Warriors: The Prophecy of Frost - Danger Lurking

Part 2: Chapter 4- Tour

"Hailkit!" Froststar mewed crossly. "Your pelt is all messy. Where have you been? In a thorn bush?"

Patchheart was furiously licking Fernkit, who mewed in protest.

When Hailkit was finally groomed, his fur looked more flat than a few moments ago. Fernkit's whiskers twitched in amusement as she saw her littermate got struck in the thorn barrier.

Sunstream had to take him out and pull out the thorns, but his fur was very fuzzy from his struggling.

Froststar jumped up to the Highledge and yowled, "Let all cats who are old enough to catch their own prey to gather at Highledge for a Clan meeting!"

The rest of the Clan began gathering in front of the Highledge, already expecting what is going to happen.

"Fernkit and Hailkit have reached the age of six moons, and are ready to become apprentices. Fernkit, from this moment on, you will be known as Fernpaw. Honeyfrost, you are a skilled hunter. Pass these on to Fernpaw," Froststar announced.

Quivering with joy, Fernpaw touched noses with her new mentor.

"Hailkit, from this moment on, you will be known as Hailpaw. Rockpelt, you are skilled at fighting. Pass these onto Hailpaw," she mewed.

"Fernpaw! Hailpaw!" the Clan yowled in welcome.

After the ceremony, Fernpaw followed Honeyfrost excitedly. "What are we going to do now?" she asked.

"How about a tour with your brother?" Honeyfrost suggested.

"Sure!" Fernpaw argeed.

Her mentor padded to a light gray tom and mewed a few words in his ear. He nodded and gestured for Hailpaw to follow him.

"We will show you the Tallpines first," Rockpelt mewed. "That's where your assessment is held."

They nodded enthusiastically.

Fernpaw ran past her mentor and mewed, "How does Tallpines look like?"

"Very tall," Honeyfrost purred. "But you will see the details when we reach there."

~~~~

"Wow," Fernpaw mewed in amazement.

The sunlight shone onto the smooth looking leaves, and the trees stood high and mighty.

"Part of Tallpines was used to be empty, as some trees are cut by Twolegs. But it stopped one day and the forest continues to thrive, containing hidden prey in their leaves or roots," Honeyfrost explained.

"Twolegplace is nearby," Rockpelt added. "In the cold leaf-bare, where there is a chance of greencough, we could take the catmint from the Twoleg nest."

"Tell us about the other Clans!" Hailpaw mewed eagerly.

"There are three other Clans, which is ShadowClan, RiverClan and WindClan," he replied. "ShadowClan are the most hostile-"

"That's what you think," Honeyfrost interupted. "ShadowClan is not that hostile. The other Clans can pose a threat too."

Rockpelt grumbled in annoyance.

"Where are the other Clans?" Fernpaw asked.

"RiverClan is by a river which runs in their territory. They mostly hunt fish as their prey, and I suggest you not to taste one," Rockpelt mewed.

"ShadowClan resides in the darkest part of the forest," Honeyfrost mewed, glancing at Rockpelt. "They hunt a variety of prey, and they even eat frogs."

Hailpaw wrinkled his face in disgust. "I wonder how they manage that. Froststar told me that it tastes very chewy."

Honeyfrost nodded and continued, "Finally, WindClan lives on the moor, chasing after rabbits for prey. They are the fastest Clan, basically."

"How do we deal with them if there is a fight?" Fernpaw asked.

"You can try tripping them," Rockpelt replied. "Their apprentices cannot turn fast when they charge at us."

Fernpaw nodded.

"Follow me," Honeyfrost mewed. "We are checking out Sunningrocks next."

When they reached there, Hailpaw laid on one of the sun baked stones. "This is nice and warm!" he declared. "Fernpaw, come try it."

Fernpaw put her paws on it as Rockpelt began explaining, "Sunningrocks is the territory that RiverClan targets. Many moons ago, as I was told, Sunningrocks was not connected to ThunderClan territory, and only RiverClan could access it."

"When it became connected," Honeyfrost mewed. "Our Clan claimed it. However, RiverClan still believed that it was their territory, and both sides fought over these stones."

"Will RiverClan come now?" Hailpaw asked, looking at RiverClan's territory worriedly.

"You never know when they would come," Rockpelt growled. "But when they do, we will be ready."

Honeyfrost flicked her tail in agreement and mewed, "Let's go now. It is getting late and I'm sure you two would be tired when we end the tour."

"Okay," Fernpaw and Hailpaw mewed together.