The five of us sat quietly behind the elder's den, for none of knew what to say. We knew that three of us were going to leave the clan, but we didn't want to be taken from each other. I sighed knowing that I would have to tell them that I was leaving.
"I'm going to Shadowclan," I said. They didn't look shocked, but they were sad that I was going to leave.
"We thought you would," Lionpaw said. "With how you... with how you act here we had no doubt you would leave," he meowed. I tilted my head. With how I act?
"We can tell you are unhappy Robinpaw," Lichenpaw meowed. "You have wanted to leave here for a while," she said. Well... she wasn't wrong. "I'll miss you Robinpaw," she whispered. I looked at her with sorrow, although they don't feel like my siblings I still am sorry that I'll be leaving them.
"I'll miss you too," I meowed. "Who else will be coming with me," I meowed. I saw Stonepaw stand up and walk over to me.
"I'll go," he said. Just like I knew he would. "Lionpaw? Gravelpaw?" he asked. I looked at my two brothers, and in return they looked at us with sorrow.
"Though neither of us want to leave... I know that you're loyal to Riverclan, Lionpaw," He said. Gravelpaw stood up and slowly walked over to us. Sweet silence covered us after the decision. Each of having our own reasons for staying and leaving, but they only make it harder to leave. We know we would never have a close bond ever again, and we knew that once we left we would become enemies, so in a way we would be considered traitors.
"We'll leave tonight," I meowed. "After training we'll spend sometime saying goodbye, and once the entire clan is asleep we'll head over to the Shadowclan border," I meowed. With one final look at each other we left each of us going to find our mentors.
"Is something wrong Robinpaw?" Shadowfeather asked. I looked up at my mentor and shook my head no.
"I'm sorry Shadowfeather, but you don't have to be concerned it was only a nightmare," I said. She looked like she didn't believe me, but she left it at that.
"Today we're learning battle moves," she said. Finally we learn something that might save my life. "I'll be teaching you the Shoulder drop," she said. I sat in silence and payed close attention. "When we're in a battle you grab your opponent's shoulder then lock them to the ground. Then you can really do anything, but I prefer churning your claws against their spine," she meowed. "You'll try it on me then Swantail will be bringing Lionpaw in," she said. It figures that I'll be doing it with someone who will be my enemy.
We got into our positions, and once she said go I pounced on her back. I dug my claws into her shoulders, but she threw me off before I could do anything. "You could beat any cay with your size alone," she commented. "You have long claws, but you only put them in half way. Next time when you do it put them in all the way, and don't worry so much for hurting me just worry about locking on," she meowed. I gave a nod then got into my battle stance. "GO!" she yelled. I ran at her with top speed and jumped onto her back. This time I dug my claws into her shoulders all the way. Shadowfeather tried everything she could to get me off, but I was to big for her. "Alright Robinpaw," she meowed. Immediately I let go and fell to the ground. "Good job," she meowed. I noticed blood drip down her shoulders.
"I'm sorry Shadowfeather!" I shouted. I ran over to her side and helped her up.
"You did good, but maybe I'll tell Swantail never mind," she said. I laughed nervously. Maybe I shouldn't have dug my claws in all the way after all.
I walked Shadowfeather to Frostfur's den, and Shadowfeather told me that Rosedapple and Frogpaw might still be in training. Only when I turned to leave a white she-cat was standing behind me.
"Oh," I sighed. "Hello Frostfur," I mewed. She gave me a blank look then sighed. I don't know what her problem is today, but she is getting old anyway. I heard that she was going to retire soon.
"A shadow follows you, but be wary. Shadow and Thunder will battle, but the Shadow is neither dark nor light," she said. She pushed me slightly out of the way. What was that about? What did those words mean? I shook my head and pushed the thought aside. I could see Rosedapple and Frogpaw come back into the camp. I ran over to them.
"Are you still training," I asked. "Shadowfeather wanted me to train with you if you were still training," I meowed. They shook their heads.
"Sorry Robinpaw," Frogpaw said. "I just finished my assessment, and so did Mosspaw," he said happily. "We're going to be warriors tonight," he said. The poor tom was jumping around so excitedly.
"Ignore him," Rosedapple snorted. "Their ceremony will happen once Mosspaw comes back," she meowed coldly. I sighed. I was used to cats treating me like this. In the distance I saw Mosspaw run into camp she was too energetic sometimes. All night long she's moving about in her nest keeping the rest of us awake. I was glad they were becoming warriors, but it won't matter how I feel after tonight.
"Let all cats old enough to swim join beneath Half peak for a clan meeting," Mistystar howled. We all gathered beneath Mistystar and waited. "I have a few announcements to make. First of all Mosspaw and Frogpaw are ready to become Warriors of Riverclan," she meowed. "Frogpaw, Mosspaw do you promise to protect your clan even at the cost of your life?" she asked.
"I do," they both meowed.
"Then by the powers of Starclan I grant you your Warrior names. Mosspaw from now on you'll be known at Mossheart. Starclan should be honored to have you as a Warrior," she meowed. "Frogpaw, from now on you'll be know as Frogleap. Starclan honors you as a Warrior of Riverclan," she meowed.
"Mossheart Frogleap!" we cheered. Someday I'll be a proud Warrior of Shadowclan.
"As for our next announcement. Springkit and Riverkit have reached the age of six moons old. Springkit step forward. Springkit until you have reached your Warrior name you will be know as Springpaw, Dogtooth shall be your mentor," she meowed. We watched as he happily touched noses with Dogtooth. "Riverkit step forward. Riverkit from now on until you have earned your warrior name you will be known as Riverpaw, Spiderstep you shall be young Riverkit's mentor," she said.
"Springpaw Riverpaw!" we cheered once again. Mistystar looked a bit sad with the next news.
"I am sorry to say, but Frostfur has decided to join the elder's den. Frostfur you have served your clan for many moons, and I hope you find the elder's den enjoyable," she said. I looked at the strange white cat, but it appeared she was ignoring everyone. "Clan dismissed."
Once the cats started to leave I began to look for the others. I found them sitting in a corner near the nursery.
"Guys," I said. "It's... it's time to say goodbye," I said softly. Lichenpaw looked like she was about to cry, but surprisingly she didn't. She put on a brave face and said goodbye, but shortly after she ran away crying.
"Don't take it the wrong way," Lionpaw pleaded. "She told me earlier that she couldn't say goodbye. She really doesn't want any of you to go, but then mom came out and made it worse," he said. Gravelpaw snorted. "She was begging us not to hate her," he meowed.
"Too late for that," Gravelpaw spat. He gave a long sigh and licked Lionpaw. "Goodbye brother," he said. He walked away trying to fight tears. Now it was just the three of us.
"Can you two promise that we'll still be family once you leave," he asked. My eyes widened in shock.
"Lionpaw of coarse we'll still be family," I said. "Just because we're leaving does't mean we'll be any-less family," I meowed. He put his head down and looked at our feet. "I'll miss you Lionpaw," I said. It didn't seem to help the situation. "Besides we'll still see each other at the gatherings," I said. just like the others I got up and left them alone to say goodbye. Soon we'll actually be able to meet our father. This actually went well. I thought there would be more tears then what was shed, but this went better than I expected.
It was late every cat was sleeping except for the three of us. We left without waking them up, for Lichenpaw might wake the others. The moon shined brightly tonight as if it were guiding us to the Shadowclan border. There was a gentle breeze that carried the scent of pine, and that must have meant we were close. We could see the trees in the distance, so we sat at the border and waited. We didn't know if there was even a cat out here, but we still sat in the snow just in case.
"Robinpaw," Gravelpaw asked. I turned to look at him. "Do you think this is worth it?" he asked. I stared at him for a while the spoke softly.
"I don't know the answer to that question. I believe that everything happens for a reason," I meowed. I'm such a lire. "Think about it this way. We finally get to have a chance to be with our father, and I know that's something you have always wanted," I meowed. He nodded his head to tell me that he heard. It was silent again, but this time it didn't last long.
"What is Riverclan cats doing sitting at the border!" A deep voice hissed.