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Tawneykit raced out of the nursery after her nap, chasing after a fly. Swiftwaters laughed and followed her.

Solarstar smiled. "It was pretty nice," she said to Swiftwaters. "You know... We've been friends for so long I can't really remember how we became such good friends..." the leader said to her friend.

Solarstar laughed at the memory and smiled. "I don't know what go into me! I think it was when I was Deputy... I could have had my fur ripped off if Thunderstar (making it up) wasn't so nice... Thankfully he accepted you, and I guess it was then that we really started to be friends..." The leader smiled and batted playfully at Swiftwaters' ears. "I don't know what I'd do without you..."

((OMG! WHO IS DEPUTY!!!! gonk ))

Solarstar looked around camp and sniffed the air. "Swiftwaters! I scent Tawneykit! She left camp!" the leader said, now by the camp entrance. "Let's go!" The leader ran off into the Thunderclan Territory, sniffing the air frantically for the lost kit.

Solarstar sniffed the air and continued to follow the trail. "Swiftwaters... Listen..." she said quietly. As her friend quieted down, the sound of a nearby river babbled. With a long sniff of the air, Solarstar growled quietly. "Stay quiet... Tawneykit is in Riverclan territory..." Solarstar peeked out from a bush, checking if any patrols were nearby. Then she streaked towards the river, jumping from stone to stone across the river until she was out of her own territory.

Solarstar entered Thunderclan Territory once again, Swiftwater's body on her back and Tawneykit in front of her. "We're almost there..." she said softly to the kit as they trekked through their territory back towards camp.

Solarstar entered camp and set Swiftwaters' body gently on the ground in the middle of camp. "Let all cats ol-... Let all cats gather for a clan meeting," she announced, feeling all cats and kits should come. "If you were wondering why I and Swiftwaters left in a hurry, it was to fetch Tawneykit back. She had fallen into the river that is our border to Riverclan and we traveled to an unknown area," she explained. "A rogue attacked Swiftwaters as she and Tawneykit were getting out of the river and killed her. She was going to take Tawneykit, but I stopped her in time and she left. Swiftwaters was a brave warrior of Thunderclan, a loving mother to Tawneykit, and a great friend to me..." Solarstar lifted her head to the sky as her eyes began to water. "Swiftwaters. I know you are watching over us now in Starclan. I wish you did not go, but if it was fate that decided it, then I wish you a peaceful journey and rest in Silver Pelt. Please watch over our clan." Solarstar took a moment of silence before continuing. "Swiftwaters. I will miss you dearly, my friend. In your absence, I swear to you that I will take Tawneykit in as my own and train her to lead the life that was stolen from you..." Solarstar looked down at Swiftwater's body and sighed. "I will mourn your death dearly my friend. Your kit will be safe and shall learn the ways of the warrior code. I will make sure that I protect her with my life like i would for any cat of my clan... This, I swear to you... May the stars lead your paws to Starclan...." With this, Solarstar ended her speech. It was almost sunset and the leader laid down with her nose touching Swiftwater's fur. She began her silent vigil that would last throughout the night as her grief would slowly fade with the heat that left her friend's body.

((ok. long post... night...))

As the night wore on, Solarstar remained as quiet and still as stone. She laid there with her nose to Swiftwaters' cold fur with her eyes shut. Even though she was leader, she had just lost her friend and a few tears seeped out of the corners of Solarstar's eyes, running down her cheek and dripping onto the ground. Swiftwaters. I'll miss you... I promise to take care of Tawneykit... Rest in peace in Starclan... the leader thought.