Five cats. Five clans. One family.
This is the story of five cats from each clan (including SkyClan) who snuck away from their camp only to discover that they're in unfamiliar territory. What happens when a lost clan is in the snow and they meet one...
The wind was howling as Redpaw trotted through the fields with the others, the thought of his mother and littermate weighing heavily on his mind.
He thought of Thrushpaw, who happily protected him, even when they were kits, with Thrushpaw being the more brave one of them both.
He thought of Moonheart, who's wisdom guided him towards his desire of being a medicine cat apprentice.
Redpaw didn't know what the others were thinking when they brung their friends, Rainpaw, Daypaw, Pinepaw, Hawkpaw, and Sunpaw on the journey. At least he kept the secret from his clan mates.
I kept the secret from my clan mates. Redpaw realized how sinister it sounded. The others were truly loyal to their clan, telling their most closest friends about the prophecy and journey, and letting them come.
Do I regret it? Redpaw asked himself. There came a time in his life as a kit where he distanced himself from others, feeling that his desire to become a medicine cat apprentice separated him from others.
Even when he did, he still distanced himself. In fact, the deputy ceremony was the first time he'd ever had contact with his mother or brother in a long time. Now he'd never have physical contact with them being so far away...
Now that they've reached the mountains, all apprentices were shocked. The sun was giving way to the moon, stars were brightening and most of all, the lake was glistening.
On his left, Hawkpaw's ear twitched and on his right, Shinepaw's pelt bristled with excitement and awe.
Nightpaw leaned onto Daypaw's shoulder. "The view's beautiful. We never have anything like this in ShadowClan."
"I know... if we get more views like this, this journey won't so bad!" meowed Daypaw in agreement.
Sunpaw licked Shinepaw's ear affectionately. "They don't get views like this, but we do in WindClan." mewed Sunpaw.
"I can see all the clan territories. Pinepaw, I wish you could see. It's amazing!" yowled Cindertail.
"Thanks for the acknowledgment." Pinepaw replied flatly next to Daypaw.
Redpaw gazed at ThunderClan's territory, feeling homesick already. What about Thrushpaw? What about Moonheart? Runningpelt? He didn't know, that was for sure.
Redpaw's eyes shone as he yearned to go back into ThunderClan territory; to launch himself back into his home, to give Moonheart and Thrushpaw the biggest thanks he's ever given them.
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(Redpaw in WCUE^)
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(Thrushpaw in WCUE^)
"Maybe we could find a cave to sleep in?" meowed Nightpaw. "This looks like a huge mountain. There must be some caves. Let's split up and look."
They all went with each of their clanmates, which only made Redpaw's heart crumble as he went alone. Redpaw brushed against the rocks, looking to see if there would be a cave he would fall into.
Luckily, there was, and it was a big one. It was a luxurious cave, complete with ponds and bushes. "This would be perfect for us!" meowed Redpaw.
He called the others over so they could explore. It didn't have much prey, maybe a termite or two, but they would starve pretty soon.
Although, food wasn't the only thing Redpaw was starving for.
It was home.
—————
"Redpaw!"
"Redpaw!"
"Redpaw!!"
The third cry was his own. In the midst of the territory, ThunderClan cats have just woken up to realize Redpaw was gone. Moonheart was paranoid, and Thrushpaw was very worried as well.
It seems as if he'd been driven so far away, he's not even here anymore... what if a fox or Badger got him? He's a medicine cat apprentice; he doesn't know how to fight yet.
Concerns and worries raced through his mind as if they were running from a pack of dogs.
Thrushpaw followed his brother's scent—well, what he recognized of his brother's scent— and followed it into the tunnels. Thrushpaw was very worried as he smelt RiverClan, ShadowClan, WindClan, and SkyClan.
"Thrushpaw! Did you find something?" asked Snowwhisker, another warrior.
"There's RiverClan, ShadowClan, WindClan, and SkyClam scent here!" yowled Thrushpaw. "A whole clan of apprentices!"
Snowwhisker trotted down to the tunnels where his paws froze still. Yet, Thrushpaw went on without acknowledging the older warrior, and followed his brother's scent into the RiverClan territory. Thrushpaw continued on, despite his fear.
He remembered when he and Redpaw got captured by RiverClan as kits. He remembered when he and Redpaw got into trouble when they almost crossed the border while playing 'Escape the Camp.'
I won't let those memories die! Thrushpaw told himself. Redpaw, why did you go? We need you here. I need you here. You're not different because you want to be a medicine cat. If you are, that's okay. Everybody's different. Please come back..
Thrushpaw, despite his fear at being caught, trotted through the RiverClan territory, and soon enough, the ShadowClan territory. He didn't hear Snowwhisker, or any of the searching party sprinting after him.
Even if they were, he wouldn't care.
My brother needs me.
As the sun started shining through the trees, Thrushpaw was exhausted. He was trotting through the territory all night. He climbed the mountains, and when he got to where he was going, he saw a big, lush cave.
"Intruder!"
A gang of apprentices launched themselves at him. Thrushpaw was bombarded, his sight blurred by dark gray...orange...black... light gray... is that white!?
Thrushpaw pushed through the madness, only to be pounced on by the white cat. Thrushpaw struggled, and struggled, only to realize that the white cat knew his name.
