Prologue
~Many seasons have passed since I have died. I've watched a she-cat grow into a wonderful leader, from kit hood I watched her grow while I was a warrior training my own apprentice. Now seasons later I'm coming back a new cat, one that will help guide her on her path to set the cats of the clans free again.~
~Whitesilver – Fernkit~
Thunderclan – The Cloud drifts in, with meetings and greetings.
Present…
"Fernstar!" called a bulging she-cat.
Fernstar answered her friend. "Yes? Starrose?" "The patrol came back and Lightningfur wanted me to tell you that he and Berryleaf found a loners scent near our borders." Starrose explained.
Fernstar laughed. "So old Lightningfur couldn't tell me because he is scared I would claw him for leaving mouse bile by my nest, that he had to ask his mate to tell me since she is my best friend?" Fernstar's green eyes glittered with humor while the queen sat dumbfounded. "He did what!"
Fernstar smiled. [Five….Four…Three…Two…One]
"Lightningfur!" Starrose hissed in annoyance. The annoyed queen stomped over to her mate, tail lashing. Everyone around camp looked as the round queen barreled her mate over yowling and reprimanding him that he's a 'senior' warrior, not a young 'apprentice' playing jokes on his mentor. And to think that he plays around like that, being a father to her young kits.
Fernstar sighed as she watched the two argue about the difference between being a serious old warrior and a younger somewhat old warrior with some humor.
Fernstar hopped onto the highrock. She yowled for the cats to gather. "All cats old enough to catch their prey, gather beneath the highrock for a clan meeting!"
As the cats gathered around waiting for what their leader had to say.
Three kits sat nervously, but their eyes showed excitement glittering deep. They knew what was going to happen.
"Today I present to you three kits that have reached their sixth moon, I call upon our ancestors to help guide these kits into becoming warriors. Sandkit, till the day you receive your warrior name, you will be called Sandpaw."
"Redsky, Flamepelt has trained you well and I hope you will pass on your hunting skills to this young apprentice." The apprentice and mentor touched noses. Fernstar flicked her tail toward Littlekit to come closer. "Littlekit, from now on till you receive your warrior name you will be called Littlepaw. Cresentmoon, You had a great mentor in Longear, I hope you will teach Littlepaw to be a great warrior one day." Cresentmoon and Littlepaw touched noses.
"Whisperkit, you show much promise in being a future warrior. Sparrowsong has requested from me to mentor you. From this day on till you receive your warrior name you shall be Whisperpaw. Sparrowsong, good luck with your apprentice, teach him to be the true warrior he is deep down. I hope you will pass on your great knowledge to Whisperpaw." The apprentice and mentor smiled as they touched noses. Fernstar nodded. "Sandpaw! Littlepaw! Whisperpaw!" the clan cheered.
Fernstar yowled. "This meeting is over, return to your duties." Fernstar bounded off the highrock.
"Berryleaf." The deputy turned. "Yes Fernstar?"
"Come with me into my den." Fernstar said as she padded into her den with Berryleaf.
"Berryleaf. Starrose alerted me concerning the loners scent your patrol had found near our border with Shadowclan. I want you to patrol along that area and renew the scent markers often to make sure that this cat knows it is not welcome and so Shadowclan knows they cannot dare try to steal prey again. That is all." Fernstar discussed. "Go send out a hunting patrol before sundown. Thank you Berryleaf."
Berryleaf nodded. "Yes Fernstar." The she cat padded out of the den.
Berryleaf padded over to Silverthorn. "Silverthorn. I want you and your apprentice on the hunting patrol, go find two others then wait for me by the gorse tunnel. I'm just going to visit Silverwing a quick moment." Silverthorn nodded.
Silverthorn walked toward the apprentice's den. "Stonepaw! Have you seen Wolfpaw anywhere?" "No. I thought he was with you. Have you checked the elders den yet? He always is keeping Longear company." Stonepaw answered. "Yes. I'll go check there. Thank you Stonepaw. Do you want to go on the hunting patrol with me?" Silverthorn asked. "I can't, I'm beat. I just returned with the dawn patrol. But you can ask my sister Leafpaw, she might be with Russetpaw." Silverthorn nodded. She padded out of the den.
Silverthorn saw Leafpaw with Russetpaw by the kill pile. "Leafpaw. Can you ask Greywind if he wants to take you on the hunting patrol with us? We need to go soon." 'Yeah sure. I'll ask him now." Leafpaw smiled. She bounced off toward her mentor who was talking to Silverwing the medicine cat. Leafpaw barreled her mentor over. Greywind smiled then looked toward Silverthorn. Silverthorn nodded.
Wolfpaw grinned from the elders den, he quietly stalked over to his mentor while hiding in the shadows. He crouched low that his belly fur was almost touching the grass. He straightened his tail, then pounced on Silverthorn who in turn screeched in surprise. "Wolfpaw!" Greywind ran over mrowwing in laughter. "Hahha. You taught him well if he tackled you like that." Silverthorn sighed as she smoothed down her messy pelt. "Let's go hunt."
The four padded over to Berryleaf.
Berryleaf smiled. "I'm sorry but you will have to go without me. I just came back from seeing Silverwing. And she said I'm expecting kits so I need to rest." Greywind smiled. "Congrats Berryleaf! I guess we'll have to catch a lot of prey now. We'll see you later." [So it's just him and me with the apprentices.] Silverthorn thought.
The four padded through the gorse tunnel. "Well let's make this a game. Us mentors against you two apprentices?" Greywind challenged. Leafpaw grinned and she looked at Wolfpaw pleading with her eyes. Wolfpaw's blue eyes flashed. "Beat ya' to it!" Wolfpaw ran ahead into the dense undergrowth with Leafpaw behind him.
Greywind smiled. "Let's beat them Silverthorn!" Silverthorn just nodded. She stalked off into the ferns and he went around. Greywind dropped into a hunting stance, he scented a vole. He crept forward slowly. The innocent vole scurried around the undergrowth unaware. One tail length away….. Get ready! Go! Muscles rippled under his smooth gray pelt as he sprung onto the vole killing it swiftly in one bite to the neck.
Not far…only a little more….
Silverthorn crept closer to the plump squirrel. Silverthorn pounced quickly killing it with a bite to its neck. She buried it quickly and bounded off searching for more prey.
"Hey wait up Wolfpaw!" Leafpaw called. Wolfpaw whipped around. "Shhh…something's in the ferns. Just watch a master hunt." He whispered. He jumped only to find the jaws of an angry dog. The dog howled in anger barking viciously. "R-Run!" Leafpaw screeched in fright. A white cat appeared. Jumping on the dogs back tearing at the large dogs neck. Wolfpaw ignored Leafpaws cry. He swiped at the dogs muzzle causing stripes of red to appear. The dog shook off the white cat. She turned and hissed at the two apprentices. "Run you mouse brains!" The dog jumped at Wolfpaw sending the young apprentice into a rock with a swipe of a paw. The white cat hissed, she swiped at the dog, clawing its flank. Leafpaw looked horrified at the sight of her friend lying on the ground unconscious, she ran away yowling for help.
Silverthorn and Greywind heard and ran toward the apprentice. "What happened? Where's Wolfpaw!" Silverthorn hissed. "D-d-Dog!" Leafpaw stuttered in fright. "Go back to camp and get help! Now!" Greywind ordered.
The terrified apprentice nodded and tore off.
Silverthorn and Greywind nodded and tore of in the direction Leafpaw came from.
Fernstar was walking out into the forest and was suddenly barreled into by a gray blur. "F-F-Fernstar! Dog! Wolfpaw, White cat! Attacked." The apprentice stuttered before she dropped unconscious. "Lightningfur!" she called. "Bring her to Silverwing, and then follow my scent. There's a dog in our territory."
Lightningfur nodded. He picked up the unconscious apprentice and headed toward the medicine cat den.
The white cat clawed at any chance she got, she barreled into the dog, biting the dogs neck, she took a firm hold her teeth biting into the flesh causing blood to trickle onto her white pelt. The dog shook its great neck, bashing the cat into the nearby rock, the white cat didn't let go even though her strength was fading from her weakened body, the dog suddenly dropped as weak from blood loss crushing the white cat underneath. The white cats vision dimmed as the blood loss took effect.
Greywind and Silverthorn arrived at a bloody scene, blood and bits of fur was all over and in the middle of the small clearing lay a bloody dog dead and beaten. But what shocked Greywind the most was a young white cat was under the large dog, barely breathing but alive. He walked over to the dead dog. He gently pulled the she cat out.
Fernstar arrived. "What happened!"
Silverthorn merely answered. "We don't know Fernstar. We just got here and we found this." Silverthorn took another quick look around, she spotted a sad sight. "No….Greywind…..look…" Silverthorn walked over to the rock. Wolfpaw was lying there beat up and bruised, but still alive. Fernstar yowled "No! Wolfpaw!" Fernstar picked up the young apprentice. "Let's get them back to camp. We can get answers when they wake up." Fernstar meowed gravely.
The walk back to camp was quiet. The group stopped a moment to rest. The white she cat moaned in pain. "Unnggghhh….where am I?" she lifted her head from the ground. She looked at Fernstar with confusion. "I am Fernstar. Who are you?" Fernstar said with sympathy. The white she cat answered softly. "I am Cloud. I'm sorry I entered your territory, but I was searching for some-." Cloud murmured. She drifted into unconsciousness again. "We'll get answers later." Fernstar said. The five padded into camp quietly. Silverwing ran to meet them. "Bring them into my den." Silverwing said. "Mallowpaw! Get cobwebs and wet moss!" she yowled as she raced to the den. Silversky and Mallowpaw worked quickly in the medicine den. "Hand me the moss to stop the bleeding and clean it out." Mallowpaw did as she was told quickly and tended to the white she-cat while Silversky tended to the battered Wolfpaw. "Come one Wolfpaw. Be strong." She whispered as she cleaned his wounds and bind his broken ribs and foreleg. Wolfpaw's breathing steadied, weak but still there.
Sundown approached and Fernstar sat patiently in Silverwing's clearing hoping for the best. Soon Silversky padded out of the den. Her head was hanging low. "Wolfpaw is dying. He might not make it past the night. I'm sorry Fernstar…"
Fernstar cried. "No! He can't go to Starclan. He is all I have left of Brookstar…"
"We just have to pray that Starclan won't take him just yet." Silverwing said sadly. "But I have news. The white she-cat is awake….so if you want to see her go ahead, but please don't stress her out just yet. She was on the verge of dying when she was brought here and there are traces of infection still. Do you know why she has such deep wounds?" Silverwing said. "It's probably because of the fight that took place." Fernstar sighed. "I'll talk to her."
Fernstar walked into the medicine cat den and sat down by the white cats nest. Fernstar sympathized the white she cat, all battered and bloody, earlier Fernstar thought the she cat was older but to her amazement she saw the she-cat was young, only a few moons older than Wolfpaw who was about nine and a half moons old with many scars and deep wounds for such a young cat. Fernstar gently nudged the sleeping white she cat. "Cloud." The she cat stirred. She groaned in pain as she fluttered her eyes open. "huh? Where am I? And how'd I get here?" Cloud asked
"Well you saved my clanmates from being killed by a dog. Then you said you were searching for something before you collapsed." Fernstar said. "You are in Thunderclan right now and I am the leader of this clan, Fernstar."
Cloud nodded. "I am searching for my kin and I thought I could find them if I looked in the clans." Fernstar listened. "Why do you have so many scars? You just a young cat and not a kittypet for sure." Fernstar asked curious.
Cloud sighed. "Yes. I am young, I am only 11 moons old. And I got all these scars from living with dogs. My parents died and I was orphaned at a young age and a dog and her mate took me in from kithood, so I learned their language. These scars are from playing with their pups that were born shortly after I got there. Her mate didn't like me there and wanted to kill me but his mate cared for me and said that I am just a young one not tainted by lies of the old ones. So he let me off but with a warning. Then a moon or two ago he chased me away when his mate was expecting another litter since their old litter got taken by twolegs, he blamed me and fought me. Earlier I was hunting and I saw those two cats hunting too so I hid, I saw the gray tom jump into the ferns only to run into the dog, and he was angry and wanted to kill the gray tom badly. So I did what I had to do. I fought the dog and the gray tom got a few scratches but the dog threw him into a rock and I heard a loud sound when he hit the rock." Cloud said. "I continued to fight the dog and he tried to bash me against the rock to kill me and I was losing so I quickly bit his neck killing him. And I woke up here."
Fernstar nodded. "You are very lucky that you are still alive, even my strongest warriors have trouble fighting a dog when there are many of them. You are so young and you manage to kill the dog on your own. You can stay here as long as you like till your wounds heal. Rest well and tomorrow I will send a warrior in a little after sunhigh to get you so we can talk a little more. Good night Cloud." Fernstar silently padded out of the medicine den and saw a waiting Silverwing and her deputy Berryleaf.
"Come, to my den. We shall discuss this there." Fernstar answered their silent questions.
The three she-cats quietly padded to Fernstar's den and went in to her private chamber in the back of the main den. Fernstar sat and signaled the two to do the same.
"From what I've found out about the young she-cat, her name is Cloud. She apparently was abandoned at a young age by her parents and was taken in by a she-dog (yes I know the other term for it, but I'm trying to keep it clean… :P) and her mate though he did not approve. A moon after she was there the she-dog had pups, so that's where some of her scars come from. Playing with the pups. But taken away a few moons later by the twolegs, thus resulting in the dog being angry and blamed Cloud for it happening so he chased her away and fought her when the she-dog was expecting again. She was hunting at the same time the two, Wolfpaw and Leafpaw were hunting in that area when Wolfpaw accidentally crashed into the dog that was in the bushes. So a fight started between the dog and Cloud." Fernstar reiterated to the two. "And, before you ask. I wasn't told where the she-dog and pups are. Or if they're still around. But one thing I know is Cloud's looking for something, or someone."
Berryleaf nodded in response. "I understand."
"So do I." Silverwing replied.
"She has very familiar eyes. Like from someone I know…" Fernstar said.
"I guess we'll find out soon enough." Berryleaf responded. "By the way. Is it alright for me to move into the nursery tomorrow? I'm expecting kits. I found out today from Silverwing."
"She is about a quarter moon along. So I think I'd be safe for her to move into the nursery." Silverwing said "So we do not have a repeat of last time." Berryleaf murmured softly. Fernstar draped her tail over Berryleaf in a comforting gesture. "It's fine by me, my friend." Fernstar replied.
"Let's go to sleep now. We have a long day ahead of us."
The two she-cats padded out of Fernstar's den and returned to their respective dens. But before Berryleaf slept she woke Dustpelt and whispered her good news. She was greeted with a quiet purr as to not wake the others and cuddled in closer to her mate.
Three days later…
The silent memory….
Fernstar slept fitfully. Memories flooded back in her mind of days filled with sorrow. The passing of Brookstar her foster mother and her dying wish, her best friend dying after being hit by a monster, her sister being washed away killed from a fall into the gorge and never found again; all these memories suffocated her. Provoking thoughts of ' Why' 'Why did you leave me?' 'What am I supposed to do' Her tormenting thoughts where washed away when a familiar gentle voice called out to her.
"My dear Fernstar. My lovely Fernstar…I'm so sorry… I really am. Please do not cry, I am here. I am here. I am always here." "Don't do this to me. Don't let me remember. I can't believe you left me! What about all the dreams we had together! Where they not for nothing? Then you leave me. All alone in the dark. Without hope…" she cried out to the voice. "I miss you."
"I love you my-"
Her dream faded away and her angst faded. ~Why~ she thought. She pushed her nightmare away into the deep recesses of her mind. She'll think of it later.
"Fernstar! Fernstar!" a voice called to her. "Wake up. Berryleaf sent me to wake you. Its dawn. The patrol is waiting for you." Oakfoot prodded. He stepped back as Fernstar awoke and shook herself awake. "Yes. I'm coming." She quickly smoothed her ruffled pelt and followed Oakfoot to the waiting patrol of Cresentmoon, Littlepaw, Dustpelt, and Redsky.
She nodded in greeting "Let's go." She told them. The five cats silently ducked through the gorse tunnel following Fernstar.
Once they were a little ways off from the camp Fernstar stopped. "Let's split up into two groups. My group will start at the twoleg nests and finish with Shadowclan, then head back here and hunt whatever we can find. Redsky, take Oakfoot and Dustpelt. You two go along the Windclan border and we'll meet up by the Shadowclan border. Redsky flicked an ear in response to show he heard and started in the direction of the Windclan border, Oakfoot and Dustpelt followed.
"Let's go now." She spoke. She flicked her tail for Cresentmoon and Littlepaw to follow. The two she-cats nodded in reply and silently followed their leader. Littlepaw who was excited to be on a patrol already quietly rejoiced her second time out of the camp. Yesterday she saw the some of the territory, now she would be able to explore a little more of it today.
Fernstar silently led the patrol toward the twoleg place and thought about the dream. She knew the cat, but she doesn't remember. ~Who was that tom…~ she thought. Cresentmoon watched her leader trying to read Fernstar's cool composure knowing there's something else beneath it. She padded up toward Fernstar so she was shoulder to shoulder. "Is there something wrong Fernstar?" she whispered.
Fernstar shook her head. "No not really. Just the daily worries a leader has for her clan during leaf-bare. I know it is nearing its end but I can't help but worry and think about the what-ifs of life." Fernstar replied.
"If anything, I'll be here for you. Brookstar was my best friend and I care about you like a niece." Cresentmoon answered. The three cats patrolled the twoleg border renewing the scent markers. Making sure that loners and rogues know they aren't welcome.
The sun was rising as they made their way toward the Shadowclan border listening and watching for other cats. Cresentmoon stopped and hissed softly. "Wait- I can scent another cat…and blood." she said before she paused. "It's not a clan cat Fernstar…Shall we take a look?" Fernstar nodded in reply. She crouched low to the ground then she signaled her two companions to be silent and hide behind the bush. 'Cresentmoon' she mouthed and flicked her tail for her to follow and Littlepaw to wait. Fernstar peered over the thick bush and saw a dark furred tom unconscious and barely alive breathing so shallow. "He's badly hurt." She spoke. "Come out. Littlepaw, go back to camp and get Lightningfur and Silverwing to come here." Littlepaw nodded and sprinted back to camp as fast as she could.
Fernstar turned to look at Oakfoot and Dustpelt who arrived at the same time scenting the blood and their clanmates. "What do you think happened?" Oakfoot wondered. "We'll find out if this tom makes it. He must be a loner. I don't know." Fernstar answered. "Dustpelt. You and Redsky keep look out for danger. Cresentmoon let's try to stop the bleeding while we wait for Silverwing.
~Meanwhile at camp…~
"Silverwing! Lightningfur! Come help! Fernstar! Black cat! Forest, Shadowclan border." Littlepaw panted after running a long distance as she crashed through the gorse tunnel startling the warriors around the camp who jumped in to a fighting position in alarm.
"Mallowpaw! Tend to Littlepaw!" The silver medicine cat ordered. The she-cat faltered. "Now!" Mallowpaw nodded in reply and hurried to help the exhausted apprentice.
Lightningfur and Silverwing rushed through the forest bringing moss in their jaws, heading for the Shadowclan border, scenting the air for their clanmates. Both cats flew over any obstacles in the way and entered the small clearing where they followed the scent of blood. Lightningfur spoke. "We're here. What happened?" he asked jerking his head toward the mysterious injured cat. "Another loner to feed?"
"Be quiet and just sit there." Silverwing snapped as she came back bringing herbs and set to work on the cat. She nudged the two she-cats that were there to move and give her space as she chewed the alder and some goldenrod into a poultice and applied it to the wounds. She applied some comfrey on onto the ribs and foreleg of the hurt tom, then binded the rest of the wounds with the cobwebs. The tom as Silverwing pointed out, temporarily woke up crying out in pain. Silverwing slipped a two poppy seeds into the toms jaws rubbing its throat to help it swallow.
It was nearly sunhigh when the silver tabby finished. "The cat is severely injured with a broken leg and several broken ribs. He seems pretty starved, so he is definitely not a kittypet. We have to get him back to camp because I'm sure he'll be burning up with a fever soon considering his wounds are a bit infected. I think he's been here a few hours and I found a faint scent of Bailey on him and another familiar scent but I can't put my nose on it. Ask her later if she knows this cat." Silverwing sighed.
Oakfoot and Redsky returned. "We didn't find any other scents around. No other cat was here for a long while. But his scent has been lingering around here for a while. He is the cat Lightningfur's patrol scented a few sunrises ago. Maybe four? Its what he says." Redsky said sitting down. "Where is my oddball of a son?" Cresentmoon sighed. "He went to hunt a little." Answered Lightningfur as he stepped out of the bushes, I couldn't not do anything considering cats are hungry. For example the injured cat, Silverwing, and Fernstar. I know you didn't eat, and don't say no Fernstar." He smirked at her. "We grew up together. Five…four…three…two..one…" As if right on queue Fernstar's stomach gave a hint of a rumble. "If only you weren't like a brother." She mumbled before she accepted a thrush and started eating. The other warriors started eating sharing, saving a mouse and a vole for the injured tom.
The tom woke up shortly to eat a little and at least say his name to the curious patrol. "My name is Shiro." He murmured softly, still weak. "I think its best we get back to camp. I have a naming ceremony and explaining to do at camp. Let's go." Fernstar got up quickly burying her leftovers and signaling the rest to do the same. "Lightningfur help Shiro up and get him on your back. Oakfoot stay in the rear and keep watch just incase." Her warriors nodded as they carefully made their way back to camp slowly.
Thunderclan waited patiently hoping nothing wrong went on. Littlepaw had explained as best as he could before passing out in sheer exhaustion. No one blamed the young apprentice, it was his first real day out as a true apprentice and all the excitement tuckered him out. So Mallowpaw told him to rest in the den till he felt better, Littlepaw climbed into the soft nest in the medicine cat den.
It was well past sunhigh when the patrol was able to reach camp. "Lightningfur, set him in a nest by the small pool of water in my den, near the back by my private den." Silverwing ordered. "Sure, no problem oldie." He answered grinning like a kit.
"Oh, he will never change…" she huffed in annoyance as she followed the large tom into the den.
Fernstar climbed onto the Highrock and yowled for all cats to arrive. "All cats old enough to catch their prey, gather beneath the highrock for a meeting!"
The curious cats arrived settling down to listen to their leader. As soon as everyone was ready she started. "Thunderclan. You might be curious as to what happened because we bring another cat into our clan today."
"A few days ago, while a Silverthorn's hunting patrol was out. They happened to find a dog, which attacked the apprentices who split apart from their mentors in a competition to catch prey. Wolfpaw and Leafpaw instead found a dog so the two had to fight. Wolfpaw was badly injured and was knocked unconscious after being thrown into a rock breaking several ribs and a leg. A white cat as Leafpaw explained arrived and attacked the dog killing it after a few moments of fighting." Fernstar said then paused. "That cat is the white she-cat named Cloud who has told me she is searching for her kin. Cloud, please come up and explain."
'Yes. Fernstar. I am young, I am only 11 moons old. And I got all these scars from living with dogs. My parents died and I was orphaned at a young age and a dog and her mate took me in from kithood, so I learned their language. These scars are from playing with their pups that were born shortly after I got there. Her mate didn't like me there and wanted to kill me but his mate cared for me and said that I am just a young one not tainted by lies of the old ones. So he let me off but with a warning. Then a moon or two ago he chased me away when his mate was expecting another litter since their old litter got taken by twolegs, he blamed me and fought me. Earlier I was hunting and I saw those two cats hunting too so I hid, I saw the gray tom jump into the ferns only to run into the dog, and he was angry and wanted to kill the gray tom badly. So I did what I had to do. I fought the dog and the gray tom got a few scratches but the dog threw him into a rock. I was starting to lose a lot of blood because he was giving his all to fight so I became badly injured, I followed my instincts and managed to get a grip on the dog's throat and I killed him. Two days later, I awake and find myself here." Cloud explained.
"I thank you all for the hospitality. I will leave as soon as I am deemed well by your medicine cat. Thank Starclan for your kind hearts." She said.
Fernstar nodded. "Yes. But I remember you were saying you were searching for something or someone. Please do tell. We might be able to help."
"I am searching for my kin that are supposed to be alive and living in the clans." Cloud sighed. "I really don't know about the clans much. I can only remember so much from my kithood. The only names I can remember was Copperclaw my father and Dark my mother. There was also Long something."
A cry sounded out from the crowd. "Copperclaw!" Sparrowsong wailed. "He's my brother, he left to be with a loner moons ago." She said. "Longear is my father. He's alive still. He's your grandfather."
"Cloud, you are welcome to stay. You did very well to defeat a dog three times your size when many warriors have difficulty to down one. You have warrior blood in you. I won't mind welcoming you here, and I'm sure your aunt would enjoy to get to know you." Fernstar said eyes softening for the young white cat.
Cloud smiled happily "I'd be glad to stay, I'll get to know a new family. A real one at that."
"Then you don't mind being an apprentice first? Because I'm sure you are still inexperienced and it would help you better to get to know Thunderclan, territory and all." Fernstar smiled down at the young cat who nodded in reply.
"Then, I call on my Warrior ancestors to guide this young cat as she trains in the ways of a warrior. Do you Cloud accept this?" Fernstar asked wisdom and power flowing through her. "I do." Cloud solemnly said. "Then from this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Cloudpaw! I ask Starclan to watch over and guide you until you find in your paws the strength and courage of a warrior. Fernstar said as her voice rang out in the clearing. "I will mentor you, as Brookstar had mentored me." Everyone looked in shock. "Cloudpaw! Cloudpaw!" The clan chanted, welcoming and congratulating the white she-cat.
Cloudpaw sat back in the crowd with the other apprentices welcoming her.
"I have one more thing to say. The tom that we recently brought in is named Shiro. We are not sure why he is here, but he was badly injured when we found him by the owl tree near Shadowclan. Till he wakes up he will have a guard and stay in the medicine den. I will find out more about him when he wakes up. This meeting is over. Clan dismissed." Fernstar ended the meeting and the clan returned to their duties.
Fernstar leaped off the Highrock and flicked her tail for her senior advisors to come. "Drizzlestep, Whistlefang, Cresentmoon and Lightningfur. Thank you for sparing your time. I know it may seem odd, but I have this feeling I know this cat. I think Whistlefang and Brambletalon should guard Shiro and switch with Sparrowsong, Darkfeather, Drizzlestep, Redsky and Oakfoot every now and then to rest. I only want the best fighters and the quickest just incase things turn out wrong. You will always be in pairs and no one will be on guard duty or on a patrol twice in a day. I will leave it to you all to figure out the scheduling to guard him. But tonight it will be Brambletalon and Whistlefang first to start off." Fernstar explained. "Any questions or concerns? If not you may leave." Drizzlestep shook her head. She looked to her mate. Whistlefang sighed. "I do, but it concerns other matters." Fernstar pricked her ears in interest. "What about?"
"Well, I am getting along in moons and I think I should retire. I've started to get creaky joints and have trouble walking lately. I mean I will not leave till my kits have become warriors. Drizzlestep is still young and fit enough though she is one of the oldest senior warriors here, but I think I'm ready to join the elders in a few moons. I have been a warrior since Brooksong became Brookstar, and you from Fernheart to Fernstar. Which has been quite a long time…I hope you aren't angry Fernstar. But my body is catching up to my age now, I'm not as young as I used to be."
Fernstar dipped her head in understanding. "I would never deny my warriors that right to decide, and I have been think along the same lines too, Whistlefang. Once your kits have become warriors you can become an elder and join your comrades in the elder's den. Thank you for letting me know instead of telling me then."
"Thank you Fernstar. I will get Brambletalon and inform him, then take my post in the medicine den to guard the loner." Whistlefang replied. He dipped his head and left Fernstar's den.
"Cresentmoon? Lightningfur? Anything else you might add?" Fernstar asked the mother and son. "No, nothing at all Fernstar. I'm just sorry for the mouse bile trick before." Lightningfur grinned. Cresentmoon sighed. "Let's go you over-grown kit. Go tend to your mate." The two cats left her den and went their separate ways.
Fernstar walked out of her den and headed to the gorse tunnel. She needed to think why this cat seemed….. familiar….
~Why do I feel like I know Shiro? Why does my heart pull me towards him? Why does he remind me of a love so long ago? To be only revived and reclaim my aching heart…and break it into pieces….~
Whell. It seems like this was a good first chapter. :D
Hopefully this story can go a long while, because right now my brain is swarming with ideas with this story.
Lightningfur: Yeahps. You should review. I need food. Foooooodd. IN MAH BELLEH!
Cresentmoon: I think his brain was deprived of oxygen when I was kitting him…
Daughter of the Wolfsong: -_-
Me: Get back in my brain!
Flamepelt: Cresentmoon, He's your son.
Cresentmoon: I birthed him, but you made him in me all those moons ago. But I think our romps in the forest every night that first moon were too much for him while he was still in my belly. ~smiles~
Lightningfur: The horror! The horror! No! Bad, cut the visual ! It burns! ~ runs blindly in a circle. ~
Cresentmoon: Well….How is that bad? You do it all the time with your mate. I see you sneak off in the night with her.
Lightningfur: …..Uhm. She was making me practice the hunter's crouch.
Cresentmoon: On her.
Lightningfur: ~Listens to music, puts on headphones~
Lightningfur: "I like to move it, move it. She like to, MOVE IT!" ~sings~
Flamepelt: ~sigh~ I'm thankful at least one of my kits is somewhat sane. ~looks at Leafpaw~
~Leafpaw suddenly appears at her father's voice~
Leafpaw: Whee! I'm a little teapot, short and stout!
Lightningfur: Here is my handle, here is my spout.
Flamepelt: I take that back.
Cresentmoon: Luckily she didn't hear what we said earlier. But maybe if you're up for it. Let's go for another romp in the forest. Just you and me.
Flamepelt: You're too old for that now.
Cresentmoon: WHY YOU MANGY OLD FOOL! I AM NOT OLD. WHISTLEFANG IS OLD! AND SO ARE YOU! ~springs onto Flamepelt.~
Flamepelt: NO! Noooo! Not That place! I need THAT!
Cue a toms screams of mercy, flying fur, maniacal laughter, and insane giggles.
Cresentmoon walks back out, orange tabby fur on her jaws.
Cresentmoon: That was a good one.
Cresentmoon: ~smiles~ Well sorry for this odd moment but so far certain cats in the future will be taking over the AN's from now on. Flamepelt won't be returning for a little while.
Drizzlestep: We get it from our mother. Right Cresentmoon? We always have our mates sniveling at our paws.
Cresentmoon: Sister bonding!
Drizzlestep: How should we torture them next?
Me: And you have to wonder where did Lightningfur's somewhat humorous side come from. Or is it just insanity? It can't be from his manic mother or usually stoic father…. That's it folks. Please read and review. It is very helpful if I know what my readers think about how this is going. Flames welcome, though I won't care much. Keep em' clean please. :D Good day.
(^~^) Peace out. (^~^)
~ RhizzyBlue ~
