Midnight's Past

Chapter Two

Midnight woke up before the other apprentices which was surprising. The sun was just coming up so Midnight decided to leave the den. She looked around to see that only a few cats were awake. Some were still yawning and others groomed their fur. Midnight saw the black cat with the white underbelly. He was talking to a group of cats and then they nodded their heads and left the camp.

Midnight approached him, "Morning. I never caught your name last night."

"Ah, yes. Good morning, Midnight! I am Ashclaw. Speaking of names. Would you like a Clan name?"

"Oh, no thank you! I like my name."

"Suit yourself. Anyways, I heard Lionstar wanted you to get to know the place. Go talk to the medacine cat, Greenberry. He's very nice. He'll explain things to you." Ashclaw meowed while pointing to a den with his tail.

"Thank you, Ashclaw."

Midnight walked over to the den and saw a brown tom with bright green eyes and a small white she-cat with blue eyes. "Yes, Flowerpaw- No, no, this is burdock root."

"Excuse me."

The two looked up and who Midnight guessed was Greenberry stood up with a smile. "So, you are the Midnight I've heard about?"

"Yes. Ashclaw told me to go to you. He said you would explain some things to me about being in the Clan or whatever."

Greenberry looked at Flowerpaw. "Keep sorting." Then, he looked at Midnight. "I'll show you around the Clan territory."

"Okay."

Midnight followed Greenberry out of the camp and he began walking. "So, we're just going to walk around the entire Fire Clan territory so keep up. Anyways... do you know what Ashclaw wants me to explain?"

"Not really. I'm guessing basic rules. That sorta thing."

"Very well. Hm, let me start with one of my favorite pieces of history. Flamefur. She helped save the Clans. She had visions of a looming battle. No one believed her. Except for two cats. Bluefire who would soon be Bluestar and Flamefur's sister. Cherrywhisker. The battle came. It turns out that Water Clan had teamed up with the Dark Forest cats. Then, Star Clan helped our Clan defeat them. It turns out that the Dark Forest cats were also against Water Clan. Yet, they were outnumbered. The Dark Forest cats were trying to fight against three Clans. You can guess what happened."

"Wow." Midnight mumbled, not knowing what else to say.

"Sorry, if I bored you with that. Let me get to more important details. How about the warrior code. The first code says that you must defend the Clan. Even with your life. You can be friends with the cats of Water Clan but be aware that you may meet them in battle one day. The second code- Do not hunt or trespass on the other Clan's land. Then, apprentices may not eat before the elders and queens have been fed unless they have permission. Also, prey is killed to be eaten. We all have to thank Star Clan for the prey we recieve. Also, kits must be six moons old to become an apprentice. Don't worry, I'm sure that everyone is aware that you are much older than that. Lionstar will help you breeze through your apprenticeship. The next code says new warriors will sit a silent, one night vigil. Then, a cat cannot be appointed as deputy without having mentored atleast one cat. Also, the deputy will be made leader once the current leader dies or retires."

Midnight nodded.

"After the deputy becomes leader, a new deputy must be chosen before moonhigh. Also, a gathering is held every full moon and there will be no fighting at these gatherings. The next code says that borders must be checked daily and any trespassing cat must be challenged. The next one you have definitely passed. You cannot neglect a kit in need. Even if it is from the other Clan. A very important one is that the leader's word is the warrior code. Also, cats do not need to kill to win their fights unless it is absolutely necessary. The final code says that a warrior will reject the soft life of a kittypet."

The last code made her shiver. She had been a kittypet for three years. Now, she really couldn't let them know about her past. "All of that makes sense."

"Yes, I'm glad. Sorry, to have bored you to near death but I just feel like if you know the code then you should fit into the Clan just fine. Oh, one more thing is that medacine cats cannot have a mate."

"Thank you, for telling me the code. I wouldn't want to break it and ruin my chances at living with Fire Clan."

"That'd be a shame. So, where did you come from?"

Midnight's head spun for a second before she confidently lied, "I've been a rogue all of my life. I was just passing through when I found Winterkit."

Greenberry nodded his head. "We're almost back at the camp."

They walked in silence for a little while. Midnight looked up at the tall oak trees that were shielding her from the sun. She could see squirrels leaping to and fro. "Could we stop to hunt. I want to catch something for the elders and queens."

"Okay." Greenberry stopped and began grooming himself, not even giving Midnight a second glance. That was good. Midnight didn't like to be watched.

***

Midnight grunted with effort as she came into camp with four squirrels in her mouth. She was holding them by their tails with her head held high so they wouldn't drag. She had two more on her back. Everyone looked at her with shock. Lionstar approached with a look of confusion. "If you were hungry you could've said something." He smirked at his own remark.

"Haha. Very funny. These are for the elder and queens" Midnight mumbled around the squirrels.

He pointed to two dens with his tail. He had a look of amusement written all over his face. Midnight left three squirrels with the four queens and three squirrels with the three elders. Midnight quickly groomed herself to get the delicious scent of squirrel off of herself. Midnight saw Maplepaw approaching her with a happy smile. "Hey, Midnight!"

"Hey, Maplepaw!"

"My mentor, Redburn said that we could eat. Thanks for feeding the elders and queens!"

The two cats grabbed a piece of prey from what these cats called the fresh kill pile. "So, you going to the gathering?" Midnight mumbled through her vole.

"Mhm. So are you. Lionstar told me."

"Cool! What are the gatherings normally like?"

She shrugged. "Pretty cool. You get to talk to the Water Clan cats, see how they're doing. That kind of thing."

Midnight nodded. "I wonder what Water Clan will think of me."

***

Midnight walked beside Maplepaw as they exited the camp. The grass underpaw was dry and prickly. "When was the last time it rained around here?"

"It doesn't rain a lot but luckily the river in our territory never runs out of water."

"That's good."

Midnight and Maplepaw walked forwards in silence. I can't believe I have friends now! Although... I still need to be careful. He could come back for me. He could kill me. He promised I'd suffer because... no! Shut up, Midnight! Just enjoy your time with Maplepaw. "So, how long have you been an apprentice?"

"Three moons."

"How long are you supposed to be an apprentice?"

She shrugged. "However long your mentor thinks that you need."

Soon, all of the cats stopped and Maplepaw looked at Midnight. "We're here."