Stars Without Borders

3

"Leafp-. Who's that?" A small black furred she-cat asked curiously, her fur bristling.

"Hollypaw, this is Teacup and Astro." Leafpool replies calmly.

"They smell like kittypets." She glared at the two making Teacup's pelt boil with anger.

"That's because they are. Come young ones, it's time you meet Firestar. Hollypaw, go get Firestar and bring him to the medicine den please." The older she-cat replied.

"Yes Leafpool..." Hollypaw muttered dipping her head before running off. Leafpool padded on the two kits following behind closely as strange cats started appearing from the shadows.

"L-Leafpool..." Teacup started, but the older she-cat only responded with a flick of her tail. When they reached a medium sized cave hidden behind a couple thorns, Leafpool turned around sharply her expression suddenly serious.

"Let me see your paw, Teacup." She ordered which the younger cat held up her paw shaking under Leafpool's gaze. Reaching out with her right paw, Leafpool tapped it gently causing the kit to wince slightly.

"It'll be ok. Just sore." She spoke before motioning both kits closer with her tail.

"Leafpool." A voice called causing Teacup to jump and run behind Leafpool while Astro turned around calmly.

"I've hear you brought two kits to ThunderClan. Why is that?" Teacup noticed it was an older flame colored tom. Leafpool nodded slowly before explaining how she found them and retelling Teacup's story.

"I see..." Firestar muttered staring at the two kits.

"Can they stay Firestar?" Leafpool asked after moments of silence.

"Very well... May I ask how old you are?" He asked looking at Astro.

"I.. Don't know.." Astro meowed unsure.

"Hm... You look old enough to be an apprentice... I don't know about her though.." He spoke referring to Teacup.

"Hey! Just because I'm small doesn't mean I'm a helpless kit!" Teacup protested.

"Ok.. Well... I guess you two can become apprentices... You do realize if you join the Clan you'll have to work hard to prove yourselves right?" Firestar meowed staring at Teacup who nodded fiercely.

"Very well... Follow me." His meow firm as if not to be questioned. Teacup padded beside Firestar quickly, leaving Leafpool's den.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the highledge for a clan meeting!!" Firestar called as he left the two siblings and scarmbled up to what he called the "highledge". Soon enough cats started to appear out of their dens, staring at the two newcomers curiously.

"As you have probably heard by now, two kits have been brought into camp by Leafpool. These two kits shall be made apprentices of ThunderClan." Firestar meowed staring down at the group of cats beneath him.

"Like we need more non-clan born cats! Haven't we been patronized enough!" A voice yelled out while many murmured in agreement.

"I understand your concerns for the clan Dustpelt, but I cannot let these two kits live on their own in the forest. They could die if we turn them away." Firestars meow silenced everyone as they cast guilty looks at the ground.

"Teacup, from this moment on your loyalties shall lay with ThunderClan. By staying here you will learn the ways of your clan and work hard to prove yourself. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be know as Softpaw. I Firestar will take you on as my apprentice and be your mentor. I will try my best to teach you all that I can." Firestar spoke before making his way from the highledge to touch noses with her before returning to his spot on the highledge. Soon after a few cats repeated her new name cheerfully causing her to look down at her paws slightly embarrassed.

"Astro, from this moment on you will be known as Smokepaw. Stormfur, you have proved yourself many times over that you are a great warrior in ThunderClan and I think you're ready for an apprentice. May you pass on all your knowledge to Smokepaw." As Firestar finished a dark gray tom padded up to Smokepaw and they touched noses. As the cats did with Softpaw they called out his new name as well.

"Come on Smokepaw, I'll show you around the camp." Stormfur meowed while Smokepaw nodded and they padded off leaving Softpaw by herself.

"Hey Softpaw!" Someone called causing her to jump.

"You scared her Cinderpaw!" A gray and white tom scolded a gray tabby she-cat who looked unfazed.

"Sorry...I'm Cinderpaw and that's Mousepaw." She meowed motioning to the tom beside her.

"Hi..." Softpaw meowed looking at her paws.

"We were wondering if you wanted to go hunting with us." Mousepaw meowed eagerly which made Softpaw look up confused.

"Why me?" She asked curiously.

"It'll be fun!!!" Cinderpaw piped up happily.

"Ok.. Let's go then.." Softpaw brightened up as they led the way.