Post by ◘Feathereth◘ on Jul 18, 2007 21:57:15 GMT -5
***Prologue-
A blue gray she-cat looked down at a pool of star lite water, other cats ringed around it in a circle. As they looked down they looked upon a ginger she-kit laying in a barn yelling out for it's mother.
"Her? Are you sure?" Asked a golden long haired tom.
"Yes, her." Said the she-cat.
A gray she-cat with yellow eyes stepped forward, looking old but not weak.
"Bluestar, you are sure you want a kittypet to save our Clans?" asked the gray she-cat.
"Yes, Yellowfang. Do you have any thing against it?" Bluestar asked.
"No but some may." Yellowfang said looking at the other cats her gaze stony.
A tall white and black tom stepped forward, "Bluestar you and ThunderClan are making the Clan born blood weaker and weaker in the forest! Why not chose a strong Clan born cat!?" he asked, his tail lashing.
"Blood has no meaning of being a warrior or measure of power." Bluestar said, "Can you not remember a kittypet saving your Clan time after time,Tallstar?" Bluestar asked.
Tallstar hissed and sat back in his place looking down at the water pool.
The she-kit nursed and her ginger pelt began to fade out of the view.
As the StarClan cats flooded out of the area there were mummers passing from one to the next. Bluestar stayed behind watching the pool, Spottedleaf next to her.
"Time passes and the past can be un-clear, but sparks will fly in the mist of fight and burn away the trash that lay." Spottedleaf said.
Bluestar looked at her, "Let StarClan's power be enough to help the Clans." she said and left the pool side with Spottedleaf at her flank.
***Part one-
Ginger lay in the hay of the horse barn. She layed there board out of her mind. She walked out the barn and leap onto the wooden fence. She was a young 10 moon old she cat who had bright ginger fur with a white muzzle and front paws. She spotted a mouse and went in to a hunting stance. She moved forward and leap at it killing it with her powerful paw. She bite down into the juicy mouse and ate. She licked her lips and walked down to the lake for a drink. The lush damp ground felt good under her pads and she felt as nothing good go wrong on such a nice day. She decided she would go for a walk around part of the lake.She was on hilly moor land when a group of three cats appeared they hissed and shouted. She ran from them crossing a river and ran into the trees. Now she was way farther away then she wanted to be. She couldn't even see the barn now. She panted and sat by a large Oak tree. She looked around and parted her mouth to sent the air. Cats were here too. She looked around worried. Soon after this she felt sharp claws dig into her back. She hissed in protest and flung her self onto her back. The cat under her hissed and shoved her in the air with his powerful legs. She spun around to see a Black tom cat with a brown belly and amber eyes. And long legs. She hissed and he hissed back.
"Your just a Kittypet!" He hissed. "Get out of Thunder Clan's land!"
"I'm no kittypet and trust me I don't want to be here!" Ginger yelled back her claws digging into the ground.
"Get ou---" He began.
"Spiderleg what are you doing to this barn cat?" It was Brackenfur and his apprentice Whitepaw.
"This cat is on Thunder Clan land!" He protested.
"Calm down Spiderleg she means no harm look at her. And she is out numbered now." Brackenfur said in a clam voice.
Taking notice of this Ginger step back and let her claws go back in. She looked at Brackenfur and looked over the lake.
"I just need to get back to the barn.I'm sorry i was scared off by some other cats on the moor land." Ginger said a bit uneasy.
"That must of been a Wind Clan patrol. But it's to dark for you to make it back to the barn today." Whitepaw said.
"Whitepaw is right come on. We will take you to Firestar." Brackenfur said turning not waiting to see if the others would follow.
Whitepaw followed and Spiderleg glared at Ginger waiting for her to go. She stepped forward and followed Whitepaw's tail through the trees. Spiderleg Followed behind and kept a close eye on her. She could feel his amber cool eyes burning on her back and wished she could of been last in line. She followed Whitepaw through a wall of thorns and bramble with only a tunnel the size for a cat. She came out the other side and gazed at the hollow full of cats. A kit playing with its mom by the nursery. Young cats play fighting together. Cats eating and sunning their fur. She had never seen so many cats in one place. They walked up to a large tom that looked like a flame of fire against the stony walls. A ginger she cat sat by him her tail wrapped around her. The tomcat stepped forward.
***Part two-
"Who might this be?" Said the flame colored tomcat.
The other cats separated to let Ginger stand in front of him. The cats around the hollow had now begun to gather around. Ginger gulped then lets a voice that she tried to hide worry come out though it was still a bit shaky.
"I-I'm Ginger from the horse barn across the lake." She said.
"A barn cat! What are you doing here!?" Shouted out Rainwhisker.
Ginger tried to see the cat but could only hear the cats voice among all the cats.
"Hush! Rainwhisker do you think this cat is powerless? I came to the clan as a Kittypet!" Firestar's voice rang over the clan but it had no anger in it. Only power.
"I well I" Rainwhisker bowed his head and didn't protest any longer.
Firestar turned back to Ginger and spoke, "You will be safe and well fed with us till you make it home."
"We are going to feed the fur ball too! It could catch a mouse if it layed down in her paws!" Rainwhisker had stood his tail lashing.
"I can hunt my self!" Ginger said and twitched her ears toward where Rainwhisker stood.
She lept over the cats and hit him pin point on the shoulders. Rainwhisker shoved her off and bite down in her scruff. The tussled around and the other cats leap out of the way. Ginger riped his ear but Rainwhisker was doing well too, and had bite onto the base of her tail and wasn't letting go. She raised her paw and scored his face. They separated and hissed ready to leap again.
Firestar's voice rang out, "That's it stop this!"
Ginger leap back and Rainwhisker limped to the medicine cats den. He had his head down and Ginger knew he felt his leader's scorn in his voice.
"Now does any other cat see her weak? She proved herself to me. She seems to be a warrior." Firestar looked around the cats from his spot on the High Ledge.
Cats all a round talked in the little groups some words Ginger could make out while others were hard. Some seemed fine with her there and others seemed to hate the very smell of her. She looked around hopeing no one would run her out. She liked it here. It wasn't like the barn. And she could look at the stars when she slept. She had always liked the stars for some reason. There was no reason for it and her mother often called her silly but Ginger felt as some thing more was up there. Ginger looked up at Firestar who had waved his tail for them to listen. All the cats stooped talking and perked their ears toward him.
"Ginger will stay till the morning then will be taken to our border with 2 of our warriors. Spiderleg you can take her and pick the other to go with you." Firestar said then leap from the ledge and was followed in his den by a few of the elders.
Ginger looked over to Spiderleg who was standing tall and was looking at the cats around him who looked pleased to go with him.
"Yes uh Sootfur why don't you come?" Spiderleg said trying to sound powerful.
"Sure Spiderleg, I'll go." Sootfur said a lighter gray tom cat with amber eyes.
***Part three-
Ginger felt uneasy standing there not doing a thing or saying any remark to what the cats talked about. Gladness flowed over her as she saw Brackenfur walked over to her.
"Ginger you should stay there for the night" Brackenfur said pointing with his tail to a small cliff hang over with scattered moss under it. "Don't worry Whitepaw will fetch fresh and more moss for you." he added.
"Yes, thank you. For every thing." Ginger said and stepped under the hang over and pushed the old moss out.
"It's nothing now Have you ate today? the fresh pile is over there" He said pointing with his tail to a place a few fox-lengths away. The pile had mouses and birds and a few fluffy squirrels.
"I had a mouse in the morning but if it isn't any trouble i could do with a robin or black bird." Ginger said noticing how hungry she really was.
"No trouble at all. Go ahead." He said and walked off.
Ginger walked over to the pile. She could feel the other cats looking at her. She choose a robin fastly and walked back to her make-shift bed where Whitepaw had already put fresh moss down. She ate the bird with out saying a word to any one she kept out of the others way. After finishing her meal she ruffled the feathers in her bed and curled up in a ball. Her nose was tucked under her tail. She felt happier then she had in a long time. She shut her eyes to dream about the future.
***Part four
Ginger the 10 moon she-cat from the bran woke, she blinked her eyes against the bright light. The light flame-colored she-cat had ran from a WindClan patrol and had been stopped in ThunderClan by Spiderleg, who already showed that he didn't like the she-cat at all. Firestar had welcomed her to stay in ThunderClan camp until she could make it home safely to her barn at Horses place. Ginger had thanked him well and slept in camp, making friends with Brackenfur and his apprentice Whitepaw.
Ginger walked to the high ledge were Firestar lay, Sandstorm was next to him. Ginger dipped her head in thanks, "Thank you for treating me so well Firestar." She meowed.
Firestar stood from his spot and smiled, "Your welcome, would you like for someone to travel with you? I'm sure so one would be willing." Friestar asked kindly.
Ginger smiled back, "No I'm sure I will make it home fine." She said.
Firestar dipped his head, "Good bye Ginger, my you find prey easy in your life." he said and walked back to Sandstorm.
Ginger went back through the bramble tunnel she had came in. She walked through the forest, the shade of the trees was nice to have. Ginger padded along when suddenly another cat rammed into her. It was the fluffy white apprentice, Whitepaw.
"Whitepaw! I'm glad I ran into you, well you sort of ran into me, but anyway now I get to say good bye!" Ginger said while she stood up and ruffled her pelt.
"I'm sorry." Whitepaw said then her eyes went wide, "Your leaving!? No I want you to stay and be an apprentice with me!" The she-cat wailed.
"Apprentice? I'm sorry Whitepaw I'm going back to the Barn, I hope I see you again some day." She meowed and walked past Whitepaw and closer to the lake.
Whitepaw lowered her head and went deeper into the forest, Ginger had been the only she-cat close to her age she knew and now she was leaving her alone again.
Ginger passed the hills and hills of moor land that was WindClan territory. Then she saw the barn, she smiled and started to ran home. She lept onto the fence and looked around, it was so peaceful and quite today. She ran into the barn, "Mother, father!?" She called out but no one called back. She was confused. She gave up her search after about an hour and just lept onto the fence again. She looked back to the trees that she could barley see past the lake. She became sad and turned away, never to go back to where she has felt the happiness.
---4 SEASONS LATER---
It was a full moon and Ginger had woke up in the middle of the night. The young 14 moon she-cat had came out-side to see if she could come across a mouse or vole. She got down into a crouch and snuck her way toward a mouse that nibbled on the chicken fed by the chicken hop. Ginger hit it down with her paw and swiftly bite into it's neck. The small mouse didn't even know what had happened. Ginger picked the mouse up and walked out into a nice grassy spot. She bite down into the mouse and tasted the wonderfulness of no longer eating the dry food the Two-legs brought her.
She purred happily and ate the rest of her mouse, something caught her eye at that very moment. There was a snow-white cat jumping onto a log, traveling into a island. She looked closer, it was Whitepaw! Ginger jumped from her spot and ran toward the lake and the island. "Whitepaw!" She yelled but she was to far away to hear her.
Ginger made it to the island and jumped onto the log. Her feet wiggled under her as she tried to get used to the way she was standing on the log. She didn't see any cats but the smell was strong of cats. She made her way down the log, near the middle the lake water almost ran over the log. Ginger went on and at the other side lept down on to the dirt and sand stripe that lead into a lush tree and bush filled island. She pushed her way through some bushes and looked at the amazing sight that came to her eyes. On a high branch was 4 leaders, Onestar, Leopardstar, Blackstar, and Firestar! Below on the branching roots sat the deputies, Russetfur, Mistyfoot, Ashfoot, and Brambleclaw.
Ginger looked for Whitepaw but she couldn't spot her. Then she saw the white apprentice at the back of the cats. She quietly walked toward the cats, as she got closer she noticed that some cats had turned and were looking at her strangely. She felt their gazed burning into her flame colored pelt. She sat next to Whitepaw who looked over then shot to her paws.
"Ginger!" She yelled.
Ginger saw that even more cats were looking their way, "Whitepaw yes it's me does every single cat have to know!?" She quietly told her friend.
"I want to talk after the gathering!" Whitepaw said and turned back to the tree. Ginger looked as well and watched as the leaders spoke of the news in their Clans.
Finally The cats began to leave the island and the gathering was over, Ginger was the last off the log. Firestar walked over to her, "Greeting Ginger, how dose your prey run? I hope well." He greeted her kindly and dipped his head.
Ginger purred at seeing the old friend, "Just fine! thanks, and how about for you?" She asked and dipped her head as well.
Firestar smiled, "Fine, fine. It is wonderful to see you again, would you like to come back to camp with us? Maybe even become an apprentice." Firestar offered.
Ginger was taken back for a moment, Whtiepaw was looking at her with hope filled eyes. Ginger smiled at her friend and then to Firestar, "Yes I would love to go to camp, yes I would love to join your Clan and be an apprentice." She said.
Whitepaw skipped with pleaser, "Yeah! Ginger come on!" She said and tapped her friend Ginger with her tail tip and ran off to the other ThunderClan cats.
Ginger laughed, "Coming!" She yelled after her friend she smiled at Firestar, "Thanks." She said then ran after Whitepaw.
The other cats of ThunderClan looked at her strangely then smiled, they all liked Ginger. There was one cats face however that glared at the she-cat, Rainwhisker. He had fought with the she-cat and hated her since the moons ago when Ginger had first came into the Clan camp. Rainwhisker wanted to yell out at his leader and ginger but he kept himself quite and rooted to his spot.
Ginger padded along with her old and new found friends in the Clan. She smiled and felt as happy as she could be, she was leaving the bran were she was always alone and going to a Clan full of cats. Whitepaw was walking by her her heart full of happiness, she now had a female apprentice her age. Brackenkit was at home with his mom but in 2 moons he would be an apprentice to.
Dustpelt walked over, "Have you found out who your mentor will be?"
Ginger looked over,"Oh, no I haven't I can't wait though." She said.
***Part five
---CAMP---
Ginger with her new happiness and close friend Whitepaw walked to the apprentice den. The moon was falling from the middle of the sky and falling slowly behind the snow capped hills. The Clan would sleep most of the day tomorrow unless the cat had not gone to the gathering.
As Ginger was curled up next to Whitepaw she was fast a sleep in no time. She woke near a shimmering pool, it looked to have no bottom. Her green gaze was fixed on it as the stars turned and spun. She looked around the pools edge but no cats were there.
A voice rang out even though no cat was there to say the words.
"Hello she-cat. Your name will no longer be what it is. Your past is twisted even more then you know but for StarClan your future is strait and clear." The voice said then died away.
"What? What do you mean!?" She yowled but there was no reply.
She feel into the water and was sucked into blackness, like when you ride a roller coaster and you enter the jet-black tunnels. Ginger screamed and turned.
She felt pain shot through her side and her eyes snapped open. This time instead of a dark forest and water pool, was the dim lit light of the den and the bramble and twigs, the gray stone and green moss. Whitepaw had her sharp claw in Ginger's side. Ginger jumped back and swatted her paw away.
Whitepaw laughed, then looked worried, "What was all that yelling about Ginger? Are you okay?" She asked and yawned, she had been to the gathering and it was very early, she had only gotten a few hours of sleep.
"Huh? Oh, nothing just a nightmare of the old No-furs at the barn." Ginger meowed.
"Two-legs? Oh they don't come out here, don't worry about it." Whitepaw said then curled back to sleep.
Ginger force smiled, she didn't feel like sleeping and she hadn't been up the whole night. She padded out of the den into the almost dead camp.
Firestar was awake though, along with his deputy Brambleclaw. Firestar saw Ginger and padded over, "Hello Ginger." He said bowing his head slightly.
Ginger smiled and dipped her head, "Hello Firestar." She replied back.
"You will be an apprentice tonight." He said a smile across him maw.
Ginger looked up her green eyes wide, "Tonight! Who will be my mentor?" She asked as if she was a mer kit, she was just now starting her apprenticeship and so would Brackenkit. While Whitepaw was going to be made a warrior any day now.
Firestar gave a half laugh, "Sandstorm will mentor you." He said.
"Sorry for asking but who is Sandstorm?" She asked.
"Sandstorm is the pale ginger she-cat that is with me a lot of the time and mother to my two daughters." He said while smiling.
"Ohhh yes I know her!" Ginger said remembering her countless meting with the pale ginger she-cat.
---LATER ON THAT THE DAY---
Firestar stood on the High ledge. A jutting ledge that came out of the stone wall that was around the came. His pelt flashed like a flame in the wind as the sun came in and out of the trees. It was sunset and the light of the sky was a dim red, night would be close soon, falling on them like from the wings of a raven.
Firestar's voice rang out into the camp, "Let any cat old enough to catch it's on prey gather here below the High ledge."
With the words cats padded out of their dens and from around the camp. Almost every cat from the Clan had to be there, only the few that were in the forest were not.
Firestar spoke again, "We will be doing two things today, welcoming a new warrior and a new apprentice." He said.
That cats below murmured and smiled. All were happy of the news, more warriors meant smooth work and strong Clan, more apprentices meant warriors, making the Clan stronger and more then that as well.
"First we will start with our apprentices" Firestar said and smiled.
Whitepaw rose and shook with happiness and interpretation, Brackenpaw was just as happy and joyful. They both stepped forward.
Firestar smiled and began to speck the word brought down from years and years ago. "I, Firestar, leader of ThunderClan call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Whitepaw and Brackenpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code at all times, and to protect and defend your Clan even at the cost of your life?
Whitepaw nodded and spoke out first "I do." Brackenpaw then took his turn, "I do." He said.
Firestar began again, "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Whitepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Whitestorm. StarClan honors your two attributes to apprentice, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan. Brackenpaw, from this moment you will be know has Branckenthorn."
Firestar stepped down and rested his muzzle on Whitestorm's head. She licked his shoulder in respect. Firestar then walked to Brackenthorn and rested his muzzle on his head as well. Brackenthorn also licked his shoulder.
The cats shouted out, including Ginger, who could tell it was the correct thing to do, "Whitestorm Whitestorm! Brackenthorn Brackenthorn!"
Firestar smiled, "You will now sit vigil and watch over the camp as the rest of us sleep." He said dipping his head.
Whitestorm and Brackenthorn nodded, walked over to the bramble tunnel that lead into the camp and sat down.
Four kits looked at ginger their eyes wide, they would soon be apprentices just like her, even though ginger was a full grown cat, she was as old as Whitestorm. Smaller kits about 3 moons watched from the nursery their mother close by.
Rainwhisker watched with his eyes locked on Ginger. She didn't know why the cat had never warmed up to her, his eyes were mixed with anger and something eles......Ginger didn't know what it was though.
Firestar looked at the cats, "And now for Ginger." He said happily.
Firestar started to talk again,"Today, a cat has Joined and is able to begin training.It is time for her to become an apprentice, please step forward.
Ginger was shaking head to tail, she walked past a few cats and stood forward, she could feel the eyes of the fellow cats burn into her pelt, she tried to ignore it and kept her green eyes locked on her leader.
Firestar smiled and talking again," Ginger, do you promise to protect and defend your Clan whenever needed, to respect, listen to, and obey your mentor, and to train to become a warrior to become warrior of ThunderClan?
Ginger stood forward, "I do."
Firestar nodded and spoke, "Then, from this day forward, until she has earned her warrior name, Ginger will be known Sparkpaw for her appearance." He looked at her and added, "And personality."
Firestar looked out at the cats below him,"Sandstorm, you skilled and smart. Your mentor, has taught you well. Pass on all your knowledge and attribute to this apprentice as her mentor.
Sandstorm nodded and padded up to Sparkpaw and touched her nose with the she-cat. Ginger smiled and touched noses with her new mentor.
The cats called out, "Sparkpaw Sparkpaw!" Sparkpaw smiled and looked at them all her body felt light, like she could blow away in the soft winds.
Firestar stood high and called out, "This meeting is over, return to what you were doing." He called out and went into his den. The cats began to scatter out, Whitestorm was smiling widely at her friend from the bramble tunnel. Sparkpaw smiled back and looked up at the sky, "Thanks you StarClan, I wouldn't give this up for anything." She said, her eyes sparkled and a shooting star flew across the sky. She purred and walked to the apprentices den.
To be continued.............
A blue gray she-cat looked down at a pool of star lite water, other cats ringed around it in a circle. As they looked down they looked upon a ginger she-kit laying in a barn yelling out for it's mother.
"Her? Are you sure?" Asked a golden long haired tom.
"Yes, her." Said the she-cat.
A gray she-cat with yellow eyes stepped forward, looking old but not weak.
"Bluestar, you are sure you want a kittypet to save our Clans?" asked the gray she-cat.
"Yes, Yellowfang. Do you have any thing against it?" Bluestar asked.
"No but some may." Yellowfang said looking at the other cats her gaze stony.
A tall white and black tom stepped forward, "Bluestar you and ThunderClan are making the Clan born blood weaker and weaker in the forest! Why not chose a strong Clan born cat!?" he asked, his tail lashing.
"Blood has no meaning of being a warrior or measure of power." Bluestar said, "Can you not remember a kittypet saving your Clan time after time,Tallstar?" Bluestar asked.
Tallstar hissed and sat back in his place looking down at the water pool.
The she-kit nursed and her ginger pelt began to fade out of the view.
As the StarClan cats flooded out of the area there were mummers passing from one to the next. Bluestar stayed behind watching the pool, Spottedleaf next to her.
"Time passes and the past can be un-clear, but sparks will fly in the mist of fight and burn away the trash that lay." Spottedleaf said.
Bluestar looked at her, "Let StarClan's power be enough to help the Clans." she said and left the pool side with Spottedleaf at her flank.
***Part one-
Ginger lay in the hay of the horse barn. She layed there board out of her mind. She walked out the barn and leap onto the wooden fence. She was a young 10 moon old she cat who had bright ginger fur with a white muzzle and front paws. She spotted a mouse and went in to a hunting stance. She moved forward and leap at it killing it with her powerful paw. She bite down into the juicy mouse and ate. She licked her lips and walked down to the lake for a drink. The lush damp ground felt good under her pads and she felt as nothing good go wrong on such a nice day. She decided she would go for a walk around part of the lake.She was on hilly moor land when a group of three cats appeared they hissed and shouted. She ran from them crossing a river and ran into the trees. Now she was way farther away then she wanted to be. She couldn't even see the barn now. She panted and sat by a large Oak tree. She looked around and parted her mouth to sent the air. Cats were here too. She looked around worried. Soon after this she felt sharp claws dig into her back. She hissed in protest and flung her self onto her back. The cat under her hissed and shoved her in the air with his powerful legs. She spun around to see a Black tom cat with a brown belly and amber eyes. And long legs. She hissed and he hissed back.
"Your just a Kittypet!" He hissed. "Get out of Thunder Clan's land!"
"I'm no kittypet and trust me I don't want to be here!" Ginger yelled back her claws digging into the ground.
"Get ou---" He began.
"Spiderleg what are you doing to this barn cat?" It was Brackenfur and his apprentice Whitepaw.
"This cat is on Thunder Clan land!" He protested.
"Calm down Spiderleg she means no harm look at her. And she is out numbered now." Brackenfur said in a clam voice.
Taking notice of this Ginger step back and let her claws go back in. She looked at Brackenfur and looked over the lake.
"I just need to get back to the barn.I'm sorry i was scared off by some other cats on the moor land." Ginger said a bit uneasy.
"That must of been a Wind Clan patrol. But it's to dark for you to make it back to the barn today." Whitepaw said.
"Whitepaw is right come on. We will take you to Firestar." Brackenfur said turning not waiting to see if the others would follow.
Whitepaw followed and Spiderleg glared at Ginger waiting for her to go. She stepped forward and followed Whitepaw's tail through the trees. Spiderleg Followed behind and kept a close eye on her. She could feel his amber cool eyes burning on her back and wished she could of been last in line. She followed Whitepaw through a wall of thorns and bramble with only a tunnel the size for a cat. She came out the other side and gazed at the hollow full of cats. A kit playing with its mom by the nursery. Young cats play fighting together. Cats eating and sunning their fur. She had never seen so many cats in one place. They walked up to a large tom that looked like a flame of fire against the stony walls. A ginger she cat sat by him her tail wrapped around her. The tomcat stepped forward.
***Part two-
"Who might this be?" Said the flame colored tomcat.
The other cats separated to let Ginger stand in front of him. The cats around the hollow had now begun to gather around. Ginger gulped then lets a voice that she tried to hide worry come out though it was still a bit shaky.
"I-I'm Ginger from the horse barn across the lake." She said.
"A barn cat! What are you doing here!?" Shouted out Rainwhisker.
Ginger tried to see the cat but could only hear the cats voice among all the cats.
"Hush! Rainwhisker do you think this cat is powerless? I came to the clan as a Kittypet!" Firestar's voice rang over the clan but it had no anger in it. Only power.
"I well I" Rainwhisker bowed his head and didn't protest any longer.
Firestar turned back to Ginger and spoke, "You will be safe and well fed with us till you make it home."
"We are going to feed the fur ball too! It could catch a mouse if it layed down in her paws!" Rainwhisker had stood his tail lashing.
"I can hunt my self!" Ginger said and twitched her ears toward where Rainwhisker stood.
She lept over the cats and hit him pin point on the shoulders. Rainwhisker shoved her off and bite down in her scruff. The tussled around and the other cats leap out of the way. Ginger riped his ear but Rainwhisker was doing well too, and had bite onto the base of her tail and wasn't letting go. She raised her paw and scored his face. They separated and hissed ready to leap again.
Firestar's voice rang out, "That's it stop this!"
Ginger leap back and Rainwhisker limped to the medicine cats den. He had his head down and Ginger knew he felt his leader's scorn in his voice.
"Now does any other cat see her weak? She proved herself to me. She seems to be a warrior." Firestar looked around the cats from his spot on the High Ledge.
Cats all a round talked in the little groups some words Ginger could make out while others were hard. Some seemed fine with her there and others seemed to hate the very smell of her. She looked around hopeing no one would run her out. She liked it here. It wasn't like the barn. And she could look at the stars when she slept. She had always liked the stars for some reason. There was no reason for it and her mother often called her silly but Ginger felt as some thing more was up there. Ginger looked up at Firestar who had waved his tail for them to listen. All the cats stooped talking and perked their ears toward him.
"Ginger will stay till the morning then will be taken to our border with 2 of our warriors. Spiderleg you can take her and pick the other to go with you." Firestar said then leap from the ledge and was followed in his den by a few of the elders.
Ginger looked over to Spiderleg who was standing tall and was looking at the cats around him who looked pleased to go with him.
"Yes uh Sootfur why don't you come?" Spiderleg said trying to sound powerful.
"Sure Spiderleg, I'll go." Sootfur said a lighter gray tom cat with amber eyes.
***Part three-
Ginger felt uneasy standing there not doing a thing or saying any remark to what the cats talked about. Gladness flowed over her as she saw Brackenfur walked over to her.
"Ginger you should stay there for the night" Brackenfur said pointing with his tail to a small cliff hang over with scattered moss under it. "Don't worry Whitepaw will fetch fresh and more moss for you." he added.
"Yes, thank you. For every thing." Ginger said and stepped under the hang over and pushed the old moss out.
"It's nothing now Have you ate today? the fresh pile is over there" He said pointing with his tail to a place a few fox-lengths away. The pile had mouses and birds and a few fluffy squirrels.
"I had a mouse in the morning but if it isn't any trouble i could do with a robin or black bird." Ginger said noticing how hungry she really was.
"No trouble at all. Go ahead." He said and walked off.
Ginger walked over to the pile. She could feel the other cats looking at her. She choose a robin fastly and walked back to her make-shift bed where Whitepaw had already put fresh moss down. She ate the bird with out saying a word to any one she kept out of the others way. After finishing her meal she ruffled the feathers in her bed and curled up in a ball. Her nose was tucked under her tail. She felt happier then she had in a long time. She shut her eyes to dream about the future.
***Part four
Ginger the 10 moon she-cat from the bran woke, she blinked her eyes against the bright light. The light flame-colored she-cat had ran from a WindClan patrol and had been stopped in ThunderClan by Spiderleg, who already showed that he didn't like the she-cat at all. Firestar had welcomed her to stay in ThunderClan camp until she could make it home safely to her barn at Horses place. Ginger had thanked him well and slept in camp, making friends with Brackenfur and his apprentice Whitepaw.
Ginger walked to the high ledge were Firestar lay, Sandstorm was next to him. Ginger dipped her head in thanks, "Thank you for treating me so well Firestar." She meowed.
Firestar stood from his spot and smiled, "Your welcome, would you like for someone to travel with you? I'm sure so one would be willing." Friestar asked kindly.
Ginger smiled back, "No I'm sure I will make it home fine." She said.
Firestar dipped his head, "Good bye Ginger, my you find prey easy in your life." he said and walked back to Sandstorm.
Ginger went back through the bramble tunnel she had came in. She walked through the forest, the shade of the trees was nice to have. Ginger padded along when suddenly another cat rammed into her. It was the fluffy white apprentice, Whitepaw.
"Whitepaw! I'm glad I ran into you, well you sort of ran into me, but anyway now I get to say good bye!" Ginger said while she stood up and ruffled her pelt.
"I'm sorry." Whitepaw said then her eyes went wide, "Your leaving!? No I want you to stay and be an apprentice with me!" The she-cat wailed.
"Apprentice? I'm sorry Whitepaw I'm going back to the Barn, I hope I see you again some day." She meowed and walked past Whitepaw and closer to the lake.
Whitepaw lowered her head and went deeper into the forest, Ginger had been the only she-cat close to her age she knew and now she was leaving her alone again.
Ginger passed the hills and hills of moor land that was WindClan territory. Then she saw the barn, she smiled and started to ran home. She lept onto the fence and looked around, it was so peaceful and quite today. She ran into the barn, "Mother, father!?" She called out but no one called back. She was confused. She gave up her search after about an hour and just lept onto the fence again. She looked back to the trees that she could barley see past the lake. She became sad and turned away, never to go back to where she has felt the happiness.
---4 SEASONS LATER---
It was a full moon and Ginger had woke up in the middle of the night. The young 14 moon she-cat had came out-side to see if she could come across a mouse or vole. She got down into a crouch and snuck her way toward a mouse that nibbled on the chicken fed by the chicken hop. Ginger hit it down with her paw and swiftly bite into it's neck. The small mouse didn't even know what had happened. Ginger picked the mouse up and walked out into a nice grassy spot. She bite down into the mouse and tasted the wonderfulness of no longer eating the dry food the Two-legs brought her.
She purred happily and ate the rest of her mouse, something caught her eye at that very moment. There was a snow-white cat jumping onto a log, traveling into a island. She looked closer, it was Whitepaw! Ginger jumped from her spot and ran toward the lake and the island. "Whitepaw!" She yelled but she was to far away to hear her.
Ginger made it to the island and jumped onto the log. Her feet wiggled under her as she tried to get used to the way she was standing on the log. She didn't see any cats but the smell was strong of cats. She made her way down the log, near the middle the lake water almost ran over the log. Ginger went on and at the other side lept down on to the dirt and sand stripe that lead into a lush tree and bush filled island. She pushed her way through some bushes and looked at the amazing sight that came to her eyes. On a high branch was 4 leaders, Onestar, Leopardstar, Blackstar, and Firestar! Below on the branching roots sat the deputies, Russetfur, Mistyfoot, Ashfoot, and Brambleclaw.
Ginger looked for Whitepaw but she couldn't spot her. Then she saw the white apprentice at the back of the cats. She quietly walked toward the cats, as she got closer she noticed that some cats had turned and were looking at her strangely. She felt their gazed burning into her flame colored pelt. She sat next to Whitepaw who looked over then shot to her paws.
"Ginger!" She yelled.
Ginger saw that even more cats were looking their way, "Whitepaw yes it's me does every single cat have to know!?" She quietly told her friend.
"I want to talk after the gathering!" Whitepaw said and turned back to the tree. Ginger looked as well and watched as the leaders spoke of the news in their Clans.
Finally The cats began to leave the island and the gathering was over, Ginger was the last off the log. Firestar walked over to her, "Greeting Ginger, how dose your prey run? I hope well." He greeted her kindly and dipped his head.
Ginger purred at seeing the old friend, "Just fine! thanks, and how about for you?" She asked and dipped her head as well.
Firestar smiled, "Fine, fine. It is wonderful to see you again, would you like to come back to camp with us? Maybe even become an apprentice." Firestar offered.
Ginger was taken back for a moment, Whtiepaw was looking at her with hope filled eyes. Ginger smiled at her friend and then to Firestar, "Yes I would love to go to camp, yes I would love to join your Clan and be an apprentice." She said.
Whitepaw skipped with pleaser, "Yeah! Ginger come on!" She said and tapped her friend Ginger with her tail tip and ran off to the other ThunderClan cats.
Ginger laughed, "Coming!" She yelled after her friend she smiled at Firestar, "Thanks." She said then ran after Whitepaw.
The other cats of ThunderClan looked at her strangely then smiled, they all liked Ginger. There was one cats face however that glared at the she-cat, Rainwhisker. He had fought with the she-cat and hated her since the moons ago when Ginger had first came into the Clan camp. Rainwhisker wanted to yell out at his leader and ginger but he kept himself quite and rooted to his spot.
Ginger padded along with her old and new found friends in the Clan. She smiled and felt as happy as she could be, she was leaving the bran were she was always alone and going to a Clan full of cats. Whitepaw was walking by her her heart full of happiness, she now had a female apprentice her age. Brackenkit was at home with his mom but in 2 moons he would be an apprentice to.
Dustpelt walked over, "Have you found out who your mentor will be?"
Ginger looked over,"Oh, no I haven't I can't wait though." She said.
***Part five
---CAMP---
Ginger with her new happiness and close friend Whitepaw walked to the apprentice den. The moon was falling from the middle of the sky and falling slowly behind the snow capped hills. The Clan would sleep most of the day tomorrow unless the cat had not gone to the gathering.
As Ginger was curled up next to Whitepaw she was fast a sleep in no time. She woke near a shimmering pool, it looked to have no bottom. Her green gaze was fixed on it as the stars turned and spun. She looked around the pools edge but no cats were there.
A voice rang out even though no cat was there to say the words.
"Hello she-cat. Your name will no longer be what it is. Your past is twisted even more then you know but for StarClan your future is strait and clear." The voice said then died away.
"What? What do you mean!?" She yowled but there was no reply.
She feel into the water and was sucked into blackness, like when you ride a roller coaster and you enter the jet-black tunnels. Ginger screamed and turned.
She felt pain shot through her side and her eyes snapped open. This time instead of a dark forest and water pool, was the dim lit light of the den and the bramble and twigs, the gray stone and green moss. Whitepaw had her sharp claw in Ginger's side. Ginger jumped back and swatted her paw away.
Whitepaw laughed, then looked worried, "What was all that yelling about Ginger? Are you okay?" She asked and yawned, she had been to the gathering and it was very early, she had only gotten a few hours of sleep.
"Huh? Oh, nothing just a nightmare of the old No-furs at the barn." Ginger meowed.
"Two-legs? Oh they don't come out here, don't worry about it." Whitepaw said then curled back to sleep.
Ginger force smiled, she didn't feel like sleeping and she hadn't been up the whole night. She padded out of the den into the almost dead camp.
Firestar was awake though, along with his deputy Brambleclaw. Firestar saw Ginger and padded over, "Hello Ginger." He said bowing his head slightly.
Ginger smiled and dipped her head, "Hello Firestar." She replied back.
"You will be an apprentice tonight." He said a smile across him maw.
Ginger looked up her green eyes wide, "Tonight! Who will be my mentor?" She asked as if she was a mer kit, she was just now starting her apprenticeship and so would Brackenkit. While Whitepaw was going to be made a warrior any day now.
Firestar gave a half laugh, "Sandstorm will mentor you." He said.
"Sorry for asking but who is Sandstorm?" She asked.
"Sandstorm is the pale ginger she-cat that is with me a lot of the time and mother to my two daughters." He said while smiling.
"Ohhh yes I know her!" Ginger said remembering her countless meting with the pale ginger she-cat.
---LATER ON THAT THE DAY---
Firestar stood on the High ledge. A jutting ledge that came out of the stone wall that was around the came. His pelt flashed like a flame in the wind as the sun came in and out of the trees. It was sunset and the light of the sky was a dim red, night would be close soon, falling on them like from the wings of a raven.
Firestar's voice rang out into the camp, "Let any cat old enough to catch it's on prey gather here below the High ledge."
With the words cats padded out of their dens and from around the camp. Almost every cat from the Clan had to be there, only the few that were in the forest were not.
Firestar spoke again, "We will be doing two things today, welcoming a new warrior and a new apprentice." He said.
That cats below murmured and smiled. All were happy of the news, more warriors meant smooth work and strong Clan, more apprentices meant warriors, making the Clan stronger and more then that as well.
"First we will start with our apprentices" Firestar said and smiled.
Whitepaw rose and shook with happiness and interpretation, Brackenpaw was just as happy and joyful. They both stepped forward.
Firestar smiled and began to speck the word brought down from years and years ago. "I, Firestar, leader of ThunderClan call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Whitepaw and Brackenpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code at all times, and to protect and defend your Clan even at the cost of your life?
Whitepaw nodded and spoke out first "I do." Brackenpaw then took his turn, "I do." He said.
Firestar began again, "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Whitepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Whitestorm. StarClan honors your two attributes to apprentice, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan. Brackenpaw, from this moment you will be know has Branckenthorn."
Firestar stepped down and rested his muzzle on Whitestorm's head. She licked his shoulder in respect. Firestar then walked to Brackenthorn and rested his muzzle on his head as well. Brackenthorn also licked his shoulder.
The cats shouted out, including Ginger, who could tell it was the correct thing to do, "Whitestorm Whitestorm! Brackenthorn Brackenthorn!"
Firestar smiled, "You will now sit vigil and watch over the camp as the rest of us sleep." He said dipping his head.
Whitestorm and Brackenthorn nodded, walked over to the bramble tunnel that lead into the camp and sat down.
Four kits looked at ginger their eyes wide, they would soon be apprentices just like her, even though ginger was a full grown cat, she was as old as Whitestorm. Smaller kits about 3 moons watched from the nursery their mother close by.
Rainwhisker watched with his eyes locked on Ginger. She didn't know why the cat had never warmed up to her, his eyes were mixed with anger and something eles......Ginger didn't know what it was though.
Firestar looked at the cats, "And now for Ginger." He said happily.
Firestar started to talk again,"Today, a cat has Joined and is able to begin training.It is time for her to become an apprentice, please step forward.
Ginger was shaking head to tail, she walked past a few cats and stood forward, she could feel the eyes of the fellow cats burn into her pelt, she tried to ignore it and kept her green eyes locked on her leader.
Firestar smiled and talking again," Ginger, do you promise to protect and defend your Clan whenever needed, to respect, listen to, and obey your mentor, and to train to become a warrior to become warrior of ThunderClan?
Ginger stood forward, "I do."
Firestar nodded and spoke, "Then, from this day forward, until she has earned her warrior name, Ginger will be known Sparkpaw for her appearance." He looked at her and added, "And personality."
Firestar looked out at the cats below him,"Sandstorm, you skilled and smart. Your mentor, has taught you well. Pass on all your knowledge and attribute to this apprentice as her mentor.
Sandstorm nodded and padded up to Sparkpaw and touched her nose with the she-cat. Ginger smiled and touched noses with her new mentor.
The cats called out, "Sparkpaw Sparkpaw!" Sparkpaw smiled and looked at them all her body felt light, like she could blow away in the soft winds.
Firestar stood high and called out, "This meeting is over, return to what you were doing." He called out and went into his den. The cats began to scatter out, Whitestorm was smiling widely at her friend from the bramble tunnel. Sparkpaw smiled back and looked up at the sky, "Thanks you StarClan, I wouldn't give this up for anything." She said, her eyes sparkled and a shooting star flew across the sky. She purred and walked to the apprentices den.
To be continued.............
Featherpaw-ThunderClan
![[~]*Steel Moon*[~] Avatar](http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e316/shakeadoo1/i43070440_4604.gif)
