The Next day, Golden woke up early and she yawned softy as she stretched her body. She remembered the events of the past day : the fox attacking her after she caught the rabbit , how Fireheart came out of nowhere to save her , what he told her about Thunderclan's way of life. At the memory of the Flame Colored Tom with green eyes, Golden's heart melted as a warm smile appeared on her face. Since the other day, she couldn't stop thinking about him.
She was definitely thinking about joining the Clan so the white and vibrant honey-furred Molly left her hiding place before entering the forest again this time not to hunt but to find Fireheart. After a moment, still nothing until a loud cry of anger echoed and a Golden Brown Tabby tom with amber eyes approached her baring his teeth menacingly. The male was followed by another male but this one had white fur and golden eyes. Then appeared another cat , a small dusky brown she-cat with eyes the color of sunlit ice.
The White Tom looked at her with an frown as his companions especially the brown molly snarled at her. Golden was a bit surprised by this mark of hostility so she went into a submissive position.
Her tactic seemed to work because the trio calmed down but the White tom was still looked at her with narrowed eyes "Who are you and What are you doing in Thunderclan's territory rogue ?" he asked in a strong voice , deeper than Fireheart's. "My name is Golden and I'm looking for Fireheart-" "How do you know Fireheart intruder ?!" The brown Molly hissed at her. "Mousefur calm down ! She didn't look like a threat to us so let her talk !" The White Tom ordered his comrade who shrank in fear under his gaze "Yes Whitestorm..." she muttered softy before looking back at Golden with narrowed eyes.
The White tom , now known as 'Whitestorm', looked back at the White and honey-furred she-cat with a firm look on his face "Now...Tell us how do you know Fireheart ?" he asked her calmly but still in a deep voice. "He saved my life yesterday from a fox not too far from here... I wanted to thank him and maybe...join his clan..." Golden responded with some shyness. Whitestorm nodded as he gestured to his companions to calm down " I see you're telling the truth young one ! Fireheart DID told us he helped a rogue yesterday ! But how do you know about our clan ?" The White tom inquired with some curiosity
"Fireheart told me he was a Clan Cat... He told me he was from Thunderclan...but he didn't say more..." Golden said half-lying as she didn't wanted them to hurt Fireheart for telling her how a Clan worked. After a moment of silence, Whitestorm declared "Alright we will escort you to our camp ! Bluestar will decide if you are worthy enough to join our clan !" "I doubt it..." Mousefur muttered but the Golden Brown tom , who staid silent the whole time, heard her and said " You said the same thing when Fireheart joined our Clan moons ago and he proved to be a good warrior so don't judge too fast !"
Mousefur grumbled and staid silent as the group walked away. The three Thunderclanners were surrounding Golden who chose to stay silent as they walked toward Thunderclan's camp. Soon the group passed a sandy ravine, protected by thornbushes. Golden and her escort passed through the gorse tunnel before finally entering what seemed like Thunderclan's camp. It was a clearing where many Cats were gathered and across this clearing resided a smooth tall rock.
Golden looked around in amazement before Whitestorm cleared his throat "It seems Fireheart is not back from his hunt yet... Mousefur go fetch Bluestar !" he ordered the brown Molly who nodded before running away toward the tall rock. The White Tom then pointed at the different parts of the clearing explaining to her what they were. Golden listened with interest and curiosity as she looked at the different part of the camp : The nursery , where Queens raised their kits until they were old enough to be apprentice, had thick bramble walls and was the most guarded part of the camp.
Behind a tree stump, there was a clump of ferns where apprentices slept. The Warriors slept under a bush in another tunnel. Not too far, there was a fallen tree where a group of cats known as the Elders slept while senior warriors usually rested in the center of the camp. The tall rock was called the Highrock and was where the leader stand to make important speeches. Whitestorm explained that the leader's den was in a cave carved out by an ancient stream. Lichen covered the entrance of this cave. Finally, he showed her the last notable place in the camp : a fern tunnel that leaded to a crack in a rock. It was where the Medicine Cat resided.
When Whitestorm finished , Golden's eyes were filled with stars of amazement earning a purr of amusement from the muscular Snow-furred Warrior. Suddenly Whitestorm became serious again as he looked toward the Highrock "Here come Bluestar our leader..." Golden looked over and saw a pale blue-gray molly with blue eyes approaching them with Mousefur.
The Blue She-cat stopped in front of the group before saying in a stern but calm tone " Mousefur told me you wanted to join Thunderclan ?" When Golden nodded , Bluestar added " She also told me you knew Fireheart..." "He saved my life yesterday from a fox..." The White and Vibrant honey-furred she-cat responded with a gentle tone. Bluestar nodded before asking sternly" So you ARE the rogue he helped... Why do you want to join our clan ?"
Golden took a deep breath before looking into Bluestar's blue eyes with calm and determination " To be honest, I wanted a better way of life than living alone. Since my mother died, I had to take care for myself so if joining this clan means that I won't be alone anymore...then I would be honored to join you.." Of course Golden didn't wanted to admit that she had feelings for Fireheart. So she used her other reason to why she wanted to join.
Bluestar staid silent for a moment as she closed her eyes , thinking about what this rogue just told her. When she reopened them, her blue eyes were narrowed " How can we trust you ? You might be one of Tigerclaw's group of rogues !" "Fireheart asked me the same thing and I told him I didn't know who was this 'Tigerclaw' ! Ask him if you don't believe me !" Golden responded with a frown as she looked at the Blue Molly.
Bluestar seemed to calm down and looked at the rogue with a much calmer expression " Thats exactly what I will do... Let's warn the Clan about you..;" the Blue Leader said as she climbed on Highrock before saying loudly " Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting ! ". At those words, the entire Clan gathered around Highrock and some of them noticed Golden and muttered to each other as they eyed her suspiciously.
" Thunderclan ! A rogue wish to join our Clan and becoming one of us !" At those words , a uproar echoed. "Enough ! This molly is the rogue Fireheart had helped yesterday ! She confirmed his story when I talked to her !" "Bluestar ! Fireheart is not back yet !" A young dark gray she-cat with a twisted hint-leg remarked at she looked at the Blue Leader.
Surprisingly at those words, Fireheart himself entered the camp and when he saw the whole Clan gathered around Highrock , he let go of his prey (a plump mouse) before asking in a surprised tone "What's going on here ?" Bluestar didn't responded and gestured for him with her tail to come closer. As the flame-colored tom approached Highrock, he stopped at the foot of Highrock looking at his leader with his piercing green eyes. "Fireheart this she-cat want to join our Clan ? Is she the one you saved ?" the Blue Leader asked as she pointed at Golden with her tail.
Fireheart looked at the White and Honey furred Molly with surprise "I didn't thought you were serious when you told me you wanted to join my Clan Golden !" he declared in a calm tone despise his surprise. The Clan's eyes widened when he said those words and a silence echoed in the air. Then the Fire pelted Tom looked at Bluestar solemnly "Bluestar she is indeed the cat I saved yesterday..." "Do you think she is worthy enough to be one of us ?" the Blue-gray she-cat asked her Deputy with a frown.
To Golden's relief, her crush nodded "I think she is Bluestar ! I was impressed by her fighting skills and she must be a good huntress for catching a rabbit without making a sound !" Thunderclan Leader listened calmly and when her Deputy finished , she looked back at Golden "If what Fireheart said is true then... You are welcome to join us as member of Thunderclan !"
At those words, someone shouted "What ? Bluestar you can't be serious ! " Golden turned her head to see a large gray tabby tom with black stripes and yellow eyes approaching Highrock looking up at his Leader with narrowed eyes. "Darkstripe I suggest you to shut your mouth and stay silent !" Whitestorm inquired to the black stripped tom with a authority.
However, Darkstripe didn't listen " Why should I Whitestorm ? Why we should accept a stranger just because this puny kittypet said she was good at hunting and fighting ? " Golden growled when she saw Fireheart glaring at the black stripped tom.
"I would rather be around that puny kittypet that being near you mouse-brain !" the White and honey furred Molly snarled in anger catching everyone off guard. "How did you called me ?!" Darkstripe snarled as he approached her menacingly "Are you deaf ? I called you mouse-brain do you have a problem with that ?!" she hissed back with narrowed eyes.
This time it was enough. With yowl of anger, Darkstripe lunged at her but she was quicker as she dodged his attack before clawing his shoulder. Blood came out of the wound she gave him. The black stripped feline tried to attack her again only the meet the same blow than before. "ENOUGH !" Bluestar yelled loudly and the two opponents stopped. Darkstripe was glaring at Golden hatefully , his shoulder covered in blood while the White and Honey-furred Molly stood there without a scratch as she glared at him back with her piercing golden eyes.
"This She-cat proved to be a worthy opponent so she is free to join Thunderclan !" Bluestar announced before saying in a solemn tone " Golden do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" "I do !" The Honey and White furred Molly responded with a smile as she looked up at her. " Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. Golden, from this moment on you will be known as Goldeneye . StarClan honors your fighting skills, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Thunderclan !"
Then Bluestar climbed down Highrock before resting her muzzle on Goldeneye' forehead. The newest Warrior thanked her softy and the Clan started to cheer her loudly "GOLDENEYE ! GOLDENEYE !" The White and Honey furred Molly looked at all the faces around her with a purr and her joy grew when she noticed that Fireheart was cheering with the others.
"Before you go back to your occupation , I have another thing to say ! Goldeneye , tonight you had to sit a silent vigil but right now Fireheart will show you the territory while Mousefur will taught you the Warrior Code ! " The two chosen Warriors nodded and the Blue Leader dismissed the Meeting. Some Cats approached Goldeneye to congratulate her and among them was Fireheart "You see ? It WAS possible to join Thunderclan after all ! " The Flame colored Tom remarked with a chuckle and she purred in response "All thanks to you : you saved me from the fox, you helped me join the Clan...I...Thank you very much~"
"Its nothing really ! Now we should get going !" Fireheart inquired as he walked toward the gorse tunnel. Goldeneye happily trotted behind him ; she was finally near the one she loved.
When the two came back, it was around midday. Fireheart organized the patrols while Goldeneye had to go with Mousefur who tell her about the Warrior Code which she found really simple to memorize. However the brown Molly warned her that some of their enemies might not respect the code sometimes and the White and Honey-furred she-cat nodded in understanding. At the end of the day, the entire Clan entered their den to enjoy a peaceful night.
Fireheart was passing near Goldeneye who was guarding the camp "Remember you are forbidden to talk all night ! If something happen, you wake me up without making a single sound got it ?" When she nodded, the flame pelted Warrior entered the Warrior Den in silence.
Goldeneye watched him entering the den before sighing silently. She was happy that she was accepted in the Clan AND to be near her crush but she was a bit wary about the cat she challenged : Darkstripe. During all day, he didn't stopped snarling at her and of course she hissed back. She had not only found love and home...she got a new enemy in the process. But for some reason, she didn't cared... She was around the one she loved , it was all that mattered to her.
(To be continued...)