Sorry for the wait, here's the next chapter!
Sunlight peaked its way over the horizon, brightening up the night sky that was fading with the stars. The trees rustled on their branches, swaying gently in the breeze. Overhead the soothing call of a raven could be heard as the bird fluttered through the forest.
Getting to his feet, Lionclaw delicately stepped over his mate, careful not to wake her up.
In the morning light, the golden tom let the sun warm his shining golden pelt before sitting down to groom his fur.
I should head to the freshkill pile and grab something to eat. But glancing around, the tom remembered he wasn't at home; he needed to hunt for himself.
After stretching his sleepy muscles, Lionclaw padded out of the grassy clearing and into the dense forest.
Swiveling his ears the warrior listened to the sounds of the forest. He could hear the crunch of undergrowth with each step of his paws. Other than a bird calling out, nothing else could be heard in the early morning.
Opening his mouth, the golden cat drew in the smells of the forest, distinguishing the prey scents from others.
Quickly, he spotted a small wood mouse nibbling on a beechnut. Crouching down instinctively, Lionclaw made his way over to the prey and killed it with a swift bite.
Devouring the catch in a couple of bites, Lionclaw licked his paw and drew it around his ears.
Suddenly, he heard a branch break nearby and he whirled around.
"Who's there?" he meowed, trying to sound braver than he was.
"Relax. It's just me."
Lionclaw let his fur lie flat as a familiar black pelt emerged from behind the brambles.
"So how's the prey running this morning?" Smokey asked, trying to make conversation.
"Very nicely. I just finished off a plump mouse in fact." Lionclaw meowed politely.
There was an awkward silence before the black tom spoke up again. "So have you and Heatherstorm come to a decision?"
The golden tom let out a small sigh. Obviously this tom wasn't giving up on his hopes.
"I think that we should be able to do it." Lionclaw meowed at last, unsure of what he just got himself into.
Smokey's eyes gleamed with a mixture of excitement and happiness. "That's great!" He purred, sounding like a kit.
Lionclaw just nodded, looking out into the distance. How was he supposed to make an entire band of rogues a true Clan? Letting out another sigh, he laid down in a patch of soft grass that was warmed by sunlight streaming in through a slit in the treetops. He had a lot to think about and that particular spot was looking very inviting.
"What's wrong?" Smokey asked sounding dejected.
"Oh nothing. I just need some time to think. When Heatherstorm wakes up I'll come and get you. I think we need to talk to Thorn and the others before deciding anything."
"Oh okay."
Lionclaw watched as the tip of his tail disappeared from sight and the tom let his head rest on his paws.
Closing his eyes, blackness soon engulfed the golden tom as he let sleep overcome him.
THIS IS A BREAK THIS IS A BREAK THIS IS A BREAK THIS IS A BREAK
The sound of many pawsteps filled his ears, and Lionclaw blinked open his eyes. To his surprise, he was no longer in a sun-warmed patch of grass. Instead he was standing in a large sandy clearing with a pool in the middle, it's water sparkling in the light.
"Greetings."
The tom spun around to see many cats padding towards him to sit beside the edge of the pool. Their pelts sparkled with stars and Lionclaw realized with a jolt that they were from StarClan.
One of them, a blue-ish gray she-cat padded forward to stand beside him.
"I'm Bluestar. I was the leader before Firestar. I've come to share some news with you." She meowed.
Lionclaw nodded involuntarily. His amber eyes gleamed with a combination of exhilaration and fear. Though he knew these were his warrior ancestors, he was still wary of the unfamiliar territory.
"You were right to agree with Smokey. He's going to be a noble cat in your Clan." The star pelted warrior meowed.
Lionclaw blinked. "So I am going to make them a Clan?" He meowed.
Bluestar nodded. "Yes. They've needed someone like you to come around for a while now, even though they didn't know it. You shall become the first leader, and guide these cats for a long time."
Lionclaw stood there in shock. He was supposed to become Clan leader!
"I have called this meeting to let you know that you have StarClan's support. Even when we seem silent, we'll always be following you every pawstep of the way."
"But how am I supposed to do that? I mean what am I supposed to do if not everyone agrees? We can't just force them to change their ways." Lionclaw pointed out.
The she-cat dipped her head. "You are right. But I never said this would be an easy task, only one that must be accomplished. You have a destiny far greater than what you know."
Glancing around the star filled pool, the other cats nodded in agreement. Returning his gaze to Bluestar Lionclaw spoke up again.
"Yes Bluestar. I will try my best to fulfill this destiny." Though the golden tom spoke the words, he wasn't entirely sure he believed them. This was a lot of work he accepted to do!
"I'm glad you understand. Today you will talk to the others. Many will accept the change quite nicely. Once you have everyone's support, and we are sure you're ready, you'll receive your nine lives and leader name. After that things will become easier for you."
Lionclaw nodded in understanding, "Thank you. But who will be the medicine cat?"
"When the time comes you'll know." Bluestar meowed, her sparkling pelt beginning to fade into blackness.
"Wait, I still have questions!" But his pleas were lost in the wind as the others began to slowly disappear, leaving the golden tom alone, and more confused than when he had gone to sleep.
"Lionclaw? Lionclaw wake up. What are you doing out here? Anyone could've come by and hurt you.
Blinking his eyes open, Lionclaw realized that the sun was only slightly higher in the sky than it was before he fell back asleep.
Lifting his head to touch noses with his mate he meowed, "Don't worry about me. I was only asleep for a little while."
The light brown tabby let out a sigh of relief. "Okay, but next time be more careful! She teased, cuffing him over the ear playfully.
When Lionclaw didn't react she became worried. "What's wrong?" she queried, eyes glinting with fear.
Shaking his head to regain thoughts he finally explained to her his encounter with StarClan.
As he finished, he noticed her eyes were wide with enthusiasm. "I'm so proud of you." She purred, given Lionclaw a tender lick on his golden cheek. "Come on, let's go start explaining to the others, we need to get as much support as we can on this."
Getting to his paws, Lionclaw stretched and gave his chest fur a thorough licking. When he was fully groomed, the tom went to stand by his mate.
Tails twined, the two warriors padded side by side, their pelts merging into one as they raced through the greenery, eager to start the beginning of their destiny.
Okay I hope you liked the chapter. Lionclaw has finally found out a part of his fate. Will he have trouble getting others to agree with the new changes to their life though? I guess you'll have to read and find out! Also, don't forget to review. I mean if you've read this far you may as well make record of it. Thanks for reading and please review! (I think the poor button is lonely) LOL. XD Seriously though, you'd better review.
