Chapter 1: The New Bloodclan
Dewfoot saw the three queens shake as they climbed up the steep, slick rock that serves up the entrance to camp. Feathertail slipped and almost fell if Risingeye hadn't had caught her. Risingeye growls, tossing the queen off her with a small hiss. Feathertail shrank back, ears flat and tail wrapped around the kit in her jaws as much as possible. They leaped down into the camp without any other further mishaps. He hoped Shard had a few mice for them. He was sure the rest of them were hungry from the long journey.
…
Shard saw the approaching cats leap down the rocks into the clearing. She purred as she saw the three queens and the kits. Padding out of her den, she sat on the ledge in front of it that she now called Bloodrock. The warriors glanced up at her, as did the queens, who looked weak, tired, and hungry. She flicked her tail, and Dewfoot snarled at the queens to drop the kits. They set the little furballs down and Shard spoke.
"Welcome to Bloodclan, former queens of Thunderclan. You have been chosen for a new, more prosperous clan, and you should honor that privilege."
The queens shook more at the name of her mighty clan. They will certainly become Unchoosens. They have no training and seem scared of their own shadow. "Smoke and Softpaw, take them to their den for now. Tell Brokenthicket she may give Shatter to me." They dipped their heads and half-nudged, half-shoved the queens toward a little den in the rocks that was half underground. Shard had scratched a 'U' on a rock outside the den. One mewed for her kits, but Smoke and Softpaw forced them down into the den. Softpaw sat outside the den, still listening. Smoke went to go fetch Brokenthicket.
Shard continued. "Please see The Order outside my den. Soon, I will fix my father's fatal mistake by going to Moonpool and receiving nine lives. I will also choose a deputy, and there will be no fight for rank. Please remember I may add to The Order at any time." Brokenthicket came out with Shatter in her jaws and placed her with the other kits for the time being.
Shard smiled. "I shall now give you your Bloodclan names. I shall add to The Order now. Any Unchoosen will become –face. The Unchoosens will become Featherface, Leafface, and Dawnface. Dewfoot will become Ripple, Risingeye becomes Silver, and Brokenthicket becomes…"she thought for a moment "Eclipse, after my old mentor, who taught me the skills to become a Bloodclan cat. Emberheart becomes Russet, and Smoke will become Chill. As for the two who have not received warrior names yet, I grant them full warrior- and elite warrior-ship. Sootpaw, you will be known as Cinder, and Softpaw, you will be known as Bracken. You seven cats have become the first generation of Elite Bloodclan warriors. Congratulations. The naming of the kits will occur after we eat."
Shard flicked her tail toward a large fresh-kill pile. It held around twelve pieces of prey. Eight of them went to her and her Elites. Two pieces went to the group of kits, and the other two, skinny mice were tossed into the Unchoosen den. The warriors led the kits into the Unchoosen den and assigned Leafface, Dawnface, and Featherface kits to take care off. Shatter stayed with her mother and father in the leader's den.
Shard looked happily down at the small black kit. Soon, her own kits would come, and maybe Shatter would be less lonely. Ripple setted next to Shard and Shatter curled up by Shard's swollen belly. He mews in her ear. "It won't be long now, will it?"
Shard smiles as his tail rests over her back, the tip of it grazing her belly. "No, it won't. I will need the skill of a medicine cat soon, though…"
Ripple frowned. "I'll send the Elites to find one for you. For now my love, rest your tired head."
Shard smiles, settling her head on her paws, wrapping her tail around Shatter, and letting her eyelids drop. Before she fell asleep, she heard her father's voice echo in her head. Well done, Shard. Well done.
Next Chapter = Featherface's POV, I think. More about the new Unchoosens and the life they now live. Plus, Ripple's quest for a med cat for his beloved Shard!
