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

Chapter 16

Fangclaw looked up at the den of the Staff, the tall grass with prickly brambles around it. The staff, Fangclaw and Troutclaw came up with directions into the den without being harmed. He pulled himself through the brambles and into the clearing of the den.

Five staff were around a boulder, all thinking. Their foreheads wrinkled at the same time. As the leader entered, they altogether turned their heads to see the old tomcat. "Yes, Fangclaw?" Weaseltooth asked.

Fangclaw strolled up to a staff member in a brown coat. "We need a new rank," he said simply, yet the staff were glancing each other with confusion. 

"But sir, we cannot do that without the allowance from DeadClan," one staff member mentioned. Another added that the clan is doing fine without a new rank. Fangclaw banged his paw against the dull boulder in disapproval.

"Do not be certain, Water-rock," Fangclaw looked up with powerful gold marbles. "We may be fine for now, but do not forget the possibility of another attack when our clanmates will be unaware!

"We cannot always be lucky. And that's why I propose that we should make a new rank: Combatant. They will train warriors and apprentices, and themselves, to be prepared for raids and ambushes. The members of the rank will discuss among each other on war plans and tactics. We cannot let this go ignored," Fangclaw finished his suggestion, looking around the green den.

cricket sounds filled the air, then a tortoiseshell molly sprung up and shook her head. "Sorry Fangclaw," she apologizes and added, "but we cannot set it up without the permission of The Clan Above."

The ginger leader looked at the molly, but this time his old-gold eyes were filtered with light. "I know that DeadClan's wishes are heard by us, but we need this rank right now. Let this guideline be passed, okay?" he turned to Weaseltooth. "Do you not trust my word, Weaseltooth?"

The pale ginger staff glanced at her dirty paws and shuffled them with an uneasy glance. "Fangclaw, you know I cannot break DeadClan's trust. I'm sorry, but I have to say nay,"

In this den, the staff members along with The Messenger, Leader and Right-Hand discussed suggestions. If it is valid, The members of the group will say 'yay'. If it is something that should not be made, they say-

"Nay," said  Water-rock

The tortoiseshell staff said nay. Two more finally decided on yay' The last staff member looked to the right (nay) and left (yay), stuck in-between the dispute. The young tomcat was undecisive. Then Fangclaw could see the staff member turning to the right, mouth opened to say the three lettered word...

"Yay."

The leader snapped his head towards the den entrance, seeing Kitten. The dead shell of the kittypet walked up to the boulder and eyed the staff members.

The undecisive tomcat was eyed last, his fur bristled. "Yay," he cried.

Sighing, Weaseltooth rubbed her paw against her forehead. "Then it came to the conclusion: we shall create Combatant, Fangclaw."

The ginger tomcat smiled at The Messenger as they left the den. He was thankful for her positive vote. "Thank you," he said. Kitten faced the leader, her dull aqua eyes upon him. 

"I had a vision," the kittypet said deadpan. She beckoned Fangclaw to follow her to the behind of the medicine cat's den. The ginger elder followed her. Kitten looked at the leader. Her aqua eyes were cold, yet dark.

"I saw something, Fangclaw," she started. "A vision. I heard different cats talking among themselves, planning something ominous. You better watch out and think fast, Fangclaw, DeadClan called out to me loosely."

The message gave the scarred leader's back a chill that sends way down to his tail. His coat bristled, and The Messenger walked away; however, she turned her tiny head against her shoulder.

"DeadClan does not have a strong connection, Fangclaw. After their last message, they can no longer communicate with me or you."

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Fangclaw watched the claw-moon. He thought how blessed cats were when DeadClan or some weird magical force honored them with a moon shaped in a claw. Clouds traveled past it, but it still glows. the leader also wondered when the last message will come from DeadClan. And how will his clanmates going to react when they heard that ClawClan no longer grant the Clan Above's wishes. And most importantly, jokingly (but still important), what about the Right-Hand rank? Will the leader give it away for the handsome warrior who saved ClawClan from raiders? Fangclaw had not decided and still has second thoughts of how the change will affect Troutclaw, who is hunting in DeadClan.

In the morning, many clanmates surrounded the Nursery.

"What in DeadClan is going on here? Do you not realize that any one of you will get a nicked ear by-?"

"Is alright, Fangclaw. I allowed them to come inside. Do not worry, the herb is with Rosepaw."

"Really Autumnwind?" Fangclaw turned his head to the Doctor.

"Of course," she reassures him.

"You know the other kit of Troutclaw? He is opening his eyes!" Autumnwind explained. "That's why every warrior are surrounding the Nursery, which does makes it hard for me and Rosepaw to come back inside, but you know...cats are cats." The Doctor wrinkled her forehead in annoyance as she pushed her clanmates away, and led the dark ginger leader inside.

 Fangclaw could see Minkbounce's tail was shoving her two kits to her belly. The two kits were suckling. Wavekit and-

"His name is Brownkit, for their eyes are brown like his father," the queen announced. Each cat inside and out gossiped happily. The little kit now known as Brownkit turned his small head to the leader.

Fangclaw locked with the brown marbles that Troutclaw once had. It... settled into the elder's heart. His heart melted more. Finally, when the kitten went back to suckling, the leader twisted his head to a grown Hiddenkit. One more moon and Fangclaw will be able to train him.

"You doing all 'ight?" Fangclaw walked up to the grown kitten, who turned his head over his shoulder.

"Mhm," Hiddenkit responded. "I couldn't wait to become an apprentice! Will Wavekit and Brownkit be able to join me?"

Fangclaw looked back at the 3 moon old kits. Maybe it won't affect Hiddenkit? "Well... no, but after you become an apprentice!" Fangclaw saw the sad face of the black and white kit and started explaining, "In a few moons, they will be able to become apprentices, too! I promise you to DeadClan on that." the leader smiled and wrapped his tail around the kit.

Then.. as if magic, the dark ginger tom looked up at Brownkit, who looked back. It warms Fangclaw's heart that he almost look like Troutclaw. Maybe he will become a Right-Hand someday. But that will take many moons. Many that will guarantee that Fangclaw will pass away before he promote an older Brownkit. So.. does that mean that the leader needs to find someone young enough to live on and rank Brownkit in the future? Fangclaw breathed in and sighed; he knows what he had to do.