THUNDERCLAN CAMP
"What do you think about letting Steel stay with us and become a part of the Clan?" Bladestar asked wearily from where he sat in his den with Velvetfoot and Elmfur.
"I'm not sure…" Elmfur replied, "He did come to our aid at Sunning-Rocks and he did save Bravepaw's life. But-" Elmfur sighed as she drooped her shoulders. "There's something that just seems a little strange about the whole thing to me. For example, why would he want to join our Clan after living most of his life as a loner?"
Velvetfoot glanced at Elmfur. "I understand your suspicion, Elmfur. But why would he risk his own life to save us if he had any intentions of harming us?" She then turned to Bladestar,"There are very few Warriors now, maybe if Edgeclaw and the others had not left and been with us when the attack happened, we might not have been beaten. Maybe allowing Steel to join would be an asset to us. I could help train him in our ways and the Warrior code."
"I see your point, Velvetfoot. I feel like there are barely enough Warriors for hunting and border patrols anymore," Bladestar agreed. After a brief silence, he asked, "Elmfur, what is your conclusion?"
"I suppose you're right, Velvetfoot. We could use more Warriors… And I suppose it would be ungrateful to turn down his request after all he's done for us," Elmfur meowed.
Bladestar rose from his sitting position. "Then it's settled I guess. Let's go tell the others."
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"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath High-Rock for a Clan meeting," Bladestar called.
He didn't have to yowl very loudly since all of the cats were already in the clearing as they waiting to hear his decision about whether or not if Steel would be allowed to join ThunderClan.
Bravepaw shot a nervous glance over at Willowpaw. Well this is it, he thought, then turned his attention in Steel's direction. Steel was sitting patiently, his tail folded neatly over his paws as he looked up at the Thunderclan leader. He watched eagerly, anticipating Bladestar's decision.
"We have decided that Steel will become a member of Thunderclan, so long as he comes to learn the ways of the Clans and the Warrior code. Velvetfoot has offered to teach him, but I expect all of us will have to try our best to help him along."
Steel breathed a relieved sigh. "I will try my best to become a worthy Warrior of ThunderClan."
There was not much response from the group of crowded cats at their leader's words. They were much too tired from the attack to question their leader's decision.
"I'm sure you will catch on quickly with Velvetfoot training you. She has many admirable qualities."
Bladestar missed the look that passed between Steel and Velvetfoot as he turned back to the other cats. "I will allow Steel to keep his given name. Now I know you all must be very tired, sleep is the most important thing right now. I hope you all get a good night's rest." With that, Bladestar turned and entered his den.
Bravepaw couldn't agree more with Bladestar's last statement. He was hardly able to stand on his paws without plopping down in sheer exhaustion. He turned and looked at Redpaw. "I guess the Apprentice Den is fixed up enough for us to sleep in it tonight. I wonder where Steel is going to sleep though. I mean, if he is going to be training just like an apprentice, maybe he's supposed to sleep in our den too."
The two of them both glanced over to see Velvetfoot directing Steel toward the Warrior's den. "This is where you'll be sleeping from now on." The deputy meowed.
Redpaw shrugged. "I guess not."
The two apprentice headed back into their den with tired paws. Sparrowpaw and Willowpaw were just settling down in their nests. Bravepaw wished he could've talked to Willowpaw and asked her what she thought about Steel staying in Thunderclan, but he didn't want to risk it with Sparrowpaw there. Sparrowpaw wasn't too fur-brained, but she couldn't keep a secret to save her tail.
At least now we won't have to tell Bladestar that his deputy is meeting with a loner. Steel will be a Warrior eventually and then everything will be okay.
That was his last thought as he snuggled deeper into his nest, shut his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
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"Bravepaw," Grayleaf meowed in a loud whisper, "We're on hunting patrol duty."
Staggering up, Bravepaw seemed like he could feel every sore muscle in his body and was quickly remembered of the earlier events. The sun was already peeping over the hills, casting a warm glow on his fur.
"Why is every-cat still sleeping?" Bravepaw yawned, "The sun is already up."
Grayleaf chuckled. "Well not quite every-cat is sleeping, but yes, most of them are trying to catch up after all we've been through."
Bravepaw saw that Hazelfur was already waiting along with Velvetfoot and Steel.
"Is he coming with us?" Bravepaw asked quietly to his mentor.
"Yes. If he plans to be a Thunderclan Warrior he better start trying to learn how to act like one," she snorted.
She doesn't seem too happy about Steel joining us, Bravepaw thought, I wonder what she thinks of him staying.
"Alright, are we all ready to go?" Vevetfoot asked as they approached them.
Grayleaf nodded. Then the cats started off.
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As they walked along silently, ears pricked and alert for any sounds of prey, Bravepaw heard a quiet snuffling sound among the leaves. He was just about to signal to his mentor when Grayleaf spotted it as well. She motioned him to go around and spook it in her direction.
Creeping silently and making sure to set his paws down lightly until just the right moment. He pounced, landing about one tail length from it. It worked perfectly. The mouse had barely anytime to think before it scrambled straight into Grayleaf's paws.
"Great job," Grayleaf praised, "That was perfect. You are improving very much!"
Wow! Grayleaf actually praised me without telling me something I could do better! I must really be improving.
"Nice catch."
Bravepaw turned around. He was surprised to see that Steel had come up behind him, carrying a large vole in his jaws.
"You look like you made a nice catch yourself too." Bravepaw meowed, looking at Steel's vole.
Steel shrugged his shoulders, "I may not know everything about living together in a Clan, but I've been hunting since I can remember."
When Bravepaw turned back to Grayleaf, he noticed that she still didn't look too pleased with Steel's presence.
"Well we can always use more prey," she said, "but there's a lot more to being a Warrior than just eating."
Steel didn't seem phased at all by her comment. "I'm sure there is, and that I will have much more to learn from all of you."
Velvetfoot padded up to them, her face bright and pleased. "What an excellent catch Steel! You're becoming an asset to the Clan already."
"Thank you," Steel replied.
She didn't even seem to see our catch! Bravepaw thought, glancing down at their prey.
Velvetfoot turned towards Grayleaf. "I was wondering if you, Bravepaw and Hazelfur would mind continuing hunting by yourselves while I show Steel around the territories."
Grayleaf glanced over at Hazelfur who seemed to be tracking something. "It's okay with me as long as Hazelfur doesn't mind. Though we do need as much prey as possible, with everyone recovering from their wounds and all. And that's not even including the fact that we've now have a queen in the nursery with kits to feed."
"Of course," Velvetfoot agreed smoothly, "But this way, Steel can get a feel for the territory and we can keep an eye out for prey as well in different areas."
Grayleaf seemed to be satisfied with her answer and nodded.
Velvetfoot and Steel then padded off in the direction of the Windclan border.
Grayleaf continued to gaze out after them and Bravepaw noted the suspicion in Grayleaf's face.
Suddenly a thought struck Bravepaw. Could Grayleaf know about Velvetfoot and Steel meeting before his coming, or did she just not trust a loner?
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Author note/ Hope you all liked the chapter! Thank you everyone for reading!