We are near Clans' territories.
Not too far from Two-Legs Place, a svelte figure entered the forest looking around for any sight of preys. The figure belonged to a rather beautiful She-Cat with pure golden eyes. She had white fur and vibrant honey colored stripes and legs. The tips of her paws were white while her pads had the same color than her nose : pink. Her name was Golden and she was a rogue who lived by herself.
She had been on her own for a few moons now since her mother died of sickness one night. Her father , who was also a rogue, died on the Thunderpath when she was still a kit. During all this time, she took care of herself thanks to her mother's lessons. She knew perfectly how to fight and hunt. Sometimes she wanted another way of life : having a loving mate , raising kits, laughing with friends... But she didn't had any of this.
Of course she sometimes hang around with kittypets but their way of life didn't interested her. However what took her curiosity were what the stories they told each others. The stories featured "huge Wild Cats that eat live Rabbits for breakfast and sharpen their claws on old bones". Even her mother warned her to never go into the forest. Golden really wanted to see if those stories were true so she decided to venture into the woods where she was unaware of what she will found.
As she entered the area, the white and honey colored Molly looked around in amazement. The She-Cat had to admit this place was rather attractive and peaceful. Then she heard a rustle near her and she crouched down unaware that someone was watching her from the shadows. Her golden eyes locked on a rather good looking rabbit who was eating not too far from her. Carefully, she approached it without making a sound and , when she thought that she was close enough, she pounced.
The rabbit tried to get away but she pinned it down and quickly delivered the killing bite before it could make any sound. The Molly looked at her catch with Proud before looking at the sky "Oh Starclan thank you for this catch " she whispered softy but the one who was spying on her heard her. Suddenly another rustle, a big one, echoed behind her and the She-Cat turned around to see...a fox !
The Red Canine growled at her as it stepped closer. Golden hissed back threateningly before it attacked her. The Molly managed to give it a few claw marks but the fox must be really hungry because it didn't gave up and it pinned her down hard on the ground before lowering its head down to bite her neck and kill her. Golden closed her eyes thinking it was the end "Goodbye cruel world... I will finally be with my family again" she thought to herself as she waited for the Fox to end her.
Suddenly, a loud mewl echoed , followed by footsteps and the Golden felt the fox freeing her from its grips. The Molly opened her golden eyes to see... A bright-flame colored tom fighting the Fox. The Canine was beginning to back away and when the fire-colored stranger hissed menacingly, it ran away with its tail between his back-legs. Huffing, her savior turned his head to face her before slowly coming closer . Golden watched as he approached and she had to admit he was handsome : his flame-colored pelt looked like a raging fire under the Sunlight and his emerald green eyes seemed to sparkle. She was instantly taken by him.
When the newcomer stopped, she was still looking at him "Are you okay ?" he asked in a strong but gentle tone. "T-Thank you for saving me... I'm Golden~" she responded in a honey-sweet tone. The Flame-Colored Tom nodded before saying "Nice to meet you Golden. My name is Fireheart... You are trespassing on Thunderclan's territory you know" "Thunderclan ? What is that ?" She asked him with a confused raise-brow " Thunderclan is one of the four Clan who shared the Forest : the others are Shadowclan , Riverclan and Windclan " Fireheart responded calmly as he eyed her.
"Is there many cats in your Clan ?" Golden asked him with curiosity "Yes..." The Flame-Colored Tom responded softy before looking at the dead body of the rabbit beside her "Nice catch !" he congratulated her and she purred in response "Thank you and I'm sorry for trespassing on your territory..." "Its fine ! You are clearly not here to cause any problem and you're lucky it was me and not one of my Clan-mates !" "And why that ?" she asked him with a playful raise-brow "They would have attacked you on sight because you entered our territory !" Her playful face turned into a fearful one "Why ? I didn't do anything !" "Our Clan had some...problems with rogues. By the way do you know a Cat named Tigerclaw ?" he asked her with a stern look on his face.
"No... I should ?" she asked him with a frown and he seemed satisfied with her answer "I see you are not lying... Now I think you should go before one of my Clan-mates find you !" Fireheart told her hurriedly as he began to walk away. The White and Honey-colored Molly then stopped him by saying "Wait can you tell me more about your Clan please ?" Fireheart looked back at her with a frown "Why ?" "I am just curious ! Its the first time I meet a Clan Cat..." she responded softy as she looked at her paws.
Fireheart looked at her for a second : this rogue seemed sincere. With a sigh, he approached her " Alright... I will tell you what I know about Clan Life..." he began to say before explaining how Clans worked. Golden listened with interest and amazement. When the Flame colored tom finished talking , Golden was amazed by what she just learn : for example ,a kit became apprentice when he or she reached 6 moons and was mentored by a Warrior who taught him or her how to fight , hunt , tracking , the territories borders. When he or she was ready and worthy , the apprentice became a Warrior.
"Whoa...Living in a Clan seem exciting ! " The White and Honey-furred Molly muttered with shock and Fireheart mewled in amusement "Yes it is ! Sure it is dangerous but you got to know how it felt to live like a Wild Cat !" "It is possible for me to...join your Clan ?" she suddenly asked him with some hesitation. Fireheart was taken aback by her question and staid silent for a moment before sighing "Well...If our Leader , Bluestar, allowed you then you can join the Clan... But its her decision and hers alone..."
"Oh I see... And can I be accepted ?" Golden asked him with a bit of hope "Well...Someone had to talk in your favor or you have to show you're worthy enough to join the Clan... Maybe I could help you..." Fireheart began to explain before she interrupted him "Really ? You would do that for me ? A complete stranger ?" "Why not ? I am Thunderclan Deputy after all...and nothing is impossible... I was once a kittypet before I joined Thunderclan" he responded with a hint of humor in his voice.
At this revelation, Golden's eyes widened in shock as she stared at the Male before her "You...You were a kittypet ? But why did you decide to join Thunderclan ? " Fireheart letted out a soft smile "Well... I didn't really liked the life of a kittypet... and when Bluestar offered me to join the Clan...I accepted.." The White and honey-furred Molly then looked at her paws , deep in thought. Fireheart then walked away but a few meters away he looked back at her "Aren't you coming ?"
Golden looked at him with seriousness "Can...Can I think about this ?"To her relief, the Thunderclan Warrior nodded "Of course ! However I might not be the one patrolling here next time...but if you saw another cat , tell them you know me and they would leave you alone !Now...Bye ! " The Flame-colored Tom said before running back into the forest.
The Molly watched him go for a moment before picking up her prey and walking away to find a place where she could enjoy the rabbit. As she walked, Golden was thinking about Fireheart and what he told her. The way of life of his Clan sure sounded...quite interesting. It sounded like the type of life she wished and she was considering the idea of joining this clan.
Later, she found a nice hiding place near the forest and made herself comfortable before feasting on the rabbit she caught earlier. As she enjoyed her lunch, she couldn't stop thinking about Fireheart and a smile appeared on her face as she remembered his beautiful green eyes and flame pelt. It was at this instant that her mind made her choice... She was going to join Thunderclan.
(To be continued...)