Black cat met the orange eyes glaring down at him, with his ears flattening warily since the tom didn't say a word yet. It is like he is peeling back his fur to see the cat underneath. He didn't know what the tom is waiting for but he finally glance at the cats besides him.
"Explain." His voice was a deep growl as he look back at him. Black cat's fur is bristling as he glare back.
"This is Black cat, Brokenstar. Met him close to the twolegplace border while hunting with Deerfoot. He was in the forest and I warn him away. Since he is a kittypet, I thought by just leaving, he would head back home. That wasn't the case and he chase me, having questions. He got stuck in the marsh and was sinking in the mud. Deerfoot pull him out. Seeing how tired he was, I made the choice to bring him here so Runningnose can look him over." Russetfur mew is firm as she brush her tail on Black cat's side. Letting him know that it is going to be ok.
A small grey and white tom push pass the white tom when he heard his name. The white tom let out a small hiss as he got close to Black cat. His eyes widen as he took in his shakiness. These names are spot on, black cat thought as he saw the dried snot on the cat's nose.
"Blackfoot. Get ready for the apprentices ceremony while I chat with my senior warriors. Let Runningnose do what he does best. We aren't cruel." Brokenstar turn around while Blackfoot head to the nursery. The rest of the cats begin to sit near the big boulder that the other rock was leaning against. Black cat saw how organized everyone was and he watch everything with interest. Runningnose went into the den smelling of herbs as two queens with four kits between them came out with Blackfoot.
His ear twitch as he heard whispers about him but that was to be expected. He is a stranger and an intruder. Russetfur saw his interest and begin to explain what is happening. She point out that Runningnose is their medicine cat and he went into the medicine den. Deerfoot glance at her with disapproval in his eyes as he turn to watch the proceedings. Brokenstar is in a corner near the oak tree with five other cats, Scorchwind was among them. There was three young cats sitting near a cave. Soon Runningnose came back holding a leaf wrap. He put the wrap in front of him, telling him to eat the herbs to gain his energy back. He did so, nearly gagging at the bad taste. Runningnose whiskers twitch as he check him over once again, nodding when he couldn't find any other wounds.
Brokenstar finish his meeting and his tail twitch anxiously as he wondered what it meant for him. He jump up on the boulder, looking down at the clan gathered beneath him.
"At tonight gathering, I'm sure you all heard that both Thunderclan and Riverclan have new deputies. Leopardfur and Lionheart is the new deputies. At least Shadowclan isn't weak in battle to lose important members of our clan. That isn't the only news. Windclan warn us about a badger they seen heading to our territory due to them chasing it. I thank Tallstar for the warning and I want patrols to keep an eye out. We smelt it near the burnt scyamore on the way back, so mentors keep your apprentices away from that area. I'm sure you are all aware of our visitor. I decided to give this kit a chance since he shown such promise. If he wants it of course. Who wouldn't want to be a Shadowclan cat?" At this indignant mutterings erupt among the clan.
"Brokenstar with all respect, he's a kittypet! Send him home to his twolegs otherwise he just be a burden. " A white tom call out.
"Maybe he can't be a warrior. Has no fighting skills due to lazing around all the time." A dark brown tom mutter.
Russetfur was whispering their names into Black cat ears. Ratscar and swampcloud was the loudest among the others.
Brokenstar's eyes narrow at them before he let out a loud yowl to quiet the clan. He was clawing the moss beneath his paws as his tail lash.
"Do you think I'm weak?" His voice was a deadly whisper. Both Ratscar and Swampcloud ears flatten as they look away from him.
"No. We meant no disrespect." They quickly muttered.
Black cat is filled with admiration for Brokenstar, seeing how quickly he gain control of the clan. What a leader. He be proud to be part of the clan with a leader like that. Russetfur whisper to him that Brokenstar has kittypet blood through his father, the past leader Raggedstar. He still saw glares but he didn't care. Brokenstar is proof that anyone can be in Shadowclan and be respected.
"I do want to join Shadowclan! Since so many think of me as lazy and weak, I will fight. I don't want you all to think I'm not going to help." He got up, running to the front of the rock, looking at the cats that surrounded him. His eyes gleaming as he slid his claws out in anticipation, his tail lashing, showing others that he is sincere. He remembers how he play fight with Charlie and he often complains he too rough. Now he can use what he knows to prove himself, if they even let him.
"Very well. This kit name is Nightkit. Since you are so eager to prove yourself, chose your opponent. No claws as we don't want serious injuries. This is only a spar after all." Brokenstar meow, his tone fill with approval.
Without a word, the rest of the cats move so there was only room for two cats to fight. Even though he wasn't as fit as the others, at least he got some energy back. Besides it not like he going to win. He just need to show that he wasn't a pushover. He knew this much as he walk to the clearing. This also must be a test, to see if he uses his brain in fights since he now have to chose his opponent. Not the ones he know as that be too obvious. Not Swampcloud or Ratscar either as they might accidently kill him though he really want to chose them to shut them up. He stare at all the cats around him, noticing how most seem to be expecting him to pick them. He saw Scorchwind with Darkflower, sitting together with their tails twinning, watching him closely. Seeing a small light brown tom, he was going to chose him til he saw the scars on his hind leg.
He wasn't expecting this to be so hard. That when he remembered the cats that was sitting in front of the cave. They all seem healthy and not as old as the others. They was all close to the front. A brown tom, a grey tom and the smallest tom that seem to be equal to him.
"Him." He whip his tail to point to the small one. The tom walk out from the crowd, fur bristling as he gave a nod.
"Name is Littlepaw. Seems you have a good head on your shoulders. Only a mouse brain will chose to fight a cat twice their size." His blue eyes shimmer with emotion as he start pacing around him.
"Nice to meet you, Littlepaw. Thank you for this spar." He kept his eyes on him before leaping to him, Letting out a yowl, his ears flatten and his eyes into slits.
Littlepaw grin as he roll onto his back, his paws outstretched to catch him. His eyes widen as he was pin quickly. He use his back legs to push him off, being surprise at how heavy he was. He pant a bit before standing on his hind legs, letting out another yowl as he bat at Littlepaw, aiming at whatever he can reach. He knew he was doing good when he heard the reactions from the crowd. It seem his earlier tireness wasn't a problem since he felt only exhilaration as the fight continue. Littlepaw dodge him and trip him up, pinning him again. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't kick him off again. He spit furiously before Brokenstar call the end of the match.
Littlepaw let him up, giving him another nod before walking back to his spot. He shook the dirt from his pelt, hearing how he won some of them over. He heard that he could be a great fighter if he was train. Also that he had determination and how even when pinned he didn't give up. He felt pride envelop him as he clean himself, making sure his fur is smooth.
"Well well. We can use a spitfire like you. Do we all agree to give Nightkit a chance?" Brokenstar asks as he jump down from the boulder. The clan nodded as four cats walk up to stand besides him.
"Now it time for the moment we been waiting for." He mew as he beckon at the cats at the nursery.
"Finally!" A small voice pip up before her mother shush her. A few chuckles sounded as they watch the outspoken tortoiseshell walking fast to the front of the crowd. She was followed by black and white molly who was walking calmly with her head held high.
"Turtlekit. You have reached the age of six moons and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name you will be known as Turtlepaw. Your mentor will be Mossclaw. I hope Mossclaw will pass down all he knows to you." Brokenstar said as a big brown and white tom walk towards her.
"Mossclaw, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from me, and you have shown yourself to be fair and determined. You will be the mentor of Turtlepaw and I expect you to pass all you know to her." Turtlepaw reach up to touch Mossclaw nose before moving to the side for the others.
Soon Gullpaw was apprenticed to Fernshade, Mousepaw to Applefur, and Gingerpaw to Hopeheart. Nightkit watch, wondering which cat would be his mentor. There was so many cats. That is when Brokenstar motion for him to come up. He shook off his worries as he walk forward with confidence. He will be the best apprentice to whoever gets him. He stood in front of Brokenstar, glancing worriedly at him before another cat came out of the crowd.
"Nightkit. You have reached the age of six moons and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name you will be known as Nightpaw. Your mentor will be Badgerfang. I hope Badgerfang will pass down all he knows to you." Nightpaw glance at Badgerfang, seeing how he looks like his namesake. He is a black and white tom with face stripes like a badger.
"Badgerfang, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from Flintfang, and you have shown yourself to be loyal and honorable. You will be the mentor of Nightpaw and I expect you to pass all you know to him." Since he watch the others, he already knew what to do.
"I promised to do my best." He whisper as they touch noses.
"That all I will ask of you." He replied.
Turtlepaw! Gullpaw! Mousepaw! Gingerpaw! Nightpaw!" The clan roar their names into the sky.
He is now part of the clan. He noticed that not everyone was calling his name and knew that was to be expected. Soon the clan went to their dens as he look over at Badgerfang.
"Get some sleep, Nightpaw. Training will begin tomorrow at sunhigh. Don't be late." Badgerfang murmur as he point to the cave he saw before.
The other apprentices was already there, scrapping together their nests before curling to go to sleep. He saw Littlepaw motion to him so he went to him, seeing a nest made from moss and pine needles next to him.
"Here you go. It more comfortable than you would think. Goodnight." Littlepaw yawn as he fell into the nearby nest. He look around at the other apprentices, seeing that besides him was also Gullpaw on the other side. He softly walk past Turtlepaw, not knowing she was watching him curl up into the nest. He can't wait to see what the next day will bring.