Chapter Two

Mudkit sat perched on one of the many, many cyprus roots that overlooked the camp. On one side of her was her sister, Mosskit, grooming her ears with one paw, trying to look sophisticated despiter her stumpy tail and kit-fur. On her other side, Eaglekit was dangling from the root with his front paws, swinging his legs for fun. Mudkit herself was simply watching.

None of the FloodClan cats below paid any attention to the three kits sitting a few tail lengths over their camp. Mudkit couldn't remember the first time she had ventured into the roots and branchs; all the cats in the clan partially lived in the dense overgrowth of the groves.

Below, the medicine cats, Irisblossom and Rosethorn, were laying out some unidentifiable herbs to dry in one of the few patches of sunlight in the camp. Skybird was giving her apprentice, Thistlepaw, some pointers for her warrior's assement. Their father, Soilfur, was sharing tongues with Fernfeather, the two of them sprawled on the soft moss in front of the warrior's den. Pythontail and Gatorfang were sharing a large snake.

"What in StarClan's name are you doing?" Mosskit mewed. She had just noticed Eaglekit's antics.

"Practicing hanging," Eaglekit replied. He dropped down until it looked like his paws would slip, but then he heaved himself back up so his chin was on the root.

Mosskit snorted. "You'll only be hanging if you're falling."

Mudkit nodded. "She has a point."

Eaglekit swung his legs up so he was curled around the bottom of the root. "C'mon, I'd like to see how well you two hang!" he meowed. He reached up a paw and batted at Mudkit's nose.

"Ugh, no thanks," Mosskit meowed.

Mudkit was just about to say something when a voice rang out around the camp. "What's a Steppeclan cat doing here?"

Eaglekit scrambled up the root and sat next to Mudkit. Down below, Ravenpetal was entering camp, with a large, unfamiliar tom at her side. Pythontail and Gatorfang had already surrounded the two, and Soilfur and Fernfeather bristled.

"How did this spy get into camp?" Gatorfang growled. He sheathed and unsheathed his claws, waiting for any sign to dig into the intruder. The black tom, though, looked unbothered.

Ravenpetal flicked her tail. "He's not a spy," she meowed. "I brought him here."

"For what reason?" A clear, strong voice pierced the air.

All three kits looked towards the leader's den, directly across the camp and only a few mouse lengths beneat them. Frondstar stepped out of her den and looked down at the cats gathered in the camp below.

Ravenpetal and the tom dipped their heads respectfully. "I'm glad you're here, Frondstar."

The leader ignored her. "For what reason have you brought in this SteppeClan cat?" she demanded.

Ravenpetal looked at the tom before continuing. "I've come to ask you to allow Snakescale to join FloodClan."

Mudkit felt lightning flash through her as she saw Frondstar's bright green eyes flash. "And why," she meowed coldly, "should I do that?"

Ravenpetal kept her nerve. "I'm with kit," she meowed bluntly.

By this time, most of the clan had gathered, and an audible gasp was heard around the camp. Mudkit could hardly believe her ears; Ravenpetal had always been extremely loyal to FloodClan, making sure everyone else had been fed before eating herself.

Frondstar glared at the two cats in the center of camp. "You dare to break the warrior code and take a mate from another clan?"

"There are some things one can not help doing," Ravenpetal retorted. "And there are some codes that must be broken."

"We have the code for a reason!" Pythontail yowled.

"Tell me," Frondstar continued. "Why should I not exile you, and allow you to succumb to the snakes and gators and sickness of the grove?"

"Because I carry kits," Ravenpetal meowed. She took a deep breath. "Anyone here can tell you how I've never been anything but loyal to FloodClan. I put myself last and the clan first. I've fought tooth and claw for the safety of my clanmates, and who I choose to love doesn't change that." She and Frondstar's eyes were locked. "Had Snakescale had not chosen to come with me, I never would have left for SteppeClan. This is my home. And I wish to raise my kits with the same loyalty and faithfulness I've always had." Ravenpetal took another breath; she was wrapping up her argument. "The fact is, you could exile me- but you'll lose two warriors, and the promise of new ones. You will have kit's blood on your paws and a severly weakened clan."

There was stunned silence for what seemed like moons. Mudkit couldn't help but admire Ravenpetal's resolve. Frondstar was still as stone.

"Your argument strikes true, Ravenpetal," the leader finally meowed. "You and your kits will be allowed to stay in FloodClan. As for Snakescale; his acceptance into FloodClan will take time, but it can begin with an oath. Snakescale, step forward."

The surly black tom took a few steps closer to the leader's den. He looked up and met Frondstar's eyes.

Frondstar stood up straight and tall, her green eyes piercing. "Do you, Snakescale, swear to live with your life in your paws for FloodClan, and to surrender all allegiance to your previous clan?"

Snakescale dipped his head. "With certainty."

Floodstar's voice rang around the camp. "Then with the authority given to me by StarClan, I accept you into the ranks of FloodClan. May you prove your loyalty."

Snakescale looked up again. "I will."

Frondstar flicked her tail. "This clan meeting is over. Newtspeckle, take Cypruspaw and show Snakescale around the territory. I want him to be FloodClan through-and-through by the time these kits come." And with that, Frondstar returned back to her den.

After that the clan began to disperse. Many of the warriors stared at Ravenpetal and Snakescale with suspicion, but the two seemed not to notice the hostility. The black she-cat's eyes were shimmering and Snakescale touched her nose before he went to tour the territory.

"Holy StarClan," Eaglekit finally mewed. "I can't believe all that just happened!"

"I can't believe Frondstar just let Snakescale into the clan!" Mosskit meowed as she groomed her ear. "It's absurd."

"It does give us more warriors," Mudkit meowed. "And in a few moons, new friends! We won't be the youngest kits anymore."

Mosskit rolled her eyes. "They'll never really be FloodClan cats, though," she meowed. "They'll get lost in the grove. They'll get eaten by gators."

"I hope not," Eaglekit meowed.

"Whatever. I just think that Snakescale should have stayed in Steppeclan, where he belongs. As if he'll ever learn to hunt here."

Mudkit purred. "Well, I think it's romantic that he would leave his clan to be with his mate and kits."

"You've got fluff on your head," Mosskit quipped.

Mudkit noticed Fernfeather standing below them. "It's time you kits got some sleep," she meowed. "It'll be getting dark soon."

The three kits bounded effortlessly down the roots, landing neatly on the ground beside their mother.

The four cats entered the nursery, and as Mudkit sank down into her nest and got settled, her mind wandered over the events of the day. What especially stood out to her were Ravenpetal's words.

There are some codes that must be broken...

Before she knew it, Mudkit was asleep.

(Thanks to everyone that read the first chapter! The name 'Silence of the Stars' is more of a placeholder, and will probably be the name of the series once it's finished. I'm not even planning to name the book until it's finished, which will probably be a couple months? I hope y'all are enjoying so far and I can't wait to introduce you to the other clans!)