SandClan's Destiny Book 1: A Flame is Lit

Chapter 13: Deciphering Threats

Bigstar flicked an ear. "Do you think eleven moons is okay?" she asked her deputy.

"It's fine." Cougarfang reassured her. "If they do attack.. well they were trained enough, weren't they?"

"Of course. Missing a bit of training doesn't hurt anybody. Besi--" Bigstar stopped short.

"Yeah, I understand" He mewed, staring down at his paws, claws out. They were smooth and dark grey, stretching long before curling at the end. He dug them into the grass.

Bigstar sighed. If it was true... that Wolfstar was truly up to something... well-- The signs of his treachery were evident in his malicious grins, his glinting eyes, and his sly attitude. Bigstar had the nerve to try and discuss matters with a Venomclanner themselves, but she knew they would not share his plans. They might not even know themselves.

Wolfstar was a danger in any case. He had built up Venomclan back to the days when Eclipsestar was leading, and the leaders prior and latter to him who were equally as strange and equally as cunning.

Those legends used to be shared frequently as Bigstar was a kit, but has long since been kept hidden, mainly because Wolfstar has risen, and those dangers could rise with him as well. Although he isn't 'evil', for such a label cannot possibly be placed on just anyone, he still wrecks havoc among the clans often. Not to mention in his time of leadership, he's shaped most of his warriors, by shaping the elder ones and letting the born ones grow up in the new environment, by training them with claws, naming them crude names, and punishing them for little things. He hid all weaknesses, and gave birth to a powerful and fearless clan.

I wonder if Starclan even bothers with Venomclan anymore. She began to wonder a myriad of possibilities as to what Starclan must do with fallen Venomclanners.

Cougarfang lashed his grey tabbied tail and flicked his yellow eyes over to Bigstar. "Are you going to start the ceremony?"

"Soon. Let the clan wake up first... No.. Perhaps at sunset." She ducked into her den and sat down.

Venomclan's warning could've been nothing. It could've been bragging, and it could've been just a way to scare the clans. He always bragged about how strong his clan was, in any season, but never before did he attack the clans before. Only once, when Blackstar aggravated him, but that was understandable, since Wolfstar is extremely proud.

Proud, or he just wants to show no weakness, reveal no breach. Bigstar wondered if Wolfstar was going to attack every clan, even Oakclan, and the allyship was just a rouse for Venomclan to get in closer with them.

No. Never. Birchstar has always stuck to Wolfstar, like a burr in his pelt, seemingly his follower. He followed him like a kit, like a whiny kit. And now, he was a disciple. Wolfstar would not throw that away just to scare the clans.

Bigstar looked out into the clearing, heaving a sigh.

The only cats awake were Blackeye and Rainfoot, and they were sharing prey. Bigstar purred, imagining them to be mates. The leader then squinted at the elder bushes, needing to exit her den part-way to be able to see it. She missed the ability to speak with Firepaw and Rockpaw. Rockpaw hated her, and Firepaw was too busy, and just didn't need a mother.

Bigstar sighed. There were always other chances. Her mate understood very well. It wasn't fair-he'd make a wonderful father. It just was not his fault Birchstar never liked him- being Birchstar's brother's son. Was he that loathing and greedy, that he would bully his own brother's son into admission, or was it something deeper? Everyone always blamed his problems on his past, anyway.

Whatever 'his past' meant.

Bigstar's mind was going everywhere now. She shook her head roughly again and blinked twice, hard, and ducked from her den.

She padded to the fresh-kill pile.

"Hello, Bigstar." Rainfoot dipped his head at her.

Bigstar nodded with a squirrel dangling from her jaws, and she sat next to the stone walls of the medicine den entrance.

Sunspots padded out, flicked his white ear, and stretched. "Hello, littermate."

"Hey Sunspots."

"I'm going to go and gather tansy.. goldenrod.." He looked up. "And horsetail.. and poppyseeds too!" He lashed his tail. "I'll bring a warrior."

"How is Goldpaw?"

"Oh, she's sleeping still." He shrugged, and whisked past Bigstar.

Bigstar sighed, and watched Cougarfang on the Slanted Rock sending out patrols. Bigstar devoured the rest of her squirrel and stood, padding over to join him.

*~*~*

The world was glowing with the color of autumn as the sun set, just an orb of light sinking behind trees, and the hill that housed Greenclan.

Bigstar was ready, and called out for a meeting upon the Slanted Rock. She was nervous, but it was time.

Her kits deserved to be warriors. They deserved to be known, and deserved to be treated as equals.

"Let all cats old enough to swim on their own, join here beneath the Slanted Rock!"

Cats began to gather, muttering suspiciously to one another, but they eagerly sat to listen to their leader.

"I believe.. it was time.. t-to.." Bigstar looked straight into Firepaw's green eyes, and it appeared she understood.

"Firepaw, Rockpaw."

The two padded up, Firepaw beaming and Rockpaw lashing his tail twice before looking the least bit glad. He was probably unhappy because he was near Bigstar.. or so she thought. She really thought he hated her.

"Firepaw, from this day onward, you shall be known as Firesong. Sandclan appreciates your hard-work and effort, along with your skills in hunting. Prosper on."

"Firesong, Firesong, Firesong!"

Bigstar heard Stormtail's voice ring out loudly in that cheer.

"Rockpaw..." She looked at her kit who avoided her gaze. He only sometimes glanced at her, half heatedly.

"From this day onward, you shall be known as Rockshade. Sandclan honors your strength and your company here in the clan. You will make a wonderful warrior."

"Rockshade Rockshade Rockshade!" The voices rung out strongly.

"Tonight you two will sit vigil, and in the morning, you will be true warriors of Sandclan."