The dawn had only just broke, but already all the cats of ThunderClan were up. Mistle, Featherkit and Stormkit were attempting to teach Snow the rules of moss-ball, while Silverstream and Speckle got better-acquainted over a piece of fresh-kill. Frostfur and Lionheart were watching Brightpaw, Thornpaw and Brackenpaw playfully wrestle.
"Weave, Brightpaw!" Whitestorm yowled to his apprentice, who nodded tacitly and promptly managed to confuse Thornpaw and knock him on his back.
"She's coming along well." Sandstorm remarked.
"Yeah, she really is. Brackenpaw and Thornpaw are skilled as well."
Indeed, Thornpaw had changed focus, leaping at Brackenpaw when he was sparring with Brightpaw. Lavender laughed as she teased Speedy, who was trying to retort through his embarrassment. Mouse watched the sparring session, albeit with an ear to the pair's conversation.
He leapt onto the Rockpile, watching Clan life go on for a second before calling everyone to attention.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Rockpile for a Clan meeting!"
Instantly, the apprentices broke apart, sitting to attention. The kits sat by the edge, listening into the meeting, while Mistle jabbed her tail at the rocks at her brother's quizzical look.
"Mouse, Lavender, Speckle, Speedy, please step forward." They did, eagerly awaiting the next step.
"Warriors of StarClan, I ask you to look down upon these cats. They will work hard to understand your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turns."
"Speedy, Speckle, Lavender and Mouse, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your lives?"
"We do." They chorused.
"Although, we'll need to learn the code..." Speckle mewed.
"It's alright. Many of us are learning as well."
Seeing her relax, he continued.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Mouse, Lavender, Speckle and Speedy, from this moment on you shall be known as Mousefur, Lavenderfur, Speckletail and Runningwind. StarClan honors your courage and curiosity and we welcome you as full members of ThunderClan."
"Mousefur! Runningwind! Lavenderfur! Speckletail!"
Mistle motioned something to her brother, watching his tail curl in delight.
"We want new names too!" Snow outburst.
He nodded his head, beckoning the kits with his tail. "Alright then." He leapt down, touching each kit with his nose. "I, Fireheart, future leader of ThunderClan give these kits new names. From this day on you shall be known as Snowkit and Mistlekit."
"Snowkit! Mistlekit!" The cry was more of a fond purr this time, as Featherkit and Stormkit tackled their new denmates, inviting them to continue learning moss-ball.
"What now, Fireheart?" Runningwind asked. "I don't even remember much about how to hunt!"
"Ask someone to train you."
The tabby looked unsure, but Fireheart padded over to Sandstorm.
"What have you got planned for Brackenpaw?"
"I was thinking of taking him out on a hunt."
"Brilliant. If you wouldn't mind, would Runningwind be able to tag along? He's a bit unsure."
"Do you even need to ask?" Sandstorm responded. "I'll find him now."
"Make sure you don't tire him too much, remember his vigil."
"Will do." She walked over to the brown tabby, mewing something.
"Hey, Frostfur, Lionheart." Mousefur mewed as Lavenderfur bounded over.
"Hi! Would you guys like to start learning the warrior code?"
"Shouldn't we be helping?"
"You need to sit a vigil tonight. I'd save my strength if I were you."
"What about Runningwind?"
"He's just getting some hunting tips. Don't worry, Sandstorm'll make sure he's fresh for his vigil." Fireheart padded over to the group.
"Brilliant. In that case, I should get Speckletail."
"I'll run over."
"Hey, you're wanted for a Warrior Code lesson."
"Oh, alright then."
"Can we learn too?" Mistlekit asked.
"Of course." Speckletail purred. "I'll see what I can do for Snowkit."
"We'll need to come up with some form of signal to get orders to Snowkit quickly." Fireheart said. "For battle, I mean. For now, can he read cats' mouths?"
"Can I read mouths?" Snowkit sounded out slowly, bemused. "Did I get that right?"
He nodded. "Yes. You're going to learn about the warrior code." He said, slowly but clearly so that the kit could keep up. "Frostfur and Lionheart will talk to you about it. I'm sure they won't mind repeating anything."
"Alright." Snowkit said. "I think I have it."
"Brilliant!" Speckletail purred. "I thought of that, but I guess when I tried, I exaggerated too much."
"Yeah, it was hard to work out the context, too." Snowkit replied.
"Keep practicing with different cats. We'll work out something for battle."
The kit's eyes lit up and he bounded off with Mistlekit to the mini lesson.
"Aw, but we were just gonna win!" Featherkit pouted.
"They're learning the Warrior code. For now, do you want to have a swim?" Silverstream asked.
"Yes!" They mewed.
"I think I'll get in on this too." Cinderpaw mewed. "I'm quite hot and I do love swimming."
"Where's Fernpaw?" Fireheart mewed to Dustpelt, who he had just noticed.
"Elder duties."
"Ah." He knew that Thunderflower had been rather grumpy this last sunrise. "Poor her."
"Yeah. Apparently, it was because some nasty ticks managed to infest her."
At that moment, Fernpaw padded downstream from the kits and submerged her paws in the river.
"Oh, how I hate mouse bile." She grumbled.
"Would you like to do some battle training to forget about it?" Dustpelt asked.
"Yeah! You promised to show me that dog-swiping move." Her claws had unsheathed and Dustpelt's voice grew more solemn.
"Well, in these times it certainly couldn't hurt." He padded away with her. Fireheart recalled the dog, a shiver placing his fur on edge. Maybe some battle training would not go amiss in helping the new Clan. He suddenly felt ice down his spine and turned to see a pair of beady eyes disappearing into the shadows.
As good as ThunderClan had it, there were still threats in the gorge. He raced up to the site, seeing it empty but filled with rat-scent.
He made a note to himself to get the Clan together for battle training next sunrise.