Chapter 6: Meeting Owl

"This way," Lavenderflight called over her shoulder. "It's not far now."

"Coming," Redstar grunted.

Lavenderflight's mate, Owl, would be missing Lavenderflight. The queen wanted him to meet Redstar and her kits. Bramblekit and Spottedkit were curled up at Shinyheart's belly. The pale gold cat would take care of them until Lavenderflight returned.

"Here we are."

Redstar peered ahead. A dead tree, hit by lightning seasons ago, had a hollow large enough for a cat to make a den. Cat-scent hung heavy around here. It was clear that this was Owl's home.

"Owl?" Lavenderflight called softly. "Owl, it's Lavender."

When there was no response, the pale gray cat turned to Redstar. "He must be hunting."

The fur on Redstar's spine prickled. This tom was stealing DareClan prey. "Let's wait for him to come back, then," he meowed gruffly.

Lavenderflight dipped her head and settled down in the ferns.

Redstar recalled what he had learned about Owl. He had a short temper and was inclined to be hostile. He had a dark brown tabby pelt like his son, Bramblekit. Owl had a soft spot for Lavenderflight.

It had been a moon since the attack on the rats. They were gone, leaving a lingering reek around the place. Limepaw was taking her final assessment at this very moment. Greenleaf was fully upon the forest.

Suddenly Lavenderflight stiffened. "He's coming."

Redstar tasted the air and scented tomcat and pigeon. A dark brown tabby tom emerged on the opposite side of the clearing. The tom dropped the pigeon and looked around warily, his jaws parted to scent the air.

"I know you're there, Lavender," he called gruffly. "Come out."

Lavenderflight emerged from the ferns and padded toward her mate. "Hello, Owl," she purred, rubbing her cheek against his.

He sniffed. "You smell different."

"I've kitted," she replied warily. "You have a son and a daughter. I named them Bramblekit and Spottedkit."

"Bramblekit? Spottedkit?" Owl's meow was incredulous. "What kind of names are those?"

"Clan names," Redstar replied, crawling out of the ferns. "I'm Redstar, leader of DareClan."

Owl's eyes, deep green, blazed angrily. "Leader of DareClan?" He looked at his mate. "Lavender, have you been living with these cats?"

Lavenderflight ducked her head. "Yes. I've taken a Clan name as well. Lavenderflight."

"Lavenderflight," Owl echoed. "Lavenderflight, Bramblekit, Spottedkit. Where are the kits now?"

"At camp," Lavenderflight replied. "Another queen is taking care of them for the moment. Would you like to come see them?" When Owl hesitated, Lavenderflight added, "Bramblekit looks just like you, and Spottedkit has your eyes."

The rogue tom couldn't suppress a purr. "Lead the way."

{&}

Redstar entered camp first. "Nightfrost," he called. The black tom padded over.

"Lavenderflight's mate is coming to see his kits. Will you help me carry them out?"

Surprise flashed in Nightfrost's light blue eyes. "All right."

[^]

"Owl," Lavenderflight mewed. "Here are your kits."

The tom emerged cautiously from a juniper bush. "Redstar," he meowed awkwardly, "who's this?"

Redstar placed Bramblekit gently between his mother's paws. "This is Nightfrost, my deputy."

Nightfrost nudged Spottedkit forward and blinked warmly. "You have wonderful kits, Owl."

Owl twitched an ear uncomfortably, then turned his gaze to Bramblekit.

"You're right, Lavenderflight," he breathed. "Our kits are beautiful. Bramblekit has the deepest yellow eyes."

Spottedkit gazed up at her father. "Who are you?" she squeaked.

Owl licked her forehead tenderly. "I'm your father. Owl."

The dappled tortoiseshell kit eyed him suspiciously. "You smell like food."

"I caught a pigeon."

Bramblekit's eyes widened. "You caught it? Didn't it try to fly away?"

Owl purred. "It didn't see me."

"Are you going to live in the Clan, too?" Spottedkit mewled.

Owl tensed at the little kit's inquiry. "I don't know."

Bramblekit bounded forward. "You'd be the best warrior ever!"

Owl gave Redstar a helpless look. "What is life like in a Clan?"

[-^_^-]

"Let all cats old enough to think of a dare join beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!"

Redstar leapt off of the rock as the Clan gathered. Limepaw sat nearby, her eyes bright. Owl was sitting very close to Lavenderflight, their pelts brushing.

"We have an apprentice who has passed her final assessment and is ready to be a warrior. Patchclaw, do you agree that Limepaw understands the warrior code and will serve the Clan no matter what?"

The black-and-white tom nodded. "I've taught her everything I know."

"Limepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan at any cost, even that of your own life?"

The white-and-green cat's voice vibrated. "I do."

"Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Limepaw, you shall be known as Limesplash. StarClan honors your leadership and your hunting skills, and we welcome you as a full member of DareClan."

Redstar rested his muzzle on the she-cat's head, and she licked his shoulder.

"Serve your Clan well."

"I will, Redstar."

Bramblekit's indignant mewl came from by Lavenderflight. "Why can't I be an apprentice yet?"

Owl gazed down at his kit crossly. "You're only a moon old."

Redstar twitched his whiskers. "We also have a rogue who has decided to join DareClan as a warrior. Owl, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan at any cost, even that of your own life?"

Owl twitched an ear uncertainly. "I do."

"Then come forward."

The tabby did as Redstar instructed.

"By the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Owl, you shall be called Owlclaw. StarClan honors your loyalty, and I trust that you will strengthen the Clan."

Redstar rested his muzzle on Owlclaw's head. The tom licked his shoulder.

Redstar straightened. The moon was high in the sky, almost full. "Let's eat, and then Limesplash and Owlclaw will sit vigil."

(*)

Limesplash curled her tail over her paws and stifled a yawn. Beside her, Owlclaw was staring into space.

Limesplash suppressed a shiver. The tom unnerved her. He had appeared just today. Lemonpelt had told her not to worry about him, but she couldn't help herself.

Owlclaw turned his deep green gaze on Limesplash. "Are we allowed to speak?"

Limesplash shook her head vigorously.

"All right," the tom whispered. "You know, I really enjoyed today. Everyone knows their place in the Clan."

Limesplash flicked her tail. Why are you talking to me?

"I want to have a higher place in the Clan than just a passing rogue," Owlclaw continued. "I want it. I want it so badly that it aches. I need to be more. I'm greater than this."

Limesplash wanted to back away, but she felt as if she were frozen to the ground.

"I'd do anything," Owlclaw growled. "Anything."

Limesplash's eyes widened. No! She inched away from him.

"Are you going to run to Patchclaw?" Owlclaw taunted. "Are you, Limepaw?"

Limesplash curled her claws and continued to back away.

"Or, are you going to go wailing to that pathetic excuse of a deputy, Nightfrost?" Owlclaw's eyes burned with a fierce intensity. "This Clan is full of excuses like yourself. Do you really think it is your destiny to serve your Clan as a warrior?"

Too late, Limesplash noticed that Owlclaw's claws were out. Great StarClan! They're long and sharp!

"I'm going to rid this Clan of all the weak-hearted kittypets," Owlclaw snarled, "starting with you."

$!$

DareClan:

Leader: Redstar: reddish ginger tom with amber eyes. Invented by Mothstar.

Deputy: Nightfrost: black tom with light blue paws, tail-tip, and light blue eyes. Invented by Shadus Krifetalon.

Medicine cat: Honeyleaf: light gold she-cat with green eyes. Invented by Jayfeather Luva.
Apprentice, Fernpaw

Warriors:

Willowheart: light brown tabby she-cat with green eyes. Invented by Mothstar.

Silverstreak: silver she-cat with blue, dark gray, and black streaks throughout her fur and blue eyes. Invented by MyrtleFalls and Mothstar.
Apprentice, Darkpaw

Smokesplash: blue and dark gray tom. Invented by Smokeclaw of ShadowClan.

Patchclaw: black-and-white patched tom. Invented by Patchkit.

Palestorm: pale gray tom with darker gray paws, chest, and tail-tip, and green eyes. Invented by Mothstar.

Rainbowheart: rainbow tabby she-cat with green eyes. Invented by Mothstar.

Prismlight: white she-cat with a sheen to her fur that makes it shine in all the colors of the color spectrum and golden eyes. Invented by Mothstar.

Solfang: tortoiseshell-and-white tom with long fur, a ruff of fur around his neck, a tail tuft, and amber eyes. Invented by Mothstar.

Lemonpelt: yellowish-grayish-green tom with yellow eyes. Invented by Mothstar.

Molespots: creamy brown tom with gold spots and green eyes. Invented by Mothstar.
Apprentice, Jetpaw

Ferretnose: cream-and-brown tom with yellow eyes, former loner. Invented by Mothstar.

Owlclaw: dark brown tabby tom, former rogue, with deep green eyes. Invented by Mothstar.

Limesplash: white she-cat with lime-shaped green splotches and green eyes. Invented by Velvet Masquerade.

Apprentices:

Fernpaw: pale gray she-cat with green eyes, apprentice to the medicine cat. Invented by Mothstar.

Jetpaw: jet black tom with very dark blue eyes. Invented by Darkhead.

Darkpaw: smoky black tom with yellow eyes. Invented by Darkhead.

Queens:

Shinyheart: very pale gold she-cat with yellow eyes. Invented by Mothstar.

Lavenderflight: pale gray she-cat, former loner, with green eyes. Nursing Owlclaw's kits: Bramblekit, a dark brown tabby tom, and Spottedkit, a pretty tortoiseshell-and-white she-kit. All invented by Mothstar.

Elders:

Stormspeckle: jet black tom with pale gray flecks and amber eyes. Invented by Mothstar.