Warriors: Storm and Flood

Chapter Nine

 "Let all cats old enough to swim gather for a clan meeting!" Fogstar's thundering meow sounded through the camp, dragging Thrushtail up from his mouse. He had gone to see the leader earlier that day, but Emberfern had turned him away, insisting he was much too sick. However, Fogstar was out of his den and sitting on the ledge, his muzzle raised but his body trembling as though he were holding in a cough.

He felt a different pelt brush his own, and when Thrushtail looked over, he saw Splashpelt looking at him. "I hear you're going to be a mentor," she whispered as the clan began to settle. "It's really exciting, isn't it?"

"This is the first I'm hearing about it," he mumbled back and narrowed his eyes. As the clan grew quiet, Fogstar raised his muzzle again; before he could speak, however, Shakepelt and Harvestfoot quickly padded up to him, both cats meowing anxiously something that could not be heard. He then blinked in surprise when Fogstar let out a frustrated hiss and shooed his mate and deputy away.

"Today," the leader began, his meow hoarse. "Riverclan will gain two apprentices. Bramblekit and Snowykit, please step forward." As soon as Fogstar finished speaking, his entire body was wracked with a horrible cough. There were several gasps from the cats around him, and even Splashpelt seemed to shrink back, horrified to see her father so ill. Even so, Bramblekit and Snowykit both bounded forward, their eyes bright.

"Bramblekit, from this day until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Bramblepaw. I have chosen Frosttoe to be your mentor, and I know she will pass down her skills as a warrior to you." As Fogstar spoke, he beckoned Frosttoe forward; the she-cat's blue eyes shone with happiness. She touched the brown tom's nose and guided him to the side of the clearing with her tail.

"Snowykit, from this day until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Snowypaw," the leader continued, then glanced at Thrushtail. Understanding the signal, he stepped forward to meet the white and grey she-cat. His chest swelled with pride as he leaned forward and touched his apprentice's nose, then let out a purr of amusement when he saw Snowypaw bouncing with excitement.

"I'll be the best apprentice ever!" She exclaimed, her voice high-pitched and her whiskers twitching. "I'll clean the elders' den and I'll get rid of their ticks and bring them fresh kill and new moss and--"

"Whoa, calm down," Thrushtail chuckled, drawing his tail over her mouth to silence her. "The ceremony isn't over yet." The small cat's ears flattened with embarrassment and she padded beside him, keeping herself low to the ground.

The clan then erupted with congratulations, each cat exclaiming Bramblepaw and Snowypaw's names with happiness; Sandpelt and Larkwing's meows were the loudest of all, both cats obviously proud of their kits.

"Fogstar, may I make an announcement?" Thrushtail's ears pricked with surprise as Minnowshade padded forward; he noticed that behind her, Reedfur's chest was puffed out proudly, his tail swishing behind him.

"Yes, go on," Fogstar nodded to his daughter.

"I'm happy to say that I am expecting Reedfur's kits," the silver and white she-cat purred. "And that I will be moving into the nursery." Almost instantly, Sandpelt, Shakepelt, and Wavewhisker all crowded around her, purring loudly and already fussing over her.

Fogstar had remained silent through Minnowshade's announcement; Thrushtail noticed that the leader was still shaking, but his expression was dark and his tail was lashing behind him. Harvestfoot looked extremely uncomfortable behind him with his ears flattened. After the commotion with Minnowshade had calmed down, Fogstar stepped forward once more.