Chapter 6
Shadow woke up and stepped out of the newly built warriors den. She walked over to the pond and began cleaning her coat. A few moments later, Sparrow joined her. "Do you want a fishing lesson right now?" Shadow looked at Sparrow and smiled. "Sure, I'd love that." Sparrow nodded and stood, motioning for Shadow to copy her. "Now, first you have to master the art of crouching absolutely still. Then you must focus on the fish and wait for one to swim right under your outstretched paw. You have to be careful not to let your shadow fall upon the water or you'll scare the fish away." Sparrow nodded as Shadow crouched and stretched out her paw. "Very good. Keep your claws sheathed. When a fish passes under your paw, strike the water at an angle, curling your paw around the fish. When you have a firm hold, pull your paw out of the water, tossing the fish behind you. If the blow doesn't kill it, finish it with a bite to the neck." Shadow nodded and froze, watching for fish. She suddenly struck out at the water, scooping out a fish and tossing it behind her. She turned and finished it off with a bite to the neck. Sparrow stepped up next to her. "That was great Shadow! You got a fish on your first try. You'll be a master fisher in no time." Shadow smiled at her. "Thank you Sparrow. Would you like to share this fish with me?" Sparrow nodded and they settled down to eat. When they were finished, Sparrow began cleaning her coat. Shadow walked back to the warriors den and stepped inside. She smiled as she spotted everyone still sleeping. She walked over to Lion and leaned down, licking his ear. She stepped back as he leapt to his feet. "Shadow, you scared me." Shadow smiled. "Sorry but it's time to wake up. I'll get the others." Lion nodded and left as Shadow walked to a brown lump. She poked it with a paw and squeaked in surprise as two sets of yellow eyes rose to meet her gaze. "Morning. Time to wake. I'll get Sun and Squirrel." Dusk and Dawn nodded and walked outside as Shadow turned to Sun and Squirrel who were curled up next to each other. "Hey Sun, Squirrel. Wake up." She pokes both of them and grinned as Sun rolled onto Squirrel. Squirrel squealed and pushed him off before rising to her paws. "Sun! You rolled on me." Shadow laughed as Sun stood. "Sorry Squirrel. I didn't know you were next to me." Shadow nudged them towards the entrance. "You two can continue your quarrel outside." Sun and Squirrel walked outside, still arguing. Shadow followed and trotted over to Lion who was lying next to Sparrow. Lion looked up at Shadow and smiled. "I heard you caught a fish this morning. Nice job." Shadow smiled and lay next to him. "Yeah I did. Thank you." Sun and Squirrel had finally stopped arguing and Sun was sitting next to Sparrow, licking her ear gently. Squirrel had joined Dusk and Dawn at the rock pile. Dusk looked over at Shadow. "Who's going to be our leader?" Shadow was shocked at the question and took a moment to think. She noticed everyone looking at her as she stood and walked to the rock pile, leaping onto the large rock on the top. "I, Shadow, speaker for StarClan, say these words before our ancestors so they can hear and approve of my choice. Sparrow will be the new leader of…" Shadow paused for a moment, thinking of a name for the clan. "LifeClan." The others nodded in agreement as Shadow leapt down from the rock. Sun smiled and nudged Sparrow towards the rock. Sparrow leapt onto the rock and looked around at the others. "Thank you for choosing me to lead LifeClan. I promise to lead this clan to greatness. First, I believe everyone needs warrior names. Sun, Shadow, Lion, Squirrel, Dusk and Dawn, please step forward. Sun, from this moment on you will be known as SunHeart. Dawn, from this moment on you will be known as DawnWing. Dusk, from this moment on you will be known as DuskRose. Squirrel-" Sparrow stopped as Squirrel stepped forward. "If you don't mind, I would like to be medicine cat. I will share dreams with you and StarClan tonight and I will receive my name and you'll receive your nine lives and leader name." Sparrow nodded and continued. "Lion, from this moment on your will be known as LionFlight. Shadow, from this moment on you will be known as ShadowFeather." They all smiled at their new names as Sparrow continued. "Now, I must appoint a deputy. DuskRose will be the new deputy of LifeClan." DuskRose gasped, blinking in surprise. "T-thank you. I'll do my best to serve you well." Sparrow leapt from the rock. "Alright, DuskRose, DawnWing and SunHeart stay here. LionFlight will go with Squirrel and help her collect herbs. ShadowFeather and I will scout out more members." Everyone nodded and DuskRose settled on the Great Rock. DawnWing lay at the pond and SunHeart started making a medicine den. LionFlight and Squirrel trotted up the hill and disappeared into the brush. ShadowFeather trotted up the hill and followed Sparrow into the brush opposite of where LionFlight and Squirrel disappeared.
