Sun concentrated, getting his thoughts in order as he walked towards Leopard. He needed to act like leader, he reminded himself, now more then ever because we're close to the new land.
"Leopard," he flicked the old tom's shoulder with his tail, "We must speak."
He gave a yawn and drew himself upright. His golden pelt gleamed in the sun as he gave a nod of recognition. "Greetings Sun, I was wondering when we could speak."
"Yes, good friend, I had not thought of it until last night. StarClan came to me, and told me that there is such a thing as Beyond Cave Guards and Beyond Prey Hunters in the Clans. They were called Elders, as we shall call them now."
"So," he began, flicking his talk and the two cats walked a little ways. Sun had always respected the older cat. He wasn't wise like Rip, but knew a lot from experience, "You wish to know if I will become an elder?"
"It is your choice."
Leopard nodded once again, stretching himself in turn, "I have thought about it much, young leader, and I think I will become a warrior. I was not old when I retired, but instead did so to avoid being sent away. I know it was cowardly but it was my way of rebelling. No one questioned me, as you recall, it was impolite to do so in the Tribe. No, I wish to sit among the ranks of a warrior and retire when my time is right."
Sun nodded, his respect only growing for golden cat. "And a great warrior you shall be." Sun only had one more wonder, "Do you wish to make this official?" When Leopard looked confused he continued, "Shall we have a ceremony, welcoming you to a Prey Hunter once again?"
"No, no, I'll go through what ever ritual StarClan has for being a warrior. It will be hard, but my old life is behind me now. I let go easier then most."
Sun could only whisper, "You did." Leopard then ran off to help Rain and Sun circled around to speak with Wing. After their conversation, Sun raised his head, "Bravest Cats! It is time for us to leave. We have spent too much time here." And that mountain is still pulling me…
Every cat got up and started walking. Sun lead with Wing in step beside him. Lion was behind helping Eagle burry some caught-prey that was left behind. Red shouldered Cloud as he limped by her side and the two kits ran behind them.
Sun walked and walked, and didn't feel like the structure was getting any closer. He wondered if it was all in his head, or if StarClan was calling him. What for, though? To gain more wisdom or maybe to teach him more? Perhaps it was to tell them that they were wrong…or maybe the stones weren't calling him at all…
"What is that?" Hissed Wing, breaking Sun's trail of thoughts. Silently, he was grateful, for they were getting him no where.
"I don't know," he answered frankly. Soon, every cat was mumbling about the stones ahead.
Rip hurried behind him, "Moonset has something to tell you Sun."
"Yes, leader," Moonset dipped his head in respect. "We, Blueberry and I, that is, have heard stories of those rocks. It is said that there is a shiny stone within from times of ancient cats."
"What else," Sun hissed, chiding himself for being to sharp with the loner and quickly checked his temper, "What more do you know?"
"Nothing," Blueberry nodded, "I mean, no cat has been inside in decades, but perhaps you wish to go there."
"Yes, the rocks…I think they want us to go into them. There is a cave, you say? Perhaps like the Cave of Rushing water. Maybe this is our new home." As soon as he breathed the words he scolded himself once again. He couldn't get too far ahead. He couldn't raise his spirits, and the spirits of them all, just to lean they weren't done yet.
"Maybe," Rip's blue eyes saw right though him as he echoed the younger tom's thoughts, "You should go in when we get there, Sun. You need to see it for yourself."
"Will you not come?" he asked the tortoiseshell, extending the question to Wing as well.
Rip shook his head and took him aside, "Sun, you are a good cat with a good heart but you need other cats to go besides us."
"But–"
"Just listen. You know that I, Wing, Lion and Rain are the cats you pick to stand beside you. Everyone here knows it. You need to choose other cats. Perhaps ones that you don't speak with much, or that need this more then we do."
Sun sighed, slightly frustrated that Rip was right. Remembering the last time he lost control of his emotions he took a deep breath, "Alright, alright," it wasn't more then a mumble, "I'll choose other cats."
"You have until we get there." And so they kept walking. Sun weaved around the cats, telling Rain, Wing and Lion what Rip had said. They all agreed it made sense and he spent the rest of the way walking with Shadow.
"Who do you think?" he asked the quiet she-cat, happy to walk in step with her.
She smiled, "You'll think of someone, Sun."
"I know." and as they walked he ran though every cat in his head. "Ash…I want to take your mother. She has been doing a wonderful job with training you and Thunder. She is helpful and strong and I'll need her if I run into any trouble."
Shadow's eyes were bright with happiness and pride, "I like that idea." He licked between her ears. "Any others?"
"Edge. Wing will approve, and if this is the place a Medicine Cat should be there, or if…" he was scared to tell her in his wish to protect her from fear but something told him he had to, "if we get hurt."
"I know," she whispered, her eyes flashing with momentary fear before they were tempered.
"I want to take…River. He's young, I know, but…but so am I. We trained together, so I know he's trustworthy. And Rip trusts him. He's been very helpful." Shadow just nodded her support at his ramblings. He knew that he was defending himself not to Shadow, but trying to convince himself he could take some cat other then his friends. He paused a long time before mentioning any other cat.
"You know who to trust, Sun."
And for some reason her soft reassurance cleared Sun's head. "Yes, and I trust Blue. She seems stuck between the ways of a warrior and a Medicine Cat."
"And you're hoping this will bring her close to StarClan and help her to understand her path."
"Exactly," he exclaimed, knowing he couldn't have said it any better. "Thank you, Shadow, you were a great help."
She smiled, "I hardly talked, Sun. you have to follow your own heart."
And my heart led me to you.
He licked between her ears and they walked silently together for some time. "Look Shadow," he called at one point, sounding like an excited kit but not caring, "Look, there it is." He flicked his tail to the huge stone structure. Well, It wasn't huge like the mountain but the biggest thing they've seen so far.
"Go on," she whispered, "Go make your announcement." He nodded again and swiped her ear affectionately.
He stopped everyone and announced that he was going inside the structure Moonset had told him about. Every cat seemed a bit surprise, yet approving, of the ones he chose to go with him. River looked more shocked then anyone. He left Dream and Red in charge of healing and asked Blueberry and Moonset to start teaching hunting techniques and to learn fighting ones. The rest sorted its self out. Rip sent out a hunting mission while Lion agreed to stand watch at the end of the cave. Wing split every cat into groups for training and Rain went scouting for water.
"I want to help too!" Cloud spoke at one point.
"You should rest." He answered decisively.
"Maybe, but I can hunt just as well with my bad leg or without it."
Sun sighed, "Alright, but I want you checked over by a Medicine Cat first."
"Yes Sun." Flower whispered something in the white tabby's ear. The black tom couldn't hear it but Cloud seemed a bit more rational afterwards.
After a little more walking they arrived. Sun raced up the jagged rocks, ignoring the stares from the other cats as he went. Lion followed close behind. "I'm sorry I can't take you with me."
Lion just gave a smile with understanding eyes. Two sets of eyes looked down the dark tunnel. "Can you see?"
"Not a thing," answered Sun, very confused. "I hope StarClan will show me the way."
Moments later, Sun set off with Edge, Blue, River and Ash. He plunged wordlessly into the tunnel, looking around with nothing to be seen. As his mouth opened he caught a faint yet familiar scent, and heard a soft purr from in front of him.
Out of the dark, standing just taller then a cat, were two tiger eyes, blazing with spirit.