Chapter 4: Smokey's Ceremony

It was evening. The open sky shone down on WindClan's camp peacefully, the shadows of stars began to show in wide expanse above them. Smokey was irresistibly reminded of the previous night when his sister died. Thistle's twisted and mangled body would pop up behind his eyes every time he closed them and Smokey was finding it hard to consider sleep.

At the moment he was standing on top of the flat rock, standing politely next to Fallenstar. The brown and white tom had instructed Smokey how to act during the apprentice ceremony and had then called the members of WindClan to join him by 'Flatrock.'

The cats who had been suspiciously watching Smokey earlier in the day were now all grouped around him, staring at him mercilessly, their eyes cutting into him like claws. A gray tom with white paws, who Smokey recognized as the apprentice named Webpaw, trotted over to Flatrock.

"Hey there Smokey!" he said cheerfully, smiling up at the nervous black tom, "I hear you're joining WindClan. That's great, we'll be in the same den! You're going to be an apprentice just like me!"

Smokey looked perplexed at Webpaw. He'd never met another cat that was so…friendly before. He had assumed that most of the WindClan cats would be like Crowcall or Eagleclaw. But Webpaw wasn't. And neither was Cottonsky, or Puddledrop or Fallenstar. Smokey hesitantly smiled back at Webpaw.

"Fallenstar said I would get a mentor. What is that?" asked Smokey, lowering his voice so the Clan leader couldn't hear him.

Webpaw mewed in delight. "I am going to love teaching you about the Clans," he laughed, "you're like a kit-no offence."

Smokey shrugged sheepishly; he knew that he didn't understand the customs of these cats at all. He also realized that if he was going to live in WindClan he needed to know what was proper and what wasn't.

"A mentor is a warrior who teaches, instructs and helps an apprentice. Your mentor will make you into a great warrior. My mentor's name is Heathersong; you met her last night. She was the calico cat," Webpaw explained.

Smokey blinked.

"You're way of living seems very complex," he said carefully, thinking about the names and the ceremonies and all the positions.

"It may seem that way to you because you're used to living like a loner but to us, it's a great way of life," Webpaw said patiently, "you'll get used to it. I bet you'll even like it better than living alone in the wilderness."

Smokey nodded reluctantly. He knew Webpaw was probably right. He joined WindClan for a number of reasons, but he mostly wanted to feel safe. After losing Thistle, Smokey didn't think he could go back to living on his own. WindClan was like a huge unit, a big family. Oddly enough, Smokey felt secure within the gorse walls of the camp.

I'll make Thistle proud of me, Smokey vowed, I'll learn these cats' rules and live by them like she'd want me to. I have no one now except myself and this Clan.

"I'll see you afterwards, Smokey!" Webpaw called and then darted off to sit next to a familiar calico cat with green eyes.

Must be Heathersong, thought Smokey absently, glancing around at the cats.

Suddenly, Fallenstar got to his feet, nudged Smokey gently and cleared his throat loudly. Almost instantly, the cluster of cats became silent. Smokey could see Webpaw, sitting with Heathersong and an orange tabby she-cat.

"Cats of WindClan," started Fallenstar, his eyes flicking around the camp, "I would like you to meet Smokey, a loner who was, until recently, living on ShadowClan territory. But yesterday ShadowClan chased Smokey and his sister out of their home. This resulted in Smokey's sister's death."

Smokey's stomach clenched as a bubble of hatred expanded in his throat.

The cats standing around Flatrock looked dubious and hostile. Smokey eyed an old tabby tom and a younger, black-furred cat whispering together. He realized that the black she-cat was the cat from yesterday: the one who wanted to leave Smokey by the side of the road. Smokey recalled her name: Ravenwing. The old tomcat looked unfamiliar.

"We need more strong cats. Smokey is brave and fast. He is used to living in the wilderness; he is no kittypet. He can hunt and fight. I believe that he will make a good warrior," Fallenstar said.

"We don't need or want any loners in WindClan!" shouted the old tom. His voice was scratchy and deep.

"We need more warriors, Oatfield. And this cat is without a home," Fallenstar protested.

"Bah! He'll never be a warrior. He won't learn anything," Oatfield spat, glaring at Smokey.

Smokey held the elder's gaze steadily. He had a feeling that this cat too, was used to authority.

"How do you know he's loyal?" asked Ravenwing haughtily, "He'll probably just turn around and betray all our secrets to ShadowClan!"

Smokey suddenly hissed at the she-cat, his black fur standing up straight. Ravenwing and Oatfield looked at Smokey, surprised by his reaction.

"Those flea-bags killed my sister," snarled Smokey, his tail lashing around, "I would never help them. Part of the reason I'm joining your Clan is to get revenge on them!"

Ravenwing sat down slowly. She looked like she was unwillingly impressed by Smokey's announcement.

"I promise to you all that I would never betray a family member and if I join WindClan I will view you all as part of my family," continued Smokey, quieter this time. "I don't expect you to trust or like me, but at least give me a chance."

Fallenstar looked triumphantly around at the cats in the clearing.

"Are we all satisfied?" he asked, "Does anyone else want to question my judgement?"

Ravenwing and Oatfield immediately looked abashed. The black she-cat dipped her head at Fallenstar, embarrassed and Oatfield blinked apologetically at Smokey.

"Good," Fallenstar said. "Smokey, from this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you shall be known as Smokepaw."

Smokepaw mouthed his new name, letting it roll around on his tongue. He was glad that Fallenstar had kept part of his old name. At least he wasn't changing his entire name completely.

"Goldeye, you are ready for an apprentice. You will be Smokepaw's mentor," Fallenstar proclaimed.

A gray tabby tom whose amber eyes were sparkling with interest approached Flatrock; his paws expertly climbing up the surface of the boulder. Smokepaw watched him warily and when Goldeye quietly cleared his throat and looked expectantly at Smokepaw, he remembered what Fallenstar had instructed him to do. The black tom inched upward and touched noses with his new mentor. Goldeye gave him a small smile and then backed up a few steps.

"Smokepaw! Smokepaw!" a familiar voice cheered from the crowd of cats.

Smokepaw glanced around and spotted Webpaw, his thin tail waving with excitement, chanting his name. Smokepaw couldn't help smiling faintly at his new friend. He watched as the other WindClan cats eventually took up the apprentice's cries and unwillingly began to acknowledge Smokepaw's existence in the Clan. Fallenstar nodded to Smokepaw and Goldeye who both jumped down from Flatrock as the mass of cats began to break up. Smokepaw eyed Ravenwing and Oatfield trotting off to their respective dens, both looking a little put out. Before he could contemplate telling them off again, a ball of fur crashed into him, meowing.

"Smokepaw! Great name, huh? C'mon I'll show you where we apprentice's sleep!" Webpaw exclaimed, climbing to his feet.

Smokepaw found himself beaming broadly at Webpaw; he had never felt so welcomed by a cat before. He looked up at his mentor, trying hard to act polite and respectful.

"Can I go with Webpaw?" he asked civilly.

Goldeye looked amused and impressed. "Certainly. You should see where you'll be spending your time. We'll start training tomorrow so meet me in the front of the camp at dawn," he said fairly.

Smokepaw nodded his agreement and understanding and then followed Webpaw across the sandy ground. The dark gray tom padded off towards the tangle of gorse surrounding the camp, his white paws delicately stepping over small rocks and twigs. Smokepaw trailed after him, glancing back at Goldeye.

I hope this whole thing works out alright, Smokepaw thought, I really do want to fit in here. I need to make this okay. It's my only chance.