Our Ranks Swell

Cloudstar shouldered his way out of his den, flicking of some water droplets that had clung onto his fur as he passed the waterfall. Blinking in the morning sunlight and enjoying the warmth that soaked through his fur, he streaked his way towards the Oak Branch, feeling energy flow beneath his pelt. "All cats old enough to catch their own prey, join under the Oak Branch for a Clan meeting!" As his yowl rang throughout the camp, the Clan started to gather. Some picked their way quietly over, while others raced toward the the meeting place, tails streaming behind them. Cloudstar let his gaze wander around the clearing to inspect each and everyone of his clanmates. The muscles rippling through their fur as they settled down, their acute sense of hearing and scent, and their eagerness to know what their leader had called them out for. The OakClan leader puffed out his chest with pride, and started to continue on with the meeting. He waved his tail to get their attention, and the camp fell into a hushed silence. "As you know, OakClan is in need of new warriors to protect and fight for our Clan, and apprentices for us to pass down our knowledge to. Though these cats might have been loners or rogues once, their loyalty to the Clan is what matters. That being said, I would like to introduce you OakClan's newest members. Crescentpelt," He nodded towards a skinny black tom with silver eyes. "And two new apprentices, Birdpaw and Fallenpaw." He flicked his tail towards the two sisters. "But Fallenpaw has been chosen to go down an/other path in her apprenticeship." Gasps followed his words. "Until she has received her full name, she will be training as a medicine cat."
"But Cloudstar... We don't have a medicine cat!" A wail rose from the crowd, and Cloudstar nodded grimly.
"That is true, but StarClan will send someone on our way soon." He made sure his voice could be heard over the distrustful mutterings. "But until then, Fallenpaw will be trained as a warrior for the time being." He glanced at the she-cat. "If that is alright, for I cannot let you go without a mentor for too long." The she-cat nodded, though Cloudstar saw doubt prick her gaze, though he carried on. "Her temporary mentor will be Snowfall, and Birdpaw's mentor will be Stormfang. I trust that you two will pass on all you know to these lively, young cats." The warriors dipped their heads solemnly, and touched noses with their new apprentices. Welcoming yowls rose from the crowds, though only few participated. Ever since Starlingwing had passed away without an apprentice, his Clan had fell into a deep pit of worries, and it seemed that death lurked at every corner. Cloudstar wondered how long the peace between the Clans in this forest would last, for he didn't think his Clan would survive a battle without an experienced and vital healer. His morning energy forgotten, he waved his tail towards his deputy, Goldenbreeze, to organize the patrols for the day, and plodded off towards his nest.

~*~

Iceshadow lunged, his teeth bared. A black paw shot out, striking pan through the warriors head. He landed swiftly on the soft grass of the training hollow. "Better, but remember, if you don't have time to dodge out of the way, just roll with your attacker." Dragonpaw nodded, his eyes stern as he listened to his mentor. "Now, lets try that again." As he watched his apprentice ready himself for the mock battle, Iceshadow couldn't help thinking that a lot had happen in the past few sunrises. The Clan had finally found a well needed medicine cat, Goldfeather. Cloudstar had looked as excited as an apprentice going to his first gathering when he received a sign from StarClan, saying that they approved of two she-cats. Though it irked the tabby warrior that she wasn't clan-born, Iceshadow was thankful that his Clan was thriving. And a set of new warriors came into the Clan as well. Hawkeye, Riverfang, and Birchfire were now full-fledged warriors. There was also an apprentice called Ravenpaw, who now has Hawkeye as her mentor.
"Iceshadow?" A questioning mew broke the warrior's train of thought. "Are you ready?" Iceshadow flicked his tail in response.
"Yes, sorry about that. With the front paw strike-" His meowed was droned out by a deadly growl behind him, and Iceshadow saw his apprentice widen his eyes with sheer terror. The experienced warrior spun around, lips drawn back in a snarl, ready to take on any threat. A fox was licking his lips in front of him, showing cracked, pointy teeth. Drool dripped from his mouth as he yipped and snapped at the two clan-cats. Great, a full-grown fox battling a warrior and an apprentice who only just learned the basics about battling... What else could go wrong? As if on cue, a second fox stepped out of the gloomy shadows, thorn sharp claws glinting in the sunlight. Iceshadow let out a threatening hiss, and arched his back. "Dragonpaw! Go back to the camp and bring more warriors!" He yowled, though he knew he would have to fight these savaged beasts before a patrol got to him.
"B-but... How will you-?"
"Now!" The lithe tom nodded, and streaked off. One of the foxes stepped forward, ready to pursue him until a bulky gray shape exploded into the clearing. Jumping onto the fox's back, he began to yowl furiously and claw at his fur. The fox started to yip in confusion, twisting and turning in attempts to throw off his attacker. Seeing that his partner was equally surprised, Iceshadow thew his head back and bellowed a battle cry, gauging the fox's eyes with his long claws. Not long after, he heard more hisses and yowls coming from behind, and a patrol of OakClan warriors dashed into the clearing, and sprang onto the foxes. The foxes, now seeing that they were outnumbered, conversed with each other with high pitched yips and yaps, until they sped off into the thick undergrowth. "Stormfang and Birchfire - chase after them, and make sure they cross our borders." Cloudstar barked an order, and the two toms dashed off. Iceshadow straightened up to meet his father, his fur now clumped. "How did this happen?" He inquired. Iceshadow shrugged.
"Dragonpaw and I were just out training, and then those two came along... But luckily," He dipped his head towards the gray rogue. "He was there to help me." Cloudstar nodded slowly.
"OakClan is in your thanks." He meowed to the outsider. "Would you like to come back to our camp with us? We have plenty of food and shelter." The tom hesitated, and Iceshadow could sense he felt awkward around the large group of cats, but he nodded after a few moments. "Good. I'll get the apprentices to make you a nest when we get back to camp." Turning around, Cloudstar led the patrol back to camp. When they were walking along the leaf-strewn path of the forest, Iceshadow fell in step with the old tom.
"Thanks for saving me back there, I would have been crow-food." He meowed, though the cat did not reply. "Er... My name is Iceshadow, you?" The gray tom turned his head, his pale yellow eyes looking ghostly in the light.
"Gray." He meowed, his voice cracked as if he wasn't use to talking. Iceshadow nodding, not knowing what else to say, so he just focused his eyes on the path in front of him.
"Are you a rogue?" He finally asked, and Gray twitched his tail, his eyes questioning. Iceshadow flattened his ears. Mousebrain! Of course he doesn't know what a rogue is! He isn't Clanborn! "Someone who lives outside of Clans." He explained, and Gray heaved a sigh before going on.
"Well, I belong to a group of rogues... But not one of your "Clans" or whatchama call it." Iceshadow nodded, is eyes sparkling with interest.
"That sounds interesting. I wonder if it's anything like Clan life... Can you tell me more about it?" As the tom continued talking, Iceshadow couldn't help suppress a shiver. There are so many more things outside of our territory... How much more cats can there be?!