Post by ¡ö▐CelieX the NeKo¨¡ö on Aug 18, 2010 15:06:25 GMT -5
~I've been working on this story for about two month, I hope everyone likes it. There will be parts to it, and if I steal any names when i get to the clans, I'm terribly sorry. I was just doing my best not to do names from the books, thank you for your understanding~ (I'd like to give some credit to the Erin's/Erin Hunter for their wonderful ideas)
"She'll grow fast" purred a striped tom-cat, "Oh, I just know she will" A calico she-cat smiled at her mate, a small kit kneeded her belly. The two parents adored their newborn kit in a small barn, on a warm haystack, the last days of leaf-bare were coming to an end. Out on a barn is where they were, loners of the forest.
"Misty," said the tom to his mate, "We should return to the tree den soon, that Twoleg with the "firing stick" lives here, rememeber?" Misty's blue eyes hit her kit with worry, "But it's to cold to travel with her, Stripe" Her soft mew was sorrowful. Stripe sighed and laid his ears back, moving closer against the beautiful she-cat.
"You hungy, Misty?" he asked her, rasping his tongue over her black ear. She purred in delight, "Sure, Stripe". The tom-cat sat up stifly, the cold air was still getting to his bones. Opening his jaws, he scented for any sign of prey amoung the barn. The scent of mouse mingled over his rough tongue, and his tail snapped sideways as he spotted his prey, and began stalking toward it. Misty watched him, a calm smile on her face. Keeping his tail low, he lunged at the mouse, both front paws slamming down on it's little body. He had broke it's spine so he bit it's neck for a quick death.
"Your getting better" Misty said through her kit's scruff, walking toward him.
Suddenly, a loud kick sounded on the barn door with great force. Two Twolegs walked in, but the two cats, with their kit, had already fled and hid behind the haystack in which they had layed a couple minutes ago. The Twolegs seemed to be fighting, and as always, the male had his "firing stick" in his hands.
"Misty, I found a small hole, we have to leave. Now!" Stripe whispered urgently. Misty gasped, "But Stripe, it's to cold to go outside with her..." she complained. Stripe brushed his cheek with hers, "We don't want to end up like my sister and your brother...I still saw their skins hung up in here, " he shivered, "Misty...You know we have to" He looked intensly at her, she shuffled her paws and sighed. Stripe bent down and picked up the kit and motioned for her to go through to ragged hole. Once she was through, Stripe slipped his head out, the kit's tail dragged softly on the frozen earth. He got the rest of himself through and had remembered their prey...It had been left behind, the Twolegs were bound to know they had been there now!
A gunshot was heard and the cat's burst out running into a forest. Another gunshot was heard and a wail sounded after it from Misty. Stripe screeched and ran back to her, he grabbed her scuff and the kit's with his teeth. With all the strength he had, he pulled them into a burrow. The scents were stale, 'good', thought Stripe. He could still hear the Twolegs crying out and their pounding footsteps above ground, but it soon faded as they treaded further on.
"Misty, Misty" said Stripe, pawing her shoulder with his paw. He had wrapped the kit up in a bundle of leaves for warmth next to her, and pulled out the remains of the bullet that he found in her back leg. Misty began to stir and cried out, "Stripe!" her eyes were forward in shock. He put his paw to her ear, "It's ok, I'm here. Our kits safe as well..." He hushed her. Misty winced at the pain in her back leg, "I hope I don't die" she sniffled. (Yes, I know, Misty sounds like a wimp right now, but think. This is a tramatic expierience for her, keep in mind )
"Nonesense!," said Stripe, "He barely grazed your back paw, and I got out the shattered pieces" Misty coughed,
"I'm cold..." She said hoarsely. Stripe licked her muzzle in comfort and carefully put their kit in the curve of her belly. he then curled himself around her, "I'll warm you bo--" he stopped dead, his nose and ears twitching.
"Stripe....Wh-what is it?" Misty asked nervously, her heart beating like a wild rabbit.
"Cats" he rasped.
She sniffed the air as well and shivered from the cold. A light gray she-cat poked her head through the burrow, her green eyes narrowed as she spotted the striped tom. He had already made his way infront of Misty, his fur bristling and his claws unsheathed. Strangely, the cat didn't respond in any way, only her twitching nose,
"EchoSong, what did you find?" Her eyes grew wide and ears perked at the voice. Paws pushing backward, she pulled her head out,
"Looks like a wondering loner who found himself a burrow, Jaytail" Her voice had an edge of annoyance to it...but somewhere deep in that was sympathy. Misty and Stripe listened carefully, both pairs of claws unsheathed. They heard a tom growl, "Fine, then we'd better get Cedarpool and Nightpaw"
"Honestly, one tom-cat won't do much, let's just drive him out" The voice came from behind Jaytail and as he turned around, Echosong revealed who it was,
"Cedarpool!" A black tom came from the side of the cream colored she-cat, "Intruder! Really, Cedarpool? Can we fight, can we--" At this point, Stripe had stuck his head out just in time to see Cedarpool swipe her tail over the young tom's mouth to quiet him.
"Stripe, what will we do?" Misty whispered to him, her entire body curled around her helpless kit. Stripe didn't respond, a flick of his tail swerved under her chin so she knew he'd heard her, but to wait. Jaytail turned around to see him, "You--Get out here, now!" A gentle nip at his back leg told him Misty disagreed to the command.
"We're waiting..." Growled Cedarpool. All Echosong did was stand around, scenting the air, as though she were trying to figure something out...but he knew she was aware of the voices around her. Stripe narrowed his eyes and returned into the burrow, "Misty, I won't go but three feet, I promise. They'll have to fight me down to drag me away from you" He then licked her in between the eyes amd jumped out just in time to see the four cats coming toward him, claws unsheathed.
"Alright, alright, I'm out!" Stripe hissed, teeth bared and claws flexed.
"What's a kittypet like you doing out in this cold weather?" sneered Jaytail. A vibrating growl was thundering in his throat, "I'm NOT a kittypet!"
The small black tom, known as Nightpaw, lunged at Stripe, making his fall down lightly. He rolled around with the small black cat and ended up holding him down, tail lashing.
"Hey, let him go!" screeched Cedarpool. She then flung herself at him, Nightpaw rolled away before she got to him. It only took a couple of minutes till he was held down instead, flanks heaving and the tip of his ear bleeding a bit. Jaytail and Nightpaw just watched.
"STOP!" Yowled Echosong, eyes burning like fire. Cedarpool looked to her, still holding Stripe down. Misty sat in the burrow still, anxiety taking over her. "Why should she, Echosong?" Growled Jaytail. Echosong walked over to the burrow,
"Are we really going to abandon the warrior code and hurt a cat who has a family to take care of!" She hissed in rage. Cedarpool jumped off Stripe who turned on his side and starred at the burrow.
"What do you mean?" Asked Cedarpool. Echosong turned her head to the burrow,
"That tom is a father, and is mate and kit are in there still, listening to you all bicker and what not! I knew I'd smelled something else...." Echosong spoke gently at her last sentence. She put her head back in the burrow and back out,
"We should take them back to camp at least" Echosong said, a serious gleam was in her eyes now as though she knew something else now. Misty poked her head out, the kit in her mouth. She glanced anxiosuly at all the cats and then snapped her attention to Stripe. Struggling and the other cats watching, she drug herself out till she could walk on her three legs. Misty limped to Stripe and collapsed next to him. Echosong looked at Jaytail, Cedarpool, and Nightpaw, their eyes wide and mouths slightly open.
"We'll take them back" Agreed Cedarpool, "But we have to take our prey back to camp. When we get there, we'll send Forestsky for help" She assured Echosong, who nodded approval at the idea. Once her clanmates left, Stripe sensed her footsteps walking calmly toward them,
"I'm truly sorry for my rude clanmates. I'm Echosong by the way, incase you didn't figure it out by now...." Her voice trailed off and she looked at the kit between them,
"Aww....What's it's name?" She asked them. Misty was licking Stripe's ear as he sat up,
"She doesn't have one yet. We were chased here a bit after she was born, we didn't really get enough time to think" He said. Echosong nodded,
"Then what are your names?"
"I'm Stripe and that's my mate,Misty" Stripe said, flicking his tail. A tortoishell she-cat jumped over the bushes that Jaytail and the rest of the cats had left through, calling,
"Hey, Echosong!" The gray she-cat turned around at the sound of her name,
"ForestSky! We need to get these three back to camp, preferably Leaftail, they've got some wounds" She reported to her friend. ForestSky was already told about them from Cedarpool and the patrol when they got to camp, becuase she didn't ask who they were or anything. Stripe stood up, Misty laying against his flank with the kit in his mouth. The two strange forest cats walked on either side of them, leading them back to their clan.
Stripe sighed, 'what have we gotten ourselves into?'
Part 2 ~~(Btw, just wait, things get SO much better once you get through about half way of the story)
The five cats trekked through the forest and walked into the large clearing where other cats were scattered and busy.
"What is this place...?" asked Misty, her blue eyes were fixed on the clearing's glory.
"This is our camp," said Forestsky," We're a clan, we support each other and live together as family" EchoSong placed the kit down in front of Stripe, "I have to go, Forestsky, I need to help reinforce the nursery den", she mewed, "Good Luck"
"Very well, then, come" she said to the two loners. Stripe shrugged and picked up their kit, once again following.
"Leaftail!" ForestSky called. A brown she-cat appeared, "Who are they?" she asked, eyes on Misty's foot, which stuck out enough to see she was in pain from limping and wincing.
"I'll explain later, I need to go speak with Riverstar, make sure she knows whats going on," ForestSky then dipped her head in respect to the Medicine Cat and bounded out of the den. Leaftail took their kit slowly, and bowed with respect, showing she meant no harm. She placed the kit on a small mossy area and beckoned for Stripe to lead Misty to a larger spot where she was able to curl around her kit.
"Thank-you" Misty murmured.
"No problem," said Leaftail, "Wingpaw!" A golden she cat with unusual brown patched appeared from farther in the den.
"Yes, Leaftail?" she asked hopefully.
"This young tom needs a poultice for his ear, I trust you know it well enough by now?"
"Oh, yes!" squeaked the small golden she-cat.
"If I may ask,"said Misty as Stripe watched Wingpaw with interest at the work she took to the different plants in front of her, "Who are you all exactly?" Leaftail flicked her tail to show she'd heard her, but her concentration was on the herbs in front of her...
"Wingpaw and I will tell you everything you need to know, bit wait till we're done healing you..." There was a mysterious pitch in Leaftail's voice...Just like EchoSong when she was trying to find out if there was anyone else in the burrow. Did Leaftail know something they didn't? The young Medicine Cat pushed a leaf in front of Misty, "This will help you supply milk for your kit, its just Borage leaves, I can tell you haven't eaten much" Misty chewed obediently at the sour herb.
Leaftail then took some Marigold and spread it on the wound on her back leg, warning her that it may sting a bit.
"That will stop infection....And if you could eat these poppy seeds, it will help with any pain" She offered Stripe some, but he refused politely, saying he felt fine. Leaftail and Wingpaw both explained what they were doing with each step to fixing their wounds, so that they could understand what they were doing without worry. Wingpaw and her mentor finished by wrapping their wounds in cobwebs, though Stripe ear barely held any, for it was small, and to make sure tricky infections wouldn't seep in.
"It's getting dark, your mate is already asleep" Spoke Leaftail softly, exhausted, "But I have one more question" she said, weary with sleep. Stripe nodded slowly,
"Sure, you've done a lot for us" he whispered as to not wake his family.
"What are your names?"
The question dawned on him, he didn't think about that. he'd gone through the entire day without proper welcome...Then again, they weren't welcomed with ease at first either.
"I'm Stripe, my mate is Misty, and..." He had just remembered something when a Gray she-cat walked in, with sun yellow eyes.
"Greetings," Leaftail bowed to the she-cat,"Is anything wrong, Riverstar?" Stripe perked his ears, this was their leader.
"No, Leaftail," she assured the Medicine Cat, "I've come to speak with the tom" Her eyes hit his pelt.
"I'm not comforted by letting you into PineClan--" Stripe stopped her there, which may have been foolish to any apprentice or Warrior, but Stripe was different, "PineClan?"
Riverstar sighed, obviously tired, "There are four clans in the forest. We are PineClan, and I am their leader. In case you don't know, Leaftail, the one who has cared for you, is our Medicine Cat. Her and her apprentice, Wingpaw, care for the injured and sick" Riverstar explained. Stripe nodded in understanding. "As I was saying, there are enough mouths to feed already..." At that moment, Stripe saw Leaftail stare at her Leader in astonishment, disagreeing with what she was saying, but she didn't say a word. Her eyes looked like they had a secret or message that Leaftail had not yet had time to tell this strange gray she-cat speaking to him. But Riverstar continued,
"There is a Gathering of the four clans tomorrow night for the full moon, you and your mate will be joining our clan so we can figure out what to do with you" She turned to Leaftail, "Enough said, " she glanced at Stripe, "Good Night" Riverstar then padded out of the Medicine Cat den, sleepily, though her muscles seemed like they could take on anything. 'These cats are so strong...I bet they could take on anything that pads their way' Stripe thought, and a voice interrupted his thoughts,
"Your Kit" came the voice of Leaftail,
"Huh, what?" Stripe was so tired he could barely keep his senses straight.
"Your kit's name?"
Stripe smiled, again remembering something Misty had said when he first met her..."Her name is Sorrel" he said it with confidence and knew his mate would agree. Leaftail nodded and set to bed deeper in the den, but Stripe was happier to know there was finally a name to his beautiful kit that lay in the curve of his mate's belly...Right in front of him. Laying his head across Misty's flank, he fell asleep instantly, it had been a long day...And without him noticing, Sorrel's front claws were unsheathed, and began to bear a small and faint symbol of a bone on her chest...
"Good Morning" came the young voice of Wingpaw. The scent of prey wafted through Stripe's nose as he sat up. Wingpaw dropped a rabbit between the mates. Misty was already up, groomind Sorrel thoroughly, but she didn't know about her name, not yet. Wingpaw and Leaftail sat a couple of feet away, arranging herbs and leaves.
"Misty" Stripe said after a couple good mouthfuls of rabbit. The calico Queen laid her tail across his shoulders, "Yes, Stripe?"
"You know how you used to say how your mother always slept in a sorrel patch?"
"Of Course!" she purred. Stripe drew his eyes to the kit,
"Well then, how about we name her Sorrel?"
Misty looked at Stripe with such passion, he felt as though his heart would never bare to look away from those blue, crystal clear eyes...The look was just the answer he needed. It was though she said aloud,'You know me so well, and yes, its the perfect name'. Misty licked his nose in a sneak attack and flicked her ears in amusement. Stripe did the same and they weighed their heads against each others'. Leaftail and Wingpaw walked up, side by side,
"Did you sleep well?" Wingpaw asked.
"Very, thank you" responded Misty as Sorrel searched for milk, "Could you explain some things, now?" she asked eagerly. Stripe could tell she was loving the hospitality here.
"That's exactly what we're doing" Spoke the dark brown she-cat, "So, would you like everything explained, or are there certain questions you were wondering about?"
"We would prefer altogether" said Stripe. Leaftail flicked her ears with a curt nod, "Very well then...." and she began to speak...
(OK, now, seriously...You people are Warriors FANS. I wrote all kinds of stuff about the warrior code, the duties of each rank and ceremonies, blah, blah, blah!! Since there is no sense in typing it over because you all know it, that means it takes the slack off of me, and you can get to the good parts faster! ^.^ )
Misty and Stripe had listened intently, breathing and soaking in every word.
"So...This 'Gathering' that you spoke of, I don't get why we have to go, can't you just left us leave here?" Misty asked, a bit confused. Stripe was wondering the same things,'Oh, how are minds have grown together throughout the years...' he thought in awe, almost missing the response,
Wingpaw sighed,"Technically, you're being held captive for trespassing our borders"
"You know to much now, so we need to figure out what to do with you, whether you will stay in a clan, or be taken far away from here..." Leaftail added. Enough had been said, so the two she-cats went back deeper into the den to sort herbs. Stripe exchanged glances with Misty,
"This is working out perfectly" purred Misty calmly. Stripe was taken aback,
"What are you talking about?" Misty looked down to Sorrel who was sleeping,
"I was thinking last night, how lonely Sorrel would be if she never grew up among other cats like these...It would be a good experience for her and us, don't you think?" Misty tilted her head and looked at Stripe, smiling.
"A-are you sure?"
"Positive,"She bent down and licked Sorrel's head, then turned back at Stripe, "I can't wait to go to the Gathering..."
It was something completely different, Stripe had been a loner all his life. He thought of about Sorrel, and what his mate: Misty, had said. In the beginning, the clan cats seemed so hostile and dangerous, but they were just protecting their land it seems now. The Clan cats were also very strong and had a lot of different ways of life. 'Maybe it won't be so bad, I just hope they except us, whatever happens at the Gathering'
Echosong walked in at that moment to greet them. Beside her was a dusky brown she-cat and two young kits underneath her, their little eyes huge.
"Hi you two," mewed Echosong,"I brought one of our Queens: Swallowpath and her two kits"
One of them came out from under their mother,
"Hi, I'm Tearkit!" it squeaked. Swiftly, she ran to Misty's side and pawed at Sorrel with curiosity (Or you could say poke xD)
"Tearkit, stop that at once!" Swallowpath scolded. Tearkit obeyed, embarrassed as her ears laid back. Tearkit had a bluish black pelt, Stripe now realized, and her brother that was still next to Swallowpath had such a dark gray pelt it was so close to being pitch black.
"Its ok, Swallowpath, she didn't hurt her" Misty informed. Instantly the other kit was at Tearkit's side, "What's her name?" the tom kit asked. Stripe twined his tail around Misty's,
"Her name is Sorrel, I don't recall hearing yours" he purred, actually enjoying this conversation and the feeling of communicating with these other kits.
"I'm Wildkit!!!" as he said his name he gave a leap on all four legs. Stripe heard a mrrow of amusement come from both Echosing and Swallowpath who said,
"Yes, you sure are...Come on you two, fresh-kill piles open" The two kits raced each other out to the pile of prey between two stacks of bramble twigs.
"So, you found a name for her" Echosong meowed,
"Yes, Stripe found the perfect name" Misty said adoringly. Echosong smiled and sat next to them, tail curled over her paws.
"Echosong" Stripe spoke up, "What clan will they send us to, do you know?" She shook her head, "It all depends who wants you...And besides, you'll have a task to do to prove your worthy of belonging to a clan no matter which one you are sentenced to" The gray she-cat told them. Stripe sighed and Sorrel sneezed suddenly. The two mates snapped their heads to their kit and Misty began to lick her rapidly, making sure she was warm and not catching a cold.
"She sure is a special little thing" Echosong purred, "We should be leaving about now, I'll go get everyone...but Sorrel needs to go to the nursery" She said, picking Sorrel up gently and doing a curt nod. Echosong set off after dropping Sorrel at the nursery with Swallowpath and the other Queen: Mossfur. Echosong came back with two other cats, and StarClan forbid...One of them was Jaytail. Stripe's heart sank, 'This is great...' he thought. The other cat was a brown striped tom who introduced himself as BranchWhisker. Echosong rudely nudged Jaytail,
"I'm sorry about yesterday" he said dimly. Stripe almost laughed out loud, a fully trained Warrior and he had to be pushed to say sorry. He nodded calmly, accepting it oddly. The cats that were going all crowded near the clan entrance, ready to go once they got there with the rest of them and set out. Stripe looked to Misty, 'Here we go again...'
"She'll grow fast" purred a striped tom-cat, "Oh, I just know she will" A calico she-cat smiled at her mate, a small kit kneeded her belly. The two parents adored their newborn kit in a small barn, on a warm haystack, the last days of leaf-bare were coming to an end. Out on a barn is where they were, loners of the forest.
"Misty," said the tom to his mate, "We should return to the tree den soon, that Twoleg with the "firing stick" lives here, rememeber?" Misty's blue eyes hit her kit with worry, "But it's to cold to travel with her, Stripe" Her soft mew was sorrowful. Stripe sighed and laid his ears back, moving closer against the beautiful she-cat.
"You hungy, Misty?" he asked her, rasping his tongue over her black ear. She purred in delight, "Sure, Stripe". The tom-cat sat up stifly, the cold air was still getting to his bones. Opening his jaws, he scented for any sign of prey amoung the barn. The scent of mouse mingled over his rough tongue, and his tail snapped sideways as he spotted his prey, and began stalking toward it. Misty watched him, a calm smile on her face. Keeping his tail low, he lunged at the mouse, both front paws slamming down on it's little body. He had broke it's spine so he bit it's neck for a quick death.
"Your getting better" Misty said through her kit's scruff, walking toward him.
Suddenly, a loud kick sounded on the barn door with great force. Two Twolegs walked in, but the two cats, with their kit, had already fled and hid behind the haystack in which they had layed a couple minutes ago. The Twolegs seemed to be fighting, and as always, the male had his "firing stick" in his hands.
"Misty, I found a small hole, we have to leave. Now!" Stripe whispered urgently. Misty gasped, "But Stripe, it's to cold to go outside with her..." she complained. Stripe brushed his cheek with hers, "We don't want to end up like my sister and your brother...I still saw their skins hung up in here, " he shivered, "Misty...You know we have to" He looked intensly at her, she shuffled her paws and sighed. Stripe bent down and picked up the kit and motioned for her to go through to ragged hole. Once she was through, Stripe slipped his head out, the kit's tail dragged softly on the frozen earth. He got the rest of himself through and had remembered their prey...It had been left behind, the Twolegs were bound to know they had been there now!
A gunshot was heard and the cat's burst out running into a forest. Another gunshot was heard and a wail sounded after it from Misty. Stripe screeched and ran back to her, he grabbed her scuff and the kit's with his teeth. With all the strength he had, he pulled them into a burrow. The scents were stale, 'good', thought Stripe. He could still hear the Twolegs crying out and their pounding footsteps above ground, but it soon faded as they treaded further on.
"Misty, Misty" said Stripe, pawing her shoulder with his paw. He had wrapped the kit up in a bundle of leaves for warmth next to her, and pulled out the remains of the bullet that he found in her back leg. Misty began to stir and cried out, "Stripe!" her eyes were forward in shock. He put his paw to her ear, "It's ok, I'm here. Our kits safe as well..." He hushed her. Misty winced at the pain in her back leg, "I hope I don't die" she sniffled. (Yes, I know, Misty sounds like a wimp right now, but think. This is a tramatic expierience for her, keep in mind )
"Nonesense!," said Stripe, "He barely grazed your back paw, and I got out the shattered pieces" Misty coughed,
"I'm cold..." She said hoarsely. Stripe licked her muzzle in comfort and carefully put their kit in the curve of her belly. he then curled himself around her, "I'll warm you bo--" he stopped dead, his nose and ears twitching.
"Stripe....Wh-what is it?" Misty asked nervously, her heart beating like a wild rabbit.
"Cats" he rasped.
She sniffed the air as well and shivered from the cold. A light gray she-cat poked her head through the burrow, her green eyes narrowed as she spotted the striped tom. He had already made his way infront of Misty, his fur bristling and his claws unsheathed. Strangely, the cat didn't respond in any way, only her twitching nose,
"EchoSong, what did you find?" Her eyes grew wide and ears perked at the voice. Paws pushing backward, she pulled her head out,
"Looks like a wondering loner who found himself a burrow, Jaytail" Her voice had an edge of annoyance to it...but somewhere deep in that was sympathy. Misty and Stripe listened carefully, both pairs of claws unsheathed. They heard a tom growl, "Fine, then we'd better get Cedarpool and Nightpaw"
"Honestly, one tom-cat won't do much, let's just drive him out" The voice came from behind Jaytail and as he turned around, Echosong revealed who it was,
"Cedarpool!" A black tom came from the side of the cream colored she-cat, "Intruder! Really, Cedarpool? Can we fight, can we--" At this point, Stripe had stuck his head out just in time to see Cedarpool swipe her tail over the young tom's mouth to quiet him.
"Stripe, what will we do?" Misty whispered to him, her entire body curled around her helpless kit. Stripe didn't respond, a flick of his tail swerved under her chin so she knew he'd heard her, but to wait. Jaytail turned around to see him, "You--Get out here, now!" A gentle nip at his back leg told him Misty disagreed to the command.
"We're waiting..." Growled Cedarpool. All Echosong did was stand around, scenting the air, as though she were trying to figure something out...but he knew she was aware of the voices around her. Stripe narrowed his eyes and returned into the burrow, "Misty, I won't go but three feet, I promise. They'll have to fight me down to drag me away from you" He then licked her in between the eyes amd jumped out just in time to see the four cats coming toward him, claws unsheathed.
"Alright, alright, I'm out!" Stripe hissed, teeth bared and claws flexed.
"What's a kittypet like you doing out in this cold weather?" sneered Jaytail. A vibrating growl was thundering in his throat, "I'm NOT a kittypet!"
The small black tom, known as Nightpaw, lunged at Stripe, making his fall down lightly. He rolled around with the small black cat and ended up holding him down, tail lashing.
"Hey, let him go!" screeched Cedarpool. She then flung herself at him, Nightpaw rolled away before she got to him. It only took a couple of minutes till he was held down instead, flanks heaving and the tip of his ear bleeding a bit. Jaytail and Nightpaw just watched.
"STOP!" Yowled Echosong, eyes burning like fire. Cedarpool looked to her, still holding Stripe down. Misty sat in the burrow still, anxiety taking over her. "Why should she, Echosong?" Growled Jaytail. Echosong walked over to the burrow,
"Are we really going to abandon the warrior code and hurt a cat who has a family to take care of!" She hissed in rage. Cedarpool jumped off Stripe who turned on his side and starred at the burrow.
"What do you mean?" Asked Cedarpool. Echosong turned her head to the burrow,
"That tom is a father, and is mate and kit are in there still, listening to you all bicker and what not! I knew I'd smelled something else...." Echosong spoke gently at her last sentence. She put her head back in the burrow and back out,
"We should take them back to camp at least" Echosong said, a serious gleam was in her eyes now as though she knew something else now. Misty poked her head out, the kit in her mouth. She glanced anxiosuly at all the cats and then snapped her attention to Stripe. Struggling and the other cats watching, she drug herself out till she could walk on her three legs. Misty limped to Stripe and collapsed next to him. Echosong looked at Jaytail, Cedarpool, and Nightpaw, their eyes wide and mouths slightly open.
"We'll take them back" Agreed Cedarpool, "But we have to take our prey back to camp. When we get there, we'll send Forestsky for help" She assured Echosong, who nodded approval at the idea. Once her clanmates left, Stripe sensed her footsteps walking calmly toward them,
"I'm truly sorry for my rude clanmates. I'm Echosong by the way, incase you didn't figure it out by now...." Her voice trailed off and she looked at the kit between them,
"Aww....What's it's name?" She asked them. Misty was licking Stripe's ear as he sat up,
"She doesn't have one yet. We were chased here a bit after she was born, we didn't really get enough time to think" He said. Echosong nodded,
"Then what are your names?"
"I'm Stripe and that's my mate,Misty" Stripe said, flicking his tail. A tortoishell she-cat jumped over the bushes that Jaytail and the rest of the cats had left through, calling,
"Hey, Echosong!" The gray she-cat turned around at the sound of her name,
"ForestSky! We need to get these three back to camp, preferably Leaftail, they've got some wounds" She reported to her friend. ForestSky was already told about them from Cedarpool and the patrol when they got to camp, becuase she didn't ask who they were or anything. Stripe stood up, Misty laying against his flank with the kit in his mouth. The two strange forest cats walked on either side of them, leading them back to their clan.
Stripe sighed, 'what have we gotten ourselves into?'
Part 2 ~~(Btw, just wait, things get SO much better once you get through about half way of the story)
The five cats trekked through the forest and walked into the large clearing where other cats were scattered and busy.
"What is this place...?" asked Misty, her blue eyes were fixed on the clearing's glory.
"This is our camp," said Forestsky," We're a clan, we support each other and live together as family" EchoSong placed the kit down in front of Stripe, "I have to go, Forestsky, I need to help reinforce the nursery den", she mewed, "Good Luck"
"Very well, then, come" she said to the two loners. Stripe shrugged and picked up their kit, once again following.
"Leaftail!" ForestSky called. A brown she-cat appeared, "Who are they?" she asked, eyes on Misty's foot, which stuck out enough to see she was in pain from limping and wincing.
"I'll explain later, I need to go speak with Riverstar, make sure she knows whats going on," ForestSky then dipped her head in respect to the Medicine Cat and bounded out of the den. Leaftail took their kit slowly, and bowed with respect, showing she meant no harm. She placed the kit on a small mossy area and beckoned for Stripe to lead Misty to a larger spot where she was able to curl around her kit.
"Thank-you" Misty murmured.
"No problem," said Leaftail, "Wingpaw!" A golden she cat with unusual brown patched appeared from farther in the den.
"Yes, Leaftail?" she asked hopefully.
"This young tom needs a poultice for his ear, I trust you know it well enough by now?"
"Oh, yes!" squeaked the small golden she-cat.
"If I may ask,"said Misty as Stripe watched Wingpaw with interest at the work she took to the different plants in front of her, "Who are you all exactly?" Leaftail flicked her tail to show she'd heard her, but her concentration was on the herbs in front of her...
"Wingpaw and I will tell you everything you need to know, bit wait till we're done healing you..." There was a mysterious pitch in Leaftail's voice...Just like EchoSong when she was trying to find out if there was anyone else in the burrow. Did Leaftail know something they didn't? The young Medicine Cat pushed a leaf in front of Misty, "This will help you supply milk for your kit, its just Borage leaves, I can tell you haven't eaten much" Misty chewed obediently at the sour herb.
Leaftail then took some Marigold and spread it on the wound on her back leg, warning her that it may sting a bit.
"That will stop infection....And if you could eat these poppy seeds, it will help with any pain" She offered Stripe some, but he refused politely, saying he felt fine. Leaftail and Wingpaw both explained what they were doing with each step to fixing their wounds, so that they could understand what they were doing without worry. Wingpaw and her mentor finished by wrapping their wounds in cobwebs, though Stripe ear barely held any, for it was small, and to make sure tricky infections wouldn't seep in.
"It's getting dark, your mate is already asleep" Spoke Leaftail softly, exhausted, "But I have one more question" she said, weary with sleep. Stripe nodded slowly,
"Sure, you've done a lot for us" he whispered as to not wake his family.
"What are your names?"
The question dawned on him, he didn't think about that. he'd gone through the entire day without proper welcome...Then again, they weren't welcomed with ease at first either.
"I'm Stripe, my mate is Misty, and..." He had just remembered something when a Gray she-cat walked in, with sun yellow eyes.
"Greetings," Leaftail bowed to the she-cat,"Is anything wrong, Riverstar?" Stripe perked his ears, this was their leader.
"No, Leaftail," she assured the Medicine Cat, "I've come to speak with the tom" Her eyes hit his pelt.
"I'm not comforted by letting you into PineClan--" Stripe stopped her there, which may have been foolish to any apprentice or Warrior, but Stripe was different, "PineClan?"
Riverstar sighed, obviously tired, "There are four clans in the forest. We are PineClan, and I am their leader. In case you don't know, Leaftail, the one who has cared for you, is our Medicine Cat. Her and her apprentice, Wingpaw, care for the injured and sick" Riverstar explained. Stripe nodded in understanding. "As I was saying, there are enough mouths to feed already..." At that moment, Stripe saw Leaftail stare at her Leader in astonishment, disagreeing with what she was saying, but she didn't say a word. Her eyes looked like they had a secret or message that Leaftail had not yet had time to tell this strange gray she-cat speaking to him. But Riverstar continued,
"There is a Gathering of the four clans tomorrow night for the full moon, you and your mate will be joining our clan so we can figure out what to do with you" She turned to Leaftail, "Enough said, " she glanced at Stripe, "Good Night" Riverstar then padded out of the Medicine Cat den, sleepily, though her muscles seemed like they could take on anything. 'These cats are so strong...I bet they could take on anything that pads their way' Stripe thought, and a voice interrupted his thoughts,
"Your Kit" came the voice of Leaftail,
"Huh, what?" Stripe was so tired he could barely keep his senses straight.
"Your kit's name?"
Stripe smiled, again remembering something Misty had said when he first met her..."Her name is Sorrel" he said it with confidence and knew his mate would agree. Leaftail nodded and set to bed deeper in the den, but Stripe was happier to know there was finally a name to his beautiful kit that lay in the curve of his mate's belly...Right in front of him. Laying his head across Misty's flank, he fell asleep instantly, it had been a long day...And without him noticing, Sorrel's front claws were unsheathed, and began to bear a small and faint symbol of a bone on her chest...
"Good Morning" came the young voice of Wingpaw. The scent of prey wafted through Stripe's nose as he sat up. Wingpaw dropped a rabbit between the mates. Misty was already up, groomind Sorrel thoroughly, but she didn't know about her name, not yet. Wingpaw and Leaftail sat a couple of feet away, arranging herbs and leaves.
"Misty" Stripe said after a couple good mouthfuls of rabbit. The calico Queen laid her tail across his shoulders, "Yes, Stripe?"
"You know how you used to say how your mother always slept in a sorrel patch?"
"Of Course!" she purred. Stripe drew his eyes to the kit,
"Well then, how about we name her Sorrel?"
Misty looked at Stripe with such passion, he felt as though his heart would never bare to look away from those blue, crystal clear eyes...The look was just the answer he needed. It was though she said aloud,'You know me so well, and yes, its the perfect name'. Misty licked his nose in a sneak attack and flicked her ears in amusement. Stripe did the same and they weighed their heads against each others'. Leaftail and Wingpaw walked up, side by side,
"Did you sleep well?" Wingpaw asked.
"Very, thank you" responded Misty as Sorrel searched for milk, "Could you explain some things, now?" she asked eagerly. Stripe could tell she was loving the hospitality here.
"That's exactly what we're doing" Spoke the dark brown she-cat, "So, would you like everything explained, or are there certain questions you were wondering about?"
"We would prefer altogether" said Stripe. Leaftail flicked her ears with a curt nod, "Very well then...." and she began to speak...
(OK, now, seriously...You people are Warriors FANS. I wrote all kinds of stuff about the warrior code, the duties of each rank and ceremonies, blah, blah, blah!! Since there is no sense in typing it over because you all know it, that means it takes the slack off of me, and you can get to the good parts faster! ^.^ )
Misty and Stripe had listened intently, breathing and soaking in every word.
"So...This 'Gathering' that you spoke of, I don't get why we have to go, can't you just left us leave here?" Misty asked, a bit confused. Stripe was wondering the same things,'Oh, how are minds have grown together throughout the years...' he thought in awe, almost missing the response,
Wingpaw sighed,"Technically, you're being held captive for trespassing our borders"
"You know to much now, so we need to figure out what to do with you, whether you will stay in a clan, or be taken far away from here..." Leaftail added. Enough had been said, so the two she-cats went back deeper into the den to sort herbs. Stripe exchanged glances with Misty,
"This is working out perfectly" purred Misty calmly. Stripe was taken aback,
"What are you talking about?" Misty looked down to Sorrel who was sleeping,
"I was thinking last night, how lonely Sorrel would be if she never grew up among other cats like these...It would be a good experience for her and us, don't you think?" Misty tilted her head and looked at Stripe, smiling.
"A-are you sure?"
"Positive,"She bent down and licked Sorrel's head, then turned back at Stripe, "I can't wait to go to the Gathering..."
It was something completely different, Stripe had been a loner all his life. He thought of about Sorrel, and what his mate: Misty, had said. In the beginning, the clan cats seemed so hostile and dangerous, but they were just protecting their land it seems now. The Clan cats were also very strong and had a lot of different ways of life. 'Maybe it won't be so bad, I just hope they except us, whatever happens at the Gathering'
Echosong walked in at that moment to greet them. Beside her was a dusky brown she-cat and two young kits underneath her, their little eyes huge.
"Hi you two," mewed Echosong,"I brought one of our Queens: Swallowpath and her two kits"
One of them came out from under their mother,
"Hi, I'm Tearkit!" it squeaked. Swiftly, she ran to Misty's side and pawed at Sorrel with curiosity (Or you could say poke xD)
"Tearkit, stop that at once!" Swallowpath scolded. Tearkit obeyed, embarrassed as her ears laid back. Tearkit had a bluish black pelt, Stripe now realized, and her brother that was still next to Swallowpath had such a dark gray pelt it was so close to being pitch black.
"Its ok, Swallowpath, she didn't hurt her" Misty informed. Instantly the other kit was at Tearkit's side, "What's her name?" the tom kit asked. Stripe twined his tail around Misty's,
"Her name is Sorrel, I don't recall hearing yours" he purred, actually enjoying this conversation and the feeling of communicating with these other kits.
"I'm Wildkit!!!" as he said his name he gave a leap on all four legs. Stripe heard a mrrow of amusement come from both Echosing and Swallowpath who said,
"Yes, you sure are...Come on you two, fresh-kill piles open" The two kits raced each other out to the pile of prey between two stacks of bramble twigs.
"So, you found a name for her" Echosong meowed,
"Yes, Stripe found the perfect name" Misty said adoringly. Echosong smiled and sat next to them, tail curled over her paws.
"Echosong" Stripe spoke up, "What clan will they send us to, do you know?" She shook her head, "It all depends who wants you...And besides, you'll have a task to do to prove your worthy of belonging to a clan no matter which one you are sentenced to" The gray she-cat told them. Stripe sighed and Sorrel sneezed suddenly. The two mates snapped their heads to their kit and Misty began to lick her rapidly, making sure she was warm and not catching a cold.
"She sure is a special little thing" Echosong purred, "We should be leaving about now, I'll go get everyone...but Sorrel needs to go to the nursery" She said, picking Sorrel up gently and doing a curt nod. Echosong set off after dropping Sorrel at the nursery with Swallowpath and the other Queen: Mossfur. Echosong came back with two other cats, and StarClan forbid...One of them was Jaytail. Stripe's heart sank, 'This is great...' he thought. The other cat was a brown striped tom who introduced himself as BranchWhisker. Echosong rudely nudged Jaytail,
"I'm sorry about yesterday" he said dimly. Stripe almost laughed out loud, a fully trained Warrior and he had to be pushed to say sorry. He nodded calmly, accepting it oddly. The cats that were going all crowded near the clan entrance, ready to go once they got there with the rest of them and set out. Stripe looked to Misty, 'Here we go again...'
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