Warriors: Beyond the River (SOB prequel) (COMPLETE)

Chapter 6

A full moon hung in the sky, lighting the way to fourtrees. Iceslide followed his clanmates through RiverClan territory, leaves crunching under their paws as they went. He felt his paws tingle with excitement. I wonder what's new in the other clans? I haven't talked to Firetail and Soakedears in a while. Did Redblaze have her kits? I'll have to ask Baconstripe. Is Tigerpaw a warrior yet? 

Iceslide had many friends in other clans. More than he did in RiverClan. He enjoyed talking to them and learning about what their lives were like in their clans. He imagined it was far different than in RiverClan.

When they reached fourtrees, he saw that many cats were already gathered there waiting. Two leaders stood on the great rock. Whitestar, the leader of SkyClan, looked down at her clan, her white fur glowing in the night. Beside her, Birchstar of ThunderClan sat neatly with his light brown tabby tail over his white paws. 

Iceslide recognized the deputies and medicine cats as well. Strawberryspots, the deputy of ThunderClan, was sitting at the base of the rock, her amber eyes narrowed as she studied the cats around her. Whitestar's deputy, Raventuft, wasn't far from the spotted she-cat, looking awkward. Iceslide couldn't help but purr in amusement. From what I've heard, Strawberryspots isn't the friendliest cat. Even among her clan, she's bossy and has a tongue as sharp as a thorn! On the other side of the great rock, the medicine cats were being more social. Junglefoot and Ryepaw of SkyClan were deep in conversation with Flowerwing of ThunderClan. 

Shimmerstar waved her dappled tail and headed for the great rock to join the other leaders. She leapt up beside them, and Whitestar dipped her head while Birchstar began speaking with her. Frostedcloud went to the other deputies and sat near Strawberryspots, who shot the white tom a glare.

Iceslide turned away to study the crowd as Maplesky and Otterpelt joined the other medicine cats. He recognized Whiskerface, Birdsong, and Broadwing of ThunderClan. A small white tom with tufted ear tips sat near Broadwing, looking around curiously. Deciding to talk to them, Iceslide padded over to the group, purring a greeting. "Hello!"

The ThunderClan cats looked at him, and Whiskerface waved his tail in greeting. "Iceslide, good to see you! How's the prey running in RiverClan?"

"Or should you say, 'how's it swimming'?" Birdsong purred, her yellow eyes gleaming. Beside her, Broadwing dipped his big head.

"It's swimming fast," Iceslide chuckled and sat down, turning his head to the small white cat. "Who's this?"

Broadwing nodded to the cat. "This is my new apprentice, Snowpaw."

"Hello." Snowpaw dipped his head, his nose twitching as he picked up Iceslide's scent. "You're a RiverClan cat, aren't you?"

Iceslide nodded, impressed at his skills. It took me a while to learn the other clan's scents! But then again, I was too busy sniffing other things. "That's right. I'm Iceslide." He noticed that though he was just an apprentice, muscles rippled under his white pelt. "You look like you're going to be just as strong as your mentor!"

Snowpaw blinked his amber eyes at the praise. "Thanks," He meowed. "I hope so!"

"Hey, look," Birdsong meowed, looking over her shoulder. "WindClan has arrived." Iceslide followed her gaze toward the moor.

Gladestar was leading her clan into the clearing, her golden pelt dark in the night. She had only been leader since last green-leaf. She was flanked by her deputy, Monarchwing, a younger orange and black spotted she-cat. As the clan continued into the clearing and broke into smaller groups, he saw the medicine cats, Hivepelt and Silverberry, head toward the great rock. The medicine cats looked at them warmly, and Junglefoot purred a greeting, stepping forward to bump heads with Hivepelt, while Silverberry and Otterpelt began speaking to each other happily.