Chapter 3, here we come!
Review replies:
Well... there are a lot that I have to type up here. So, I'm just gonna say:
Everyone: Thank you! You all seem to enjoy Rosestar's Rise a lot! :D
Here we go with Chapter 3!
Chapter Three
"You survived!" A dry voice greeted Mango and Tiny.
"Morning, Rusty." Mango yawned.
Tiny purred in greeting.
"The sparrows were out flying around." Rusty meowed as he jumped down next to them. "I was tempted to wake you but…" He trailed off, eager curiosity in his eyes.
"Ah." Mango nodded.
"Did anything catch you?" Rusty meowed eagerly.
"We met three wild cats, yes." Tiny explained.
A thrill ran though Mango and she glanced at the sun. One hour left…
"And?" Rusty prompted impatiently.
"They asked us to join them." Mango replied absently. She was thinking about the meeting.
Rusty gave her a look.
"No they did. Seriously!" She insisted.
"And you trust them after what they did?" Rusty was stunned.
"They weren't the same cats." Tiny shrugged. "For all I know, the one who attacked me and the one who encouraged him are dead. I just hope that she-cat is alive so I can thank her…"
"I trust them." Mango agreed. "And we've made out choice.
"We're going to join them." The two dark furred littermates said simultaneously.
"What?!" Rust meowed in alarm. He sighed. "I suppose I have to trust you."
Mango purred softly while Tiny head butted his half brother's shoulder fondly. Rusty smiled, and then his smile turned sly. "We are spending one more morning together. No buts!"
Smudge was very upset at the news. He'd always had a crush on Mango and he and Tiny were best friends. He pleaded with Mango and Tiny to not go, but he finally gave up when they wouldn't change their minds. Mango subtly hinted that he'd have a good life with Princess and Rusty. Smudge sighed and accepted it.
Sunhigh approached. Mango and Tiny said their good-byes to their friends and finally to Rusty and Princess and jumped from the fence, heading over to the spot where they'd met Thistlestar, Lionheart and Greypaw last night. Tiny sat and curled his tail over his paws while Mango scented the air. She lashed her tail once in frustration when she couldn't pick out fresh scents from stale ones. Tiny let out a hiss; he was obviously having the same problem.
"You both have a lot to learn." A familiar voice rumbled. Lionheart padded from the undergrowth and gazed at them his green eyes shining. "Am I alone?"
"Thistlestar and Greypaw aren't with you." Tiny answered.
"Beat me too it." Mango purred.
"Good. No, they aren't here today. But someone else is."
A pure white tom bounded out of the undergrowth. His yellow eyes were curios as he gazed at the kittypets.
"This is Whitestorm, a senior warrior." Lionheart introduced.
Mango thoughtfully narrowed her eyes at Whitestorm. "Your head as the same shape of Thistlestar and you move kind of like him." She meowed slowly. "Are you related?"
Whitestorm shot a surprised glance to Lionheart. "Very observant, young one." Whitestorm purred. "Correct. Thistlestar is my father."
Mango pricked her ears in surprise and a mew of surprise came from her brother.
"Surprises aside, shall we go?" Lionheart asked.
Mango and Tiny nodded. The Clan cats dashed into the forest and the kittypets hared after them. Tiny struggled to keep up with the three bigger, longer legged cats. Mango, who held a little pride in her speed, was even having trouble keeping up with the Clan cats. Mango made it a rule that any time her brother lagged behind, she'd stop to wait for him. Tin in turn waited for her when she tripped over something.
They passed over the ruts made the tree cutter. The two Clan toms bounded over fallen trees and in some cases, small bramble bushes. The kittypets had to scramble over the former and either race around or go under the latter. Finally, they came to a stop at the edge of a ravine. Mango and Tiny panted, flanks heaving, while Lionheart and Whitestorm shook out their fur, eyes sparkling and hardly panting. Lionheart turned to them and meowed, "We're close."
Mango strained her eyes, trying to spot something. A flash of fur, movement… anything.
"Use your noses!" Whitestorm hissed.
Mango flicked an ear and scented the air. Cats. Lots of them. "There are a lot of cats." Mango meowed. Tiny nodded in agreement.
Lionheart and Whitestorm purred. "There will be a time when you will know each scent by name." The big golden tom meowed. "Come!"
He bounded down the slope, the kittypets following. Whitestorm brought up the rear. Lionheart led the way into a gorse tunnel. As she padded through, she glanced down. This was well worn. The main entrance? She wondered.
A clearing opened up, dappled with sunshine, the air warm, fresh and still Cats were everywhere, eating, talking or grooming one another. Mango cocked her head.
"In the Clan, we do something called sharing tongues. In greenleaf we always do this after sunhigh, when it's the hottest out." Lionheart explained.
"The cats of the Clan always spend time grooming one another." Whitestorm meowed. "It binds us together and makes us closer."
It was obvious by the way the other cats were turning to stare at the four cats at the entrance that the Clan knew the kittypets were here. Tiny shrank down ever so slightly. Mango curled her tail over her paws and gazed around the camp.
Ferns and gorse shielded the camp from the rest of the forest, a strong, prickly wall that Mango did not want to run through. A tunnel of ferns led to a hidden part of camp and a fallen log rest on the ground a few tail lengths from it. Across from the log, a giant rock jutted out from the ground, rearing its great stone head to the sky and overlooking the clearing.
"Over there." Lionheart meowed, nodding to a thick tangle of brambles. "That is the nursery, where the kits are raised."
Mango couldn't see through the brambles, but she could hear the kits yowling in their games. As they watched, a tabby queen emerged from the nursery and sniffed the air, arching her back in a stretch. Her belly was swollen with her unborn kits, and she looked a little uncomfortable. A blue grey queen emerged from a bramble tunnel a few rabbit hops away from the nursery and headed over to the tabby queen. The two queens exchanged a friendly like between the ears. The expectant tabby queen headed over to a pile of prey while the blue grey queen slipped inside the nursery, greeted by excited squeals.
"All cats serve the Clan, and the queens are a prime example." Lionheart meowed. "Each queen watches over and cares for each and every kit, not just their own." He paused and gazed at the two kittypets seriously. "Loyalty to the Clan is the first thing you two must learn, and it is the first law in our warrior code."
"So you aren't the savages we kittypets thought." Mango meowed with a wry smile. "You actually have a code!"
Tiny stared at her like she was mad, Lionheart looked surprised, and Whitestorm chuckled and then sniffed the air. "Thistlestar's coming."
Mango was pleased to recognize the big toms scent. Thistlestar emerged from around the giant rock and padded over to a massive dark brown tabby tom. They spoke for a few heartbeats and then they shared a friendly lick between the ears. Thistlestar then came over to the four cats by the gorse tunnel. "They came." Thistlestar purred as he neared.
Amusement crossed Whitestorm's eyes and face. "Lionheart was completely convinced they would not. We argued back and forth on our way to meet them."
Lionheart shot his friend a playful glare and head-butted the white toms shoulder gently. Thistlestar purred at the antics and then turned serious again. "What do you think of them?"
"They kept up well on the return journey, despite their puny sizes." Whitestorm admitted. "They seem strong—for kittypets."
"Their loyalty to each other is impressive." Lionheart added. "Whenever Tiny fell behind, Mango waited for him. Whenever Mango tripped, he'd wait for her. I think you made the right choice, Thistlestar." Lionheart meowed. Whitestorm nodded in agreement.
Mango was stunned. These two, great, experienced warriors were praising two, inexperienced kittypets?
Thistlestar nodded. "I'll announce it to the Clan then." Thistlestar led the way to the giant rock and leaped up. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting!" Mango, Tiny, Lionheart and Whitestorm settled down under the rock.
His roar brought cats from all over the camp. Mango felt a rush of relief when she spotted the thick, grey fur of Greypaw. He was sitting beside a pretty dark tortoiseshell she-cat. Behind them sat the blue grey queen and a pure white queen who looked similar to the expectant tabby.
"ThunderClan is in need of more warriors." Thistlestar began. "We've never had so few apprentices. Granted, Bluefur's kits will up the number, but we need more warriors. I have decided to take two outsiders in…" Mutterings sprang from the crowd. Thistlestar silenced them with a look and continued as the clearing fell silent. "I have found two cats willing to become apprentices."
"Lucky to be apprentices!" A cat yowled. The crowd parted to reveal a pale tabby tom, sneering.
Thistlestar ignored him. "Whitestorm and Lionheart have met these two and agree with me."
Mango glanced at Lionheart and then glanced down. She swallowed nervously as she saw all eyes on her and Tiny. Deafening yowls sounded from the Clan.
"Where did they come from?"
"That's not Clan scent!"
"Are they rouges? Loners?"
One yowl sounded above the rest. It was the pale tabby. "Look at their collars! They're kittypets! Twoleg toys! This Clan doesn't need soft mouths to feed! We need warriors. Once a kittypet, always a kittypet."
Lionheart bent his head to hiss in Mango and Tiny's ears. "The tabby is Longtail. Everyone smells your fear. You must not let them show you will be held back by your fear."
A plan started to click into place in Mango's head. She caught Tiny's eye and her brothers ice blue eyes sparkled. He obviously had the same plan. He then put fear in his eyes and darted under Mano, pressing against her belly. She curled her tail over her paws and crouched closer to the ground, acting scared and protective at the same time.
"Look! The runt is a coward!" Longtail jeered. "Needs his sister for everything! How kittypet soft! "He continued, a sneer on his face. "Your collars are a mark of your Twolegs! At best, you'd be terrible hunters. At worst, it'll bring Twolegs into the forest, looking for their lost kittypets."
Most of the cats yowled in agreement. Some looked uncomfortable. Longtail went on. "Our enemies will know of our presence by the sound, if your stench doesn't alert them first!"
Lionheart hisses in the kittypet's ears again. "Are you backing down from a challenge? Are you really throwing this away?"
Mango and Tiny didn't respond. She could feel the gaze of Thistlestar and she could almost taste his disappointment. Tiny enacted the plan by whimpering loudly. Mango straightened ever so slightly, to better help him.
"That runt is weak! He'd be a liability!"
Mango rasped her tongue over her brother's ear. She could feel Lionheart, Whitestorm and Greypaw looking at her in disappointment now. "It's okay." Mango meowed loudly, ignoring them. She then breathed in her brother's ear, "Ready?"
"Ready." Tiny hissed softly back.
Longtail, completely sure nothing would happen, closed his eyes and opened his mouth to say something else. Tiny exploded out from under Mango's belly and crashed into the pale tabby. Longtail screeched in shock and toppled over. Tiny dug his claws in and started raking his back claws down Longtail's back. Longtail recovered and knocked Tiny away He turned on the tiny black tom and prepared to strike. Mango exploded into action, screeching a battle cry, and leaped onto Longtail's back. Longtail gave a muffled shriek and fought to toss her off. Tiny sprang at the pale tabby tom and Longtail bated him away. He then tossed Mango off his back. Mango regained control and crashed into him again, earning a grunt from Longtail. Tiny joined her and the three cats turned into a screeching whirlwind of fur. Mango suddenly let out a muffled yowl as she felt air cut off. Longtail had her collar in his mouth and was tugging hard. From the gasps and gags and muffled yowls coming from Tiny, his collar was also caught in Longtail's grip. She just didn't know how he had him caught. Right now, Mango didn't care. She was worried about getting free. She writhed, gasping and flailing, trying to get free of Longtail. Suddenly, a thunderous snap echoed through the clearing and Mango tumbled away, turning to see Tiny getting up as well. In one of Longtail's back paws was Tiny's red collar. In his mouth was Mango's pink collar.
Thistlestar roared for the fighting to stop and the clearing quieted. Tiny padded over to Mango and butted her shoulder gently. Longtail's ears were torn, one by Tiny and one by Mango. Mango had a cut over her eye and Tiny had one on his shoulder.
"The cats of StarClan have spoken their approval." Thistlestar yowled. The collars lay on the ground by his paws. "These new cats have lost the hold of their Twolegs and are free to join ThunderClan as apprentices."
Mango nodded solemnly and Tiny did the same. Thistlestar turned to them and murmured, "Mango, you are like a rose. Beautiful and sweet yet sharp as thorns. Tiny. You may be small, but you pack a punch." His eyes flashed briefly. He then turned to the Clan. Holding his tail over Tiny's head, he yowled, "From this day forward, until he earns his warrior name, this apprentice will be known as Tinypaw." He switched his tail to hover over Mango. "From this day forward, until she earns her warrior name, this apprentice will be known as Rosepaw." He stepped back and, with the other cats, waited for their next moves.
Without any hesitation, Mango and Tiny kicked their collars away and then buried them. They turned back and gazed at their new Clan. Longtail hissed and limped to the fern tunnel. The other cats split into groups, talking excitedly.
"Rosepaw! Tinypaw!"
Mango turned at Greypaw's friendly mew. Rosepaw! I'm Rosepaw! A thrill ran through her.
"Great fight, you two!" Greypaw meowed. "Especially for kittypets. You fight well together. And Longtail won't forget it! You've spoiled his good looks, that's for sure!"
"Thanks, Greypaw!" Tinypaw chirped.
Rosepaw smiled. "Thanks He put up a fight though!" She started to clean the cut. As she did so, the cats started calling their names.
"Tinypaw!"
"Hey, Rosepaw!"
"Welcome, young Tinypaw and Rosepaw!"
"Great names too!" Greypaw meowed.
The blue grey queen padded forward. "Welcome, Rosepaw, Tinypaw. My name's Bluefur." She purred. She looked at them closer and her eyes widened in surprise. "I recognize you!"
Tinypaw tipped his head, confused. "How d—oh! I recognize you too!"
Rosepaw felt a jolt run through her. "You're the she-cat who stopped that tom from killing Tinypaw!"
Bluefur nodded. "Indeed I am."
"Thank you!" Tinypaw blurted. "I've always wanted to thank you."
Bluefur purred and then frowned. "Darkstripe won't be too happy. He's the one Adderfang had attack you."
"Oh." Tinypaw shifted his paws. "Are either of them here?"
"No. Adderfang died a few moons ago and Darkstripe is out on patrol with Redtail and Ravenpaw." Bluefur shook her head. She smiled at them. "Would you like to meet my kits?"
"Sure!" Tinypaw brightened.
"I'd love too!" Rosepaw purred.
"Can I come too?" Greypaw meowed eagerly.
"Of course!" Bluefur led the way to the nursery.
"Bluefur!" Excited squeals sounded and three kits tumbled out of the nursery.
Bluefur purred as her kits launched on top of her. She shook them off and licked each of their heads. "I have someone for you to meet."
The kits lined up like little owlets and stared wide eyed at the apprentices. "Hi Greypaw!" The grey tom chirped. "And these are the two new apprentices who just joined?"
"Yes, Stonekit." Bluefur purred. She brushed her tail over his head. "This is Stonekit." She repeated the gesture on the grey and white she-kit. "Mosskit." And she did the same gesture on the blue-grey she-kit." And Mistykit."
"I'm Rosepaw and this is my brother, Tinypaw." Rosepaw introduced.
"Nice to meet you." Tinypaw purred.
Rosepaw examined the kits. Stonekit's head was shaped different from the other cats and Mosskit has sleeker fur. Mistykit looked like a little copy of her mother, with the same build, the same blue-grey fur and the same ice blue eyes, though hers were a bit darker.
"Hello, Greypaw. And looks like I get to formally meet the new apprentices." Meowed a voice.
The apprentices turned around to see a reddish brown tom padding over to them.
"Oakheart." Greypaw dipped his head respectfully.
With excited squeals, the kits leaped on Oakheart. Obviously, he was their father. He glanced at Rosepaw and Tinypaw. "My name's Oakheart." He meowed. "Ow! That's my tail, Stonekit!"
Rosepaw purred, as did Bluefur. The blue grey queen watched her mate and kits fondly. Tinypaw dipped his head to Oakheart. "I'm Tinypaw and this is my sister, Rosepaw."
Rosepaw dipped her head. "Nice to meet you!" She cocked her head, looking thoughtfully at Oakheart. "You aren't a ThunderClan cat, are you?" She asked hesitantly.
"You're very observant." Oakheart meowed in surprised. "No, I'm full RiverClan. But I fell in love with Bluefur and decided my life was with her. So here I am."
"Is that allowed?" Tinypaw asked curiously.
"The warrior code forbids it." Bluefur sighs.
"Hey, you two fell in love. You can't stop that." Rosepaw meowed gently.
"You're right." Bluefur purred. "Now, Greypaw, why don't you show them the camp?"
"Alright!" Greypaw sprang to his paws, trying to look serious. "You know the nursery already, and the Highrock. I'll show you where Thistlestar's den is."
He padded off towards the Highrock with Rosepaw and Tinypaw at his heels. Rosepaw suddenly froze. Something was coming. "Something's coming!" She yowled at the same time an old grey time yowled a warning.
The Clan gathered as a skinny tom burst into the clearing. Apart from a white dash on his chest and a white tipped tail, he was jet black from head to toe.
"Ravenpaw!" Greypaw gasped. "Why is he alone? Where are Darkstripe and Redtail?"
"Who are they?" Tinypaw asked.
"Ravenpaw is an apprentice. His mentor is Tigerclaw, that massive dark brown tabby tom over there. Darkstripe is a warrior and Redtail is the deputy, meaning he's second in command." Greypaw explained in a hushed voice. "They went out on a mission against RiverClan. Lucky fur-balls!"
"Wouldn't Tigerclaw go with his apprentice?" Rosepaw tipped her head.
"He's been down with a wrenched shoulder for a week. Spottedleaf released him after the patrol went out. Tigerclaw wanted Ravenpaw to get the experience of this patrol, so he sent him along."
Thistlestar strode forward. "Ravenpaw, what's wrong?"
Ravenpaw stood there, panting. Finally, he glanced up, green eyes swimming with grief, pain and terror. He finally gathered enough breath to yowl, "Redtail is dead!"
I'm trying to change the events a bit. Obviously, I can't change too much right now. However, there will be some big changes for some events soon!
QotD: At this point and time, who is your favorite character? I'll ask this one a lot.