Sorry for lack of updates! I don't know how many of you still read my crap but hopefully you'll enjoy it. I'll update allegiances at the end of the chapter..wish me luck! -Lark
Chapter 11
Several moons had passed since Kindlestrike had been killed. Swiftwind's patrol had returned to camp with nothing to show for: Jayfrost had completely disappeared with no trace.
The deputy appeared to be downcast but not broken. Fawntail, on the other paw, was shattered; her fur was matted and her eyes were bloodshot to the point that she had to join the elders.
The last moons that Icekit was in the nursery with the others were spent together in the elders den supporting the broken she-cat. Lightkit was surely the staple of comfort for Aspenkit and Olivekit.
Icepaw now was in the apprentices den with her siblings. They had the den to themselves since Flarespark, Skyheart, Blackbreeze, Blossomwish, and Redleaf recently became warriors.
Icepaw's jaws broke into a wide yawn and then she shook her fur. Littlestar had called an early Clan meeting, waking up some very exhausted apprentices. Lightpaw groaned in frustration when his sisters nudged him awake.
"Come on, Rosesong made me run around all the borders of the territory. Could I just get more sleep?" He mumbled with one eye open and directed at them.
"Come on Mr. Grumpypaws! Ravensong said that some FireClan cats are here." Aspenpaw mewed excitedly. Aspenpaw's words seemed to ignite interest Lightpaw.
"I'm leaving you guys if you don't hurry." Olivepaw threatened and started towards the mouth of the den. Icepaw started backing up towards the entrance excitedly while looking at Lightpaw, indicating to him that she wanted him to follow.
He shook his head and let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Alright, alright Icepaw. I'm going, now! I'm going!" He relented and got up to his paws. Icepaw shot outside beside Olivepaw into the crowd of cats that were gathering.
Icepaw scanned the crowd for her mentor, Cherryfeather. The friendly she-cat patted the ground beside her and Icepaw happily sat beside her mentor.
"Cherryfeather, you know what is like to be an outsider within the Clan. I know you will instruct Icepaw well."
It irked Icepaw to be called an outsider, because they took her away from her family when she was exploring. Yet she was happy that Cherryfeather didn't treat her any different.
"I came here when FireClan was in danger with Witherstar leading it. The others left but I decided it was safer to stay here. I don't regret my choice, and I'm glad to be able to mentor you." Cherryfeather said after Icepaw's ceremony. She had taken her apprentice out as soon as possible to show her the territory.
Icepaw felt genuinely happy that moment because she felt like she belonged. She wasn't just a foster-sibling or a 'lost kit'. She was Cherryfeather's apprentice and that's all what mattered to Icepaw. A soft purr escaped Icepaw's throat. She wished she could thank her mentor but it seemed that Cherryfeather understood.
"Up there are Berryheart and Runningheart who are FireClan warriors, the medicine cat, and a couple of apprentices. The Clans are at peace, so I am not sure why they are here.." Cherryfeather whispered to Icepaw while gesturing up at the Stonebranch with her tail. Icepaw narrowed her eyes and gazed up at the foreign cats.
The two older cats that Icepaw assumed were warriors stood on Littlestars' right, and a lone petite red she-cat stood with the younger apprentices on the left.
"That's Berryheart," Cherryfeather mewed, gesturing to the ginger she-cat with black patches," and Runningheart is the white and gray tabby."
Littlestar had stepped forward to speak, in turn that the Clan quieted and looked up at their leader respectfully.
"My Clanmates, our allies in FireClan have come to speak with us. Please listen to them as you would listen to me." He meowed and stepped while nodding at the FireClan cats.
Runningheart stepped forward and motioned to one of the young cats to follow her. Icepaw saw a young tom rise from his spot next to the other apprentice and the medicine cat. He intrigued her- he had light gray fur with flecks of silver and white paws. His dark green eyes flashed in the sun. He followed Berryheart to where Littlestar previously was standing.
"My name is Runningheart, and this is my apprentice Stonepaw." The she-cat meowed loudly while waving her tail at the tom. The apprentice dipped his head. Berryheart then stepped forward and her apprentice followed her forward also.
"And my name is Berryheart, and my apprentice Whitepaw." The other she-cat meowed.
"As you know, our Clan was ruled by a tyrant until your Clan helped us," Runningheart continued," and we are very thankful for that. We are only here to formally thank you. The one who really needs to speak to you is our medicine cat, Fernblaze."
The lone red she-cat stepped forward. She also had green eyes that shone brightly.
"As Runningheart said, Witherstar ruled our Clan with a ferocity that has not been seen in the Clans before." The she-cat began.
Murmuring of agreement broke out between the ForestClan members. Icepaw saw Cherryfeather tense up beside her at Witherstar's name.
Fernblaze waited for the crowd to quiet before speaking again.
"I come on Raventstar's behalf, asking for two favors of your Clan: first, we wish that some of your cats will join us in an expedition back to the caves many of our Clanmates took refuge in. Our second request is that if Brownfeather will look after my Clan's well-being while I am gone, if she may." Fernblaze continued and looked at the ForestClan medicine cat. It seemed that the FireClan medicine cat was at ease within the Clan and not worried about her requests.
Brownfeather nodded and looked at Littlestar for permission. The tom nodded and began to speak but Cherryfeather cut him off when she abruptly stood up.
"I want to go! I was stuck in camp with that tyrant out of fear until my escape," she declared, anger rising in her words," I want to see this place."
Icepaw stood up boldly beside her mentor. If she goes, I go too!
Right as Icepaw had thought that, Fernblaze immediately looked down at her strangely. Icepaw met the medicine cat's gaze without wavering. Fernblaze blinked, as if confused but turned her attention to Larkblossom.
The warrior was now also standing up.
"I would also like to join Fernblaze and her Clanmates, if it is alright with Littlestar," she mewed, giving Cherryfeather a look. Cherryfeather boldly met the older warrior's gaze.
Littlestar returned to his place on the Stonebranch.
"I will allow you both to join Fernblaze and her Clanmates on her journey, but I am not sure if Icepaw would be good to accompany her mentor...she will need to remain here and continue her training." Littlestar meowed while giving Icepaw a sympathetic look.
Icepaw shook her head angrily. Don't pity me! I am not weak; I can train on the way!
Several cats turned and looked at her with little emotion. Icepaw seethed inside- guess I'm still an outsider.
"She's a feisty cat, let her come along. She'll gain a lot more experience out there than just in camp." Larkblossom spoke up from where she stood. Icepaw looked at the warrior strangely. Why does she care so much?
A cough coming from Littlestar drew her attention back up to the Stonebranch. The tom had a defeated look on his face.
"What do you think, Cherryfeather?" He asked and looked at Icepaw's mentor expectantly, as if he believed she'd side with him.
Cherryfeather looked down at Icepaw.
"You wanna go?" Cherryfeather asked her. Icepaw nodded vigorously. Cherryfeather smiled and looked up at Littlestar.
"You have your answer." Cherryfeather told him curtly, flicking her whiskers. The tom nodded then.
"So be it. Larkblossom, Cherryfeather, and Icepaw will be joining Fernblaze and her Clanmates on their journey." Littlestar announced to the Clan and then looked at the group.
"Get yourselves ready for whenever you leave."
Allegiances
ForestClan
Leader: Littlestar- black tom with patches of white in his fur
Deputy: Swiftwind- black and white she-cat with brown eyes
Medicine Cat: Brownfeather- brown she-cat with green eyes and black flecks on her flank
Warriors
Featherfoot- pretty light gray she-cat with dark gray paws and tail tip
Rosesong- blood red she cat with yellow eyes
Apprentice: Lightpaw
Eagleshadow-dark brown tom with black paws
Sapphirecloud- small gray she-cat dappled with different shades of gray
Heatherspring- white she-cat with cream paws and pretty blue eyes
Apprentice: Olivepaw
Larkblossom- pretty reddish and brown she-cat with bright light brown eyes
Ravensong: light golden she-cat with amber eyes
Loudswipe- pale cream tom with long fluffy fur
Smallberry- cream she-cat with dainty white paws
Cherryfeather- light ginger she-cat with shiny gray eyes
Apprentice: Icepaw
Skyheart- white she-cat with gray tabby patches, blue eyes
Redleaf- cream-colored she-cat with a red tail, ear tips, paws and muzzle with one blue eye and the other green
Flarespark- blood red tom with white paws, chest, ears, muzzle, and tail tip
Blackbreeze- black tom with white paws, a white tail tip, and a white locket of fur on his chest with green eyes
Blossomwish- light red tabby she-cat with yellow eyes
Queens
Nightwhisper-beautiful black she-cat with a white stripe running down her nose (kits: Smokekit: light black she-cat with yellow eyes and white paws; Shadowkit: dark brown tom with green eyes)
Apprentices
Icepaw- white she-cat with dark eyes and one red hind paw; mute
Aspenpaw- calico she-cat with white paws and blue eyes
Olivepaw- pale tan she-cat with white paws and bright yellow eyes
Lightpaw- pale ginger tom with dark black flecks on his pelt with green eyes
Elders
Pinefoot- tall reddish-brown tom that is blind in one eye
Silversnow- older she-cat with light fluffy silver fur and piercing gray eyes
Shadowtail- tabby tom with a black tail tip, his from right leg is bent in an odd angle
Twigclaw- thin albino she-cat with red eyes
Redheart- dark red she-cat with a scar running from her shoulder down her right leg
Sunpelt- Handsome bright red tom with darker stripes running down his back
Fawntail- pretty calico she-cat with amber eyes
FireClan
Leader: Ravenstar- pure black tabby tom with bright gray eyes
Apprentice: Dewpaw
Deputy: Fallowfern- pale brown she-cat
Medicine Cat: Fernblaze- small red she cat with lively green eyes
Warriors
Berryheart- ginger tabby she-cat with patches of black
Apprentice: Whitepaw
Palefoot- black tom with a gray foot
Apprentice: Orangepaw
Rushtail- brown tabby tom with green eyes
Apprentice: Nettlepaw
Dappledleaf- dark gray she-cat with pale gray spots
Apprentice: Lilacpaw
Bushytail- ginger she-cat with a long furred tail
Runningheart- white and gray tabby she-cat
Apprentice: Stonepaw
Windfur- brown tabby tom
Apprentice: Sandpaw
Emberheart- dark ginger she-cat
Nightheart- black she-cat with pale green eyes
Molenose- dark brown tabby tom with bright amber eyes
Apprentice: Tigerpaw
Grayshadow- gray she-cat with deep blue eyes
Apprentice: Cinderpaw
Dustclaw- sandy gray tabby tom
Shrewpelt- black and brown patched tom
Lichentail- brown and white she-cat
Queens
Creekfall- blue-grey she-cat (Kit: Moonkit- dark blue she-cat with gray eyes)
Icewing- pure white she-cat, blind (Kits: Frostkit- white she-cat with blue eyes; Whisperkit- white tom with green eyes)
Apprentices
Orangepaw- ginger tom
Nettlepaw- light brown tabby tom
Tigerpaw-light ginger tom with a black stripe running down his nose and eartips
Dewpaw- light grey-silver she-cat
Lilacpaw-light brown she-cat with gray and black paws
Stonepaw- silver and black tom with white paws, dark green eyes
Sandpaw- ginger she-cat with yellow eyes
Cinderpaw- gray tabby she-cat with light yellow eyes
Whitepaw- white tom with one black hind paw
Elders
Streamtail- blue gray she-cat with a fluffy silver tail
RiverClan
Leader: Ripplestar- dark black she-cat with bright silver eyes and white paws
Deputy: Otterfang- dark brown tom with white paws and underbelly
Medicine Cat: Snow-whisper: pretty snowy white she-cat with blue eyes
Warriors
Leopardstrike- yellow tabby she-cat with blue eyes
Lilystep- pale cream she-cat with a long fluffy tail
Featherdance- pale blue she-cat with dark silver paws
Marshspots- black tom with brown flecks
Risingpuddle- dark blue tom with black paws
Cranefeather- pale gray tom with dark yellow eyes
Eeltail- dark black tom with brown eyes
Shadowmask- white tom with dark patches covering his eyes
Stormcatcher- silver she-cat with dark brown eyes
Fishsplash- brown tabby she-cat with a white chest and tail-tip
Queens
Dovespring- Cream she-cat with gray eyes (kit: Willowkit: cream she-cat with dark brown paws and dark green eyes; Toadkit: gray tom with brown and black flecks on his pelt and dark brown eyes)
Apprentices
(none)
Elders
Splashsky-light silver and gray she-cat with soft brown eyes
Bouldertooth- dark gray tom with dark green eyes
WindClan
Leader: Echostar- dappled white and silver she-cat with green eyes
Deputy: Gustclaw- dark blue tom with bright yellow eyes
Medicine Cat: Fadedsun- pale ginger tabby tom with amber eyes
Warriors
Jaggedwind- brown tabby tom with a jagged white patch on his chest
Sparkflight- yellow she-cat with white paws
Falconbreeze- brown tom with white belly and black forepaws
Ivyfur- dark brown tabby she-cat with blue eyes
Willowfoot- cream she-cat with one left white paw and white tail
Cloudwhisker- gray tom with bright white whiskers
Meadowlight- pale brown she-cat with white tail
Cheetahstorm- golden tabby she-cat with amber eyes
Queens
Raindapple- silver she-cat with black flecks on her pelt and white hind paws (Patchkit: brown tom with white flecks and yellow eyes)
Apprentices
Skypaw- pale cream tom with white chest and blue eyes
Elders
Spottedmeadow- dappled brown and white she-cat
Adderpelt- dark red tom with black stripes on his fur
Cats outside the Clans:
Jayfrost-light gold tom with blue eyes, has a scar running on the right side of his face
Sophie- small, young white she-cat with black stripe running down her nose with bright yellow eyes, has a little red bow on her tail (Kittypet)
Mitzi- Yellow she-cat with dull green eyes, has a small pink collar with a little bell (Kittypet)
Dusk- mottled black and brown she-cat (Kittypet)
Alley Cats
Fitz- Dark gray tom with dark blue eyes
Wally- light gray tom with soft green eyes (Fitz's brother)
Nano- small silver she-cat with dark yellow eyes (Wally and Fitz's sister)
Cloud- White tom with a black tail tip and shredded ears
Harley- white she-cat with dappled black spots
Whisper- light yellow tom with white paws and tail tip
Nemo- small red she-cat with white paws and black tail tip
Eagle- Dark brown tom with silver paws
Flip- silver she-cat with brown paws (Eagle's sister, opposite coloring of Eagle)
Robin- white she-cat with dark gray eyes
Cotton- miniature white she-cat with amber eyes
Flash- mottled black tom with pale blue eyes
Blaze- fiery red tom with a dark red tail with one blue eye and one green eye