Next chapter...
It was night time and all the cats were tucked neatly in their dens. The seven new arrivals were curled next to each other, but their eyes were wide and they whispered in the silence of the night.
"These cats are quite strange." Sagittarius Gray said. "Interesting, but strange."
"No just different." Answered Leo Ginger, but she had to admit it was quite different.
"Did you see the one they called the leader, he was a male!" Hissed Capricorn Orange who was regaining her strength. "Never heard of such a thing."
"I know, but that is their way." Virgo Black growled. "They only have one Medicine cat, and one they call an apprentance, but she did nothing but sit and watch."
"You saw how small she was." Said Capricorn Orange. " She was only a young queen, she must be a Learner."
"Good point." Said Virgo Black.
"But those other two. The young one called Whitepaw and the older male called Brambleclaw." Said Taurus Blue wistfully. "They pushed Capricorn Orange and Libra Silver rather roughly. Rude the whole way, didn't even tell us their names."
"Be patient, we must listen, ask questions and learn their ways if we are ever to find a home here." Leo Ginger advised. "These cats have a right to be wary of us, they know nothing about us."
"Which means they should be polite!" Growled Libra Silver. "They have no proof that we are going to attack them or cause them harm!"
"Just be calm." Leo Ginger ordered. "Let us rest and ready ourselves for tomorrow. Tomorrow will be a day a learning and maybe teaching. Now let us thank our ancestors for watching over us."
"Sacred Stars, thank thee for guiding us and may we continue to preserve your laws. Protect us in sleep, our ancestors." The cats said as one before Laying their heads down and slipping into a deep slumber.
"Get up."
A rough paw was prodding at Leo Ginger's side. The white and ginger she-cat stirred and opened an eye to see a pure white she-cat glaring at her. She sighed, and got up calmly. The other she-cat stepped back, still glaring at her and growled.
"Leo Ginger? I suppose you are." Said Frostfur. "Our leader says that you and your clanmates, accept for the sick one, may join either a patrol or hunting party. Ashfur is leading the morning patrol." She jerked her head towards a pale gray tom near the camp's entrance. "Cloudtail and Brightheart are leading a hunting patrol. He'd prefer is you split up onto different patrols." The white cat said nothing else but stalked away towards another large den and disappeared into it.
"Kind cats, aren't they?" Purred Leo Red as he padded up beside Leo Ginger. "This should be interesting."
"Give them time, they seem like very protective cats, not used to strangers." Said Leo Ginger. "We might as well do what they say. Libra Silver, Virgo Black, Leo Red, you go on the hunting patrol. Sagittarius Gray, Taurus Blue and I will join the morning patrol."
"Great, more of these rude felines." Said Taurus Blue sarcastically. "They make me sick."
"Lighten up." Said Sagittarius Gray. "Look at it from their view, just try to be friendly."
"Hmpf." Growled Taurus Blue.
While Libra Silver, Virgo Black and Leo Red made their way over towards the hunting patrol. The other three went towards the morning patrol. All three cats stopped and bowed deeply, before joining the patrol completely.
"Uh, I'm Ashfur." Said the gray tom. "This is Sootfur." He nodded to a light gray tom. "And that's Sorreltail." He nodded to a tortoiseshell and white female. "Leo Ginger?"
"Yes, a pleasure to meet you Ashfur." Said Leo Ginger kindly. "This is Taurus Blue." She flicked her tail towards the gray blue female. "And Sagittarius Gray."
"Long names." Snorted Sorreltail. "Can I just call you Ginger, Blue and Gray?"
"What!" Spat Taurus Blue. "By name of our Star ancestors! You never call of Star Signed cat by its single name. Are you mad!"
Leo Ginger and Sagittarius Gray couldn't help but frown and twitch their tails in annoyance.
"Back off." Growled Sootfur, immediately protective of his sister. "It was just a suggestion."
Leo Ginger nodded slowly to Taurus Blue who backed off, still glaring at the she-cat. Ashfur looked at the cats nervously. Hoping that nothing more would happen. He flicked his tail and all the cats padded off, tension high between them.
"I can't bare it any longer!" Yowled Taurus Blue. "That disrespecting female dared attempt to call me my single name."
"Calm yourself." Commanded Leo Ginger. "Now, these cats do not understand us. We must give them a way to get to know us. She was just trying to get to know you."
"I must agree with Leo Ginger." Growled Virgo Black. "Besides, I envy their names. Our full titles are something of the past, perhaps we should change them."
"Never!" Cried Libra Silver. "We may be in the lands of what these cat's call Starclan, but I shall still obey the Code of the Stars."
A silence followed as two cats entered their presence. Rainwhisker, a dark gray tom with blue eyes and Brightheart a white she-cat with ginger patches, she looked exactly like Leo Ginger accept for the patches in different places and Brightheart's face was wounded.
"I am Rainwhisker, brother of Sorreltail." Said the dark gray tom stiffly. He obviously knew what had happened earlier. "Firestar tells me that the three of you that went on hunting patrol brought back more fresh kill than any cat ever has. He says he wants you to rotate jobs tomorrow and then your welcoming ceremony may be moved the day after."
"Thank you." Replied Leo Ginger softly. "Tell Sorreltail that we are sorry for the outburst, your customs are different than ours."
"She'll be fine." Assured Brightheart, smiling softly. "Your clanmates did hunt well. Leo Red, Virgo Black and Libra Silver may choose their prey first since they hunted the most. Cinderpelt also has knew about Capricorn Orange you might find enjoyable."
"I shall go see her right away." Said Leo Ginger. "Leo Red, Virgo Black, Libra Silver, get your prey, I shall check on Capricorn Orange."
"Well, see you around." Said Brightheart. The white and ginger warrior turned and strutted away, Rainwhisker following her.
"See, they aren't that bad." Snipped Leo Ginger before padding off to see Capricorn Orange.
"Oh Leo Ginger! Aren't they beautiful." Purred Capricorn Orange. "No wonder I was so sick and weak."
It turned out that Capricorn Orange had been pregnant when the seven cats had escaped their original home. The father must've been White Scorpio, Capricorn Orange's mate. He was killed when he tried to fight back at the wolves.
"Yes, yes they are beautiful." Said Leo Ginger gazing upon the four kittens. Their were two males, two females. One of the females was a runt and a bit weaker, but all of them seemed perfectly healthy. "Shall I determine their sign so that you may name them?"
Leo Ginger had been the commander of Leo Tribe and so had been given the task by the ancient Stars to determine the sign of the kittens when they were born. If there sign was not of the tribe they currently lived in, they would be transferred to their rightful place. Here, Leo Ginger guessed, they would get to stay with their mother.
"Well...while you were gone I learned somethings." Said Capricorn Orange. "These cats believe in Starclan and though I still respect the ancient Stars, if my kittens are to grow up in this clan and know their ways, they might as well have their names."
"What are you saying?" Leo Ginger said. She didn't like what she was hearing.
"I am saying that I want my kittens to grow under Starclan since this is what most of the clan cats here live by. Besides, I've heard the stories, the prophecies, Cinderpelt told me everything she could, I have reason to believe there is a Starclan more than there is the twelve ancient Stars." Capricorn Orange confirmed. "In fact, Firestar has given me my knew warrior name already since I was tired of Capricorn Orange. I am now Orangepelt."
"No...no." Hissed Leo Ginger fiercely. Why would Capricorn Orange so suddenly change. Leo Ginger's eyes widened as she backed away and fled toward the others to tell them the terrible news.