A/N: Geez, I'm lazy. I mean, this stuff is already written, and yet I take nine days just to bother editing and posting this. Honestly, I'm not even trying. Gotta kick myself...Anyways! Another attempt at a small fight sceen, and the first few legs of clan basics gettin' taken out in this chapter. Also pairings, or some of, I suppose-I mean, really, this series was meant to focus more on the "second generation". Had to get that in there asap! Well, without further ado, enjoy!
Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue!
Having eaten and rested in the scrubland, Twilightstar made good time coming back to the ravine. The camp. She corrected herself. It was just past sunhigh by the time she arrived.
Cuppy, pacing in front of the hollow tree, her snowy pelt in stark contrast to the aged bark, was the first to see her.
"Everyone! She's back! She's back!" her ecited yowl called. Heads popped out of shady corners, and Fluffy, Shadow, and Cloud came charging up to her.
"You're okay? You're not hurt are you?" Shadow and Fluffy spoke almost at the same time, covering her face with licks.
"She's fine." Cloud said in his loud meow, twining his tail with hers.
"I am fine. Just a little tired is all." Twilightstar purred.
"You got your nine lives and name?" Fluffy asked, silencing the group of cats that had gathered. Twilightstar snorted.
"Of course I did!" she meowed. "And before I rest, there is something very important I must do." Waving her tail for the others to follow, Twilightstar jumped up onto the same branch of the same tree she had the first day.
"My friends, we are a Clan now, EclipseClan." She paused, letting them take in the name before continuing, "And there is something, as your leader, that I am now very proud to do. Fluffy, come forward."
Looking a little startled, Fluffy padded slowly to the base of the tree. Twilightstar raised her voice.
"I, Twilightstar, leader of EclipseClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this cat. She already has the heart of a warrior, and I commend her to you as one in turn. Fluffy, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do." Fluffy replied, her meow clear and steady.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Fluffy, from this moment on you will be known as Fluffytail. StarClan honors your faithfulness and compassion, and we welcome you as a full warrior of EclipseClan!" Jumping down from her perch, Twilightstar rested her muzzle on Fluffytail's head, and felt her lick her shoulder in turn. Stepping back, Twilightstar met her eyes, and saw the glow of pride and happiness there.
"Fluffytail!" "Fluffytail!" the Clan called. Twilightstar nodded to Shadow then, who strode forward with confidence.
"I, Twilightstar, leader of EclipseClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this cat. She already has the heart of a warrior, and I commend her to you as one in turn. Shadow, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do." Her firm voice rang out, loud and purposeful.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Shadow, from this moment on, you will be known as Shadowclaw. StarClan honors your determination and your courage, and we welcome you as a full member of EclipseClan!" Twilightstar again lay her muzzle on her Clanmate's head, and she too licked her shoulder. Once the cheering again quieted, Twilightstar proceeded to name Cloud 'Cloudbelly', Midnight 'Midnightwish', Cuppy 'Snowshine', Hattie 'Fernpelt', Patch 'Patchcloud', Rusty 'Russetburn', Simon 'Oakfall', Cuddles 'Specklemist', Twiggy 'Twigstripe', Sam 'Sandfoot', and Milo 'Sunleap'. After the last calls of welcome died down, she raised her voice once more.
"Cats of EclipseClan, you now have your rightful names, but still, you need training. Every day from now until everyone of us can fight and hunt like true warriors, there will be training sessions in the clearing just outside of camp. Also, we'll need set borders and dens. Since there are no apprentices, all of us will do their duties including hunting, patrolling, and training. It may be difficult, but we can do it. We will also need a deputy and medicine cat. Tonight, I will share tongues with StarClan and seek their console on these matters. Shadowclaw, Cloudbelly, Snowshine, and Sunleap, you come with me. We'll set our borders right away. Everyone else go to the training clearing with Fernpelt, Twigstripe, and Midnightwish for hunting lessons. The meeting is over!"
Twilightstar finished, wavering her tail. She glanced up at her previous perch for a moment while her warriors rushed off. I can call meetings from there. What to call it? Lowtree, perhaps? We'll have to get dens sorted out as soon as we get back.
Gathering her chosen cats around her, Twilightstar set off into the forest.
"Do you remember that fallen oak we crossed over on the way here? We could use that as one of the border markers." Shadowclaw suggested. Twilightstar nodded her agreement.
"The river curves all the way to the edge of the scrubland. We could use that as a main border." The others mewed their agreement.
"What about Marshclan's border? We'll have to set scent markers on our side of it, maybe pick out a land mark or two?" Cloudbelly put in.
Snowshine let out a soft purr.
"Great idea Cloudbelly!" she said, gazing at him. Twilightstar's tail curled in amusement.
Any cat could see she admired the furball, even back in the Twolegplace. They just might need the nursery built sooner rather than later. Twilightstar glanced at Shadowclaw, wondering what her sister thought of the pair.
Their eyes met, and she could see laughter and happiness echoed in Shadowclaw's as they were in hers.
Letting out a mrrow of amusement, she butted Shadowclaw's shoulder before taking the lead again, and heard an indigenous snort from Snowshine in reply. After sometime, the patrol came to a tree so tall, its branches seemed to cover the sky.
"Shall we include this in our territory?" Sunleap asked, "It's so big, there must be plenty of prey in the roots, and it can be seen from just about anywhere."
"I think you're right. Good job Sunleap." Twilightstar meowed. The young cat glowed with pride. How strange. She was only eight moons older than most of her cats. Did her Clan really already respect her that much?
She was snapped out of her revere by a terrifingly familiar scent, but Snowshine's meow cut of her warning.
"Why don't we go a little further? I can see a clearing over there," Without waiting for a reply, she bounded off.
"Snowshine, wait!" Twilightstar yowled, but the she-cat ran on ahead. Panic filled her as she caught a glimpse of what Snowshine had not scented.
A fox.
As Snowshine reached the clearing, the fox leaped toward her, teeth bared.
"NO!" Cloudbelly screeched, pelting after her and plowing into her side, sending both cats tumbling into the bracken just as the fox's jaws snapped shut a mouse-length behind them.
Yowling in fury, Twilightstar rushed forward and launched herself onto the fox's head, tail nearly bit off in the process.
Memories all too real of the fox in the garden flashed in her mind. The thing yelped in pain as she sunk her claws into its face and bit down as hard as she could on its ear.
Reeking fox-scent filled her nose and mouth. She nearly choked on it, bloody and foul like carrion. Looking around wildly, she saw Shadowclaw weaving between the fox's legs as it scrambled around, nipping as she went.
Cloudbelly lunged forward and raked his claws across the fox's flank before darting back to his place in front of Snowshine. Sunleap was battering at its muzzle as it tried to get its teeth around him, gasping in horror when its wickedly long fangs came close enough to stir his eyelashes.
Unable to breathe, Twilightstar released the fox's ear and clawed her way over its head, down its neck, and onto its back were she tore up clumps of fur and left long gashes in the flesh. Snarling, the fox rolled onto it's back, crushing her under it.
Twilightstar's muffled ommpph as every bit of air in her body was ripped out her throat was lost in the long red fur. She started to panic at the feeling in her limps, like they were about to snap.
No sooner had fear seized her then the weight was gone. Staggering up, gulping in a precious lungful of oxygen, she saw the fox pacing doggedly a foot away, its soft underbelly dripping blood. Her Clanmates must have taken the opportunity to score it with their claws.
Growling in pain, the fox turned and fled into the undergrowth, Cloudbelly yowling as he chased after it.
Panting hard, Twilightstar turned to the others.
"Any injuries?" she asked them.
"I'm fine, just a little battered." Shadowclaw replied.
Sunleap was swiping a paw over his ear were the fox had cuffed him.
"Nothing too bad." He assured her. Twilightstar looked for Snowshine, finally spotting her jammed in a clump of bracken. Padding over, Twilightstar helped the she-cat out.
"You okay?" she asked. Snowshine looked wretched.
"Fine." She spat, her meow thick with venom. "This was all my fault. If I hadn't been so mouse-brained, none of us would have been hurt!" Her mew cracked, and grew thick with grief and fear, "What if Cloudbelly had been hurt? The fox almost tore him in half when he saved me." The last words came out in a squeak.
Sympathy flooded Twilightstar. True, the she-cat had been reckless but none of them were badly hurt. If she worries anymore about Cloudbelly her fur will fall out!
"Cloudbelly isn't hurt though. He's fine. We're all fine. And besides, we would have come across that fox sometime. Better that we chased it off now than it showing up in camp later." She said, stroking Snowshine's flank with her tail. Just then, Cloudbelly emerged from among the bracken, tail held high in triumph.
"We won't be seeing that fox again." He meowed loudly. His eyes narrowed when he saw Snowshine. He walked over stiffly, looking like he was trying to keep himself from running.
As he approached, Snowshine sunk back.
"I'm sorry," she mewed when he got closer, "It was a mouse-brained thing to do." her voice quivered.
Cloudbelly's eyes thinned to slits. "Mouse-brained?" he hissed, "It was much stupider than that! What if you had been wounded?" He was snarling at her now, and with every word Snowshine seemed to grow smaller, her ears flat on her head, eyes brimming with pain.
"Cloudbelly..." Twilightstar warned. He turned his head toward her.
"No." he growled, then whipped back around to face Snowshine. "What if you had been killed?" His intensity startled Twilightstar. Snowshine looked like she would wail. She was trembling, and her mew was a whisper when she spoke.
"I'm sorry." She said again, and hung her head.
The rage seemed to drain out of the tom, leaving him trembling as well. His meow was rough.
"I could have lost you." He said quietly, pushing his nose into her fur. "Snowshine I can't bear to lose you. I love you." He whispered.
Snowshine was still shaking, but she managed a rough, joyful purr.
"I love you too, Cloudbelly." She murmured, pressing close to him.
By this point Twilightstar, Shadowclaw, and Sunleap were all staring in surprise, jaws hanging open in shock. What just happened? she wondered. For StarClan's sake this has gone from setting borders to a fox fight to heart-felt confessions! Shaking her head in disbelief, Twilightstar cleared her throat.
"If we can get on with this patrol?" she tried to make her tone scathing, but couldn't hide her amusement.
Snorting, Cloudbelly beckoned to Snowshine and the patrol headed off again, Shadowclaw half-heartedly trying to stifle laughter the whole way.
She didn't succeed.
When they returned to camp, a fresh-kill pile had been set up. Padding over, Twilightstar picked out a plump mouse and settled down to eat.
As she did so, Fluffytail and Patchcloud came over with a rabbit for them to share. Purring, Twilightstar mewed her greeting around a mouth-full of mouse.
The three cats finished their meal in silence, and while they shared tongues, she told them about the borders they had set, the battle with the fox, and about Cloudbelly and Snowshine.
"Great StarClan! You've had quite a day!" Fluffytail exclaimed
"Thank StarClan no one got hurt with the fox." Patchcloud meowed, swiping his paw over his ear. Twilightstar nodded, blinking drowsily. Her best friend's voice pulled her from her trance.
"Er, Twilightstar, I know you're already busy with picking a deputy and all but…" she trailed off.
"You know you can ask me anything Fluffytail. You're my best friend. Becoming Clan leader hasn't changed that." She assured her. Fluffytail shuffled her paws.
"I know, it just seemed rude." She defended herself, "I just wanted to know when you'll be making the dens? I'd like to move into a nursery soon, and now with Cloudbelly and Snowshine, things will be hectic soon. And Specklemist and Twigstripe for that matter."
"Specklemist and Twigstripe?" Twilightstar asked, bewildered.
"Mhm. Specklemist told me just this evening. She's going to have Twigstripe's kits!" she purred.
"That's wonderful!" Twilightstar joined her, "Our Clan is going to be growing in no time!" How wonderful. "This needs attention then. I'll get the camp organized now." she said.
Stretching, Twilightstar padded over to the Lowtree and climbed to her perch.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Lowtree for a Clan meeting!" Her summons rang through the camp, despite the seemingly soundproof ravine, and cats started to emerge from the hollow tree. That'll be the warrior's den. She decided.
"Cats of EclipseClan, it is time we organized our camp. The hollowed tree shall be the warriors' den. I think it would be best to make the nursery at the far end of the camp in that cluster of trees surrounded by brambles, and the elders den near it under the overhang, while the medicine den could be in the cave over there." A generally pleased buzz confirmed her decision. "Does anyone have a suggestion for the apprentice's den and my own den?" she asked.
The cats looked around. A few put their heads together and started talking quietly, waving their tails to indicate different locations. In the midst of the discussion, Russetburn piped up.
"Why don't we put the apprentices' den in the pile of boulders that leans on the wall? I checked it out earlier. The roof is a good height, and there's plenty of space for many cats in the cleft inside. It looks pretty sturdy too." He concluded. Mews of agreement and appreciation rose among the cats. Russetburn had made a good choice.
"Very good Russetburn." Twilightstar meowed, "Any ideas as for my den?" she repeated. The younger cats, Sunleap, Fernpelt, and Oakfall all started whispering urgently to each other, looking very serious but excited. Twilightstar wondered why. Were they eager to please her? She thought, disbelieving but still a little flattered.
She had to fight to keep her fur flat. After what seemed like moons, the three cats padded forward slightly, and Fernpelt spoke.
"We could have your den in that alcove there behind the Lowtree. It's got honeysuckle hanging over the front, so it would be nice and private." She announced in her soft voice. Twilightstar swiveled her head around, spotting this for the first time. It did look like a good quite place, and it was close to the warriors' den. Nodding to herself, she turned back to the waiting cats.
"A fine den it will make you three." She said fervently. The three young cats seemed to burst with pride, puffing up their chests. Odd. "Alright then. If everyone agrees?" The cats below her all gave pleased nods after just a moment's thought. "Then let's collect some brambles to start building den walls. We'll have to move the nests accordingly. Build the nursery first." She added, with a glance at Fluffytail. "I fear I cannot help you just yet. I must share with StarClan and ask them who shall be our deputy." She concluded.
Rising, Twilightstar jumped down and went to the den that would be hers. Nosing aside the screen of honeysuckle, she stepped in.
The inside of the niche was cozy, with bare walls and a smooth floor that dipped gently. The honeysuckle would make the whole camp smell lovely when it bloomed, and that dip in the floor was perfect for a nest. The space was also roomy enough for a few cats, so there wouldn't be any problem when talking with her deputy. They picked well. She thought, touched that the cats wanted her to have such a nice den.
She padded forward, circling in the dip before she curled up in it, tucking her tail over her nose. It needed moss and ferns, but it would do for her purposes now.
Closing her eyes, she let her mind wander in the forest before drifting off.
It really was a comfoting sound, that forest.