I do not own Naruto or Warriors
(Flintflake's pov)
three days had gone by since Snakestar and his rogues were chased out and the camp was doing better. We had rebuilt the camp wall and had welcomed the elders back into camp, The queens didn't have to hunt and do warrior duties. Everyone had full stomachs and we were slowly working on removing the stain that Snakestar had left on our clan.
Redsand, Woodcrow, and Windfur were all working tirelessly to restore the clan to it's former glory. Goldstar would be proud of the warriors that they have become. Woodcrow was leading hunting patrols, Windfur was going on dawn and dusk border patrols, and Redsand seemed to have slipped into the roll of deputy as he started to arranging the patrols and keeping the kits out of trouble with Dusttails help.
I purred at the peace we now had again in our clan as I looked over all my clanmates, but my happiness stopped suddenly as I stared at the tallrock. It's long shadow seemed to cut through camp as the sun started to sink. A chill went down my spine as I gazed at the stone that seemed cold in the newleaf sun. We had no leader and without a leader Sandclan can not move forward. If we don't have a leader than the clan will start turning on each other in hopes of proving that they should lead the clan.
'Starclan please send us a leader before it's to late" I begged to silverpelt as I watched the clan start to go into their dens for a well earned rest. My apprentice Rainripple was already asleep in his nest.
I yawned and decided to sleep outside tonight it was a common practice in Sandclan so I was fine sleeping outside. I curled up and drifted off to sleep.
I woke up to the summons of a clan meeting; My eyes flew open and I a looked up at the tallrock to see two cats sitting on it. I made my way further into the hollow where three cats sat at the base of the rock.
As I approached the sand under my paws felt different yet I felt so safe. Looking down I saw the sand a dark red color almost like that of blood. I was about to scream in horror thinking that this was a sign that more sandclan blood will be spilt.
When one of the cats jumped off the tallrock and joined the three cats at the base. The cats reddish-brown fur and gold paws and chest I instantly knew who the cat was. "Goldstar. What's going on will there be more Sandclan blood spilt in camp?" I asked as I stared at the red sand in fear.
"I don't think this is blood Flintflake". I turned at the new voice and found my apprentice Rainripple looking down at the sand with calmness.
"There will always be war Flintflake but this is not about war; this is about Sandclan's future and the leader that will protect Sandclan in it's darkest hour" Goldstar said and the sand under my paws started to expand to the edges of the hollow just as the sun illuminated the tallrock.
A young cat with fur that matched the sand in the hollow stood tall and proud. The fear I felt moments ago was washed away and was replace with the safety I felt under my paws moments ago. I gasped realizing who the cat was I was about to speak when the vision started to fade away and I woke up.
I looked around the hollow and saw that the dawn patrol was just about to leave. I raced over to them "Stop. Stay here for a while I have something important for the clan to here" I said and raced to the tallrock. Rainripple raced out of the medicine den "Let all cat's old enough to catch their own prey meet here beneath the tallrock for a clan meeting" I said and slowly but surely the clan started to wake up.
Rainripple joined me on the tallrock "Redsand will make a great leader I'm sure of it" he whispered. "I agree, but he is young and the clan may not want someone so young leading" I whispered back. "Have faith in the clan just as they will have faith that Redsand will lead the clan into greatness" Rainripple meowed as he gazed down to our clanmates who stared back with wide eyes.
"Cats of Sandclan as you know we have been without a true leader for a very long time to long in fact; but Starclan has not forgotten us. Rainripple and I had a vision that told us who our new leader will be" I paused and looked around for Redsand. I found him near the back of the clan next to his littermates.
"Redsand will be the new leader of Sandclan" I yowled never taking my eyes off Redsand whose eyes widened in shock his mouth agape.
"Him? But he's so young" Centipedetooth said
"He hasn't even mentored an apprentice" Breezecloud said
"Lets not forget that they ran away to Leafclan when we needed them here during Snakestar's rule" Ashstone said. He was a senior warrior and must have thought that he was going to be made leader. Redsand shrunk back slightly his ears lowered at all the faults everyone was saying he had to not be made leader.
"Quiet!" Dusttail yowled causing the clan to be silent and listen to the older warrior. "Ashstone you and I both know that Redsand and his littermates left to find help for our clan, and without Leafclan's help we would still be under Snakestar's rule. Yes Redsand is young but I have no doubt that he will make a great leader. Besides who are we to go against Starclan's wish". Dusttails words had merit to them and almost all of the clan meowed their support to Redsand.
"We must leave immediately if we want to get to the Moonstone before moonhigh" I meowed and jumped off the tallrock making my way through the crowd of cats to where Redsand was.
He stood proud I can only speculate that Dusttail's support gave him the confidence he needed.
"Congratulations brother" Woodcrow purred. "Don't worry about the clan. Woodcrow, Dusttail, and I have it covered" Windfur meowed giving Redsand a lick on his shoulder.
"Lets get moving" Rainripple said and with that we left the camp and headed towards Highstones.
(Redsand's pov)
We raced across the meadow until we finally came to a stop at a large thunderpath. I wasn't looking forward to running across this but I had to in order to receive my nine lives. It was already sunhigh and we still had a ways to go. I still couldn't believe that I was going to be made leader. There are better candidates for leadership I'm sure like Dusttail.
"Redsand. you ready?" Rainripple asked as he got ready to cross the thunderpath. "Yes" I said and joined him as I listened for oncoming monsters. When one raced past us once it was gone and no more where coming Rainripple, Flintflake, and I raced across the thunderpath. Once we were across another monster raced across the path.
The earth was darker on this side of the thunderpath and the grass felt rough under my paws. Once we had arrived at the foot of Highstones the grass stopped and rocky soil dotted the patches of heather. As we made our way up the stone slop that seemed to go on forever the sun was already sinking casting orange light on the stones.
"We'll rest here until the moon is higher" Flintflake meowed "You should get some sleep before that time Redsand".
I nodded and ignored my growling stomach as the scent of prey filled my nose. I curled up on the warm stone.
I was nudged awake by Rainripple. I blinked a couple of times and yawned and got up the stone I was sleeping on had started to loose it's heat thanks to the cool night. "It time" Flintflake said as he waited by the square black hole yawned in the archway. When I arrived closer to the cave Flintflake stood up "Follow me".
I tried to stay as close as I could to Flintflake who seemed calm in the complete darkness that surrounded us. The cold ground beneath my paws chilled me to the bone; It shouldn't be this cold in newleaf not even leafbare was this cold. I didn't know how long we were walking but I was starting to think that we were lost when the scent of fresh air hit me.
"We're here" Flintflake said as we came to a cavern that held the moonstone. My eyes had adjusted to the darkness so when the moonlight hit the moonstone I had to close my eyes from the blinding light that illuminated the cavern. I stared at the moonstone as it shined in the cavern; making it look like it was made of thousands of dew drops.
"Lay down near the moonstone and touch tour nose to the stone" Flinkflake said and I quickly followed that order ignoring the nerves I felt about becoming leader. When I touched the stone a chill raced down my spine and my eyelids felt heavy.
When I opened my eyes I was at fivetrees at the base of the Great Rock. Silverpelt looked closer than it ever had been before; the stars started to move and form shapes as the they fell from the sky. Their pelts shone like white fire and their paws and eyes glittered like when frost catches the sun. I looked around for cats I had lost. I saw my uncle Rockfrost and my father sitting besides each other but I didn't see my mother in the large group of cats.
"Welcome Redsand" The sound echoed through the clearing and seemed to belong to every cat there. "Are you ready to receive your nine lives?"
I tried to find out where the voice was coming from but couldn't see any cat talking. "Yes", I said forcing my voice to stay calm "I'm ready".
A pretty brown tortoiseshell she-cat moved away from the ring of cats and stopped until she was right in front of me. "My name is Briarshell I was the first deputy to my brother Goldstar before dying when you were but a moon old my little nephew" my aunt said before touching my nose. "Now with this life I give you Justice and Humility. Use it well to swallow your pride and make sound judgments for the benefit of your clan". When the last word left her mouth I felt a rush run through me like a raging river slamming into me almost knocking me over. I dug my claws into the ground for support and face the raging river and then calmness came over me. Was this how every life would feel; If so I don't think I will be able to go through with this.
A new cat replaced Briarshell; Addertooth stood in front of me and touched her nose to mine "With this life I give you the life of training. Use it well to teach those younger than yourself and to learn from those older than yourself" she said. This life was different than the other one; this one felt calm and reassuring and every now and then a harsh wind would slam into me. almost like I was being scolded. Addertooth stepped back and returned to the group of cats.
The cat that took her place I wasn't expecting to see at least not during my leader ceremony. Pineash stepped forward "Sandclan has allowed me to give you a life and be present for your ceremony Redsand" Pineash said and then touched his nose to mine "With this life I give you the life of understanding. Use it well to understand those weaker than you and all others that need your protection". I saw flashes of other cat's live I felt their pain and sorrow, but also their happiness as well.
The next cat who stepped forward was one I didn't expect considering he was one of Snakestar's rogues. "What are you doing here?" I hissed at him shocked that he was walking amongst my warrior ancestors. "I've always believed in Starclan Redsand; just because I wasn't part of a real clan doesn't mean I didn't believe. I admit I was in the wrong attacking your clan, but I did it for the leader I followed just as your warriors will follow what their leader says after all the leader's word is law" Bone said.
Some how I couldn't argue with what he said no matter how much I wanted to. "Now with this life I give you the life of Faith. Have faith in your ancestors and clan". The life it self felt calm and warm like the sun was shining on my pelt; as opposed to the other lives. Bone bowed his head respectfully to me before stepping aside.
A ginger tabby tom replaced Bone he seemed familiar but I couldn't place him. "I'm Redcliff. Redsand. your grandfather I died protecting the nursery from a badger the day you were born" the newly named Redcliff meowed. "I give you the life of protection. Use it well to care for your clan even at the weakest times". I thought that this life would be warm and nice but instead I felt a large wave of fury race through me as if the fury of Tigerclan in my veins. I felt like I could challenge anyone who wished to harm those kits crouched beneath me. I closed my eyes in pain when the fury slammed into me; When I opened them again Redcliff was gone and I was panting from the life I received.
The next cat took their time getting to me waiting until I had my breathing under control. Thunderstar stood in front of me "Some how I new you would be the next leader of your clan. That's part of the reason why I named you Redsand" Thunderstar purred and then touched noses with me "I give you the life of farsightedness. To understand what the results of your actions might be". I saw that may paths in front of me each one pitch black; then one would flash and I would catch a glimpse of what each one had to offer. Thunderstar left to join the other cats just as three cats I had longed to see again appeared.
My uncle Rockfrost, my father Goldstar, and my mother Honeyheart.
Rockfrost stepped forward first "Redsand I knew you would become a great warrior. Now you're going to be leader; it must be exciting" he purred then touchedmy nose not giving me a moment to respond. "With this life I give you the life of Mercy. Mercy is not a weakness; your opponents fought well they should live to make things right". This life I had a calm wave of clarity ran through me as flashes of Snakestar's rogues and although I felt anger under my pelt I also felt pity for them and wished them some form of happiness away from Snakestar's leadership. My uncle stepped back and allowed my mother to come forward.
Honeyheart walked up to me her warm brown eyes gazed at me with love and pride. "Oh my kit! You've grown up into a fine warrior and I know you will be a great leader" she purred before touching my nose. "I give you the love of a mother for her kits". I felt like I was back in the nursery pressed close to my mother's belly and felt the love that she cared for me and my littermates; and the determination she felt to protect us.
"Mother do you want to tell Windfur and Woodcrow something?" I asked. Honeyheart just looked at me with love and sadness before stepping away to let my father pass.
Goldstar stopped and looked at me with more pride and love than he ever did when he was alive. "Redsand my son. I'm so proud of you; I wish that I had more time with you and your littermates to tell you how proud I am of all of you" he said and I saw the regret shining in his eyes. "I know I'm leaving the clan in good paws Redsand. You surpassed me long ago. Now with this life I give you the life of acceptance and hard decisions. Use it to make difficult decisions not just for Sandclan but for all the clans and to accept your mistakes when you are wrong and try to make things right" Goldstar meowed as he touched my nose. I saw my aunt Briarshell dying I felt my fathers pain and the difficulty he had to move forward and his duty he had to preform to pick a new deputy, then my mother died and I felt more pain. Then Rockfrost died and another painful deputy ceremony; the pride and worry he felt as he watched us ply in the nursery then our apprentice ceremony and how hard we were pushed but I still felt my father's pride and love for me and my littermates.
"I hail you by your new name Redstar. Your old life is no more; you have received the nine lives of a leader and Starclan grants you the leadership of Sandclan. Defend it well; care for the young and old; honor your ancestors and the traditions of the warrior code; and live each with pride and dignity" Goldstar said and all the cats started to chant my new name "Redstar. Redstar. Redstar".
I woke up to the dawn light seeping into the cave and Flintflake and Rainripple asleep near by. I stood up and made my way over to my medicine cats. "Wake up Flintflake. Rainripple. It's time to go back to camp" I said and softly shook them awake.
Flintflake yawned and stretched as he got off the cold cave floor " Everything went well I see" he said as he bowed his head respectfully to me. I bowed back as Rainripple woke up. "Let's get back to camp" I said as I turned and lead the way out of the cave without any problems.
When we made it back to camp at sunhigh; the clan was sharing tongues when one of the kits spotted us. "Redstar's back!" the dark grey tom said catching everybody's attention. My pelt prickled in embarrassment at all the stares I received "Redstar. Redstar." The clan yowled just like the Starclan cats did.
leaned over to Flintflake and asked about the kits. "Are any of the kits six moons old yet?" I whispered as I made my way to the tallrock as warriors made I path for me. "Runningkit, Dapplekit, Brightkit, Tawnykit, Fernkit, Nightkit, Birchkit, Shrewkit, and Brakenkit are all six moons old although a few are seven moons and would have been made apprentices but Skyheart lied about their age to Snakestar. The one thing in the warrior code that he at least followed" Flintflake finished once we were at the base of the tallrock.
"The clan needs warriors; is it too early for me to do an apprentice ceremony?" I asked as I looked at the clan.
"The clan will be fine with it even though it is such short notice" Flintflake meowed bowing his head to me. I nodded and jumped onto the tallrock; their as no need to use the regular summons since everyone was already here.
"I know this is short notice but the clan needs warriors so today I will preform apprentice ceremonies to the kits that are now six moons old" I meowed forcing my voice to stay calm trying to ignore my nerves. The clan seemed shocked at the short notice and some seemed excited about being made mentors. Skyheart was trying to clean all the kits for the ceremony as quickly as possible but the kits were to excited to stay still.
I leapt down and beckoned the kits forward. The kits ran over to me their fur prickled with excitement. I looked at the first kit in front of me a dark brown she-cat
"From this day forward until you have earned your warrior name, this apprentice will be known as Fernpaw". I mewoed then looked over the warriors and found Lilyfur." Lilyfur, you are ready for your first apprentice. Pass on your loyalty, and wisdom to this young apprentice". Lilyfur walked up to Fernpaw and touched noses with the excited kit. I turned to a ginger-brown tom
"This apprentice will be known as Brackenpaw. Woodcrow you will train Brackenpaw. I hope you pass on your courage and battle skill to your apprentice" I said as I looked at my brother who seemed shocked at getting an apprentice. My brother touched noses with his new apprentice who held his head high at his new name.
As I turned to the next kit I realized that my nerves where slowly ebbing away as I continued wit the ceremony. The kit was a black she-cat "This apprentice will be known as Nightpaw. Breezecloud you will train Nightpaw. You were trained by Addertooth and may you pass all that she taught you to this apprentice" The she-cat touched her mentors nose before joining her fellow apprentices on the side.
The next kit was a tortoiseshell she-cat. "This apprentice will be known as Tawnypaw. Windfur you are ready for your first apprentice I trust you will pass on your cunning and battle skills to this apprentice" I meowed to my sister whose eyes gleamed with excitement and some anxiety as she touched noses to her apprentice.
Next was a brown tom "This apprentice will be known as Shrewpaw. Falconboulder you will see to Shrewpaw's training. I hope that pass on your courage and wisdom to this apprentice". And again the mentor and apprentice touched noses.
Next was a ginger tabby tom "This apprentice will be known as Birchpaw. Ravenfur you will see to Birchpaw's training. I hope that you pass on all your wisdom and strength to this apprentice". They touched noses and then rejoined the clan.
The next kit was a small white and brown she-cat who looked a little scared to be here "This apprentice will be known as Brightpaw. Fireclaw you will mentor Brightpaw's training. I hopethat you will pass on your loyalty and hunting skills to this apprentice". They touched noses.
Finally only two kits were left one a dark grey tom and the other a light brown spotted she-cat. First was the tom. "This apprentice will be known as Runningpaw. Dusttail you are ready for another apprentice. I hope you pass on all your hunting skills and wisdom" Dusttail and Runningpaw touched noses. then everyone turned to look at the last kit.
"This apprentice will be known as Dapplepaw. I will be your mentor Dapplepaw and I will pass on to you loyalty and courage" I said as I touched noses with my apprentice. Dapplepaw stared in awe at me before joining her fellow apprentices as the clan meowed their names.
Time flew by and it was almost time to choose a deputy. I sat in my new den at the base od the tallrock thinking of the cats that were suitable to be made deputy. I thought of my siblings but I quickly dismissed that idea since they haven't mentored an apprentice and the clan wouldn't like another young cat making decisions for them. Ashstone didn't like me very much and that would cause problems. Dusttail would be a great deputy he protected the clan while Snakestar was in charge and supported me becoming leader when most didn't.
With that thought I made my way out of my den and was greeted by the light of silverpelt shining over head. I jumped onto the Tallrock and yowled "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Tallrock for a clan meeting". As I finished the summons the rest of the clan came out of their dens. "It is now time to appoint a new deputy" I took a breath trying to remember what to I was so young when my uncle Rockfrost died and Goldstar made Addertooth deputy. I felt a warm breeze wrap around me. I started to speak as if some one was giving me pointers for what to say.
"I say these words before Starclan, that the spirits of our ancestors may hear and approve my choice". By now every cat in the hollow was staring at me their eyes shining in the moonlight. "Dusttail will be the new deputy of Sandclan". The clan began to yowl Dusttail's name as he stared up at me in shock before joining me on the tallrock.
"Cats of Sandclan I wasn't expecting to be made deputy, but I promise that I will protect this clan like I've done many moons before" Dusttail meowed and bowed his head to me like a deputy would to their leader.
Sandclan was thriving again as it will continue to for many seasons to come.
Please review.
I'm thinking of doing some special additions for the characters. It will all be one story. And maybe a Dawn of the clans arc.