Warriors Fanfiction: Super Edition-Owlflight's Path

Chapter Twelve

Mipha's introduction to the group was a mix of surprise and disdain, but after managing to win in a battle against Oakcharge by outwitting the tom, she was quickly accepted. The brown tom was still sore about losing, however, and he sulked as they followed the elder cats further out of the Twolegplace.

"Dumb kittypet," he muttered, "she tricked me." Ravenleaf snorted.

"She's not so dumb then, is she?" His sister flicked him teasingly. Mipha sent back a proud look, grinning massively.

"Well," the kittypet began, "you did say that if I could best you in battle, that I could tag along. It's not my fault you ran into the branch." There was a innocent lilt to her voice that made Oakcharge scowl further and Owlflight chuckled. Now that the group was further from the main part of 'town', as Goose liked to say, Owlflight felt more free. The plump mottled brown she cat was pulled from her thoughts by an excited-sounding Mipha.

"So what are Clans like?" The energetic white and brown she cat asked curiously. Owlflight noticed Goose send her an equally intrigued look and she began to tell them the mannerisms and life in a Clan.

"A Clan is like a big family, we care for one another and take care of our young and old. Since we have such big groups, we are trained for battle in case we must fight to protect the Clan or our territory. The warriors do hunting and border patrols, and we also train apprentices that are learning these skills. Warriors and apprentices have their own dens in camp. Mipha, since she's so young, would be considered an apprentice," Owlflight told Goose, who nodded. Mipha gaped excitedly.

"So I'd learn to do everything a warrior does? That's really cool, being an apprentice must be fun!" Buzzardwing snorted, earning a slight frown from the youngest she cat.

"It can be fun sure, but learning to hunt and fight isn't all apprentices do," the white she cat said with amusement. "Apprentices must take care of the elders and queens. Well, the whole Clan cares for them but the cleaning of the dens and the removal of fleas and ticks is an apprentice job." Mipha wrinkled her nose, earning a laugh from the warriors. Ravenleaf snickered.

"And if you're a medicine cat apprentice, all you deal with smelly herbs and wounds!" The black she cat wrinkled her nose, and Owlflight flicked her.

"Don't be rude. Medicine cats are important for the Clan!" The younger sister scolded. Goose looked back again.

"What in Dickens name is a medicine cat?" She asked loudly, startling up a flock of birds. Buzzardwing twitched her tail, but held her tongue. After all, the group had already eaten.

"Medicine cats are the Clans healers. They learn herbs and stuff and help the Clan heal if there a sickness or a battle. They also take care of the elders, helping their soreness and stuff. Oh! And they help the queens kit too, and they communicate with our ancestors in StarClan and help us understand their warnings and stuff." Oakcharge nodded.

"Yeah, it's important, but not the most important. I think the most important roles belong to the leader or deputy. They organize, calm and guide the Clan and keep the peace. Can you imagine all the needless battles we would've been in without the judgement of our leader?" Oakcharge asked. Ravenleaf and Owlflight snorted.

"Onestar has good judgement? If anything, Harespring is the one who kept the peace," Owlflight muttered. Captain grunted.

"This is all too confusing!" He grumped, and Goose flicked him, telling him to hush so that they could continue their story. Owlflight did just that. The rest of the walk was spent explaining and answering questions. What were the jobs of each rank, the meaning of their names, and their rules. A lot of time was spent going over just the warrior code. By the end of the conversation, Mipha was over brimming with excitement.

"This is so amazing! I always wondered what happened to cats after death," she looked down as if remembering a terrible thing. "I choose to believe in StarClan. Especially if it means I'll.. nevermind." Mipha shook her fur out, though a tad bit of sadness still glimmered in her gaze. "Will one of you teach me how to be a warrior?"

Owlflight exchanged a glance with Buzzardwing. The young warrior didn't mind teaching the she cat, but she knew Buzzardwing was better experienced, since she had helped mentor Fernpaw when Crowfeather was ill. To their surprise, however, Oakcharge stepped forward. "I'll train you," he said gruffly, earning a surprised squeak from Mipha.

"You?" She asked, clearly blanching. Owlflight was shocked, too. Oakcharge wasn't one to take to strangers easily. But then she remembered the battle and realized that this was her brother's way of acknowledging the kittypet's potential, and Owlflight smiled. Oakcharge sighed patiently.

"Yes, me," he grunted, "On one condition." Mipha gave him a wide look of pure excitement.

"Anything! What is it?" She asked, eagerness making her words fast. Oakcharge leveled his gaze to hers.

"You must take a Clan name," he said, "If you are going to be an apprentice and learn the ways of a Warrior, then you must adopt a Clan name." He said solemnly. Mipha hardly hesitated.

"Alright. Then.. will you name me? Since you'd be my.. what was it? My mentor?" Oakcharge nodded in confirmation and Mipha continued. "Well, you said the the leaders usually name cats but, since we have no leader, can you do it?" She asked, her voice tentative as the gratitude of this occasion sunk in. Oakcharge looked to Owlflight, who nodded in encouragement, and nodded his head.

"Alright," he took a breath and looked to the circle of sky in the tree line above them. "I call upon my warrior ancestors to look upon the cat. She yearns to learn your noble code and I commend her as an apprentice in her turn. Mipha, from this moment until you earn your warrior name, you will be called Bloompaw. I will mentor you." He touched his nose to hers.

Bloompaw returned the gesture, her eyes brimming with pride, excitement and joy. Owlflight, Ravenleaf and Buzzardwing cheered her new name.

"Bloompaw! Bloompaw!" They called happily, and Owlflight felt a small shiver run down her spine. If she had any doubt before of her path she was on, it was lost as they welcomed the apprentice to their group. Owlflight believed in signs, and this couldn't be clearer to her. With the addition of the apprentice to the group, she knew she was still on the path StarClan set her upon, and she smiled in relief.