Chapter Three
"Let all cats who are old enough to catch their own prey gather for a clan meeting!" Otterstar's words echoed across the camp. Ravandawn yawned and rolled over, blinking. She forced herself up and out of her den. "It must finally be time for the apprentice's warrior ceremonies." she thought. Around half of the clan was gathered and settling in an arch around the high ledge where Otterstar sat. Near him, a few feet away from the ledge was Asphenstripe with her children.
She was licking down a few of Slate Paws stray hairs, while she thumped the ground impatiently. Ravandawn chuckled. Asphenstripe was a very protective mother, ever since the kit's father had died long ago. The grey she-cat would fight a fox for her kits.
After everyone was seated Otterstar cleared his throat "It is time for PineClan to have two new warriors." The clan's collective gazes found their ways to Branchpaw and Slatepaw. "Branchpaw come forward." said Otterstar. The apprentice approached the ledge, his head bowed with respect. Otterstar looked up at Silverpelt"I call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice, He has trained for moons to understand your ways." he shifted his gaze back to Branchpaw "Branchpaw you have learned much from Duskshade. From this day forth you will be known as Branchtail! Starclan honors your honor and bravery." Branchtail moved back to sit down and make way for his sister.
"Slatepaw come forward." Slatepaw walked forward slowly. She seemed calm outside but Ravandawn noticed that she was shaking with excitement." I call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. She has trained for moons to understand your ways."
Otterstar looked back to Slatepaw "Slatepaw you have learned much from Ravandawn. You have learned agility and cunning, and how to use your speed. From this day forward you will be known as Slatefur, Starclan honors your kindness and loyalty."
"Branchtail! Slatefur! Branchtail! Slatefur!" Called PineClan, Asphenstripe was beaming at her children. Ravandawn was happy too. She hadn't thought that she could've trained an apprentice all the way, but Slatepaw, no Slatefur sat up there with her full name.
The two newly made warriors rejoined the crowd, with their friends chattering around them.
"I also have something else to discuss with you." said Otterstar "Today while hunting Bearheart sented a rogue, and found some mouse bones nearby." The clan hissed in rage, PineClan had little tolerance for outsiders. Ravandawn tried to to make herself small. Had that been the cat she chased? It must have been! She looked to her furious clanmates. They looked ready to tear the rouge apart right then and there. "We should hunt him down and teach him a lesson!" shouted Bearheart. The rest of the clan scowled in agreement. Bearheart was a popular cat, strong, brave, but a bit to trusting to Pineclan. He was still the best fighter in the clan.
Ravandawn sighed. While she didn't want to rouge to be killed, she was intimidated by her clans fury. She exhaled and cleared her throat "Oh, um Otterstar." she said "Yes Ravandawn?" he said. The clan looked at her, the rage slowly fading "Well today I think I saw the rouge." she went on. "I chased him, but he got away." Bearheart stalked over to her growling "What kind of warrior lets a rogue just get away?" "I,uh." sputtered Ravandawn as Bearheart leaned closer to her.
Than a flash of blue fur separated them. Brookdream stood next to her sister and growled at Bearheart "Yeah well you didn't do anything either, at least Ravandawn gave him a good scare!" "Well said." said Ravandawn getting her breath back "Besides I got him running towards the border, and I don't think he'll be coming back here."
"But he might." said Bearheart "He ignored our scent markers, and he stole prey. I say we hunt him down and stop this once and for all!" Ravandawn was troubled by how the clan murmured in agreement to Bearheart's idea "That cat cleared a wide stream in one jump!" she said "It would take all day to catch up to him." "He only out-ran you!" retorted Beartheart
The two cats were in each others faces know, Bearheart claws came out. The clan leaned in, anticipating the fight…
"Enough!" shouted Otterstar "There will be no fighting during this meeting!" Ravandawn bowed her head sheepishly, while Bearheart stalked back to his seat.
"We should compromise on a solution." said Otterstar "We will not go hunt down the rogue." Bearheart's eyes blazed, but Otterstar went on "However if we see him again, we will tell him to stay out of our territory."
"And what if he refuses?" said Bearheart "Than.." chuckled Otterstar "You may show him how Pineclan fights."
Beartheart seemed happy with this, and joined the happy yowls of the clan. Ravandawn couldn't help but join in herself, though she was conflicted on the inside. If she couldn't handle rambunctious warriors now with intervention, how would she do it as leader?
"You are all dismissed." said Otterstar. The cats dispersed to get back to their nests.
"Thanks for helping me back there." Ravendawn said catching up to Brookdream "No problem!" the she-cat chirped "Bearheart has a temper that can only be matched with another one." As they entered to warriors den Ravandawn finally spit out her thoughts "Brookdream do you think that I will be able to lead some day?" she asked
"Well of course, why not?" Brookdream asked settling down "Well you had to step in the help me with Bearheart, and we almost ended up fighting!" "Relax Otterstar still had three lives left, you've got some time before you become leader." Brookdream yawned "Now I need my beauty sleep, I'm training with Frostclaw tomorrow.
Ravandawn curled her tail around her face, and settled down. Brookdream was right,
She still had time to learn. She would be ready one day.