Warriors Bloodlines Book 1: Rising Tension

CHAPTER 5

        It was the next morning. Stickkit was still missing, but Bigstar was putting together a patrol to speak with Frostclan. The patrol consisted of Gingerfur, Viperpaw, Sweetacorn, Dogfur, Flypaw, and Bigstar himself.                                                                                                                                                     The group of Treeclan cats marched out into the forest. After some time, they made it to the edge of the forest. Where the field stretched before them. "We've made it to Frostclan territory," Bigstar muttered. "Lets just hope there'll be no hostility."                                                                                          The Large white leader led his clanmates into the field. "Frostclan are usually VERY hostile Bigstar," Dogfur whispered. "What if-" Bigstar cut him off. "We can hold our own! But remember, do not start a fight, but we will finish one."                                                                                                                        They walked for some time before they made it to a stream. On the other side was grey stone that lead upward into the mountains. "Lets stop for a drink, then we shall continue." Bigstar ordered. The Treeclan cats stopped and bent down to drink. As Flypaw was lapping at the water, he heard Gingerfur hiss. "Frostclan!"                                                                                                                                      Flypaw brought his head up to see three grey toms on the other side of the stream. He recognized Bluepaw, the apprentice. "It's Palewhisker, maybe he'll be reasonable." Bigstar mewed in response. The Frostclan patrol crossed the stream and stood tall in front of the Treeclan cats. "Bigstar? What are you doing on Frostclan territory?" The leading tom, a pale grey senior warrior questioned. "Trespassers!" Spat the darker grey tom on his right. The pale tom silenced him with a stern look.                                                                                                                                                 "Palewhisker," Bigstar began. "We have reason to believe a Treeclan kit was taken into Frostclan. Please Palewhisker, her mother is worried sick." There was a long pause, then Palewhisker dipped his head. "You're lucky I'm leading this patrol and not Tawnyfur! Come with me." The older pale grey tom lead the cats into the mountains. It was very different than Treeclans territory, which was mostly trees. It was colder up here, especially from Leaf-Bare.                      Finally after a long walk, they made it to a crevice in one of the stone walls. A dark ginger tabby sat at the entrance. Perhaps Frostclan expected Treeclan to find out about the missing kit quickly, and had a guard set in case of an attack? Flypaw thought to himself.                                                      Palewhisker nodded at the guard and greeted him. "Redfur," he mewed. Redfur mewed a hello and the cats entered the crevice. It lead to a large cave. Many cats were inside, and they gave the group weird looks.                                                                                                                                                          Frostclan is smaller than Treeclan, Flypaw noticed. Another dark ginger tom approached the cats, a tawny colored tom at his side. That must be Tawnyfur, Flypaw thought.                                          "Bloodstar!" Bigstar called. "We must speak with you!" Bloodstar nodded before speaking. "Come with me, to my den. Just you Bigstar." Bigstar agreed and the two went into another crevice inside the cave, Tawnyfur following them.                                                                                                              After some time, the three toms left the den, and Bloodstar flicked his tail at Tawnyfur. Tawnyfur ran over to another den as the two leaders began stalking their way back to the others. "My apologies Bigstar, Tawnyfur caught that kit hunting in our territory. He thought she was an apprentice." Flypaw overheard Bloodstar say.                                                                                                                      Bigstar nodded. "She is over six moons, but has been sick with whitecough. That is why she has not been apprenticed yet." The leaders approached the other cats and sat down. "Again Bigstar, I'm sorry for this inconvenience. We did notice her sickness, and our medicine cat Wolfstorm has cured her." Bigstar gave his thanks, and suddenly Stickkit came running out of the den, Tawnyfur spitting after her. A long furred dark grey tom followed the apprentice out of the den. "Make sure she gets plenty of rest, to heal from that sickness!" He mewed, reaching the group of cats. "Thank you Wolfstorm." Bigstar spoke calmly.                                                                                          The Treeclan cats left the Frostclan camp and headed for the mountains. After crossing the stream, Flypaw questioned Bigstar. "Why does Wolfstorm have a warrior name, though he's a medicine cat? 'Storm' is usually honed by strong, brave fighters correct?" Bigstar looked at the grey apprentice, and nodded. "Yes, you are correct Flypaw! Good job for taking notice! Wolfstorm was a warrior before being made the medicine cat. The Frostclan medicine cat had died so Starclan chose him to care for his clan." Flypaw looked confused.                                                              "How did he train to be a medicine cat, if he had no mentor?" Sweetacorn approached the apprentice from behind. "The other clans medicine cats, helped guide him, along with Starclan." She purred. She then backed away and stayed beside Stickkit.                                                                                      Flypaw realized the patrol had made it back into their own territory, and before long they made it to camp. Bigstar lead Stickkit to his den, to give her a stern talking to. Flypaw saw Stickkits father Sparrowtail sitting by the Fresh-Kill pile.                                                                                                   The brown tabby looked worried sick. Dogfur approached the younger warrior and licked his ear. "Stickkit is home," he mewed. Sparrowtails ears pricked in excitement. "Where is she? Is she hurt?" Dogfur calmed the tabby. "Relax my friend, she is in Bigstars den being scolded."                          "Scolded? What did she do?" Sparrowtail snapped. "Shh, silence my friend." Dogfur nuzzled him. "All will be made clear soon. Give it time."

               It had been a few days since Stickkit had returned to camp. News had spread like a wildfire around the camp about what had happened. Bigstar leapt on top of the rock in the middle of the clearing. He called the clan together and began speaking. "Stickkit is older than six moons, and has recovered from her sickness. She is now ready to be made an apprentice. Stickkit please step forward." Stickkit stepped forward and was jumping with excitement.                             "Are you going to reward her for stealing Fresh-Kill from Frostclan?" Spat Raspberrytail. Bigstar shot her a stern look. "No, If she is made an apprentice, she can learn from her mistakes, and not make them twice!" He hissed at the grumpy old she-cat. "Stickkit, until you've earned your warrior name," Bigstar continued with the ceremony. "You shall be known as Stickpaw!"                        Many cats began calling the apprentices new name, Sparrowtail and Hazelnose being the loudest. "Stickpaw! Stickpaw!" Bigstar then silenced the clan. "Stickpaw, your mentor shall be Slenderclaw. Slenderclaw, this is your first apprentice. I hope you can teach Stickpaw your knowledge, and learn yourself how to be a good teacher."                                                                                                 Slenderclaw nodded and Stickpaw ran over to touch noses with her mentor. Bigstar ended the meeting and all the cats went their separate ways.