"What are you doing out of camp?" Spottedpaw turned, flicking his tail in a mixture of irritation and confusion.
"I just- I... I saw you run out after that argument with your mentor..." The she-cat shuffled her paws, "And since you helped me when I was upset with Tigerfur, thought I'd at least try to help you."
"...Thanks, Mouseheart." Spottedpaw gave off a weak smile, padding towards the warrior, "I think we should just go back to camp now. You've... actually helped me a lot."
"Oh! Well, um? No problem, then?" The pale brown she-cat seemed confused at the short interaction, Spottedpaw wondered if maybe she wanted to talk more. Well, there will be more time to talk in camp, anyways.
"You're doing what?"
"I'm joining Skyclan as one of your old day-light warriors!"
The sound of a few chattering cats could be heard as Spottedpaw padded back into camp, Mouseheart at his side, a few clanmates seemed to be circling around two cats in the clearing, some of the apprentices were perched higher to try and see, and elders were sending anxious glances towards each other, and some Nursery queens.
Spottedpaw tried to see which cats were surrounding the other two in the clearing, and he could spot Thornstar, Emberwing, Silverfur, and Daisypelt were closer to the two cats, and a few scattered warriors, Wrentooth, Robinwing, Starlingtooth, Tigerfur, and Wrenfeather sat a bit farther, Tigerfur letting out a few sighs every now and again. Spottedpaw squinted, trying to see who was in the middle of all the cats, finding Fishpelt with Dapplepaw and Applepaw sitting next to her, and...
The tom from before!
"What's going on?" Spottedpaw asked Wrenfeather as he approached, and the dark she-cat stood up, turning to get a better hearing.
"Some kittypet tom was stalking around our border causing a huge ruckus with his collar, and our patrol stumbled upon him." The she-cat muttered, as if distasteful that the patrol had be interrupted.
"It's that weird tom from before, Dapplepaw's father, I think." Whiskertooth grumbled, trying to see over the other cats.
"He looked like it..." The apprentice muttered, padding a bit closer to hear.
"So, it's true then? You two were mates?" Spottedpaw could hear the deep gravely voice of Thornstar, and Silverfur's tail lashed.
"I just thought you called her your daughter so she'd fit it! I didn't know it was, well, serious!" The silver she-cat sputtered, and Daisypelt rolled her eyes.
"It was obvious from day one, Silverfur. I swear, if you get anymore oblivious, Starclan might not give you your lives!" The pale aging she-cat spat, giving a glare towards the deputy.
"Well-" The she-cat began, only to be interrupted by Emberwing.
"Well, we haven't had day-light warriors in ages. At least, not since Skyclan was driven out long ago." The splotchy tom stated, his green eyes shining with worry.
"I say if this tom is willing to join, we should let him. If he shows promise in being a warrior, so be it. Maybe he will become a full warrior of Skyclan in the end." Thornstar began, and Fishpelt looked a bit worried.
"No!" All eyes turned towards the silver-spotted she-cat and she seemed to shrink under the shocked gazes.
"I-I mean... Look, Tony, if you're going to join, y-you gotta be sure to come everyday, a-and you gotta work hard! It's not going to be like your kittypet home. Food won't just be given to you, and you're gonna have to learn how to fight, and patrol borders, and-and-"
"Enough, Fishpelt. I've made my choice. Tony is going to become a day-light warrior of Skyclan and train in our ways." As Thornstar finished his scond sentence, it was as if Fishpelt looked disheartened. How come Fishpelt isn't excited to have her old mate in Skyclan?
The old leader turned, climbing up onto the clan's Highrock, standing just in front of his nest.
"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, join me under Highrock for a clan meeting!" His voice boomed in the canyon, and many cats started to pad into the clearing of the camp.
"Today, a cat from outside of Skyclan will be joining us as a day-light warrior!" At the phrase "Day-light warrior" many cats started to murmur things to themselves, and some cats shook their heads disapprovingly.
"A 'Day-light warrior'? What in the name of Starclan is that?"
"Pah! Thornstar is going to let kittypets rampage through Skyclan whenever now!"
"He looks a bit small to be a warrior!"
"What if we get driven out again from this?!"
More disapprovals started to arise from the chattering cats, but from what Spottedpaw could see, Tony just seemed to be as chipper as usual. Maybe he doesn't let things get to him? It's like the insults are falling off of him like water on leaves!
"Quiet down!" The old leader growled, and as the cats' voices seemed to go quieter, he continued the ceremony, "Tony shows great potential. I think it would be worth it to at least try and give an outside cat a lesson in our ways. Tony even has kin in our clan, and if he doesnot prove to be a formidable warrior, then he will be sent back to his home to be with his twolegs. Tony." He called down to the spotted tom below, who perked his head up.
"Yeah?" His ears twitched, and all eyes of the clan were on him, as the cats had formed around the tom, as if to gawk and stare at him.
"Do you agree to learn the ways of our warrior code, and to protect Skyclan, even at the cost of your life?"
"Of, of course! So much so!" The tom's eyes sparkled as he nodded eagerly, some warriors gave him questionable glances.
"Then, from now on until you have earned your warrior name, you shall be known as Tonypaw. Emberwing will be your mentor." As the tom finished, the splotchy ginger and white tom padded up to the newly made apprentice, touching noses with him.
"You have the eyes of the clan on you now. You have a great potential to prove yourself to them." The young warrior muttered, and Tonypaw dipped his head in respect.
"I'll make sure to make all of Skyclan proud!" The young spotted tom's voice boomed against the walls, and Thornstar dipped his head in respect. Fishpelt looked on in something that was akin to fear and Applepaw looked at her mother in worry. Dapplepaw ran up to her father, and started to excitedly talk to him about his apprenticehood.
"Clan dismissed."