Slate waited for his housefolk to return for him, and as the hours passed, the sky grew an orange tint. They weren't coming back... The seven moon old tom stood, weariness dragging through his body. He forced his paws to move, though, and trudged towards the trees in the distance. Maybe Nova had gone this way...
His sister had ran away a few days before Slate was dumped by the thunderpath. He had assumed she went to live life in the clans, and didn't know how to tell him.
If she did go, Slate was determined to find her. He couldn't let his sister go, just like that. No, he had to find her. Once he did, they'd be reunited and happy again.
Slate continued along a slightly worn out path, his body exhausted. Usually he was inside by now, eating his food, then curling up next to his housefolk. Enjoying the way their large, pink paws would run down his pelt, making him purr in content. Imagining it hurt, so he took his mind off of the idea. If the a clan accepted him, then that would be his new home. And he wouldn't regret it.
Hearing voices, he froze. Then continued slowly. He'd show no fear in front of these cats!
"Trespasser!"
A sleek pelt hurtled towards him, and caught him by surprise. The cat landed squarely on his shoulders, and his hind paws pummeled his back. Slate fell, and was quick to be pinned down. The cat was a she cat, her intense green eyes glaring at him. She was a brown and white tortoiseshell, with one black paw.
"What are you doing on RiverClan territory?" she growled, and two others joined her, both toms.
The pure black tom snarled, "Stupid kittypet! Get off our territory!"
The white tom with gray stripes said calmly, "Knock it off Rosefawn, he's just a young one! What harm has he done? He probably doesn't even know about the clans."
Reluctantly, the she cat who must be Rosefawn clambered off of him. She made sure to give him a slight scratch on his flank, and backed up to join her friends.
"But Whitetooth, he's intruding," she protested, still eyeing Slate angrily.
Whitetooth said reassuringly to Slate, "Don't mind Rosefawn and Darkfoot. They aren't fans of kittypets."
"Kittypets?" Slate echoed.
The white tom replied, "You live with twolegs, correct? You smell of it."
Slate meowed, "Housefolk you mean? Yes, I did. They left me by a thunderpath, however... My sister, Nova, ran off a few days before. I decided to come here, in search of... Um..."
Darkfoot spat, "Well, what is it, kittypet?"
Slate hissed, "Shut up!"
Darkfoot stepped forward, and jeered, "You think I'm scared of you?"
Whitetooth put his tail on Darkfoot's shoulders, and drew him back. He waited patiently for Slate to state his reasoning.
"I wanted to join a clan... You guys must be from one," Slate said, sighing after.
Rosefawn sneered, "You'd only make us weak!"
Whitetooth shot her a glare, and said to Slate, "We're from RiverClan. Do you really have intentions of joining a clan? The other three are ThunderClan, ShadowClan, and WindClan."
Slate nodded, and answered, "Yes, I do."
Whitetooth thought, then said calmly, "Why don't we take you to our leader, Redstar. You can talk to her. Let us explain what you're doing here, though. Other cats may grow angry, just don't snap at them. Your chances of joining will be good if you prove you can be strong, and ignore other cats. Redstar looks at those kind of things."
The gray tom took in the information, and Rosefawn hissed, "You're letting this fish brain join?"
Fish brain?
Slate stared at her, and flicked his tail tip in annoyance. This she cat was so arrogant!
Whitetooth led, and Rosefawn and Darkfoot flanked his sides. Slate could feel their fur bristling, and their haunches raised. He didn't say anything, just followed Whitetooth. They went along the edge of a river, then turned to the left. The four cats slipped through some reeds, and Slate gasped.
Dens made from weaved reeds that looked light and round dotted the camp. Many cats were inside. Some were talking and cleaning each other, others were eating. Most stopped what they were doing to turn and stare at the returning cats and the newcomer they brought.
A large, tawny she cat bounded over, staring at Slate through slitted eyes.
"Whitetooth, who is this?" she asked, eyeing the tom warily.
Whitetooth explained, "We found him crossing into our territory. He was abandoned by his twolegs, and claims his sister came to one of the clans. His name is Slate, and he has decided he wants to join RiverClan. That is, if you allow it, of course."
Redstar pondered, then said thoughtfully, "A kittypet so young... And he wants to join a clan? Hmm... Slate, is this what you want?"
A cat called from the crowd, "You aren't going to let kittypet scum join, are you Redstar?"
Another agreed, "Yeah! We can't just accept some flea pelt!"
Insults rose from the cats, and some remained silent, only staring in wonder. A tiny kit came scuttling forward.
"Hi there! I'm Slipkit!"
Slate smiled, and meowed, "Hello, I'm Slate!"
A she cat scurried over, and herded her kit away.
"Sorry," she called over her shoulder, and Slipkit groaned.
Redstar blinked in amusement, and warned, "It'll take time to prove to these cats your loyal."
"I realize that. I'll do what I can," he promised solemnly.
Redstar nodded, and leaped onto a smooth stone that jutted up from the soil.
"Let all cats old enough to swim gather to hear my words," she called.
Whitetooth beckoned for Slate to come sit by him in the front.
Redstar said to the gathering cats, "Today, a kittypet, Slate, has decided to join our clan. I'm surprised at how brave he is for such a young age. Slate, how many moons old are you?"
Slate answered, "Seven. Nearly eight."
"And is it your wish to truly become a RiverClan cat?" she prompted.
Slate nodded eagerly, eyes shining with excitement. He'd only dreamed of sleeping with clan cats! Now, it was finally happening!
"Then I say these words before StarClan! Slate, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and duties until your warrior ceremony?" she asked, looking at him.
Whitetooth nudged Slate to his paws and whispered, "Say you do."
"I do," Slate echoed, heart thudding in his chest.
He forced his body to keep still and look presentable.
"Then until the day you receive your warrior name, you shall be known as Stormpaw. Your mentor will be," she said, and paused to scan the crowd of cats.
She finished, "Your mentor will be Sharpclaw."
A gray tom with white paws stepped forward, and met Stormpaw. He bent over to touch his nose to Stormpaw's.
Stormpaw thought he saw uncertainty flicker in his mentor's eyes, but it was gone as quickly as it arrived.
"Welcome to RiverClan," Redstar yowled.
"Stormpaw! Stormpaw! Stormpaw!"
As the clan cheered his name, doubt crept into Stormpaw. Did he have what it takes to become a RiverClan cat? Could he do this, and earn their trust?
