ClawClan (Season 1: Episode 1-The Beginning) -Warrior Cats Fan Fiction-

Chapter 9

" I apologize to everyone, I should not had ran away.

"All of you are my clanmates that I am protecting." Fangclaw spoke up drowsily, eyeing with tired eyes at his fallen clanmates, all injured. "It was wrong of my actions, I am held responsible and should've done something like a true leader. But that was the past now, is all behind us." But it was a sunrise ago since ClawClan prayed down on their fallen warriors: Troutclaw, Shadow, and Bluepetal and many others. 

After Fangclaw got wacked to the side by Cheetahstar (he finally remembered the attacker's name). Foxwhisperer went over to help Autumnwind take out the brown Clan-cat and the herb crusher. The herbs were not saved, none; however, there is one herb that survived miraculously. The herb was kept secret though from the clan and only to Autumnwind, Rosepaw, and Foxwhisperer. After the deed, the handsome warrior saw the leader fleeing away in front of Troutclaw's limped body.

Now glancing darkly at Yarnpaw, he felt a pang of guilt that his mentor is now in DeadClan. If only Fangclaw had a chance to stop the LeafClan's raid instead of running away like a coward. "Yarnpaw, I grief for you and your mentor. She had made you stronger...," looking at the warriors' den, the leader continued, "So strong... is like if you are now a warrior.

"Yarnpaw, do you uphold your promise and service given to DeadClan?" 

"Yes,"

"Good," Fangclaw mumbled. "And will you respect and obey our ClawClan laws?"

"Anything for Bluepetal and my clan," the apprentice raised his voice higher, avoided whispering, but his nervousness came out as cracks in the words.

"Then by our ancestors up above, you are now Yarnmuscle. May DeadClan light your warrior's path." the ginger tom ended, knowing that Yarnpaw- No, now Yarnmuscle- didn't deserve his warrior ceremony in this time; the leader only did this to lightened the mood and for pity. Afterwards, he declared that Autumnwind and her Assistant, Rosepaw will now live in the Nursery, for that the tall grass was stumped on. The Doctor's Den was no longer a den.

Now all of it outta the way, the exhausted leader padded down to his den to rest, but was shortly blocked by Weaseltooth, a staff member. He remembered the first time he met the staff member. Young, light fire that took place of her pelt, and her energic quality, too. Sadly as ClawClan grew older,  the she-cat grew old with it;  her light-clouded, half-closed emerald eyes stared darkly to Fangclaw. "Sir," she voiced crack from age. Her words haven't grown I see, the amused tom twitched his whiskers, comically. Weaseltooth rolled her eyes and continued on, "It had come to my decision and voice for my friends, the staff of this newly clan, had agreed upon to make a new rule." From the way of the eerily tone from the she-staff, the ginger elder can indicate that it was a hard decision. Weaseltooth had always liked the leader since she was 24 moons, but her duties and the leader's role had blocked their path to romance. So it was obvious to tell that Weaseltooth was reluctant to tell her leader that...

The cats of this establishment has the power to overthrow their leader.

The words echoed inside the said leader's mind. Hackles fluffed up to show his agitation of this new rule. Did his clanmates felt the tomcat's power growing, probably coming to fear it. Or were they feeling that the leader was too weak to lead ClawClan? How could they feel that when he did nothing wrong? Was it because of his actions during the raid? I'll try better, I promise!  he thought.

He didn't argue back to the pale ginger molly, for that she, too, didn't liked the rule. No point arguing a cat who was also furious on a code. He told his thanks for the message and went to his den, to his mossy nest, now filled with regret and despair. He lied down, thinking what he could do to become a better leader; rethinking his tactics, his style of leadership, his morals.

Soon the cloud hung over his head turned to a thunderstorm. He was pissed, for that he now thought about the Staff not talking to him and rather just made the law without his permission. He also knew that his clanmates were in on this rule too!

"Troutclaw!" Fangclaw bawled for his silvery Right-hand, but he didn't came. Lazyass, the leader thought, hurt that his old friend didn't want to show up. The upset elder dragged himself out of bed to find that mouse-brain. But as he saw the limp silver in the center of the clearing along with the other limp bodies, he realized his mistake. He dropped his clouded gaze onto the sandy floor, unable to accept the truth. His paws, controlled by magic, made their way towards the entrance, knowing that he needs some quiet time once more.

As he took in the scent of the wild flowers, Fangclaw lets his mind present images of calm nature and his clanmates working hard. He pressed his hindquarter to a clan consisted of pink flowers. Tail wrapped over his paws as he closed his eyes, drooping his head forwards. His heart slowed down its beating. He knew that the outside of his job will cool him down after everything he had seen, heard, sensed. So much he had been through. Who would've thought that being a leader will be tough? He always did, but never like this! Now with a new rule, he knew his position will get a lot harder from that point; one wrong choice and he will be booted out of his home-clan or be de-ranked. 

Bushes around him shivered noisily, disturbing the peaceful mind that the leader was having. He flew his eyelids open and twisted his head to find the bush that dared to disturb the elder's meditation. The minty green bush kept on shaking like a nest full of rattlesnakes. As Fangclaw's slit eyes bulged out to study the shaking object, he could find red patches of fur against the twine. Fox....

"Come at me, you bloody hound!" the shackles of the leader raised as he threw his paws in the air. His claws were out, though not ready to be put on a fight; they were broken, clippings of the claws that were erased by Cheetahstar, and the running, and the rock tripping. Without thinking a thought or realizing the situation without his claws, Fangclaw jumped at the big red fox who fought back by slamming the old cat back to the ground. The ginger cat flung his claws everywhere in attempt to get the fox off of him. 

"Are you done?" said a familiar voice. Stopping, Fangclaw turned his head to see Foxwhisperer who was amused from seeing how silly the leader was acting. The leader could see the scratches on the red cat's thighs. 

"I'm sorry..." -he pushed himself up, groaning as his limbs shriek in pain- "I thought you were those fox-hearted foxes."

"You thought wrong. Now why are you not back at your clan when everyone is looking for you?" the strong warrior growled, staring coolly at Fangclaw. 

"I was just taking a quiet time! As leader, I need time to think!" the ginger tom explained, baring his teeth to his clanmate. the clanmate stood his ground, glaring. The fiery silver eyes were like telling Fangclaw that if he goes further... who knows what will happen. 

"Don't forget what happens if you abuse your powers or ignored our cries," Foxwhisperer growled.

"Are you threatening me?" Fangclaw questioned. His eyes almost bulged out of his sockets in surprise from hearing what his clanmate said. 

"No," the fox-like, handsome tom shook his head slightly. "Just warning you.... Now c'mon, your clanmates misses you."