The tabby placed his claws on Rusty's throat, smirking, which sparked Rusty's ire. The striped cat dug his claws in deeper, ready to tear the throat out, when the ginger tom kitten tracked his back claws over his stomach, surprising the tabby long enough for him the leap up and deal an offense of his own.
The tom kitten bit down on the pale tabby's ear, ripping it in half, his fore claws digging into the shoulders.
The tabby yowled in pain as he thrashed wildly. His claws finally clawed the space between Rusty's eyes, to which the ginger cat let go.
The tabby seized this opportunity and unleashed a storm of claws and teeth, to which the tom kitten responded with his own attack.
Finally, the toms broke apart, panting and hissing. But before they could launch at one another again, a voice that was female and very steady rang out:
"That's enough, Longtail.".
Rusty whipped his head to the ledge, and on it stood a stocky molly, her dark gray fur turned silver in the moonlight.
"Longtail, who is this?" She asked.
"I don't know! Graypaw brought him in!".
The molly narrowed her eyes.
"A new recruit, mm?" She spoke with calmness, though there was an icy edge to it. "I've informed the whole clan not to attack them, as they are not intruders, and you have disobeyed me.".
Longtail flattened his ears and snarled "Bluestar, they're ruining our clan! Moonmother would never approve of this!".
"For disobeying me and attacking our recruit," She continued on as if he didn't even speak, "You will go the rest of the night without any prey.".
Longtail's jaw dropped, but with one glare from his leader he hurried to one of the burrows and stepped inside. Rusty made a mental note to never try one of his remarks on her.
"Come here, newcomer." Bluestar called, to which Rusty obeyed and stepped forward.
"What's your name?".
"Rusty.".
"Interesting name." Bluestar yawned, . "Would you like to join our clan?".
"Yes please.".
"And why?".
Rusty had to clench his teeth to not make a sarcastic retort.
"Well," He began, "I grew up all my life on the Thunder-Paths. I was abandoned on the streets, before having to give a meathead group named BloodClan half of my prey. I couldn't trust anyone, and I had to look out for Big-Barks and BloodClan, among others.".
The ginger tom kitten paused, looking at the curious and sympathetic faces of the clan, before he continued.
"When I met Graypaw, I was hunting the woods, seeing if they had anything to offer. When I learned of ThunderClan, it sounded much better than the Twoleg-Place, and I wanted to… Uh… Contribute? Is that the word?.".
"Hmmm.". Bluestar tilted her head in thought, her eyes studying the stars.
"You realize the dangers that the woods have to offer, correct?" She said suddenly, to which Rusty nodded.
"Good, good.". She righted herself, curled her tail around her paws, and looked back down at the ginger tom cat.
"Then I name you Firepaw, in honor of your coat.".
'That's not a bad name.' Rusty- No- Firepaw, thought.
"I believe Tigerclaw would be a fitting mentor. He has shown himself to be strong and courageous. Pass on everything you know to young Firepaw.".
A dark brown tom, one as large as two foxes stacking on top of each other, stepped forward. The ginger tom cat was in awe of the size of this cat, and took a few steps towards him. Tigerclaw bent down to touch his nose to Firepaw's, he pale eyes gazing into his.
When they broke apart, Bluestar nodded. "Meeting dismissed." She said, leaping down from the ledge.
"Young Firepaw, it's very nice to meet you." Tigerclaw greeted in a gruff voice, his nicked ears twitching, "I believe we should see the territory first.".
"Okay.".
Tigerclaw trotted to the tunnel without another words, and before Firepaw had time to process it, his mentor's tail whisked through exit.
Once he realized this, the ginger tom cat stood up and dashed to the tunnel, unwilling to be left behind.
'So far everything's going good.' Firepaw thought with pleasure. 'They all seem nice enough. For apparent bone eaters.'