CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The air was cold, clear, and crisp, a welcome change from the stuffy Dark Realm. The sun was just barely poking its head over the horizon when I woke, curled up by myself in the sharpclaws' den. I missed Lion's Roar's warmth: but we were still not officially mates. At least, not here.
Well, that was about to change. He was very close to being a full member of the Tribe, and as soon as he graduated, we would leave, together with Wolf. If he wanted to wait that long. I was all for leaving right now, but he had expressed desire to become a sharpclaw.
I yawned and stretched, then left the den. Behind me, out crawled Wolf. I smiled crookedly at her, and she grinned back.
"It's nice to be home," she said. "I feel rested, do you?"
I nodded. "I didn't really notice, but the Dark Realm really drained me. I'm glad we were just sleeping in the real world."
"Me too," she said. "So. When are we leaving?"
"Hopefully not right away," another voice said. It was Dove's Wing, also awake at this early hour. "You should say goodbye, and we'll have a celebration in thanks for your help."
"I think Lion's Roar would like to wait to become a sharpclaw," I added. "He wants to come with us." I glanced over to where the to-bes slept. As if speaking of him had summoned him, Lion's Roar poked his head out of the den. Seeing us, he walked over.
"What were you saying?" he asked as he approached.
"Do you want to become a sharpclaw before we leave?" I asked. "They might see things better that way. I'm a full-grown cat, and you're still technically a to-be. If we go off together right now, it might be seen as a bad thing..."
"They won't like it," Wolf said, shaking her head. "A few of the sharpclaws have noticed how close you two have been getting. They're not too suspicious, but while they like us... we're still outsiders, Snow."
"I know, I know," I said tiredly.
"Yes, I would like to become a sharpclaw," Lion's Roar confirmed. "We should talk to Half Moon about making me and my siblings advance."
"You'll have to go on the trek," I pointed out. "Let's do this soon."
"Let's hunt first," Dove's Wing suggested. "I'm starving. I know I ate last night, but then the Dark Realm happened, and I didn't eat anything then."
"Yes, let's," I agreed.
We padded out across the mountain terrain. I caught a snow hare but nothing else; Dove's Wing lured a nest of mice out of their den; Lion's Roar managed to bring down a small falcon; and Wolf brought back a lemming and two sparrows. When we returned, Jay's Wing was dashing around the camp, calling out our names. His blue eyes were full of worry and anger when he caught sight of us.
"Where have you been?" he demanded.
Dove's Wing dropped her mice. "Hunting. What does it look like?"
"You can't just run off without telling someone!" he cried. "I thought you'd left without saying goodbye!"
"Of course not," I said, a purr of amusement in my voice.
"We were just catching some food for the celebration," Dove's Wing said.
"Celebration?" Lion's Roar echoed, confused, after we had carried our prey to the fresh-kill pile. "What celebration?"
"Well, you and your siblings are advancing, and then our friends are leaving," the pale gray she-cat said, shrugging. "We ought to have a party."
"Advancing?" Jay's Wing asked. "When? Did Half Moon tell you this?"
"No, but we were wondering if they could go on their trek as soon as possible," I replied. "We want to leave when Lion's Roar is a sharpclaw. It would make things seem...better."
"Oh, yes," the tom said, catching on. "I'll ask Half Moon right now. Wait here!" Sighting his mate exiting the nursery, he dashed over to her.
The kits were walking and talking and very cute. They stumbled across the uneven cave floor and squeaked as they approached us. Little still remained small, her pelt fluffy and her green eyes bright with wonder. Lichen was quiet and shy, but very clever and intelligent for a kit. Leaf was boisterous and loud, always starting play fights and bossing the other kits around. Swoop was big and strong, and often bickered with her brother.
"Snow! Snow!" Little called out. "Did you catch that big bird?"
I purred. "No, Little," I said. "Lion's Roar caught that falcon."
"Falcon?" Swoop said eagerly, looking up at me with her father's bright blue eyes. "Like my name, Swoop of Fearless Falcon?"
"Yes, like your name," Dove's Wing said, smiling. "Except that falcon wasn't fearless like you."
Swoop puffed out her chest and said to Leaf, "Did you hear that? Dove's Wing said I was fearless!"
"You certainly aren't modest," Lichen muttered, rolling her green eyes.
"Hey!" Leaf protested. "Am I fearless, Dove's Wing?"
"You're very brave, just like your sister," the gray she-cat said.
"What's Daddy telling Mommy?" Lichen asked, her ears perked.
"He's asking if I can become a sharpclaw," Lion's Roar said. "Me and my siblings."
"Ooh!" Little squeaked. "You're going to be a sharpclaw?"
"A cave-guard," he replied, glancing at me. He looked a little guilty for lying to the kits.
"I want to be a cave-guard!" Leaf exclaimed.
"Me too!" Swoop shouted, pouncing on her brother. "I'll be the best cave-guard ever!"
"I'd rather be a prey-hunter," Little said. "I'm too small to be a cave-guard."
"What about you, Lichen?" I asked the mottled gray she-kit. "Do you want to be a cave-guard or a prey-hunter?" She was small, but I could see some muscle under her fur. She could go either way.
"I don't know," she replied, thoughtful. "I don't really want to be either. Mommy's not a cave-guard or a prey-hunter. Neither is daddy. They're healers. Maybe I could be a healer!"
"That's a good idea," I said. "You should talk to them about that." I knew there was little chance that could happen—Half Moon wouldn't need a replacement anytime soon—but I didn't want to discourage such a bright young cat.
Half Moon and Jay's Wing came over to us. Half Moon looked excited. "You think you're ready to be a sharpclaw, Lion's Roar?" she asked.
"I and my siblings both," he said firmly.
"Jay's Wing says he went on an adventure with you four last night," she added, looking a little dubious. "Is that true?"
"Yes, and it's a long story," I said.
"He can tell you while the softpaws are on their trek," Wolf said encouragingly. "We'll all tell you."
"All right then," Half Moon said agreeably. "I'll call a meeting." She turned to walk away. "Jay's Wing, do you think Flickering Ember is ready to become a to-be? We'll need some more if those four advance..."
"Yes, she's old enough," her mate responded, speaking of Half Moon's younger sister. Their conversation faded as they headed toward the center of the cave.
Half Moon called out a meeting. Curious, the Tribe cats left their nests and joined together in the cave.
"Cats of the Tribe of Rushing Water, I address you as your Healer and Leader," she cried out. "Today two very important ceremonies will be conducted. Lion's Roar, Darkest Night, Hawk's Talon, and Silver Glow, please come forward."
My mate stepped up, followed by his overeager siblings. Darkest Night was full of excitement, his blue eyes shining. Hawk's Talon smiled, his teeth showing as he chattered to his sister, Silver Glow. The lone she-cat of Shy Fawn's litter had her fur fluffed up as she dashed forward.
They all acted like apprentices...except for Lion's Roar. He was much older than them, mentally, and he acted like it. The Tribe respected him more than they did any other to-be.
"These four cats have shown themselves to be ready to complete their training as to-bes with the trek for prey," Half Moon said. "We praise them for their efforts and send them off to hunt for their Tribe shortly. If they return in two days with plenty of prey, they will be accepted as full members of our Tribe, cave-guards and prey-hunters."
The Tribe cats cheered the names of the softpaws. No, they were to-bes now: because of our meddling with destiny, we had changed the ways of the Tribe as well as how they would view their ancestors, in time.
Next, Half Moon called up Flickering Ember. "You are old enough to begin training, Flickering Ember," she told the kit gravely. "The Tribe of Rushing Water welcomes you as a to-be, training to become a prey-hunter."
The Tribe cheered the to-be's name. Flickering Ember, her blue-gray pelt shining, puffed out her chest, her yellow eyes full of wonder.
"Now!" Half Moon called out. "Lion's Roar. Darkest Night. Hawk's Talon. Silver Glow. Say goodbye to your friends and family, then leave on your trek. Good luck!"
There was something just a little off about these informal ceremonies. Formality would come in time, but still... Then I realized what it was. There were no murmurs of "StarClan light your path" or "May the Tribe of Endless Hunting watch over you". These cats didn't have ancestors: or rather, they didn't speak to each other.
But we had fixed that. Soon there would be a tribe of ancestors to watch over these cats and guide them. All would be well.
I smiled as the soon-to-be sharpclaws left the cavern for their journey.
All would be well for the Tribe...and soon I would be home.