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Ravenstar padded back towards the congregation of SkyClan cats at twilight, his head held high and proud. He leapt easily into a tree whose leaves glowed red with the going light. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here for a Clan meeting."
The massive black tom watched as the cats of his Clan made their way towards him. Some faces looked eager for the news he brought while others carried traces of fear and anxiety. He gave them a reassuring smile, feeling more confident than he had in moons; possibly even more confident than he had felt since after his leader ceremony, when cats had scorned his leadership as SkyClan began to fall apart.
But now they were strong.
"Cats of SkyClan, I bring excellent news," he meowed. "I took the patrol towards the moors, where we quickly ran into a cat. Though first hostile, he agreed to bring us to his leader. The warrior appeared skeptical that we were truly a Clan, and his leader was much the same. A blue-gray tom larger than myself introduced himself as Coldstar of WindClan. After a lengthy explanation of SkyClan's recent endeavors and what we wished to do, he suggested checking with the other leaders. Though partially reluctant, he said he supported our site for our new home.
"He sent us on our way with his deputy, Morningpine. She brought us to what she said was WindClan's border with ThunderClan. We continued on our own until we ran into a mentor and apprentice from ThunderClan, who brought us to their leader without question. This leader—a golden tom by the name of Finchstar—readily accepted our story and welcomed us to the lake. His deputy, Cherrynoon, took us to ShadowClan.
"She warned us that ShadowClan were known to be coldhearted and would be difficult to persuade. We crossed this border apprehensively, meeting a very hostile patrol of warriors who very grudgingly took us to their camp. ShadowClan is led by a nearly black she-cat who goes by Hollowstar. Mistrust glinted in her amber eyes through our entire story, and she refused to make a decision until the leader of RiverClan had spoken with us. Obviously if she was outnumbered three-to-one, she would assent. However, if RiverClan did not want us, she could evenly divide the lake into a section that was for us and a section that was against us.
"Poppydrift, deputy of ShadowClan, brought us with much complaint to their border with RiverClan. Just past the border, we ran into a patrol with Lichenstar herself amongst it. After consulting her deputy and medicine cat, Logwhisker and Smokenight, she agreed that we should stay. We traveled back to Hollowstar, who was now ready to accept us."
Ravenstar paused, allowing the news that SkyClan was staying to sink in. After a moment, he continued.
"The borders I had discussed with Creekstone were mentioned in the tales I had told each of the leaders, so there is no question of where our territory is. Those who were on the patrol with me will be leading border patrols for a while so that the cats of SkyClan will know where they may and may not go.
"At the full moon, I will select cats to come with me to a Gathering with the other Clans on an island in the lake, as is custom here. At the half moon, Thymeheart and Birchpaw will go to Moonpool to meet with the other medicine cats and with StarClan. Smokenight agreed to escort you there so you know where to go in the future."
Ravenstar could sense impatience in his crowd. They wanted to start patrolling, start hunting, start working on their new camp. He sat in his tree, glancing around with his dark blue eyes, willing them to fall silent. He surveyed the clearing he was in as he did this. The grass was shorter than it was everywhere else, and it was dotted with bushes, boulders, and trees.
"Unless we find a better location," the leader continued, "this clearing where we now sit will be our camp. I leave it to Creekstone to decide where each den will be, and to oversee the building of these dens.
"Also, I have a ceremony to perform. Lionpaw and Spiderpaw, please step forward."
He watched as the cats parted to allow first a dark golden tom with green eyes to get through, then his smaller black brother who had one blue eye and one green. The excitement was very clear on their faces. Ravenstar gave his grand-kits a warm smile which they returned eagerly. Out of curiosity, his eyes strayed to the mates of these two toms. Puddlefrost's eyes were shining as she watched Spiderpaw. Mistsong wore a vibrant yellow flower tucked behind her ear, and was beaming similarly at Lionpaw.
"I, Ravenstar of SkyClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Lionpaw, Spiderpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your lives?"
Spiderpaw and Lionpaw both gave excited nods. "I do," they meowed in exuberant unison.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Lionpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Lionfang. StarClan honors your endurance and skill, and we welcome you as a full warrior of SkyClan.
"Spiderpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Spidersun. StarClan honors your heart and intelligence, and we welcome you as a full warrior of SkyClan.
"You will sit vigil until dawn."
The tom jumped down from his perch, watching as Puddlefrost and Mistsong dashed up to the new warriors. Puddlefrost nuzzled Spidersun happily. The tom kept his mouth shut so as to not break his vigil, but he gave his mate a wide smile. Lionfang stood haughty and regal as Mistsong fawned over him. He gave her a smile similar to Spidersun's.
Puddlefrost and Mistsong retreated after a while as other cats began to look for places to rest. Puddlefrost beckoned the black she-cat over to her, her blue eyes looking anxious. "Have you seen Spottedflight?" the pale gray she-cat asked Mistsong in a hushed, urgent tone. The black she-cat shook her head.
"Not since Lionfang and I crashed into her earlier. Don't worry about her; Spottedflight can take care of herself."
"Mistsong!" Puddlefrost scolded. "We're in strange territory! She could get herself killed!"
"I'm sure she hasn't," Mistsong replied coolly. "Don't go blabbing about this to other cats. If she isn't back by sunhigh tomorrow, we'll worry."
The gray she-cat nodded, her face etched with concern. Sunhigh could not come soon enough.
AN: Sorry that this chapter was mostly dialogue. .^^'