Notice: Warriors is created and owned by Erin Hunter.
Chapter 1
Spottedleaf glanced at the newcomer, a kittypet named Rusty. Nervousness radiated from his body as every cat's gaze turned to him. Mocking yowls rose from the crowd as the noticed his collar. Longtail was making an especially big fuss.
"Once a kittypet, always a kittypet!" He mocked.
Rusty's ruff went up instantly. Spottedleaf realized that Rusty's escort, Lionheart, was whispering something in his ear. Rusty lifted his head, gaining some confidence. Longtail was looking for a fight. They started circling each other, until Rusty made the first move. He bit into Longtail's leg. Longtail gashed Rusty's shoulder in return.
Spottedleaf sighed. More wounds to heal. She couldn't help but notice how handsome Rusty was.
Rusty fought back by ripping open Longtail's flank. Blood oozed from their wounds. With a final effort, Longtail took hold of Rusty's collar with his fangs.
Rusty is weakening, Spottedleaf thought. This fight couldn't hold out much longer.
Rusty scrabbled at the dusty ground. He couldn't breathe! Trying to pull away, Rusty's collar finally snapped. Both cats lay panting, covered in blood and dust, clumps of fur torn out, littering the camp.
Bluestar pawed Rusty's former collar. "This is a sign. Rusty is freed from his kittypet life, and is free to join Thunderclan as an apprentice. By naming apprentices, we show that Thunderclan will survive and remain strong. From this moment on, until he has earned his Warrior name, this Apprentice will be known as Firepaw."
The Clan followed tradition, yowling "Firepaw! Firepaw!" Firepaw responded by kicking dust on his former collar.
Spottedleaf couldn't help herself. She began to daydream of her and Firepaw, while Bluestar gave Firepaw a tour of the camp, teaching him along the way.
Spottedleaf shook her head. What was she thinking? She's a Medicine Cat. She can't think thoughts like that.
Bluestar showed Firepaw the Medicine Den last. Spottedleaf took Bluestar aside.
"Hey Bluestar, don't you think I should clean Firepaw's wounds? He's limping."
"Very well. Do as you wish." Bluestar replied. She left the den.
"Firepaw, come here, I need to dress your wounds."
"Sure" Firepaw meowed. Spottedleaf could easily tell that he was tense.
"What's up Firepaw? You're a bit edgy."
"Oh, uh… Well, um, will it sting?" He stammered. He was hiding something. If he wasn't then I'm a mouse, Spottedleaf thought.
"I'll only use cobwebs to stop the bleeding, then I'll use some Dock, which will sting." Spottedleaf firmly pressed some cobwebs on Firepaw's shoulder. After chewing some Dock into a poultice, Spottedleaf applied it to his shoulder. She winced in unison with Firepaw.
"There you go. Off to the Apprentice's den you go." Spottedleaf meowed when she was done. She continued, "Keep your weight off your shoulder for a while. If it gets infected, visit me right away!"
Firepaw staggered out of the den, and she resisted the urge to rush to his side and let him lean on her. If this is what the life of a Medicine Cat is like, Spottedleaf thought, when you can't find your perfect tom, then maybe I won't live the life of a Medicine Cat, and I still need to tend to Longtail's injuries. It's so unfair!
