A Question of Alliance

Markstar sat in his den, watching the clan without being seen. He smiled as he saw Strongspirit heading to the fresh-kill pile. She was heavy with kits, and was due any day. The sun was shining, but it was cool out. Leaf-fall was coming, and the clan was trying to prepare for the head Leaf-Bare. Memories of the last Leaf-Bare still in many of the older warriors minds.

Then, Markstar saw a small golden tabby she-cat slip into the camp. He leaped up and raced outside. He heard a snarl, and then saw Bluegaze wrestling with the she-cat. He soon had her pinned down, gripping her strongly. The she-cat seemed amazed at how a blind cat could fight that well. Markstar saw Bluegaze smirk slightly. Markstar padded over to the intruder. He growled lightly as he reached Bluegaze.

"Who are you? And why are you on my territory?!"

The she-cat glared at Bluegaze who still had her strongly pinned down.

"I come to mean no harm. I am a leader of a clan myself."

Markstar narrowed his eyes.

"Whatever clan you're from you should learn to respect other clan's borders. Just because you're a leader doesn't mean you can come strutting into my camp! You wait by the border, and wait for a patrol!"

Markstar growled.

"That should have been one of the first things you learned as an apprentice! You don't have any special rights on another clan's territory! No right to come walking in."

The she-cat didn't respond.

"What do you want! I have a clan to protect, and I have other things to do then talk to a leader who can't respect another clan's territory."

Markstar growled. BlackClan could attack any time, especially since the weather was getting colder, and they still hadn't gotten back Mossypaw and Sunnypaw. Finally the leader talked, though she seemed slightly annoyed because Bluegaze still hadn't let her up.

"I am Wattlestar of ShimmeringClan. I have come on behalf of my clan to ask for your alliance. Your clan is brave and strong, as my clan is new."

Markstar smirked, though his tail twitched angrily.

"Is that the only reason you want an alliance with LakeClan? Because we have numbers? If you were ever attacked, you could easily get a lot of my warriors and defeat your enemy. It seems more like using then an alliance. Because we couldn't use your help if we were in trouble, because would you even come? Since your clan is small you can't risk to let your cats get hurt."

Wattlestar shook her head.

"No! I want this alliance to be fair. I will help you if you ask for help, and I would like to think you would do the same."

Markstar swept his tail side to side, still angry at the ignorance of this leader.

"Bluegaze, let her up."

The blind warrior nodded, and let Wattlestar up off the ground. She gave her chest a few quick licks, before looking at Markstar. Markstar was larger then Wattlestar, and he looked down at her.

"Why should I accept your alliance when you have been ignorant on our first meeting?"

Wattlestar sighed.

"Because alliances are always good to have."

Markstar tilted his head.

"LakeClan has many alliances already. But I shall think about it. I shall send Bluegaze, Frostysky and Grayshadow to your clan when I decide."

Markstar flicked his tail at the three warriors, and Wattlestar dipped her head to the other leader.

"Thank-you Markstar."

Markstar nodded and continued.

"Bluegaze. Please escort Wattlestar out of our territory, and make sure she gets to our border safely."

Markstar flashed a glance at Wattlestar before going to sit beside Strongspirit. Bluegaze nodded and padded out of the camp, with the leader of ShimmeringClan following.

Five Warriors

Waterpaw, Crowpaw, Bramblepaw, Petalpaw and Hailingpaw. Please step forward.

*Markstar looked down at the apprentices, his face sullen. He looked at Bluepaw who seemed sad to be made a warrior without his siblings.*

Molefoot, Ridgebreeze, Shadowstrike, Berrysplash and Gazestripe, are you satisfied that your apprentice is ready to become a warrior?

*The mentors all nod and respond.*

Yes, they are ready.

*Markstar nodded.*

I, Markstar, leader of LakeClan call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon these apprentices. They have trained hard to learn the ways of your noble code, and I give them to you as warriors in turn.

Waterpaw, Crowpaw, Bramblepaw, Petalpaw and Hailingpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend your clan even at the cost of your life?

*They nod nod and say I do.*

Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names.

Waterpaw, from this moment you will be known as Waterfoot. StarClan honors your forethought, and we welcome you as a full warrior of LakeClan.

Crowpaw, from this moment you will be known as Crowshadow. StarClan honors your determination, and we welcome you as a full warrior of LakeClan.

Bramblepaw, from this moment you will be known as Brambleberry. StarClan honors your loyalty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of LakeClan.

Petalpaw, from this moment you will be known as Petalshimmer. StarClan honors your patience, and we welcome you as a full warrior of LakeClan.

Hailingpaw, from this moment you will be known as Hailingsky. StarClan honors your bravery, and we welcome you as a full warrior of LakeClan.

*The clan started to cheer for the new warriors.*

Waterfoot! Brambleberry! Crowshadow! Petalshimmer! Hailingsky!

*Once the cheering died down, Markstar spoke again.*

Now, as tradition. You must sit a silent vigil tonight to reflect on your warrior duties. Stormwater, can you please organize some patrols? I need to think some stuff through in my den.

*Stormwater nodded as Markstar leaped off the LakeRock and padded into his den.*

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Omg! I was making a post with ceremonies on it, I copied the ceremonies from the post "The Loss of two" but I accidentally started writing on that post! So now that post is gone because I wrote over it with the new post. :'( I am sad now, because that post also had some ceremonies on it... and I don't know who Bubblepaw's and Songpaw's mentors are now!!!! :'(

A Decision for Positions

(I am sorry Silverleaf, but you never make Sorrelheart make patrols, or anything. You almost make her like a normal cat. I'm going to replace you as deputy. I'm sorry, but I hope that the new deputy shall be more dedicated.)

Markstar leaped onto the LakeRock, and took a breath. Will I remember the ceremony!? Nestflame had told him the ritual, and he hoped to get it right.

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey please gather here beneath the LakeRock for a clan meeting!"

Markstar smiled, feeling nervous after the last small fight between him and Fierystar, and the loss of Mossypaw and Sunnypaw.

"Sorrelheart has been a good deputy to Dreamstar, but with a new leader, I think a new deputy is also needed."

Markstar looked at Sorrelheart.

 "I am sorry Sorrelheart, but I need to know that I have chosen my own deputy, as a new leader."

Sorrelheart nodded in understanding, though her eyes were a little crestfallen.

"I say these words before Sorrelheart, so that she may hear and approve my choice."

Markstar scanned his eyes over the crowd. He had already made his choice earlier. He took a breath, so far so good. He was remembering the ceremony.

"Stormwater, will be the new deputy of LakeClan!"

Cats murmured congratulations for Stormwater, and chanted his name.

"Stormwater! Stormwater! Stormwater!"

Markstar smiled.

"But this means we shall need a new Head Warrior!"

Markstar took a breath, and looked over the crowd. He had not made this choice. Who should I choose!? Then he saw Silentecho. Silentecho was a young warrior, not that much younger then himself. Silentecho was also very loyal, and wise.. He would be a good choice.

"Silentecho, you shall be the new Head Warrior!"

Silentecho looked surprised, and the clan cheered his name.

"Silentecho! Silentecho! Silentecho!"

Markstar nodded.

"Also. I would like Fallenstrike to be sort of a back up Head Warrior? His position is higher then a Senior Warriors, but lower then a Head Warriors."

The clan muttered in slight confusion but cheered Fallenstrike's name.

"Fallenstrike! Fallenstrike! Fallenstrike!"

Markstar nodded.

"These three cats I have chosen are well-respected, strong, and wise cats. I hope they serve LakeClan well under me."

The clan nodded in approval. Markstar leaped off of the LakeRock, and padded over to Stormwater.

"Stormwater, please put together some patrols. I'm going to lead a Border Patrol. So put together a few others also."

Stormwater nodded at the younger cat, his leader, and got to work. Markstar nodded, and realized he was shaking. My clan-mates respect me as their leader, but do they respect me as much as I would like, with what happened with Sunnypaw and Mossypaw....? Markstar sighed at this thought, and looked around for some cats to bring on his patrol.

Jet-Part 3

Dreamsea's eyes flew open. She let her eyes focus as she looked around. She saw a familiar gray shape sitting beside her. She croaked out his name.

"R-r-rippleblaze?"

Rippleblaze sighed a sigh of relief.

"Good. You're awake."

He smiled softly, and whispered.

"I already lost you once... I don't want to lose you again..."

Dreamsea furrowed her eyes in confusion, but before she could ask what he meant, she saw Markstar and Bluegaze pad in. And for the first time she spotted Jetblaze sitting beside the entrance to the medicine cat's den. The den was quite crowded, with Nestflame in there also. He padded over to Dreamsea, and asked her o try to sit. She groaned as she pulled herself into a sitting position. Her whole body was sore, and she looked it over. There were long scratches down her side from when the fox had grabbed her. She flinched and snapped back to what was happened as Nestflame applied some more herbs to her wounds. Markstar waited until Nestflame had padded away to speak.

"You were lucky Dreamsea. Jetblaze heard your yowl, and his actions saved your life. He ran to get Bluegaze, knowing he couldn't fight on his own. Bluegaze told the rest of patrol to go back to camp and get more warriors, and Bluegaze and Jetblaze ran to where you were. They drove off the fox long enough to get you out of there. The new patrol that came drove the fox off our territory."

Dreamsea looked down, then looked at Jetblaze. Their eyes met, but only for a second before Jetblaze looked away.

"Did you not scent the fox? I could scent it when we were half-way to you."

Dreamsea shook her head.

"I-i was chasing after a rabbit, and I guess I got too caught up in the chase...."

Markstar nodded.

"Well, try to be more careful next time. As I said, you were very lucky that Jetblaze and Bluegaze got there that fast. Bluegaze said when they attacked the fox the fox had you down, and was killing you. Then they got you back here quickly, which also saved your life. That fox bit deep into your neck."

Dreamsea nodded.

"Thank-you Bluegaze..."

She looked at Jetblaze.

"And you, Jetblaze."

Jetblaze simply nodded, still not looking at her. Markstar smiled and padded out of the medicine cat den, with Bluegaze following. Dreamsea looked around.

"Nestflame, am I good to go now?"

Nestflame looked at her wounds thoughtfully, then nodded.

"Just don't strain yourself too much. Take it easy, and come back here for some poppy seeds if anything hurts. Come back once a day so I can just check your wounds."

Dreamsea nodded in understanding and padded out of the den, lightly brushing past Jetblaze.

::---::

Jetblaze sighed as Dreamsea walked past him. He waited a few moments, before also padding out of the sharp smelling den. He looked in the Warriors Den to find Dreamsea sleeping. He closed his eyes, and opened them again before padding out into the forest. She will never like me... so why do I keep trying? What am I doing wrong!? He closed his eyes tightly, and shook his head. It's hopeless. He snarled, and just lay down in some long waving grass. Jetblaze rested his head on his paws, and sighed. No one would be able to see him. The grass was by the lake, but very long. He closed his eyes. Hopeless...