CHAPTER NINE
It was dawn when Breeze woke up again. She raised her chin and stared at the clearing. Everyone was still asleep when she stretched out her back. Morning was her favorite time of the day. It gave her time to think of everything that had happened. Meeting Owl the other day had changed everything.
Owl has the blood of a warrior, she thought. Maybe soon she'll join the Clan.
But Breeze had to keep her promise. Owl didn't seem to trust anyone, and rightfully so. If things went well Owl would find her own path with the Clan. Breeze had a feeling they would meet again.
She blinked in surprise when she noticed that Archie was already awake. He was keeping an eye on the kits that he had rescued days ago. For a moment Breeze wondered why he cared so much about these kits. They weren't even his. But somehow he'd decided to protect them while he was in Twolegplace.
"I always get up this early," Archie explained when he noticed her approach. "Morning is the best time to travel, everyone is usually asleep at that time."
Archie has seasons of experience, Breeze realized. He would make a good leader.
"Why did you save those kits?" she asked warily.
"I watched Mux kill an innocent kit just because his mother was a halfblood," Archie sighed. His voice was heavy with anger as he looked at the cloudy sky. "I never want to see that happen again... that kit did not deserve to die."
A shudder coursed down Breeze's spine. She had heard that the leaders of every gang were cruel and ruthless. They used everything in their power to ensure the cats obeyed them. That was part of the reason Breeze had refused to join their gangs. That and she had no plans in being forced to do anything.
"Archie, I'd like you to keep an eye on everyone," Breeze murmured. Archie gave her a look of surprise, but she quickly pushed it off. "I want to follow the trail Owl took and see if I can find that cave. If what she said was true, than it might provide good shelter if the rogues decide to invade."
"I will do my best," Archie replied. "Be careful; there's no telling what dangers lie here."
The black and white tom returned to his post as guard when Breeze left his side. She rolled her eyes and thought of how long she had been in the forest. If there was any real danger she would have seen it by now.
Breeze kept up a brisk pace as she padded through the undergrowth. She recognized Owl's scent and hoped the rain didn't wash it away. With the clouds looming ahead storms were inevitable. Breeze made sure she kept an eye on the sky in case it did start to rain.
It didn't take her long to reach the familiar stream. From here she could see the rock she had stood on the other day. She easily climbed onto the rock so that she could get a better view of the forest. After reaching the top she spotted the cave Owl had talked about. She was surprised that Owl had not left the cave since their encounter. Breeze hoped that nothing had happened to the young cat, especially after seeing how skilled she was at surviving.
She jumped off of the boulder and headed off towards the cave. Breeze flinched when she felt droplets of rain fall on her nose. She hoped it didn't rain too hard before she reached the cave. The last thing she wanted was to get stuck in an unfamiliar place.
There were few trees growing around the cave's entrance. Only tall grass and ferns surrounded Breeze as she came to a halt. Her claws unsheathed as wariness crept over. This was where she had spotted Owl stepping out of the cave. She checked for Owl's scent but could only pick up the smell of rain. Annoyance flared within Breeze before she stepped inside the cave.
Where is Owl? she wondered as she looked around anxiously. The cave was oddly empty.
"Hello?" She felt mousebrained for calling out to the darkness, but maybe Owl would come out if she remained calm.
"Welcome Breeze." Breeze froze in midstep when she heard an unfamiliar voice. The rain outside had suddenly stopped. She turned to see that the cave itself was blocked off by inky darkness. Fear suddenly wormed it's way into her belly when she realized that she was trapped. "Do not be afraid... follow the sound of my voice." The stranger spoke in a soothing tone, but unease still crept over Breeze as she padded forward.
"Where am I?" Breeze felt as though this question had already been asked. Soon a light began to appear as she continued moving forward. She followed the sound of whispering until the light became almost blinding.
"You are in StarClan." It took Breeze a few heartbeats to recognize the strong voice of Tangleclaw. She blinked until she adjusted to the blinding light. Standing in front of her were several cats. Surprise flared within Breeze when she noticed that their pelts were covered in starlight. "This is where the ancestors of ThornClan reside, and where you will receive your nine lives." Breeze didn't miss the look of worry in Tangleclaw's eyes as he stepped back.
She was shaken from her thoughts when a golden tabby tom with long fur stepped out of the crowd. His eyes were a dark shade of green like the leaves. Breeze held her breath as the strange tom padded in front of her, touching her forehead with his nose.
"My name is Thornstar. I was the founder of ThornClan, and for generations were thrived in the forest. I hope to see it prosper again under your leadership. With this life I give you guidance, so that you may teach the young about the Clan and the history of what we once were." Breeze accepted this life without hesitation, but she recoiled in shock when pain seared through her. She felt dagger-like claws ripping into her neck, tearing her apart. The stench of blood filled the air as Thornstar pulled back.
That was how he died, she realized. Thornstar was murdered! A shiver ran down her spine as she wondered how this had gone by unnoticed. Had the rest of the Clan been effected by Thornstar's sudden death? Soon the pain subsided, and Breeze was left catching her breath as another cat replaced Thornstar. This one was an elegant looking black she-cat with an unusually long tail.
"I am pleased to finally meet you," she purred. "My name is Raventail, and I was the first medicine cat of ThornClan. Like Thornstar I watched the Clan thrive, and I hope you will lead it to greatness. With this life I give you healing, so that you may heal with more than just herbs." Breeze didn't expect the pain to be this fierce when Raventail touched her forehead. Energy surged through her, burning until she felt like screaming. But when she opened her jaws no sound came out.
She blinked in surprise when she realized that Raventail had died from a fire. The stench of smoke had filled her lungs when Breeze choked out for air. Raventail refused to meet her gaze as she returned to the crowd of cats. Soon a brown spotted she-cat replaced Raventail, casting a glance over her shoulder as she did so.
"My name is Spottedpaw. I was just an apprentice when I died, but I would've received my warrior name the morning I did. With this life I give you courage, so that you may never feel afraid or helpless." This time Breeze braced herself for the approaching pain, but instead she felt warmth and hope. This was what Spottedpaw had felt when she died. She had died defending her Clan from a badger that was invading the forest.
Spottedpaw stepped back and looked at Breeze thankfully. She was replaced by a black and white tom with half of his whiskers missing. Amusement coursed through Breeze when he flicked his tail across Spottedpaw's shoulder.
"My name is Halfpelt. I think you can tell why." Breeze tilted her head to one side as the tom looked over his shoulder. "With this life I give you stamina, so that you may never feel tired or hungry during the cold times." This time pain coursed down Breeze's spine, but it wasn't as severe as the last couple of lives. As soon as the life had started the energy faded away, leaving Breeze gasping for breath as Halfpelt returned to his spot.
Breeze felt a shiver run down her spine when a ginger-brown she-cat approached her. Somehow this cat seemed familiar to Breeze. She tilted her head to one side when the she-cat gave her a warm look.
"I am Robinsong, last medicine cat of ThornClan. I saved the lives of Flameshadow, Gingersong and Maroonheart. And I am your kin." Breeze's eyes widened in disbelief when Robinsong admitted this. "With this life I give you trust, so that you may know who to trust and who to turn away in times of need." Surprise flared within Breeze when she felt hope fill her heart. A hope that ThornClan would one day thrive again, and become something more than just a distant memory.
A ginger and dark ginger striped tom approached Breeze next as Robinsong stepped back. This one had dark green eyes. Breeze held her breath as the strange tom touched his nose to her forehead. "I am Flameshadow," he explained warily. "With this life I give you endless energy, so that you may never feel exhausted while the rest of the Clan is wary." Breeze felt a strange sensation course through her, like she could run across an endless plain and never grow wary. She looked at Flameshadow in surprise, but he was already leaving.
Soon a tortoiseshell she-cat with a bright orange tail approached her. Of all the cats that Breeze had seen, this one was the most familiar. It dawned on Breeze that this cat might be her distant kin like Robinsong. But it wasn't until the cat touched Breeze's forehead she realized the truth.
"I am Gingersong, your great great grandmother," she murmured. "With this life I give you a mother's love, so that you may defend your Clan as though they are your kits." Breeze leaned forward and eagerly accepted this life. She recoiled in shock when pain seared through her. This was what Gingersong had felt when she defended her kits. She would give her life to protect them, even if it meant risking everything. Gingersong was gone as soon as the pain faded away. Replacing her was a cat Breeze had hoped to see again.
"I was wrong to think the Clan didn't deserve a second chance," Tangleclaw meowed. "And for that I am sorry. With this life I give you intelligence and cunning, so that you may outsmart even the most intelligent of rogues." Breeze held back a yowl of shock when she saw images flash by her. Images of Tangleclaw's past encounters with the rogues reached her mind. Tangleclaw had been part of a gang, but he never mentioned which gang he was part of. He had left before the rogues got worse.
"I hail you by your new name, Breezestar. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine live of a leader and StarClan grants you the guardianship of ThornClan. Defend it well, care for young and old, honor your ancestors and the warrior code. Live each life with pride and dignity." Confusion swept through her when they all spoke at once. It felt as though a weight had been placed on her shoulders, something she could never push back.
"Breezestar! Breezestar!" Every cat around her chanted, and for the first time in her life it felt s though she had achieved something. Breezestar was now leader of ThornClan.
AN: Well, what did everyone think? I enjoyed writing that leader ceremony, difficult as it was. Hopefully this wasn't too rushed, next chapter will be out tomorrow. Thanks everyone for your reviews!
Jaysong: I'm afraid I'm not really good at teaching someone to write. Ideas usually just come to me and I write them down as I go. There are forums on this site that give out information on detailed writing.