Warriors: Setting Sun: Returning Sky #2

Chapter 4

Featherpaw trudged forward, the scent of pines wreathing around like a mist. They had been in SkyClan's camp for a while, and Leafstar said that they wouldn't move until Tinycloud gave birth, so they had no choice but to stay here.

"So, Featherpaw, what is it like in ThunderClan?" A voice snapped her from her thoughts, and she saw Twigpaw glancing at her.

"Well, we have an oak forest, and we have tons of warriors," Featherpaw meowed, leaving tracks in the snow. "And then there's ShadowClan, RiverClan, and WindClan."

"Cool!" Twigpaw yipped. "I can't wait to get to the other Clans, then we can all live in peace," she purred, flicking her tail.

Featherpaw glanced off to the side. "Well, there's tons of rogues there too," she meowed. "They call themselves DarkClan, led by Darktail."

"Our rogues call themselves The Black Roses. They were living here when we got here, and they've been mad, and are trying to drive us out. They've already killed so many of us," Twigpaw whined. "It's scary not knowing when they'll attack. I'm scared that my kin will get killed," she mewed.

"Don't worry, Twigpaw. With us strong ThunderClan cats by your side, the rogues won't stand a chance," Featherpaw meowed, flicking her tail.

Twigpaw purred, then continued walking, her ears pricking forward as she heard rustling. She then headed off towards the sound of the noise.

Featherpaw could scent sparrow, so she crouched down and crept forward, her tail keeping above the grass. She hoped that she wouldn't be spotted easily. Looking up, she could see the sparrow up in a branch, its beak digging into its wing. 

Featherpaw then silently latched her claws into the branch, her tail lashing. She then threw herself up the tree and quickly slithered onto the branch, her claws striking the sparrow's wings. Once she pulled it toward her, she gave it a killing bite, then leaped down from the tree, the sparrow in her jaws.

"Nice catch," a voice meowed.

Featherpaw turned, her quick movement stirring up the snow beneath. She could see Tobi padding towards her, his black pelt sticking out in the snow. His sister, Flea, was beside him. "Hi Tobi, hi Flea," Featherpaw greeted, dipping her head. "What are you doing here?"

Tobi dipped his head. "Flea is just so impatient. She wants to join the Clan. Also, when are you guys leaving? I thought you said you'd be leaving soon, and its already been two days," he meowed.

Featherpaw sat down, then placed her sparrow on the ground to speak more clearly. "Well, a queen in the nursery is close to kitting, so we're staying until she has her kits," she explained.

"Well, I'm ready to join SkyClan now," Flea meowed. "I can't wait to train to be a warrior!" She purred, lifting her tail.

"What about you?" Featherpaw glanced at Tobi. "Are you going to join?" She asked.

"I will think about it. I've been protecting Flea ever since we left my mother's group," Tobi meowed. "But for now, I'll be putting my faith in Bunnypelt to protect her."

"I see," Featherpaw meowed. "Well, if I was the leader, I'd let you become an apprentice. But I'm only a ThunderClan apprentice, so I have no say on what happens. I'll take you to the camp, though," Featherpaw meowed to Flea. 

Featherpaw heard rustling, and she saw Twigpaw appear, her gray pelt sticking out against the snow. "Featherpaw! Get away from those rogues! They're a part of BlackWidow's group!"

"No, they're fine," Featherpaw meowed, flicking her tail. "Flea wants to join your Clan."

"We left my mother's group a long time ago," Tobi pointed out. "We're nice," he added.

Twigpaw narrowed her eyes. "I don't really trust you," she meowed.

Featherpaw turned to the she-cat. "If they were a part of BlackWidow's group, then they would've attack me by now. Please trust them. Flea wants to join SkyClan," she meowed.

"I guess you're right," Twigpaw sighed. "Let's go then."

Featherpaw grabbed her sparrow, then padded towards the SkyClan camp with Twigpaw and Flea. I hope Leafstar lets her in, I can see the potential in her. 

Featherpaw dropped her sparrow in the fresh-kill pile, a cold breeze blowing through her fur. No cat had even noticed Flea with them.

"Leafstar!" Twigpaw meowed, rushing towards a den. Soon, the gray apprentice returned with Leafstar by her side.

"What is that filthy rogue doing in my camp?" Leafstar growed, lashing her tail as she padded forward. The cats in the camp were watching now, their gazes fixed on Flea.

Flea shrunk back at the SkyClan leader's harsh words. She glanced up at Featherpaw, looking slightly scared.

"This cat is no filthy rogue," Featherpaw defended, stepping in front of Flea. "She wants to join the Clan, and I can see the potential in her."

"This cat is a part of BlackWidow's group! She's probably killed some cat by now," Leafstar spat. "Get out of my Clan! Or I'll kill you myself!" She hissed.

"But this cat isn-" Featherpaw was then cut off by Flea, who gave her a look to not talk.

Flea stood up. "I understand how you feel, and you have a right to be angry, but I have never killed a cat. And I am also no longer a part of BlackWidow's group. I left my mother because of her cruel ways," Flea meowed, flicking her tail. "I don't mind if you don't let me in, I can always go to ThunderClan."

Featherpaw stared at the small brown tabby she-cat, her eyes wide. You basically took the words out of my mouth. She glanced at Leafstar, looking into the amber depths of her eyes.

Leafstar stared at the she-cat, her eyes narrowed. "You're BlackWidow's daughter?" She asked. 

"Yes, I am," Flea answered. "But just because I'm her daughter, it doesn't mean that I'm exactly like her," she growled. She stared Leafstar in the eyes. "I want to join your Clan so that I can show you that I'm not like those rogues."

Leafstar blinked, then glanced away, as if she was thinking. Then her gaze locked back onto Flea. "Alright, then, you may join SkyClan," she meowed. When Flea's eyes widened in surprise, Leafstar opened her mouth to speak. "But, you will be under surveillance. My Clan will keep a close eye on you until we're sure we can trust you."

Featherpaw stared at the SkyClan leader, her paws digging into the grass. She breathed in a sigh of relief. Thank StarClan!

"T-T-thank you, Leafstar," Flea meowed, dipping her head. "But I want you to know that I won't try anything here, I promise," she reminded.

Leafstar didn't respond, she just flicked her tail and leaped on a large rock sticking out of the ground. "All cats old enough to hunt, gather around me for a Clan meeting!" She called.

Featherpaw glanced at Flea, a purr rumbling in her throat. "This ceremony is for you," she meowed. Flicking her tail, she remembered the day that she had first become an apprentice.

"From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Fleapaw. Your mentor will be Cherrytail. I hope Cherrytail will pass down all she knows on to you," Leafstar meowed, lifting her tail.

Fleapaw then glanced toward Cherrytail, who was padding towards her. The tortoiseshell she-cat touched her nose to Fleapaw's nose.

"Fleapaw! Fleapaw!" The Clan cheered, although some of the cheers didn't sound so happy.

Featherpaw then headed towards the fresh-kill pile, her stomach growling. She grabbed a mouse and crouched down to eat. I hope we can go home soon.