No wrong steps.
Get this right.
You want to be a warrior, don't you?
Yeah, of course! Then I get to go to clan meetings!
Are you sure? You never got to go as an apprentice because the clan was embarrassed about your strange fur.
Leap, and. . . Look! I got a vole!
"See, self? My green pelt doesn't stop me from being a good warrior!" I muttered.
"Squa!" I heard a voice, and didn't have any time to run from it. Fox dung! Who would've thought someone would attack me out of nowhere? "What are you doing on Treeclan territory, you beauitifully colored, over-sized rabbit!" The mostly black tom was confused for a moment. ". . . Never mind, you're just a cat. . . And I just realized that I'm not on my territory anymore. . . Anyway, who are you?" By now he was off of me, and I was sitting, and he was standing, and I couldn't look away from his wonderful blue eyes.
"Um. . ." I noticed that he was completely black except for the white triangle on his forehead. "I'm Reedpaw. . . Who are you?"
"They call me Razorpaw, but hopefully not anymore, if this hunt goes well." Razorpaw paused and looked around. "This is supposed to be my warrior assessment, but I think it's pretty boring." He then looked straight into my eyes. "I would much rather be talking to you; green just happens to be my favorite color, and it looks as if you know all about green. . . With those eyes and all." Razorpaw glanced at my fur. "How do you keep your fur green like that?"
"Well, I was sort of born like this. . ." I wasn't sure how to explain it.
"Cool," Razorpaw sat and pondered at me for about three heartbeats then meowed, "it's weird how I haven't seen you at a gathering before. . . But I hope to see you at the next one, Reedpaw. Later!" And he turned around and trotted back to his territory, leaving me to sit there and watch him leave.
I finally got up with my vole that I had caught, and started searching for other prey.
Until next time, Razorpaw!
*line break*
"May all cats larger than a rabbit gather around the Meeting Stone," Pondstar spoke loudly above all of the evening chatter of the clan. She waited patiently for every cat to sit and be ready to listen to her. Then she spoke. "Tonight we gather the clan to recognize a new warrior." Pondstar looked directly at me. "Reedpaw! It is my understanding that you have done an outstanding job learning to be a true warrior!" Pondstar was obviously filled with pride, and I guessed that I probably looked the same. I wonder if Razorpaw has become a warrior yet. "Aspennose, has your apprentice completed her warrior training?"
"Yes, Pondstar, and I think that she is more than ready to become a full member of this clan." His deep voice was as clear as Pondstar's when he spoke. He turned to me and smiled.
"Reedpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and be a true warrior to the best of your abilities?"
"I do." I hoped that my voice sounded steady.
"Then by the powers of Starclan, I grant you your warrior name. From this day forth, you will be known as Reedheart, for your strong heart, and determination, just like you mother cat. Use your skills well for your clan." There was a slight hesitation until Aspennose and Emberlake started cheering my new name, then the rest of the clan joined in.
"Reedheart, Reedheart, Reedheart!"
It continued until Pondstar declared that it was time to eat. We all went to our nests after we ate, and I spent my first night in the warrior's den. I was placed next to Emberlake, who just had his warrior ceremony about two moons ago. He had a pelt kind of like Razorpaw. Emberlake's pelt was black, but he had ginger paws and a white tail tip. His eyes were green like mine. But his had more brown. I enjoyed his company, but sometimes he could be so serious.
"I figured that you'd want your nest next to mine, so I suggested it." Emberlake walked into the den and settled down next to me. "I assume that you want some rest; you've had a long day today."
"Yeah, I guess I have." I replied with a smile.
"Maybe tomorrow, we can go together on hunting patrol."
"Sure, that would be fun!" I was happy that I had at least two cats in the warrior den that cared about me: Emberlake, my best friend, and Aspennose, my father cat and mentor.
"Well, goodnight, Reedheart."
"Goodnight, Emberlake."
And just like that, I fell asleep.
*line break*
"I don't think this is a good idea, Cloudkit." I looked nervously over the side of the riverbank.
"It'll be fine, Reedkit! We just need to get in it and start swimming! It'll be so fun!" Cloudkit looked hopefully at me.
"But remember, Cloudkit? We don't know how to swim! And-"
"Pshaw, swimming will be easy! After all, we are Waterclan cats; we were practically born in the water!" Cloudkit playfully nudged me. I fell into the water with a splash.
"Cloudkit! Help me!" I was struggling, but then I remembered that one apprentice told me how to swim. Right! I was starting to get it. . .
"I'm coming, Reedkit!" Cloudkit jumped in gleefully. Just then, we heard a rumbling. . . It all happened so fast. . .
"No! My kits!" There was a flash of brown fur as my mother jumped into the water to get Cloudkit, then there was a flash of white fur as Aspennose rushed into the water and grabbed me by the scruff. The rumbling only got louder. My father jumped to safety with me in his jaws. As soon as we turned around, the other half of our family was swallowed whole by the giant wave that replaced the once small river.
"Bridgeheart!" Aspennose immediately dropped me and ran as fast as he could along the river, trying to catch up to the wave that took my mother and sister. He soon gave up and came back to me. He collapsed beside me, pulled me close, and began grooming me. His breaths were fast, and his heart was beating fast. "I'm sorry I couldn't save them." Aspennose couldn't keep himself from crying as he pulled me closer. "I will never let anything happen to you, Reedkit. I will protect you." I fell asleep to the gentle rasping of his tongue.
*line break*
Okay, chapter one done. I'm trying to make each chapter at least 1000 words, so yeah. As always, follow me, review, whatever floats your boat. Constructive criticism! And. . . Razorpaw. . . Is going to need a warrior name. . . Any suggestions?
