Stormy Nights

Prologue

Prologue

“Redstar! Redstar! Redstar! Redstar!” The Clan cats chanted eagerly. Their former leader, Flowerstar, had passed away the previous day and gone to hunt with her warrior ancestors in StarClan for the rest of eternity. Her last life had been snatched by a severe bout of greencough, along with the elder Dirtfoot.

            Gazing up at Silverpelt, Redstar folded his tail over his front paws as he thought regretfully of his beloved leader. Flowerstar had been his mother and best friend, though she was a bit pushy in the ‘find a mate!’ department. She had an endless faith that Wolfsong, Redstar’s best friend, would give up pursuing Tigercloud and turn to him instead. She abandoned hope on that foolish chase when Wolfsong announced that she was expecting kits. But still, sometimes Redstar wondered what it would have been like, him and Wolfsong.

            “Mouse-brain! That never would’ve happened. Wolfsong loved Tigercloud to much to let him go.” He muttered to himself. “Besides, I have Softheart, Beekit, and Honeykit now.”

            Jumping up to the Tall Tree, the tree he climbed when he needed to make an announcement, he gave a great yowl and stood on his favorite branch, the one draped in moss. Living in a rainforest sure had its benefits. The place was crawling in delicious prey, and it was very hard to attack but very easy to defend. They had found the perfect camp when RainClan was founded countless seasons ago, by a loner named Rain.

            “As a new leader, it is my duty to appoint my first deputy.” Redstar began nervously. Racking his brain for the traditional words, he began the ritual. “I say these words before StarClan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of RainClan is Wolfsong.”

            “Wolfsong! Wolfsong! Wolfsong! Wolfsong!” Chanted the crowd. Obviously, Wolfsong was a popular choice. They swarmed around her, congratulating her and wishing her luck at her new status.

            “Also, as a leader, it is my job to appoint new warriors.” Redstar said when the noise died down. He gestured with his tail to Pepperpaw and Bloodpaw. They exchanged an excited glance and stepped forward, their heads held high. “I, Redstar, leader of RainClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn.” Jumping down from his branch, he turned to Bloodpaw. “Bloodpaw, do promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?”

            “I do.” Bloodpaw said surely. His amber eyes gleamed in the moonlight.

            “Then by the power of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Bloodpaw, from this moment forward, you will be known as Bloodpool. StarClan honors your courage and strength in battle, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RainClan.”

            He rested his muzzle on Bloodpool’s head, and the tom licked his shoulder respectfully. Turning to Pepperpaw, he smiled to himself. Maybe leadership wouldn’t be so bad after all.

            “Pepperpaw, do promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?” He questioned, though he already knew the answer.

            “I do!” She squealed happily, bouncing in exhilaration.

            “The by the power of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Pepperpaw, from this moment forward, you will be known as Pepperfleck. StarClan honors your kindness and enthusiasm, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RainClan.”