Flame of the wind, A Fanfiction

Chapter one

I originally published this on Fanfiction and then I decided why not publish it here? 


I do not own warriors.


"Mudclaw's forces are gaining on us," Onewhisker meowed desperately as he clawed his way past one of his enemies. Flameclaw charged into the side of a traitor, before quickly clenching said cat's ear and jerking so hard it was a wonder she didn't either pull a tooth out or tear her former clanmate's ear off. Gazing at her leader, she let out a growl. "Why can't we just have a leader and get on with it? Can't these idiots realize this is only making things worse?" She panted.


"I wish we could," Onewhisker retorted while slashing at Tornear. "But it seems like that is not going to be the case." He then tripped on his paws, causing Flameclaw to rush over.


Now would be a good chance to kill him. Flameclaw shook the voice from her ears, and managed to drive off the cats mauling her leader. Get out of my head, Tigerstar, she thought in anger, barely avoiding slashing an enemies neck.


Taking time to glance around, she noticed how most of Mudclaw's supporters where in a deadlock with Onewhisker's, and she wasn't too thrilled. In fact, if she could, she would have actually considered joining Thunderclan instead of this senseless infighting, only her warrior's oath and desire for Onewhisker's plan for Windclan causing her to actually take a side.


Onewhisker gazed up at her, his eyes clouding, "I'm sorry, you did your best, but," Flameclaw gasped as her leader coughed up some blood. "It's your choice now, flee or fight, either way I won't blame you." He then looked up at the stars. "I say these words, so that Starclam may approve of my choice." He paused, before continuing. Flameclaw shall be the new deputy of Windclan!"


Gasp where heard throughout the camp, but Flameclaw didn't waste any time. "For Onestar!" She yelled, continuing the fight, and her fellow warriors quickly followed, using the momentary shock to gain the initiative over their enemies.


Flameclaw found herself circling Mudclaw before long, most of his warriors now fleeing. "You think you are leader, now don't you?" Mudclaw growled.


"You started this unjust war, plunged Windclan into chaos, and now I'm going to put you down, and restore the peace," Flameclaw retorted, before tackling the former deputy. Huh, a battle between Deputies of the same clan, this will make an interesting tale won't it? Shaking her head from the thoughts, she japed at Mudcaw's face, knocking out his right eye. Blood sprayed on the ground, but Flameclaw didn't stop. She slashed mercilessly, not noticing how bloody her claw got as she racked over Mudclaw's bleeding eye, agitating the wound even farther.


"Flameclaw, that's enough!" The dark red she cat paused, glaring at the tom, before flinching at the damage she'd cause. "Mudclaw," she whispered, not knowing what to say.


"No, you've won this battle," Mudclaw conceded. "All cat's stop fighting!" His command had an instant effect, gasp and some cats let out cries of shock.


"Barkface, can you save him?" Flameclaw asked gently as he padded up.


Barkface shook his head. "His life, maybe. But he will have to retire early," He grimaced, before guiding the injured tom to the medicine cat's den. She watched desperately as he passed, hating herself now for nearly killing a clanmate.

Moringflower sat down beside her. "So you are the new leader now?" She asked.


"I...I'm not sure." The flame colored cat admitted. "Even though Onestar named me deputy before he died and Mudclaw did concede... but," She then looked away. "I'm not sure I'm worthy to lead."


"Neither did Onewhisker," Morningflower pointed out. "We could all tell how nervous he was at first. But when he named you deputy, he must have had a reason. Besides, had you not fought your hardest, you might have been in Mudclaw's place now, or worse, dead."


Although in a way Flameclaw wished she was dead at the moment, she could not argue with the elder's words. "I'd better check on him." she mummered. "Thank you though," she added quietly before making her way into the medicine cat's den.

"Flamestar," Mudclaw whispered, trying to get up. "Stay down Mudclaw, I don't want you injured anymore than you are." Any who's fault is that, Flameclaw? She asked herself.


Sitting down, the tom let out a sigh. "I don't care what happens to me, but..." He paused and look at her, his expression filled with worry. "What will happen to my supporters?" He asked hesitantly.


Flameclaw licked his ear gently. "You needn't worry a thing. They can stay in Windclan or leave if they want, but I'll do what I can to help heal the rift caused by the battle. As for you, you'll always have a place in Windclan." She reassured him soothingly.

"I... I don't deserve such kindness, but I thank you, Flamestar." Mudclaw whispered, before falling asleep.

Barkface patted in. "He'll heal, perhaps good enough to go back to the warrior's den. However, he might have difficulty." He reported, his last bit sounding like a warning.


Looking away in shame, Flameclaw then gave a nod of determination. "I'll keep an eye on him." She promised.

Barkface glanced at her briefly, before sighing. "Are you hurting?" He asked quietly.


Flameclaw shook her head. "No, a slight sting, but that is it."

"Then we should make for the Moonpool."


That made her slightly nervous, but she pushed down her fright. "Alright, but let me address the clan first." She requested, padding out as he began to look Mudclaw over one last time.


"Let all cat's old enough to catch their own prey join here for a clan meeting," She called, watching in silence as the clan gathered. "As you know, before he died, Onewhisker named me clan deputy. With Mudclaw conceding the fight, I will now travel to the newly discovered Moonpool to receive my nine lives."


She let the cat quiet down before continuing. "Before that, I'd like to say that Mudclaw and his supporters will be allowed to stay in Windclan, if they wish. However, if they feel like they belong elsewhere, then I with them no ill will over that decision. Those who wish to stay must be made to feel welcome."


The new leader took a breath. "Finally, I'd like for us to spend some time with our fallen comrades one last time. Needless to say I won't be here for the full vigil, but I would like for the clan to say goodbye to the fallen while I'm gone." She then bounded down from the hill and gently touched Onewhisker's shoulder. "I'll do my best to lead Windclan on the right track," She promised.


She stayed there for a brief moment longer, before rising up and turning to Barkface. "Okay, I'm ready," she meowed determinedly.


Leading the way, Flameclaw had a lot of worries about leading the clan, but she knew that she enjoyed the challenge it brought. She also knew that she could handle it, as long as she sat her mind to it.


The trek to the Moonpool was much shorter than she expected, and she sat down quietly, remembering what Barkface had told her about the ceremony. Closing her eyes, she mentally shook with anticipation as she awaited her ancestors.

Waking up in a field of stars, she found herself surrounded by many many cats. "Are you ready to receive your nine lives?" they asked, their voices ringing in an odd singular chorus, but each voice lending strength to the next to make the question sound more awe-inspiring and powerful.


Nodding, Flameclaw cleared her voice. "I am ready," she affirmed, feeling a wave of confidence flood through her.

A small cat, not more than ten moons old was the first to approach. "Trackpaw?" she breathed sadly, feeling guilt about the events that transpired to his death.


However, his eyes where filled with understanding and forgiveness. "It's not your fault Flameclaw, had you tried to rescue me, you would have died as well. So with this life I give you understanding, use it well to see the bigger picture when things seem confusing."


Flameclaw's eyes widened as a certain wisdom coursed through her, and she was left struggling for air as she felt Trackpaw's nose disengage from hers. "Don't go," she begged softly.


He shook his tiny head. "I'm afraid I have to, but we will see each other again," he whispered before taking his place among the other cats.


Next came a cat she never thought she'd see. "Hello Flameclaw, you may not remember me, but my name is Slatepaw. You rescue me when shadow-clan's territory was being ripped apart, and even though I never made it past apprenticeship, I remember your bravery and am thankful of it. With this life I give you peace of mind, so you may be comforted when times are rough.


This life was much more gentle, but calming and soothing at the same time. Flameclaw had to resist the urge to purr, and she settled for a slight smile as Slatepaw left to join her ancestors.


"Father?" she asked as Blackstrom patted up to her. "Hello my daughter, I could not be more proud of you."

"Thank... thank you father," she whispered.


"With this life I give you love, use it well especially for your mate when the time comes. "
This life was comforting to her, much like her peace of mind, and she drank in all the felling of her father's love. "Thank you father," she whispered, ad another car took his place.


"Hello sister," A black and white tom purred. "With this life, I give you courage, use it when you feel frightened.

Strength coursed through her body, as she resolved to do what needed to be done even at the cost of her own life. Is this what you felt, Runningpaw? She ask silently remembering when he had sacrificed himself to save four kits from a badger.


Cat after cat gave her her nine lives, and finally Tallstar approached. "You where not the cat I had originally chosen, but you have proven yourself more than a capable leader. With this life I give you certainty, nobility and faith. Use them well."

"Your old life is no more he hail you by your new name, Flamestar!"


As cheering erupted through the land of the ancestors, Flamestar closed her eyes, before waking up beside the moonpool. "Did you receive your name and nine lives?" Barkface asked, and Flamestar nodded.


"Very well then, let us depart, the clan will be waiting for us," he mummered. As she traveled back, she couldn't help but wonder if her leadership would go well. "I certainly hope everything goes alright," she whispered to herself.


The shandy dip which Windclan made their home was surrounded by growing bushes, something they'd transplanted and said bushes where now growing, though it'd be some time before they would offer the best protection. Swallowing her nervousness, the flame she cat shouldered her way into the entrance, and purred lightly as many of the cats lined up around the high-hill, Mudclaw among them.


"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the high-hill for a clan meeting," she called out, though almost all of the cats where already there. "For starters, I have received my leader name and nine lives from Starclan," Cheers erupted from the cats, even Mudclaw himself cheered, and his supporters quickly followed suit.

Waiting for the cheering to die down, she then gazed at the moon. "I say these words before starclan, that they may approve of my choice. Talonstrike shall be the new deputy of Windclan."


Nods of approval and congratulations where meowed, while Talonstrike dipped his head. "Flamestar, I never thought I'd receive this honor, and I will do everything I can to make Windclan strong again." The red she cat was pleased he had accepted, he had been her mentor after all, and even though he was getting older, he had a good head on his shoulder.


"Finally, I'd like to send a patrol out to the Thunderclan and Riverclan borders. No since in showing our weakness. I'll lead the Riverclan border, Talonstrike, can you chose the Thunderclan border?"


Nodding he leaped down and began assigning patrols, and Flamestar chose Crowfeather and Owlpaw to accompany her, and they set out to see what the territory held for them today.