Rainpelt's Courage

Allegiances RainClan Leader: Bramblestar – Flame coloured she-cat with blue eyes Apprentice, Whitepaw Deputy: Harrierwing – Black tom with amber eyes Medicine Cat: Leafsedge – White she-cat with green eyes Apprentice, Bluepaw Warriors: Rainpelt – Bluish-grey she-cat with blue eyes Flashpelt – Flame coloured tom with lightning yellow eyes Mistystream – White she-cat with black spots Apprentice, Graypaw Redheart – Dark reddish-brown tom with small stripes on his tail Frostfire – Brown-and-white tabby tom Clawfeather –White tom with dark amber eyes Copperflight – Dark ginger she-cat Apprentice, Brownpaw Dawnlight – Ginger she-cat Apprentice, Cloudpaw Eaglefeather – Silver tabby tom with green eyes Daisyfeather – White she-cat with green eyes Owltail – Brown tabby tom with a white tipped tail Gingertail – Ginger tabby tom with emerald green eyes Lilyleaf - Silver tabby she-cat with amber eyes Sootcloud – Black tom with blue eyes Apprentice, Lionpaw Goldfur – Golden she-cat with amber eyes Barkmoon – Brown tabby tom with green eyes Firetail – Flame coloured she-cat with amber eyes Silverfire – Silver she-cat with a flame coloured fringe Hailclaw – Gray tom with green eyes Finchsplash – Ginger she-cat with amber eyes Owlflight – Brown tabby tom Duskfall – Dark brown tabby tom Flamefur – Flame coloured she-cat with green eyes Swiftwind – Black and white tom with amber eyes Thistlefire – White tom with spiky flame coloured fur tips Nettleflight – Spike-furred brown tabby she-cat Lovespirit – Cream she-cat with amber eyes Rustyfur – Flame-coloured tom with green eyes

Apprentices: Whitepaw – Jet black tom with white paws Graypaw – Gray she-cat with a black tipped tail Brownpaw – Brown tabby tom with amber eyes Lionpaw – Golden tom with tufts of fur around his neck Cloudpaw – White she-cat with a black patch around one eye Bluepaw – Bluish-grey she-cat with blue eyes

Queens: Mistyclaw – Bluish-grey she-cat with Duskfall’s kits (Turtlekit – a grey tom, 	     Sedgekit – a brown she-cat and Smallkit – a golden tom) Bronzefeather – Bronze she-cat with Clawfeather’s kits (Russetkit – a bronze 	     She-cat, Ashkit – a pale gray tom and Smokekit – a black tom with dark gray ears 	      and paws) Thornflight – Brown tabby she-cat expecting Swiftwind’s kits

Elders: Eelclaw – Dark brown tabby tom with amber eyes Leopardmist – Golden she-cat with black spots Squirrelfur – Redish-brown she-cat with a fluffy tail FireClan Leader: Yellowstar – Gray-black tom with yellow eyes Deputy: Ottertail – Dark brown she-cat with a sleek brown tail Medicine Cat: Flailheart – Cream she-cat with brown markings Warriors: Appleclaw – Golden brown tom Watermist – Bluish-grey she-cat with a white paw Grasstail – White she-cat with green eyes Darkclaw – Dark brown tom with dark amber eyes Frogstep – Brown tom with emerald green eyes Cloudleap – Gray tom with white patches on his fur Blackpelt – Black she-cat with yellow eyes Swoopheart – Gray she-cat with a black paw Fangtooth – Ginger tom with sharp white teeth Whiskerclaw – White tom with blue eyes Apprentice, Featherpaw Ambertail – Ginger she-cat with a brown tipped tail Apprentice, Rosepaw Harpyclaw – Gray tom with curved claw Apprentice, Adderpaw Webwhisker – Ginger tom with amber eyes

Apprentices: Featherpaw – Gray she-cat with green eyes Rosepaw – Cream coloured she-cat with a white under belly Adderpaw – Black tom with long claws

Queens: Cheetahheart – Golden she-cat with black spots and Frogstep’s kits (Riverkit – 	     Bluish-grey she-cat and Maplekit – Golden-brown tom with green eyes) Tinyear – Gray she-cat with small ears, expecting Whale’s kits

Elders: Kinktail – Golden tom with bushy fur and a crooked tail Lynxpelt – Gray she-cat with brown line on her back GrassClan Leader: Rowanstar – Brown tom with amber eyes Deputy: Greenflower – Gray she-cat with green eyes Medicine Cat: Tigerleap – Tiger-striped she-cat with blue eyes Warriors: Jayheart – Gray tom with blue eyes Snowtail – White she-cat with blue eyes Apprentice, Curlpaw Mooseclaw – Brown tom with a short tail

Queens: Pebbletail – Gray she-cat expecting Jayheart’s kits

Elders: Deerflower – Cream she-cat with a black tail Woollyfang – Bluish-gray tom with yellow eyes

MoonClan Leader: Quailstar – Brown she-cat with black flecks Deputy: Cedarcloud – Black tom with amber eyes Medicine Cat: Brightfern – White she-cat with one green eye Apprentice, Molecloud – Brown tom with a white spot on his back

Cats outside Clans Whale – Bluish-grey rogue with a double tipped tail Pad – Black rogue with big amber eyes

Chapter 1
I was leading my own hunting patrol. Suddenly in the bushes beside me, I heard a rustle. I stopped to taste the air. I was hoping to taste a vole, or a rabbit, but the thing I scented quickly snapped me to attention. DOG! In our territory! I sprinted back to camp. I had no choice but to warn our leader so we could send it off. I wasn’t too far from camp so I didn’t have to run a long distance. Almost there…. I thought as I skidded through the entrance, past the thorn barrier. “Bramblestar! Bramblestar!” I called. The flame coloured she-cat padded up to me. “What is it Rainpelt?” “Dog! In our territory!” “Really? Tell me your proof.” “I saw a rustling bush and I smelt dog scent!” “Very well. Harrierwing!” The black tom scampered away from the fresh kill pile. “What is it?” “Rainpelt has smelt and heard a dog in our territory on her hunting patrol.” “What do you want me to do, Bramblestar?” “I want you to organize a battle patrol. I’ll call the Clan together for a meeting.” Harrierwing dipped his head and padded away silently. I followed him under the High tree. Moments later, I heard Bramblestar’s call. “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather below the High tree for a Clan meeting.” The cats, confused because of the sudden call, all gathered below the tree but they were muttering among themselves. Bramblestar called for silence. “Rainpelt has found out of a dog in our territory,” Bramblestar began. A bluish-grey queen gasped, and led her three kits away from the meeting, and into the nursery. I saw her three kits were complaining that they wanted to fight. “Harrierwing will sort out a battle patrol. I hope that we will win, and I wish you all luck.” Bramblestar jumped off the high tree. Harrierwing had started organising a battle patrol. “The first patrol will be led by Rainpelt. I’ll be on that patrol with Mistystream, Barkmoon, Lilyleaf, Flamefur and Graypaw. Bramblestar can lead the backup that can finish the dog off. The cats in that patrol can be Firetail, Daisywhisker, Goldenleap, Redheart and Whitepaw.” Our patrol was about to leave when I heard a cat yowl. “Stop! We don’t know where Rainpelt found the dog!” His mentor looked at him with surprise. “That’s very true Whitepaw. Where is the dog?” “At Cavestones.” “Thank you. Your patrol may leave now. We wish you luck. Our patrol will leave soon.” I waited until all the cats were ready to go, and then we left the camp.

We were nearing the Cave stones. I was about to tell every cat the attack plan, when a group of four cats came charging towards us. “Hello Rainpelt. What are you doing here with all these cats?” “Hello Copperflight. We know of a dog in our territory. This is a battle patrol to send it off.” The dark ginger she-cat was astonished. She was about to talk when a small brown cat butted in. “Graypaw! Yay!” He said bouncing on his paws. “Brownpaw! Be quiet! Remember we’re almost warriors! Listen to Copperflight!” said Graypaw forcefully “Thank you. We scented a dog too!” she said worriedly. A flame coloured tom was chatting eagerly “So we followed the scent and we followed it to the Cave stones and then we stopped in front of the cave and…….” “Calm down Flashpelt!” I yowled at him teasingly. “Ok…… Whoa!” A brown and white tom took his place. “And there was not one dog. There was about eight or nine of them! You won’t cope with these cats! We need more!” “Calm down Frostfire,” I said soothingly. “We have a backup patrol. And your mate is leading it!” “Yay!” he said happily. “Those dogs made me angry. I wanna fight them!” said the brown apprentice in a low voice. His fur was pricking up all around his body. “Don’t worry! You can fight in our patrol! Now let’s get the battle plan sorted before the…” My sentence was cut off because of the rustling of a bush. I thought it was the dogs so I unsheathed my claws. I got ready to pounce. But then I saw the familiar fur of my sister. “Bramblestar?” I said in surprise. She looked confused as well. “Rainpelt?” She said looking at me. “We met with the Sunhigh patrol. They have information. There is not only one dog, there is eight or nine of them. They have decided to join our battle patrol.” She looked at me and dipped her head. Then she told the cats the attack plan. “We will surround the Cavestones. The cats that were in the Sunhigh patrol, will make loud noises in the clearing to lure the dogs out. Then on my signal, we will attack. Does everybody agree?” The cats around murmured in agreement. “After this battle, I will not be fit for this battling. Yes. The truth is out. I am expecting Redheart’s kits.” Mistystream announced above the other cats. The group of cats gasped in astonishment. “Who will be my mentor?” asked Graypaw with wide blue eyes. “I’ll think about it,” replied Bramblestar with a thoughtful look on her face. “This is not the only cat moving to the nursery. I will go as well with Barkmoon’s kits,” said Firetail. I saw the two toms exchange glances of astonishment. “Two queens moving to the nursery at the same time? I’ve never seen that before!” Daisyfeather blurted out. “Now, We will begin our battle plan.” Copperflight, Brownpaw, Flashpelt and Frostfire padded into the clearing and made loud mewling noises like kits calling for their mother. Beside me, I hear Mistystream talking to Graypaw. “Remember, this is your first battle. It’s harder than training you know. Just pretend that you’re battling with GrassClan, and they’re trying to kill Bluepaw.” “They will never hurt her!” Graypaw’s fur was fluffing up around her neck. I looked through the branches of the tree I was standing behind. The dogs were in the clearing, snarling and drooling. Then suddenly, I hear our cue. “RainClan, Attack!”

Chapter 2
The cats lunged forward. Graypaw was so fired up after Mistystream’s talk, that she sprinted to one of the smaller dogs, flipped it over in a flash of fur, and then sliced the dog’s belly open with her sparkling white claws. The dog flipped back over, and scampered away whimpering. I could hear Graypaw’s triumphant yowl. “Stay away from this cat! She is on fire!” She saw her two littermates, and then quickly scampered off to help them out. I was waiting up a tree for a dog to find its way under it. Sure enough, the dog that Mistystream and Firetail were against was in the right place for me to target. I dropped down and started to shred the dog’s fur. The dog yelped in surprise. Mistystream saw me and then slid under the dog. Moments later, I heard a yelp of terror from the dog. Mistystream had scratched the dog’s belly! The dog started to scamper away as well. I looked at Mistystream to see if she was ok. “Not a scratch on me!” She said as I started to sniff her. I glanced over at the battling to see how much dogs were left. One… two… three…four! Four dogs were left! I saw Flashpelt and Frostfire struggling with one of the bigger dogs, which was probably their leader. I climbed up a tree again. Soon, the dog was beneath me. I jumped, claws first, and sunk them into the dog’s back. The dog too yelped in surprise. Then it suddenly started snapping at me. Bad idea! I thought. If this kills me… Suddenly I heard a loud whimpering sound. Bramblestar had bitten the dog’s tail quite hard. The dog started to sprint away from the defending cats when I jumped off his back. He tore around the corner and disappeared. We had won. Our Clan had chased away the dogs. “Let’s get back to camp. Try and find the cats with the worst injuries.” I spotted Mistystream padding along with Redheart, and Barkmoon with Firetail. I thought I would do the same by walking beside Flashpelt. It wasn’t too long till we were back at camp. But when I padded through the entrance, a brown tom was pacing the camp. Then a cat behind me rushed up to him. I saw his face brighten up. “Daisyfeather! Are you alright?” he asked the white cat. “Of course I am Owltail! Don’t be stupid!” “But I care about you!” It was obvious that the two liked each other. They had wound their tails around each other. Suddenly, a thought hit me. Daisyfeather and Owltail? They hated each other as apprentices! I stopped walking. Flashpelt had collapsed beside me. I had a proper look at his wounds. They looked pretty bad. “Bluepaw!” The blue apprentice padded over to me. “I see…” she was looking at Flashpelt’s wounds. “I’ll be right back.” She disappeared into the medicine cat’s den. Soon she was out again with cobwebs and marigold. “I’m going to place cobwebs on his paw to stop the bleeding, and I am going to put marigold and more cobwebs on his flank. After this, he will need to rest in the medicine cat’s den until Leafsedge says so.” She set off to work and was soon finished. “You’ll make a good medicine cat Bluepaw.” I said to her quietly. She was surprised by my praise. “Thank you Rainpelt. I better help Leafsedge now. Do you have any major injuries?” “No. just a few scratches, that’s all.” She scampered away to help Leafsedge. I looked over at Flashpelt, who was still lying on the ground. “Get into the medicine cat’s den,” I said to him. “Ok… Whoa” He padded inside the crack of the rock and lay down. “I’ll need some moss!” “Ok! I’ll find an apprentice to gather some for you!” I scampered over to a bush, which was the apprentice’s den. There were two sleeping bodies inside. “Oi! Wake up!” The two of them woke up with a jolt. “We were allowed to sleep in! Harrierwing said we could!” Protested the sleepy white apprentice. “Well it’s past sunhigh! And there was a battle!” “There was a battle? Awwwwwwww…..” Complained the ginger tom. “Lionpaw, we need moss. Cloudpaw can help you gather some,” I said to them firmly. The two of them padded to the fresh-kill pile, and started sharing a mouse. I looked at Bluepaw and Leafsedge. I saw that most of the cats had been attended to. When I saw Leafsedge was padding over to me, I sat down, ready to hear her words. “Bluepaw tells me that you only have a few scratches. Is that right?” I nodded. “We’ll need some cobwebs for that. Bluepaw!” The cat padded over. “We need cobwebs. Could you fetch some please?” She padded into the medicine cat’s den and disappeared into the stores. “She’s a good apprentice, Leafsedge. When is she going to get her name?” She stared at me with her emerald green eyes. “Tonight. It’s the half moon today. After this I’m going to have a nice long nap…” Bluepaw was padding toward us. “I’ve got the cobwebs! I also brought marigold in case of bites.” Leafsedge looked at her apprentice happily. “Thank you Bluepaw. Here you go Rainpelt. Stay in camp for now. I’ll let you go out tomorrow.” She said. I looked at her gratefully. “Thanks Leafsedge, and you too Bluepaw!” I said as I scampered over to the fresh-kill pile.

Chapter 3
“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather below the High tree for a Clan meeting!” “Another one? I won’t cope with these old bones if I need to keep moving in and out of my den!” That was Eelclaw. A dark brown elder that was always complaining. I looked around. I spotted Lionpaw and Cloudpaw amongst the cats. I peered into the medicine cat’s den. Flashpelt was sleeping on the fresh moss the two of them had collected. I was about to thank them, when Bramblestar started talking. “I come here to praise three apprentices. I ask them to come forward please!” Bramblestar said happily. I looked at the three cats. My kits! They’re becoming warriors! And Bluepaw’s going to get her name at the Starpool tonight! I bounced a little on my paws. “You three apprentices fought like warriors. Whitepaw is ready for this honor. Is Graypaw, Mistystream?” “Definitely Bramblestar.” “Is Brownpaw ready for this, Copperflight?” “I couldn’t agree more.” “Ok. I Bramblestar, Leader of RainClan ask my warrior ancestors to look down on these three apprentices. They have learnt the ways of the warrior code, and I ask that you commend them warriors in their turn. Whitepaw, Graypaw, Brownpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, even at the cost of your life?” “I do.” Whitepaw mewed solemnly. “I do.” Said Graypaw, struggling to contain her excitement. “I do!” Meowed Brownpaw, bursting with excitement. “By the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior names. Whitepaw, from this day on, you shall be known as Whitefoot. StarClan honors your courage and bravery. Serve RainClan well.” Whitefoot bowed his head and stepped back. “Graypaw, from this day on you shall be known as Graypelt. StarClan honors your intelliengence and thoughtfulness. Serve your Clan well.” “Thank you Bramblestar. I vow to keep my promise under your rein, and any other Leader’s reins I live through.” Said Graypelt, and then stepped back. “Brownpaw, from this day on you shall be known as Brownwhisker. StarClan honors you for your bravery and kindness. Serve our Clan well.” “Thank you BrambleStar,” He breathed. “I give you Whitefoot, Graypelt and Brownwhisker!” She yowled to finish. “Whitefoot! Graypelt! Brownwhisker!” The Clan yowled. I saw that Bluepaw was yowling the loudest. For her littermates I guessed. “Before we leave this meeting, Mistystream and Firetail have decided the will move to the nursery. I cherish the times we have of kits and that these two will succeed in bringing new life to the Clan.” “Mistystream! Firetail! Mistystream! Firetail!” The Clan yowled. The noise soon died down. “This gathering is now over. May StarClan light your path.” Bramblestar jumped off the High tree. I saw the new warriors patter over to Bluepaw. “Bluepaw! We’re warriors!” Brownwhisker said, bouncing on his paws. “I know Brownwhisker apprentice ship is so fast!” She replied The four littermates chatted for a while until Bramblestar interrupted. “You three need to make approval of StarClan. Go and do the warrior’s challenge now.” The three cats dipped their heads and pattered out of camp I sighed. Exhausted, I collapsed onto the sunning stones and fell asleep.

Chapter 4
When I woke up, it was cooler. But I was starving. I looked at the fresh-kill pile. A rabbit and a shrew. I chose the rabbit and ate it quickly. I looked over at the shrew. Everyone else was getting ready to go to sleep so I took it over to Flashpelt. He was also getting ready to sleep. “Flashpelt! I brought you a shrew!” “Thank you.” He ate the shrew slowly. Then he curled up in his nest and went to sleep. I could hear his snoring so I padded away quietly. I crept slowly into the warriors den, like I was stalking prey. I spotted three newly made nests for the three cats who had become warriors. I quickly imagined my kits on the hill of acceptance, cold and tired after their big day. I lay myself in the circle of cats. Since I was a senior warrior, I slept in the middle, where it was warmest. I slowly closed my eyes as I drifted off to sleep.

When I woke up the next morning, there was a paw prodding me. “Rainpelt?” The voice said. I recognized my daughter’s voice at once. “Bluepaw?” “It’s Bluepool!” she said teasingly. “Congratulations!” I said to her happily. Leafsedge was right! “Thanks. I need to tell you something very important. I’ve discussed this with Leafsedge and she said it is ok to tell you.” “Go on,” I said, straightening up. “Well, When I dreamed at the Starpool last night, I was hoping to see my ancestors congratulate me of my accomplishment. Instead they showed me a vision. There was trees, like the ones on FireClan territory. Yellowstar was telling the cats something. They split up, but none came back. After this, my vision when black. But I saw rain, pelting down hard on the ground, and frost on the ground, in a flame. I think I know what this means. FireClan has gone and split up. Only you and Frostfire can save them.” “Have you told Frostfire yet?” I asked her. “Yes. He’s waiting outside for you. We’re going to tell Bramblestar. I think you’re still tired though. Do you want me and Frostfire to go and tell her without you?” “No. I’m not tired.” I was telling the truth. The prophecy had jerked me wide awake. “Ok then. Come out then would you?” When I got outside, Frostfire was pacing the camp. “It’s about time,” He muttered to himself. The three of us padded over to the High tree, climbed up Stoneledge. “Bramblestar!” Bluepool called. “Yes?” The flame coloured she-cat said, waiting calmly. Bluepool told the whole story to Bramblestar. She said that Frostfire and I should go right away. “I’ll tell the Clan later,” She said. “But in the meantime, May StarClan light your path. Grab something from the fresh-kill pile and then you can leave our camp to go on this quest.” Frostfire grabbed a vole, and I took a shrew. We chomped down on our fresh-kill and left the camp, side by side. As we headed over to the GrassClan border, both of us knew one thing. Nothing would be the same again.

Chapter 5
The only way to get to FireClan territory was through GrassClan. We could have gone through MoonClan, but they are strict on the borders right now, so we decided not to disturb them. Apart from this way, there was no other way to FireClan’s pine forest. We scented GrassClan cats. Uh oh….. I thought as a gray she-cat padded through the oak trees. “What are you doing here?” Asked the GrassClan deputy. “On our territory?” “Umm…..…..” Frostfire thought. I met the deputy’s gaze. “FireClan is having a problem. Our medicine cat received a prophecy showing that us two are the right cats.” “I see…. Or is that an excuse?” She said. “This could be an invasion.” Frostfire looked angry. “Oh yeah? Can you scent any other cats around us?” The GrassClan cats sniffed around. “I can’t smell anything here!” Said Jayheart, one of the best GrassClan trackers. “Very well,” She eyed us darkly. “You may pass you RainClan fleabags! But next time…” I padded away from the patrol, and onto the plains of GrassClan until we reached their FireClan border. We had made it over to FireClan territory. Now, we needed to complete the hard part, the part where we have to find all their cats. When we finally made it to the camp, it was deserted. There were no cats there. The Clan’s scent was stale. Suddenly, I saw Frostfire’s ears perk up. He had heard a noise! I listened hard. I could hear a faint moaning. It was coming from the leader’s den! I raced past the warrior’s den, and to the leader’s one. Inside was a sight that blew me away. “Yellowstar? Flailheart?” Frostfire mewed in wonder. She looked as surprised as we did. “Frostfire? Rainpelt? What are you doing here?” Flailhear mewed. “I’m busy!” “What’s wrong with Yellowstar?” I mewed in concern. “He’s got greencough. He’s on his last life. I don’t think I can save him.” She said worriedly. “What happened to Ottertail?” I asked “There was a battle. She died before she could get back to camp.” “But Yellowstar could have named another deputy!” I protested “He had greencough then as well. Ever since, he has been too weak to name a new one.” “So the Clan left because there was no point staying if there was no leader?” Frostfire said, looking at her intently. “Yes. I guess they’ve all gone rogue or become a kittypet,” She said. “FireClan is no more.” “No!” Frostfire yowled. “We will help your Clan survive, if it’s the last thing we do!” He looked over at Yellowstar. He was going to die. I saw him wheezing, fighting for breath. I tried to calm him down. “Yellowstar, I know your Clan is in trouble. We will get them back. FireClan will live again.” “Thank…. You…..” He wheezed. Then his yellow eyes clouded over. Flailheart stared at him. “May you live a great life in StarClan. I hope you watch over us and cherish when you Clan is one again.” She said solemnly. “We need to get the Clan back together now. But let’s take Yellowstar’s body into the clearing,” said Frostfire. “He was a fine leader.” The three of us dragged Yellowstar’s body into the clearing and lay him down. “Flailheart, us two will find some willing rogues to join the new FireClan.” I said. “Ok. I’ll prepare Yellowstar’s body for burial. You need to get started right away.” Frostfire and I padded into the unfamiliar forest. We stayed close, because if we had gone out of each other’s eye sight, we might not see each other again. Suddenly, I scented cat. Fresh I thought. Intresting. I padded after the scent, Frostfire trailing behind me. Suddenly, I crashed into a bluish-grey tom with a double tipped tail. Behind him was his mate, a grey cat, with three little kits suckling her. “Stay away from me!” He yowled. “Don’t hurt my kits!” “We wouldn’t do that! I am here to bring FireClan back together. Would you like to join?” The tom looked at us with intrest. He was about to talk, when his mate gasped. “Are you Rainpelt?” She asked me, eyes wide. “Yes. I am Tinyear. I saw your warrior ceremony,” I mewed to her. “Went you friend with Mistyclaw?” I asked her. Her eyes brightened up. “Yes! I remember her! How is she?” Tinyear asked. “Great! She has three kits of her own now.” “What are they called?” “Turtlekit, Sedgekit and Smallkit.” “Those are lovely names!” Frostfire interrupted our conversation. “Will you join the new FireClan?” “Yes.” The tom relplied. “What is your name anyway? You don’t look like a Clan cat!” He mewed. “My name is Whale. I will join your group.” He said meeting Frostfire’s gaze. The four of us padded to camp, with the three kits.

Chapter 6
“Flailheart! We’re back!” I yowled to her. The she-cat padded over to us. “Yellowstar is ready for burial.” Tinyear gasped. “Yellowstar is dead?” she meowed with disbelief. “Yes. He died before we came to find some cats to join his Clan.” Frostfire meowed. “Well, we better get your kits into the nursery. I collected a bit of moss while you were gone. I knew you wouldn’t have come back until you found some cats.” She sniffed the kits. “Well, they all look healthy. Do you cats have any injuries?” Flailheart pushed. We all shook our heads. “We’re a small Clan tonight. We should all sit vigil for Yellowstar.” Frostfire and I nodded. “I think this is going to be a long night,” sighed Frostfire. “We don’t have any deep roots with him!” I looked at him. “Just give him the respect that you’d give you your mate, Bramblestar. You’ll be fine.” I licked him between the ears. “You’re not my mate! Don’t lick me between the ears!” He meowed agitatedly. “I know I’m not. I’ll just be your Bramblestar until we go back to RainClan.” He still didn’t look pleased. “Ok then,” He grumbed.

The vigil was long. Frostfire was right. It doesn’t feel like the time I looked over my mother’s body. Or my father! Dawn broke, and every cat was tired. We buried Yellowstar by a tree, and paid our last respects to him. Then, when we got back to camp, all of the cats flopped down in their moss, and soon fell asleep. When I woke up the next morning, Whale was awake as well. The others were still asleep. “Hey! You want to go hunting?” He asked. “Just the two of us? If we find more cats, we can take them in to FireClan.” “Of course we can Whale! I’m hungry!” Really, I was surprised about his offer. He really is a good cat to add into the Clan I thought. I scented a vole. I stalked it and pounced. I landed squarely on its back. I swiftly killed it with a bite to the neck. When I picked it up, Whale congratulated me. “Thank you.” I said When I went to scent some more prey, I scented cat scent. It was quite strong. “This way!” I called to Whale. He followed. Suddenly, we crashed into a group of cats. “Stay away from us!” The biggest called. “Otherwise we’ll shred you!”

Chapter 7
I looked at the group of cats. There were about six or seven of them. “We don’t want to fight. We are building up a Clan. We protect each other, care for one another and share our food. If you would like to join, come to the meeting, tonight at sunset, where the cats you may not know about, live,” I said. “This is your only offer you will have, and you will pledge your lives to look after your Clanmates.” “We’ll think about it,” The cat said. “Thank you. I hope to see you cats there.” I padded away. Whale just looked at me. “Meeting? Is that what you want?” He asked. ‘It’s the only way to build the Clan together,” I sighed. “What’s the use of going around to every cat and repeating the same thing over and over? I just rather say it once.” “Good point.” We continued our hunting patrol. When we had decided to go back to camp, we had caught a rabbit, two voles, a shrew and three mice. “That was good hunting,” He said afterwards. “It’s like the prey has never seen a cat before!” I nodded in agreement. When we reached camp, we placed they prey down on the fresh-kill pile. Since we were so quick to wake up and go hunting, everyone was still asleep. We both knew that some cat was bound to wake up soon though. We were both right. Soon Flailheart padded out of her den. She looked at us eating and joined us. “You two must have woke up early to catch all this prey!” she said. “Thank you for that. Otherwise I would have starved to death!” My eyes sparked with amusement. I never knew Flailheart was so funny when she complained! I decided that I should tell her about my meeting idea. “Well Flailheart…..” I started. “Yes?” Her tail flicked impatiently. “We met a group of rogues when we were hunting. I thought that we should have a meeting tonight, so I told them to come to our camp at sunset.” Her eyes sparked. “What a great idea! I would have never thought of that!” she said. “We better tell some more cats! You can do that, can’t you?” she looked at us two as we finished the rabbit. “Of course Flailheart! You’d do that with me won’t you?” I asked Whale. “I’ll do it for my future Clan and I won’t let Rainpelt go alone.” “Good. Since I see you have finished your meal, go and find some cats to come to the meeting.” We left the camp. We padded, side by side over the FireClan border, over to the Twoleg place. Soon, we saw a sleek gray cat. She had green eyes, like a sea green lake. “Hello. What are you doing here?” “Hello. There is a meeting at sunset, where cats live. You might know where that is?” “You mean the cats that line their nests wit kittypet bones?” “No…… Well yes, but that fact is so not true!” I protested. “I might come, for a look. Bye!” she jumped over the fence and away into the twoleg place. I padded along until I saw another cat. I said the same thing to him. “What? No! I’d never leave my Housefolk! They give me cream every single morning!” We continued strolling around the twoleg place. Soon we met some rogues. “What are you doing here? The brown tabby tom said. “We would like to know if you would be interested in joining FireClan.” “FireClan? FireClan? No cat of my group would want to join FireClan!” He spat scornfully. “Actually, I would. And I’ll go with them right now. I’m sick of crawling through rubbish. It’s disgusting! I’m sure my new home will be a great place for me to live!” said a voice. The black she-cat padded towards us. “I will go with you, no matter what,” She announced. Then she turned towards me. “Let’s go.” “What’s your name?” Whale asked. “You showed great courage.” “My name is Poppy.” We pattered around the twoleg place until we saw the sun moving down in the sky. Whale, Poppy and I padded back to the camp

Chapter 8
“Hello and welcome to this meeting. I guess you want to know my name. I am Rainpelt, and Frostfire and I have come to clear up this Clan and make it what it was once before.” I paused, and then I continued. “Let’s start with the positions of the Clans. The Leader is in charge of the Clan. They receive nine lives from our ancestors. The deputy assists the leaders and sorts out patrols. The medicine cat heals the cats. Flailheart is that cat that you need to go to if you are sick or injured. Warriors are the greatest honour you could ever earn. It is when you have learned the warrior code, know how to battle and catch prey. Queens are she-cats that are nursing kits. The cat can move to the nursery when she is close to having her litter. Elders are warriors that are too old to hunt, and have retired from their duties. They are served with great honour. Apprentices are the kits that are over six moons old. They train to become warriors and sometimes, to be a medicine cat. Kits are under six moons old. They are nursed by their mother until they are old enough to become apprentices. These are the ranks of the Clans.” I announced. “The cats that are willing to join need to stand on one side. These cats are going to promise their protection to the Clan, and help out in ways.” Most of the cats moved over to that side. “If you think you aren’t cut out to be a Clan cat, you can leave, and never come back.” Some cats left the clearing, never to be seen again. “Poppy, Whale and Tinyear have joint the Clan, and they will receive Clan names. The cats that stay need to be willing to have their names changed.” All the cats nodded in agreement. There was no cat left undecided. “I Rainpelt, mentor to FireClan call down on my warrior ancestors to look down on these cats. They are willing to learn your ways in the warrior code and I ask you to give them their Clan names in return.” “Poppy, Whale and Tinyear, do you promise to protect you Clan, even at the cost of your life?” “I do.” Said Whale. “I do.” Said Poppy with confidence. “I do.” Replied Tinyear. “By the powers of StarClan, I give you your Warrior names. Whale, from this day on you shall be known as Whaletail.” “Thank you Rainpelt.” “Poppy from this day on you shall be known as Poppyfoot.” “Thanks so much.” “Tinyear, I officialise your warrior name, that it could be Tinyear forever.” Tinyear stayed silent. I named the rest of the cats. Flailheart received an apprentice named Echopaw, and the other Clan names were Yellowheart, Ambermist, Lionclaw, Flinttooth, Branchleaf, Poolfang, Stonepool, Reedclaw, Pansytooth, Snakefoot, Hazelpaw, Leafpaw, Sunpaw and Galepaw. Tinyleaf gave her kits the Clan names of Berrykit, Shrewkit and Whistlekit. All was well in the new FireClan. Whaletail padded next to me. “You gave me a lovely name, Rainpelt.” “No. It wasn’t me. It was your new ancestors.” Just then, the stars seemed to shine brighter. I looked up and smiled. I imagined the FireClan ancestors, thinking about their Clan they once lived in. It brought me back to Yellowstar. I imagined the tom, young and strong again, watching down on his Clan happily. I have fulfilled your dream Yellowstar, Your Clan will live again.

Chapter 9
The next morning was better. FireClan had been rebuilt. But Frostfire and I couldn’t leave yet. They needed a leader. I was wondrous of which cat it would be. I remembered Poppyfoot’s courage that she showed when she left the cats she had once known. She had the true makings of a leader. I thought that Flailheart would receive a prophecy telling of the Clan leader. She had promised that she would tell me and Frostfire who it would be. The cats reckoned that I should be the leader. I always told them the same thing. “I’m a RainClan cat. I’m still loyal to them. I need to go back once StarClan has chosen your Leader.” After that, they would always dip their head to me and pad away. I was having a taste of being a Clan leader. It wasn’t too bad, but no one treated me normally apart from Poppyfoot, Whaletail and Frostfire. Frostfire was acting as the Clan deputy, and was sorting out FireClan’s first patrols. “Ok. Poppyfoot you can lead the first patrol. Take your apprentice Hazelpaw, and Yellowheart and Rainpelt. Rainpelt will teach you how to mark the borders. Whaletail can lead the second, with his apprentice Sunpaw and I’ll come along with Lionclaw.” The two patrols gathered together. Then, our patrol left to the MoonClan border. It took a while to get there, but we made it with no trouble at all. “So, you see this tree? I’m going to scent it. Watch me.” The cats watched me intently and I scented the tree. “Poppyfoot, you can try and scent this bush.” Poppyfoot scented the bush expertly, like she had done it all her life. I stared at her astonished. “Did I do it right?” she asked. “Perfectly! Now Yellowheart you can scent this tree over here.” The cats took turns at scenting the border. Soon it was finished. “Do you want to go back to camp or do you want to hunt?” “Hunt!” Yowled Hazelpaw excitedly. “Hey! Let’s make it a competition! I’ll go with Yellowheart, and you can go with Hazelpaw, and you need to catch three pieces of prey!” Poppyfoot bounced excitedly. “You’re on!” I said. “3… 2… 1… Go!” “We sprinted away from each other. I told Hazelpaw to stop. “Can you scent any prey?” She sniffed. “Mouse!” She looked around and saw the mouse a few fox lengths away. She stalked it and landed squarely on its back. There was a squeal of pain, and then there was silence. Hazelpaw had killed the mouse. “Well done!” I praised. “Now, it’s my turn!” I padded for a little while and then stopped. I had scented a squirrel. I spotted it, and stalked it and jumped onto it. It struggled free from my grasp. I sprinted after it. It was heading for a tree. I jumped in front of it, and it ran straight into my paws. I scratched it cleanly along its neck, and it lay lifeless. I picked it up and padded over to Hazelpaw. She had spotted a vole and was stalking it. She jumped on top of it and killed that one too. That made three catches. “Back to camp!” I yowled. I took my catches, and Hazelpaw took hers. We sprinted back to camp. As I skidded through the entrance, I knew we had made it first. I stood by the fresh-kill pile. Moments later, I heard Poppyfoot. “We’re going to win!” I heard her yowl as she skidded through the entrance. “Too late!” Hazelpaw yowled. “We win!” They were about to congratulate us when I heard Flailheart yowl to me. “What?” I asked. “I have received a prophecy. Whaletail will be the future FireClan leader.”

Chapter 10
Whaletail came back from his patrol a few moments later. “Whaletail, I need to talk to you in private.” We padded away from the group, and behind the medicine cat’s den. “What is it?” “Well, Flail hear has received a prophecy. She said you are going to be the next leader of FireClan.” “I thought it would be Poppyfoot!” So did I. “We need you to tell the Clan your deputy now.” I said. “It’ll be time to leave soon.” Whaletail thought for a moment. “I think I know who should be.” He jumped onto the branch. “Let all cats gather below me for a Clan meeting!” The cats gathered. They were muttering among themselves. “Flailheart has received a prophecy that is telling that I should become the next leader of FireClan. I am now going to name my deputy. I, Whaletail, future leader of FireClan say this before my warrior ancestors.” He paused. “Poppyfoot will be the new deputy of FireClan.” The black she-cat stood infront calmly. “Thank you Whaletail.” “I am now going to receive my nine lives. Poppyfoot is in charge until I get back.” The bluish-grey tom jumped off the branch. “I’m ready to go and receive my lives.” He said.

I was a long trek to the Starpool. When we got there though, the moon was up in the sky. “Come on! We don’t want to waste and moonlight!” Flailheart said as she trotted down the path. We all followed her. Soon we reached the cavern. It brought back memories as an apprentice. “Lie down and touch the water with your nose.” She showed us and us all did the same. I waited for StarClan to send me to sleep. When I got to StarClan, I saw nine cats, lined up in a row. “Are you ready to receive you nine lives?” asked StarClan. It was like hearing all the voices that I’d ever known in my life time. “Yes,” Whaletail replied. A spotted golden she-cat stepped forward. “My name is Spottedpool. I was the first FireClan medicine cat. I give you a life for kindness to your Clan mates, that you can treat them all the same.” His body rocked with pain, in bearing that life. “I am Blackpelt. I died when I fled FireClan. I give you a life for trusting your own instincts, that you may do what you are supposed to do.” She stepped back. She was replaced by a white tom. “Is that you?” whispered Whaletail. “Yes, it is my son. I believed in the Clans. I lived there when I was young, and fled because of my mentor. I give you a life for bravery, and that you can help your Clan and fight for you needs.” This life shook Whaletail harshly. “Hello Whaletail. I would have never imagined you here, receiving leader’s lives.” “Mist!” He called. “ I grieved for you when you died.” “I know my son. I give you a life for forgiveness, that you may forgive others when they have done a wrong.” He was looking tired now. Five more lives! How will he cope? Then a familiar cat padded forward. “Bluefire….” I said. “You meant so much to me. Bluepool is inspired by you.” “I know Rainpelt. It’s good to see you again.” She turned to Whaletail. “I give you a life for protection, that you may protect your whole Clan, from the eldest elder to the youngest kit.” He stood firm as this life broke through him. A new cat replaced Bluefire. It was again not familiar. “I am Brightclaw. I was the cat who was Yellowstar’s mother. I was so proud of him.” She paused. “I give a life for hope, that when you are lost, that you may help you Clan up.” This life was not as harsh as others. He stayed completely still. “I am Ottertail. I was Yellowstar’s last deputy. I can see you are a worthy successor. I give a life for truth, that you may tell the truth to others.” Ottertail faded away. Then I saw another familiar cat. “Gorsetooth?” “Yes, it is me. I was Yellowstar’s deputy before Ottertail. I give a life for courage, that you may lead your Clan into battle ready, and willing to take risks.” This life looked quite painful. Then the last cat came forward. “I am Yellowstar. Thank you Rainpelt, for building my Clan together again. Now my dreams are fulfilled. I give you your ninth life for love. That you will look after your Clan mates as if they are your own kin.” This life looked soothing. Then I heard all of StarClan chanting his new name. “Whalestar! Whalestar! Whalestar!” The voices faded away as we found ourselves back at the Star pool. We padded to FireClan to go to sleep

When I woke up the next morning, Frostfire was prodding me. “We need to go back to RainClan. FireClan is living once again.” I nodded. I told Whalestar that we were going to leave. “Ok. You can go back to RainClan. You were a good friend of mine, and you will always be.” Whalestar said. “But don’t go just yet.” He jumped on a branch. “Let all cats gather below me for a Clan meeting!” The cats gathered. “Rainpelt and Frostfire have finished their stay in our Clan. We thank them for building our Clan together. We gather to say our last good byes.” “Rainpelt! Frostfire! Rainpelt! Frostfire!” I stared at Frostfire. He stared back at me. He nodded. I knew this was the last time I would be welcome in this Clan camp. I padded out of the camp entrance, Frostfire beside me, and we headed over to the GrassClan border.