The Petal That Followed The Breeze

Chapter 8

Life went well in SoulClan for the little kit. Of course, some cats were wary of the idea of this loner joining the Clan, but the others just thought of Rosekit as just another kit. The small calico had a hard time making friends or getting to know her clanmates at first, because of her shyness and inability to trust as easily as other kits, or cats in general. She was still 5 moons at the time, so for just a little more she was kept to the nursery. At the time, the kit loved to be with the medicine cat, and to be in the medicine cat's den looking and smelling all of the herbs was amazing to her. Soon, Rosekit found out that she had a choice to be a medicine cat or a warrior. She contemplated the choices. To be a medicine cat, you would be around the herbs, helping your clanmates in a different way, receiving signs from StarClan... But to be a warrior, you would be around animals, battles, and finally, you could find love. Love was a big part of life, in Rosekit's mind at least. Like some other she-cat, she wanted to have a mate, someone to protect her, and that she would protect as well. Her decision to become an apprentice to a warrior was hesitant, but it was there. But she still had time to change her decision, for she was not going to become a warrior that night.

As a kit, Rosepaw began to become acquainted with a clanmate of hers; Tigerpaw. The two cats had a large moon-age gap between them, but became close. The moon-high that the two met was the night that Tigerpaw was going to get his warrior name, and become a full warrior of SoulClan. Still a kit, the calico heard the call of "all cats that could catch their own prey to meet below Highledge", and she knew that she could catch her own prey, but didn't realize that meant apprentices and above. Rosekit wanted to know what the meeting was about, so she got to her paws and padded to the group of cats gathered beneath the Highledge. Being the unnoticed and last one to the meeting, she sat and crouched from a distance to be able to see Snowstar and the deputy on the ledge. Snowstar's voice rang loud and clear throughout the camp, and she meowed with pride a ceremonial speech. Rosekit listened intently and wrapped her short-haired tail across her paws. When Tigerpaw was mentioned, she stared wide-eyed as the striped tom leapt from rock to rock up to the ledge.

I, Snowstar, leader of SoulClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn.

Tigerpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?

There was a slight pause and a small gulp came from the apprentice.

I do.

Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Tigerpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Tigerheart. StarClan honors your courage and bravery, and we welcome you as a full warrior of SoulClan.

The leader's words were said with utmost honor and grace, and her eyes shone as all of the cats in the clearing reared up and yowled their clanmate's name into the night sky, full of beautiful dark blues and of course, the glowing warrior ancestors. She rested her muzzle on top of the tom's broad head and he licked her shoulder in respect.

What a strange ceremony...

The kit thought, but she knew not to question it.

Rosekit decided not to call her friend's name, but just smiled at him and her clanmates as he leapt from down from the ledge into the crowd to sit down once again, being praised by other cats.

Her smile was wiped off as Snowstar's eyes gave to slight grief, but they shone proudly.

"There is more news to be told at this Clan meeting."

The cheering and praising died down, so that the leader could speak once again. She explained that because of moon-age reasons, she would be stepping down from her leader position and was to take as an elder. Soon enough, the deputy came up to the highest part of the ledge and took next to Snowstar. They announced that the two cats would be padding to the Moonpool to complete the leader and retirement ceremonies.

And finally, Rosekit heard of the big news. It had been going around as whispers and chats, but the kit had never stretched her ears out far enough to hear about it.

"We have another announcement to make. To clear up the rumors, this must be heard."

There was a pause in Snowstar's voice, and soon the deputy spoke up. Rosekit finally got to hear the soon-to-be leader's voice, and she had to admit that it was a loud and powerful one.

"In the course of the next moon, most of SoulClan will be merging with our ally, WhisperClan. The leaders and deputies have spoken to each other, and we have decided that it is for the best to bring these smaller Clans into a greater one, for the sake of our cats."

Indignant hisses came from the crowd, and Rosekit had unknowingly been a part of them. Her ears were over-turned and her emerald eyes glared. She had been in SoulClan long enough to realize that this was not the best idea. SoulClan, with other cats that we don't know, who may have different opinions than ours, sharing dens, and prey, and herbs. What sick cat would think of turning this family-styled Clan, that would stick together with humor and warmth in the worst of Leafbares, into a larger Clan with a new larger territory? No, other Clans must have opposed this.

Before the leader and deputy could continue, an older warrior called out, "Well, what would happened to SoulClan then?" Any cat could tell that she was not taking this easily, and that she was not calm. But Snowstar was.

The elder leader replied, "Whomever decides to stay with SoulClan is allowed to stay."

There were no more questions and no more comments, for the meeting was called over.

Rosekit was looking for Tigerheart to congratulate him on becoming a warrior, but saw him giving the deputy an affectionate lick on the ear before padding off to the entrance with her. The calico seeing the two cats together gave her a warm feeling, and she ultimately smiled. Not wanting to be a bother, she got to her paws, shook out her pelt, and padded slowly to the nursery for to rest.