Fireclan
Chapter 3
The Clan
"Fireclan?" Ren echoed in amazement. He remembered Scarface telling him about the clans, and his paws tingled at the thought that these tough cats were the ones he had spoken of. Then he reminded himself that Scarface said he had belonged to a different clan, Eagleclan, but it didn't take away the excitement that made his fur prickle.
Tigerpaw nodded, "Our camp was modeled after Thunderclan."
"Thunderclan?" Ren echoed again, this time in confusion. Scarface had told him of the four clans, but he had never said anything about a "Thunderclan".
"One of the Four Great Clans" Tigerpaw explained, though it didn't help dampen Ren's confusion. But before he could say anything Tigerpaw spoke again, "That's Shootingstar, our leader." He mewed, flicking his tail towards the she-cat Blackclaw and Squirrelshadow were talking to.
Ren strained his neck to get a better look. She was thin and lean, but strong muscles were clearly visible under her pelt. She had black fur with a splotch of lighter fur on her haunches, which seemed to have a tail that stretched out over her side until it disappeared on her shoulder. Ren cocked his head. The marking reminded him of something. He squinted and realized it reminded him of a shooting star. 'Clever name' Ren thought, only half sarcastically.
Ren jumped as a pelt brushed against his. He turned to see a cream colored she-cat standing beside him. She smiled in a friendly manner, "Hello, I'm Creampaw. Welcome to the camp."
Ren opened his mouth to reply but was roughly pushed aside. "Stay away from that thing Creampaw, it might have fleas."
The kittypet whirled around to look at another apprentice through narrowed eyes. He was a sandy color with small, dark splotches. The cat sniffed and wrinkled up his nose, "Ug, you smell terrible kittypet."
"Don't be so rude Specklepaw" Creampaw scolded. The sandy apprentice responded with a disgusted snort and stalked away, tail flicking with annoyance. Creampaw shook her head and turned back to Ren, "I'm sorry about that, Specklepaw always seems to be in a fowl mood." She let out a purr of amusement and followed him. Ren noticed Tigerpaw's eyes watch her until she ducked away into a bush.
Tigerpaw shook his head and looked around, "Here comes Shootingstar. Prepare to meet your fate kittypet." A hint of hostility re-entered his voice, making Ren's neck fur stiffen.
Shootingstar walked up to them, Blackclaw following close behind. "Is this the kittypet?" she asked acidly.
"Yes" Blackclaw responded. He glared at Ren, waiting to see what would happen to him. Ren felt the same question bounce around in his head, and his throat clenched. His ginger fur felt heavy under Shootingstar's fierce gaze. After a long pause the leader's gaze softened. She turned to Blackclaw, "He is brave for a kittypet, I can see it in his eyes. He would make a great addition to Fireclan."
Blackclaw opened his mouth to object, then shut his jaws firmly, realizing it was no use to fight with her, "Yes, Shootingstar" he mumbled.
Shootingstar gave a brisk nod and turned to Ren, who was staring at the leader in surprise. "So what do you say, kittypet? Would you like to join Fireclan as an apprentice? But I must warn you first," Shootingstar said as Ren's mouth shot open to speak, "Being a forestcat isn't easy. You must find food in the harshest times and listen to the clan without question, following the Warrior Code with your life. You will be expected to fight when needed to defend the clan and may not go back to you Twolegs if you decide to join us. You cannot live with a paw in both worlds."
Ren looked up at Shootingstar without flinching, "I will join Fireclan if you allow me. No longer will my Twolegs decide my fate. I will be a wildcat."
Shootingstar's whiskers twitched, "Well said kittypet. Come with me"
With a flick of her tail Shootingstar padded towards the fallen tree. She easily climbed onto the trunk, using a spot that sloped down from many years of use. Ren scrambled after her as she leapt up onto the tallest root. It was thicker than the others and didn't sway as Shootingstar's paws landed on it. Ren settled onto a root below it.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Hightroot for a meeting!" Shootingstar yowled.
Immediately cats began to make their way to the fallen tree. They gathered beneath the roots, casting curious glances at Shootingstar and the kittypet. Once again Ren felt their gazes boring into him, but the root beneath his paws gave him a strange reassurance.
"Cats of Fireclan," Shootingstar began, "Over the past few seasons we have lost many warriors, and droughts have caused out clan to go hungry."
Ren saw the Clan cats murmur in agreement and bow their heads to mourn the loss of fallen comrades and kin.
"But no more!" Shootingstar yowled, causing the clan to look up at her again, "We have found a kittypet willing to join us in Fireclan. He may have been born among Twolegs, but the spirit of a warrior dwells inside him!"
Yowls of protest rang up from the clan, "A kittypet? That's outrageous!" "He wouldn't survive a day!" "I'd rather starve!"
One cat stepped forward, fur bristled as he looked defiantly up at his leader, "He's a kittypet Shootingstar! Kittypets have no place in the clan, just look at his collar! It's a sign of Twolegs! The other clans with never respect us if we'll take in a mangy kittypet! He has no right in this clan! Kittypets cannot become warriors!!" His last call was taken up by the other cats. Especially loud was the cat Ren recognized as Specklepaw.
But Shootingstar simply narrowed her eyes, "And what about Firestar?"
This seemed to silence the cat, though he still glared at her. Letting out a hiss of annoyance he turned and stalked back among the other wildcats. Ren soon lost sight of him in the crowd. After a pause to make sure no other cat objected, Shootingstar turned back to Ren, "Ren, you have gained the approval of the clan-"
Yowls of protest rang up from the wildcats.
Shootingstar flicked her ears for silence, "-some of them." Ren held back a purr of amusement as Shootingstar leaned forward and set her nose on his forehead. He felt warmth flow through him as her touch, "Do you promise to forget your kittypet ways and take up the ways of the Clan?"
"I do" Ren breathed, feeling ever word.
"Then I, leader of Fireclan, ask Starclan to look down on this young cat and guild him through his journey. Ren, I give you the name Foxpaw, in honor of you fox-like pelt." Shootingstar lifted her nose from his forehead and looked to the sky. The sun still hung high in the sky, but the leader seemed to be looking beyond the sun and the sky untold mysteries.
Foxpaw gazed up, trying to follow her eyes, but soon Shootingstar turned back to the clan, "We are lucky to have so many apprentices lately. Goldenmane, you will mentor Foxpaw."
A golden colored she-cat with long fur stepped out of the crowd, walking calmly towards Highroot. The newly named Foxpaw jumped down to greet her, landing awkwardly before regaining his balance. Goldenmane leaned down and touched noses with him as Shootingstar continued, "You have had many apprentices before, and I hope you pass on your strength and wisdom to yet another."
The golden warrior looked up at Shootingstar and nodded. Foxpaw was quivering with excitement. Foxpaw! He was finally a wildcat! And what a name. Foxpaw. He loved the way it sounded. He licked his white chest a few times to smooth down his fur, which was ruffled with excitement. Shootingstar purred at the two and looked expectantly at the clan. For a moment they were silent, then Tigerpaw leapt to his feet and yowled, "Foxpaw! Foxpaw!"
The cheer was half-heartedly taken up by the rest of the clan, "Foxpaw! Foxpaw! Foxpaw!"
Shootingstar jumped down from the root. As if it was a signal the rest of the clan broke up, walking in different directions while chattering excitedly. Some cast menacing glances, but Foxpaw paid no attention. His fur was prickling with excitement and pride. Shootingstar padded up to him, her dark fur outlined grey in the sun, "Your name is that of a forestcat, but your appearance is still that of a kittypet."
Foxpaw blinked with confusion and looked down at his collar. With all that went on he had forgotten he still had it. He let out a hiss of frustration. Oh how he hated his collar! It had cursed him for too long. Sucking in a breath Foxpaw walked to the roots of the fallen tree. As the leader looked on, Foxpaw tilted his head and thrusted his neck over a root. The root jammed between his neck and collar. It scraped painfully against his neck, but he paid no attention. Gritting his teeth he began to pull away from it. The collar tightened against neck, but he kept pulling. His collar seemed to close around his neck at he pulled, taking away his breath. Just as he thought he would pass out from lack of air, a loud snap filled the clearing. Foxpaw fell back, quickly regaining balance. His collar laid on the ground, mangled and broken. He took a few deep breaths and walked over to it. Leaning down he clenched it in his teeth. The former kittypet dug his claws into the ground and flung the collar into the bushed that surrounded the camp. It disappeared into the leaves with a gentle hiss, the rank of Twolegs masked by the bush's sweet scent.
Foxpaw stepped forward, pride flowing through him. He heard Shootingstar let out a pleased purr and his heart swelled. He was no longer controlled by Twolegs. He now led a new life.
He was a wildcat.
