Rain: A Warriors Fanfic

[. s p o r e l e t t ♪]

ALLEGIANCES
THUNDERCLAN

LEADER

ICESTAR – pale silver tabby she-cat with ice-blue eyes

DEPUTY

PINESTRIPE – brown tabby tom

MEDICINE CAT

MAPLEFUR – dark ginger tom

WARRIORS

NIGHTEAR – black and white tom

FROSTCLAW – white tom with green eyes
APPRENTICE, LIGHTNINGPAW

SKYSTORM – dark grey tom
APPRENTICE, CLAYPAW

RUSSETWING – reddish tabby tom with blue-green eyes
APPRENTICE, FOGPAW

SANDFANG – pale ginger tom

DAPPLEPELT – golden brown tabby she-cat

SNOWLEAF – pretty white she-cat with tortoiseshell patches

FOXFIRE – bright ginger she-cat with white chest and white tail tip

APPRENTICES

LIGHTNINGPAW – black and white tom with long black tail and bright yellow eyes

CLAYPAW – reddish brown she-cat with amber eyes

FOGPAW – grey tabby tom with white paws, belly, and muzzle, and blue eyes

QUEENS

CLOUDFOOT – black she-cat with white chest, chin, and paws, expecting Frostclaw’s kits

GOLDENLEAF – pale ginger she-cat, mother of Skystorm’s kit: Bark-kit (dark-brown tom)

RAINDAPPLE – pale grey tabby she-cat with amber eyes, mother of Dark-kit (black and red tortoiseshell she-cat) and Shadekit (black tom)

ELDERS

WILLOWTAIL – pale grey and white she-cat with blue eyes

WHITEFUR – white tom

FERNWHISKER – light brown she-cat

ROCKPELT – grey brown tom

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Contents

Prologue

1. Fight and Flight

2. New Blood

3. The Calm

4. A Warrior Made

5. Talon

6. The Meeting

[. s p o r e l e t t ♪]

Prologue

It was late evening as the cat made his way through the forest. Shadows seemed to gather around him, blending into his black pelt so that it was almost impossible to tell him from the darkness. Only the occasional flash of white fur betrayed his presence as he moved through the trees. Despite the approaching night, the tom noticed an abundance of activity as he slipped through the shadows. A brisk breeze still carried the bite of winter in it, despite the budding trees and sprouting plants. Scuffles and squeaks could be heard, signs of the mice and shrews who foraged busily under the cover of darkness. His ears twitched occasionally at the flutter of leathery wings overhead: a bat, hunting the first insects of the season.

Moving quickly, ignoring the sounds of prey that moved all around him, the black and white tom slipped out of the trees and into an open field. It was well and truly night now, and the quarter moon cast a pearly glow over his pelt, softening his stark black coat and turning his white fur to blazing silver. He moved quickly across the grass as though uncomfortable in the open, and soon came to a large, dilapidated wooden structure. A light brown tabby stood at an opening in one of the walls, and to it he meowed a greeting.

“Hello, Robin. I trust that things have been uneventful in my absence?”

The tabby dipped her head in greeting before she spoke. “It’s been quiet ever since you left. A little too quiet, if you ask me. Some of the others are getting restless.”

“Well, tell them to have a bit of patience,” he growled glancing past her through the entrance. “In a few moons we’ll have the whole forest to ourselves, but not if we don’t plan it right! A move made in haste could see us all scrounging for food in garbage dumps again.”

The she-cat nodded her acquiescence, looking down at her paws. “Of course,” she agreed quietly. “I did not mean to doubt you. We will wait until you tell us to move.” She raised her head and stared passionately into the tom’s eyes. “I know you will lead us to victory!”

Stretching his head forward, the tom rubbed his muzzle along the other cat’s cheek. “Be patient, Robin,” he purred. “Soon we’ll rule the forest together, and nothing will be able to stop us.” The tabby purred and rubbed her head against his, content with his reassurances. After few moments, the two cats turned and slipped together into the building, leaving the night silent and dark behind them.

Chapter 1: Fight and Flight

Pearl hissed violently, her back arched, and dappled grey fur stiff with fury. She lashed out with a paw, catching the fox on the muzzle. Snapping angrily, it lunged, forcing her backwards. Behind her two small kits wailed pitifully. Unable to spare them any attention, she focused on the fox. It stepped forward, hungry eyes anticipating.

Bracing for its attack, Pearl flattened her ears and hissed a final warning. Her amber eyes glowed in the dark evening, daring the fox to come closer. It lunged and bowled her over. She could feel its hot breath, foul against her face as she struggled to avoid the fox’s snapping jaws. She raked at its belly with her hind paws, drawing a yelp of pain. Abruptly the fox leapt up, away from her. She struggled to her feet, ready to chase it off, but her eyes widened. The fox looked ready to retreat, but not without taking what it came for. It spun around and focused its beady eyes on Pearl’s kits.

Suddenly something flew out of the nearby bushes, landing on top of the fox. It yowled and bit the fox on the ear, causing it to yip and roll over, attempting to dislodge its assailant. Two more shapes streaked out of the bushes, screeching battle cries. They were cats. The fox, noticing the arrival of two more foes, struggled to its feet and managed to shake off the first cat. Turning, it bolted away with two of the felines giving chase.

Taking her chance, Pearl rushed over to her kits and licked them comfortingly before turning to the remaining cat. It was the one who first attacked the fox, a brown tabby. “Thank you for attacking that fox,” Pearl told him. “You saved my kits.”

“We taught it not to mess with us for a while. I don’t think it will be coming back,” he said confidently. “What are you doing here? This is ThunderClan territory, but you don’t smell like a Clan cat. If you’re a rogue you’ll have to move on.”

She stared blankly at the strange cat, absorbing his words. She had borne her kits in a Pinkpelt barn, but had moved on when the Pinkpelts started coming in to do Pinkpelt things. Pearl had been wandering ever since, looking for a home where she could feed and raise her kits in safety. When she first came to the forest it had looked like a good place, as it was sheltered and full of prey. Now it looked like she had to move yet again.

“I have nowhere else to go,” she told the cat, but what he had said before intrigued her. “What is a Clan? Are there more cats in these woods?”

The tom nodded briskly. “There are four Clans in the forest, ThunderClan being one of them. Many cats live here already, so you cannot stay,” he said gently. Just then, the other two cats returned from the chase. They spoke excitedly to the tabby.

“We chased that fox all the way to the border, Pinestripe!” said a calico female. “Now he’ll know not to mess with ThunderClan!”

“And what is it we have here?” asked a sand-coloured tom.

“A rogue with kits,” the one called Pinestripe said. “I was just telling her she can’t stay here.”

Pearl thought frantically. Her kits wouldn’t survive if she had to move again! At only one moon old, they couldn’t travel any further. She blurted out, “Can I join your Clan?” The other cats stared at her, but she hurried on. “My kits can’t travel anymore,” she pleaded. “Please, I can’t move again!”

Pinestripe looked hesitant and the other tom appeared shocked, but the calico spoke up. “We should take her to Icestar,” she mewed. “She can decide.”

Pinestripe looked at the calico, then at Pearl. “Are you sure you want to come? I’m not guaranteeing you can stay. If our leader doesn’t allow it, you will have to leave.”

Pearl looked steadily at him. “I’m ready,” was all she said.

“Let’s get moving then,” the calico meowed. She looked at Pearl’s kits. “I’ll take one,” she said, waiting for Pearl’s nod before moving to pick up the tortoiseshell kitten. Pearl picked up the other one, a black male, and Pinestripe beckoned with his tail.

“Let’s go then, we haven’t got all night.”

Moving briskly, they led her deeper into the forest. The strange cats slipped like shadows through the undergrowth, never slowing or resting. Her legs burned with exhaustion long before they came to a sloping stone tunnel filled with brambles. Pinestripe pushed his way through, but noticing Pearl’s hesitation, the calico stopped and dropped her burden gently on the ground so she could speak.

“It’s okay, this is the entrance to our camp,” She said reassuringly. “Just go through carefully and your kits will be fine.”

Pearl placed her kit on the ground, giving it a few licks before she turned back to the calico. “Thank you for all you’ve done, even if I can’t stay after all. My name is Pearl.”

“My name is Snowleaf,” the calico replied. “And it’s not me you should thank. Pinestripe can’t bide a cat in distress, though he doesn’t like to let it show. And don’t worry; I’m sure things will work out.” She then retrieved the tortoiseshell kit and motioned to the tunnel, following Pearl in.

Chapter 2: New Blood

When Pearl entered the camp, she put down her kit and stopped in awe. Looking at the steep walls of the camp, she felt incredibly small. The camp was located in what could only be described as a small canyon, though the word ‘small’ was relative. Its straight walls seemed imposing, and she thought of how far she would have fallen if she hadn’t come from the tunnel, but from the opposite side, where the wall was highest. Bushes and ferns filled the camp, and more cats than she had ever seen before watched her curiously from various points in the camp. She felt another pelt brushing hers, and turned to see Snowleaf emerging from the tunnel behind her.

“It can be intimidating at first, but you’ll soon get used to it,” the other cat assured her. The calico’s words comforted Pearl, not only about the camp, but because her words suggested confidence that she would be allowed to stay. Nodding gratefully, she picked the black kit back up and followed Snowleaf.

They crossed the camp quickly and stopped before a ledge high up the camp wall. Pearl could see a small cave set deep in the wall and a short while later two cats came out. One she recognized as Pinestripe, who padded quickly away, and the other was a silver tabby with light blue eyes. She jumped down from the ledge and sat in front of them, then addressed Snowleaf. “Pinestripe told me this rogue and her kits want to join our Clan,” she meowed. “Is this so?”

“It is, Icestar,” Snowleaf said, depositing the kitten on the ground. “This cat has traveled far to find a home, and she wishes to stay with us.”

Icestar turned her gaze to Pearl, blinking slowly. She looked her over thoughtfully, then she addressed the young queen. “If you want to stay, you must give a reason we should allow you to join us. Why should we allow a strange cat into our Clan?” the silver tabby asked calmly. “I am Icestar, leader of ThunderClan, and it is my duty to do what is best for my Clan. Why should I take in three extra mouths to feed?”

Pearl summoned her courage, knowing she was about to say could change her life forever. She had to make a good impression, and she would only get the chance once. “My name is Pearl and I need somewhere to raise my kits. I traveled far from the place where I bore them, and this forest seemed the perfect place. Now I know other cats hunt here, but I must live somewhere. I would like to join your Clan because life on my own was always harsh, and only got better when I was in the company of other cats. They didn’t make finding food easier or fighting foes less dangerous, but when life was hard they were there to provide support. I had other cats to talk to and to depend on when life was hard on me.

“But why should you accept me into your Clan? That’s a good question. You already have the companionship of other cats, and I have extra kits to care for. But they are strong to have survived alone with me, and when they grow they will be strong cats. If I live here, and learn your ways, they will be strong Clan cats, and they will serve it well. So will I, once they are grown. From what I have seen as a visitor, life here must surely be rich and rewarding, for so many cats to live together willingly.” Pearl finished her speech with an unspoken question. What would she see if she was more than a visitor?

“Being in a Clan is not just about living together. Around the lake live four Clans: ThunderClan, ShadowClan, WindClan, and RiverClan; we have hardships just like any cat. But all of us are watched over by StarClan, our warrior ancestors who now hunt along Silverpelt, guiding our pawsteps and protecting us from harm,” Icestar flicked her tail at the stars just beginning to appear in the sky. “In our Clan, all cats who can do so work to better the Clan as warriors. They hunt for the elders, queens, and kits, and patrol our borders. The four clans usually exist together peacefully, but sometimes dispute over territories or hunting rights. You will need to learn our ways, and how to fight as well.”

“Then I will,” Pearl promised. “The life you describe is of a close-knit, loyal group of cats who look out for each other and work together for the good of all. Sure, not everyone gets along, but that’s to be expected. You live under the watchful eyes of your ancestors and have Clan traditions and legends. I have made my decision: this is where I want to be.”

Icestar nodded. “Very well then, you may stay. Truth be told, we’re in need of more cats, as this leaf-bare was a hard one. We’ve few apprentices, for few kits made it through, with new-leaf being so late. I shall announce your arrival to the Clan.” With that she leapt back to the ledge and yowled, “Let all those cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting.”

At her call, the cats scattered around the camp padded silently over to the ledge and sat, looking expectantly at their leader. Some of them murmured quietly amongst themselves, glancing at Pearl. She huddled protectively over her kits. Waiting until the murmuring had died down, Icestar spoke. “This leaf-bare was a hard one, and we lost many cats to cold and starvation.” The cats around the clearing muttered their unease, and Icestar spoke up to quiet them. "ThunderClan has never had so few apprentices, and we need more warriors. This cat wants to join our Clan. She is willing to learn our ways and I have decided to let her stay.”

Yowls of protest arose from the crowd.

“Three extra mouths to feed? How will that help?”

“She’s not even a Clan cat, she’s just a rogue! She has no loyalty to us!”

"What was she doing in ThunderClan territory in the first place? Stealing prey, I bet!"

Pearl flattened her ears at their accusations. Why couldn’t they give her a chance? Standing up, she faced the mob of cats. “Cats of ThunderClan!” she called, and the growls and hisses quieted reluctantly. “I was born a rogue, ignorant of the world around me and oblivious to the existence of Clans such as your own. But now that I have seen the possibility of life within a Clan, within ThunderClan, I know that there can be no other life for me. I want to work for ThunderClan beside other cats, and learn about StarClan and Clan loyalty. It is my wish to be reborn into this ThunderClan, to leave my life as a friendless rogue behind and serve my Clan like any cat here.”

The cats started to mutter once more, but Icestar spoke again. “This cat has chosen to stay and has promised to prove her worth. We shall judge her by her actions, not by assumptions that have no ground in truth. Now I have one thing more to do this night.” As the ThunderClan leader padded down from the Highledge, Icestar’s demeanour seemed changed: there was an air of purpose and duty about her. She looked down at Pearl, power and confidence filling the very air around her. Her eyes were filled with pride, satisfaction, and respect. Pearl knew she had made the right choice, and all her fear vanished, replaced by confidence and determination.

“I, Icestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this cat,” Icestar called, her voice ringing with the power of ancient tradition. “She has a true desire to learn the ways of your noble warrior code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Pearl, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?”

Pearl felt a shiver of excitement run down her spine, and she felt that she must be shaking from nose to tail. But she lifted her head and spoke with a voice that managed not to quiver. “I do.”

“Then by the by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name. Pearl, from this moment you will be known as Raindapple. StarClan honours your courage and your determination, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan.” Icestar stepped forward and rested her muzzle on top of Raindapple’s head.

“Lick her shoulder,” Snowleaf whispered. Swallowing her trepidation, Raindapple leaned forward and gave Icestar’s shoulder a quick lick, then stepped back. For a moment there was silence, then Snowleaf called out, “Raindapple! Raindapple!” Gradually the other cats joined in, cheering Raindapple into the Clan.

Then the pale leader turned towards Raindapple’s kits, her silver fur glowing in the moonlight. “As their mother was reborn, so shall these kits be. From now on, these kits will be known as Dark-kit and Shadekit,” she said, first touching the tortoiseshell kit and then the black kit with her tail.

“Dark-kit! Shadekit!” the cats cried. The kits mewled confusedly, and Raindapple nuzzled them close. She looked up when Icestar approached.

“All warriors sit silent vigil when they are first appointed and this shall be your first act as a Clan cat. Do not worry about your kits. Goldenleaf will care for them this first night.”

Icestar beckoned with her tail, and a delicate, pale ginger she-cat padded softly towards them. “I would be happy to, Icestar,” she murmured. “Don’t worry, Raindapple. I will care for your kits like they are my own.”

Raindapple hesitated, then nodded at the other cat. She knew Goldenleaf would take good care of her kits, and she gently pushed them towards her. “Go on, small ones. This cat will take care of you for a while, but I’ll be with you soon.”

Goldenleaf nudged the kittens along towards a large clump of brambles, then disappeared inside with them. The other cats had begun dispersing throughout the camp, and Icestar had disappeared inside her den. Snowleaf came up to Raindapple and said, “Your vigil starts now; you’ll have to sit silently all night and watch over the camp. Don’t worry, Goldenleaf will take good care of your kits. Two of her kits died during leaf-bare, so now she has only Bark-kit. She’ll watch over your kits as if they were her own.”

Nodding, Snowleaf headed off towards her den, leaving Raindapple alone in the still night air.

Chapter 3: The Calm

When Raindapple awoke, it was mid-afternoon. She vaguely remembered Snowleaf releasing her from her vigil at dawn and taking her to her kits and a warm nest. She looked around the dim space, then realized that it was empty. When Snowleaf had brought her here there had been two other queens; Goldenleaf and Cloudfoot, a graceful black she-cat with white chest and paws. Coming more fully awake, she realized that Dark-kit and Shadekit were missing as well. Scrambling to her feet, she pushed her way out of the den, looking about worriedly for her kits.

Relief swept through her when she saw them a few tail-lengths away, playing with Goldenleaf’s kit, Bark-kit. Cloudfoot wasn’t in sight, but there were several other cats out enjoying the sun. She spotted Snowleaf lying at the other end of the clearing and waved her tail in greeting. Goldenleaf looked fondly at the kits and turned to Raindapple. “Nice to see you’re awake. Did you have a nice rest?”

Before Raindapple could respond, there were two squeals of delight and her kits trotted over to her, purring and squirming around with pleasure. She bent to nuzzle them and lay down so they could nurse, then focused on Goldenleaf. “Hello,” she purred, amused. “I did, thank you. I hope my kits weren’t any trouble.”

The other cat flicked her whiskers dismissively. “They weren’t any trouble at all. It’s so nice for Bark-kit to have playmates.” She batted a playful paw at her son, and he flailed his tiny paws with enthusiasm. Dark-kit and Shadekit got up and toddled over to join in the fun.

“I hope you’re feeling well-rested.” Snowleaf had come to join them, and spoke now to Raindapple, her eyes sparkling. “I’ve been told to make sure you’re settled in. Today I’ll be showing you around camp so you can get your bearings. We won’t ask too much of you since you have kits, but for at least a short time each day I’ll be training you on various other aspects of Clan life as well. You’ll be all right to leave your kits with Goldenleaf for a while?”

Raindapple looked back at her kits, who were tumbling playfully with Bark-kit under Goldenleaf’s watchful eye, and decided they’d be fine. “Lead on!” She meowed, excitement and anticipation beginning to course through her. Snowleaf raised her tail and beckoned her to follow as she started slowly towards the Highledge.

“You already know the nursery, where the kits and nursing queens stay. That’s why it’s inside a big bramble thicket, so it’ll be well-defended against any enemies that try to get in. And the Highledge, where Icestar gives all her announcements from, you’ll remember it from last night, is also where her den is, right on top there. The apprentices den is over there in that cave, and the elders den is in the next cave down, over there. Across camp, in that cave half covered by hanging vines, is the medicine cat’s den, where our medicine cat Maplefur lives. The medicine cat heals cats that have been wounded in battle, and also receives messages from StarClan. Why don’t we go over, and I’ll introduce you?”

Raindapple followed Snowleaf as she pushed the tendrils aside and entered the cave. Inside it was shady and cool, and the bottom was covered with sand. She could smell many different plants inside, and noted that the walls were cracked and stuffed with leaves and berries. A trickle of water dripped slowly into a pool in the corner, where a dark-ginger cat was rolling berries into a pile. He looked up when they came in and his eyes settled on Raindapple. Snowleaf greeted him cheerfully. “Hi Maplefur! I’ve been assigned to teach Raindapple about Clan life, and I’m showing her around camp.”

The cat’s eyes flicked to Snowleaf. “So I see. Greetings, Raindapple, and welcome to ThunderClan. I suppose it’s too early to ask how you’re finding life here,” he meowed warmly. He eyed Raindapple critically looking her up and down. “You seem a bit thin,” he commented. “I suppose that comes of living alone. Let me give you some borage, it’ll help you to produce milk.” He turned around and pawed in one of the cracks in the wall, bringing out a few hairy leaves. Snowleaf seemed to be embarrassed about something, and he turned to her disapprovingly, setting down the leaves before Raindapple. “Didn’t you let her eat before you took her off on your little tour?”

Snowleaf seemed even more embarrassed, and she looked down at her paws. “I didn’t think of it. I wasn’t hungry, and I was excited to get going…”

“Well, think of it in the future. You eat these leaves, Raindapple, and then go have some fresh-kill. I’m sure you’re hungry after everything you did last night.” Now that he mentioned it, Raindapple was rather hungry. Her stomach growled in agreement, but she had to eat the borage before she was allowed to go. It didn’t taste very good, and it wasn’t filling at all, but she ate it anyway, with Maplefur watching her to make sure she ate it all. As Snowleaf led her out of the Medicine Cat’s den, there was a yowl from the direction of the camp entrance, and three cats emerged from the thorn tunnel. A white tom, a fox-coloured she-cat, and a young black and white tom appeared, and it looked like the ginger female was injured. All three cats looked dirty and ruffled, like they had been in a fight.

“It’s Foxfire, Frostclaw, and his apprentice Lightningpaw! They were on border patrol. And it looks like Foxfire’s been hurt,” Snowleaf said, then slipped back inside to get Maplefur. When she came out she and the ginger tom rushed over to the group, with Raindapple following behind. “What happened?” Snowleaf asked. “Was it another Clan?”

The white tom called Frostclaw shook his head. “We spotted a fox on out territory. It might have been the one we chased off yesterday, but I don’t know. We left it beating a hasty retreat, but Foxfire was bitten badly.” He nodded to the ginger female, who was keeping her weight off of her right hind leg. Somehow, though she was bloodied and scruffy, her white bib and tail-tip managed to look spotless.

“Enough standing around and talking,” Maplefur said, his tone commanding. “Foxfire, come back to my den. The others can report without you.” Maplefur glanced at Snowleaf. “Don’t forget what I said,” he meowed, and disappeared with Foxfire into his den.

Snowleaf looked sheepishly at Raindapple. “Maplefur is right. I should let you eat, and then you’ll need to rest with your kits as well. I’ll show you to the fresh-kill pile, then leave you alone for a while. I’m sure the other queens are dying to ask you all sorts of questions.” Snowleaf padded over to a pile of prey in the center of camp. “Go ahead, take one. I don’t know when you last ate, but there wasn’t nearly enough of it, whatever it was.” Raindapple chose a thrush and followed Snowleaf back to the nursery, digging in gratefully. She couldn’t believe how hungry she was.

Dark-kit and Shadekit squealed their joy, latching on to her belly and nursing happily. “Thank you,” she said to Snowleaf. “I enjoyed the tour.”

“Don’t worry,” Snowleaf purred, “you’ll know the camp like the back of your paw soon enough. I’ll come back later, once you’ve eaten and rested, and we can talk a little more.” They exchanged nods and Snowleaf padded away towards the warriors den, taking some fresh-kill on the way.

Raindapple sighed, lying comfortably in the sun in front of the nursery. Her belly was full for the first time in days, and her kits were nursing contentedly. She looked up as Cloudfoot approached, lying down a short distance away. She positioned herself so as to get the most amount of fading sunlight possible, then addressed Raindapple. “How was your first day around camp?” she asked quietly. “Did you enjoy your tour? This must all be a lot to take all at once.”

Raindapple sighed, kneading the ground while she thought about her day. “I learned the names of all the dens, I got to meet Maplefur, and I learned a few other names as well.” Cloudfoot looked at her curiously, and she explained, “I was just leaving the medicine cat’s den when the patrol came in. Snowleaf told me their names before she took me to the fresh-kill pile.”

“Ah, so you met Frostclaw. He’s the father of these kits.” Cloudfoot shifted, her round belly supported by the hard earth. “Lightningpaw is his apprentice. He’ll gain his warrior name soon: he’s earned it. He’s the oldest apprentice we have at the moment, and he’s worked very hard to earn his warrior name.”

“How does a cat become an apprentice?” Raindapple asked.

Cloudfoot looked, considering, at her before saying, “That’s right, you don’t know how the ranking system works here. When a kit reaches six moons of age, they are ready to become an apprentice, and the last part of their name changes from ‘kit’ to ‘paw’. After several moons, depending on how that apprentice has preformed, they are given their warrior names. You didn’t have to become an apprentice, but your kits will go through this process before they earn their warrior names.”

Raindapple considered this. It was a lot to take in just one day, but the concepts seemed simple enough. She supposed it would just take time to get used to living with other cats. Raindapple closed her eyes, enjoying the company of other cats, and the feel of her kits, now fast asleep, nestled against her belly. She opened her eyes to see Snowleaf approaching from across the camp.

“Hello, Cloudfoot,” Snowleaf meowed politely. Cloudfoot waved a lazy tail in greeting, her eyes closed with relaxation. Settling down beside them, Snowleaf motioned with her tail to Raindapple’s kits. “How old are they? They don’t look much older than a moon.”

“A little over a moon,” Raindapple said. “They’re strong little kits. I’m glad to be here for many reasons, but their safety is one of the big ones.”

Cloudfoot spoke up without opening her eyes. “Are you looking forward to when they’ll become apprentices?”

“I can’t even imagine it,” Raindapple said truthfully. “But I suppose that, yes, I am. I want them to be safe, but I also want them to be a part of ThunderClan, and they can’t do that if they don’t become apprenticed. Besides, I’ll be hunting and fighting for the Clan, once they grow. I would be proud to have them reach warrior status and hunt alongside me.”

“Yes,” Cloudfoot replied. “That’s every Clan mother’s dream. I hope that my kits will be strong warriors as well.”

“Speaking of strong warriors, I think you should know who the cats are around here,” Snowleaf said. “As I said earlier, the three who came in from border patrol were Foxfire, Frostclaw, and Lightningpaw.”

“Cloudfoot told me about Frostclaw and Lightningpaw,” Raindapple nodded. “Lightningpaw is Frostclaw’s apprentice.”

“That’s right,” Snowleaf said. “Foxfire is a pretty new warrior. She earned her name only three moons ago, two moons after I earned my warrior name.” She looked around the camp, flicking her tail at various cats and introducing them as she went. “Those cats over there are some of the elders. The grey and white she-cat is Willowtail, the white tom is Whitefur, and that light brown she-cat is Fernwhisker. Rockpelt is probably inside their den, sleeping. He’s not terribly friendly, but he worked hard for ThunderClan moons ago, and he deserves our respect. Those apprentices over there, the red-brown one and the grey and white tabby, are Claypaw and Fogpaw. They were apprenticed only one moon ago, and they still have much to learn.

“Sandfang, Nightear, and Russetwing are still out on hunting patrol, but they’ll be back soon. You already met Sandfang anyway; he was the sand-coloured tom with us when we first met. That golden-brown tabby is my friend Dapplepelt, and the dark grey tom she’s talking to is Skystorm. He’s the father of Bark-kit, if you didn’t know.”

Raindapple struggled to match all the names with the faces, but it seemed she forgot them as soon as they were said. She shook her head in confusion. It was all too much, too fast.

Snowleaf seemed to notice her confusion, and she gave her ear an encouraging lick. “Why don’t you sleep on it,” she suggested gently. “We’ll talk more in the tomorrow.” She left, and Raindapple slipped gratefully inside the nursery, bringing her two sleepy kits with her. She thought briefly about the events of the day, and then decided to follow Snowleaf’s advice. Settling down in the moss, her kits snuggled up to her for warmth, she drifted off to sleep.

[. s p o r e l e t t ♪]

Chapter 4: A Warrior Made

Raindapple tumbled backwards, thumping onto the moss carpet that lined the forest floor. It was more than a moon since her arrival in ThunderClan, and she was engaged in combat training with Snowleaf. She jumped back up, grateful for the soft floor in the training hollow, where all the Clan cats trained. It was a wide, mossy clearing in the forest, a short distance away from camp. Snowleaf sat back, looking at her appraisingly. “You did well, but it was obvious from where you were looking where you were going to attack. Try to be less predictable.”

Raindapple nodded, then shifted into a crouch. She let her eyes wander to Snowleaf’s flicking tail before dashing in low, trying to knock the other cat off her paws. Snowleaf fell over and kept rolling, springing to her feet a few tail-lengths away. “That was better,” she said approvingly. “You’re improving. Let’s get back to camp. I’m sure your kits will want to see you.”

Raindapple nodded gratefully. She may be getting better, but the short training sessions were hard work. Since she still had kits to look after, she didn’t have to hunt or patrol borders, but she spent much of her time learning about Clan traditions and practicing fighting techniques. Dark-kit and Shadekit were now two and a half moons old, and were more troublesome and energetic than ever. They no-longer needed her milk, but they would get into trouble if she wasn’t around to watch them. She followed Snowleaf silently to the camp, catching her breath.

When they walked into camp, Dapplepelt greeted them both with a friendly meow. “Hi Snowleaf, Raindapple!” she mewed, trotting past them with Skystorm and Claypaw. During the last moon Raindapple had become familiar with the names of all the cats, and was becoming used to Clan traditions and life. The other two cats called out greetings as they went past on border patrol, and Snowleaf and Raindapple meowed back. Nearing the nursery, Raindapple was greeted by her two excited kits, who bundled over and pounced joyfully on her. She fell over laughing, buried beneath their squirming bodies.

“Raindapple, Cloudfoot’s kits are no fun!” Dark-kit complained loudly. “They never do anything!”

“That’s because they’re newborns, dear,” she replied, chuckling. “It’ll be a moon at least until they’re ready to play with you. In the meantime, you must be gentle with them.” Her attention was diverted as Shadekit pounced gleefully on her tail. She let him grab it in his mouth before she tugged it away, flicking it in his face and watching as her grabbed at it playfully.

“I’m going to get some fresh-kill,” Snowleaf smiled. “I’ll see you later.”

“Bye,” Raindapple managed before batting a paw at Dark-kit, who was wrestling with her paws around Raindapple’s neck. Suddenly she surged to her feet, shedding the surprised kittens and smiling with amusement as they tumbled to the ground with excited squeals. She waved her tail at them to quiet them. “I’m going to see Cloudfoot’s kits now, and then we’ll go get some fresh-kill, but for now, stay outside the nursery and play amongst yourselves. I’ll be back out shortly.” The two kits bundled back to the front of the nursery, where Bark-kit was waiting eagerly for their return. The three started a vigorous game of catch with a bit of moss, and tumbled back and forth under Goldenleaf’s watchful eye.

Squeezing into the nursery, Raindapple padded forward to sit beside Cloudfoot. The queen raised her head and flicked her tail in greeting, seeming happy to have a visitor. “Hello Raindapple. Back from combat training?” she asked contently.

“Yep. Snowleaf says I’m improving, but I wouldn’t know it from the rate of success I have of beating her in a fight.”

Cloudfoot chuckled quietly. “You’ve only been training for a little over a moon, Raindapple. Most apprentices train for at least four before they get their warrior names.”

Cloudfoot’s remark about warriors reminded Raindapple of something. “Lightningpaw is getting his warrior name soon, isn’t he?” she asked thoughtfully. The sardonic apprentice was twelve moons old, and had more than proved his worth as a warrior of ThunderClan.

“It’s scheduled for tonight, I believe,” replied Cloudfoot. “That will be exciting. We haven’t had a new warrior since Foxfire got her warrior name.”

Raindapple looked at the small kits nursing at Cloudfoot’s belly and remembered when her kits were that small. That was back when she was still living in the Pinkpelt- Twoleg- barn, without any worries or cares other than feeding her kits and herself. But life now was richer, and more purposeful, than it had been then. Looking down at the other queen’s kits, Raindapple was glad she had come here. “They are beautiful kits,” she said warmly. There were three of them, two she-cats and a tom. “Have you decided what to name them?”

“This one is Black-kit, this is Beechkit, and this one shall be Ivykit,” she meowed softly, flicking her tail at the black she-cat, light brown tabby tom, and white she-cat with a brown-striped tail in turn. She licked the kits affectionately, producing tiny squeaks of protest.
“My kits will want me as well,” Raindapple sighed. “I’ll see you at the naming ceremony.”

“Goodbye then,” Cloudfoot meowed as Raindapple slipped out of the nursery. Dark-kit and Shadekit noticed her, but were still engaged in their game of catch, so she padded over to the fresh-kill pile to pick something for her kits and herself. She selected a plump pigeon and grasped it in her mouth, bringing it over to the nursery. Her two kits stopped their game and raced over, abandoning Bark-kit in their haste. Raindapple smiled indulgently as Goldenleaf took her kit over to the pile to select some prey of their own.

Dark-kit and Shadekit tore into the bird with abandon, pulling out feathers and batting them around in the air, but Raindapple ate more sedately. She was distracted, thinking about the ceremony that was to happen that evening. It would be the first time that Raindapple experienced a Clan ceremony as a Clan cat.

She was done her meal and watching the kits tumble playfully around her when she noticed Icestar emerge from her den. The silver cat padded to the front of the Highledge and signalled for the Clan to gather. “Let all those cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!” Raindapple silenced her kits with her tail and turned her attention to the Clan leader. Every cat knew what was about to happen now, for it had been coming for over a moon. She noticed that Cloudfoot had emerged to sit by Goldenleaf and Bark-kit at the nursery entrance, and Frostclaw was sitting with his apprentice near the base of the Highledge. Both he and Lightningpaw looked sleek and well-groomed.

Icestar jumped lightly down from the Highledge and sat proudly before her Clan. “Cats of ThunderClan,” she called once she had every cat’s full attention. “We gather here today to celebrate the rise of another proud warrior. Lightningpaw has shown courage and skill in the past few moons, and it is past time that he was made a warrior.” The camp was silent now, and every cat waited with hushed anticipation of what was to come. “I, Icestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn." Icestar turned in the still air and looked straight at Lightningpaw. The young cat stiffened visibly, and stared ahead as if facing down a Twoleg dog. “Lightningpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?”

“I do,” Lightningpaw murmured. His words were barely audible, even in the complete silence. His rigid body was motionless.
“Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name: Lightningpaw, from this moment you will be known as Lightningtail. StarClan honours your loyalty and your spirit, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan.”

The ThunderClan leader strode forward and rested her muzzle on top of Lightningtail’s head. He gave her shoulder a respectful lick, and then the stiffness seemed to flow out of him all at once. He straightened up and walked over to the other warriors, sitting proudly among them as they cheered his new name.

“Lightningtail! Lightningtail!”

“The sun has set,” Icestar meowed, silencing the cheering Clan. “In the tradition of our ancestors, Lightningtail must sit in silent vigil until dawn, and guard the camp alone while we sleep.” The leader leaped back up to her den, and the rest of the Clan began to disperse back to their nests. Lightningtail padded silently to the middle of camp and sat, staring at the entrance with a fiercely content look on his face.

Rising, Raindapple touched her kits with her tail and moved toward the nursery. Goldenleaf and Cloudfoot had already gone inside, and when she emerged in the nursery’s interior both queens were curled soundly around their kits. Raindapple nodded her head at Goldenleaf, who opened an eye when she came in, and settled in her nest. Dark-kit and Shadekit curled up next to her, and the grey queen drifted off to sleep to the sound of their contented breathing.

Chapter 5: Talon

Raindapple awoke the next morning to find both of her kits gone. She stifled a sigh of annoyance: they knew she wanted them to tell her went they went off to play. Blinking in the morning sunlight, she looked around and spotted Goldenleaf a short distance away. The golden queen was lying in the sun, keeping a relaxed eye on the three kits as they tumbled around on the hard-packed earth of the camp. She spotted Snowleaf approaching from across the camp, and cast a glance at the kits. “Have you eaten?” she asked them, walking up to their play fight. They seemed not to hear her, and continued their tumble with squeaks of excitement and exertion.

“They said they weren’t hungry, so we haven’t eaten yet,” Goldenleaf meowed amusedly. “Don’t worry; I’ll make sure they eat properly.”

Raindapple was somewhat saddened to know that she was away from her kits so much that it had become the normal routine, but she nodded gratefully to the queen and faced Snowleaf as she arrived. “Your combat training is progressing very well, so I thought we could take a break from that today,” the calico warrior meowed. “Instead of doing battle training today, we are going to tour the territory and brush-up on your hunting skills. I know that you hunted for yourself before coming here, so there’s probably not much we can teach you that you don’t already know, but it’ll be a good opportunity for you to stretch your legs and get to know the territory better.”

In the time that Raindapple had been living in ThunderClan, she had only toured the whole territory once. When she was first able to leave her kits, Snowleaf had taken her around all the territory, showing her the borders, places where the hunting was good, and where she had to watch out for danger. That was over a moon ago, and the thought of exploring the territory once more brightened her spirits considerably. “That sounds fantastic,” Raindapple meowed happily, and she nodded a farewell to Goldenleaf and the kits before following the warrior out of camp.

They headed towards the lake, towards the ancient oak that grew by its waters. Snowleaf stopped at the spreading tree and signaled with her tail for Raindapple to be silent. Then the warrior crouched and perked her ears, listening for the scuffle of prey among the vast tree’s roots. She seemed to hear something at the exact moment that Raindapple picked up a tiny crackle from nearby, about two fox-lengths to their left. Snowleaf looked at her and nodded in that direction, motioning for Raindapple to try and catch the prey now that they had found it.

Dropping into a crouch, the dappled grey queen let her body flow into the hunting position that she had used with regularity up until just over a moon ago. Now the pose felt strange and unfamiliar, but with each step she took closer to her prey, the more focused and confident she became. A moon and a half of relying on other cats for food couldn’t erase a lifetime of hunting for herself, and Raindapple tensed, ready to spring just a couple tail-lengths away from her target.

Then she heard Snowleaf stiffen behind her, distracting her just as she made her pounce. Her paws missed their mark, and the mouse got away, racing into a nook under the tree as she watched. Raindapple turned to see what had cause Snowleaf’s reaction, and as she did so her ears picked up a faint noise, one that was growing louder every second.

“Dogs!” Snowleaf hissed unnecessarily. “They usually don’t come this far into the forest without their Twolegs, but we should still go...” Before she could move though, a large, slavering animal crashed through the bushes several fox-lengths away. It spotted them immediately and started barking even louder, rushing towards them as another dog approached from somewhere behind it.

“Run!” Snowleaf yowled, and Raindapple didn’t need to be told twice. The two cats tore through the undergrowth as fast as they could, pushing their legs even faster as they heard the pant of the two dogs chasing behind them. “Quick, into this tree!” the calico cried, leaping towards a leafy maple and scaling the rough bark in mere instants. Raindapple jumped quickly after her, but a loose piece of bark came away under her claws, causing her to fall back down. With the dogs approaching even closer, she couldn’t risk trying again. Raindapple ran for her life, hearing her friend’s panicked cries from behind her. “Raindapple, no! Find a tree, Raindapple!”

Racing frantically through the forest, Raindapple quickly lost any idea of where she was, or where she was going. She kept running, heedless of her whereabouts, until the barks of the dogs had faded into the distance. She slowed and stopped by a running stream, drinking from the cool water as she wondered what to do next. She wasn’t too worried about Snowleaf. The dappled warrior would know not to leave the tree until the dogs were long gone, and since they had chased Raindapple so far, she was undoubtedly quite free of them by now. But Raindapple needed to get back to camp, or to find another warrior who could get her back safely. Her kits would be wondering where she was.

But the problem was, she didn’t know. Looking around, the pale grey she-cat couldn’t spot any landmarks that she remembered well enough to guide her. She regretted the fact that she had lived here for over a moon and still didn’t know the forest at all, but there was little she could do about it now. Rising to her feet, Raindapple decided to follow the stream, hoping that it would lead her to the lake. Maybe from there she could find the Sky Oak, and then make her way back to camp.

Trotting quickly downstream, Raindapple kept glancing around, for some reason feeling like she was being followed. She stopped and scented the air, frowning as she smelled a familiar scent on the breeze. It wasn’t a ThunderClan cat, so why would she know that smell?

“Pearl! It really is you. How ever did you come to be here?”

Raindapple peered, startled, in the direction of the call, surprised at the use of her old name. She made out a dark figure beneath a nearby bush, and her eyes widened in shock. “Talon! What are you doing here? I haven’t seen you since before the kits were born!”

The cat stepped forward, and Raindapple could now easily make out the form of her old mate, the father of her two kits. The black and white tom strode forward until he was just a few tail-lengths from her, and stared at her with incredulity. “Kits? You had my kits? When did this happen? Where are they?” The large tom seemed shocked, but also pleased, and Raindapple found herself wanting to tell him everything that had happened to her during the moons that they had been apart.

“Yes Talon, we had two kits, a tom and a she-cat. They’re two moons old now, and I’ll bet they would love to meet you… Oh, I’ve done so much since we last met! I came here because those Pinkpelts were doing things in my barn, and then I found out that there were other cats here, and-“

“That’s why you left?” Talon interrupted her, speaking with an absentminded look on his face. “I had no idea… Pearl, what cats? What about my kits?”

The she-cat shuffled her paws and looked down for a moment before glancing back up at her mate. “Well that’s the thing, Talon. When I found that there were cats here, I decided to stay with them. I’m not a loner anymore, and my name isn’t Pearl. I’m called Raindapple now.” Talon stared at her, and she managed to hold his gaze for several seconds before breaking away and glancing around at the trees. “Speaking of the Clan, I should really be getting back. The kits will be wondering where I am, and so will the others.”

Raindapple started to draw away, but Talon stepped closer, moving his face earnestly nearer to hers. “Pe- Raindapple. We need to talk. Can you meet me later tonight? There is so much that we must discuss.”

Raindapple hesitated for a moment, causing something she couldn’t identify to flicker in Talon’s eyes. “I’m not sure I could find this place again,” she finally admitted. “I came here by accident. But I really must go now. Others will be looking for me. If you follow this stream down to the lake and travel along its shore, there should be a very large oak resting near its waters. Go there at moonhigh... I’ll figure a way to get out of camp.”

Nodding a final time to the black and white tom, Raindapple dashed away towards the lake, running until she saw the lapping waves and then veering off, desperate to find the Sky Oak and get back to camp so that Snowleaf would know she was safe. Her mind whirled with confusion as she tried to process all the things she had to consider.

Talon had been her mate when she was just a loner living near Pinkpelts, but he tended to wander, disappearing for moons at a time before reappearing. He had vanished shortly before she discovered that she was carrying kits, and when he didn’t reappear by the time she had to leave the Pinkpelt barn, she had thought that she would never see him again. And now that she lived with the Clan, far away from her old home, she had thought it best not to dwell on the past too much. There seemed no point to mentioning the kits’ father, so she had never mentioned him to them, deciding that it would be easier to let them assume that they were Clanborn.

But now that her mate was here, Raindapple felt like fate had brought them together. Surely there was no other reason for Talon to travel so far from his old territory? The dappled grey queen felt a sudden, passionate desire for her kits to meet their father, and know the powerful cat who had sired them. They should know who they come from, and she felt certain that it would make them happy to meet their father. Raindapple spotted the Sky Oak and increased her pace, feeling confident and optimistic now that she knew where she was. Soon she would be back at camp, among the Clan she lived with and the kits that she loved. The grey queen moved swiftly towards the ThunderClan camp, thinking eagerly as she padded closer to home. Tonight, somehow, Raindapple would meet Talon by the Sky Oak.

Chapter 6: The Meeting

Raindapple arrived in camp to the sight of Pinestripe arranging patrols to search for her. She hurried forward, eager to soothe her Clanmates’ fears, and Snowleaf rushed up to her. “Oh Raindapple,” she meowed, “I’m so glad you’re okay. I’m sorry, I should have been paying more attention. I didn’t hear the dogs until they were practically on top of us...” Raindapple silenced her friend with a flick of her tail.

“It’s okay, Snowleaf,” she said tiredly. “I didn’t hear them either, and I escaped without injury.” As she spoke, Pinestripe came over to them.

“I’m glad to hear that you’re alright, Raindapple,” he meowed. “You’d better go see your kits now. They’ve been quite worried about you.” He turned away with a nod and began re-organizing a patrol to see if the dogs had left, and Raindapple heard high-pitched cries coming towards her from the direction of the nursery. She had time to turn her head towards the sound and see her kits racing towards her, and then they were crowding around her, sniffing her fur and asking if she was alright.

“Did the dogs hurt you?” Shadekit asked worriedly.

“Did you fight them off before you escaped?” Dark-kit mewed.

“How big were they?”

“How many were there?”

“Dark-kit, Shadekit, enough!” Raindapple cried, exasperated and amused at the same time. “The dogs didn’t touch me, I didn’t touch them, they were about twice as tall as me and five times as fat, and I think there were two. Now, if I’ve answered your questions to your satisfaction, I would like to return to the nursery and rest.” Disentangling herself from her two overeager kits, Raindapple started to make her way back to the nursery. Snowleaf and the two kits followed behind, all three looking relieved that Raindapple had escaped without harm. As she approached, she saw Goldenleaf lying outside the nursery with Bark-kit, watching the small group as they approached. The pale ginger queen blinked a greeting.

“It’s good to see you back safely, Raindapple,” the golden queen said with a smile. Bark-kit, sitting beside her, mewed a quiet greeting to Raindapple and then padded over to Dark-kit and Shadekit. Reassured that Raindapple was in one piece, the three went off to fetch a piece of fresh-kill from the pile.

“It’s good to be back,” Raindapple replied wearily. She flopped down in the sun in front of the nursery with a sigh of contentment. “Escaping from those dogs tired me out. Does this mean our day of exploration has been postponed, Snowleaf?” She looked back at the calico, who had settled down near the two queens, with amusement in her eyes.

“It would be best if you didn’t venture outside camp until we’re sure that the dogs have left,” Snowleaf agreed apologetically. “I don’t know what they’re doing without their Twoleg, but hopefully it will come and get them soon.” Shaking her head, the white-and-tortoiseshell she-cat made her way over to Pinestripe to join a patrol. A few moments later she left camp with Dapplepelt and Frostclaw.

“How long do we have to wait until a Twoleg comes to retrieve you?” came a low mutter from nearby. Raindapple looked up and saw Sandfang walk past with Skystorm and Claypaw. The pale ginger tom looked pointedly away as he stalked over to the thorn tunnel and disappeared with the patrol.

Raindapple stared grimly after him, determination in her eyes. “Someday soon I am going to prove that I belong to this Clan,” she said quietly. “I don’t want my kits to have to prove themselves twice as much just because of who their mother is.” Flicking her gaze over to the fresh-kill pile, she watched the small group of kits cluster around it. Suddenly Dark-kit bounced forward boldly and seized a mouse from the top. Within moments all three kits were chasing the furry carcass around the clearing, squealing with delight.

“Don’t let Sandfang bother you too much,” Goldenleaf mewed gently. “It’s only been a moon. It’s only a matter of time before he and everyone else realizes that you’re just as much a Clan cat as anyone else here.”

“Yes,” the pale grey tabby agreed, “but the question is, how much time? What if Dark-kit and Shadekit have to deal with this when they’re apprentices?” Her golden eyes turned from her kits and regarded the other queen worriedly.

But Goldenleaf just smiled knowingly. “Then they’ll just have to work hard to make up the difference,” she mewed simply. “For all that you were named a warrior as soon as you joined the Clan, Raindapple, you still have a lot to learn about Clan ways. You’re doing the work of an apprentice and a queen at the same time. Trust me, if your kits are anything like you, they’ll manage easily.”

***

Later that night, Raindapple rose carefully from her moss nest inside the nursery, moving slowly to avoid waking her kits. Padding out the back entrance of the nursery, the dappled grey queen looked around to make sure that no-one had noticed her, and then slipped out of camp using the pathway that lead to the place where cats made their dirt. Pausing briefly once she cleared the edge of camp, she veered away from the dirt-place and worked around camp toward the entrance. This part of the forest at least she knew fairly well. She had been here a few times before to stretch her legs and get out of camp for a few moments.

As she padded deeper into the forest, the scent of the camp fading rapidly behind her, the scenery became gradually more unfamiliar. Raindapple moved carefully through the trees, keeping her senses alert in case of any night-prowling foxes or ambitious owls. She was making her way gradually toward the sound of the lake, where she was confident she would be able to locate the Sky Oak, but she knew that if she had to return to camp in a hurry, she would likely become lost. Finding the lake that separated the four territories was one thing; returning back to a small canyon secreted away amongst the trees would be another task entirely.

But Raindapple was determined to meet with Talon. She padded swiftly forward as the sounds and scents of the lake grew closer, resolving to worry about finding her way back to camp when it was time to return. She could see the branches of the giant tree silhouetted against the sky in the distance, and quickened her pace.

Stepping eagerly closer to the large oak, Raindapple looked around for any sign of the tom who she had asked to meet her there. Seeing nothing but the moon-bleached bark of the tree, she moved over to a crook in the roots and sat down to wait for him to arrive. She was startled when a whiff of scent reached her nose a moment later and an angular head appeared from around the trunk.

“Come over here,” Talon whispered, his green eyes gleaming in the darkness. His face disappeared, and Raindapple padded curiously around the tree until she found his hiding place; a hollow underneath the tree that she hadn’t noticed during her last trip here. The black and white tom was crouched just inside the opening, his inky pelt almost invisible in the darkness. He beckoned her inside with his tail, shifting over slightly to make room.

There was a short silence as the dappled grey she-cat slipped in beside him and settled herself on the packed earth. What did one say when reunited with the mate they hadn’t seen for moons? Raindapple glanced up from her paws to meet Talon’s piercing green gaze. It was he who spoke first.

“What are you doing here, Raindapple? Tell me everything that happened after I saw you last.”

She sighed quietly, going back several moons to the time when she had just discovered that she was carrying kits. She had forgotten how direct Talon could be... he never worried about hurting a cat’s feelings when he wanted to know something. Raindapple respected that about him, because it meant that any compliments he gave were always genuine. Back then, she had been nervous and excited about his reaction to the fact that she was expecting his kits... but she never got the chance to tell him.

“Well,” she started after a few moments of thought, “shortly after I last saw you, I found out that I was carrying your kits. I was a little worried when they were born and I still couldn’t find you...” she paused for a second, an unspoken question hanging between them. Talon’s face gave away nothing, and she resumed her story. “-but I managed to raise them by myself for the first few weeks. You know the Twoleg barn I used to live in... There were always lots of mice there. Anyway, when the kits were almost a moon old, Twolegs started coming into the barn more often and doing strange things. I didn’t think it was safe anymore, so I took the kits and left.

“It was hard trying to find a new place to stay,” she confessed. “The kits were so young, just beginning to taste solid food. We travelled for days, stopping to rest but never staying anywhere for long. The kits were always tired, and I couldn’t hunt enough to feed all of us. By the time I reached this forest, I knew that the kits would die if we kept going for much longer.

“The forest seemed perfect. There was so much prey here... I didn’t think I would have to move anymore, I thought I could finally raise my kits in peace. But just as we arrived, a fox found us, and tried to take the kits. I’m sure they wouldn’t both be alive today if it wasn’t for ThunderClan.”

Here Talon, who had been listening silently the entire time, interrupted. “Who is this ‘ThunderClan?’ You’ve mentioned them before.”

“ThunderClan is the group of cats who live in this part of the forest,” Raindapple explained. “One of their patrols came across me while I was fighting the fox and chased it off. When they told me that they had already claimed this part of the forest, I asked if I could join their Clan. I’ve been here for about a moon.” She paused in thought, remembering what the Clan cats had told her the first time she had met them. “There are three other Clans that live around the lake,” she mewed. “They’re called RiverClan, ShadowClan, and WindClan. I’ve never met any cats from another Clan, but I know that all four Clans meet once a month to discuss things. I suppose that once the kits are older, I’ll get to go and see what it’s all about...”

Talon’s eyes gleamed with interest, but after a moment the spark was gone, making Raindapple wonder if she had just imagined it there. Now that he was here in the forest, a new hope had budded in her mind. Could Talon join the Clan as well, so that the kits would have a father? Her musing was interrupted by another question.

“Enough about the Clans,” the tom said, “what about you and the kits? Are they both doing well?”

“They’re growing fast,” Raindapple smiled. “Dark-kit and Shadekit are already starting to show unique personalities. They’ll both be great warriors,” she added, casting a warm glance at her mate. She hoped he would ask more about the Clan, but he said nothing, gazing wordlessly at the star-filled sky. Raindapple looked too, remembering that this was supposed to be the hunting ground for the Clans’ ancestors. Examining the little points of light, she wondered if it could really be true. Many things she had learned about the Warrior Code, such as caring for kits and elders, and meeting at Gatherings, made sense to her. They served a useful purpose. But despite her respect for the Clan’s beliefs, she still questioned them. Would she ever believe, as the Clan cats did?

“You should get back to your Clan,” Talon said abruptly, breaking the silence that stretched between them. “It will start getting light soon.”

Looking down at the horizon, Raindapple realized that he was right. She got stiffly to her paws, surprised at how much time had passed. “When will I see you again?” she mewed, reluctant to leave. She hadn’t gotten around to asking him about joining the Clan.

“I’ll be here in tomorrow night,” Talon promised. “We still have much to catch up on.”

Silently agreeing with his statement, Raindapple stretched and prepared to go back to camp. Talon stopped her briefly and nuzzled her cheek, surprising her with his sudden affection. She leaned into the touch for a moment before bidding him goodbye and slipping out of the makeshift den. Her head was whirling the whole way back to camp.

[. s p o r e l e t t ♪]

Update! Chapter five added, if anyone wants to read. o3o An important new character is introduced for the first time.