Moving Forward {Clan Meeting}

[Deleted]

r i p p l e t a i l

warrior, riverclan

"Let all cats in RiverClan gather for a Clan Meeting!" The yowl echoed around the island, reverberating back and forth from the young she-cats mouth. Sixteen moons old, barely a warrior, and barely healthy. Looking back, the white feline would have never dreamed herself in this position. Quiet, shy, and so scatterbrained--who would ever rightfully make her a leader? Being the only relatively healthy warrior placed her in a position that she wasn't sure she could handle.

StarClan help us, she breathed.

Rippletail curled her tail around her paws, sitting on top of a boulder surrounded by reeds. This will become the Reedrock, she decided. The announcement place. She laid eyes over her Clan, feeling the warmth and protective aura coming from the cats around her. She drew strength from their presence. 

"RiverClan. I would like to begin this meeting by thanking you for allowing me to become your leader. I pray that with the strength of StarClan and the support of you, I will become the leader that our Clan needs." She paused, looking up at the sky, acknowledging her ancestors and the cats that walked the road before her. "I stand before you today to take care of some very important issues that I'm sure have weighed down on your hearts.

"We currently have two apprentices, Smallpaw and Blizzardpaw." She paused, nodding at each of them. "Only one of them is a warrior apprentice. The question remains: who will take up the challenge and fill the apprentice den once again? I make a suggestion that is radical, but radical is what we need.

"Kittens will begin their apprentice training at five moons old. They will not leave the camp during this time. They will not receive name changes. This moon of training will involve simple things: the warrior code, the history of our Clans, and basic stalking techniques while hunting. This is to give us apprentices who are ready to test their skills at six moons, as we need to replenish our lack of warriors as soon as possible." Rippletail took a breath, but the breath came with a thought. I don't know how we can do this without males, though. She shook her head to clear her thoughts.

"I understand that this is a earth-shaking idea. Should StarClan deem otherwise, this is what I feel we should do. If you have questions or concerns about this, please come speak with me at a later time." Heart beating and legs shaking, Rippletail was glad she was sitting down. The self-proclaimed leader scanned her Clanmates, searching for a reaction to her announcement. She had to keep going.

"I realize that I am not an official leader yet. This issue will be addressed in due time. I would like to begin our new life with a ceremony that is not my own." She paused dramatically, eyeing each cat in front of her.

"Smallpaw. Please step forward."

[tiny]

It looked as if the Gathering was over and now that the cats had returned, how would this affect the clans? The little she-cat wondered if her friends from other clans had survived. Sure she was loyal to RiverClan, but it wasn’t wrong to have friends in other clans. She had to stay in camp while the battle occurred, which frustrated her. Only she would get sick right before something big happened…that and she had been one of the younger apprentices, maybe if she had been a moon older. But no, this young cat had watched her entire family go, both her parents had wanted to stay and make sure she was okay, but Smallpaw had convinced them otherwise. She had said it was just like usual, one of those coughs that was still lingering and she would be fine and welcome them when they returned. Little did this she-cat know they would not return…much like almost all the clan.

Smallpaw had decided against going to the Gathering, it would have been far too hard for her to make the journey and probably would have only increased her cough. Just that little bit of extra time to recover had done the world for this she-cat. Did she sit on her paws and do nothing? Her sit still? No, she had made sure to keep the prey stocked up for when they returned. She may not be the best fighter, but she definitely made up for it in hunting.

When she had heard the call of Rippletail, Smallpaw had dropped the last piece of prey into the pile and trotted towards the meeting place, eager to hear about what had happened. She listened as Rippletail began, nodding along with the other she-cat. Yes, it had been the right choice to appoint her as leader. Who else could have fulfilled the task? Smallpaw couldn’t seem to think of anyone better for the job. When she mentioned the new plans for RiverClan, the apprentice felt apprehensive. Yes, their clan was very small, and if something like this needed to happen, then who was she to say anything otherwise? She was just an apprentice.

She did, however, agree with the new training for the apprentices. Starting younger with history was brilliant. Besides, kits were bored at that time anyway and just looking for something to do. Nodding, she showed her support for this. This would also mean apprentices would be made warriors sooner. If this was better for the clan, she was all for it. That extra moon would help so much, and ease the fears of any six moon old cat.

The little apprentice had been caught up in her own world, thinking about the future. Sure it was radical, like Rippletail had said, but something needed to be done. The moment her name was called, she blinked and looked toward their new leader. Had she heard right? Did Rippletail mention something about a ceremony? Surely it wasn’t her own, she was just…well then again she was probably one of the most qualified. But her be a warrior? Most would laugh at the thought. This just proved she was like everyone else. Nodding her head and stepping forward, she couldn’t help suppressing the grin on her face. She was now proving everyone who doubted her wrong. She stared up at Rippletail, and felt her tail twitching with excitement.

[WolfieWolf]

BOULDERPAW

Boulderpaw was sleeping. Dreaming of unknown enemies, blurry nightmares and countless whispers. The tom was sleeping but it wasn't peaceful. Why would it be? Darkness swirled around him along with countless figures. They seemed to be blaming him. Panic and terror welled up in his chest as he tried fleeing from his undefined tormentors. Emphasis on tried. They seemed to be all around him. Above, below and no matter where he turned the darkness was there. Finally, the fear was too much for his racing heart and his eyes shot open.

The smell of herbs and moss greeted his nose, calming yet strong. The young tom gave himself a minute to catch his breath and let his racing heartbeat to a nice 'thump, thump.' His pale green eyes looked around him as he took control over his mind. He was awake and alive. The Great Battle was over and he was now in the den of the medicine cat. Most importantly, he was safe. This managed to calm down Boulderpaw and soon he was completely calm. He yawned and slowly crawled out of nest;  stretching each leg one at a time until he could stretch all of his body to the best of his abilities. His body was still sore from all his injuries and the fighting After a small trip for water, he was fully awake and ready to start the day. 

Suddenly, a loud yowl reached his ears. Raindapple. No. no that's not it. Rippletail! Yeah, her name was Rippletail! Moving on, from what he remembered from the other cats, she was their new leader. He approved of this choice. The tom's mind suddenly went into thinking mode and he was lost in his sea of thinking. Then, it clicked. She was calling for a clan meeting. Slowly, he stiffly wobbled out of the den and lay on his belly. He still stayed close by, just in case he needed to lean on something. Then, the meeting began.

Now, the question of the day was if Boulderpaw was actually listening. The answer, yes and no. His mind eventually had to wander, it was just in his nature, but he also picked up the important bits. Start training at five moons, nice. He liked that idea. Other things, other things. Ceremony for Smallpaw. Huh. The gray tabby perked up slightly at that. Maybe she would now be a warrior! His tail twitched in excitement for his fellow apprentice and he focused a tad bit more on the meeting.

[HawkShadow]

Blizzardpaw limped into the camp. Turning her head, she noticed Rippletail on the Highrock.

The silver-blue she-cat moved towards the middle of the area. Soon the molly was able to sit down and have a proper view of her leader. Seconds after the Medecine Cat apprentice sat down, Rippletail began to speak.

"RiverClan. I would like to begin this meeting by thanking you for allowing me to become your leader. I pray that with the strength of StarClan and the support of you, I will become the leader that our Clan needs."

Blizzardpaw began to listen intently. She noticed Rippletail's pause, and the apprentice flicked her tail, ]waiting.

"We currently have two apprentices, Smallpaw and Blizzardpaw."[/b][/i]

As the leader said her name, Blizzardpaw focused her large green eyes on the she-cat. "
one of them is a warrior apprentice. The question remains: who will take up the challenge and fill the apprentice den once again? I make a suggestion that is radical, but radical is what we need."

The silver she-cat flicked her ears. This was a statement she agreed with; radical was what the clan needed to survive. Though, that didn't solve the problem of only one male, an apprentice. The she-cat dismissed that, and began to think about her injury. If only she didn't have it... She could be a warrior and help her clan.

When Rippletail voiced her concerns about the apprenticeship, Blizzardpaw immiedetly grew wary. They could still get hurt in battle training. The molly had heard the stories of why the code said six moons. Once two apprentices were training, and one broke their neck. Other incidents involved three moon old kits fighting in battle.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, Blizzardpaw thought.

Her thoughts were redirected towards the meeting when Rippletail asked Smallpaw to step forward. BlizzardPaw felt excitement, she couldn't wait to see what the clan would feel about a warrior ceremony. Their spirits would probably be lifted. That's what they needed.

[Deleted]

r i p p l e t a i l

warrior, riverclan

Rippletail locked eyes with the apprentice in front of her for a few moments before beginning her speech.

"I, Rippletail, leader of RiverClan, call upon our warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Smallpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

She waited for the apprentice's response, planning the next part of her meeting.

[tiny]

It was in that moment that Smallpaw suddenly didn’t think her name was appropriate. At this moment she felt like she was the biggest cat in the clan. No..seriously in her mind she was. With a big grin she kept the glance with Rippletail, trying with all her might to keep herself in control. This was her moment, the moment she had been waiting for. She was just a little disappointed that her parents weren’t here to see her. But surely they were in StarClan watching, right? Maybe they were watching her now and were proud of her. They were probably with her brother and sister, the ones she doesn’t remember but heard her parents speak of before. Her whole family had gone, but she knew they would watch her if they could.

The ceremony began, and she heard the words that she had heard the previous leader speak many times before to her clanmates. Now it was her turn. ”I do!” she meowed firmly. Smallpaw was grinning from ear to ear. Take that all those cats who said she wouldn’t make it to be an apprentice, much less a warrior! If only they were still alive so she could laugh in their face and just tell them to go eat foxdung or something.

[Deleted]

r i p p l e t a i l

warrior, riverclan

Rippletail purred at the apprentice's enthusiasm. She inwardly sighed, sad that she must change the traditional words to reflect her current status.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Smallpaw, from this moment you will be known as Smallbrook. I ask StarClan to see you as a full warrior despite my own lack of necessary powers. StarClan honors your determination and your intelligence, and we welcome you as a full warrior of River
Clan."

Rippletail jumped down from the Reedrock and approached the new warrior. I have great plans in mind for you, she thought as she rested her muzzle on Smallbrook's head. The calls of the warrior's name filled the area, and the leader stepped back.

"You will hold your vigil tonight as I travel to the Moonpool to receive my nine lives. I will be gone a full day. I leave Dovewing in charge and Smallbrook as guard. I expect all patrols to be continued, and the fresh-kill pile must be filled!" She flicked her tail to the meager pile next to the rocks.

"I wish you all well."

[Midnightive]

Dovewing sat at the edge of the clearing licking her white fur, her odd coloured eyes glowed in the sun light. Long lick were applied to her white fur and winced every so often after when her toung ran over a cut from the battle. Upon hearing the call for the clan meeting she got to her paws and sat in a small cluster that was her clan.

Whatching Smallpaw go up and look down as proud as ever. She knew Rippedtail had done rhe right thing by making Smallpaw into Smallbrook. With a grin on her face she shouted. "Well done Smallbrook, Smallbrook." she realsed the chanting of name was a bit odd. What used to be a chours of cats chanting the new warriors name was now just a few cats. Easliy drowned out by the river that ran through there terroity.

She gave a quick nod, "Ok Rippedtail the camp will be in safe paws" she dripped her head to her new leader.

[Deleted]

NightWillow

Pregnant Riverclan queen of 37 moons; grumpy, loyal, patient, praternal

N

ightwillow really had woken up on the wrong side of the bed - to be precise, the wrong side of her back. With her burgeoning belly, sleeping had become difficult and the amount of comfortable sleeping positions was exactly negative one.

A noise, a yowl, had alerted her to some pack ongoings, and so she went, albeit slower than the others, her weight hindering her progress. When she had arrived, the meeting was already ended, and everyone seemed to be in high spirits. Spotting a male (boulderpaw), she gave him a nasty look, feeling that all males should be punished for being male and thus creating this burden of kits in her belly. And looking at each individual face, they all seemed to be identically happy and upbeat. She found this disgusting, and scowled to herself.

She picked herself up and meandered back off that way she'd come, completely convinced the journey to an ended meeting had been a waste of her time and precious energy.

-- exit --