K so this is a PART of my fan fic, and if u like it I will put more Chapter 1 As Precious woke up from her evening nap, she heard a soft mew coming from beyond her cat flap. “Whose there?” she asked, slowly making her way outside. The summer’s air ruffled her peach-like fur and her ocean blue eyes shined while scanning her back yard for the cat who mewed. “It’s just me, Tom.” a silver-blue cat with a white belly and paws said. “I thought you moved to the other side of town!” Precious gasped. “Didn’t work out, my owners couldn’t get a deal. I’m glad they didn’t anyway.” He replied, rubbing his head on her shoulder. The two cats jumped up on the fence separating the back yard from the forest. “Precious,” Tom started, “What do you think you will do with your life?” “What do mean?” she answered “I mean, is being a house cat all there is to life? Isn’t there more to feather toys, dry pellets and warm, wet slop?” he mewed. She stared into the deep, lush forest pondering his words. “I suppose.” was all she mewed, then hopped back into her yard. “Will you come tomorrow night, Tom?” she asked. “I suppose.” He purred, with a smile. The next morning, Precious woke up to her owner talking with another house folk. Then the stranger set a basket down, and a white she-cat jumped out. She was a short fur, with black ears and black paws. And her green eyes reminded Precious of a tree after rain. “Name’s Socks!” the cat purred. “Well hello Socks, I’m Precious.” The two cats rubbed heads in greeting, then Socks explained what she was doing here. “My folks are going on a vacation for a couple weeks, and your owner volunteered to watch me. Cheaper than boarding and WAY less nerve racking!” she yapped. “Oh ok, I assume you’re hungry, the way you are looking at my food bowl.” Precious mewed. “Quite so!” Socks chuckled, and the two cats ate. After breakfast, Socks went and played with Precious’s owner, and Precious went outside for a stroll. Looking out into the forest on top of the fence, she wondered about Tom’s words. “Is there more to life?” she murmured. Then she saw a bush move somewhat into the forest. She hesitated, wondering…. and for the first time ever, she went on the other side of the fence. The cool grass felt wonderful under her paws as she darted into the forest. As she ran on, she herd the rustle again. Instincts took over, crouching, she slowly moved towards the bush expecting something terrible… and a mouse crept out. A sigh of relief sent it running though. “Oh well,” she thought “I was too far away to nab it.” Walking back to her house, she heard her owner calling her. Socks came and said “You were away for two hours! What were you doing?” she mewed “Oh, strolling around, not much.” Precious purred. As the two ate their evening meal, Socks wandered over to a pillow put out for her. “I’m pooped so I’ll hit the hay” was all she said before she fell into a slumber. Precious was happy when Socks fell asleep. Creeping outside, she mewed, “Tom? Are you here?” and the only reply was the wind. Sad, Precious walked back to the cat flap when, “Wait!” whipping her head she saw Tom. His pelt was covered in ash and his left ear was burned. “Oh my! Tom what ever happened?!” she half meowed half yowled.” Rubbing her head on his shoulder he told her the sad tale. “It was a normal evening, we were back in our condo and unpacking, when a handy man ran up and knocked on our door. All I could hear was something about a heater and not using it. Then the man went to tell the people across from us, and they said they can do what they want, it’s a free world.” Pausing for breath, Tom continued “The next part happened in a blur. I heard a hiss and the heater in there room caught on fire, and then, it blew up. I never was so scared in my life. Scrambling for the door I ran down the stairs and watched my home, and family burn. Look, you can see the smoke rising now.” The cats turned their heads, and saw a huge cloud of black rising from a gold glow. “Tom…” Precious started, and just lowered her head and the two held their head together till the glow and smoke went down, and the moon came up. “What will you do now? You could stay here, we would love to have you.” She mewed. “Well,” he purred “I’ve heard rumors of wild cats living in clans just beyond your house. I plan to join them.” Tom then held his head high and look at the forest as Precious gasp. “W-what!? Wild cats? Tom you can’t! You and I both know we’re young and get foolish, and this is foolish!” she harshly growled. “How do you know if they are friendly? What if..?” “Precious! Listen to me!” Tom interrupted, growling slightly. She stood back as he spoke. “I want you to come with me! “Come- come with you?” “It will be exciting! I know it! Besides, what do we have to lose? “A home? Warmth? Relaxation? Our lives?! Tom this is crazy!” “You have those things, and I had them and lost them on this night. What choice do I have? Plus with my ear, no one wants a cat with my ear. Always remember me, and maybe one day we will run as clan mates. Good bye Precious.” “Good bye Tom.” With a final rubbing of heads, Tom’s head disappeared over the fence. Precious woke up and decided to go back to sleep, when she remembered everything that happened last night. Socks came out and purred “Why are you outside last night, and did I hear voices? And what was that smell? It smelled like burned fur!” Precious look at her, then the fence, and back. “I’m leaving.” She meowed “Also is there... wait, what? Leaving? To do what?” Socks asked. “I’m running away, I want to.” Precious replied. For once, Socks was speechless. “Well, eat before you leave at least,” Socks mumbled. And she did, and after that she walked around the house, thinking. Was she ready for such a big step? And where was Tom? “Oh am I ready?” she pondered. That night she climbed the fence and looked at the forest. In a way, she so badly wanted to run into it. “I have to,” she cried aloud “for Tom, and a better life.” So she hopped down off the fence and ran. Not knowing where to go or how to get there. Just running, running, running, running, and more running. Suddenly she stopped, smelling a cat’s sent. The smell was like ash, with a mix of sweat, and a hint of her! “This must be Tom!” she purred with joy. As she ran the wind picked up, making it hard to walk. “I-I need to rest, this wind is blasting!” she then darted over to a fallen log, which to her relief, was empty. As the wind whipped on, she thought about all that happened today. Suddenly, an eye open in the log! Then two, and she heard a gruff growl “Who’s there? Show yourself! I have my claws unsheathed! Plus I can smell you! She cat, ran here, well come on show yourself!” Stepping outside, the wind had gone down, but not all the way. Precious turned her head, and a brown tabby tom, with a cut tail and scar on his eye came out after her. “A kitty pet, huh? I can smell the rotten slop that the two legs call “food” on ya. And your fear sent.” He said with a snarl. “Names Slicepelt, nice to kill you.” Precious turned and unsheathed her claws, but she was two late. Slicepelt had already pounced on her, and was trying to reach her neck. The two cats struggled and when she was sure that she would die, she asked “D-did you s-see a grey b-blue tom walk by?” gasping for breath. “White paws? Gold eyes? Yes why?” Slicepelt asked, releasing his grip. “He left last night, I-I was following him. He’s my friend.” Slicepelt looked at her and muttered, “Oh err, I mean, he is in Wind clan, like me. I’m the deputy, and saw him walking last night, like you said. Didn’t smell like a kitty pet or any clans, asked him if he was a rouge or loner, he said no. So I invited him to Wind clan.” Slicepelt then asked “You joining too? Likely you’ll live, but if you that devoted…” “Oh yes please! I will by loyal, will not be any trouble! Please?” she meowed. “I’m not the boss,” Slicepelt started “Jaggedstar is, so I’ll take ya to him. Let’s go.” And with that Slicepelt bounded off, with Precious trailing behind him. By the time they got to camp, Precious was exhausted. Slicepelt had led her over sharp rocks, through trees, and up a steep cliff, which he said was easy! She was about to complain, when she heard “Precious! You came!” “Tom!” she cried. The two cats rubbed head and Tom said “I was hoping you could, but my name is not Tom anymore, it Rushingpaw.” “Rushingpaw? Why is that you name now?” she meowed. He explained “In a clan you receive a special name at birth so I would be Rushingkit, then at six moons you become an apprentice to learn how to be a fighter or warrior that’s when you become a paw.” “Oh I see,” she purred “But do I need a new name?” “Yes, you do I suppose.” A smooth voice yet a little sharp said. “Jaggedstar! I found another loner (she was a kittypet) but she...” Slicepelt began “I know Slicepelt, I have been watching you take her and Rushingpaw here.” Jaggedstar replied “Y-you have?” Slicepelt stammered “Yes I have, but I never named Rushingpaw yet… how did you gained that name?” all three cats turned towards Rushingpaw. “Well, when I entered the camp, all I could thing about was that name. So I assumed it was my name, but apparently we don’t make up the names you do Jaggedstar.” He said. Everyone looked at him, but mostly Jaggedstar. “How interesting,” he began when he was interrupted by Precious trembling violently. Rushingpaw ran to help her put Jaggedstar flicked his tail in front of the frighten cat. “Be still, she is just talking with StarClan.” “StarClan? What’s that?” He half yowled. Jaggedstar looked solemn yet happy, as Precious said “A rushing storm will sweep over this clan, but the sun will shine and the storm will bring hope.” The four cats looked at one another, thinking about this prophecy. Slicepelt broke the silence “How can a storm save the clan? And what about the sun?” he shook his head. “Come,” the leader said “We need to go inside the camp.” He strolled briskly with Slicepelt at his paws. “Here we go?” Precious purred “Here we go.” Tom echoed. Inside the camp, cats of all colors were doing many thing. Some had kill, some were watching their kits, as the foursome walked through it. The cats turned their heads to see their leader, his deputy, and… kittypets? “Cats of WindClan, to the highrock.” Jaggedstar yowled. All the cats came and sat under a large boulder as he leap upon it. “We have two new members of WindClan with us today,” he began “It’s with my great honor I present two kittypets who have given up their soft lives to join us.” He walked over to Tom and Precious, who had just jumped up on the bolder. “Tom and Precious, you escaped you kittypet life, StarClan look down now on Rushingpaw and Sunpaw.” The clan welcomed the two cats with open paws. “Rushingpaw Sunpaw! Rushingpaw Sanpaw!” they chanted as the two hopped down. “Welcome young warriors!” “May StarClan light you paths.” “My, what happened to your ear?” “I hope you survive!” Slicepelt showed them the apprentice den which, two apprentice Foxpaw and Mosspaw were lounging in it. “So you’re the kittypets huh?” Foxpaw sneered, looking smug. “I bet I’m tougher than both of you.” He growled than lunged at Sunpaw, hissing. She simply slid over as the young cat crashed on the hard dirt ground. He flattened his ears and growl. “Mouse brained fool!” he spat, and lunged again. This time she didn’t see him and he ripped her neck. She hissed and pounced on him, and both cats tumbled outside. The clan stopped and watched the two cats fight. Rushingpaw watches helplessly from his spot as Jaggedstar looked on at the battle. Foxpaw was wiser in battle, but Sunpaw was larger. She deflected his attacks with ease, but her own missed. Foxpaw then turned on his heels and gave the final blow to her neck. She was sunned but not dead, as Foxpaw sneered “Kittypets.” And strolled away. The Clan’s medicine cat, Healingwisker, saw the fight and brought poppy seeds and cobwebs to the injured she-cat. As Sunpaw got up, Healingwisker mumbled “That Foxpaw, always getting into trouble, one day he will suffer as much as he gave. Sunpaw is it? Those gnashes are deep, you’ll need to stay in my den, I’m afraid.” And both cats went to the medicine cat’s den. Chapter 2 When Sunpaw and Healingwisker had left, Rushingpaw was so concerned he went to Jaggedstar for advice. “She could have died out there, why didn’t you let me do anything?” he hissed slightly. “Those are skimpy wounds to the ones in battle, besides, something about that fight made me think she could maybe NOT be a warrior…” Jaggedstar trailed off “…Now Rushingpaw, leave me be, I must council with Slicepelt about her”. As Rushingpaw walked away, he bumped into a large tabby tom with a scar on his flank. “Woops, sorry Rushingpaw.” He purred, seeing how only his flank had cause a cat to stumble. “I- I’m fine.” He mewed “Names Dappleclaw have you eaten? If not, go grab that sparrow, we’ll eat together.” Rushingpaw dashed off and came back from the fresh-kill pile with the plump sparrow. “I am surprised Jaggedstar didn’t give you a mentor. He should have, Star Clan knows, maybe he will do it later.” Rushingpaw ate the bird with all the flavours bursting in his mouth, listening intently to the warrior. “Maybe-gulp-you could be my mentor, and we can start training!” he replied. “Not now, but I maybe will go talk to Jaggedstar about your training. I have trained many cats, and would like to train more.” Dappleclaw then walked away, towards the leader’s den as Rushingpaw sat there, giddy with excitement. Sunpaw, meanwhile, was moping around on the soft mossy bed, as Healingwisker put more cobwebs on her wounds. “I will never survive, won’t I Healingwisker?” she groaned. “Now don’t say that, you could be a proud warrior. That was your first fight anyway.” The young medicine cat purred. As she turned around to mix more herbs, Sunpaw took time to study her. The she-cat was a jet-black with a white blaze on her belly, and white paws. She had yellow eyes, and most interesting, her ears curved inward. “I like your ears.” Sunpaw said as she turned around. “Oh thank you, I was born with these ears. My father had them.” Then adding the last cobwebs, a queen came in named Meadowdream. “My kits are coming, and I-oh hello Sunpaw.” Healingwisker turned around and said “Meet me in my den.” Then she started mixing herbs. Sunpaw watched the two she-cats go in Healingwiske’s den. As the gorse swishes closed, Sunpaw moaned again, and ate poppy seeds to help her pain. Then her eyelids felt heavy, and she fell asleep. “Sunpaw, Sunpaw wake up! We are getting our mentors! And the new kits are being named!” a loud meow startled her awake. “What- oh yay! Thanks Rushingpaw.” And the two cats bounded out of the den and onto the boulder. “Wind Clan, I come to you tonight with the naming of two kits, and giving two apprentice their mentors. We will start with the kits.” As Jaggedstar spoke, Meadowdream lightly pushed up two small kits. One was a dark grey tom with a light grey tail and green eyes, and the other was a she-cat with yellow fur and amber eyes. “Cats of Wind Clan, I give you Smokekit and Honeykit.” He touched noses with each kit, then they and their mother hopped off the boulder. “Now Star Clan knows I should have given these two mentors at their ceremony,” a ripple of agreements went through each cat, “But my mind was on other things. Rushingpaw’s mentor will be Dappleclaw. Dappleclaw, I hope you pass on your courage and loyalty to this your cat.” The large tabby jumped up next to Rushingpaw and pressed his noes to him. “Sunpaw’s mentor will be Stoneowl. Stoneowl, pass on your many battle techniques that have won so many fights to this young cat.” Then a grey tom with gold eyes and ear tuffs walked over and pressed noses with her. The ceremony was over and all the cats went to their dens for a good night’s sleep Sunpaw woke up, and saw a small dapple brown tom walk into the den. “Hey,” she whispered “Who are you?” “My names Frogpaw.” He murmured. “Oh, where were you?” “On a patrol with my mentor, Mintstep.” “Oh ok.” Then the young cats fell into a deep slumber. The next morning, all the apprentices woke up, and hung out around their den. Rushingpaw over herd Slicepelt giving this morning patrol names. “Larkfern, Stoneowl, Sunpaw, Dappleclaw, and Rushingpaw will go on this patrol. It will be good for those new cats to learn the boarders.” Stoneowl then walked over to their den. “Let’s go,” he grunted. “We’ll catch our food on the way. Larkfern is leading this patrol.” As Larkfern appeared, she yowled and they were off. “First stop, the four trees.” Dappleclaw said. The cats all looked at the island connected to the land by logs and land bridges. “What happens there?” Sunpaw asked “That’s where a few cats from each clan come and talk in peace during a full moon.” Larkfern replied, then they moved on. As they walked, the stench of dead animals filled the air Rushingpaw and Sunpaw wrinkled their noses “What’s that smell?” Rushingpaw groaned. “Shadow Clan. Never pass this boarder, they will rip you to shreds. Those cats are an evil breed, for sure.” Dappleclaw said slowly. Stoneowl and Larkfern nodded in agreement. Then they marched on, passing Thunder Clan which smelled of vole and bird. “Is there only three clans? Or more?” Sunpaw asked. “No, there is River Clan, but we don’t connect with them.” Dappleclaw replied. Suddenly, a Thunder Clan patrol appeared. “Wind Clan.” An all-black tom said “We mean no harm, just a patrol.” Larkfern growl softly. “Fine, but be careful, we wouldn’t want any cat to get hurt would we?” he sneered. Dappleclaw’s claws sheathed and unsheathed nervously as the two groups look at one another. Then a calico cat from Thunder Clan flicked her ear and the battle began. Dappleclaw sprang on the black cat, and clawed his hind leg making him yowl in pain. The calico then bit Stoneowl’s tail and held on as he ran around slamming his tail on the ground. Sunpaw lunged at a smaller cat, and slashed his ear well. Rushingpaw was helping Larkfern take down a huge spotted tom with dark blue eyes. Giving a final bow to his neck, Rushingpaw leapt off of him as he called “Retreat Thunder Clan!” and as the warriors ran, the black tom hissed “This isn’t over you mouse dung!” “We need to let Jaggedstar know about this attack. Thunder Clan is usually a peaceful clan.” Larkfern growled, and all the cats nodded in agreement. She then flicked her ear and they were off. But Stoneowl quickly cried out “I can’t smell!” he then inhaled hard, but he then yowled in pain, for his nose was slashed beyond repair. The two older cats looked concerned as he hissed “We must get home quickly.” Then they took off, as Sunpaw trailed behind with her mentor. “Are you ok?” she quietly asked. “No! I’m not! Now I can’t hunt, or sense enemies.” Then he huffed and went on without her. Back at the camp, the young apprentice were brimming with concern. “What do you think is going on?” Rushingpaw said, concerned. “I-I don’t know, wait, Jaggedstar is calling the clan! Come on!” then she bounded off. “Cats of Wind Clan. I come to you with much bad news. Today a fine warrior lost his sense of smell.” Stoneowl then came up on the rock, and said “It is I, I will be retiring as an elder. May Star Clan smite those who fought us today.” “As tradition goes, Star Clan, I take this name away, for its purpose is no more. And give this at a new name, Stonenose.” After Jaggedstar said this, he jumped back down and joined the clan’s elders, Threelegs, Fallentail and Mistyeyes. They welcomed him, and gave him the name of Stonenose and Jaggedstar continued “Sunpaw’s new mentor is Emberripple.” A smaller she-cat jumped up, her pelt was almost bright red and she had pure green eyes. “Finally, we will be restricting any playing outside the camp for kits, and apprentice must stay in the camp, but may leave with their mentors or a patrol, because Thunder Clan attacked our morning patrol.” All of the clan looked worried. “Why did they do this?!” a cat shouted. Others agreed, “I don’t know, so we need to be careful.” Jaggedstar replied. As all the cats walked away, Sunpaw asked “Can I talk to Stonenose?” to Emberripple. “Sure, but meet me at sun high at the training hollow. Then she walked away as the young cat ran over to the elder’s den. “Hi Stonenose, sorry about your nose.” She said. He huffed and rolled over, as Mistyeyes croaked “Ignore him, he has been a warrior for a while, and isn’t use to this life yet. Do you have time for a story? We give them to good apprentice.” Sunpaw looked at the sun growing higher and meowed “Not now, thanks anyway Mistyeyes!” then she bounded off. At the training hollow, Emberripple looked a bit shocked. “You arrived just on time, something I never imagined a kittypet doing!” “Well, I gave my old life up, so I’ll try to keep up in this one.” Both cats smiled as Emberripple went on. “We will begin with a hunting crouch. All the prey you catch goes to the clan first. Did you see the fresh kill pile?” she nodded “Good. Now a rabbit will hear you first, but a mouse will feel you.” Sunpaw repeated this “Rabbit hears, Mouse feels. Got it, but how will that help?” “Here, watch this.” Then Emberripple dropped into a crouch and purred “See how my hind legs are tense? I’m putting my weight into them so can move lightly. Mouse feels.” She then showed a proper rabbit crouch “Now it’s your turn.” Sunpaw dropped down, then lightly gated around the hollow. “Very good.” Now use those skills for real and hunt by the Four Trees, you know where that it, and bring back as much prey as you can by sun down.” And with that the young she-cat bounded off. At the camp, Dappleclaw was talking to another warrior named Bagerpelt. Rushingpaw went up to them and asked Dappleclaw, “When does training begin?” Dappleclaw purred “Fine, it begins now with you helping the elders. There den is in the bracken over there.” He gestured towards it with his tail, “They will need bedding changed, and ticks killed.” “Ticks?!” Rushingpaw made a face. “Now, the warrior code says to respect your elders.
Press space to see Tom
