A black she-cat, one dark blue eye, one ice-blue, with a white underbelly flecked with black, darker spots and tabby stripes barely visible all around, a white spot on the back of each ear, white tail tip and paw-tips, silver claws with black flecks, and very sharp white fangs. That is what I look like. My name is Panther. This is my story.
It began when I was hunting near the Abandoned Twoleg Place, and I noticed I didn't hear any squeaks from the rats. Maybe they were finally gone. I crouched down low, my belly fur brushing the grass. I rushed towards the forest area by the gorge; why, I didn't know. It just seemed safer, or maybe it was that something very important would happen there, something important for my destiny.
In my dreams, there were often cats prowling around, whispering my name in a mist. Every time I got close, though, they vanished. It irritated me extremely, and I came to a point where I had to eat poppy seeds to sleep, and then I would wake up at sunset, when the day is at its most beautiful.
Now as I raced over the ground, a wall of scents suddenly hit me, as though I sprinted right into it. It almost pushed me back, but I couldn't stop. I slowed down after that, the smell continuing for a while. I opened my mouth and tasted the air. My ears pricked as I swiftly shut my jaws.
Four cats together? Guarding a large territory by the cliff? What was this about? I had to find out, but I couldn't be caught. I padded to a tree, and leaped into the first hole. There was a small family of squirrels living in there that I quickly ate. Alive. So? What's so bad about that? It gets it over with faster.
I whipped around and lay down, licking my muzzle. I waited. The sun sunk down beneath the sky, and still I waited. The moon rose to its full height. I was still waiting. Just come already! I wanted to scream out. But I couldn't. If I did... Well, it wouldn't be too pretty for me, anyway.
As the sun began to rise, I yawned and my belly growled. I would usually be ready to sleep now, but I had to see what was up with this group of cats claiming such a large territory. The only thing I used to have to deal with was that annoying rouge, Tangle. I wanted to kill him so badly... Hold on. Dawn's here. I can smell the cats. A different four, but four all the same.
They padded into view: a large dark ginger tom, a dark brown tabby tom, a light brown she-cat with a white belly and legs, and a small white she-cat. I opened my mouth. They had a similar scent; were they kin?
I was about to sleep, to think about this newfound knowledge, when the leader, the large dark ginger tom, whirled his head to stare straight at the tree I was in. I crept back, hoping he didn't see me. He didn't say anything, he just flicked his tail and jumped, reaching my hole effortlessly. His muscles seemed to ripple under his sleek pelt, and his eyes were burning like flames. I crouched down, and lowered my head.
"Stand up, trespasser," he hissed. I whimpered. "Get up!" I obeyed, which was unusual for me. His eyes traveled over me, and he sniffed me. I regained some of my courage and snarled at him. Then he did the most amazing thing: He laughed!
He threw his head back and laughed. "What?" I growled, unsheathing my claws. "Shut up!"
"What's your name, loner?" he demanded, his mirth disappearing soon.
"What's yours?" I countered.
"You tell me, and I won't tear your throat out," he snapped.
"Panther. What's yours?" I repeated.
"Sharpclaw. Now come on, get down from this tree. Sparrowpelt," he yowled down.
"Yes, Sharpclaw?"
"Be ready to hold a rouge. I'm going to send her down."
"Of course," was the reply.
"Now, Panther, you're going to jump down. Can you?"
"How do you think I got up here without any claw-marks?" I growled.
"Good." He smiled faintly. "Go, now, or I'll push you."
I lashed my tail and went to the edge. The three others were staring up at me. I sighed, and relaxed my tense muscles. I immediately felt my flank head butted and I fell forward with a yowl.
"Piece of fox-dung," I called up. He gracefully jumped down, and groomed his face.
"Her name's Panther. I think we should take her to Leafstar," he meowed once he was finished. "One rouge is enough– we don't need to continue the patrol unless we take the long way back home."
The dark tabby nodded. "Did you hear that, Tinypaw? You're learning more about the territory still."
"Yes, Sparrowpelt," the small white she-cat mewed.
Sharpclaw? Tinypaw? Sparrowpelt? What kind of names are these?
"We'll go the shorter way," Sharpclaw decided. "She might try to run away if we went a
longer way. Sparrowpelt, take Tinypaw and renew the scent markings. If something comes that you can't handle, run straight to the gorge and report to either me or Leafstar." The dark tabby tom nodded and flicked his tail. The small she-cat followed him, and flicked her ear good-bye to us.
"Can I hunt, Sharpclaw?"
"No, Clovertail. I need you here to watch out while I escort our new friend."
My tail tip twitched and I just repressed a snarl. I curled my lip in disgust instead. The dark ginger tom glanced at me, but no emotion seemed to show in his eyes. The light she-cat named Clovertail lead the way while Sharpclaw was behind me. I could feel his gaze burning into my back, but I gathered my dignity and raised my head and ignored it.
As we were approaching a big cliff-thing that cats had to jump to reach, I glanced to my right. Twolegplace. Maybe I had a chance of escaping. I heard a chuckle behind me and whipped my head around. The ginger tom was doing that again?
"There's no chance; just give it up. Besides, you'll thank us later," he mewed. I glared at him and he shrugged his shoulders.
I stopped. Clovertail didn't notice. Sharpclaw came up next to me. I turned to him and put a forepaw on his shoulder. He had a puzzled look on his face. I turned completely, so my whole body was facing him.
"I'm sorry; you're right. I shouldn't try to run away," I mewed. He raised an eyebrow. I put my other forepaw on his shoulder.
I pushed down at the same time I kicked up with my hind legs. I leaped over the tom, who was quickly rising to his paws.
"Clovertail!" he snapped. "Catch her!"
He bounded after me. I knew he would catch up, so I swerved to the right. When he got close again I suddenly stopped so he flew by me. I turned to the left now and jumped over Clovertail, who tried to scratch my belly, but I kicked her paw away in the air. I saw her land roughly, and chuckled. But as I looked forward again, I tackled into a cream and brown tabby she-cat. When I rolled away, I noticed a smaller black tom and a tortoiseshell she-cat. Oops.
"Is this what Tinypaw and Sparrowpelt were telling me about?" the she-cat I tackled meowed.
"Yes, Leafstar," Sharpclaw mewed, dipping his head respectfully. Clovertail limped over, panting.
"Did you twist your paw?" Leafstar asked.
"I-I think so," Clovertail told her between breaths.
"Cherrytail, Rockpaw, take Clovertail back to camp. You should see Echosong about this." Clovertail nodded and followed the other two.
"We found a rouge on our territory," Sharpclaw pointed out. Kinda obvious, huh?
"What's your name, loner?" she asked, sounding much nicer than Sharpclaw.
"Panther."
"Panther," she repeated. "Nice. What's a Panther?"
"Well, I've heard from cats from across the Long Water that it's like a lion only without a mane. It is also called a puma, mountain lion, cougar, and many other things. Some use it to refer to the jaguars, which are just bigger leopards. In fact, some cats say black jaguars and black leopards are also called panthers. That's where I get my name. My mother spent a lot of time by the Boat Place. That's where she met my father."
"She asked what it was, not your whole life story," Sharpclaw snarled.
"I didn't give her my whole life story, but if you want to know, I'll tell you," I snapped.
"Stop it. Now, Panther, follow me." I shot a glare at the ginger cat, but obeyed. He narrowed his eyes.
We went down some cliffs, into the gorge. Leafstar lead us to a large pile of rocks; very big rocks. I wondered why she was stepping up and standing there, and I wasn't sure if I should follow. I felt a push behind me and saw Sharpclaw. I curled my lip and jumped to the highest rock to stand next to the tabby.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Rockpile for a Clan meeting," Leafstar yowled. Once all the cats were there she continued, "I'm sure a lot of you have heard about the loner Sharpclaw found on our territory. Her name is Panther, and I think she should join SkyClan. Do SkyClan agree?"
There were yowls. Leafstar smiled. "Good. You are dismissed. Sharpclaw, take Panther to my den."
Sharpclaw dipped his head and ordered me. "Come on, Panther." I blinked. He used my name in a non-sarcastic or mean way? "Well? Have your paws turned into rock? Move!" I shook myself and followed him.
He lead me back the way we came in. He stopped briefly at the big rock I had noticed.
"We'll wait for Leafstar outside her den."
"No, please go in." The tabby she-cat approached us. I let her go in first, but I cut the ginger cat off to get in before him. He growled, and I twitched my ear. It was rather large inside and the floor sandy. There was one dip in it, lined with moss and maybe a feather or two. Leafstar sat in the nest and gestured with her tail for me to do the same.
"What do you mean by 'join'?" I blurted out.
"You can become part of this Clan: SkyClan. You would take an apprentice name first, then you would learn and later gain your warrior name. You may even become deputy and later leader. If you were a leader you would gain nine lives. Of course you may choose the path of medicine cat and be taught by Echosong. You would learn the herbs and healing things. Either way, you must live by the warrior code and protect your Clan at the cost of your life."
"I like living by myself, thanks," I replied coldly.
"The others have promised the same thing. It is a hard life sometimes, but it is worth it. Your name will be remember always as part of the cats that helped rebuild SkyClan," Leafstar continued. I thought I saw a glint of desperation in her eye, and blinked, but there was nothing there.
"If she doesn't join, where will the prisoners go? She could be our first," Sharpclaw inquired, growling at me for the last sentence. I narrowed my eyes and pulled my lips back in the beginnings of a snarl.
"No, Sharpclaw. Calm down. She'll see what life is like here, then we'll ask again in two moons."
"Two moons!" Sharpclaw and I gasped at the same time.
"Fine! How about half a moon, though?" I suggested.
"One and a half."
"One."
"Fine." I hid my smile by licking my chest fur. I glanced at Sharpclaw; he was smoldering. I was proud I negotiated with the leader. "Panther will stay for one moon until she decides. I'll announce it. Sharpclaw, stay here. I would prefer it if you two were better off if you want to become Clanmates." The tabby padded out.
"Hi," I growled.
"Hello," he snarled. "Do you like it here?"
"I don't know. Do I?" I hissed. He unsheathed his claws and slashed at the wall.
"Why am I even trying! Cats like you wouldn't join even if their life depended on it; you're stupid like that!"
"Are you sure about that?"
He stopped his scratching and turned to me. "What?"
"Nothing."
"No, really." He walked over and sat down next to me. "What did you say?"
"I said 'Are you sure about that'," I answered. "Okay?"
"It's fine," he responded. I wasn't expecting that. "You know, if you're joining, why don't you learn some Clan customs? One is called sharing tongues. Two cats groom each other and talk about what's going on, or whatever."
"Sharing tongues, huh? Sounds like it could be nice." He smiled. "But I think I'll have to join first."
"You'll join?"
"I guess. Does my life depend on it?"
"So I just told them about it," a cream and brown tabby meowed, entering. "Are you two better off?"
"Can I join now?" I asked suddenly. Sharpclaw's ears pricked.
"Of course. How about tomorrow?" An amused smile played on the leader's lips and her eyes danced with laughter. She twitched her whiskers happily. I dipped my head to her. The tomcat leaped in the air.
"Sorry; there was a spider on my tail," he apologized. Leafstar nodded.
"Panther, you'll sleep with the apprentices. I know you're older than they are, you're about Sparrowpelt's and Cherrytail's age, but you'll be living in there once you join. I already know who your mentor will be."
"I'll show her where it is," Sharpclaw offered swiftly.
"Of course."
He nodded and flicked his tail for me to follow. I trotted after him, and he lead me down past the Rockpile and across some rocks.
"This is it," he meowed, indicating to a hole in the side of a cliff with a path on it. "Go on in."
I slipped in, and looked around. It was mostly dark, but not impossible to know where I was. I sniffed the small dip in front of me. No scent. I bit something soft on the wall and pulled it down. Moss. I lined the nest, circled in it, and lay down.
"Thank you, Sharpclaw," I called out.
"You're welcome," he replied. "I'm going to the warriors' den. See you tomorrow."
I yawned and rested my head on my paws. I didn't know what time it was, but I had gone more than a day without sleep. My eyes were drooping as I drifted off.
A small gray and white tom approached me. He had pale blue eyes that seemed to dig into me. "Panther," he greeted.
"Hello, visitor. I can finally see you. What's your name?"
"Straightforward, just like she was," he meowed. He let out a small laugh. "Yes, you are exactly like her, even in looks."
"Who are you, though?" I pestered.
"My name is Cloudstar," he replied. He waved his tail. "I was once leader of SkyClan, but we were driven out by the other four Clans. The ThunderClan leader, Firestar, came out here with his mate, Sandstorm, and restored SkyClan, killing the rats that drove the original out."
"And I need to know this because...?"
"Because you are now a part of SkyClan, Panther."
"Not yet," I reminded the starry warrior. He rolled his eyes.
"But you must be prepared," he meowed in an ominous voice.
"Prepared for what?"
"For–" He stopped suddenly. I felt my side being prodded. "Wake up," he meowed in a voice not his. It became more exasperated as he continued. "Come on, wake up! What are you, a bat? Do you sleep in until sunhigh, or something? Wake up!"
Cloudstar nodded and flicked his tail. I closed my eyes, and blinked them open to slits. Three cats were standing over me and the ginger one was poking me with his paw and growling.
"Wha–?" I groaned.
"Get up! Your ceremony is today. In the morning," he added.
"Thanks," I grunted, heaving myself to my paws. I trudged outside, the light momentarily blinding me until my eyes adjusted.
I yawned and walked slowly to the Rockpile to wait for Leafstar. A cat hopped in front of me. A dark ginger tom; Sharpclaw, I recalled, from yesterday.
"Hey, Panther," he greeted. He stretched hugely, then yawned. "Your ceremony's today."
"So I remember," I replied sleepily. "Sorry to be rude, but I'm usually nocturnal."
"No, you weren't rude; if you wererude, I'd have to punish you after your ceremony."
"How could you do that?" I asked, still a bit groggy.
"I'm Clan deputy. I get to be in charge. I'm second only to Leafstar. But I'm third to Echosong," he added unhappily.
"Yeah, uh, nice, I think." I snored a moment, my eyelids closing again. I felt a claw stab me, though, and I jumped. "I DIDN'T DO IT!"
"Relax, I just had to wake you up," Sharpclaw meowed.
"Sorry. I wonder if I can sleep again once I'm an apprentice."
"It depends on your mentor; they might have you take poppy seeds so you sleep for a whole day. Remember, you can't be nocturnal here."
"Yeah. Okay." My head suddenly jerked up. "I can't?! Why? That's my camouflage, darkness!"
"Well, here in a Clan we work together. You'd have to be ready to fight any time, day or night. Your endurance should grow here, so you can go longer without sleep," the deputy explained.
"All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Rockpile for a Clan meeting."
I looked up. Leafstar stood on the rock like a single tree in a field with low grass. She looked straight at me.
"Today we welcome a loner who wishes to join us, but first she must learn our ways. Panther. From this day forward, until she had received her warrior name will be called Pantherpaw. Sharpclaw, you are Clan deputy and have had an apprentice before. Pass all you know to this apprentice." Sharpclaw seemed startled, but turned to me.
"We have to touch noses," he muttered to me. I touched his nose with mine.
"Pantherpaw! Pantherpaw!" the Clan cheered.
"What do you want me to do?" I asked him quietly.
"Sh."
"You are dismissed."
"Congratulations, Pantherpaw," a black and white tomcat meowed. I dipped my head to him.
"Pantherpaw," Sharpclaw ordered, "get some poppies seeds and sleep; I'll wake you up tomorrow at dawn." I nodded, lashed my tail, and stumbled forward a few steps before I realized.
"Where do I get poppy seeds, though?" But Sharpclaw had turned and walked away, giving orders to other cats. I sighed, and turned back.
"I'll take you to my den," a small silver tabby she-cat with dark gray paws and striking green eyes mewed.
"Thank you... Uh, what's your name?"
"Echosong, and I'm the medicine cat," she replied kindly. I bowed my head lower. "Please don't do that; I'm not really fully trained yet."
"Oh. Sorry. May I please have some poppy seeds so I can sleep?" I requested.
"Of course. Follow me."
I did, noting the course she took to get there. I sat down in the den and watched Echosong rummage around for the small black seeds. She placed them in a leaf and nosed to me. I licked them up.
"Thank you," I meowed. "Can you point me in the direction of the den?"
She nodded, her whiskers twitching with amusement. "Over there." She pointed with her muzzle. I nodded and trotted outside and to the other den.
I walked in, sniffing the air. I couldn't recognize any scents, but I had a feeling I would someday.
I smelled him before I heard him, and I heard him before I saw him. "I thought I told you to go to sleep."
"I got the poppy seeds, so now I'm going to actually follow your orders," I replied. Sharpclaw snorted and padded away.
I laid down in the nest I had used earlier and felt my eyelids droop. I gave in to the sleep, and closed my eyes, letting the cool, black wave of rest coming over me.
"Greetings again, Panther. Or should I say Pantherpaw?"
I opened my eyes and felt no weariness. I blinked at Cloudstar.
"Hi. Why have you come?"
"I wanted to see how you were doing," he replied calmly. "Now that you have joined my Clan, I feel the urge to watch over you even more."
"Why did you feel it before?"
"You will discover that in time."
"Gee, thanks for the help," I mumbled. My head shot up. "I never had dreams before when I had poppy seeds."
"That was before; I gave you a break," he responded. "But it took me a while to get here, and now you have to wake up."
"Get up, Pantherpaw," Sharpclaw growled from somewhere.
"This was a short dream," I declared.
"What are you talking about?"
I opened my eyes to see Sharpclaw's figure looming over me.
"Sorry, I was sleep-talking probably."
I groaned as I rose to my paws. I let out a magnificent yawn and stepped outside, squinting in the bright sunlight.
"I let you sleep in," my mentor explained. "But now you have to learn about the Clan."