"You're-you're Thunderclan cats?!" He whispered excitedly.
Sunpaw huffed. "That's what Birchfall just said, you mouse-brained fool."
Seedfern's head whipped around, glaring at the ginger she cat. "There's no need to be rude, Sunpaw." Seedfern turned her gaze to Fleck. "Yes, we are of Thunderclan. What do you want?" She asked, her tone suspicious.
"I want to see your camp, and meet the clan! All my life I heard stories of the clans, and I've been searching for so long to find you! I can't believe I finally found you!" Fleck mewed, his eyes glimmering with excitement. He leaned forward, eager to hear their reply.
The cats in the patrol recoiled, letting out shocked hisses. The two eldest warrior's eyes darkened. "Just like Sol." One of them spat in disgust.
Fleck's excitement began to fade. What was wrong? The mood had changed from neutral to hostile in the blink of an eye. He could smell the suspicion and mistrust rolling off of the patrol's fur. And there was something else, an underlying scent. Was that fear he smelled?
"The last cat who said that nearly destroyed all of the clans. I think you'd better leave." Birchfall growled, his eyes dark with anger, fur starting to bristle. He unsheathed his claws just as the patrol began to close ranks on Fleck. He stepped back in confusion. What had he said to upset them? Were they really so secretive? The stories Fleck had heard about the Clan cats had not made them out to be quite so unwelcoming to newcomers.
"Leave now, or we'll make you." Birchfall's tone was menacing. His ears were pressed flat to his skull, and a growl rumbled in his throat.
"W-Wait, I think you have the wrong idea! I mean no harm! I just really want to meet the clan! Please!" Fleck stuttered in desperation. He couldn't be sent away, not after he had come this far!
His words only seemed to make the situation worse. "Get OUT!" Sunpaw hissed, her claws digging into the soft earth. This time, Seedfern didn't silence the young cat.
This hadn't been supposed to happen. "You don't understand! I need to speak to Firestar! I've given up my home, my family, everything to find you! You can't send me away!" He pleaded, backing away nervously.
The old white tom's eyes glistened with sadness. "Firestar's dead." He replied flatly, shaking away the brief falter in his anger. "Leave our territory. There's nothing here for the likes of you."
The patrol stalked forward, teeth bared, claws glinting in the sunlight. The cats crouched, ready to spring at Fleck. "Then Graystripe! Or Sandstorm! Please! Since the time I was a kit, Ravenpaw told me stories about Thunderclan!" He was growing desperate.
The white tom's ears pricked up. He pulled himself out of the attack crouch, his previous hostility forgotten. "Did you say Ravenpaw told you about us?" His mew was disbelieving.
"Yes! You knew him?" Fleck answered immediately, jumping on the opportunity.
The old white tom nodded hesitantly. "My name is Cloudtail, and of course I know Ravenpaw. How could I forget him? He helped to save me from a life as a kittypet." He turned to the tom leading the cats. "Birchfall, tell the patrol to stand down. We need to bring this cat to Bramblestar."
Birchfall looked at Cloudtail quizzically. "Are you sure? The name sounds familiar, but what does it mean to us? Who is Ravenpaw? Why does it mean that this intruder deserves to come into our camp?" He inquired, not ready to let go of his hostility so easily.
Cloudtail looked even older than he had before when he replied, lost in memories buried deep within his mind. "It was so long ago… Ravenpaw was one of Thunderclan's most trusted allies, and Firestar and Graystripe's close personal friend. If this cat knew Ravenpaw in any way, he deserves to be heard out."
Birchfall nodded in acceptance. "Very well." He flicked his tail, and the cats sheathed there claws, raising from their fighting stances. Even Sunpaw put her claws away, though she didn't look to happy to do so. She glared at Fleck with undisguised hatred.
Cloudtail turned to Fleck. "What is your name, young one?"
"Fleck." He replied, not sure whether he should flee or remain with the patrol.
Cloudtail blinked, eyeing the young cat before him. "The name suits you. Well Fleck, you get your wish. Follow me. We're going back to Thunderclan camp."