"Here's the border. We should mark our scent here," Runningstar mewed to his apprentice. Trailpaw nodded and left his scent there, while Runningstar came up to Bloodflower.
"How do you think he's doing?" He asked her.
"Wonderful," She purred. "He's one of the best apprentices in ThunderClan for a long time. I think he deserves to become a warrior."
Runningstar nodded in agreement as Trailpaw started to track down an unsuspecting robin.
The brown tabby came up to Runningstar, proudly wielding the bird he hunted all by himself. "I see that you've memorized the bird stalking technique," Runningstar mewed. "Good job." Trailpaw beamed.
The three cats continued around a cluster of sycamore trees. "What do you smell here?" Asked Runningstar.
Trailpaw opened his mouth to take in a few breaths deeply. "Twolegs," He commented. "But it's stale. And…" He sniffed even harder. "Rat. I think I remember this smell, Runningstar," He mewed, looking up at his mentor nervously.
Runningstar took a sniff himself. Trailpaw was right; there was a strong scent of rat here. "I'll be right back," He mewed. "Keep up the good work."
The light brown tom scuffled around the bracken, keeping his mouth open. The smell of rat got stronger and stronger. The smell of mouse drifted past his nose, but Runningstar ignored it.
Suddenly, he came upon them: the rotting rats that had been lying in ThunderClan territory. He smelled even harder when a familiar scent was detected. W in his heart. He knew what was going on. ShadowClan, or Hurricanestar for the most of it, had caught their rotten rats from their own territory, then put them in ThunderClan territory for revenge. And Runningstar knew exactly why: ThunderClan had refused to share their territory when ShadowClan was sick.
It was Hurricanestar's fault that all of the great cats in ThunderClan had died.
Furious, Runningstar took all three rats by the tail and hurried for ShadowClan territory, careful not to drop them or get himself sick. Thoughts of pure anger and hatred filled his head as he headed for the Thunderpath.
Once he had gotten to the huge, black river, he summoned up all the hate for Hurricanestar and flung the rats onto the Thunderpath. "Hurricanestar!" He yowled. "Don't try and find me! If you do, you are dead! DEAD!"
And he walked away, pure fury running through his veins.
--
"Trailpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Runningstar asked his eager apprentice. The leader was on top a thick, high branch in one of the taller apple blossom trees. This, he had decided, was the new Highrock.
"I do," The dark brown tabby mewed, excitement sparkling in his amber eyes.
"Then by the power of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Trailpaw, from this moment on your name will be Trailclaw. StarClan honors your intelligence and strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."
"Trailclaw! Trailclaw!" Chanted the Clan.
Runningstar looked down at his former apprentice proudly. He wasn't just proud that this was the first warrior he had named in camp; His apprentice really earned his warrior name.
"I also have an announcement," Runningstar mewed. "If anyone happens to see Mudpelt or Hurricanestar on our territory, kill them at once. They are very unwelcome intruders, and I don't want them here."
The cats looked at each other in alarm. Deerstripe especially looked horrified that her mate could be killed by her own Clan mates.
Trailclaw was being swarmed by all the warriors and apprentices, except for Rainpaw. She was standing far away from the warrior, looking at him sadly. The poor she-cat wouldn't have one of her best friends as a denmate anymore. Runningstar wondered if she was totally heartbroken.
"I have one more announcement to make," He called to the now dispersing Clan cats. They all turned to look at him curiously.
"Ever since Pineclaw died, Lavenderpaw hasn't had a mentor. I have chosen a warrior to be the mentor for her." He turned to Brindlerose. "Brindlerose will be Lavenderpaw's mentor until she is ready to be made a warrior."
Brindlerose looked happy and excited about her new apprentice, but Lavenderpaw was saddened at the mention of her former mentor. Runningstar felt guilty to bring it up, but it was the only way for her to continue her apprenticeship.
Suddenly, a loud crash and a yowl sounded from the thorn wall. Runningstar looked across the clearing in alarm. Were there invaders in camp?
Runningstar stretched his head to get a look, but so many cats were crowded around it that he couldn't get a good glimpse. Had Mudpelt or Hurricanestar found their new camp?
The worried mews had lowered down to surprised gasps. Runningstar slipped to the front of the crowd to get a good look at the newcomer.
And, to his surprise, standing right in front of him was Lionstar, the former leader of WindClan.
