr with approval. The name suited her, as well as her strange warm-and-cold-toned pelt.

"As for Lyla," Lightrunner mewed, "StarClan has given you their blessing to walk the path of a healer. LightClan will forever welcome your intuition and your connection to the Warrior Ancestors."

It occurred to her now that the only cat here who actually had warrior ancestors was... well, herself. Still, it only felt right to honor them, as they had essentially adopted these new cats as their proteges. One day, if they were successful, LightClan would have its own warrior ancestors, and Lightrunner would be among them.

"StarClan shines upon you like a warm ray of light. From this moment forward, you will be known as Lilacdream!"

This time, it was Pepperfrost who cheered loudest, alongside Honeypurr and (surprisingly) Briarclaw. Lightrunner couldn't help but be a little bit proud of herself for the warrior names she'd come up with. She had never considered how difficult it might be for a leader to come up with names for cats! She had fussed over getting it just right for so long that it was good to feel the gratification afterward. And with that, the clan was dismissed. After giving the meeting its proper end, Lightrunner hopped down from the rock and watched as her fledgling clan headed off to do their daily tasks. Doing so made her heart swell with pride.

They were one step closer to being a true clan now.

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Pepper joins the clan as a warrior. Her new name is Pepperfrost, in honor of her blue-and-red marbled pelt.

Lyla joins the clan as a healer. Her new name is Lilacdream, in honor of the dreams she shares with StarClan.

Skunktooth and Mousekit have some bonding time.

Honeypurr holds Antkit hostage in the nursery.

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"Wow! I've never seen so much nature before!" Pepper exclaimed aloud, staring out at the forest Lightrunner and Briarclaw had led them to. "And I live on a farm, so that's something!"

"Well, you live here now, I guess!" Lightrunner purred in response. "We're nearing the camp now. It's not a whole lot, but it's home."

Lyla kept up the rear, quiet and visibly exhausted as Briarclaw finished helping her across the thunderpath. It was still nighttime when the group departed, and the small molly hadn't gotten but a quick nap in before they did so. Now it was dawn, and the group was finally in LightClan territory.

But something was different in the scent of their camp by the time they had returned. Briarclaw seemed to have noticed it as well, but Lightrunner was the first to recognize what was different.

"Is that... milk?"

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Under the watchful eye (leaves?) of the Forest Spirit, Honeypurr gives birth to three healthy kits.

Kitten 1 is male. He is Playful and Adventurous.

Kitten 1 receives the name Antkit, in honor of the Honeypot Ant that his mother ate while she was expecting.

Kitten 2 is female and slightly bigger than her littermates. She is Playful and a Hunter.

Kitten 2 receives the name Birchkit, in honor of her light fur and black markings, as well as her sturdy body.

Kitten 3 is female and slightly smaller than her littermates. She is Playful and Clueless.

Kitten 3 receives the name Mousekit, in honor of her small body, big ears, and slim tail.

The group returns home with both Pepper and Lyla.

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"Here, Lightrunner. Why don't we fish for a while by the pond, hm? The fish have been more active lately, what with all the rain."

"Mmhm..."

Honeypurr let out a slightly distressed sigh. Lightrunner had been moping endlessly in the days since the incident with Briarclaw. It was a miracle she'd even managed to get the molly to talk to her, let alone join her for an outing.

"What about the kits?" Lightrunner mumbled, looking back toward the huckleberry bushes that separated them from the main section of the camp.

"The kits will be fine on their own for a little while." Honeypurr smiled in an attempt to reassure her companion. "They're getting older, you know. It won't be much longer before they join Magicpaw in the apprentices' den."

"I suppose... you're right." Lightrunner's eyes seemed to glimmer slightly, in a way they hadn't for a while. "I wonder how they'll take the first snowfall..."

"There'll be loads of snowball fights, I'm sure!"

Lightrunner let out a muted chuckle.

There. It wasn't a massive improvement, but Honeypurr could tell she was getting through to Lightrunner's more soft, friendly side. Part of Honeypurr wanted to discuss the incident with Skunktooth and try again to convince Lightrunner that he genuinely hadn't meant what he'd done. Maybe she'd even be able to convince her to let him come home. But... Honeypurr knew that rushing things wouldn't get her anywhere. For now, it was best to let Lightrunner heal. That was the best she could do for now.

"...Now, how about those fish?"

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Honeypurr attempts to distract Lightrunner from her grief by going fishing together. Her efforts seem to be working, and pleasant chatting helps bring the two closer together.

Mousekit and Birchkit decide to "spruce up" the Light Rock with some tasteful claw marks.