#Sandystar (ACU Clangen)

[autumnclanupdates]

"Sandystar, you need to stay still,"

The she-cat was aware that the tom was talking to her, but she ignored the ever-playful tone, instead trying to push herself up onto her paws, wincing as she could barely stand on her left hind. "I can't rest," she protested. "The clan needs me."

In truth, ever since Slopefur had died, things have been off-kilter. Everything was shifted to the left by a fur length. Everything had been the same, yet, everything had changed. AutumnClan had been lucky to have no deaths aside from the kits when they first settled, but everycat was now frequently visiting the medicine cat den.

She, herself, was stuck here, having been on a training session with Cinderpaw and Cragpaw when the badger appeared. The apprentices were able to return to camp and get reinforcements, but by the time they had returned, she had lost her first life, the badger mangling her leg almost beyond repair, had it not been for Crowburr.

"You died Sandy. You're allowed to not have the clan need you for a few more sunrises," her friend argued. "We both know the others still have a full nine."

"I..." she trailed off, looking across the camp. Rustkit had been caught trying to sneak out by Blueflight, causing the queen to scold the she-kit before returning to where she was listening to Mintsplash. It was such a normal scene, it had her heart ache as she shook her head. "I can't, Crowburr. Leadership waits for no one."

And with that, she limped out of the cave, back towards her own den.