Code One

A New Mate

Warriors and Apprentices must defend their Clan, even at the cost of his or her life. They may have friendships with other Clancats, but their loyalty must remain to their Clan.

Before this Code was created, the Warriors had more than a simple friendship with another Clancat.

This is the story of Thundercloud, a CloudClan tom and Rushingstream, a SunClan she-cat.

Edge of CloudClan Territory

Where can she be? Thundercloud thought. Just then, a small black and white she-cat pads up to the shared border.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting; I had to find a way to get away from the Hunting Patrol," Rushingstream said breathlessly.

"It's all right. All that matters is that you're here now." Thundercloud and Rushingstream slowly make their way to Gathering Island, before it became Gathering Island. There they spend their time together.

"Do you think we are doing something wrong by secretly seeing each other?"

"There is nothing saying that we can't see each other." Thundercloud and Rushingstream curl up and slowly drift to sleep.

A Few Weeks Later

Rushingstream is waiting for Thundercloud on the small island in the middle of the lake. The bushes rustle as Thundercloud joins his mate. Thundercloud sits next to Rushingstream and she shifts uncomfortably.

"What's on your mind, Rushingstream?" Thundercloud asked.

"I have good and bad news…" she answered uneasily.

"What is the good news?"

"I am carrying your Kits."

"And what's the bad news?"

"Neverclaw thinks they are his." Thundercloud jumps to his paws so quickly that Rushingstream is thrown backwards a few pawsteps.

"WHAT?"

"Please, calm down!" Rushingstream pleaded. Thundercloud sits down again.

"Do you think it's for the best that we leave it that way?"

"I'm not sure…" Rushingstream said softly. After a little while, they return to their own Clans.

CloudClan Camp

The CloudClan Leader, Clearstar, is standing on the HighRock above his gathered Clanmates. "Are we all here?" Clearstar asked.

"Why are we here?" Stormnight asked.

"What is this about?" Thundercloud asked.

"Dawnshadow tells me that there have been scents of SunClan cats on our territory stealing our prey," Clearstar answered.

"The scents never stray far from the borders, but they are there nonetheless, they are there," Dawnshadow added.

"What are you going to do?" Miststone asked.

I'm not going to like what comes next. Thundercloud thought.

"Dawnshadow is going to lead a patrol to attack the next Hunting Patrol that crosses our borders," the Leader said.

A Few Days Later

There is a fight by the borders of CloudClan and SunClan. Dawnshadow pounces on Stormcloud's back, the SunClan Deputy and rakes her claws down his spine. Stormcloud throws her off with such force that she is knocked out cold. Thundercloud sees Miststone and Stoneclaw fighting Rushingstream. He rushes to help and throws both cats off Rushingstream.

"She is carrying my Kits!" Thundercloud yelled.

"Kits…" Miststone echoed.

"Yes, my Kits!" While Thundercloud is talking to Miststone and Stoneclaw, Stormcloud jumps onto his back causing his legs to buckle under the massive weight. Thundercloud's eyes are shut tight in pain as Stormcloud gets off him and shakes his ruffled pelt.

"HOW CAN YOU ATTACK THUNDERCLOUD WHILE HE WAS TALKING TO US?" Miststone yelled.

"He should have been watching his tail instead of talking to you!" sneered Stormcloud.

"Thundercloud, what has been done?" Rushingstream whispered. Dawnshadow, Miststone, and Stoneclaw gently carry Thundercloud back to their camp.

CloudClan Camp

"What has happened to Thundercloud?" Clearstar asked.

"Stormcloud broke both his hindlegs," Dawnshadow said.

"What happened?" the Leader asked. Clearstar looks at his returning Warriors closely.

"We learned that Thundercloud had a mate in the SunClan camp," said Miststone.

The Gathering

"Are all of the Clans here?" Miststar asked.

"Yes," the CloudClan Leader answered.

"We have information to share with all six Clans," Miststar said.

"Is CloudClan going to blame SunClan for Thundercloud's early retirement?" Volestar asked.

"Though his early retirement is ill afforded, it would not have happened if he had not been so close to Rushingstream," Clearstar said as he looks among the small patrol of SunClan cats, but Rushingstream is not among them. Rushingstream must be too close to having her Kits.

"From now on cats must be loyal to their own Clan. Having friendships with other Clancats is allowed, but their loyalty must remain with their birth Clan. This will be our Code, the Law of the Messengers!" Miststar said.

Thus Code One came to be…