I wrote this back in grade EIGHT (old indeed) and only now have I actually thought to drag it back out into the light and publish it on FF. I only went over it quickly, mostly just to try and fix up some of the punctuation and little mistakes. If I missed anything then let me know, I'll do what I can.
Disclaimer: 'Warriors' belongs to Erin Hunter, aka Vicky Holmes, Cherith Baldry, Kate Carry, and Tui Sutherland. In this case, I do own the characters and the (somewhat slow) storyline, but that's all.
Enjoy!
The sun shone brightly in the sheltered hollow that was the ThunderClan camp. Beams of sunlight danced over the glossy pelts of cats as sunhigh drew closer. Just outside the nursery sat a small kit, unusually restrained. Her pelt was like gray shadows on cream whiles her paws, the tip of her tail, and one ear were jet black. Though she appeared calm her bright orange eyes betrayed her excitement. Soon her leader, Sunstar, would announce her apprentice ceremony and she, along with her littermates, would begin their warrior training. Her mother, Appleflower, was inside the nursery at the moment preparing her littermates and trying to calm them down enough for the meeting.
A dark rust coloured tabby suddenly stepped out into the clearing at that moment and, with three easy bounds, rushed up to the Highledge.
"All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather round the Highledge for a Clan meeting," Sunstar yowled for the whole Clan to hear, "Silentkit, please fetch Stormkit, Rosekit, and Skykit."
The small kit jumped up and rushed into the nursery to tell her littermates. Inside Appleflower was giving Skykit a few last minute licks while Stormkit and Rosekit wrestled in the corner. Gesturing wildly with her tail Silentkit eventually got her littermates to pause long enough for her to flick her ears in the direction of the Highledge. Understanding immediately the three kits jumped up and joined their mute sibling as she raced back out to the clearing. Silentkit hadn't spoken a word ever since she could remember but it made no difference to her. Her three littermates had always been able to understand her and they had never made her feel like an outsider in her own clan.
In the clearing nearly ever cat had gathered around the base of the Highledge while Sunstar waited patiently above. At the sight of Stormkit and Rosekit's dusty and ruffled pelts soft purrs of amusement passed through the gathering. Silentkit thanked StarClan she had had the sense to keep away from her rougher littermates playing.
Sunstar signalled for silence, "ThunderClan these kits have reached their sixth moon and are ready to become apprentices. Stormkit please come forward."
Quivering with excitement Silentkit's brother stepped slowly forward, trying to seem dignified despite his ruffled gray tortoiseshell fur.
Sunstar looked down at the young cat. "Blackfrost you have yet to have an apprentice of your own. You will be mentor to Stormpaw." A black and gray tabby padded calmly up to the highledge to touch noses with the newly named Stormpaw. Next Rosekit was given the mentor Silverbrook while Skykit went with Sparrowflight. Then finally Silentkit was called forward.
Sunstar looked down at Silentkit for a moment before speaking. "Silentkit, your destiny is different from your littermates. When you were only four moons old you saved Rosepaw from kittencough and our medicine cat tells me that you already know most of the herbs by name." Longvine, who sat near the entrance to her den, nodded when a few cats looked questioningly at her. Sunstar continued, "You have already proven to your Clan that you are a gifted, young cat and last night StarClan showed me, in a dream, their agreement." Silentkit was beginning to see where this was going and her eyes opened wide though she could not utter a sound. Sunstar flicked his ears and Longvine padded over to where Silentkit sat frozen to the spot. Blinking down at her with kind eyes the ginger cat mewed, "StarClan has shown me this also. Silentkit will be the next medicine cat of ThunderClan."
Silentkit didn't move. Around her she was dimly aware of cats calling her name in congratulations but she didn't look around. Her orange eyes were fixed on the ThunderClan leader with such shock and defiance that his tail began to twitch. Something inside her was struggling to be set free. She could feel it writhing around in her chest. Without consciously deciding to she took a step closer to Sunstar and opened her mouth. In a great burst of sound the struggling thing was set loose. The Clan stopped their congratulations and turned to look in shock at the, once mute, kit who stood glaring at her leader; her fur was bristling and her eyes were narrowed.
"No," she said again, quieter this time. "I am not a medicine cat and I never will be one."
Sunstar, who seemed to have gotten over his shock faster then the rest of the Clan, glared down at Silentkit with a new respect. "StarClan have decreed that you shall be ThunderClan's next medicine cat. Will you not obey your warrior ancestors?"
Silentkit glared back at her leader with just as much ferocity, "StarClan have never chosen the medicine cat before why should they have any say now." Silentkit knew she was being disrespectful but she was too caught up in her new found ability to speak to care. Though she was just as shocked as the rest of her Clan she was trying, with difficulty, not to show it.
Sunstar paused, "I cannot force you to take the position. It is not my place to say who will be Longvine's apprentice. But are you sure? You are ignoring the will of StarClan. Think carefully now."
Silentkit didn't hesitate, "I will never be a medicine cat."
Sunstar's eyes darkened. "If that is your choice then it would seem I cannot change your mind."
"Then I can be a warrior?" Silentkit asked, excitement smothering her anger.
Sunstar's eyes narrowed further, "I'm afraid not." Turning around he bounded back up to the top of the highledge and turned to face the bewildered faces of ThunderClan.
"Cats of ThunderClan," he yowled, "Silentkit has made her choice. She will not train as a medicine cat. But neither will she be a warrior. With her first word she has defied StarClan and in turn broken the warrior code. She has turned away from her destiny. She will never be a warrior."
Shocked meows were let loose from the cats still gathered around the highledge. Silentkit looked up at her leader in horror. What could she be in she wasn't a warrior? She would never receive the training that her littermates would have. She wouldn't be able to hunt or defend her Clan. If she wasn't banished she would have to spend her life with the elders.
Amidst all the confusion ThunderClan's deputy, Puddleheart, stepped forward, "Sunstar, I wish to speak."
Sunstar nodded and the Clan quieted to hear what Puddleheart had to say.
"Sunstar, I understand that this kit has broken the warrior code. But I do not believe that she should not have the chance to become a warrior."
"Puddleheart, I respect your opinion but no cat will mentor her. How will she learn to hunt and fight for her Clan?" Sunstar's mew was calm but stern.
Puddleheart took a breath before replying, "I have watched this kit for a while now. When other kits fell ill she did not. She is strong and loyal despite her choice today and I believe she will make a fine warrior for ThunderClan. If no other cat will mentor her then I will take her on as my own apprentice."
The clearing was silent as every cat looked up to see Sunstar's decision. The leader was looking thoughtfully between Silentkit and Puddleheart but did not say a word. After several minutes he spoke, "Very well. Puddleheart will be this kit's mentor. But she has still broken the warrior code so Silentkit will not receive a new name. You will remain Silentkit for as long as you are a part of this Clan." Before Silentkit could open her mouth to protest Sunstar turned around and disappeared into his den.
The cats began to disperse, still mewing urgently to each other. Stormpaw, Rosepaw, and Skypaw all gave her awkward looks before heading off with the other apprentices Hailpaw and Peachpaw. Even Appleheart only gave her a quick, sad lick before heading back to the nursery. Silentkit sat lost in her own Clan, almost drowning in her own despair. Then, just as she was about to go after her littermates, Puddleheart padded up to her. Silentkit's ears twitched awkwardly, "Thank you," she mewed, "I'm sorry to have caused so much trouble for you and the Clan. I promise I will be the best warrior I can."
The deputy only gave a brisk nod before turning. Signalling for Silentkit to follow, he headed for the bramble tunnel. Leaping to her feet Silentkit bounded after him.
Outside the ThunderClan hollow long shadows reached farther and farther across the forest floor as the sun slowly sank towards the horizon. The soft scents of growing things reached Silentkit's scent glands and she breathed in appreciatively. She had been outside the hollow only once, when she had followed Sunstar and the dawn patrol, but then she hadn't gone very far before she was scented. Now, she looked around in wonder at the brood leaved trees and lush green ferns. Catching up to Puddleheart she asked, "Are we going to explore the border?"
He didn't reply but continued walking. Silentkit took this as a sign that her mentor still wasn't too impressed by her unusual apprentice ceremony despite his decision to mentor her. Her fur bristled a bit at this. Did you expect me to just lie down and let my life be lived by StarClan? I will never be a medicine cat!
Puddleheart stopped suddenly and Silentkit nearly ran into his tail. Stopping just in time she went to sit beside her mentor and look around. They sat on the edge of a steep hill over looking the lake and all the Clans territories. To their right a forest of tall, dark pine trees was ShadowClan. To the left great, sweeping hills was where WindClan hunted. And far across the lake RiverClan had their home on a small wedge of land where the river forked. Though no cats were visible from this far away, she knew they were there; full fed on fish and water voles.
After a moment she became aware she was being watched. Looking up, Silentkit saw Puddleheart's clear yellow eyes fixed intently on her own orange ones.
"Did I make the right choice?" her mentor blurted out unexpectedly.
Silentkit swallowed before answering, "I have never wanted to be a medicine cat no matter what Sunstar or StarClan says. Ever since I was a tiny kit I've dreamed of becoming a warrior of ThunderClan. I want to hunt for prey and defend out borders. I promise I am completely loyal to the warrior code." She winced a bit at the last sentence.
Puddleheart seemed to be thinking along the same lines as her, "Ah, but you've already broken the warrior code. You defied both StarClan and your leader and you're still barely an apprentice."
"I wish to live my own life, not have StarClan live it for me," she looked her mentor straight in the eye as she continued, "I am loyal to ThunderClan and the warrior code, I promise you that."
Puddleheart looked at her for a moment longer before nodding, "I believe you. And I don't suppose I should judge you as I've never been in your position myself."
Satisfied, the deputy stood up and step a brisk pace back towards the camp entrance, calling over his shoulder, "We'll start training tomorrow. It's much too late now," glancing back he added, "and I think you've had enough excitement for one day."
Silentkit secretly agreed and as they finally arrived back at camp, her paws were dragging and her tail was making a dark furrow in the dirt behind her. Puddleheart, noticing, nudged her towards the apprentices' den.
"Get some sleep or you won't be able to stay awake for training tomorrow."
Inside, all the other apprentice's were already sleeping soundly. Silentkit breathed a quiet thanks to StarClan. She did not think she could survive their inevitable question. Tomorrow, she knew, she wouldn't be let off so easily but now she was only grateful for the chance to sleep.
Before you ask, no Silentkit wasn't a mute who magically learnt how to speak. It was meant to be more of a psychological thing where she just never really tried. You think that's unrealistic, my little brother didn't speak until he was almost 4. (And speaking of unrealistic, these are quite organized cats with battle strategies and crazy dramas... and this is FanFiction...) XP
I have about three more chapters written, which I'll be adding slowly over the next couple of days. After I've posted those, I'll see if I get enough feedback to consider continuing this story. I'd like to, really, but I really should be thinking about university as well... ^^"
Hope it wasn't terribly dismal... grade eight seems so far away.. =P
(oh, and I know cats aren't supposed to be named 'Sun-' ... this is old and I wasn't thinking. Maybe I'll try to change it later. If you have any ideas for a replacement name then I'll be happy to consider them!) ^-^