"And I will hail you by your new name, Ruststar." Meowed the striped yellow cat.

   "Ruststar! Ruststar!" The spirit cats chanted.

   "Thank you." A long-furred white cat dipped his head politely.

   "Things are not over yet." sighed the older cat, "Blood will spill, and hope will be crushed, unless the ruby breaks free from darkness..."

   "Wait! Smokeacorn!" The cat that is named Ruststar panicked, "what is it? I don't understand!"

   "I can't answer to that" smiled Smokeacorn weakly, "but peace is still many moon far." 

   "What is a ruby?" Asked Ruststar.

   "I can't tell you." Smokeacorn shook her head, "I can't answer to that." She repeated. She was fading away.

   "Stop! Please!" Cried Ruststar, "Stay with me!"

   But his plea was not fulfilled. "I am sorry." Meowed Smokeacorn, "but I will always be by your side, my friend."

   Swirls and twists made Ruststar woke back to the real world.

   "Are you alright?" Questioned a brown tom next to him, "seeing your friends and family is hard, but you made it."

   "I am alright, Nightspeckle." Sighed Ruststar, "but can I do it? Can I really lead this clan?"

   "Starclan made their choice giving you nine lives." Replied the medicine cat, "you should use them well instead of judging them and your own power."

   "You are right." Nodded Ruststar, "do you know what the ruby is?"

   "No." Answered his friend, "I am as confused as you are."

   Ruststar was old, but his friend was not. They were met after his warrior ceremony, where Nightspeckle, or Nightkit at that time, showed up.

   "Thanks Nightspeckle." Meowed Ruststar, "let's head back. I got a deputy to pick."

   "Anyone in mind?" Said the medicine cat suspiciously.

  "Few."

 "There is only a few warriors at camp!" Laughed Nightspeckle. "I would like to suggest Hazelpelt, she seems nice to others and was responsible."

   "She is a good choice." considered Ruststar.

   And two cat walked away, higher up the mountain.

~

Sorry not very long!!!