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Chapter Text

ThunderClan
Leader
Bluestar - tall blue-grey molly with white toes, chin, a thin scar across one shoulder, and pale yellow eyes.
Apprentice, Sandpaw

Deputy
Redtail - small black and ginger mackerel calico tom with a distinct long, fluffy ginger tail, and amber eyes.
Apprentice, Dustpaw

Cleric (s)
Spottedleaf - beautiful black and golden dappled mackerel calico molly with amber eyes.

Warriors
Speckletail - golden and brown spotted torbie molly with a white underbelly and pale green eyes.
Frostfur - white molly with hazel eyes.
Brindleface - pretty grey and cream spotted torbie molly with hazel eyes.
Lionface - large golden spotted tabby tom with a white chest, a thick mane of neck fur, and amber eyes. (p. Lionheart)
Apprentice, Greypaw
Tigerclaw - giant dark brown mackerel tabby tom with unusually long claws, a scarred nose, and orange eyes.
Apprentice, Firepaw
Whitecloud - tall white tom with grey ears and pale yellow eyes. (p. Whitestorm)
Apprentice, Ravenpaw
Falconfoot - lithe brown spotted tabby tom with a cream underbelly and hazel eyes. (p. Runningwind)
Mousefur - smallish brown molly with faint ticked tabby markings, a torn ear, and hazel eyes.
Darkstripe - sleek dark grey tom with black classic tabby markings and yellow eyes.
Snaketail - small brown broken mackerel tabby-and-white tom with blue eyes. (p. Longtail)

Caretakers
Dappledawn - orange and brown classic tabico molly with yellow eyes. (p. Dappletail)
Thrushcloud - brown spotted tabby-and-white tom with pale green eyes. (p. Thrushpelt)
Rosetail - mostly grey and cream mackerel tortoiseshell-tabby molly with a distinct fluffy cream tail, white markings, and amber eyes.
Goldenflower - golden classic tabby-and-white molly with pale green eyes.
Cricketsong - brown classic tabby-and-white tom with yellow eyes. (p. Cricketkit)

Apprentices
Sandpaw - lithe cream and pale brown ticked tabby molly with white paws and pale green eyes.
Dustpaw - broad-shouldered dark brown tom with a white chest dash, tail-tip, and golden eyes.
Ravenpaw - small, skinny black tom with a white chest dash, tail-tip, and golden eyes.
Greypaw - smallish, fluffy grey tom with dark grey classic tabby markings, white paws, and amber eyes.
Firepaw - small ginger ticked tabby tom with a white underbelly and green eyes.

Queens
Willowfeather - pale silvery-grey molly with white markings and pale amber-and-blue eyes. (p. Willowpelt)

Elders
Halftail - large dark brown mackerel tabby tom with hazel eyes and missing half of his tail.
One-eye - skinny pale grey molly with one yellow eye.
Smallthorn - small grey tom with ragged ears and amber eyes. (p. Smallear)
Patchpelt - black-and-white patched tom with yellow eyes.

Kittens
Willowfeather’s litter:
Cinderkit - fluffy dark grey molly with amber eyes.
Swiftkit - black tom with white markings and amber-and-blue eyes.

RiverClan
Leader
Crookedstar - large longhaired pale brown classic tabby-and-white tom with a broken jaw and hazel eyes.

Deputy
Oakstrike - large longhaired brown classic tabby tom with a white chest, paws, and hazel eyes. (p. Oakheart)

Cleric (s)
Mudfur - longhaired brown rosette mottled tabby-and-white tom with yellow eyes.

Warriors
Rippleclaw - handsome broad-shouldered silver-and-black classic tabby tom with grey-green eyes.
Piketooth - longhaired grey-brown mackerel tabby tom with long fangs and hazel eyes.
Whitefang - dark brown classic tabby point tom with blue eyes.
Morningsplash - ginger classic tabby-and-white patched molly with blue eyes. (p. Ottersplash)
Apprentice, Cloverpaw
Petalstep - longhaired grey-and-cream spotted tortoiseshell molly with white paws and pale green eyes. (p. Petaldust)
Apprentice, Duskpaw
Beetlenose - black tom with a white nose snip and amber eyes.
Apprentice, Troutpaw
Blackclaw - black smoke tom with torn ears and amber eyes.
Skygrowl - brown classic tabby point molly with small white splotches and blue eyes. (p. Skyheart)
Leopardpelt - smallish golden-and-brown rosetted tabico molly with copper eyes. (p. Leopardfur)
Apprentice, Silverpaw
Sedgecreek - stocky brown classic tabby molly with white paws and hazel eyes.
Swansong - longhaired white trans tom with pale grey patches and hazel eyes. (p. Mosskit)
Stonespine - large longhaired grey tom with clawed ears, a white underbelly, and hazel eyes. (p. Stonefur)
Apprentice, Shadepaw
Mistfoot - tall longhaired grey classic tabby molly with white paws and yellow eyes. (p. Mistyfoot)
Emberdusk - thick-furred dark ginger-and-white molly with green eyes. (p. Emberdawn)

Caretakers
Softwing - brown classic tabby point molly with pale blue eyes.
Shimmerfur - longhaired black smoke molly with amber eyes. (p. Shimmerpelt)
Voleclaw - longhaired silvery-grey tom with pale green eyes.
Frogleap - stocky dark grey classic tabby tom with white paws and hazel eyes.
Mosspelt - thick-furred black-and-dark-ginger calico molly with dark blue eyes.
Otterbelly - large, plump brown tom with a paler underbelly and amber eyes. (p. Loudbelly)

Apprentices
Shadepaw - large black molly with hazel eyes.
Duskpaw - heavyset dark brown tom with hazel eyes. (p. Heavystep)
Cloverpaw - brown classic tabby molly with white paws, chest, and green eyes. (p. Greenflower)
Troutpaw - smallish brown classic tabby tom with small white markings and amber eyes. (p. Whiteclaw)
Silverpaw - large silver classic tabby-and-white molly with pale green eyes.

Queens
Birchstream - longhaired grey-brown molly with dark brown mackerel tabby markings, white markings, and yellow eyes. (p. Sunfish)

Elders
Birdcry - plump grey classic tabby-and-white molly with amber eyes. (p. Birdsong)
Tanglewhisker - longhaired brown mackerel tabby tom with messy fur, tattered ears, and hazel eyes.
Lakeshine - pale grey-and-white mottled molly with amber eyes.
Greypool - skinny dark grey molly with yellow eyes.
Cypresspelt - stocky brown classic tabby tom with a short tail and yellow eyes. (p. Cedarpelt)

Kittens
Birchstream and Beetlenose’s litter:
Walnutkit - fluffy black molly with amber eyes. (p. Vixenleap)
Grasskit - longhaired brown mackerel tabby molly with white markings and yellow eyes.

ShadowClan
Leader
Brokenstar - small longhaired dark brown mackerel tabby tom with a kinked tail, scarred face, and copper eyes.
Apprentice, Volepaw

Deputy
Blackthorn - large black tom with unusual white spotting, large paws with extra toes on both of his front paws, and yellow eyes. (p. Blackfoot)

Cleric (s)
Smokepelt - longhaired dark grey molly with a short muzzle, underbite, tattered ears, and copper eyes. (p. Yellowfang)
Rainwhisper - skinny grey mackerel tabby-and-white patched tom with greenish-yellow eyes. (p. Runningnose)

Warriors
Lizardstripe - lithe brown mackerel tabby-and-white molly with pale green eyes.
Blizzardstorm - white and grey dappled tom with green eyes. (p. Blizzardwing)
Scorchwind - dark ginger mackerel tabby tom with white markings and yellow eyes.
Hollyflower - dark grey molly with small white markings and greenish-yellow eyes.
Apprentice, Dipperpaw
Clawedface - large brown tom with a badly scarred face and green eyes. (p. Clawface)
Apprentice, Crowpaw
Russetpelt - dark ginger mackerel tabby molly with dark green eyes. (p. Russetfur)
Apprentice, Mosspaw
Wolfstep - thick-furred dark grey tom with a tear in one ear and amber eyes.
Flintfang - grey tom with white toes and hazel eyes.
Apprentice, Lichenpaw
Finchflight - skinny black-and-white tom with yellow eyes.
Dawncloud - pretty cream classic tabby-and-white molly with amber eyes.
Oakfur - longhaired brown tom with copper eyes.

Caretakers
Mudspine - stocky grey-brown tom with yellow eyes. (p. Mudclaw)
Darkflower - black molly with small white markings and green eyes.
Cloudfur - longhaired pale grey tom with amber eyes. (p. Cloudpelt)
Deerfoot - stocky brown mackerel tabby tom with white paws and yellow eyes.
Boulderfur - large grey spotted tabby tom with a torn ear and amber eyes. (p. Boulder)
Stumptail - dark brown tom with a short tail and hazel eyes. (p. Stumpytail)
Poppytail - brown and ginger ticked tortoiseshell molly with a white tail-tip and copper eyes. (p. Tallpoppy)

Apprentices
Crowpaw - skinny black molly with white markings and amber eyes.
Dipperpaw - white tom with a white throat marking and yellow eyes. (p. Whitethroat)
Volepaw - smallish dark brown tom with hazel eyes.
Mosspaw - dark brown-and-white tom with hazel eyes.
Lichenpaw - grey spotted tabby tom with a white underbelly and green eyes. (p. Wetfoot)
Littlepaw - tiny fluffy dark brown classic tabby-and-white tom with blue eyes.

Queens
Tangleburr - messy-furred grey-and-cream mackerel calico molly with yellow eyes.
Rowanberry - long-legged ginger and brown ticked tortoiseshell molly with white paws and copper eyes.
Fernshade - brown-and-golden mackerel tabby-and-white patched molly with green eyes.

Elders
Nightpelt - skinny black tom with yellow-and-blue eyes.
Poolcloud - longhaired grey-and-white molly with pale blue eyes.
Cinderfur - long-legged dark grey tom with yellow eyes.
Ashheart - dark grey trans tom with amber eyes. (p. Ashfur)
Brightflower - longhaired ginger and black classic tortoiseshell-and-white molly with a short muzzle and copper eyes.
Larkstorm - longhaired dark brown tabby-and-white molly with yellow eyes. (p. Featherstorm)
Archeye - large grey mackerel tabby tom with a distinct black stripe over one eye and amber eyes.

Kittens
Tangleburr’s litter:
Rubblekit - grey-and-white patched tom with yellow eyes.
Turtlekit - grey-and-cream mackerel calico molly with green eyes.
Heathkit - grey tabby and white tom with yellow eyes. (p. Quietkit)

Redberry and Cloudpelt’s litter:
Marigoldkit - longhaired ginger and black ticked tortoiseshell molly with white paws and copper eyes.
Lavenderkit - pale grey molly with white markings and amber eyes.
Mintkit - longhaired pale grey molly with copper eyes.

Fernshade and Wolfstep’s litter:
Badgerkit - dark grey tom with white markings and yellow eyes.

Orphaned litter:
Blossomkit - longhaired white molly with blue eyes.
Yarrowkit - longhaired white tom with hazel eyes.

WindClan
Leader
Goosestar - extremely tall dark grey tom with white splotches and amber eyes. (p. Tallstar)

Deputy
Deadfoot - black tom with one badly twisted forepaw and green eyes.
Apprentice, Sparrowpaw

Cleric (s)
Barkface - handsome dark brown ticked tabby tom with yellow eyes.

Warriors
Stagleap - brown tom with a paler underbelly and yellow eyes.
Doespring - brown spotted tabby molly with a white underbelly and amber eyes.
Larksplash - brown spotted tabby molly with a white underbelly, chest, and yellow eyes.
Darkfoot - dark blue-grey tom with amber eyes.
Cloudrunner - pale grey tom with yellow eyes.
Apprentice, Whitepaw
Bristletail - spiky-furred black tom with amber eyes and white markings. (p. Bristlebark)
Rabbitear - brown molly with a white underbelly and yellow eyes.
Mudclaw - large dark brown ticked tabby tom with yellow eyes.
Oatwhisker - pale brown ticked tabby tom with greenish-yellow eyes.
Thrushwing - large grey-brown molly with white paws and yellow eyes.
Stoneclaw - large grey-brown tom with yellow eyes.

Caretakers
Roottail - white tom with yellow eyes. (p. Flytail)
Aspenfall - grey ticked tabby-and-white tom with grey-green eyes.
Pigeonflight - white tom with grey ticked tabby patches and green eyes.
Tornear - grey ticked tabby tom with yellow eyes and a badly torn ear.
Rushtail - pale brown ticked tabby tom with white markings and yellow eyes.

Apprentices
Sparrowpaw - smallish brown ticked tabby tom with white paws and yellow eyes. (p. Onewhisker)
Whitepaw - small white molly with pale green eyes.

Queens
Ashfoot - grey molly with yellow eyes.
Morningflower - ginger-and-black ticked tortoiseshell-and-white molly with yellow eyes.

Elders
Ryestalk - grey-brown ticked tabby molly with greenish-yellow eyes.
Hickorynose - large brown classic tabby tom with yellow eyes.
Meadowstep - pale grey molly with greenish-yellow eyes.
Mouseshade - brown-and-white molly with blue eyes. (p. Mistmouse)
Rookfur - skinny dark grey tom with yellow eyes. (p. Crowfur)

Kittens
Ashfoot and Deadfoot’s litter:
Eaglekit - large brown tom with yellow eyes.
Mistkit - grey molly with green eyes.

Morningflower and Cloudrunner’s litter:
Gorsekit - ginger ticked tabby-and-white tom with yellow eyes.
Storkkit - grey-and-white patched molly with yellow eyes.
Quailkit - pale-grey tom with white markings and yellow eyes.

Chapter Text

The light of the half moon shone down onto the sandy shore of a river, the slate rocks that clustered on the shore seemed to shine silver. Longfurred cats walked along the rocks, a small calico with a bright ginger tail leading the way and occasionally calling back to the others. A cloud passed over the moon and the world below was briefly bathed in darkness. The forest seemed to hold its breath. The splashing of water broke through the night stillness. The patrol of cats stiffened. Then a yowl sounded.

“RiverClan! Attack!” A longhaired brown tabby-and-white tom bowled over a giant dark brown tabby warrior. More cats, all sleek-furred and stout, began to climb out of the river, teeth bared and claws unsheathed. The calico’s yellow eyes widened.

“Ambush!” He yowled, before becoming locked in battle with a broad-shouldered grey tom.

The tabby-and-white tom who had led the attack began to grapple with his tabby enemy, hazel eyes flashing. The tabby warrior struck the other tom with a hard blow to the shoulder, unusually long claws thorn-sharp. The giant tabby pinned his enemy, snarling.

“Oakstrike! Are you so foolish you’d dare attack ThunderClan on their own territory?” The tabby’s orange eyes blazed with fury. Oakheart only smirked, bringing his hind legs up to throw the dark tabby off of him.

“After tonight Tigerclaw,” Oakstrike’s paw flashed out and struck Tigerclaw’s cheek. “Sunningrocks will just be another RiverClan hunting ground!” Growling, Tigerclaw reared up and once again the two were locked in a grappling bout.

The small calico tom who had led the ThunderClan patrol stood upon a rock higher than the others, gazing out anxiously at his struggling warriors. “ThunderClan!” He yowled. “Retreat!” His long tail was waving like a flag. Immediately, the ThunderClan warriors began to break off from their fights, running into the bushes behind the calico. Tigerclaw was the last to go, giving Oakstrike one last swipe before bounding to the calico’s side.

“Redtail.” Tigerclaw meowed, dipping his great head. “Are you sure retreating is the right option?” Redtail stared up at Tigerclaw, yellow gaze even.

“ThunderClan appreciates your bravery, Tigerclaw. But we are outnumbered. We can regain Sunningrocks, but we can’t regain lost warriors.” Redtail murmured. Tigerclaw nodded, turning his head to stare as Oakstrike and the RiverClan warriors yowled their victory. His orange gaze was hard and cold. Redtail padded into the undergrowth, ginger tail brushing against the ground. Tigerclaw bared his fangs in a growl before turning to follow the calico.

-

A tall blue-grey molly sat in a forest clearing on a fallen tree, gazing up at the shining silver stars. She flicked an ear but didn’t turn her head as a smaller golden dappled calico molly joined her. They sat quiet for a moment, gazing up at the stars. Then the blue-grey molly spoke.

“How is Mousefur?” She murmured softly, glancing at the other molly from the corner of her pale yellow eyes. The calico hummed. Mousefur had received a bad bite to one shoulder.

“She’ll be fine. She is young and strong.” The blue-grey molly let out a breath. The calico turned her amber gaze. “I’m more worried about you, Bluestar. How are you?”

Bluestar sighed, shoulders slumped. “I am fine, Spottedleaf. But I am more worried about the clan. We haven’t lost a battle on our own territory since I became leader. And with the deaths to greencough…” Spottedleaf shook her head, grief filing her gaze. Her mentor, the former cleric, had died in the epidemic.

“The clan is strong. Come greenleaf, we will have more kits than we know what to do with!” Spottedleaf purred, tail curling. Bluestar glanced at the cleric with unamused eyes.

“Kits take time to train into warriors. Time we don’t have with ShadowClan and RiverClan making moves on our borders.” Bluestar growled, claws flexing into the bark of the tree. Spottedleaf sighed before turning her gaze back to the stars. “Has StarClan spoken to you?” Bluestar murmured. Spottedleaf shook her head.

“No, I-“ The cleric interrupted herself. Bluestar glanced up, curious, and saw that Spottedleaf’s amber eyes were wide, shining with the light of the stars. Her own yellow eyes widened and her body stiffened, though she kept quiet. “Fire.” Spottedleaf spoke, voice barely more than a whisper.

“What?” Bluestar spoke quietly, fighting to keep her ears unpinned, yellow eyes wary. Spottedleaf shook her head and her amber eyes seemed to regain their clarity. Spottedleaf turned her gaze to Bluestar, face set in seriousness.

“StarClan has spoken. Fire alone shall save the clans.” Spottedleaf’s head lowered, and her shoulders seemed to sag with weariness. Bluestar lowered her head to her cleric’s, eyes wide.

“But all clans fear fire.” Bluestar whispered harshly. “Surely it cannot save us?” Spottedleaf suddenly raised her gaze, eyes fixed in a glare.

“Fire alone will save the clans. Of that, I am sure.” The calico meowed, almost bordering on a hiss, before she sighed. “Do you doubt me, Bluestar?” Bluestar backed up a step, before shaking her head.

“No. You are a talented cleric, Spottedleaf. If you say it is so, then fire shall save the clans…” Bluestar’s gaze seemed distant.

“Fire isn’t all that bad. Sometimes it’s necessary to clear away old growth and make way for new.” Spottedleaf meowed softly, staring up at the stars. Bluestar only nodded her head, mind consumed with thoughts about the prophecy.

For all our sakes, let this fire be good.

Chapter Text

Rusty stepped onto cool grass, soft under his paws. The air of the night was warm, though a chill still seemed to cling to it. Likely due to the spring having started late. He breathed in deeply, drawing in the scents of the forest. Plants he didn’t know the name of, tree bark, grass, and… he frowned. There was a smell he couldn’t quite place. A warm, furry smell that automatically set him into a crouched position. He swiveled his ears around until he heard a faint chittering from up ahead. He hardly had the time to wonder what he was stalking before he began to crawl forward.

For the first time, he noticed his collar was gone.

He broke through the undergrowth, ending up in a clearing littered with the fallen leaves and fruit of the trees above. He looked around, alert to every sound and smell in the grove. He opened his mouth to taste the air. There it was! The smell!

Rusty stalked forward, making sure to keep his paws light and avoid any of the drier, louder leaves. He didn’t understand why he did any of this, only that he did and that the smell was getting closer. He froze at the sight of a triangular brown face peeking out from under the leaves, looking around opposite to Rusty before beginning to sniff a hard brown nut. An acorn, an old housecat, had told him.

The small brown creature continued to inspect the acorn, its bald paws turning the nut over. Rusty blinked. Its hands reminded him an awful lot of his owner’s. His tail-tip twitched and flipped over a leaf. The creature looked up, nose twitching and large black eyes wide open. After a few moments where even the forest seemed to hold its breath, the creature resumed its inspection of the acorn. Rusty barely held back a sigh of relief, resuming his careful position.

“...Rusty…”

The creature continued to sniff. Rusty smirked. Soon this…whatever-it-was, would be in his jaws! He slid forward, each movement careful and slow.

“Rusty…”

Rusty was only moments away from being ready to pounce. He slid out his claws, haunches wriggling as he prepared to spring on the unsuspecting creature.

“Rusty.”

He pounced, and in one swift motion, grabbed the creature by the neck with his jaws. He heard a faint snap and the creature stopped struggling. Licking off a few droplets of blood, he bent his head, preparing to take a big bite out of the creature’s haunches-

“Rusty!”

Rusty slowly blinked open his forest-green eyes, aware that he lay in the soft nest all housecats got and not in the greenery of the forest and its undergrowth.

“Rusty!” He twitched an ear at a familiar meow, and slowly turned his to face the door that led to the garden. A black-and-white blotched head peeked out from the catflap, cheeks plump and amber eyes warm. Smudge. Smudge purred. “It’s way past sunrise, Rusty! C’mon!” Smudge backed up and his head disappeared from sight.

Rusty sighed, trying in vain to remember the details of his vivid dream. He knew he was stalking something. He knew he caught it. And he knew he was in the forest. Every hair on his pelt seemed to quiver at even the slightest thought about the place. It always excited him, and rumors of terrifying feral cats did little to curb his enthusiasm. Yes, he hadn't ventured into it yet. Afterall, he had so much to explore in the town! He yawned, mulling over when the last time he found something new was. Stretching his limbs one at a time, he padded into the kitchen, sniffing his kibble in an unimpressed manner. It was fine, but Rusty was beginning to hate fine. Everything in town was fine in Rusty’s eyes. Well, he thought after a moment with a chuff, not everything. He stepped through the catflap and almost knocked his muzzle against Smudge’s. Smudge’s wide amber eyes met Rusty’s sharp green. Smudge purred, stepping back and allowing Rusty to pad out onto soft grass that noticeably pricked his paws. It was still quite dewy. Evidently, the sun’s rays hadn't burned all of the dew away.

Rusty turned to his friend, yawning before speaking.

“How long have you been waiting around for me?” He meowed, bending his head to give his rumpled fur a few good licks. Smudge, with some difficulty, managed to scrabble up on top of the fence separating his and Rusty’s gardens.

“Oh, not long.” Smudge waved a paw dismissively. “But I’m surprised I had to wake you. You’re not usually one for sleeping in.”

Rusty shook out each paw individually before he joined Smudge on top of the fence, having an easier time than his plumper friend when it came to climbing up.

“I had the dream.” Rusty whispered. Smudge blinked up owlishly at him, brows furrowing.

“Again?”

“Again.” Rusty nodded his head, eyes shining. He saw dread cross Smudge’s face for a moment but ignored it. “I really think it means something, Smudge. I’ve been having the dream nonstop since the sparks in the sky at the half moon. Maybe this is a sign, maybe I should-”

“Rusty,” Smudge’s voice carried an air of desperation. “The dream is just that. A dream. You know what’ll happen to you if you step into the forest.” Rusty rolled his eyes.

“Not this spiel again! ‘The ferals will rip off your fur and use it to line their nests!’, ‘They’re as big as badgers and eat kits!’, oh, and my personal favorite, ‘They’ll use your bones to sharpen their claws!’” Smudge’s eyes held annoyance and his fur had fluffed up, making him appear even rounder.

“Why do you think we have those stories-” Smudge let out a sound between a groan and a growl. After a few moments, Smudge’s fur smoothed and he let out a defeated sigh. “C’mon, Rusty. I’m sure Henry has a few more stories for you.” Rusty perked up at this, bumping his head against Smudge’s. A silent, thank you. They traversed through the gravel streets of the town, Rusty leading the way with his tail and head raised high. Smudge traveled a bit farther back from him, much less confident despite making the same journey many times with Rusty.

They finally arrived at an old wooden porch. They hopped up the steps and found a mass of greying reddish-brown tabby fur lying underneath a chair. The furry mass’ sides rose and fell slowly with each breath. Rusty padded up, and as soon as he was within reaching distance of the ancient housecat, Henry’s head shot up, his rheumy hazel eyes squinting up at Rusty. Henry rose into a clumsy sitting position, towering over Rusty and Smudge. If he was still in his prime, he’d probably look intimidating enough for even the bravest cat to reconsider approaching. Rusty’s curiosity beat out any fears he had.

“Hello, Henry, sir!” Rusty chirped, sitting up straighter with a grin.

“H-hello, sir…” Smudge mumbled, paws shifting nervously.

Henry blinked at Rusty in a warm manner before turning his great head to Smudge.

“Speak up, boy.” The old tom croaked. “Can hardly hear ya, boy..” Henry grumbled, laying down in his spot under the chair. Smudge sat up straighter, ears fighting valiantly to not fold back.

“Y-yes, sir!” Smudge meowed. Henry let out a huff of approval before turning to Rusty.

“Now, boy, what can old Henry do for ya?” Henry raised a large hindpaw to scratch behind his ragged ear.

“Tell me another story about the forest, if you please sir!” Rusty purred. Henry let out a small chuff.

“Of course, my boy!” Henry seemed to think for a moment, absently licking one of his paws. “Ah, Ah! I know just the story, boy!” Henry once again rose to sit, eyes a bit brighter.

“One day, I found myself hunting in a bloody dreary time where all the leaves turned red and gold. I needed to hunt, ya see, because it would snow quite soon and then I’d really be dreary. Anyhow, I find myself stalking around a tree, and there I hear it, a robin-a pretty little bird with a red chest-singing its heart out on the branch above me. I had to climb the tree to hunt it and everything. Now, I’m not much of a climber nowadays. Even back then, I wasn’t. I learned anyhow, and I must’ve been blessed or somethin’ ‘cause my paws weren’t making nary a sound. Right as I was ready to pounce on the buggering thing, I hardly heard a flutter and suddenly an owl was making off with my prey! I couldn’t let that stinkin’ owl get away so I pounced, grabbing onto the robin. The owl obviously wasn’t expecting company as bad as mine that night. It screeched horribly at me when I clawed its stinkin’ feathery legs open. It ended up letting go of me and to robin when I forced it to crash on the ground, hooting bloody murder at me as it flew away. I got a few new scratches and a robin that night.” Henry bobbed his head in a triumphant manner. Rusty leaned in closer, green eyes wide and shining. Smudge looked far more apprehensive than his ginger friend, tail flicking against the ground in uncertainty.

“Is that really true, Henry?” Smudge hazarded to ask, stepping closer to Rusty. Henry gave Smudge an odd look, as if he had asked if the sky was blue. Rusty turned his head to stare at Smudge, frowning in an uncharacteristic manner. Henry huffed a breath.

“You bet my claws it’s true! Certainly got the scars to prove it..” Henry mumbled something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like, ‘young cat’s these days’. And if he did, neither Rusty nor Smudge commented on it. “You best get a move on, boys. Wouldn’t want to be caught alone during the night.” Henry meowed sternly, if not gruffly. Rusty puffed out his chest.

“I can fight any stray cat around, easy!” Rusty chirped. Smudge gave him a worried look before trotting off suddenly. Rusty blinked and scrambled to follow his friend, meowing a hurried, “Goodbye, sir!”, to Henry before running off after the retreating tail of Smudge.

It wasn’t long before Rusty caught up with Smudge, being faster than his friend. As Rusty approached Smudge, he slowed to a trot, Smudge firmly walking ahead and not even acknowledging Rusty with the flick of an ear. Rusty held back a growl. Why is he ignoring me?

“So,” Rusty started, head tilted in Smudge’s direction. “Was that a cool story or what?” Smudge sighed. Rusty pushed further, frustration fueling his resolve. “It’s so cool that Henry fought off an owl. And he’s a great hunter. It’s just so…” Rusty struggled to come up with a word. “Amazing!” He trilled, exciting himself. Smudge sighed.

“Yeah…it is amazing. Almost too amazing to be true.” Smudge gave Rusty a meaningful glance and Rusty felt that he didn’t like his friend’s tone. His ears flicked back.

“What does that mean?” Rusty asked, stopping at the side of the street. Smudge looked awkward.

“Can you just drop it, Rusty? Please.” Rusty frowned, but nodded his head. If Smudge didn’t want to talk to him, Rusty wouldn’t force him. Although the walk home was silent, it was filled with tension. When they finally arrived in their gardens, Smudge went inside his house without a word. Assuming that Smudge was done with the day for now, he hopped up onto his garden’s fence, which gave him a clear view of the forest. He opened his mouth to breathe in the scents of the undergrowth wafting toward him, setting in him both a curiosity and unease. He shifted on the fence, hesitating on whether or not to head into the forest.

“Rusty!” Rusty jumped at the sound of Smudge’s meow and looked down to see the round black-and-white tom sitting below, preparing to jump onto the fence. Rusty waited until Smudge heaved himself up, eyes wide and apologetic. “Rusty, I just want to say that I’m sorry. It’s just-” Smudge let out a soft growl of frustration. “I just don’t want Henry filling your head with ideas.” Rusty blinked, before he narrowed his eyes.

“What ideas?” He meowed, suspicious. Smudge blinked at him before turning his amber gaze to the forest. Rusty followed his gaze, relaxing a little at the sight of the forest.

“Henry’s filling your head with all these fantasies about how great life in the forest is, when in reality, it’s dangerous. You heard his story about the owl. Even if it wasn’t true, stuff like that owl can happen everyday in the forest.” Smudge gave Rusty an imploring look, as if trying to will his ginger friend into understanding. Rusty only turned his head, tail lashing in anger.

“That’s exactly the point!” Rusty meowed. “Things happen in the forest. Everything here in town is fine. But none of it is great. Not like the forest. I think-...I think I’ve been holding off on actually visiting it by exploring with you. But this town, this house, this garden, it just…doesn’t fulfill me. I want to be in the forest, Smudge.” Smudge’s amber eyes went wide.

“You…” Smudge’s fur bristled, before it lowered and his tail drooped sadly. “This will never be enough for you? I won’t ever be enough for you?” Smudge’s voice was sad, but it also held understanding. Rusty nodded solemnly, almost wincing at the guilt that pierced his heart, sharp as a claw. He hated making others feel bad. Smudge sighed. “If you want to go into the forest, I won’t stop you. But…just don’t come running and wailing to me when you get torn to shreds by those ferals.” Smudge gave a weak purr and touched his nose to Rusty’s before padding away to his home. Rusty watched him go, eyes round with grief.

He shook his head, shaking out his fur. He was going into the forest. He was going into the forest. He quivered down to his claws, leaping down and taking his first steps into the forest. He padded forward, the vague details of his dream reappearing as scents flooded his senses. He gazed in wonder at the tall trees he didn’t know the names of, of the low-growing plants that brushed against his fur, the clean, fresh smells, the numerous tantalizing scent trails…

His nose twitched. The furry smell! Excited, he crouched down as he did in his dream, stalking forward carefully one pawstep at a time. The rustling of leaves got his attention. He opened his mouth to inhale the scent. It is the same! Carefully, he focused his attention on the leaves that had moved, waiting stock-still until a small triangular furry brown face poked through the leaves, sniffing around.

Rusty held his breath as he continued his quiet path forward, until he was in pouncing distance of the creature. For one heart-stopping moment, his tail-tip had accidentally brushed against the leaves of the bushes overhead. The creature paused and looked around before resuming its inspection of the ground around it. Rusty smirked, preparing to leap. He paused, frowning.

He had never killed anything before. He shook his head. I can’t get distracted! Unfortunately, the creature was evidently done with whatever it was doing and was going off in the direction of a small hole near the roots of a bush. No! In desperation, Rusty tried to catch the creature, but it only put on a surprising burst of speed and skittered into the burrow. Rusty tried, in vain, to reach his paw inside, hoping he hooked the creature with his claws. But it was no use. The creature was gone. He sighed. So stupid!

He stood up, tail twitching in irritation. His ears swiveled to a rustle in the bushes to his right, and, before he could react, he was promptly bowled over by a large furry creature.

Chapter Text

Rusty was pinned beneath a giant mass of grey tabby fur. Cautiously opening his green eyes, he spotted that the furry creature had wide yellow eyes and ears that were pricked forward. The creature was another cat! But, despite his unbelievable size over Rusty, he still looked like he had a good bit of growing to do.

Rusty was still pinned, and he didn’t think the tom had any intention of letting him go. He screwed his eyes shut, forcing himself to think. If he could just get the tom off him.. He opened his eyes. That’s it! Slowly, Rusty brought his hind legs forward, then in one swift motion, he shot them upwards, kicking the cat off of him. He mourned the tufts of fur he lost as he scrambled forward, turning with hackles raised to hiss at the tabby tom.

The tabby shook out his long fur and bent his head to lick at his paws.

“You know, you’ve got one strong kick for a kittypet.” The tabby meowed between licks. Rusty bent his head, giving his chest fur a few licks to hide his confusion.

“Uh…what’s a kittypet?” Rusty asked, still wary but also very, very curious. The tom blinked at Rusty as if he had asked what color the sky was. Rusty only blinked imploringly.

“Well…it’s what you are.” The tom raised a paw at Rusty. “You live with the humans, yeah?” He tilted his head in a curious manner. Rusty nodded, edging closer to the feral cat.

“My name is Rusty, by the way.” Rusty meowed, tail wrapping around his paws. The tom blinked before letting out a trill of laughter. Rusty frowned, tail-tip twitching irritably.

“What kind of name is Rusty, anyhow?” The tom got out between purrs of amusement.

“My mother gave it to me. I’m sure it isn’t half as strange as your name.” He growled. The tom sat up straighter, chest puffed out.

“My name is Greypaw.” Rusty blinked, glancing down at the grey tom’s paws.

“Well…your paws are certainly grey.” He began, tail curling with amusement. Greypaw let out a loud chuff before he gathered himself.

“My name won’t stay Greypaw forever. When I complete my training, I’ll get a new name. Or, well…the last part will change, but I’ll stay a Grey- for the rest of my life until I join StarClan.” Greypaw nodded his head in a sagely manner. Meanwhile, Rusty’s thoughts were tumbling over each other like little kittens. Training? StarClan? What? Greypaw could obviously see the confusion on Rusty’s face and opened his mouth to explain before the clearing of a throat from behind Greypaw interrupted them. Greypaw whipped around.

Standing behind them was a tall blue-grey molly and a shorter tortoiseshell tom. Rusty stepped back, ears pinned. The grey molly stared at him with her unreadable pale yellow eyes before turning to Greypaw.

“It seems you got carried away, Greypaw.” She meowed quietly, tail twitching slowly back and forth. Greypaw cringed, lowering his head.

“Sorry, Bluestar.” Greypaw mumbled, ears folded back. The blue molly-Bluestar- only twitched her whiskers in what Rusty hoped was amusement. He flinched as her pale gaze turned back to him. He figured copying Greypaw was the best option and dipped his own head, crouching.

“You would’ve caught that mouse, had you not hesitated.” Bluestar meowed, ears flicking over to the hole where the creature had escaped. Rusty blinked. So it’s called a mouse! “And,” Bluestar added. “You didn’t panic or try to run away when Greypaw tackled you. You used your head. That is a quality most warriors don’t have.” Greypaw’s mouth gaped open in shock while Rusty’s green eyes went wide.

“T-thank you, ma’am!” He stuttered out. Bluestar nodded.

“However, what would you have done with the mouse had you caught it? Played with it? Shown it off to your kittypet friends? Leave it to decay? Food means the difference between life and death here. Unlike you, our clan cannot just get food whenever we want.” Rusty cowered, realizing the gravity of what he could have done. Bluestar’s yellow eyes were hard and narrowed.

“I-I’m sorry, ma’am. I shouldn’t have tried to hunt that mouse. I promise I’ll never try to hunt here again.” Rusty bowed his head, screwing his eyes shut in preparation for a harsh scolding. Instead, Bluestar let out a small chuff, interest shining in her gaze. Rusty gazed up at the molly. “Ma’am?”

“Instead of promising to never hunt here, how about you join our clan?” Rusty gazed up at Bluestar, flabbergasted. “My patrols have seen you on that fence, gazing into the forest. Today, you have finally entered. You show great promise and I believe, with the right training, you could become a great warrior of ThunderClan.” Rusty’s eyes were wide in amazement. Him…a warrior? The calico tom and Greypaw both looked shocked.

“Bluestar,” The black and ginger warrior whispered harshly. “You can’t seriously be inviting this kittypet to join our clan. He doesn’t have the proper wild blood in him that he needs to survive.” Bluestar turned to the tom, her face solemn.

“Too much of that blood has been spilled lately, Redtail. Trust your leader’s judgement.” Bluestar murmured. Redtail shook his head, sighing.

“Very well.” He meowed, amber gaze falling onto Rusty. Rusty straightened, trying not to cower under the tom’s intimidating eyes. “We should give him a day to think it over. This isn’t a decision made lightly.” Redtail meowed, not really addressing Rusty. The ginger tom frowned, but supposed he hasn’t exactly earned the warrior’s trust yet. Greypaw trotted forward to bunt his head against Rusty’s shoulder, almost knocking him to the ground.

“You really should join, Rusty. I’m sure you’d like life in the forest way better!” The grey tom meowed. Rusty returned Greypaw’s bunt, tail curling.

“I’ll think hard about it.” He meowed, pleased that his voice sounded confident. He didn’t want to seem like an impulsive little kit, especially in front of Bluestar and Redtail. Bluestar dipped her head to him.

“Tomorrow, when the sun is at its highest point, two warriors shall be waiting to escort you to our camp.” Bluestar blinked warmly at Rusty before turning, flicking her tail at her fellow ThunderClan cats. Redtail followed after her, amber eyes trained on Rusty. Greypaw leaned down to touch his nose to Rusty’s, tail raised high.

“Bye, Rusty!” The tom purred. Rusty opened his mouth to respond but before he could, Redtail called out Greypaw’s name from the undergrowth. Greypaw shot Rusty an apologetic look before bounding off after the tom. Rusty waited until Greypaw’s grey tabby tail disappeared through the ferns before retreating back to the human dens, tail high and green eyes shining.

I have to tell Smudge!

—

“No way!”

“Yes!”

Rusty sat in front of Smudge in the plump black-and-white tom’s garden. His tail was curled and he was tickled by Smudge’s shocked expression. Currently, Smudge’s mouth was open and his amber eyes were completely round.

“And they didn’t try to eat you?” Rusty shook his head, eyes still shining. Smudge leaned forward to frantically sniff at Rusty’s ginger pelt, nosing the spot where he had lost a clump of fur. “You sure?” Smudge looked up at Rusty skeptically. Rusty rolled his eyes, shaking out his fur.

“I did that myself. I promise, they're not all bad! They’re warriors!” Smudge’s amber gaze narrowed, tilting his head curiously.

“But what are ‘warriors’ anyhow?” Rusty quieted, at a loss for words. What was a warrior? He thought back to Bluestar, Redtail, and Greypaw. What made them so different from everyone he had ever met?

“They’re powerful. But they’re also honorable and proud. And…they’re free.” Rusty’s voice was barely a whisper. He was staring down at the grass beneath his paws, shivering. Not because of the cold, but because of excitement. He hazarded a look up and Smudge’s face was filled with a sudden understanding. Smudge leaned forward.

“If you really want to go, you should. Just…” Smudge shook his head. “...don’t forget about me when you become a big bad forest cat.” Smudge let out a small laugh, eyes sad. Rusty nodded, rubbing his cheek against Smudge’s.

“I’ll never forget you.” He murmured, eyes closed. He felt Smudge nod, but didn’t move for another moment. Finally, the chirping of a bird sounded and the moment between the two friends was over. Rusty backed up, eyes brightening and tail raised. Smudge followed him as he made his way to the fence that separated his garden from the forest. Both Rusty and Smudge leapt up to the fence.

As Rusty moved forward to jump down, he turned back to Smudge. “Wish me luck.” He meowed, before his paws touched the ground. He turned back one final time before he entered the forest, saying goodbye to his life as a kittypet. His humans would probably be sad when he didn’t return, but they would get another cat, a better cat than Rusty could be to them.

Rusty trotted into the forest, tail raised high and eyes shining. He had never felt so certain about anything in his life. He could only hope this wasn’t a mistake, and he was sure it wasn’t. As he padded into the clearing where he had first met Greypaw and the others, he opened his jaws to scent the air, and did he recognize that scent? It was the smell of fallen leaves, bark, and moss. The same scent he had gotten off of the ThunderClan cats. He startled as a tall white tom with yellow eyes stepped out of the bushes, followed by a larger golden spotted tabby tom with an odd ruff of fur around his neck. He forced his fur to lie flat-he couldn’t show that he was scared!

“Hello, young Rusty. My name is Whitecloud, and this-” He gestured to the golden tom with his long tail. “-is Lionface. We are here to receive your decision about joining our clan and guiding you to our camp.” While Whitecloud’s yellow gaze was warm, Lionface’s amber eyes were narrowed, as if he was judging Rusty. Rusty tried to not lose his nerve and stood as tall as he possibly could.

“I want to join ThunderClan.” He meowed, happy that his meow was clear and confident. Whitecloud and Lionface glanced at each other. Rusty held his breath, claws flexing into the leaf-covered ground. He relaxed when Whitecloud smiled and purred, and Lionface nodded his great golden head.

“Well, let’s not keep Bluestar waiting, shall we?” Whitecloud tilted his head, eyes warm. Rusty nodded, purring. Whitecloud and Lionface both turned, Whitecloud looking back to nod at Rusty before both toms bounded off, leaving Rusty to watch their tails. He jumped as he heard Whitecloud’s voice. “Come along, young Rusty!” Rusty shook his head and hurried to follow the forest toms.

—

Despite, or perhaps because of, his short stature, he managed to catch up with Whitecloud and Lionface just as they were slowing around a bend in the trail they were following. Rusty slowed with them, drawing in great gulps of air. He internally groaned as they came across a fallen tree and both Whitecloud and Lionface leapt over it with ease. He stopped for a moment, observing the trunk carefully. He wouldn’t be able to leap over it like the ThunderClan warriors. Did they just forget Rusty was smaller than them? Or did they do it on purpose? No. I don't think Whitecloud would be that cruel…Maybe there’s a gap? His green eyes scanned for a gap he could feasibly fit through and he found one, almost partially covered by bracken. Crouching down, he squeezed through, popping out on the other side to find Whitecloud and Lionface waiting for him.

“Told you.” Whitecloud meowed to Lionface, yellow eyes sparkling. The white tom raised a paw over Rusty, brushing away a few leaves he hadn’t noticed. Whitecloud blinked down at Rusty, purring. “Good job, young one. Now, let’s continue.” Rusty nodded, new energy going into his weary limbs. He ran fast enough to just barely keep up with the two larger toms this time.

Soon, the group came across a stream. It was small enough for Whitecloud and Lionface to clear with one jump, but Rusty had to cross through it. As he stepped out, he shook water from each paw one at a time. I won’t let some water stop me! He quickly followed after the other two toms, and realized they had stopped in front of a bramble bush. He wondered whether they expected him to crawl through the brambles. At his grimace, Whitecloud let out an airy laugh.

“Do not worry, Rusty. There is a gap.” Whitecloud carefully lifted a few leaves to reveal a secret gap inside the bramble bush. Rusty blinked. I’d have never known it was there! Lionface padded forward first, bending his head a smidge to fit comfortably through the gap. After an encouraging glance from Whitecloud, Rusty followed after the golden warrior, comforted by Whitecloud at his tail. The bramble tunnel began to brighten and Rusty narrowed his eyes as he padded out after Lionface. His nose twitched at the overpowering smell of cats. Slowly, he opened his eyes back up and gaped at the sight before him. Cats, all large and longfurred, laid around the camp on the sandy ground. Rusty spotted a golden tabby molly that looked similar to Lionface-save her thicker stripes and more white-talking with an older grey tabby molly with a bushy cream tail. He saw a lean dark grey tabby with black stripes talking to a massive dark brown tabby. Rusty shivered as the large tabby raised his head and glanced at Rusty with unreadable amber eyes. Whitecloud purred at Rusty’s awe. “Don’t be too nervous, young one. None of us would harm a kitten like you.”

Rusty frowned. He wasn’t a kitten! He opened his mouth to say so, but was interrupted by the light tread of a cat padding towards them. He turned his head and saw Bluestar approaching them, blue-grey fur shining in all its regal glory. Rusty instinctively dipped his head towards her, figuring it wouldn’t hurt to show his respect early on. He blinked in surprise at a chuckle from Bluestar.

“Raise your head, Rusty.” She murmured. Rusty did so, staring up at the ThunderClan leader. “By your presence here, I’m assuming you have made your decision about joining the clan?” Rusty nodded.

“Yes. I want to become a ThunderClan warrior!-If you’ll have me..” Bluestar dipped her head, eyes shining.

“Any clan would be lucky to have such a determined cat as one of its warriors.” She meowed warmly. Rusty felt warmth blooming in his chest at the compliment. Bluestar nodded at Whitecloud and Lionface before jumping up onto an elevated rock.

“Let all cats old enough to hunt prey, gather for a clan meeting!” The molly yowled, and she hardly needed to. As soon as she had jumped onto the rock, the clan had begun to gather. Anticipation ran through Rusty as he sat between Whitecloud and Lionface. Bluestar waited until the crowd of cats had stopped whispering amongst themselves and spoke,

“ThunderClan. As you know, it has been a harsh few seasons for us. Unfortunately, many cats have been lost to us these recent moons. As it stands, we need more warriors. Young Rusty has offered to join us as an apprentice. During his time as one, he will be overseen by the other mentors as well as his own.” The crowd at once began whispering and muttering among themselves.

“‘Rusty’, that doesn’t sound like a clan name.”

“He smells funny!”

“A bit small, isn’t he?”

“Bluestar!” A voice broke through the murmurs and the crowd parted around a long-legged but small-that is to say, the tom was small compared to his clanmates, but still larger than Rusty-light brown tabby tom. Bluestar narrowed her yellow eyes, her tail-tip twitching once or twice slowly.

“Yes, Snaketail?” The tabby warrior-Snaketail-took this as an opportunity to step forward, sending Rusty a glare out of blue eyes. Rusty decided he didn’t like Snaketail very much.

“Bluestar, what exactly was this cat’s life before coming here? I think we have a right to know that, at least.” The rest of the gathered clan let out murmurs of agreement.

“Very well.” Bluestar leaned back on the rock. “Before Rusty decided to join us, he was kittypet.” Immediately after her words, loud clamoring erupted from the clan. Rusty pinned his ears back at the shouting and tried to make himself smaller.

“A kittypet?”

“Kittypets are too soft for clan life!”

“Perhaps, with the right training…?”

“I can’t believe-”

“Enough!” Bluestar yowled, tail raised. There were some grumbling, but the clan silenced themselves. “Rusty may be a kittypet, but I am certain he will prove himself worthy. If given the right training.” Some cats still whispered, and Snaketail was glaring at him. He felt a nudge against his back and turned to see Lionface nodding at him. Rusty swallowed before he walked forward, so that he stood in front of the clan.

“I…-I know you all think I’m a soft kittypet who’s never had to struggle as much as all of you, and that’s true. But, I promise to do my best and hope that you’ll accept me. And if you think I’m not capable of becoming a warrior after doing my training, then I’ll leave and never come back. But I won’t give up just because some of you think I can’t do it.” Rusty had felt his confidence springing back to life after his speech and the happy murmuring of the cats around him only made him stand up straighter. Bluestar hopped down from her rock, standing next to Rusty.

“Wise words.” The grey molly whispered to him before turning to face the clan. “We have heard the newcomers' words. Do any of you doubt his heart?” Bluestar gazed around at the clan. Rusty was pleased that Snaketail didn’t complain again, the long-tailed tom was crouched next to a sleek black-striped tabby. “Very well.” Bluestar smiled at Rusty before leaping back onto her rock. “Rusty. Is it your wish to join our clan and learn our ways?” Rusty nodded, tail and head held high.

“It is.”

“And if you should displease us, will you go back to your kittypet life?” Rusty felt his throat tighten.

“Yes.” He managed to meow.

“Rusty, from now until you gain your warrior name, you shall be known as Firepaw.” Firepaw’s tail quivered. He was an apprentice! He resisted the urge to look around for Greypaw. “Firepaw, you will face many challenges throughout your apprenticeship. As such, you need a mentor capable of guiding you through this life.” Firepaw gazed out at the warriors before him. Which was going to mentor him? Perhaps gentle Whitecloud? Or perhaps stoic Lionface? “Tigerclaw.” Bluestar meowed, gesturing with her tail for the summoned warrior to step forward. Firepaw’s green eyes went wide as the massive dark brown tabby he had seen earlier padded forward. His eyes landed on the tom’s paws. His claws are huge! I don’t know what a tiger is, but I can’t imagine them looking any more scary than him! Tigerclaw seemed to notice his fear-or perhaps he could smell it-and bent his great head so he was level with Firepaw.

“Don’t worry.” The dark tabby spoke, voice low, but gentler than what Firepaw was expecting.

“Tigerclaw. You have mentored one, and you are ready for another apprentice. I trust you will teach Firepaw all the strength and courage he will need to survive here.” Tigerclaw dipped his head to Bluestar,

“I promise to do my best.” Tigerclaw turned towards Firepaw, holding out his head. Firepaw stared in confusion. “We touch noses now.” He whispered. Firepaw nodded and quickly brought his nose to Tigerclaw’s, having to stretch on his toes to reach. The clan began to shout his new name. Firepaw grinned up at Tigerclaw, who managed a small smile.

“Firepaw!”

“Firepaw!”

“Firepaw!” Firepaw turned at a familiar voice before he was bowled over by a fuzzy grey shape. Greypaw stood over him, amber eyes shining. Firepaw shook Greypaw off, purring.

“Can you stop tackling me? You weigh, like, at least three of me.” Greypaw playfully took a swipe at Firepaw, who ducked and butted his head against Greypaw’s side.

“Alright, that’s enough, you two.” Both Firepaw and Greypaw froze at the sound of Lionface’s deep meow. Greypaw bounded forward to touch his nose to Lionface’s, tail curled. Firepaw watched on with Tigerclaw. The ginger tom shifted his paws and nervously glanced up at Tigerclaw. Tigerclaw looked down at him, amber gaze curious.

“Um, sir..I promise to do my best as your apprentice.” Firepaw let out a relieved sigh as Tigerclaw nodded, gaze softened slightly with approval. Lionface finally managed to fend off Greypaw’s affectionate headbutts and padded up to Tigerclaw and Firepaw.

“Think it’s about time we show our apprentices the territory, don’t you?” The golden spotted tom meowed, gesturing for Greypaw to come closer with his thick-furred tail. Tigerclaw glanced down at Firepaw, who was trying his best to stand still and not bounce around with excitement.

“I think so as well.” Tigerclaw murmured. All four cats turned as Whitecloud padded up to the group, trailing behind him a small and skinny black tom, white tipped tail dragging. Firepaw felt a sudden burst of pity for the other cat. Perhaps he was sick? Or recovering from an illness?

“Do you mind if we tag along? It’s about time Ravenpaw got to see the territory.” Firepaw noticed that both Lionface and Tigerclaw got quiet and glanced at each other for a moment. Whitecloud frowned, pale yellow eyes narrowing.

Finally, Lionface nodded his head. “Well, if you’re sure, Whitecloud..”

“I’m sure.” Whitecloud meowed firmly, leaving no room for debate. Both Tigerclaw and Lionface nodded. With his head raised high, Whitecloud led his apprentice out of the camp. The two other mentors, and their apprentices, followed after the white tom.