RED MOON ⬤ a warriors cat fan-fiction

CHAPTER TWO.

Finding Leafstar wasn't difficult as the elderly dappled she-cat was laying out in the sun.

The ThunderClan tom would describe her as patient and open-minded, but he was only going off how he perceived her as. Though, Crowburn didn't understand how Leafstar could be so trusting with him and the Cross-Clanned cats. If he were her, he would have his clanmates monitor them, though he was sure the SkyClan cats were already doing just that.

He first remembered Leafstar when she announced the Cross-Clanned cats as they arrived, then providing a feast soon after. Crowburn had always felt weirded out with that, but he was sure Leafstar was being polite and showing that she was welcoming them, despite them being strangers.

As he and Rainsong padded over, Leafstar's amber eyes opened and looked at them in recognition. The elderly leader then lifted herself up, greeting them with a nod of her head. Without another word, she turned and padded towards the leader's den. Crowburn and Rainsong exchanged glances with one another before moving to follow.

I'm glad she's choosing to talk in private than in the open. Crowburn thought as he came to the entrance of the leader's den where Leafstar had vanished too.

The raven-colored tom allowed Rainsong to go in before him, as he did not want his larger frame to get stuck in the entrance of the den and prolong this meeting. Rainsong's smaller frame slipped in easily, almost making Crowburn admire her. Almost.

Finally, Crowburn crouched, almost as if he was stalking a mouse, and moved forward. The opening of the den was small enough to tightly hug his body like it was trying to squeeze the air out of him if he moved further into the den. But he pushed on, ignoring the walls tightening around him.

As he crawled into an opening in the earth, Crowburn noticed that Sunnyfoot and Copperberry were sitting in a corner of the den. The twin brothers from WindClan looked to him, acknowledging that he was there before their gazes moved to Leafstar. The ThunderClan tom then shifted to Rainsong.

"Thank you for coming to meet with me," Leafstar spoke up, the slight glow of her amber eyes showing that she was pleased.

She was inviting and not as hostile as Dewspring and the others were. For a moment, Crowburn felt as if he was truly welcomed. Then, Leafstar continued.

"This meeting is to let me go over a few arrangements and concerns for you four Cross-Clanned cats. If you have a concern, then please tell me once I am done discussing these arrangements."

Arrangements? This was news. Crowburn figured he didn't have many options but to listen and do as SkyClan told him.

"Last night, I went out with the other leaders to discuss the progress with our clans Cross-Clanned cats," Leafstar announced, "Tigerstar, Crowstar, Havenstar and I are still trying to understand what Squirrelstar is trying to accomplish. But, I can say that the leaders are doing everything in our power to make you feel welcomed. So we came up with a few arrangements-"

"We are going back to our respected clans."

Bold. Crowburn noted the Sunnyfoot's blunt statement.

Leafstar's whiskers twitched, her eyes narrowing, clearly not pleased that the WindClan warrior interrupted her. "Unfortunately, I cannot send you back, even if I want to. Squirrelstar is adamant that I keep you unless I have to get rid of you."

Sunnyfoot's green eyes narrowed, a huff coming from the golden tom.

"Continuing on. The leaders have come up with a few arrangements to make you feel more welcome and productive. As for SkyClan, I am allowing you to lead patrols, whether it be border or hunting patrols, it will not matter. You will have full control over your patrol. If you have any problems, discuss it with Hawkwing and I. Is that understood?"

Slowly, Crowburn nodded his head, as well as the others.

Wow. Crowburn felt a surge of satisfaction flow through him. Then a powerful thought came to him. I can finally boss around Dewspring.

"As for SkyClan, I am allowing you to mentor apprentices when the time comes. But know, if you are lacking in your tasks as a mentor, your apprentice will be handed off to another warrior."

Who really cares about mentoring? Crowburn's tail lashed at the thought.

"Lastly, SkyClan is allowing all of you to mingle," Leafstar's eyes shone. "If you like one of SkyClan's warriors, by all means, pursue them."

A look of interest spurted in Rainsong's eyes, surprising Crowburn.

She likes someone? Crowburn couldn't help but feel weirded out by that.

It had only been a moon since joining SkyClan and Crowburn couldn't understand how a cat can like another in such a short amount of time.

Besides, I already have someone. He missed her so much and would do anything to go back to ThunderClan and see her. He missed his family, his mother, and father; his littermates.

"This also applies to other clan cats. Crowburn."

The ThunderClan cat blinked when Leafstar said his name.

"Say if you want to pursue Rainsong, you are allowed to do so."

Crowburn and Rainsong awkwardly glanced at each other. Crowburn knew immediately that Rainsong did not like him and felt uneasy. Snickers from Sunnyfoot and Copperberry had Crowburn's fur standing on edge.

Great StarClan, can this get much worse?

"Sorry to put you two in such a scenario," Leafstar apologized, a look of warmth appearing in her eyes, "I just needed an example."

Crowburn gave a low huff in response, letting the elderly leader chuckle.

"With that, those are the arrangements that SkyClan is following. Mind all of you, no other clan is following these rules, so please be mindful of what you say or do. Now... Any concerns?"

Silence fell over them, but it looked like all of them understood. The concerns about Dewspring's hostility towards him seemed to wash away and Crowburn was all for showing off when it came to bossing him around.

"Fair enough," Leafstar meowed, as she shifted to lay down, "Feel free to go about your day. Please, talk to me or Hawkwing if a concern comes up."

The first to go was Sunnyfoot, followed by Copperberry. The WindClan brothers didn't say much as they slipped out of the den. Crowburn stood, shifting to let Rainsong leave before the large tom squeezed through the tight entrance.

Once out of the den, Crowburn didn't realize how stuffy Leafstar's den was. He found the air to be refreshing and it seemed to clear his lungs. But, it might just be the feeling of joy. Though it was quickly taken away when an apprentice came barreling towards him. To him, he barely felt it, but the apprentice was knocked to her paws.

"Hey! You are in my way! Can you move?"

Blinking, the ThunderClan didn't expect that this apprentice would make him out like he was the problem. He examined her, noticing that her gray pelt with a smokey tint to her fur. With that, he believed her name was Kettlepaw. He didn't know much about her, but he had seen her around.

The look of annoyance was all over her face and to be honest, he amused him.

"From my perspective, you're the one that came at me expecting me to move."

"And you didn't move!"

"Was I supposed too?"

"Yes!"

Crowburn couldn't help but snicker. "Maybe politely ask before knocking into someone because you believe they should move."

The apprentice seemed horrified by his words, but she growled at him, fur standing on their ends. Crowburn quickly understood what he was dealing with and snorted.

A brat who believes that the world should bow down to her.

"Whatever, kit."

With that, he padded off with a smug look and tail raised high.