3rd POV
"Our territory covers only part of the forest," answered Bluestar. "We compete with other Clans for what we have. And this year, late newleaf means prey is scarce." "Is your Clan very big?" Rusty meowed, his eyes wide. "Big enough," replied Bluestar. "Our territory can support us, but there is no prey left over." "Are you all warriors, then?" Rusty mewed Shadow couldn't help but shake her head at her brothers curiosity. Lionheart answered him. "Some are warriors. Some are too young or too old or too busy caring for kits to hunt."
"And you all live and share prey together?" Rusty murmured in awe, thinking a little guiltily of his own easy, selfish life. Bluestar looked again at Lionheart. The golden tabby stared back at her steadily. At last she returned her gaze to Rusty and meowed, "Perhaps you should find out these things for yourself. Would you and your friend like to join ThunderClan?" Rusty was so surprised, he couldn't speak. Shadow was also surprised. Bluestar went on: "If you did, you would train with Graypaw to become a Clan warrior."
"But kittypets can't be warriors!" Graypaw blurted out. "They don't have warrior blood and loners are to used to being alone they would only take care of themselves!" A sad look clouded Bluestar's eyes. "Warrior blood," she echoed with a sigh. "Too much of that has been spilled lately." Bluestar fell silent and Lionheart meowed, "Bluestar is only offering you training, you two. There is no guarantee you would become a full warrior. It might prove too difficult for you. After all, you are used to a comfortable life and you are to used to fending for yourself." Rusty was stung by Lionheart's words. Shadow narrowed her eyes at the golden tom. Rusty swung his head around to face the golden tabby. "Why offer us the chance, then?" But it was Bluestar who answered. "You are right to question our motives, young one. The fact is, ThunderClan needs more warriors."
"Understand that Bluestar does not 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 Twolegplace and never come back. You cannot live with a paw in each world." A cool breeze stirred the undergrowth, ruffling Rusty's fur. He shivered, not with the cold, but with excitement at the incredible possibilities opening up in front of him. "Are you wondering if it's worth giving up your comfortable kittypet life?" asked Bluestar gently. "But do you realize the price you will pay for your warmth and food?"
Rusty looked at her, puzzled. Surely his encounter with these cats had proved to him just how easy and luxurious his life was. "I can tell that you are still a tom," Bluestar added, "despite the Twoleg stench that clings to your fur." "What do you mean—still a tom?" Rusty asked. "You haven't yet been taken by the Twolegs to see the Cutter," meowed Bluestar gravely. "You would be very different then. Not quite so keen to fight a Clan cat, I suspect!" Rusty was confused. He suddenly thought of Henry, who had become fat and lazy since his visit to the vet. Was that what Bluestar meant by the Cutter?
"The Clan may not be able to offer you such easy food or warmth," continued Bluestar. "In the season of leaf-bare, nights in the forest can be cruel. The Clan will demand great loyalty and hard work. You will be expected to protect the Clan with your life if necessary. And there are many mouths to feed. But the rewards are great. You will remain a tom. You will be trained in the ways of the wild. You will learn what it is to be a real cat. The strength and the fellowship of the Clan will always be with you, even when you hunt alone."
Rusty's head reeled. Bluestar seemed to be offering him the life he had lived so many times, and so tantalizing, in his dreams, but could he live like that for real? Shadow on the other hand knew she could not stay no matter how much she wanted to.
Lionheart interrupted his thoughts. "Come, Bluestar, let's not waste any more time here. We must be ready to join the other patrol at moonhigh. Tigerclaw will wonder what has become of us." He stood up and flicked his tail expectantly.
"Shadow? What do you think" Rusty's sudden words made the two cats pause and listen in. "I wish I could Rusty but I must go home… But that doesn't mean you should not you were meant to be a warrior like how I am meant to be a loner" shadow smiled sadly at Rusty feeling sorry that she could not join him. "What if you come back with me and we could think this through the night!" Rusty pushed on trying to get his sister to join him.
Sadly though Shadow shook her head, "You know I can't stay with you I need to leave at moonhigh like always" Rusty then stood up and looked up at her with determination "Then I'm not joining them not without you!" Shadow's eyes widened knowing that he was meant to be a warrior. Shadow sighed and gave up "Snakes not going to like this but we will join" Shadow turned her attention to the thunderclan cats that stood not far off.