Warrior Cats: Beyond the Clans

Dawnmist's Heart - Prologue

Dawnkit stood below a large rock, listening as the ThunderClan cats decided her fate. Was she to stay with ThunderClan, alongside Sunkit and Frogkit, or was she to leave?

"They have no right!" A pale brown tabby snarled. "Some of them are different Clans and the kits are half Clan!"

"I think we should let them," Dawnkit winced at the next speaker. A she-cat who was missing an eye and had several claws along her face stated thoughtfully. "They'd be useful to the Clan. Duskpelt is a great hunter, while Pineleaf has a great nose."

"What about Moonshadow then?" A brown tabby growled. "She's an elder. She'd just be another mouth to feed. And that's hard enough, this deep in leaf-bare!"

Moonshadow's perfect, and I love her for what she is! So, take that, frog-faces! Dawnpaw longed to say her mind, but she was afraid she'd get kicked out.

"I've heard the voices of my senior warriors. Deputy, Luckyheart, what is your opinion?" A handsome orange tom said in a voice that rang out above the raucous. This must be the leader, Firestar.

A golden-brown she-cat pondered the question. Luckyheart. Dawnkit thought. "I believe we should let them in. Brightheart is right. But Duskpelt and Pineleaf must hunt for Moonshadow. Our warriors aren't going to waste energy for an elder that isn't even ThunderClan."

Moonshadow can hunt for herself, thank you very much! Dawnkit bit her tongue, waiting.

She saw Goldenperch let out a breath of relief.

"Fine." Firestar flicked his tail idly. "Moonshadow, you may go to the elders' den. Longtail, Graystripe, Sandstorm and Dustpelt will show you around the den. Brightheart? Can you please show Duskpelt and Pineleaf our territory and the best places to hunt? In fact, it'd be great if you could take them on a border patrol with some other warriors too."

Dawnkit zoned out. She tapped Sunkit on the back with her tail.

"Come on!" she hissed. "Let's play!"

"I'll meet you at that den over there," Sunkit replied. "I just need to get Frogkit."

Dawnkit headed towards the huge rock, sliding between legs and bodies. She reached the den and entered it, her jaw falling open. Sunkit and Frogkit came in too.

"Amazing," Dawnkit uttered.

"Agreed," Frogkit replied.

They were staring at a vast den with a large bedding of moss. Bones of small prey was littered in the corner.

"Perhaps we shouldn't be here," Frogkit mewed tentatively.

"We're staying!" Dawnkit retorted angrily.

"I agree with Frogkit," Sunkit interrupted. "Sorry, Dawnkit."

The white-gray tom and the light ginger she-cat left, leaving the ginger she-cat by her own. Her tail flicked about sadly. Slowly, she padded outside, blinking in the sunlight, to hear the Clan calling Luckyheart's name.

"Luckyheart! Luckyheart!"

"Firestar, I am honored. I respect your wishes and I will always ask for your advice when I am in times of need. I release you from your leaders' duties." Luckyheart dipped her head to the wise tom. "Tonight, I will travel to the Moonpool with Jayfeather." The golden-brown tabby mewed respectfully.

What's happening? Dawnkit wondered. She quickly found her littermates. "What's happening?"

"Luckyheart's the new leader!" Frogkit answered excitedly.

"Luckyheart! Luckyheart!" the Clan continued its' call.

Goldenperch murmured something to Luckyheart, the new leader looked flustered.

"I say these words before StarClan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of ThunderClan will be Brackenfur." Luckyheart declared.

"Brackenfur? Are you sure he's the right cat for the job?" Someone from the crowd sneered.

Dawnkit's head spun. There were so many cats!

"I am." Luckyheart growled.

"How can we trust you?" It was Moonshadow!

Moonshadow? She's not rude!

"Moonshadow!" Sunkit hissed. "Stop! You're going to get kicked out!"

"How dare you, you piece of crow-food eating, fox-hearted mouse-brain!" A white tom's voice drowned Sunkit's. He lashed his tail angrily. "We accepted you into the Clan and you're being overly suspicious of us!"

Luckyheart laid her tail gently on the white tom's shoulder. "Peace, my warrior. Moonshadow has a point. You might not trust me!" she called to the cats. "But I will do my best to lead you through good times and bad times. If I had half the courage, loyalty and wisdom of Firestar, then I will be a good leader."

Dawnkit zoned out again and started playing with a puddle of water. She dipped a paw in, then took it out, delighted by the ripples. Dawnkit stretched her paw further, lost her balance, and fell in the puddle. It was small, but she was a very small kit. Embarrassed, Dawnkit climbed out and shook her fur out. Her fur was caked in thick, wet mud.

Dimly, she noticed the Clan taking up the chant again, but she didn't care. Shuddering against the coldness, she sought comfort with her mother and littermates, breathing a little sigh of happiness.

This is where I'm meant to be.