It was clear that the patrol did not trust Fleck very much. They might have agreed to escort him to Thunderclan camp, but they still saw him as an intruder, not a friend. The cats had positioned themselves around him, so he couldn't run. He felt a bit like a prisoner instead of a guest. They didn't seem to want to talk to him, none of them had made any efforts at conversation.
As time drew on, the cats till made no effort to talk to him. Instead, Fleck examined his surroundings. The trees had started to thicken, and the refreshing, leafy scent of the forest filled his nostrils. It was truly a beautiful place to live. He could see why Thunderclan had chosen to settle here. If only the patrol wasn't so standoffish...
Despite the situation, Fleck felt a spark of excitement. He was really going to go to Thunderclan camp! He was going to meet the clan he had heard so much about. He closed his eyes, fondly remembering the stories he had been told as a kit.
"When I was a young cat, I was part of the mighty Thunderclan." Ravenpaw rasped. Fleck scrambled forward, tumbling out of his mother's nest.
"Thunderclan? What's that?" He asked, his huge yellow eyes filled with curiosity.
His mother, Minty, had rolled her eyes. "Not this again. Ravenpaw, you've told us about Thunderclan at least a thousand times. I don't know if I can listen to it again."
Ravenpaw's graying muzzle twitched with amusement. "This youngster hasn't. You don't have to stay and listen if you don't want to. Your kits are old enough to be left alone for a little while. The fresh air would do you good. But what's so wrong with remembering the old days? I had some wonderful friends in Thunderclan. They were good cats. Noble and loyal and kind…" He sighed with longing.
Minty huffed in exasperation. "I certainly will go hunting. I don't want to listen to more stories about cats who don't even exist. And if they did, they're a long way away." With that, rose to her feet and headed out of the barn.
Ravenpaw watched the young she cat go, his eyes full of sadness. Minty was a good cat, but she could be unbelievably blunt at times. Fleck's brothers and sisters crowded around the old tomcat. "Tell us about Thunderclan! Please?" Fleck begged.
Ravenpaw's ancient face softened. "Of course." He replied. And so he had launched into an incredible tale about the four Clans of wild cats that roamed the forest. Shadowclan, the sneaky hunters that lurked in the darkness, always planning something. Riverclan, the cats who spent their lives by the river, fishing and swimming in the cool water. Windclan, the small, wiry cats that lived on the moor and hunted rabbits with their incredible speed. And finally, Thunderclan, the mighty warriors who fought for honor and defended the weak, always acting with nobility.
As the tale drew on, the other kits had lost intrest, going off to play on the haystacks. But Fleck had remained, completely entranced by the stories until late in the day. Finally, Ravenpaw said, "That's all for today."
"What? But I want to hear more! What happened to you and Firepaw and Graypaw? Did you escape Tigerclaw? Did they rescue the kits? What happens next?" He mewed in disappointment.
Ravenpaw broke into a raspy purr. "I'll tell you more tomorrow, if you haven't lost interest."
And Fleck didn't lose interest. Day after day, he'd listen to Ravenpaw tell stories of the mighty clans and his adventures with them.
Fleck purred at the fond memories of his days as a kit. Ravenpaw had been a great story teller, and a good friend. Fleck had been so heartbroken when he passed away. But he knew Ravenpaw would find his place in Starclan, the ancestors of the warrior Clans he had loved so dearly. Fleck had finally found the Clans. What would Thunderclan be like? Would Thunderclan's current leader, Bramblestar, have any recollection of Ravenpaw?
"What's the camp like?" Fleck asked, trying to break the silence that had settled over the patrol. Birchfall turned his gaze towards Fleck.
"You'll see soon enough." He responded, leaving it at that.
After that short exchange of words, the cats walked on in silence. Fleck shifted his weight uncomfortably. They didn't seem to want him here. He was, after all, an outsider. Oh well. He'd just have to prove himself to them.
After quite some time spent walking, Fleck noticed the cat-scent starting to grow stronger. Were they getting close to camp? Excitement and nervousness fluttered in his belly. He had wanted to meet Thunderclan since the first time he'd heard of him. And it seemed he would finally get that opportunity. They had to be close to camp.
As if he were reading Fleck's thoughts, Birchfall opened his jaws to speak once more. "We're nearly there. The camp's through these bushes. Watch your step, though. The path drops off into a bit of a cliff. It'd be a shame if you broke your neck before we even made it to camp." His tone was flat.
Fleck nodded, his heart pounding. This was it. He ducked through the bushes, more than ready to meet the Clan he'd dreamed of for so long.