Hello and welcome to the first real chapter of New Beginnings! I'm so excited to finally debut this piece, let's hope it turns out how I've hoped! Here we go!
"Lionkit!" Ferretstar thought back to how they had chosen the name.
"What about Lionkit?" Snowstrike had suggested.
"Lionkit?" Her mate echoed. "Why Lionkit?"
"Because, hopefully someday after we raise him, he will grow as powerful as the lions that filled the forest long ago in LionClan, and he will use that power to fight for his clan and all he loves." After Snowstrike finished, no one questioned it, the kit would become Lionkit.
"Thank you Farwetstawr." The kit dipped his head and stepped back, the leader then continued with the meeting.
"ThunderClan came for the sunning rocks once, and chances are they'll come again, so we must be prepared! Midnightstrike will organize groups to rebuild anything that needs to be rebuilt in camp, please go to him if you are healthy enough. Thank you, that is all."
"Silverclaw!" Across the forest the senior warrior enters his leaders den.
"Yes Tuskstar?" The silver warrior enters the den.
"Just wanted to remind you, you have eleven moons that is all, leave now." The warrior nods and walks out again.
"Who will foster Lionkit?" Snowstrike asks, now Ferretstar, Snowstrike, Midnightstrike, and Palefur are back in the leaders den.
"Well we are very lucky that Russetmoon weaned him off her milk a half moon earlier than most of the queens do, so I will raise him along with my kits, it's no hassle at all." Ferretstar nods to the queen and turns to Midnightstrike.
"Midnightstrike, please go organize the rest of the days patrols, also Fallenpaw and Skypaw fought like warriors yesterday, I would like to go fishing with them and their mentors today." Midnightstrike nods and exits the den along with the two she-cats. After a little, Ferretstar exits his den and walks up to his deputy. "When did you organize the patrol for?"
"Mid-day Ferretstar, is that ok?" Ferretstar nods and walks over to the medicine den.
"Rosetail, Briarthorn?" The leader then spots the black she-cat bent over Cherryfur.
"Rosetail is out gathering herbs with Grovepaw and Troutpaw."
"How are our warriors Briarthorn?" The she-cat finishes pressing fresh cobwebs onto Cherryfur's flank and the brown warrior limps out of the den to find her apprentice.
"Ferretstar most of them are fine," The she-cat moves closer. "but I fear Bluefrost may not make it, the wound in her neck is fairly deep."
"Those fox-hearts already took two warriors from us Briarthorn, please, let's try and keep it that way." The leader then leaves and heads to the apprentice's den. "Fallenpaw and Skypaw please meet me out here." Ferretstar exits the den after waking the young cats, within heartbeats, Fallenpaw and Skypaw bolt out of the den. "Please come with me."
"Of course Ferretstar!" Fallenpaw meows enthusiastically. The three exit the den and pass Rosetail, Grovepaw, and Troutpaw while exiting the camp. "May I ask what you wish to speak to us about?" Fallenpaw's voice has calmed now, sounding almost nervous.
"I've brought you both out here to discuss yesterday's battle." Skypaw's face remains strait and Fallenpaw just nods. "You two are how old now?"
"Ferretstar all of the apprentices are just shy of 12 moons now, we've had to share mentors due to the sheer mass of us." Ferretstar nods at Skypaw's response.
"Right, I think due to the performance you two had in our battle, you both deserve to be made warriors a half moon early." The two apprentices faces light up happily.
"Thank you so much Ferretstar! This is an honor!" Fallenpaw exclaims.
"Yes, thank you so much!" Skypaw adds on.
"You both earned it, I have already informed your mentors, they're more than proud of you both, but are very happy to not have to double mentor anymore." The two apprentices laugh. "Your first assessment will be fishing and it will be today at mid-day." The two just nod at him. "You may return to the camp now." The apprentices run off happily and go to the river's edge instead of returning to camp.
"Skypaw, I know you're probably wondering why I've lead us here instead of going back to camp."
"Yeah, just a little Fallenpaw." The beautiful dark tortoiseshell she-cat answers.
"So, we might be warriors very soon," The grey tom begins, Skypaw nods. "So when apprentices become warriors they are then allowed to have mates." He trails off nervously. "So I wanted to_" Skypaw cuts him off.
"Be my mate Fallenpaw."
"You beat me to it Skypaw." The two touch muzzles and when they lean back, they intertwine their tails.
"Hey Fallenpaw?"
"Yeah Skypaw?"
"I love you." The she-cat's voice is low as if she's whispering him a secret.
"I love you too Skypaw." The apprentices then turn and begin to walk to camp once again.
"Midnightstrike!" The black furred deputy walks up to the leader.
"Yes?"
"Where have Skypaw and Fallenpaw gone?"
"They are yet to return actually." The leader huffs and goes to his den. Heartbeats later the two apprentices enter the camp. "Fallenpaw! Skypaw!" The two run up to Fallenpaw's father. "Ferretstar beat you both back, go to his den, it's nearly mid-day."
"Sorry dad." Fallenpaw meows, the two apprentices then turn and go into the leaders den. Soon they emerge and exit the camp yet again.
"Son good luck!" Midnightstrike calls to his son. Fallenpaw's head reenters the camp and flashes a confident smile to his father. Midnightstrike sighs and turns to his mate. "They grow up so fast my love."
"Indeed they do," She sighs. "So Midnightstrike?"
"Yes?" He asks.
"What would you think about… another litter?" Midnightstrike's face looks confused for a heartbeat then lights up with joy.
"Are you?" He whispers.
"I'm expecting kits!" She whispers back to him.
"I'M GOING TO BE A FATHER!" The deputy happily exclaims. "AGAIN!" Grovepaw comes racing from the apprentices den.
"WHAT?" He yells. "CONGRATS!" The apprentice comes racing over and tackles his father. The apprentice then races back to the apprentice den. "TROUTPAW I'M GONNA BE A BIG BROTHER!" Midnightstrike stands and rolls his eyes.
"Those two need to be warriors already, we all know whose kits she'll be expecting soon." Snowstrike laughs.
"Yes but we really should be mentioning the fact that Fallenpaw and Skypaw's kits will probably be born soon after the litter I'm expecting." Midnightstrike's face contorts.
"I do not know how to feel about that, he's so young." Snowstrike laughs.
"Keep in mind, you were only four moons older than they are now when I kitted them, and you are the youngest deputy in the clans, you're just under 24 moons my love."
"Hey, so are you." The two laugh and walk out of the camp.
"Great catch Fallenpaw!" Skypaw calls to the grey tom as he carries over a large carp. He drops it at Ferretstar's feet.
"This New Leaf has truly provided a surplus of food, you both have passed this assessment!" Skypaw tackles Fallenpaw and the two laugh. "You will not be taking to fighting assessment due to your performances yesterday, and I'm fully aware that the two of you are our most capable apprentices, how would the two of you feel about being named…" The leader pauses. "Tonight?" They stand quickly, jaws wide open.
"It'd be an honor Ferretstar!" Skypaw exclaims, Fallenpaw just nods, at a loss for words.
"Please welcome to RiverClan for the first time as full warriors, Fallensky and Skyleap!"
"Fallensky! Skyleap! Fallensky! Skyleap!" The clan chants in unison. Fallensky turns to Skyleap and just smiles at her.
"So Fallensky, Skyleap, anything to tell us?" Midnightstrike teases.
"Well, we are mates!" Mistfur, Minttail, Snowstrike, and Midnightstrike all just smile and laugh along with the clan.
"I never saw that coming!" Mistfur exclaims sarcastically, and flashes his daughter a smile.
"Midnightstrike and I have news as well!" Snowstrike steps forward. "We're expecting again!" The clan cheers happily.
"Ok everyone!" Ferretstar yowls. "Let's feast!"
"Sparkstar!" Redheart calls up to the ThunderClan leader's den. The black and white she-cat emerges moments later.
"Yes Redheart?" The leader asks.
"I wanted to talk to you about my apprentice." Sparkstar motions for the deputy to come into her den. Once Redheart enters, Sparkstar sits.
"What about Hazelpaw?" The leader asks.
"Her performance in yesterday's battle wasn't what I expected of her, could you give her some one on one training?" The leader tilts her heads to think.
"I don't know Redheart, you know she's never been a big fan of fighting, and she's already one of the clans best hunters, don't you think you should let it slide?" The leader counters.
"No, we can't have weak links when we're trying to retake the sunning rocks! Sparkstar please, I'm sure if you employ Thornpaw to help, you can get outstanding results." Sparkstar just sighs.
"Very well, bring me Thornpaw then." Redheart then exits the den.
"Hey you two." Grovepaw sits facing Fallensky and Skyleap and sets down a carp.
"Hey Grovepaw." Fallensky greets his younger brother. "Wait a second, where's the gang?" Suddenly Lillypaw, Troutpaw, and Hailpaw all arrive carrying fish and small animals.
"What did you think we'd miss this?" Lillypaw teases her older brother.
"Oh and congrats on making it official you two." Hailpaw jokes. The new warriors just laugh and smile to their friends.
"You guys are just jealous." Skyleap pokes Grovepaw.
"Not of your name!" The tom fires back.
"What do you want your name to be?" Fallensky asks his brother.
"Grovestrike." He says plainly.
"No, nope, not happening, we already have enough 'strike's." Fallensky exclaims.
"Whatever, it's practically a family name!" Grovepaw protests.
"It's not gonna happen little bro." Suddenly a small silver tom drops a fish larger than him and sits next to Lillypaw. The kits face is completely hidden by his prey. "Oh hello there."
"Hi!" The tom squeaks and puts his front paws on top of the sun fish so that his eyes just clear the fish. "Aren't you the new warrior?" He asks.
"Why yes I am, aren't you Lionkit?" Fallensky asks.
"Yep." The small tom smiles.
"Lionkit?" Lightkit calls.
"Yeah Lightkit?" He squeaks.
"Did you get the fish?"
"Yeah I'm coming Lightkit," Lionkit turns to the warriors and apprentices. "Bye guys!" The small tom picks up his fish and slowly makes his way over to the others. Once he leaves, the older cats burst into laughter.
"He's so cute." Skyleap gushes.
"I know." Fallensky responds and drapes his tail over Skyleap's shoulders.
"Oh knock it off you two!" Lillypaw teases.
"Cats of RiverClan, please gather for a clan meeting!" Ferretstar calls, it had been half a moon since the feast, and now it was time for all the others to be made warriors. The four apprentices looked up to their leader, with perfectly groomed pelts, and shining eyes. Eventually they reached the moment everyone had been waiting for.
"Please welcome to RiverClan for the first time as warriors, Lillyflower, Hailpelt, Troutstream, and Groveclaw!"
"Lillyflower! Hailpelt! Troutstream! Groveclaw! Lillyflower! Hailpelt! Troutstream! Groveclaw!" The clan cheered happily for the new warriors. Ferretstar silenced the cheering clan.
"Is there any other new to be shared?" The leader asks the clan.
"Troutstream and I are mates!" Groveclaw's news was met only with laughter.
"And don't forget me and Hailpelt!" Lillyflower calls. The clan only laughs harder. Fallensky and Skyleap lean closer to each other and whisper in hushed voices, heartbeats later Fallensky steps forward.
"I'M GOING TO BE A FATHER!" The clan falls silent, and Fallensky steps back shyly.
"That is," Midnightstrike pauses. "AMAZING NEWS!" The clan cheers even more now. The young couple move closer to each other, with wide smiles on their faces. The clan proceeded to have a feast, as they always do when new warriors are named.
"So, Fallensky, how long until she should be kitting?" Fallensky just laughs at Groveclaw.
"Three moons you fool, just a little over a half moon after mother." Snowstrike walks up to her two sons.
"I guess your brothers and sisters with be raised with your children." Midnightstrike just laughs.
"Still not sure how much I like that." The four cats just laugh together in unison. Troutstream walks up to the group. "Welcome to the family Troutstream!" Midnightstrike greets her.
"Thank you Midnightstrike!" Troutstream replies. Soon the sky darkens and the new warriors leave the camp to guard it for the night.
"Lionkit!" Palefur calls to the silver tom, he turns away from Ferretstar and runs into the nursery, Palefur walks up to the leader and the two exit the camp, tails intertwined.
"Hey Lionkit!" Rockkit greets his foster brother, and the silver tom trots over to their nests.
"Hey guys, so what are we thinking?" Lionkit asks.
"We're a go for tonight!" Lionkit bounces in excitement at Rockkit's response.
"This is gonna be awesome!" Lightkit meows. The others nod in agreement.
"I am the king of the sunning rocks!" Lionkit play growls. He clambers up to the highest rock and looks down at his foster siblings.
"Lionkit be careful, the sunning rocks are higher than the warriors make them seem." Rockkit calls up.
"This is nothing Rockkit, I can see the whole territory from here!" From his perch Lionkit could truly see the majority of the RiverClan territory.
"Lionkit please come down, we can all play down here." Beetlekit calls up.
"Fine." Lionkit climbs back down to the base of the rocks and faces the other kits. "So, what now?"
"WHO ARE YOU?!" The kits all quickly turn to face a large shadowy figure. "WELL?!"