Chapter 5. Eye of the Storm
Wow I lied about updating this. Not the 8,000 word chapter I originally had but it's better than nothing. This chapter acts more as a background filler than anything but interesting nonetheless . Hope you all enjoy, and I'll try to update sooner. I'm might link a picture of what Snakestar looks like in the nest chapter so just a heads up for those wanting a better description of the 5/10 star rating leader of Skyclan.
Fireheart's P.O.V
The gentle breeze rustled Fireheart's fur as she and several others trekked through the windy plains on the far side of Skyclan's territory. Snakestar had assigned her to lead one of the four patrols to find suitable places for the other clans to live. She'd taken the patrol responsible for Windclan, meanwhile Iceclaw, Sharpclaw, and Springleap had taken lead of the other patrols. Turning to the rest of the patrol she called for a rest.
The patrol consisted of Magpiewing, Whitepelt, and Cherrytail. As they all rest, Fireheart scanned the surrounding plains. Distant rolling hills were blanketed in soft grass that was tall enough to tickle her stomach. This area wasn't used by Skyclan due to the lack of cover and very few loners ever pass through. It seemed like a good place for Windclan.
Whitepelt turned to her, "Do you think that Windclan can even use this land? I know the stories that the Elders tell say that they're fast but I kinda doubt that they can live so exposed."
"If the Elders and Medicine Cats say they can then I don't doubt them. But they must be pretty fast if all they do is chase rabbits all day." Fireheart chuckled, Sunblaze's voice echoed through her mind in memory of his stories about Talltail.
"I suppose", Whitepelt hummed as he arched his back.
Magpiewing and Cherrytail got up as well, seeing as they'd rested enough Fireheart turned and began to lead them further into the plains. There was an outcropping of rocks on the side of a hill that seemed to be a good place for a camp not far ahead. Speeding up to a moderate run, Fireheart continued towards the outcrop. Magpiewing followed at her side, careful to not overtake her, Cherrytail and Whitepelt followed a few tail lengths behind.
By the time they'd arrived to the outcrop Cherrytail was gasping for air, the younger she-cat was clearly exhausted. Fireheart felt a light tug at her chest as Cherrytail regained her breath, it was unusual for her to be overexerted so soon. She huffed lightly before studying the outcrop, there was four sections to it that went upward.
"Look around for spots for dens, old burrows and caves that seem stable will do." Fireheart ordered before making her way to the top of the outcrop. Her claws scraped the smooth boulders as she climbed upwards. Once at the top she looked around the plains, a perfect view of the entire territory. Refocusing on the outcrop she noticed a hole between two rocks that leaned against each other. Padding over to the hole, Fireheart scented the air to make sure that there wasn't any adders hiding among the rocks. Ducking her head inside a small cave, she saw parts of the rocks on the walls of the cave. Deciding that it seemed stable enough, she decided that it would make for a good Medicine Cat den or Leader's den as it was far too small to be Nursery and was well protected.
Pulling her head out of the ground, she shook her head to get rid of the dirt that clung to her face. Padding over to the edge of the section she looked down and saw the others still mingling among the rocks. Leaping down to where Magpiewing was she called out to the others.
"Did any of you find places for dens?" Fireheart questioned as they regrouped. Whitepelt nodded and Cherrytail chirped an agreement, "Good, we'll head back to camp and hunt along the way. Clovertail's kits are becoming apprentices today and then there's the warrior ceremony, so we need to be back as soon as we can for the ceremony."
Gathering her patrol, Fireheart led the way back to Skyclan's main territory. With the rainstorms for early Newleaf gone, the return back to camp went without issue. Although the group didn't catch much at least each warrior held something as they entered camp.
Looking around Fireheart spotted Iceclaw who stood beside Snakestar in deep conversation. Dismissing her patrol, Fireheart padded over to the pair.
Iceclaw dipped his head in greeting, "Did you find a campsite for Windclan?"
She nodded before giving Snakestar her attention, the gray splotched tom began to speak again.
"It's been little over two moons since Echosong's prophecy, the clans should be arriving any day now. Fireheart, I want you to patrol the edge of the territory by the river until they arrive." Snakestar sighed before continuing, "Also there's the issue of Harepaw and Tulip-paw's warrior ceremony."
Fireheart tilted her head in confusion as Iceclaw laid his tail on her shoulder.
"Iceclaw has told me that while Tulip-paw has passed her assignment and is ready to become a warrior, Harepaw isn't. You've sat in during the apprentices' training, can you tell me why Harepaw didn't pass his assignment? Because according to Leafdapple, Harepaw simply had a bad day and should be a warrior. With the clans arriving soon Skyclan needs to look strong and indestructible. A warrior that can't even hunt three pieces of prey before sun-high in Newleaf, is no warrior at all. Warriors provide and protect the clan, so tell me why it is that Harepaw seems so far behind his sister and an apprentice three moons younger than him."
The fur was stiff on the back of her neck, Snakestar's voice had been cold and silently angry. Although stress had been weighing on him for the pass few moons Fireheart felt as if he was blaming her for Harepaw's shortcomings.
"Harepaw preforms well in practice, but I have noticed that when he becomes stressed and feels as if he's being pressured, he can slip up. I'm sure with time he'll get over it." Fireheart replied, but by the expression spreading across Snakestar's face that it wasn't the response he wanted.
Standing up quickly with a lashing tail Snakestar snarled, "The life of a warrior is stressful! With the way he's acting he might as well run off like Shortwhisker and Quietflight did!"
"That's enough!" Iceclaw spat, his eyes blazing at the mention of his mother, "Harepaw is a kind and brave cat, maybe he isn't ready to become a warrior just yet but you have no right to compare him to them!"
Iceclaw spun and left the two of them alone, Fireheart watched as her brother shoved past Waspwhisker who tried to ask him what was wrong. Turing back to Snakestar she saw that his jaw was dropped and he watched Iceclaw disappear with regretful eyes.
"You shouldn't have said that, Snakestar, you know Quietflight is a sore subject for him." Fireheart chided quietly as the Skyclan leader sat down, hanging his head.
"I know." Snakestar mewed before sighing. Fireheart watched as Snakestar stared at his paws, regretting the words he'd spoken. She was grateful that no one had heard them.
"Let all cat old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Rockpile for a Clan meeting!" Snakestar announced as the clan gathered around. Fireheart sat on a lower rock near him, watching Clovertail pinning Bouncekit by his tail so she could groom a rebellious piece of fur on the kit's head.
As the clan gathered Fireheart glanced over the clan vaguely wondering who would become a mentor.
"Rock-kit step forward" Snakestar mewed, "You have reached the age of six moons and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day forth until you receive your warrior name you will be known as Rockpaw, your mentor will be Cherrytail. Cherrytail you are ready to receive your first apprentice, pass down all you know to him."
Fireheart's former apprentice looked up in shock before padding forward to touch noses with Rockpaw. Snakestar smiled lightly before turning to Bouncekit.
"Bouncekit, you have reached the age of six moons and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day until you receive your warrior name you will be known as Bouncepaw, your mentor will be Sharpclaw. Sharpclaw you have trained Flarestorm well, and I know you'll make Bouncepaw into a fine warrior." Snakestar stated, Sharpclaw grinned proudly before touching noses with the new apprentice.
Snakestar motioned for Tinykit to come forward, "Tinykit, you have reached the age of six moons and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day until you receive your warrior name you will be known as Tinypaw. Your mentor will be Sparrowpelt"
As the ceremony drew to a close the clan cheered loudly for the three new apprentices as the Warrior ceremony began. Fireheart cast a glance in the direction of Iceclaw who sat near the edge of the crowd despite his apprentice being near the center. Her eyes settled upon Tulip-paw as Snakestar called the young she-cat forward.
"I, Snakestar of Skyclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn." Snakestar turned to Iceclaw, "Iceclaw, has your apprentice, learned the skills of a warrior? Do they understand the importance of the warrior code?"
Iceclaw stared back for a moment before slowly nodding his head once.
"Tulip-paw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Snakestar asked, his attention fixating on the she-cat in question.
Tulip-paw straightened and held her head proudly, "I do."
"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name, from this day forward you will be known as Tuilpseed." Snakestar announced, around them the clan cried out for the new warrior. In the crowd Fireheart spotted Volewhisker yowling the loudest, she smiled- how proud he must be for his daughter.
Fireheart was mildly surprised when Snakestar then motioned for Harepaw, who looked shocked. The meek tom padded forward. As the ceremony for Harepaw, now Harefoot, drew to a close the clan began to disperse. Iceclaw had left the moment after he gave his regards to his now former apprentice, meanwhile Volewhicker was proudly proclaiming his kits as his greatest prides. Fireheart couldn't help but chuckle at the merry warrior's antics, he'd done the same when his mate Meadownose had announced her pregnancy. The young queen met an unfortunate end the prior Leaf-Bare, desperate to help the clan during the hard times had killed her when a sudden blizzard froze her to death while hunting.
Passing by Volewhisker and his two embarrassed kits, Fireheart made her way up the slope and towards the Warrior Den. As she expected upon poking her head in, Iceclaw lay in his nest curled in a way that prevented anyone from seeing his face. Settling in her nest beside his, Fireheart laid her tail over him comfortingly.
The loss of Quietflight had affected Iceclaw his entire life, she'd abandoned him and his littermates out of her own insecurities and a fear that her sickly son Ripplekit would die. Skywatcher had foretold that Ripplekit would never be a warrior, and Fireheart knew that he couldn't be anymore right. Quietflight had disappeared in the dead of night with Ripplekit to the Twoleg Place, never to be seen again. Snakestar's mention of Quietflight's cowardice hit a strong blow to Iceclaw's cold heart. Fireheart knew that in youth Snakestar and Iceclaw never got along, they had shared Morningdew as a mother after Quietflight left and the tensions between them never truly disappeared.
Silently Iceclaw shifted, and Fireheart moved closer to comfort her dearest brother. The light outside the cave began to dim as more and more warriors slipped into the den. Fawnstep entered and took one look at Iceclaw before hauling her nest to the other side of him and plopped down next to him. Together they bundled up their beloved brother between them, which was quite easy considering his size. Soon after they'd settled down Cloudtail entered the den.
"What's this? Snuggle Iceclaw time?" Cloudtail chirped before pulling his nest over to join them, nearby a few laughs rang out as Iceclaw poked out an eye to glare at his nephew. Fireheart's chest lightened as her family settled around her. Skyclan, her family, meant everything to her and no matter what, she'd protect them.