A ginger tom with a missing patch of fur smirks at the small kitten that a dark tabby she-cat and brown, black and white tom with three scars circle around. "You shouldn't be here Amber..you shouldn't get in the way of BloodClan!"
The kitten with reddish brown fur and a weird mix of black stripes and spots glares with green eyes. Her claws scrap against the dark ground as she bares her fangs, "Well you shouldn't have hurt Smudge! His Gods had to take him to the God Healer after what you goons did to him!"
Amber tries to calm down, her eyes fixed onto the green eyes of Brick, trying to not look at the see-through cats that haunt these cats. She knew that she shouldn't mess with them..that these cats will gladly kill her with no remorse.
"Well he shouldn't had gone sticking his fucking nose where he doesn't belong!" Brick laughs his tail swiping at Amber's nose before he leans close to her, "The fact you shouldn't even be here as well little kitten..just because Princess.."
"Brick!"
Amber sighs at seeing the dark brown tabby pelt of her sister appearing around the corner. Her green eyes shine in anger while her white muzzle is curled in a snarl. "How many times do I have to tell you to leave my sister alone?! Do I have to tell Beak of this!"
Amber wasn't shocked to see Brick flinch at the name of Beak. Amber has never learned exactly who Beak is but that he was the leader of BloodClan..and for some reason was good friends with her sister..and the reason why Amber is allowed to walk through the streets without getting chased..at least most of the time.
"What do you want, Princess?" Fury spits at the she-cat who eyes her with distrust. Princess just snorts and pushes Fury out of the way, pressing her pelt against Amber's, "Oh just that Claw wants to see you three..something about how you three went to far with kitten you decided to teach a lesson..he wants a word with all three of you,"
Amber could see Snapper wince at that while Brick hisses. With a glare at her, Brick leads the other two out of the alley. Princess sighs before she turns to Amber with a glare.
"I know I said you are ok to walk the streets but that doesn't mean you can make the cats that can easily kill you angry!" her tail lashes out and Amber winces, looking down at her paws.
"Sorry Princess..I..I just saw Brick and I got mad! Smudge was really hurt and.." she looks up when she hears Princess purr.
"You have such a kind heart..even though I know you don't like Smudge," Princess chuckles before she begins to walk away, Amber quickly following her. "I'm sorry Amber, I'm just worried. I was able to get Beak to allow you access to walk the streets even though you aren't part of BloodClan,"
Amber sighs and shakes her head, "I'm not joining. I seen many of your Clanmates..there are so many ghost around them," she shivers, the fur on her spine rising, "The one time I decided to hang around you and your friends, I kept getting nightmares on how those ghosts died.." she then eyes her, "I still don't understand why you join them,"
Princess sighs as leaps onto the fence, Amber slowly climbing after her. When Amber sat down on top of one of the posts next to her she saw that her sister's eyes were glaze, "I..I just want to be strong..Claw sees potential in me..I don't want to lose anyone ever again,"
Amber winces at this, after they lost their Papa Jake to a car, their brother, Tiny left after their other siblings, Socks and Ruby, told him that unwanted kittens were thrown in the river..they never saw him again.
Amber stays silent, knowing that Princess took Tiny's disappearance the hardest out of all of them. She stares into the forest before her eyes narrow and she grumbles. Staring from the dark woods was this...weird cat..or at least she thinks it was a cat. The patches of dark gray fur sways in the wind while his pale eyes stare at her.
"It's that weird cat again, isn't it?" Princess whispers, her eyes narrowing. Unlike Amber, Princess could only see the blurry figures of the ghosts. When Amber nods her head, Princess hisses, "Fuck off you creepy Ghost cat and leave my sister alone you motherfucker!"
Amber shakes her head, "Don't even bother..he's probably going to go into my dreams again," she tries not to show how much she actually liked the dreams. Where she was in the dark woods, hunting a rabbit, the wind blowing fresh air on the soft fur where her collar usually pinched.
She turns her head, towards the woods that were full of shadows. Where the ghost was still staring at her. Amber stretched her head forward to take a sniff of the air. Her body trembles a bit, knowing by now she should be getting back home. If she doesn't, she wouldn't get fed and be locked out by her Gods.
But she stays where she was, looking into the forest, the crisp smell having gotten stronger, beckoning her towards it.
Suddenly the Ghost cat smiles at her and fades from her view at the same time Amber makes her decision. Lifting her chin boldly, she stands up and stares into the tempting shadows as the wind seems to try and blow her in. The forest seems to promise her something. Tensing her muscles, she crouches for a moment before she leaps lightly down into the rough grass on the other side of the garden fence. Amber winces as the bell on her blue collar rang out through the still air.
"What the fuck are you doing Amber?" Princess meows to her with wide green eyes eyes.
Amber looks up with a smile, "I'm going to take a look into the woods.." she sees the fear on her sister's face, "Just for a look though..who knows maybe I might find dad,"
The look on Princess' face doubts that. The two had never met their father but their papa told them he was one of the wild cats that lived beyond the Gods' boundaries.
"You do remember what Aunt Quince says about those woods? How dangerous it is? She said Henry went into the woods once caught a robin..and then those wild cats started chasing him, gave him some scars to remember,"
"As if BloodClan doesn't do the same..and as if that fat old cat Henry ever went into the woods," but Amber twitches her ear as she slowly walks into the shadows, ignoring Princess' "Don't go crying to me when you get back!" She didn't know how far she was going, every few seconds she would see the furless cat before he faded again.
Suddenly her eyes caught a flash of brown fur scuttling under some brambles. Instinct made her drop into a low crouch. Paw after paw, Amber drew her body through the undergrowth, ear pricked, nostrils flare and eyes unblinking on the mouse. She could see it clearly in front of her now, nibbling on a large seed, sitting up among the barbed brambles.
Preparing to leap, Amber smirks as she rocks her haunches from side to side. She held in her breath in case the damn bell on her collar rang. This wasn't her first time hunting, she ate rats in the city..but this was a prey that wasn't corrupted by the Gods' weird scent. With her mouth watering, excitement coursed through her, making her heart pound. Just as she was about to leap for it, a sudden noise of cracking twigs and crunching leaves made her jump. The bell on her collar jangled, the sound alerting the mouse which quickly stuffed the seed into its mouth and darted away.
"Fuck," Amber whispers as she sits up, eyeing her collar with a glare. Her ears twitch as she hears a chuckle and turns her head. Her eyes widened in shock at the very large cat that now stood in front of her. Amber could tell it was a Ghost as it was see-through. Her eyes stared at the great flowing mane that seems to glow like the rays of the sun.
"Hello little Blaze..welcome home," the ghost rumbles and for some reason Amber wasn't scared. The voice was calm and soothing, gentle to the ear. Amber felt her body relax when her ears caught the sound of faint rustling behind her just before it became a loud and fast approaching leaf crackle.
Eyes widened she turned just as she was tackled and was thrown sideways into a clump of nettles. Amber tries to throw her attacker off, twisting and yowling in pain at the sharp claws that gripped on her. Amber never felt so helpless, she wished she took on Princess' offer to train a bit. Writhing and squirming from whisker to tail, Amber growls that she couldn't get free when she thinks of something. It was dangerous but it might be her only hope. So she flips onto her back.
When she hears the grunt of pain from beneath her, Amber knew her ploy worked. While her attacker tried to catch their breath, Amber thrashes fiercely and manages to wiggle free. Without looking back she sprints for the Gods' Gardens.
She could hear the rush of pawsteps behind her, telling her that her attacker was giving chase. She grits her fangs together from the pain from the scratches underneath her fur but Amber decided she would rather fight than be shown as weak. She also didn't want to be jumped again.
So skidding to a stop she turns and leaps onto her pursuer. Taken by Amber's surprise attack, they fell back into a dazed heap. Amber growls, her eyes staring on them, another kitten with a thick coat of gray fur. Her yellow eyes stare at Amber in shock while the darker gray stripe of fur on her spine stood on end at the sight of Amber arching her back and puffing out her reddish brown fur, ready to attack if needed.
"Graypaw, you mouse-brain!" a voice calls out as another kitten leaps through the tall grass. His green eyes glare onto the gray kitten, his light brown fur spiking up in anger, "You are supposed to be helping me collect herbs! Not go chasing after Twoleg's Toys just because they walked in through a weak spot in the barrier!" he turns his head to Amber and he smiles. Amber notices that he was wearing what at first she thought was a collar. But he was wearing stones and when he twitched his ear she saw a fang hanging from it.
"Sorry about him, this is Graypaw's first night out and I guess Bristlepaw told him stories of chasing out Toys from the territory too many times that he couldn't help himself..I'm Briarpaw by the way,"
Amber remains on tiptoe for a second before calming down. Dropping onto her pads and loosen her muscles she relaxes while keeping in mind that the gray kitten was a tom not a she-cat like she first thought.
She then narrows her eyes, "Why are you calling me a Toy?"
Graypaw snorts and points to her collar, "That thing you have around your neck marks you as a Twoleg's Toy,"
Amber's eyes widened at that. All the cats she has met always called the Gods with respect and wonder. Even the ones in BloodClan respects the Gods if with fear, "You call the Gods Twolegs?"
The two cats stare at her before Graypaw starts laughing loudly while Briarpaw flinches, "You..you Toys call the Twolegs Gods? Man, Robinwing said that you Toys were stupid but to think the Twolegs got you into thinking they're Gods.." he laughs again, shaking his head, "What is a Toy like you doing in the woods anyway? Don't you know its dangerous?"
Amber narrows her green eyes, already mad about being called stupid, "If you're the most dangerous thing the woods have to offer, then I think I can handle myself," she hisses which makes Graypaw growl. Briarpaw stands in front of Graypaw, narrowing his green eyes before he turns to Amber.
"He's far from the most dangerous. Even if he was half a warrior, he'd give an intruder like you some real wounds to think about," Briarpaw warns Amber, "Anyway its not worth hurting you, you're not from one of the other Clans,"
Amber blinks, Clans..that's what Papa said Dad was..a part of a Clan," "What do you mean by Clans?"
Graypaw lets out an impatient hiss, "You must have heard of the four Clans that hunt around here! Blessed by the Four Great Gods! We're part of ThunderClan who are blessed by Taranu! The other Clans are always trying to steal our prey from our territory, especially ShadowClan. Those Cysgalis blessed cats are so fierce, they would have ripped you to shreds, no questions asked,"
Briarpaw rolls his eyes, "So would some of our cats as well Graypaw," he turns to Amber, "Lots of Clan cats don't like Toys..there are a few in our Clan that would had done more than give you scratches unfortunately,"
"When I've finished my training, I'll be so dangerous, I'll have the other Clans shaking in their flea-bitten skins. They won't dare come near us then!"
Amber couldn't help but purr at Graypaw, she felt at ease with these two cats. Besides Princess, she never felt at ease with the other cats. She didn't feel scared around these two, she actually admire them.
"But..what's so wrong about the Twolegs?" she tilts her head in confusion, "Your life would be much easier..they're plenty of them who take kittens like you. All you have to do-" but she stops when both tom hiss at her.
"And what? Let our sense be corrupted by them? Eating food that looks like rabbit droppings?" Graypaw hiss, his yellow eyes shining in anger, "No way! I can't think of anything worse than being a Toy! They're aren't even real cats!" Amber flinches at this, "They can't hear the wind talking to them or see into the darkest nights. They can't even go anywhere and make dirt in a box of gravel..That's no life! Out here we are real cats! We're free," Graypaw finishes his speech with a proud spit before he meows mischievously, "Until you've tasted a fresh-killed mouse, you haven't lived..have you tasted mouse?"
Amber looks down, pawing at the grass, "I tasted a rat before..but not a mouse,"
Graypaw shrugs his shoulders, "I guess you'll never understand. You weren't born in the wild, so you don't feel the Four Gods' Blessings..it's a shame really,"
Amber hisses in anger at the pity look in both cats eyes. She was about to claw them for it when Briarpaw stiffened and sniffs the air, "Shit..we must have been followed" he turns to Amber, "You need to get out of here now! "
Amber blinks in shock but nods her head. Her fur stood on end at the urgency in Briarpaw's voice and looked around as she prepared to spring into the bushes. But a voice calls out which tells her that she was too late.
"What's going on here?"
Turning, Amber's green eyes widened at the sight of the large gray and ginger she-cat that strolled into the clearing. "She's beautiful" Amber couldn't help but think as she watched the smooth blue-gray coat shone silver in the moonlight while the ginger patches burned like fire. There were white streaks in her muzzle and an ugly scar parted the fur across her shoulder, which shows the life she had. But her blue eyes burn with courage and pride. On her head was something that Amber saw the God's children wore..but it looked to be made out of something.
"Bluestar," Briarpaw whispers and the two toms quickly crouch down. Graypaw crouches lower and winces when a second cat follows. This one a golden tabby with fur that reminds her of the ghost that she saw before Graypaw attacked her. He was also wearing a brown cloak much to Amber's surprise. His green eyes stare down at Graypaw.
"You were supposed to be helping Briarpaw..not getting so close to the Settlement," growls the golden tabby.
Graypaw looks down at his paws, "I'm sorry, Lionheart," the golden tabby just huffs and shakes his head. Amber decided to copy the two and crouch low to the forest floor when her eyes caught the sight of another Ghost. This one sat next to Bluestar with speckled gray fur. His blue eyes were the same as Bluestar's so she guessed he was a relative. His frazzled whiskers twitch when he realizes that Amber was staring at him.
"Well..if the Blaze a special cat indeed,"
Amber wonders why these ghosts were calling her Blaze when Bluestar speaks, "Who is this?" Her blue gaze made Amber flinch a bit and made her feel even more vulnerable.
"Just a Toy from the Settlement. She's no threat," the words that Graypaw spoke inflamed Amber. She glares at him but holds her tongue but she could see that Bluestar was watching her now while the ghost chuckles.
"This is Bluestar, the crown on her head means she is the leader of ThunderClan," Briarpaw hisses to Amber under his breath, "And that's Lionheart..he's a senior Warrior and Graypaw's mentor,"
"Thank you for the introduction Briarpaw," Lionheart meows coolly. Bluestar was still staring at Amber and the young cat stared back which made Bluestar smile.
"You fight well for a Toy," she chuckles at the shock looks on the young cats faces, "We been watching you, wonder how you would dealt with an intruder, Graypaw. You attack her bravely,"
Graypaw looks pleased at Bluestar's praise. Bluestar's tail twitch and both Briarpaw and Graypaw sit up, Amber doing the same at the gentle nod Bluestar gave her, "You reacted well to the attack as well," Bluestar meows to Amber, making her eyes widen, "Graypaw is stronger than you but you used your wits to defend yourself. And the fact that you turned instead of fleeing means..you are even much different than the other Toys,"
Amber nods her head in thanks, her body trembles at the praise and her next words even surprise her more.
"I have wondered how you would perform out here..I have seen you either on the boundary or walking around staring out into the forest. It seem to me that you felt the pull of the Gods..that you heard their song which no Toy has ever heard since their senses are so dull..and now you dare place your paws here," Bluestar stares at Amber with calculating blue eyes, "You do seem to have a natural hunting ability. Sharp eyes..if you haven't hesitated you would have caught that mouse,"
Lionheart stands up, his green eyes staring at Bluestar, "This is a Toy, Bluestar. She shouldn't be hunting here at all..she has food from her Twolegs..we can't spare any after Eriaus' Tears this Leafbare..there isn't enough to go around..she has come here to hunt for sport but we hunt to survive..send her home!"
Amber feels dread at this..it pierce her like a blackthorn. Walking up a bit she stands in front of Bluestar and Lionheart, "I'm sorry..I didn't mean to threaten your Clan.." she bows her head, "I will never hunt here again,"
Bluestar and Lionheart blinked at this, "You are an unusual Toy, little one.." Amber looks up as she hears the approval in the leader's voice and sees that she was giving Lionheart a meaningful glace. Curious, Amber couldn't help but ask, "Is survival out here really so hard,"
"Our territory covers only part of forest," Bluestar answers turning to her, "We compete with other Clans for what we have and Newleaf was late this year so prey is scarce,"
"Is your Clan very big? And are all of you Warriors?" Amber mews, she wanted to know more..
"Big enough," Lionheart answers her, "Our territory can support it, but there is no prey left over. And some are Warriors. Some are too young or too old or too busy caring for kits to hunt," Briarpaw nods his head in agreement.
"And I'm not a Warrior Apprentice..I'm a Warlock Apprentice..which means I'm training to be the healer of ThunderClan and to learn how to speak to the Gods..to ask for help in dark times,"
Amber was in awe, this was like the stories she heard about her Father, "And you all live and share prey together,"
Bluestar looked at Lionheart again. The golden tabby stares back at her steadily and he smiles, shrugging his shoulders. At last Bluestar turns to Amber and meows, "Perhaps you should find out these things for yourself. Would you like to join ThunderClan?"
Amber mouth drops, Briarpaw smiles, his tail thrashing happily while Graypaw sputters, "But Bluestar! She's a Toy! Her senses are dulled and Toys don't have Warrior Blood or are blessed," he then mews in pain when Briarpaw bonks him on the head.
"It doesn't matter! I think the Mother would be happy for anycat to embrace their true selves,"
Lionheart nods at Briarpaw before he meows at Amber, "Bluestar is only offering you training young one, there is no guarantee that you would become a full warrior. It might prove too difficult for you."
Amber hisses, stung by Lionheart's words, "Why offer me the chance, then?"
"You are right to question us, "Bluestar answers, "The fact is, ThunderClan needs more warriors,"
"Bluestar wouldn't make this offer lightly," warned Lionheart, "If you wish to train with us, we will have to take you into our Clan. You must either live with us and respect our ways, or return to your Settlement and never come back. You cannot live with a paw in each world,"
Amber nods at this as a cold breeze stirred the undergrowth, ruffling her fur. She shivered not with the cold but with excitement. A thirst that she never knew she had but at the same time she did.
"Are you wondering if it's worth it? Giving up your food and warmth you have with your Twolegs? Are you wondering what the price you will pay?"
Amber stares at her in confusion, "The Clan may not be able to offer you such easy food or warmth," Bluestar explains, "In the season of Leafbare, nights in the forest are cold and cruel..you may even fall under Eriaus' Tears. The Clan will demand great loyalty and hard work..you may even die for it. But there are rewards, you will be trained in the ways of the wild..you will feel like your true self..the strength and fellowship of the Clan will always be with you, even when you hunt alone..you may even find yourself a mate and have a family of your own one day..I can still tell that you still have the Gift of Life..despite the Twoleg stench that clings to your fur.."
"What..do you mean..still have the Gift of Life.."
"You haven't been taken by the Twolegs to see the Cutter," Bluestar meows gravely, "You would be very different then. Not quite keen to fight..and it would had taken your gift to have a family,"
Amber's eyes widened at that. She thought of her Aunt Quince..how her and her Aunt Nutmeg had to ask Papa Jake to help them have a family..how like Henry, Aunt Quince had hardly like going outside after her visit to the God of Healing..she shudders at the thought before she thinks of what Bluestar was saying. She was offering her so much..the life she had only dream about or heard in stories. Could she live that for real?
"Bluestar," Lionheart interrupts her thoughts, "Let's not waste any more time..we must be ready to join the other patrol at Moonhigh. Tigerclaw will wonder what has become of us," he stood up, flicking his tail impatiently.
At Bluestar's nod, Amber speaks up, "Wait..can I think about your offer?"
Bluestar stares at her for a moment and nods her head, "Lionheart will be here tomorrow at Sunhigh," she tells her, "Give your answer to him, then,"
At that Bluestar flicks her tail, Briarpaw nods his head in goodbye before all four turn and disappear into the undergrowth.
"Hope to see you there, little one," the ghost mutters before he follows, leaving Amber alone. She blinks, staring past the ferns that encircled her. Through the canopy of leaves that hidden more to be explored. She kneads the ground, the scent of the Clan cats hung heavy in the evening air. Gulping, she shakes her head and turns, heading for home..but she feels a strange sensation inside her..tugging her back into the depths of the forest. Her reddish brown fur prickled in the light wind and the rustling leaves seem to whisper her name..she takes a deep breath..already knowing what she planned to do…
"Now..I just need to convince Princess,"