Warrior Cats: Rising Smoke

Chapter 9

Sparrowflame and Swiftshine stationed themselves next to Thrushpelt as the new group of cats made their way from the Gathering to the Seeing Stream. There was a strange silence as all the cats moved uneasily together as if they were unsure whether it was all a joke or not. It didn't take long to make it to the Seeing Stream and all the cats eagerly bent down to lap at the cool water. Once they had all taken a small drink they started to yawn and stretch out. Sparrowflame felt his eyes getting heavy and he blinked them trying to stay awake, but when he felt the warm head of Swiftshine on his back he allowed himself to drift off.

Thrushpelt stood in a clearing that sparkled like little droplets of water on a bright morning. All the other cats from the Seeing Stream were there too and they were looking around with a mix of fear and awe. A cat with a pelt full of stars stepped out from the bush and came towards Thrushpet. Sparrowflame was stunned into silence as he watched eight more stary cats emerge and surround Thrushpelt. He didn't know any of them but he assumed they must be old Treeclan cats. All the cats watched in unison and silence as Thrushpelt received his nine lives of Love, Strength, Courage, Patience, Understanding, Mentorship, Leadership, Healing and Grace.

One of the Starclan cats bent their head and touched their muzzle to Thrushstar's head. "I hail you by your new name, Thrushstar. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you the guardianship of Smokeclan. Defend it well; care for young and old; honor your ancestors and the traditions of the; live each life with pride and dignity." 

Sparrowflame looked around at the other cats curiously and they were all wide eyed like kits and watching as their new leader received his new name. Never had an entire clan witnessed a leader receiver their name. It was usually something reserved for medicine cats only, but now there was no question whether or not Starclan supported the new leader. A twinge of jealously burned deep in Sparrowflame's stomach as he watched. He knew one day it would be him standing among Starclan receiving his nine lives, but it felt so far away. Maybe if he was lucky Thrushpelt would make him a deputy. No, he threw that thought out because he realized he hadn't had an apprentice yet. If he couldn't be leader and couldn't be deputy then he would be the best warrior in the clan until it was his turn to take on a deputy role. 

"Smokeclan," announced one of the other Starclan cats with a voice that rang out and bounced off the trees. "You were created from three other clans and now must become one. It will be hard and you will struggle, but if you follow the warrior code and learn to trust one another, you will thrive."

"Thrushstar," the first Starclan cat spoke again. "You must choose a deputy."

"But I don't know any of these cats." Thrushstar whispered meakly.

"Brindleface," The Starclan cat called forward the tom who hesitantly stepped forward. "You are passionate and fair warrior, you will serve Smokeclan well as their first deputy." The warrior dipped his head but was too scared too speak. 

Sparrowflame shook his head as if shaking away the dream and stood up quickly, Swiftshine falling to the ground with a thud. The other cats were waking up and looking around as Thrushstar waited patiently for everyone to awaken. Smokeclan, Sparrowflame thought to himself. What a strange sounding name for a clan.

"Hello Smokeclan," Thrushstar addressed the group of cats. "Let us make our way into our new territory and tomorrow we will start rebuilding the camp." All the cats were too tired to argue so they all made their way from the Seeing Stream and all the way across the forest until they crossed into Smokeclan territory. The sun was starting to peak in the sky by the time Thrushstar led them into the old Treeclan camp which was now destroyed and overgrown. Without dens the cats all found a spot on the ground and curled up to go to sleep. Sparrowflame watched as the cats sectioned off into smaller groups of the cats they knew  leaving three separate piles of sleeping cats. He wondered how long a cat could live off nine lives and knew that while Thrushstar was leader he would need to get to work in the background.

The sun was high in the sky by the time the cats started to stir. Swiftshine was curled up next to him with her tail resting on his shoulder. He shrugged it off like it was an annoying fly then got up and looked around for the first time assessing the new Smokeclan camp. Most of the other cats were still sleeping but some were starting to slowly yawn and stretch. 

"It looks a lot different from when I was here last." Thrushstar said sadly from a few fox lengths away. "There will be a lot of work to get done here."

"Maybe when everyone wakes up we should tour the new territory together." Sparrowflame suggested wanting to be get on Thrushstar's good side as quickly as possible. The new leader looked at his warily as if he didn't trust him. Sparrowflame and Thrushpelt never had any type of relationship other than living in Moonclan together. Thrushpelt had chastised Sparrowflame when he was an apprentice a couple times for his rudeness but other than that the two didn't really know each other. Getting on Thrushstar's good side would be important if he was going to be deputy one day. 

Thrushstar nodded in agreement.  "Yes that is a great idea. We can see the territory and do some hunting. Then we can return and start to work on the camp." The two toms sat in silence, uneasy around each other. They waited until the rest of the new clan was awake. "Good morning Smokeclan." Thrushstar addressed the group of cats all looking at him. "I know we don't know each other very well, but I would like to give you all a tour of our new territory. We can do some hunting along the way as I'm sure you must all be as hungry as I am." there was a small chuckle and nod of agreement from the crowd. "It will b e hard work but I believe we can all work together to put the camp back in order as well. With any lucky we will have dens to sleep in tonight."

Thrushstar led his new clan of eight cats out the partially destroyed entrance and into the unfamiliar forest.