Warrior Cats; Clans Without Honour

Chapter Two

"Now, kits. You need to focus" Curlfoot said. "What is the first rule of the Warrior Code?"

Oddkit racked her brain for the answer. The kits were two moons old now, and it was the duty of their mother to teach them the code that they would one day be sworn to live by.

"Defend your clan, even with the cost of your life. You can have friends in other clans, but your first loyalty is to your own clan" Finchkit mewed confidently.

"Yes! Good job, Finchkit." Curlfoot praised. She looked at the gaggle of kits surrounding her. "Stonekit, do you know what the second rule is?"

"Uh," Stonekit had is eyes narrowed in thought. Before he could speak, Mudkit piped up.

"Do not hunt or trespass on another clans' territory!" He looked uncertain, even though they all knew he was right.

"Correct!" The silver-coloured queen mewed. "Anyone know the third?"

"I do!" Hollowkit said. He puffed out his chest and repeated back the rule. "The strongest cats in the clan will be fed first, followed by kits, then the weakest."

Curlfoot hesitated, frowning slightly. "Yes, very good" She said, giving her son a lick between the ears.

Oddkit tilted her head. Shouldn't the weaker cats be fed first?

"Why do the stronger cats get fed first, mother?" She asked.

"I suppose they get fed first because they need to work more." Curlfoot replied, tucking her tail closer to the kits. "But don't worry, Oddkit. There is always enough prey to go around."

The little tortoiseshell kit didn't look too sure. She just nodded instead.

"Anyways, the next rule" Curlfoot said. "I'll just tell you the next couple, to save a bit of time."
She looked a bit hesitant as she continued. "Prey is killed only to be eaten. Give thanks to StarClan for it's life."

"Oh, I know the next one!" Dandelionkit mewed, prancing into the nursery. She and her brother had been out training with the apprentices. "Kits will be made apprentices when the leader says they're ready!"

"Yes, Dandelionkit. Thank you" Curlfoot said. "Do you know the next one, Nutkit?" She turned to the orange tom, who had trudged in behind his littermate.

"Uh, new warriors must keep a silent vigil when they get their names" he mewed, a little bit quieter than he usually was.

"Correct," Littleleap said from her nest. Oddkit didn't realise she was there.

"A warrior must train at least one apprentice before they can be named deputy. Amd the deputy will become leader when the old leader dies or retires." Curlfoot said, continuing the lesson.

"Oddkit, do you know the next one?" Curlfoot mewed, looking at her daughter.

Um... What is it...? Something about the....deputy? Yes!

"After the death or retirement of the deputy, the new one must be chosen within a quarter-moon." She mewed proudly

Curlfoot nodded, sending a well done glance towards her. She looked quite tired now, and probably didn't want to speak. She tilted her head towards Littleleap.

"Ahem, yes. The next rule is that a gathering of all four clans will be held every full moon. During which there will be no fighting between the clans." The light ginger queen smiled sympathetically at the kits. " Anyone know the next...?"

Finchkit was the one to reply, "Borders must be checked twice a day. Challenge any trespassers."

"Good job" Littleleap said. "Nutkit?"

"No warrior may neglect a kit in pain or danger, even if they are from another clan." He said obediently

"Haha! So we can just go throw ourselves in the river near FallowClan, and they will have no choice but to help us!" Dandelionkit said, a bit too enthusiastically.

Littleleap stared at her. "You will do no such thing!" She hissed.

"Anyways! Next rule?" Curlfoot mewed. She was obviously trying to avoid conflict.

"The word of the clan leader is not final. It can be challenged if the clan thinks so." Oddkit said.

"Yes, very good Oddkit." She said. "Anyone know what's next?"

"Me! Stonekit said. "An honourable warrior is prepared to kill any cat to defend their clan!"

Oddkit stared in horror. But what if they hadn't been trained properly? Or if they are sick? She felt awful. What if a patrol comes across a kittypet? They can't even fight!

Her thoughts had made her remember the last code, however. And she was eager to finish this lesson.

"And- a warrior rejects the soft life of a kittypet" she mewed, a bit on edge now. How was her brother so unaffected by that?

He seemed so happy that it was a part of the code.

"Well done, all of you. You can go play now." Curlfoot said with relief.

"Come on! Let's go bother Skypaw to teach us some moves!" Dandelionkit said as she raced out of the nursery.

Oddkit went to go follow as the rest of the kits ran out, but she turned back and nuzzled her mother.

"It's okay. I know it's wrong" She said. "But when I'm older, I'll fix it!"

Author's Note: This chapter was thanks to u/Lestat30 on Reddit. The idea of the queens teaching the kits the code came from them.