One Jump Ahead [Milkystar][c]

[Twilight]

Kitten: Blacksnow
Involved: Milkystar
Words: 433
Music: Linger by Epica
Notes: DADDY! You alright?

The deputy's black and white tuxedo pelt lingered outide of her father's den, a small battle going on withing her body. She wanted to see if her father was alright, but another side of her said that he'd be fine. But she had to know!! Calling herself out, she meowed. "Milkystar, it's Blacksnow." Whether or not he called her in was another matter entirely as she entered his little den. She sat by the entrance, watching his white form with a mixed emotion of love and worry. He had not been taking a very interested role in the clan lately, and he had not said who would be going to the gathering just yet.

"I've been wondering something. You haven't seemed very interested or a part of clan life recently. Even mother's worried about you, but upon my orders she is in the nursery watching over Dawnkit and Twilightkit. We both want to know, her worst of all." She stopped there, flisking her tail and not meeting his gaze before going on.

"I was wondering if everything was alright. I mean, I know nothing can ever be alright with FireClan still here, but I think I have a plan that might work. I've talked with a few trusted cats to get their opinions, and I have a few informants in other clans who said they would talk to their leaders. They are just waiting for the signal to be left at the borders. But also, something that is more pressing to me is your lack of interest in Dawnkit and Twilightkit." She stopped there for a few moments before looking to another part of the den with her troubled red eyes, thinking her words out carefully.

"I mean, don't get me wrong, father. It's not so much that I'm trying to tell you how to be as a father and a leader, but... With my litter, then Tigerfrost's litter, you were actively involved in their kithood. But mother says you've only been by a couple of times, and she and myself are afraid it will have some kind of impact on the little she-kits. After all, this is Destinycall's last litter on order from Owlfrost." She returned her gaze back to him, her eyes finally settled and not jumpy with her worry for her father as she meowed softly.

"Oh, and, how many lives do you have left? I;m not entirely sure, and I just want my mind to be at rest that you have plenty lives."

[Silky]

Milkystar looked up as his daughter entered his den. He stretched out and stood, as she voiced her concerns. "I've just been thinking, Blacksnow. Thinking." He meowed quietly. Yes, he hadn't taken much interest in his latest litter, mainly because the novelty was wearing off a little now.

Then she moved onto how many lives he had left. He tilted his head and thought. "I have only three lives left, Blacksnow." he said. "Yes, I haven't been taking much interest in your little sisters, because... Well, I was visited in my sleep a few days after they were born. It was your mate, Mudstripe, who walked with me. He says he's stuck in the Dark Forest now, as StarClan have no control over what goes on. He does, of course, send his love to you... But he told me four kits from each clan are going to save us... I've been wondering if it's Twilightkit or Dawnkit." he said quietly, wrapping his tail around his feet.

"My daughter, when I was your age, I was full of life, ready to start with Seamist as deputy of RiverClan. Then, I met your mother. Suffice to say, our first proper meeting wasn't joyous, no. We fought over the Sunningrocks. Then, your aunt, Icefur, the medicine cat before Deadfoot, died, and I asked her to be my mate. She comforted me in those times, and when Gemclaw also died... I didn't think I could take being deputy. I wanted to step down and leave for ThunderClan so I could be with Destinycall.

"Then we came here, and Drowningstar died. I didn't want to be the leader, but if I were to step down, chaos would have ensued as RiverClan wouldn't have had a leader." he paused, as if letting her take this in. "It has always felt like StarClan has never sent me any signs... It makes me feel like a bad leader sometimes, especially that Mudstripe told me he had to live in the Dark Forest so he could warn us of what was going to happen.

"Blacksnow, your informants in the other clans? You have one in each, do you? You need to ask them about the latest litters. Mudstripe said to me; "When the acorn burns in the twilight, the soot shall fall in the light," so, if there're kits with those names, tell me. I think we have a prophecy on our hands my dear."