Beyond the Mountains | A Warrior Cats Fanfiction

꧁ ✧ Chapter 29 ✧ ꧂

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''Who's this?'' a pale brown she-cat trotted forward, sniffing Willow with a hostile glare.

''No worries, Brambleheart, this is... oh! I don't know your name.'' Tansyleap looked apologetically at her. Willow dipped her head earnestly.

''My name is Willow.'' Tansyleap smiled, turning to Brambleheart.

''There you are.'' She chirped, but brambleheart didn't respond. She was stood up tall, her gaze fixated on something behind them.

Tansyleap turned, before dipping her head. ''Greetings, Hazelstar. I assume Redleaf has told you about the rogue?''

''Yes, but not much.'' Hazelstar looked her up and down. She stood still, but her pelt crawled. She could feel the whole clan's gaze burning into her back.

''Where did you come across this rogue?'' She asked, turning back to Tansyleap.

''On sunningrocks!'' Poppysun chirped, peeking up at Hazelstar. Tansyleap looked at her sideways, clearing her throat.

''Her name is Willow!'' She called to Hazelstar, who was walking away, a sandy she-cat with dark hazel eyes followed her, and a couple of other warriors, including Redleaf and Appletooth.

They disappeared into a small cave behind a large ledge. A large, black she-cat with white stripes and a white chest dipped her head at Willow before following them inside.

''They are going to discuss what will happen.'' Tansyleap hissed.

A tomcat cleared his throat, and Willow swivelled her head around to look. Her gaze caught a few friendly faces, but a few unfriendly. A blue-gray tom with faint stripes gave her a confident but friendly smirk, and lifted his head at her. Her mouth creased in an awkward smile, before her head swung around nervously as a different cat hissed at her, a medium brown she-cat with white tuxedo markings and dark stripes, her amber eyes glaring. The cats emerged, all stepping down the ledge apart from Hazelstar, her soft brown fur whisping.

''All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather here beneath the highrock for a clan meeting!'' She called out, and what seemed to be the entire clan emerged from dens, crowding around underneath the clan leader.

''A rogue was found by sunningrocks, and it had been discussed that if she'd like to, she may stay in Thunderclan for a trail.'' Disapproving murmurs spread like a wave throughout the clan, and she lowered her head.

''I know it is a new thing, but we are short on warriors and Riverclan and Shadowclan continues to press our boundaries.'' The mumurs died down, and a kit squealed,

''Mama, didn't you say rogues are evil and they eat kits that don't behave?'' This was quickly hushed by a cream she-cat, casting an apologetic look at Willow.

''No, not all of them sweetie. See, that rogue looks very nice, doesn't she?'' The queen murmured quietly. A little grey tomkit eyed her with a furrowed brow.

''But mama she's dirty!'' The tomkit wrinkled his nose. The clan watched silently.

''Wolfkit don't be harsh! She's probably come a long way...'' The queen cooed, giving Willow a nervous glance.

''Yes, i have.'' Willow padded forward with a sympathetic eye to the kit. ''You see,'' She was talking to the whole clan now.

''I come from the mountains, up where its still snowing.'' The clan buzzed excitedly.

''Yes! With great rivers falling off cliffs.'' She meowed, hoping the clan wouldn't have heard about such a thing, and would be impressed. They seemed to be.

''With huge birds that can take cats up into the sky!'' She paused, her heart burning.

''Have you seen it happen?'' a small grey cat asked in disbelief.

''I have.'' She stopped for a moment, sorrow ripping her chest open. She prayed they would believe her, and let her stay. ''And cats as big as the bushes surrounding this camp!'' The clan gasped, and she nodded earnestly. They did seem to believe her as the clan burst into conversation.

Hazelstar, who had been watching quietly, called out.

''Silence, please!'' The clan went quiet.

''We are short in warriors, and this rogue seems to have courage and strength, stamina the clan needs after this leaf-bare. All in favour of allowing the rogue Willow to stay, please stand.''

Willow was amazed to see how many stood, leaving only a few older-looking cats and a young she-cat staying sat.

''Then it will be. Willow, please come forward.'' She did so, her head cocked in confusion.

''It is our way to have multiple names once they are earnt. Because you have had no training, you will be an apprentice. Are you willing to give up your name for an apprentice name?''

She shivered at how easy the transition had been. She was ready for a fresh start. ''I am.''

''Then from now one, until you recieve your warrior name, I name you Willowpaw. Your Mentor will be Stormclaw. Stormclaw, please step forward.'' Willowpaw twisted her head to watch the blue-grey tom walk confidently towards her, and she looked down, embarrased for some reason.

''Stormclaw, I trust you will treat Willowpaw with respect. Pass on your courage and skills to her, and treat her as she was clan-born.'' Hazelstar gave her a brief smile, and she felt her nervousness shrink. Poppysun was right. This clan is pretty welcoming.

''I will, Hazelstar. Thank you.'' Stormclaw turned to her, and she felt her ears get hot. He leaned forward, and gently touched his nose onto hers.

''Hey, Willowpaw. Nice to meet you.'' He stared intensly into her eyes, and sent shivers down her spine. His eyes were a frosty blue, hawk-like, that felt like they might just claw out her own eyes if she wasn't careful. But Willowpaw smiled confidently, her gaze meeting his evenly.

''And you.'' She smiled, but looked around the clan nervously.

''Don't worry, you'll fit right in.''

Willowpaw peered at his friendly smile, feeling more happiness than she had in a long, long time. She had found her new home.