#meadowclan

The higher ups of MeadowClan :D

character descriptions under the cut

But this time it’s more of a gift for a newly made friend since we’ve been talking a bit more lately! @alcihanson <3

The tide had only just begun to retreat when Nettlestar's call echoed across camp. Warm sunlight shimmered over the wet sand, and the scent of salt drifted through the dens as cats emerged from every corner of camp. Saltkit sat alone for a moment, his usual companion nowhere at his side.. He sat up taller to look for his father, Tidebreaker. The larger and much older tom walked slowly from a shaded part across camp and to the clearing, his usually stern gaze softening as he looked over his kit.

‘’Saltkit? Where is your brother?’’ Tidebreaker’s gruff voice mumbled to the tiny kit, his gaze breaking to sweep over the clearing.

Saltkit jolted when he noticed Fishkit was not at his flank. He whipped his head around until a sharp twinge ran through his neck. Saltkit then noticed the silver kit bounding forward, a grin plastered on the giggling kit.

‘’Sorry! There was a delicious piece of fish I just couldn’t pass up!’’ Fishkit slid to a halt, taking place beside Saltkit.

‘’Even for your apprentice ceremony?’’ Tidebreaker teased, curling his tail around his kits.

Fishkit gasped dramatically, opening his mouth to retort before Saltkit shoved a paw into the others maw to silence him as Nettlestar cleared her throat to speak.

Saltkit tried to pay attention, especially since this was practically the second most important thing in his life! The ringing grew louder and louder until he could barely focus on Nettlestar's words to the point his thoughts drifted so far that Tidebreaker had to gently nudge him toward the front.

Saltkit stumbled forward, knocking into Fishkit, which resulted in a ‘hey!’ followed by a playful hiss. The grey kit felt his cheeks growing hotter from embarrassment before he sat down, curling his tails over his paws as he looked up at Nettlestar.

The black tom stared at the two cats below him with his piercing sea-green eyes. Nettlestar assessed the two before glancing at the sturdy-brown she cat at his side, Poolstep, before turning back to the two kits. Saltkit gulped hard, perking his ears to hear Nettlestar’s voice better.

‘’Fishkit and Saltkit have reached the ages of six moons and are now to earn their apprentice names.’’ Nettlestar started, his body relaxing as he addressed the two. ‘’Fishkit, you will be known as Fishpaw, and Saltkit, you will be known as Saltpaw until you two earned your warrior name.’’

Saltkit, now Saltpaw, held his breath as he glanced at his brother beside him, who was practically vibrating in excitement. A few murmurs spread across the clearing of who would be whos apprentice, but one voice rang over the others.

‘’Saltpaw,’’ the voice echoed into his ear, sounding like the waves crashing along the beach.

Saltpaw jumped at the voice, turning his head to fully look at Fishpaw, who looked unbothered by the voice, as if he didn’t hear it. Saltpaw frowned slightly but looked back up at Nettlestar, awaiting who would be his mentor.

‘’Coralstrike, you will mentor Fishpaw. I trust that you will teach this young cat your courage and patience you have out on the beaches,’’ Nettlestar purred, watching as a reddish-brown she cat stood up.

Coralstrike pushed forward, tail lifted high as she grinned at Fishpaw, the two touching noses as mentor and apprentice always did when appointed to each other.

‘’Now, Quietbrook, you will mentor Saltpaw. I trust you will teach him the speed and strength you have brought to the clan,’’ Nettlestar spoke, nodding to a white calico she cat.

Saltpaw remembered watching Quietbrook stumble back into camp after completing her First Tide only a few moons ago. She had looked exhausted, seaweed tangled through her white-and-calico fur, but she'd worn the proudest smile he'd ever seen. Saltpaw grinned awkwardly at the she, touching noses with her carefully.

The meeting went on with ease and was soon dismissed. Cheers rang out, but then that voice echoed in Saltpaw’s ears again.

‘’We need you, Saltpaw.’’

Saltpaw’s fur bristled before being smoothed down by Quietbrook, who had not yet moved.

‘’Don’t worry. I may be a new warrior, but I’ll take care of you,’’ Quietbrook purred.

‘’Oh, no, it’s not that… Just… never mind,’’ Saltpaw frowned.

Quietbrook blinked but nodded, rising to her mitts. ‘’We will begin training tomorrow. I’ll see you around.’’

Saltpaw watched Quietbrook leave before watching Tidebreaker approach him, Fishpaw at his heels. When did he get to their father?

‘’That was a beautiful ceremony. I hate that your mother was unable to see it,’’ Tidebreaker’s voice turned more solemn.

Saltpaw frowned at his fathers words. He remembered his mother in broken memories before she passed. Saltpaw had barely opened his eyes before she was ripped from the living world from a flood.

‘’Don’t worry! She’s watching us from Starclan!’’ Fishpaw chirped, tail flicking behind him.

Saltpaw watched as his brother and father talked before his ears began to ring again, the voice whispering in his ears. Saltpaw felt himself growing more annoyed with the voice. What was it, what did it want from him, why him, and why did it need his help?

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Meadowclan stimboard!! :D