The Heart That Holds The Flame

Brand New Home

I shrink down in my nest.

"Don't be afraid. It's ok. You are safe here. Oh! Yeah, by the way, my name is Leafpool!" The she-cat mewed sweetly.

I still didn't trust this cat. If I learned any from living rogue, it was to trust nothing. Anything could destroy you in a second.

"I promise that no one is going to hurt you. The only cat you might need to worry about is Jayfeather, but only because he doesn't have much patience." Leafpool walked over to me while she spoke.

This cat was persistent. I guess I could tell her. She seems nice. I won't tell her very much, but I do need to tell her something. " I-I don't know where I am, or how I got here! The only things I know is that I'm five moons old, that I know how to hunt, and how to fight. Yes, I know that what happened with me and that other cat didn't show it..."

Leafpool walked over to me while I spoke. She stopped me from speaking." Shhh... you don't have to say anything more. Do you think you are well enough to speak to our leader? She will tell you everything you need and want to know."

I nod after a brief hesitation. My curiosity was peaked.

Leafpool left and returned shortly with a cat that looked a lot like me. I sat up in my nest ready to ask questions.

The new cat spoke."My name is Squirrelstar. I am the leader of ThunderClan. The place that we are in right now. The cat that you fought with, Ivypool, brought you back here after she realized your age. She feels really bad and later would like to apologize to you in person. After you learn a little bit about the clan, you can join if you want. I already have a name picked out for you if you don't already have one!"

I got up from my nest." Thank you for the offer. I have no home so I would like to take up your offer anyways!" I dip my head." I-I have no n-name..."

Squirrelstar put her tail around my shoulders and took me out of the medicine cat den. "It's ok. Let me show you around."

I followed Squirrel as she showed me around the camp. It was bigger than I thought. I don't think I've ever seen so many cats! I was so happy to see more cats!

We stop at her den. I wanted to know more about the clan." Is there more than one clan? And where is Starclan?"

Squirrelstar's eyes widened." How do you know about Starclan?!"

"Uhh... I went there when I blacked out... I met a cat named Sandstorm and she told me something strange..."

"What did she tell you?"

"She said,' When the heart of the flame shines brightest, the fire within will be at it's strongest .'" I don't know what it means. Do you?"

"No. What she said to you was a prophecy. That is very special! Don't worry, though. You aren't in trouble."

I sigh in relief."Ok, good. So... what I said before, how may clans are there?"

"There are four clans in the forest. ShadowClan, RiverClan, WindClan, and the clan you are in, ThunderClan."

"So many! Wow, how will I ever remember it all?!"

"Oh, you will. It's actually easier than you'd initially expect!"

Squirrelstar proceeded to tell me about how a clan works and about all the clans in the forest.

I stood and stretched." I will be six moons old tomorrow! I can't wait!"

Squirrelstar went outside and I followed." It's getting late and you are probably tired. You can take my nest for tonight."

"Wow! Thank you!"

It was the best nights sleep I ever had! I woke up the nest morning very early. I groomed myself till I shined so I looked good for my apprentice ceremony. I went to the fresh kill pile and grabbed a vole. That was my favorite type of fresh kill. I was so hungry that I grabbed another large vole. I re-groomed myself.

Then I heard the call that I had been waiting for." Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the high ledge for a clan meeting!"