A New Beginning

Chapter 16

Breezeflight sleepily opened his eyes. Dawn light filtered into the warriors den. He yawned and got to his paws. He took a few moments to look around at his sleeping clanmates.

His sad gaze fell upon Briarwing, Lionfur, and Beestripe. I will miss them so much. I really hate to do this to them, but I have to.

He slid through the den entrance and out into the clearing. The sun was peaking above the horizon tentivaly.

Dawnmist was already up and grooming her long fur. Her head jerked up as he approached her. "This is it," she sighed. Breezeflight grunted, "Yep. Now we have new problems to face. For example, Squirrelstar."

Dawnmist dropped her gaze to the floor, "I know." Movement made him turn around. Breezeflight turned around just in time to see Reedsong, Fernrose, and Angel walk out of the warriors den.

Branchstar was also creeping out of the leaders den. Reedsong padded up to Dawnmist while Fernrose and Angel joined Breezeflight.

Branchstar looked at Breezeflight then Dawnmist. "May Starclan light your paths. And if you need any advice on being a leader I'm here," Branchstar meowed solemnly.

Dawnmist purred, "Thank you Branchstar."

Breezeflight dipped his head in a farewell to his old leader. Branchstar returned it with a sad glow in his eyes. Breezeflight then looked to Dawnmist. Her eyes and his.

He nodded and ran out of his old home. The place where he grew up was now behind him. His family, his friends, his kithood was all in the past. He had a new life to lead. He had a new clan to lead.

Breezeflight waved his tail in a farewell to Dawnmist as they went opposite ways. She dipped her head to him and ran towards the river.

Breezeflight raced towards the Shadeclan border with Angel and Fernrose on his heels. His nose wrinkled as he crossed the border. The scent of Shadeclan made his nose sting.

He ran as fast as he could through Shadeclan's territory. He didn't want a patrol to see them and make them stop.

Breezeflight was flooded with relief as he crossed the border into the moorland. Open hills rolled across the land. The wind pierced through his fur as he ran. He felt at home here. The springy grass under his paws felt soft. The scent of rabbit and gorse filled him with happiness.

Breezeflight wanted to jump in the air like a kit when he saw the dip in the earth that marked the rogue camp. He didn't hesitate as he burst into the camp.

He looked around the camp. Sparrow was sharing a shrew with Lily before jumping to his paws. The brown and white toms fur was bristling and his eyes were hostile.

Mud came running out of a den in the side of the hollow. Star slowly walked out of her den and gave Breezeflight a meaningful look.

Angel stepped up beside Breezeflight and looked around at her friends excitedly. "Angel!" Sparrow yowled and raced up to Angel.

The two met in the middle of the camp and weaved around each other. "I thought you were dead! Where have you been for a moon?" Sparrow meowed.

Angel stopped and looked up at Breezeflight. Sparrow followed her gaze and narrowed his eyes at Breezeflight.

Fernrose was now standing beside Breezeflight. "Breezeflight has an announcement. Please just listen to him," Angel pleaded with him. Sparrow looked at Breezeflight curiously.

After a few moments he nodded, "Fine, I will listen." Breezeflight gave Angel a grateful glance as he walked past her. He hopped onto the tallest rock in the camp.

Mud, Sparrow, and Lily cluttered close together below him. Star sat outside her den gazing at him excitedly. Angel and Fernrose sat side by side as they waited for him to speak.

"I have been sent by Starclan to gather cats to make a new clan. I have found peace on the moor and I would like to make you all warriors. I would lead and I will pick the most worthy cat for my deputy," Breezeflight meowed.

Sparrow's fur began to bristle. "We don't even know the ways of being a clan cat. And how do we know you will be a good leader? And how do we know your other clans won't hate us?"

Breezeflight paused, unsure what to say. "Me and my sister, Fernrose, will teach you all the ways of being a clan cat. Even Angel has enough experience to teach you. And about being a good leader. No cat is perfect. I will try and do my best and if you don't like my best or how hard I am willing to try then you can just leave now."

Sparrow looked taken aback by his reply. The brown and white tom showed a sudden form of respect as his lowered his head to Breezeflight. "I will join your clan Breezeflight. I will do my best to learn quickly and be the best warrior I can be," he meowed.

Breezeflight purred, "Thank you Sparrow. That means a lot for your support." Soon Lily and Mud followed his lead. Along with Star and of course Angel.

He looked around at his new clanmates. "I must begin my journey to the Moonpool. Sparrow, you will be in charge while I'm gone," Breezeflight meowed.

He saw hurt flash in Fernrose's eyes. Breezeflight jumped down from the rock to stand beside her. "Why did you put a rogue in charge? Why not a clan born cat, like me?" she snapped.

"I want them to trust me. If I put you in charge they would probably think that I only care about myself and you. Besides they aren't rogues anymore. They are clan cats now," he meowed and stalked away.

Breezeflight poked his head into Star's den. The small black she-cat was already heading towards him. He looked at her with surprise. "I watched you for many moons Breezeflight. I also studied clan life. I know more than you think I know," Star purred as she pushed past him.

Breezeflight followed quickly behind her. They made their way out of camp and onto the high moor. The chilly whipped through his short fur as he ran after Star.

He surprised to see her heading in the right direction for the Moonpool. She was right. She knows where to go. I wonder how long she has been watching the clans?

He shrugged it off and followed Star up a rocky slope.

Breezeflight was out of breath when they finally reached the top of the slope. He looked down and gasped with astonishment. A glittery pool lay at the bottom.

He walked after Star. He felt his paws slip into paw prints that were made by many cats before him. Breezeflight walked up to the Moonpool and gazed into it. He reflection shown as clear as day.

Breezeflight suddenly pricked his ears when he heard movement behind him. He whirled around to see Dawnmist and Leaf.

Dawnmist's eyes light up, "We will become leaders at the same time. How exciting is that?" He purred with amusement.

Breezeflight looked to Star. The she-cat wasn't a clan born cat nor a medicine cat but he had a feeling she knew what to do.

Star looked to Breezeflight then to Dawnmist. "Touch your nose to the water," she instructed. Breezeflight obeyed and crouched beside the Moonpool.

He lightly touched his nose to the waters surface. He shivered as cold crept over him. Soon he couldn't see anything as darkness engulfed him.