She could not believe Twilightfur had requested – insisted - demanded that Greenkit slept in the nursery.
After all Twilightfur had taught her of the code; after finding prey for Pearl when Greenkit was so hungry she swore she could feel her stomach digesting itself; after travelling the beach with her new leader in search of cats to recruit…and she was to sleep in the nursery?
Getting back from the Gathering had been so exciting, racing down the Snakestream with toms and she-cats by her side, all bathed in pearly moonlight and serene rumble of the Snakestream. Twilightfur led them to Pearl's hollow, which now served as SaltClan's camp. She wasted no time in pointing out the different comadities of the camp to the new arrivals; the first cats of SaltClan. There was Pearl's den, Twilightfur's own den, the warrior's den, the apprentice's den, what would eventually be the elder's den, and finally, the nursery.
She quickly explained that all queen's should stay in the nursery; any cats older than six moons, but less than fourteen, should stay in the apprentice's den; and any cats older than fourteen moons in the warrior's den; at least until everything and everything was sorted properly in tomorrow's daylight.
Twilightfur declared that it had been a long evening for everyone, and to feel free to get comfortable and rest in the respective areas. Greenkit watched excitedly as cats of all colors and sizes nervously made their way to the warrior's or apprentice's den, a den carved in the cliff-side that was lined with ferns and moss, and heavily sheltered by a lining of fern.
The cats seemed vaguely uncomfortable, sleeping as far from each other as possible after picking out a nest. Some seemed more content than others; the sandy tom that had helped carry the queen's kit from the Gathering was downright happy to be among cats, it seemed to Greenkit. The apprentices generally seemed a bit more comfortable amongst one another; they were at least not itching to be sure they weren't touching one another. Greenkit had been trotting over proudly to join them when a long black tail whipped over her small chest, stopping Greenkit in her tracks.
"I thought you might try to sneak over," Twilightfur mewed, her tone amused despite a slight stressed gleam in her green eyes. "You will join them soon enough, Greenkit. But not quite yet."
"But, Twilightfur!" She began to protest indignantly, her fur bristling. "I—"
"I know," she interrupted, gently but assertively. Like a proper leader, Greenkit acknowledged begrudgingly. "You have done much for the beginnings of SaltClan. But you shall rest in the nursery until your proper age and ceremony."
Greenkit whipped her head up, meeting Twilightfur's icy blue eyes furiously. But before she could yap out further protests, Greenkit detected something else in Twilightfur's sressed eyes. Was it curiosity?
Was Greenkit being tested?
"Okay," Greenkit finally mewed, sulking. "But soon?"
"Soon," Twilightfur promised, sweeping herself around with a flourish to go check on the warrior's den. Greenkit scraped at the ground with an unsheathed claw, frustrated, before moping over to the thick brush bush that would be transformed into the nursery.
The beautiful sandy brown she-cat from the Gathering, with darker brown flecks marking her pelt, was already settling in with her two young kits, a sandy colored she-kit with ginger markings, and the other, a dark blue-gray tom who was much smaller than his sister. Their mam was licking both furiously as they suckled from her stomach. A small waft of milky fragrance made it's way to Greenkit's nose, and she inhaled, thinking of her own kit-hood.
"Oh!" The queen mewed at Greenkit's sharp inhale, seemingly surprised that Greenkit was joining them under the brush bush.
"I'll only be here a few nights," Greenkit told the queen quickly, licking her own white chest a few times. "Only a few nights, until I'll be an apprentice, too."
The queen nodded, seeming very unsure of Greenkit's words. "Yes."
Greenkit nodded, not in the mood for explaining. The queen would find out soon enough, and Greenkit was exhausted. She curled up close to the root of the bracken, some mouselengths away from the queen and her kits. Closing her eyes, she quickly began to fall into a slumber.
"Sleep tight," came a very quiet whisper. Greenkit couldn't be sure if she was already dreaming, or if it came from the queen sleeping so closely to her. Greenkit didn't open her eyes, and fell into a blanket of darkness.
Greenkit had been hoping to wake up with the sun, but the thick bracken of the makeshift nursery had blocked it almost completely. The sun was well on its way to sun-high when the sounds of other curious cats rustled Greenkit from her sleep.
"Let the cats of SaltClan gather beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting."
Greenkit jumped at Twilightfur's yowl through the camp, bumping her head on branches of bracken above her. She tried to scramble out of the nursery, but her paws got tangled up beaneath her.
"Oh," she heard the queen beside her fret as Greenkit picked herself back up. "Oh…"
Greenkit spared a backwards glance as the queen looked helplessly from kit to kit. They were both too small to leave the nursery on their own accord, the blue-gray tom especially. Their mother looked up to meet Greenkit's eyes. "Will you grab him, please?"
Greenkit saw the trust in the queen's eyes, and wondered where this faith stemmed from. Cats of the clifflands, especially new queens, tended to be very distrusting, from what Greenkit had experienced. She hesitated for a moment, but then carefully pawed over to the kits.
"Like this," their mother exhibited, gently grasping the sandy, ginger she-kit by the soft scruff of her neck. The queen sat up slowly, the kit dangling from her jaws.
Greenkit pressed her nose into the small blue-gray tom, who was mewing quietly, his paws outreached as he looked for his mam's belly. Greenkit dropped her head down a little lower, carefully grasping the young kit by the nape of his neck.
She tried to lift him gently, but he was much heavier than she was expecting. Greenkit resisted the urge to drag him out of the nursery, and carefully padded out of the bracker. His mam followed Greenkit and the tom out of the nursery, his sister dangling from his mam's mouth.
Greenkit emerged from the nursery and the bright sunshine nearly blinded her. Was it much closer to sun-high than she thought? Even for the clifflands, the sun blazed a furious heat. She saw Twilightfur standing on a ledge above her den, which was the one situated closest to Pearl's. There was less than ten cat's crowded beneath her, a few looking around at each other uncertainly, but more than a few looking up to Twilightfur expectantly.
Greenkit tried not to show her struggle with the little kit in her jaws as she padded to the outer ring of the group. She waited for the sandy queen to take her place next to Greenkit and gently laid the little kit at his mam's feet. The queen set his sister down beside him, and met Greenkit's eyes, nodding her thanks and wrapping a tail around the kits protectively.
"Welcome," Twilightfur greeted the cats, her eyes sweeping over them with an approving glint in her eyes. There was also a hint of excitement; like that which Greenkit felt when she was beginning a new adventure.
"Welcome, cats of SaltClan." She amended, bowing her head respectfully. "I understand there are many questions you may have, and rightfully so. I've had the honor of speaking to many of you already. Your questions inspirit me. They feed an exhilarated certainty that we shall become the most respected, fearsome Clan of the clifflands."
Her words earned a yowl from a large, light brown tabby tom sitting closely to her. Greenkit felt a thrush of invigorating power pump through her veins. Yes!
"I hope I've gotten to answer many of your questions already. If, by the end of the meeting, you still have more questions that need resolve, I will be waiting for you. Please feel free to approach me at any time. But, for now, we must discuss the matter of positions and names within the Clan."
Greenkit couldn't help but look around the cats in awe. Twilightfur had their full, undivided attention. With one exception. Waterpaw was sitting near her mam at the outside of the medicine cat's den, her eyes glazing over as if in deep thought, somewhere else. What could that be about?
Greenkit snapped back to attention as Twilightfur continued.
"Typically, there are very specific rituals that grant each cat their name, as they move up with age, experience and wisdom within the clan. Kit's are named as such, and at six moons, are appropriated to a mentor, and take the name 'paw'. As they learn to hunt, fight, and live by the Warrior Code, they work towards becoming a full-fledged warrior, and take their final name; unless, of course, a warrior eventually becomes a leader, in which they take the name 'star.'
The Warrior Code is an outline of laws and principles that govern the ways of the Clan, and the behavior of the Clan's members. There are many, but are very straightforward. I shall overview them now, and you may ask detailed questions at any time. There are stories and tales that explain why each code is as such, which I shall be telling at each sun-down, after the long day is over and cats of SaltClan are sharing tongues."
Greenkit felt giddy, quivering with excitement as she saw the amazement glowing in each cat's eyes. The queen next to her was gazing up with such attention; she almost allowed her kit to blindly climb over her tail.
Almost. She swiped her tail back over the kits, and they rested.
Twilightfur listed each of the fifteen rules that made up the Warrior Code, briefly describing those that needed further clarification. All of the cats, even those just older than Greenkit that would make up the apprentices, listened intently. Twilightfur had them captivated, and Greenkit felt a twinge of pride in her chest that made her sit straighter, her chin high.
"Typically, before ending an apprenticeship and being granted a warrior name, the cat must have a full understanding of the Warrior Code. But, under the circumstances, I shall be awarding any cats over the age of fourteen moons a warrior name. I have been able to speak briefly to all those old enough, and wish to name each."
Greenkit found herself holding her breath. This was it. Every cat would be named, now. She would be just another cat of the Clan. She was unsure how she felt about this. Most of her body continued to quiver with excitement, so ready to feel fully a part of the Clan. Another part was rather uncertain. She felt special, having a name, whereas these cats didn't.
But, she decided, quickly channeling her excitement, it would be much easier once every cat had a name. Much, much easier.
"But first, I'd like to bring Pearl over to the ledge." Twilightfur nodded at Pearl, whose pelt was shimmering with all sorts of silvers and grays and hues of blue. She truly was a beautiful cat, however old.
Pearl padded over slowly, Waterpaw close behind her. The old cat's daughter was now staring attentively ahead, a crinkle of worry in her eyes. Was she worried about her old mam?
Pearl looked up at the ledge, but remained below it. It was clear Twilightfur had expected her to join her atop the ledge, but Twilightfur quickly amended herself, leaping down to join the old she-cat. She turned to face the rest of the clan.
"Many of you know this she-cat as Pearl. She has treated several of you over the course of many, many moons. And for that we thank and respect her. StarClan has granted Pearl the name that will reflect her duties as SaltClan's medicine cat: Pearlpelt. Pearlpelt, we thank you for your continued wisdom and healing."
Greenkit felt giddy as she yowled her support among other cats. Pearl was very popular, especially among the beach cats. They did not hide their appreciation.
Twilightfur and Pearlpelt touched noses, and then bowed heads to one another. Pearlpelt slowly waded her way back toward the edge of her den, seeming very calm and collected, despite the excitement, which was almost tangible in the air. But she did not seem calm and collected in a snotty way, of course – she simply exhibited the wisdom the she-cat always did.
Twilightfur nodded to the cat nearest her, the sandy-colored tom with the old Clifflands dialect that had spoken out at last night's Gathering. He was slightly larger than Twilightfur, but did not tower over her with any sort of dominance. He lowered his head as Twilightfur mewed, "I've had the pleasure of sharing tongues with this tom early this dawn. I am excited to introduce you to Seaheart." She mewed loudly, simply, and touched her nose to his.
The clan cats held back no more for Seaheart than they did for Pearlpelt. Even though he was probably a stranger to most of the surrounding cats, there was a feeling of comraderie as the cats cried his name. "Seaheart! Seaheart!"
Twilightfur waited for the yowls to die down before continuing. Seaheart did not pad back through the half-circle of crowded cats, seemingly waiting for something. Greenkit didn't have a moment to wonder what he was waiting for before Twilightfur continued.
"Seaheart will be the deputy of SaltClan. His insight, clear-minded judgement, and empathy for other cats is clear, and I am honored to announce his full trust in the growing SaltClan."
Seaheart dipped his head at the surrounding cats. They wasted no time in picking up with their yowls. Greenkit, again, joined enthusiastically. The queen near her joined in even louder. There was a precious gleam in her eyes, something beyond respect – was it admiration? Greenkit asked herself.
The cats were continually named until only the apprentices were left. The regular ceremony was explained, and Twilightfur adjusted it to suit her needs before assigning each of the apprentices a newly named warrior. Greenkit felt many pangs of envy as they licked Twilightfur's shoulder and touched noses with their newly appointed mentors. Why couldn't she join? She truly was only a few short sunrises away from being six moons…
As Twilightfur ended the apprentice's ceremonies, her voice was rasping from all of its use. But the day was approaching sun-high quickly, Greenkit realized. It would almost be time to fetch the cats who had taken longer to decide whether or not they wanted to join!
Twilightfur acknowledged this quickly as she jumped back onto the Highledge above her den. "We shall soon be welcoming even more cats to the Clan. Seaheart has been instructed to arrange patrols – both hunting and for borders, which has been explained to him, and he shall explain to those attending. We shall hold the other cat's naming ceremonies after we feast in celebration. A celebration of new beginnings."
There were many yowls as she jumped down from the ledge, and dipped her head in appreciation. As Seaheart began explaining the patrols to the newly named warriors surrounding him, Twilightfur slunk through the camp exit to meet the new cats.
Greenkit couldn't decide where she wanted to go. Did she want to go meet the apprentices she would soon be training with? Or hear what Seaheart had to share about the patrols? Or, she thought slyly…she could follow Twilightfur.
But her thoughts were soon interrupted as she heard the mew of the kits near her. Beachflower, the newly named queen, was licking the tops of their heads. "They'll be hungry soon…" she mewed softly, eyes locked with Greenkit's.
Greenkit understood completely. She padded over to the tiniest kit, the blue-gray tom, and picked him up by the scruff. "Bluekit," Beachflower nodded warmly at the bundle in Greenkit's jaws. "And Rosekit."
Greenkit lead Beachflower back to the nursery, trying to channel her enthusiasm into her immediate plans to refrain from hurting Bluekit with an unnecessary excited nip. Greenkit could feel the pulses of SaltClan in her blood. She knew where she was meant to be, in that moment.
And that was just where she was.
*Snakestream: I recognize I switched from "Snakeriver" to "Snakestream". I completely forgot to edit it, and will go back to earlier chapters to make the changes sooner than later! Thank you for your continued love, patience and support!