Reviews-
Cloudy Dreamcatcher- I'll try give Rosepaw a better warrior name, (more manly and such) possibly Roseclaw or Rosethorn. Glad you like Pollenkit's name. There are some cats with powers, if you haven't noticed, and Thornpaw's one of them. Probably easy to guess his. He'll probably become an important character. I prefer Foxpaw too, it's fun to write her POV.
Beetlekit wriggled away impatiently from Fawnstep's tongue.
"I'm clean!" he protested. "Stop!"
His fluffy black and grey pelt was gleaming in the sunlight. His sister, Rabbitkit's, tufty brown fur was all over the place as usual.
"Rabbitkit needs another wash though," he mewed cheekily.
"I'm fine," Rabbitkit declared.
"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the Tallstone for a Clan meeting!"
"Too late anyway," Rabbitkit continued as they sat down next to their mother.
Leopardstar stood on the Tallstone, looking down on her gathering Clan.
"I'm gonna be up there one day," Beetlekit said firmly.
Rabbitkit mrrowed with amusement. "You have to be a warrior first."
"Tigerpaw, Squirrelpaw, Foxpaw, step forward," Leopardstar called, leaping down from the Tallstone.
The three apprentices stepped up to face their leader. A small tongue of flame flickered on Foxpaw's ear, and she shook her head, as if it were a fly.
"I, Leopardstar, leader of AnimalClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these three apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn."
She paused, studying the apprentices closely.
"Tigerpaw, Squirrelpaw, Foxpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your lives?"
"I do," Tigerpaw replied without hesitation.
"I do," Foxpaw mewed, her fur bristling with excitement.
"I do," Squirrelpaw said firmly.
"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior names. Tigerpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Tigerstrike. StarClan honours your courage and your strength and we welcome you as a full warrior of AnimalClan."
Leopardstar reached up to rest her muzzle on Tigerstrike's head, and the mew warrior bent to lick Leopardstar's shoulder, before stepping back to join her littermates.
"Squirrelpaw," Leopardstar continued. "From this moment on you will be known as Squirrelflame. StarClan honours your strength and your loyalty and we welcome you as a full warrior of AnimalClan."
Squirrelflame licked her shoulder and stepped back, his head raised proudly.
"Foxpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Foxleap. StarClan honours your courage and determination and we welcome you as a full warrior of AnimalClan."
"Tigerstrike! Squirrelflame! Foxleap!"
Beetlekit raised his head and called the new warrior's names along with the rest of the Clan.
"Tigerstrike! Squirrelflame! Foxleap!"
Leopardstar raised her tail, waiting for silence.
"I have another ceremony to perform," she mewed. "Beetlekit, Rabbitkit, step forward."
Beetlekit bounded forward, excitement rising within him, and stopped before Leopardstar. She studied him closely before looking out at the Clan. For the first time Beetlekit wondered who his mentor would be. Hopefully not Ratfang, the dark grey tom terrified him, and his temper was well known. He didn't want Horseflight either, she was a perfectionist and a worrier.
"Beetlepaw," Leopardstar mewed finally.
Beetlepaw felt a thrill run through him as he heard his new name.
"Your mentor will be Frogtail."
Beetlepaw trotted over to his mentor and touched noses with him. Frogtail was Ratfang's son, but hadn't inherited his father's temper. Instead Frogtail was a level-headed, fun and friendly tom. Beetlepàw was glad to have Frogtail as a mentor.
"I'll teach you everything I know," Frogtail murmured in Beetlepaw's ear.
"Awesome," Beetlepaw whispered back.
"Rabbitpaw," Leopardstar continued. "Your mentor will be Lizardwing."
Beetlepaw watched as his sister trotted over to her new mentor.
"Beetlepaw! Rabbitpaw! Beetlepaw! Rabbitpaw!"
"This is the river, Beetlepaw."
Beetlepaw looked down at the rushing water and the small, gleaming silver fish that flashed past. He shuddered. The water looked cold, deep and unforgiving, as if it could swallow the entire Clan and not even care.
"I'll teach you to swim sometime if you want," Frogtail mewed.
"Uh… maybe," Beetlepaw replied.
"Not your thing, water, is it?"
"I don't think so."
"Anyway, that's the territory," Frogtail said.
"Can I learn how to fight now?" Beetlepaw asked.
"I'll teach you how to hunt," Frogtail sighed. "Show me your hunting crouch."
Beetlepaw crouched down, his hind legs gathered underneath him, his forepaws stretched slightly out in front, and his tail flattened to the ground.
"Tail slightly off the ground," Frogtail instructed. "Or it'll drag on the leaves and alert your prey. And claws sheathed. Your prey will notice you if you make any noise."
Beetlepaw obediently lifted his tail and slid his claws in.
"Now stalk," Frogtail mewed.
Beetlepaw lifted his paw and gently placed it down in front of him so lightly that the covering of leaves did not stir or make a sound. He moved his other paws as well, stalking forward swiftly and silently.
"Stop."
Beetlepaw sat up and faced Frogtail, surprised at how much ground he had covered. There was an unreadable expression in his mentor's eyes.
"Did I do it wrong?" Beetlepaw asked..
Frogtail shook his head. "You did it perfectly," he mewed, awe in his voice.
Beetlepaw suddenly realised what that emotion was. Frogtail was impressed, proud, and at the same time, jealous.
"I didn't do too well, did I?"
Frogtail purred with amusement. "Let's see how you go on a hunting patrol."
"Really?" Beetlepaw asked hopefully.
Frogtail flicked his tail. "Really. Race you back!"
He took off, bounding across the stepping stones in a few quick leaps. Beetlepaw eyed the river nervously, then leapt over the swift-running water to the first stone. He slipped on the wet surface, but regained his balance, and took off again. Frogtail was already weaving through the willows near the camp as Beetlepaw reached the far shore. He pelted after his mentor, his chest aching, but loving the freedom and thrill of running after a life confined to the camp. Before he knew it he was at the camp entrance, and he slowed to a walk, padding into camp. He spotted Frogtail standing near Hareleap, the deputy, and trotted over.
"Not bad," Frogtail mewed.
"Stoatblaze, I'd like you to lead a hunting patrol," Hareleap mewed, his loud voice carrying through the camp. "Take Tigerstrike, Bearheart…"
"Bearheart's nose is still recovering," Stoatblaze put in.
Hareleap snorted. "Then take Skunkpelt instead, Stoatblaze. And also take Frogtail and Beetlepaw."
"What use is Beetlepaw going to be?" Tigerstrike said scornfully. "He's barely an apprentice."
"You're barely a warrior," Beetlepaw shot back.
Frogtail slapped a paw over his mouth.
"Apologise," he hissed.
Beetlepaw hung his head, shame washing over him.
"Sorry Tigerstrike, I wasn't thinking."
"He did some good stalking just before," Frogtail mewed to Tigerstrike. "He should hunt well."
The patrol set off at a quick pace. They crossed the river and Stoatblaze sent Tigerstrike and Skunkpelt to a stretch of oaks near the LightClan border.
"We'll hunt here," she mewed. "Beetlepaw, just do the best you can."
The two warriors wandered off, leaving Beetlepaw on his own. He raised his head and scented the air. A warm, meaty scent hit his nose. He breathed it in, trying to identify it. Rabbit! Beetlepaw looked around, noticing two long ears poking out of a dip in the ground. The rabbit bounced out, settling down and munching on the grass two tail-lengths from its burrow. Beetlepaw went down into the hunting crouch, setting his paws down silently as he stalked towards it. a tail-length from the rabbit he gathered his hindquarters and pounced. He landed short, but before the rabbit could escape he flung out a paw, killing it with a blow to the neck.
"Impressive."
Stoatblaze and Frogtail emerged from a clump of bracken. Stoatblaze was carrying two mice, while Frogtail had caught a fish.
"We'll head back to camp now, Beetlepaw," Frogtail said. "It looks like you need a rest."
His jaws full of prey, Beetlepaw trotted back to camp.
"How do you catch so much?" Rabbitpaw asked. "I only caught one measly fish."
"At least you can catch fish," replied Beetlepaw, his mew muffled by his prey.
After many failed lessons of fish-catching, Frogtail had given up teaching him how to fish.
"Yeah, but you can catch land prey," Rabbitpaw countered.
Beetlepaw pulled himself through the camp entrance and dumped his prey on the fresh-kill pile.
"Hey! Beetlepaw! Rabbitpaw!"
Badgerpaw hurried towards them. "Looking forwards to your first Gathering?"
"Yeah!" Rabbitpaw exclaimed.
"What's it like?" Beetlepaw asked.
"It's really cool." Badgerpaw replied. "The leaders share news and you get to meet the other cats. You'll like the apprentices, but there's this really annoying one…"
"Badgerpaw!" Wolfsky called. "Hunting patrol."
"See you," Badgerpaw mewed, before dashing off to her mentor.
"What are you doing here?!"
Beetlepaw jerked his head over at the sound of Foxleap's challenge. She stood at the entrance snarling at a glossy-furred black tom with green eyes.
"Do not be afraid," the tom purred in a silky smooth voice. "I do not come to harm you. I came only to talk."
"Who are you?" Leopardstar snarled, stepping up to the tom.
He dipped his head respectfully. "I am Shade."
"Well then Shade, what do you want?" Leopardstar asked.
"I have a proposal for you, Leopardstar," he mewed.
A trickle of unease crept down Beetlepaw's spine, and he could feel the Clan's rising tension around him. How had Shade known Leopardstar's name? The black tom looked around, green eyes glittering, seemingly enjoying the Clan's tension.
He continued in the same, even voice, "you could either join me." He paused. "Or die."
"I don't think we'll be doing either," Leopardstar replied, her hackles rising.
Shade raised his head and yowled to the sky. Instantly cats poured into the camp, shredding the defence of brambles. Rogues! For a moment the Clan stood in shocked silence. Fear and adrenaline raced through Beetlepaw.
"AnimalClan attack!" Leopardstar yowled.
Beetlepaw's body sprang into action and he flung himself at the nearest rogue, a young ginger and grey patched she-cat. He landed on top of her, bringing her crashing to the ground. She bucked up, flipping him off her back. Beetlepaw twisted in midair and landed facing the she-cat. He lashed out at her, slicing her ear. She snarled and leapt at him. Beetlepaw tried to dodge, but his battle-training was limited, and she pinned him to the ground.
"Take your last breath, kitty," she snarled in his ear, before grabbing his neck in her teeth. She was bowled aside by a she-cat with bristling brown fur.
"Get. Off. My. Brother!" she spat.
"Rabbitpaw!" Beetlepaw exclaimed.
Together they advanced on the rogue, taking it in turns to strike at her. She backed away, batting wildly at them, panic in her eyes.
"Rogues, retreat!" a brown she-cat perched on a stone ledge yowled.
"That's not your call, Slant," Shade snarled, leaping up beside her. Blood dripped from his mouth and splattered his fur. "Retreat!"
The ginger and grey she-cat turned and fled. AnimalClan backed off, allowing the rogues to flee. Shade was the last to leave.
"You haven't seen the last of us," he vowed. "Clan blood will pour through the forests, and the rivers will be stained red before this war is over."
Shade turned and left the camp, leaving his parting words ringing in Beetlepaw's head. He felt shocked, and scared, knowing that Shade would carry through with his deadly promise.
"Those who are badly wounded, go to the healer's den." Leopardstar's voice shook. "Beetlepaw, Rabbitpaw, check on the kits. The dead…"
The dead. No. No-one could be dead. Beetlepaw's head spun, and he felt numb inside. The dead.
"Come on."
Rabbitpaw nudged him. Beetlepaw stumbled forward, his vision blurring. Dead. Visions swam before his eyes. Fawnstep, Adderscale, Frogtail… He stepped into the darkness, and his head cleared slightly. The nursery felt warm and safe, without the overwhelming scent of fear and blood.
"Are-are you ok?" Beetlepaw asked.
"We're fine," Deerleap asked. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, how was the fighting?" Snakekit chimed in.
"Was it awesome?" Minnowkit asked.
"Shut up and let them answer, Minnowkit," Snakekit said.
"You were asking too," Lionkit accused.
The kits arguing grated on Beetlepaw, and he felt anger rise within him.
"A cat has died!" he burst out. "And you're just… just…"
The kits stared at him in shock, shame appearing on their faces a moment later. Deerleap bowed her head, eyes shut, sadness clearly showing on her face.
"Stay here, kits," Deerleap mewed.
Beetlepaw squeezed out of the den and stared in horror. Mothfang's still body lay in the clearing. There was no blood, but the massive gash from her neck to her tail that had cost her her life was clear to see. Beetlepaw stumbled forwards, his body shaking like a leaf. Unwillingly his gaze flicked to the warrior who lay next to Mothfang.
Volestem. The proud senior warrior who'd always had a kind word for everyone lay dead, her pelt shredded and a snarl fixed in place. Her once-kind eyes stared at nothing. The bodies of three rogues lay nearby, with two strangers sitting next to them, heads bowed.
"What are you doing here?" Beetlepaw demanded, his sorrow quickly turning to anger.
"Silence," Leopardstar ordered. "But my apprentice is right- why didn't you leave with the rest of your foul group?"
The smaller rogue raised her head she had thick silver fur and amber eyes that shone with grief.
"Please bury these cats in honour," she mewed. "Do not leave them for crows to peck at."
Leopardstar was shocked into silence.
Hareleap stepped forward. "Why would we do that?"
The ginger tom next to the silver she-cat shrugged. "It's what Shade does with the bodies of the dead."
"Then Shade is even more dishonourable than we thought," Leopardstar growled. Her voice sharpened. "Why are you still here?"
The she-cat stood. "I am Swish and this is Ricky. We want to join your Clan."
"That has never happened before," Leopardstar mewed.
"Half-Clan cats join," Swish retorted. "Why shouldn't we?"
There was a pause.
"Who are the dead rogues?" Shrewclaw asked.
Swish tapped the silver tom. "This was Hail. He believed in Shade completely." There was scorn in her voice. "This one," she mewed, prodding a brown tabby tom. "Was Onyx. And the black she-cat is Licorice. Our mother." Her voice was thick with grief.
Leopardstar tipped her head. "We killed your mother, yet you wish to join us."
"It was Licorice's wish for us to leave Shade and join the Clans," Ricky explained. "We'd rather follow her wish than to hate the Clans for her death, when it was Shade who started this fight."
Leopardstar nodded. "Very well. You may join us. You'll join as apprentices. Swish, you'll be known as…"
"Can I keep my name?" Swish interrupted.
Leopardstar frowned. "What if you are called Swishpaw?"
"That's fine," Swish replied.
"Then from now on you'll be known as Swishpaw. Your mentor will be Shrewclaw." Leopardstar paused. "Ricky, do you have any objections to changing your name?"
"No."
"Then Ricky, you will be known as Houndpaw. Your mentor will be…" Leopardstar paused, thinking. "Fawnstep."
The Clan was silent, not chanting for new apprentices like they usually would. Beetlepaw could sense the hostility in the air. Finally Shrewclaw called out.
"Swishpaw! Houndpaw!"
Foxleap joined in, and Beetlepaw raised his voice, feeling the need to celebrate something after the deaths.
"Swishpaw! Houndpaw!"
The rest of AnimalClan joined in, calling out the former rogue's names. Beetlepaw yowled along with them until he found his gaze sliding to Mothfang and Volestem's bodies. His voice faded away. How could two rogues ever replace the brave warriors, or make up for their sacrifice?
The first deaths in the story! And the rogues finally came!
Any thoughts on Shade?
Also, sorry for only getting out two chapters in that time. I've been busy with school, and I've had a lot on recently. (I'm also a slow typer.)
-SkyStorm