Dawn was only just a tinge of pinkish orange in the sky, the stars fading away, the moon sinking out of sight, low beneath the horizon of trees. A gentle breeze lent it's brisk, cool air, warning of leaf-fall soon to come. The heat of greenleaf was dying away, and the gentle, yet cozy nip of autumn pervaded the morning. Mist slunk along the cool, dewy ground, and the awakening sun shone golden rays through the mist, giving the forrest a surreal, dreamlike atmosphere. Warriors were peeping from their dens, yawning, stretching, readying themselves for a day of hunting, training, and patrolling. But in the forest, there were cats who hadn't had a wink of sleep all night, and hardly more than that for a past quarter moon. They were on their way.
There was a rustling in the ferns as Stripeheart padded slowly out, her white and brown tabby fur fluffy from the gentle cold. Next to her was a skinny, pale ginger tom. He was unfamiliar, and didn't appear to be from Hawkclan. Between them they carried the limp, injured form of Gracefulpaw, one of Wintercloud's daughters. The poor, terrified she-cat was severely wounded on her chest, and covered in a multitude of other scrapes and scratches and gashes. Her fur was unkempt and dusty, and her form was frightfully thin. And her sister was about to make her appearance. Out after the others came Wildpaw. The usually bright, energetic young she-cat looked half dead. Her ears were chewed and tattered, like those of an aged warrior. Fresh and not as fresh scars etched across her face, eyes, and muzzle. Her legs, shoulders, and flanks were covered in bloody wounds, scratches, bumps, bruises. Her fur, usually a bright, cloudy white color with light chocolate torbie points, was now a dull, gritty grey color, caked with dirt and blood. Her legs were shaky, and she was skinny, looking as if she could topple over at any given moment. But at the sight of camp, her light blue eyes lit up with indescribable joy, and she stood up straight.
"Mom! Dad! Everybody! We're back!" She choked, trembling.