Code Sixteen

A Warrior rejects the soft life of a HouseCat.

The life of a Clancat is as far from the life of a HouseCat as you can imagine. We hunt for our food, choose our own boundaries and fight to defend them and raise our Kits to follow in traditions laid down by cats long since faded from our memories. Many Clancats would say this makes us better than HouseCats; I would not claim that. There are good and bad cats all over – and good and bad within every cat. If every Clancat were pure of heart and unwaveringly loyal, we would not need the Messenger Code at all.

This Code comes from CloudClan.

Blizzardstar's Secret

"Hey, Sunpaw! Have you seen Blizzardstar?" Lightningpelt asked. Sunpaw looks up from grooming her pelt.

"I thought Blizzardstar was on a hunting patrol." Sunpaw gives up on her fluffy fur and pads over to the bright ginger tom. "Would you like me to find him?" Lightningpelt shakes his head.

"I want you to come with me on a patrol to check the border along the river. The dawn patrol picked up some LeafClan scents as far in as the trees." Sunpaw feels the fur along her spine bristle.

"Those mangy LeafClan cats! Why can't they stick to their own territory?"

CloudClan Territory

When the patrol moves towards their shared border with LeafClan, they only find the faintest hint of LeafClan scent under the trees, which could have been blown there by the wind, so they leave their neighbors alone.

CloudClan Camp

As they enter the camp again, they find that Blizzardstar has returned. "Ah, Lightningpelt is all-quiet on the borders?" Blizzardstar asked.

"Yes. Did the prey run well for you?" Blizzardstar gives a brisk nod.

"HeavenClan was very good to me." Sunpaw looks surprised.

Blizzardstar does not smell like prey just of flowers and fresh air. Sunpaw thought.

"Sunpaw did well on her patrol today, Blizzardstar!" Lightningpelt said.

"I hope you can invite me on patrol soon so that I can show you just how much I have learned," Sunpaw said.

"You know I rarely go out with other cats; I prefer to patrol alone, so that I can hear and smell more clearly," Blizzardstar said. Sunpaw becomes frustrated.

How can Blizzardstar know the best Warrior name for me if he never sees me hunt or fight, I can only be an Apprentice for two more moons, so there is not much time left. Sunpaw thought.

The Next Day

Sunpaw wakes up early the following morning, before any of her denmates. Outside the den, the air is clear and cold, with a hint of mustiness that suggests fall is on its way. The clearing is empty, but the camp entrance bush is still quivering as if a cat has just gone through. Sunpaw pushes her way through. I wonder if whoever just left would like some company… Sunpaw thought. A white shape is just reaching the top of the hill. Blizzardstar! Perhaps this is my chance to show off some of my skills.

Sunpaw bounds up the hill behind Blizzardstar intending to call out when she reaches the top, however by the time she got there, her Leader has vanished. Sunpaw looks around briefly. A fern is bobbing more strongly than the wind is blowing and Blizzardstar's scent drifts just above the dewy grass. Sunpaw puts her nose down and follows the trail. "Let me see just how far I can track Blizzardstar without being spotted. That will be a great way to show how good at stalking I am!" Sunpaw whispered to herself.

Staying far enough behind in order to be out of sight and walking as softly as she can, Sunpaw follows Blizzardstar across the territory past the Great Oak and into the much thinner trees. It's much harder to track through the pine tree without being seen. Sunpaw thought. Sunpaw rushes between fallen tree branches and clumps of undergrowth in hopes that Blizzardstar will not look back. She is so busy trying not to step on the twigs that she does not realize where she is going until she looks over the bracken and sees Human fences in front of her.

We are at the edge of the forest! Nevertheless, where is Blizzardstar? Sunpaw thought. Sunpaw stretches her neck out of her hiding place and sniffs the air. The trail is still here – and it leads straight out of the forest. Did Blizzardstar chase a HouseCat out of CloudClan's territory? I'm sure I would have heard that happen, if it did occur. Sunpaw creeps through the long grass that grows under the outermost trees and sniffs the bottom of a wooden Human fence. Blizzardstar has definitely climbed this fence – there are scratch marks on the wood. It looks like it is a regular climbing place…

Sunpaw claws her way up the wooden fence and looks down into the little square of Human territory. Short green grass is edged with sweet-smelling flowers and a small pine tree in the middle. Just past the pine, the grass turns into flat white stone where two chairs are. On one of the chairs, a bright white shape is curled with a tail hanging over the edge. Sunpaw nearly falls off the fence. What is Blizzardstar doing in Human territory? Sunpaw thought. Sunpaw is about to jump down and call to Blizzardstar when the door to the house swings open and a Human appears. Sunpaw ducks behind some flowers trying not to sneeze as the pollen tickles her nose.

"Hello, there Snow. How have you been?" said a Human woman. To Sunpaw's astonishment, Blizzardstar replies. The woman starts scratching Blizzardstar's ears.

"Oh, thank you, I love it when you rub my ears! Could you do my back as well? That is perfect!" Sunpaw peers around a leaf. The Human is kneeling beside Blizzardstar, stroking him with one furless hand.

If Blizzardstar was not purring, I would have thought he had been attacked, but he is enjoying it! Sunpaw thought. Blizzardstar rolls onto his back so that his hindlegs hang over the edge of the chair. His head tips back and Sunpaw catches a glimpse of Blizzardstar's eyes, which are closed in delight. Suddenly afraid of being seen, Sunpaw scrambles back over the fence and dives into the long grass.I want to run all the way back to camp and forget what I had seen. However, I know that I can't do that. I have to ask Blizzardstar what he was doing. Sunpaw thought.

"Sunpaw! What are you doing here?" Blizzardstar called. Blizzardstar is standing on top of the fence staring down at Sunpaw.

"I…was…" Blizzardstar springs down and looks closely at her.

"Did you follow me?"

"Yes. I wanted to show you my stalking skills."

"Well, I did not notice you behind me. So they must be great! Now, I expect you are wondering what I was doing with that Human?" Sunpaw nods as every hair on her pelt starts to stand. Blizzardstar starts walking back into the trees. Sunpaw trots to keep up. "The HouseCat that lives there has been causing trouble for the last moon. Straying into the forest – scaring our prey – not that he catches any, of course! However, I decided to see how much he likes it if I were to go into his territory – and to give him a warning to stay away for good."

Sunpaw feels a little know in her belly relax. I had guessed that this was the reason why Blizzardstar went over the fence! Sunpaw thought.

"The HouseCat was not there, though, so there goes my luck. Then the Human came, so I jumped onto the chair and pretended to be another HouseCat, so she did not get suspicious. It was very hard work, to tell you the truth!" Blizzardstar continued. Sunpaw nods in understanding.

My Leader is so brave and clever! I would have never thought of pretending to be a HouseCat! Sunpaw thought.

"You will not say anything to the others, will you? I do not want any other Warriors trying this. It is far too dangerous," Blizzardstar said. Sunpaw shakes her head.

"Oh, no. I will not say a word," Sunpaw said as she follows her Leader. Blizzardstar must trust me as a Warrior! Maybe my name will be Suntrust or Sunloyal, because of the great secret that we share!

The Next Day

"I knew it!" Lightningpelt said as he keeps low as so that his bright ginger pelt is not seen and is hidden by the ferns. He looks back at Sunpaw. "Go back to the camp and tell Blizzardstar that we're being invaded! Those LeafClan Warriors have deliberately crossed the border. We can't let them get away with it. Blizzardstar needs to send a fighting a patrol here at once." Sunpaw nods and whips around. She squeezes past Mossfoot and Darkestnight and pelts along the path that leads back to the hollow. She jumps down the rocks in one giant leap and bursts through the entrance.

CloudClan Camp

Clearing

"LeafClan is attacking us!" Sunpaw shouted. Several heads appear around the clearing. "Where is Blizzardstar? He needs to send a Warrior patrol," Sunpaw continued as she panted.

"I thought he was with you. I'll take a patrol to SunningRocks; you go and find Blizzardstar and tell him what's going on," Firenight said. Sunpaw spins around and races out of the camp.

I can guess where Blizzardstar is: defending our territory against that annoying HouseCat! Well he'd have to focus on LeafClan right now, before they take over all of CloudClan. Sunpaw thought. Sunpaw runs through the pine trees and throws herself at the wooden fence. She slithers to the other side, unable to stop on the top and lands in a heap among the flowers. Shaking Earth off her fur, she looks out.

Blizzardstar is standing on a gray stone eating a pile of brown pellets. The Human is standing over him, showing her teeth, and making soft friendly noises. Blizzardstar swipes his tongue around his jaws and looks up at the Human, curling his body around her leg. "That was outstanding! Is there anymore?" Blizzardstar asked.

"Blizzardstar! What are you doing?" Sunpaw asked. The CloudClan Leader freezes and looks straight at Sunpaw. A flash of horror appears in his eyes; then he runs across the lawn.

"You shouldn't be here! What if that HouseCat comes back?"

"LeafClan is invading! You must come quickly!" the Apprentice said urgently. Blizzardstar looks down at his paws.

"I can't…"

"Why not? Did the HouseCat hurt you?" Sunpaw peers at Blizzardstar but sees no blood.

"There is no other HouseCat here. Only me," Blizzardstar said meekly. Sunpaw shakes her head utterly confused.

"You're just pretending to be a HouseCat. Therefore, the Human doesn't chase you away." Blizzardstar glances over his shoulder. The Human is watching them from the stone that she is standing on.

"She will not chase me away. She likes me." Sunpaw stares at Blizzardstar in disbelief.

"But you're our Clan Leader! You cannot be friends with Humans!"

"Then I cannot be your Leader anymore. I'm sorry, Sunpaw. I can't keep the Clan safe. I'm too old, too scared of losing any more battles. Lightningpelt will make a better Leader than me. Tell CloudClan that I am dead," Blizzardstar whispered. Sunpaw feels a surge of anger course through her body.

"No! I will not lie for you! You might not want to be our Leader any more however; you can at least be brave enough to tell the Clan yourself! They deserve to know the truth that you're leaving to become a HouseCat!" Sunpaw hurls around and scrambles back over the fence. She can hear Blizzardstar following.

"Wait, Snow, come back!" the woman yelled. Blizzardstar stops on the top of the fence and looks back at the woman.

"I'll come back, I promise!" Blizzardstar called. Blizzardstar follows Sunpaw. They run through the forest.

Was Firenight's patrol enough to drive out the LeafClan invaders? Will Blizzardstar be forced to fight for his Clan one last time? Sunpaw thought. They reach the hollow and jump down. The entrance is trembling as if several cats have just burst through it.

CloudClan Camp

Clearing

The clearing is crowded with Warriors and Apprentices circling, some of them is bleeding from scratches, others limping. Moonwhisker, the Apprentice Medicine Cat, is chasing Scarletpaw around with a mouthful of marigold leaves. "If you would just keep still long enough for me to put these on your cut, I'll be able to treat the other cats," Moonwhisker said.

"Treat them first! That stuff stings!" Scarletpaw shouted. The cats fall silent one by one, as they spot Blizzardstar. When they are all quiet, Lightningpelt steps out, bleeding from a torn ear.

"Where were you, Blizzardstar?" Lightningpelt asked.

"Did you win?" Blizzardstar asked hesitantly.

"We chased those mangy mouse-brains back as far as the river. They still have SunningRocks – however, that is a battle for another day – but they won't set paw across the border for a while." Blizzardstar bounds up to the HighRock.

"Good, let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather to hear what I have to say!" Most of the Clan is already in the clearing, but they turn to face the HighRock and settle down. Sunpaw joins Scarletpaw and Shadowfur, who is licking one of his paws.

"I nearly tore it out on a LeafClan Warrior!" Shadowfur said proudly. Sunpaw looks up at Blizzardstar.

It feels strange knowing what he is going to say. Sunpaw thought. The blood roars in Sunpaw's ears, and she didn't hear the start of Blizzardstar's announcement, just the gasps of shock around her.

"What are you talking about?" Lightningpelt asked.

"I have been honored to serve you for eight of my lives. My ninth will be spent as a HouseCat where I will have no battles to fight, no lives depending on me for food and safety. Lightningpelt will lead you well and HeavenClan will understand."

"The other Clans will not. You won't be able to come back to the forest, you know," Lightningpelt said.

"Oh, I can imagine the names they'll call me. I wouldn't be surprised if one of the Leaders suggests an addition to the Messenger Code; that all true Warriors scorn the easy life of a HouseCat. However, you'll make CloudClan as strong as it ever was, Lightningpelt. My last act as Leader is to entrust my Clan to you and I do it confidently," Blizzardstar said amused. Lightningpelt dips his head.

"I am honored, Blizzardstar. I promise I will do my best." Blizzardstar jumps down from the HighRock and weaves among his Clanmates for the last time. A sleek black she-cat steps forward.

"Blizzardstar, what about our Kits? Won't you stay to watch them grow up?" Shadowleopard asked. Shadowleopard nods towards the three Kits beside her. Two look weak and sickly-looking, slumped on the ground with glazed eyes, but the third, Cederkit is a sturdy dark gray tabby, which pounces on his father's tail. Blizzardstar gently pulls his tail away from the playing Kit.

"They will be fine with you, Shadowleopard. I'm not a father they can be proud of, but I will always be proud of them. Especially you, my little Warrior." Bending down, he touches his muzzle to the light tabby's ears. Cederkit gazes up at Blizzardstar with huge yellow eyes and growls showing thorn-sharp teeth. "Be strong my precious son. Serve your Clan well." Blizzardstar straightens up again and continues across the clearing. He pauses once more beside Sunpaw.

"Blizzardstar?" Sunpaw asked.

"Thank you. You were right. I had to tell my Clan myself. You have a good heart, young one. When it s time for you to receive your Warrior name, tell Lightningpelt I would have called you Sunheart." Blizzardstar nods then he pads softly through the entrance and disappears. Sunpaw watches until the gorse stops shaking.

May HeavenClan walk your path always. In addition, may I be worthy of my Warrior name. Sunheart… Sunpaw thought.