ColdClan [1] - Warrior Cats

16. Sunpaw

Sunpaw hadn't shifted from her mentors side since dawn, and dusk was fast approaching. Little sobs still came out of the she-cat, and she shook with anger. A drop of rain fell onto her nose, then another on her back, and as she looked to the clouded sky, she noticed that a storm was slowly rumbling in. Shock made her come back into reality, for she had to get out of the storm to be safe.  I can't just leave Larkwing's body... She thought.

As if StarClan had heard her, the brothers Spiderpaw and Tallpaw rounded the corner, both carrying a thrush each. When Spiderpaw saw Sunpaw's eyes, he dropped the thrush instantly and ran over. Sunpaw couldn't help it - she raced up to him and buried her face in his fur.

"Sunpaw! What's the matter?" He asked gently.

She could hardly talk so she simply stuttered 'Larkwing' and hoped he understood. He didn't say another word, but glanced at Tallpaw. The other tom walked over to where Sunpaw had been standing, and behind a fallen log, Larkwing lay. Tallpaw gave a little inverted gasp, before looking back at Spiderpaw and gave a small nod. Understanding Sunpaw's sadness, he wrapped his body round her, comforting her as well as sheltering her from the rain. Bending his head in respect, Tallpaw said his last goodbyes.

"Spiderpaw, Sunpaw, we need to get out of here before the storm really hits. Together, we could drag Larkwing's body back to camp. We all need to be strong now." Tallpaw rested his tail on Spiderpaw's back and Sunpaw felt the silent connection between them.

The three apprentices grabbed a scruff of Larkwing's beautiful yet soaked fur. Blinking back tears, Sunpaw pulled her body alongside Spiderpaw and Tallpaw. Together they were quick and arrived back in camp. There wasn't many cats around, except one of Larkwing's two sisters, Berrystep.

"Larkwing?" Sunpaw's mother asked with fear in her voice. As the three apprentices moved away from the body, Spiderpaw still comforting Sunpaw, Berrystep gave a long, broken yowl. She rushed to Larkwing, howling with pain. More cats heard Berrystep's distress, and appeared from the dens. Kits were hurried back inside and apprentices stood next to each other with shock on their faces. Mudstar bolted out of his den, his own pain racing through his body.

Everyone in the clan was hurting. Larkwing had been such a special part of the clan, and now she was gone. She had delivered so many kits, saved so many lives and been there for Mudstar when he needed it most.

"Sunpaw?" Mudstar called her name. She staggered over to him. "We need to talk. In my den, please." She leant on the leader as they made their way to the den.

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Sunpaw had explained everything to Mudstar; how Larkwing had died saving her, and they had killed the mountain lion.

Trying to look brave, Mudstar leapt onto the leader's rock with an effortless bound. He looked dizzy and sick, but spoke like a true leader. "Sunpaw has told me what happened to her and Larkwing. Believe me, it is not a pretty tale, but Larkwing did die saving Sunpaw. That is the Larkwing we all knew and loved, always putting others before herself." He paused as the clan agreed with him. "Her death affects us all, for we all held her dear. But life in ColdClan goes on, and as the mountain lion threat goes, so does our strength! Sunpaw, you will make the journey to the moonstone alone, and receive your medicine cat name there. I know you will be a great medicine cat, just like Larkwing. Before I finish this meeting, I think two other apprentices proved themselves today. Spiderpaw and Tallpaw, you both kept a calm head when you found Sunpaw and Larkwing. You showed true warrior prospect. Would you please come here?"

Shocked, Spiderpaw and Tallpaw made their way up to the leader's rock

"I, Mudstar, leader of ColdClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down at these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn. Spiderpaw and Tallpaw, do you promised to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend your clan even at the cost of your life?"

"I do." The toms said in unison

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Spiderpaw, from this moment you will be known as Spidertail. Tallpaw, from this moment you will be known as Tallnose. StarClan honours your initiative and we welcome you as full warriors of ColdClan."

The clan shouted their names, but there was a sudden commotion at the back of the clan as Skyleap ran in. Sunpaw felt happy to see her sister, and it was only then that she realised how long her sister had been missing.

"Mudstar, I bring news of a betrayal, right in our own clan!" Skyleap stood at the face of the leader's rock, staring up at Mudstar. The clan cats suddenly became agitated, wanting to know who couldn't be trusted.

"Speak, young Skyleap. Tell us what you know." Mudstar nodded at the young warrior.

" Its Cloudmask. He has been betraying the clan! He has a family in HeatClan, and has been telling them our secrets. He cannot be trusted!"

Angrily, the clan shouted abuse at each other, some saying that Skyleap was fox-brained and others saying that she could be right. Mudstar interrupted, trying to keep the peace.

"Skyleap, how do we know you have been telling the truth?"

All of a sudden, Berrystep was at her side, the rain running off her fur. "Mudstar, I have suspected Cloudmask to be a traitor for a while now. I just needed something solid, something that you couldn't disprove. My daughter would never lie about her father. What would she gain from it?"

"We should wait for Cloudmask's return, and see what he has to say!" Called out Silvernose.

Skyleap shook her head, turning to the clan. "Beloved ColdClan members, your deputy will not be returning. He has decided to stay with HeatClan. I know this because HeatClan took me prisoner, for I killed Dovefeather, their deputy. She attacked me.. I had no choice."

Although the clan was silent, the rain seemed to speak as it hit the ground. Sunpaw saw her sisters despair and slowly walked over to her. "I believe you, Skyleap. You smell of HeatClan. Our father may have betrayed us, but if he is happy in HeatClan, so be it. We shall be stronger without him. We shall be happier without him. Our clan is not like HeatClan. We respect the warrior code. That s what makes us ColdClan, the cats of the mountain!" Approval rang through the cats mouths, and their cheers echoed off the trees.

"This clan meeting is dismissed." Mudstar shouted above the crowd.