The Three of StarClan: Book 1: Finding Night

Chapter 5

Crowpaw couldn't sleep. He tossed and turned in his mossy nest. I know I can be a great warrior. He thought. He cast his blue gaze on all the other apprentices that slept in the same den. The moonlight cascaded softly in the den, poking through the bramble walls. Oh StarClan... He prayed. What am I doing wrong? All I want is to become as great as my father? Crowpaw shuffled his paws as he positioned himself comfortably in his nest. He thought back to today, when Onewing scolded him. He sighed. "Onewing's right..." He mumbled. "If I'm going to be a warrior and fight against the other clans, I'm going to need to learn their tactics." "Hey! Stop mumbling to yourself and go to sleep!" Crowpaw snapped his attention towards a gray tom giving him a cold look. Letting out a low growl Crowpaw rested his head on his paws. You've no right to tell me what to do... I'm the deputy's son...

Crowpaw could hear voices stirring around him. And these cats tell me to shut up! He slowly woke from his slumber. He immediately noticed how he wasn't in his moss and twig covered nest. He lay on a soft patch of grass. For a moment, he felt like sleeping on the plush green substance. It was so soft, and it had such a sweet scent, but Crowpaw knew that this was no time to be dozing off. He had no idea where he was. "Where am I?" He mewed to himself. Looking around, he saw luscious green trees surrounded by bush and undergrowth. The sky was an orangish purple, and had many stars twinkling in it. Crowpaw's ears flicked. He could hear voices from behind him. Slowly, he stalked towards the source of the voices, making sure nobody was near him. He slowly snuck into a small clump of undergrowth, trying to keep hidden. He slowly inched himself closer and closer, until he peered through and saw a clearing. Several cats stood there, their pelts shimmering like stars. Crowpaw stared in awe. He felt like he could stare at the starry-pelted cats forever. The strange furred cats were chatting amongst themselves, though he couldn't make out any of their conversations. Wait! His fur shot up in alarm. This has got to be StarClan! Realization hit him like a stone. Crowpaw marveled at how beautiful it really was; The heavens of the cats, filled with rich prey, fresh streams, and grass as soft as a kit's fur! He slowly stood up to take it all in. He opened his jaw slightly to get a whiff of the scents around him. It was amazing! He stopped. He suddenly realized what was wrong. Why am I in StarClan?! Am I dead? He started to panic, but he couldn't let himself be seen by the group of cats below. He glared at his pelt, checking for any signs of small, shimmering lights in his fur. I-I don't look like a StarClan cat. He thought. But I have to make sure! Crowpaw knew that there was only one option. Taking in a deep breath, he slowly stood up out of his hiding place. He kept his eyes affixed on the starry cats, waiting for him to get noticed. When he was about halfway down to the clearing, one of the cats turned its head straight at him. The cat's gaze seemed warm and kind, but it turned Crowpaw's blood to ice. Shaking it off, he slowly stumbled further down towards the cats. All their heads were turned at Crowpaw, with few muttering silently. As he finally approached them, he noticed how much bigger they were compared to him. They could tear him to shreds within seconds! He stopped as a tall, black and brown tom approached him. He flicked his tail in greeting. Immediately Crowpaw bowed. He knew just how important these cats were; that they would someday decide his fate. "Hello, young one..." The tom spoke. "I am Falconstar, previous leader of NightClan." Crowpaw slowly lifted his head up, excitement and fear tingling in his belly. "H-hello." He mewed quietly. The black tom couldn't believe it. He was actually speaking to one of the leaders from his clan! "A-am I-" "Dead? No." Falconstar mewed. Relief surged through Crowpaw. He turned his head towards a silver she-cat stalking behind the old NightClan leader. Her eyes were narrowed at Crowpaw. "If he ain't dead, then why is he here?" She growled as she sat next to Falconstar, still glaring at Crowpaw. Who put maggots in your prey? Crowpaw bit back the words. This StarClan cat seemed upset that he was here! Falconstar's tail-tip twitched. "I was actually wondering the exact thing, Frozenpool, but there is no need to have a temper about it." The she-cat muttered something inaudible to herself. "Are you a NightClan warrior?" As much as Crowpaw didn't appreciate the cat's bitter mood, he had to wonder if she had fought along with his clan. "No." She replied firmly. "I'm a fallen warrior from CreekClan." Crowpaw felt disappointed, but he couldn't help but admire how much pride she took in boasting about her clan. "Frozenpool actually has some importance herself, her kin is very important." Falconstar purred. "That's right." She mewed, washing a single paw. "I'm actually Goldenstar's elder sister." The small apprentice became bewildered. "Really? Because my dad is the deputy of NightClan! I'm going to become a great warrior like him!" Crowpaw boasted. The two older cats turned both their heads to eachother, their gazes filled with concern and realization. "That's why he's here." Falconstar murmured. "What?" Crowpaw asked. "What is it?" Worry started to fill him. Was he here because he had important kin? "Wait, so we're going to tell him now?" Frozenpool mewed to Falconstar. "No." He replied, I didn't know he was going to be told now." "Told what?" Crowpaw hissed. He was getting very impatient with the mumbling cats. "I did it." All three cat's fur rose up as they heard a voice behind them. They all turned their attention towards a solid white she-cat, her icy blue gaze cast on the young apprentice. Her pink nose twitched as she finally approached them. Frozenpool trudged up to her, anger surging. "You were going to tell him?" She growled. "Of course, I'm not going to let this go on any longer." She mewed calmly. The white cat turned her head towards him. "Crowpaw." She called. "Come here, this is important." At first he was hesitant. Great, another crazy cat telling me something's wrong with me. Slowly, he padded towards her until they were face to face. "Greetings Crowpaw, I am Skynose, Stoneclan's previous medicine cat." The she-cat introduced herself. "Hi." He mewed begrudgingly. The medicine cat's tail twitched. "Now, there's no need to get a temper, and you can't be having one once I tell you this." Crowpaw looked up. Skynose's voice was soft and concerning, almost like a queen. Swallowing, he faced her. "Okay." He meowed. "Tell me." Everything became silent for a few heartbeats, then Skynose spoke. "You are not of NightClan blood," She began. "You are a StoneClan cat. Your mother gave you up because she couldn't raise you well enough." Crowpaw felt his heart stop. No! She's lying! I can't possibly be StoneClan! But, this was a StarClan cat telling him this, it had to be true. "N-no!" He shrieked. "This is all a dream, I'll wake up soon." Feeling dizzy, he stumbled away from her, only to bump into Falconstar. "You are dreaming." The black and brown tom slowly spoke. "But, StarClan cats do have the ability to walk in dreams, how do you think medicine cats receive messages from us?" The apprentice felt like he was going to vomit. Frozenpool shoved past Falconstar and Crowpaw. "Did you tell the others?" She hissed. Others?

Crowpaw thought. "No, I haven't, but I will soon." Skynose mewed, her voice a little edgier this time. "What do you mean others?" Crowpaw asked, still half-dazed by the news. "Oh, I see you didn't tell him about them either." The silver she-cat snarled. Ignoring Frozenpool, Skynose stalked towards the apprentice. "You have a brother and sister. One in CreekClan, and the other in TreeClan. They are also StoneClan as well." Crowpaw felt like he was falling forever. His legs shook, stumbling to the ground. "W-why did our mother put us in different clans?" The question suddenly popped out, even though that wasn't his first priority. "She thought it would be harder for you to reconnect and find out." Skynose answered. "Then why are you telling me now?" He snarled, digging his claws in the dirt. "I thought now would be the time to tell you." She slowly wrapped her tail around him. "Please, you have to go back to StoneClan. The apprentice felt his blood turn cold. "No!" He protested. "StoneClan or not, I was raised in NightClan!" "You know," Frozenpool started as she approached him. "Your mother might still be in StoneClan, you might be able to confront her and tell your brother and sister how awesome NightClan was when you were there!" Crowpaw smirked. He liked the idea. "Frozenpool!" Skynose scolded. "Do not put ideas like that in his head." "What?" Frozenpool smiled. "I just thought it would be a good idea if he told his kin about how cool his previous clan was." Skynose narrowed her eyes at Frozenpool's comment. "So mischievious," she muttered. "Even in StarClan." She slowly padded away towards the undergrowth. Frozenpool nudged Crowpaw with her shoulder. "So, what'd ya say? You wanna stay all bored in your clan, with nobody to brag about it to, or do you wanna go to a new clan for new experiences and boast to everyone about how awesome NightClan is?" Crowpaw stared at his feet. "I don't know, even if I did, what's everyone going to think once I return to StoneClan?" Frozenpool chuckled. "Don't worry, you'll still be an apprentice, also, you'll get to learn about StoneClan's "tactics" if you go there." How did she- Crowpaw shook it off. "Okay, when do you want me to go?" He asked. "Now you're talking!" She cheered. "Don't go right away, meet up with the two others at the next Gathering and you all slip in with a group of StoneClan cats when it's over."

"How will I know who they are?" Crowpaw muttered. Frozenpool made a small noise of humor. "Just look for a CreekClan she-cat named Gingerpaw and a TreeClan tom named Tawnypaw." So that's their names! Crowpaw let his mind wander as he pictured his siblings. I wonder if I'll be better than them? Who am I kidding? I will be! "Goodbye Crowpaw." Frozenpool mewed. Crowpaw nodded and lay in the soft grass again, closing his eyes.