Blazesong had traveled a far ways from her home. Not a home. Not anymore. They exiled me. The reminder stung deep in her heart, as though she had flung her soul into a thick pile of nettles. She was exiled, forgotten, disgraced. Not even her own mother would accept her anymore. She choked back a sob when she imagined what her life could have been like in her old clan. She easily could’ve become deputy, clan leader, had kits, even. Her entire future had been stolen from her with one measly flick of a claw. Exhausted, parched, and starved, Blazesong almost resigned herself to dying on this dry ground, surrounded by dead trees and following the futile rising sun. It was just as she was ready to lay down her weary paws, and give up her spirit to Starclan, when she saw the oasis. Suddenly filled with exuberance, she dashed towards the small land-bridge, bounding happily onto the island. It looked like an paradise, a gift sent directly from her warrior ancestors. Sending up a small prayer to Starclan, Blazesong, weary and tired, but safely present in the island oasis, flopped down into a nearby patch of ferns. Comforted by the gentle breeze and their soft stems against her pelt, she quickly fell asleep.
***
Blazesong awoke to two large amber eyes staring directly into her face. She quickly jumped back, hissing and spitting, before she realized the cat staring at her was no bigger than an apprentice. She let her fur lay flat, slightly, but still kept up her guard. “What were you doing?” she snarled. The tiny cat seemed to pay no mind to Blazesong’s bad attitude. She simply stared up at her, eyes gleaming, tail straight up in the air. “Who are you?” she asked innocently. Blazesong was perplexed. “I’m—“ she hesitated. If she could gain this tiny cat’s trust, maybe she could start her own clan. It was a longshot, but she decided to try it out. “Blazestar.” She couldn’t help but feel like her warrior ancestors were frowning at her from silverpelt. Fur bristling, she sent up a tiny apology. If this works, I swear I’ll come get my nine lives as soon as possible, okay? Just trust me for a bit. The cat didn’t seem to know the significance of the name. “That’s weird,” she commented off-hand, before swiping a paw over her ear. “I’m Leaf.” “Leaf?” “Your name is Blazestar, and you’re questioning Leaf as a name?” Blazesong’s pelt bristled. “That’s no way to speak to a—“ she began to scold the tiny cat, before realizing she held no power here. Not yet, anyway. If she wanted to gain the kit’s trust, she’d have to be kind. She forced her fur to lie flat, and attempted to start conversation. “Sorry. Are you the only one who lives here?” “I’m one of a few. I don’t really pay much attention to them.” Blazesong shifted uncomfortably. Were other eyes watching her? Would they know the warrior code? Would they know she wasn’t a leader? She tried to force the uncomfortable thoughts from her mind. “Where’s your mother?” “She died.” Leaf mentioned this, almost in a matter-of-fact way, so much so that it caught Blazesong off-guard. “I’m—sorry,” she stuttered, unsure of what to say. “Do you have anyone with you?” Leaf shook her head, but seemed truly unbothered by the fact. She simply seemed curious about who the new cat on her island was, but didn’t seem to want a friend. This is going to be harder than I thought. Blazesong thought, before changing gears. “Does it get lonely, here, ever?” This seemed to get to Leaf. She shrugged. “I mean, it can. Sometimes I talk to the birds, but I don’t think they can really hear me.” Blazesong stifled a laugh. “They probably appreciate hearing your voice rather than feeling your teeth.” Leaf laughed too, a slight, quiet sound. “So,” she began, as her laughter died down, “what did you do to get a name like Blazestar?” A hot shadow of guilt ran over Blazesong. She hoped she wasn’t disrespecting her warrior ancestors by calling herself a leader. “Well,” she began, shifting her weight on her paws, “I can tell you, but it would take me a long time. Are you in for a story?” Leaf nodded happily, settling in comfortably in front of Blazesong. Blazesong laid down too, trusting this tiny cat more and more. “Well, have you ever heard of a warrior?”
***
By the end of the story, Leaf’s pelt was bristling with excitement. “Wow!” she exclaimed. “That sounds awesome! I want to be a warrior too. Can I?” Blazesong smiled. “Well, how old are you?” Leaf puffed out her chest. “12 moons old.” “Well, you can be a warrior soon, but right now, especially since you’re inexperienced with clan ways, I’d probably make you an apprentice. Is that okay?” She thought for a second, and then added: “You could be my apprentice.” She seemed to consider this for a moment, and then nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! So what happens now?” Good question. Blazestar shuffled, trying to recall the specific words of the apprentice ceremony out of the deep recesses of her memory. She began, slowly, unsure, but grew in confidence. “Leaf, you have reached the age of six moons—“Leaf’s pelt fluffed up, and she interrupted. “I’m 12 moons!” “It’s tradition!” Blazesong hissed. Leaf rolled her eyes, but let Blazesong carry on. “And it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as—“ “Wait! Can I pick my name? Pretty please? I don’t wanna be stuck with boring old Leaf anymore.” Blazesong stumbled, unsure. Would Starclan approve? Hoping they would, she nodded. Leaf stuck out her tongue as she thought, a small habit Blazesong found endearing. Suddenly, quick as a bolt of lightning, an idea seemed to hit her. “Maplepaw!” Blazesong smiled approvingly at the small kit. “Your will be known as Maplepaw, and I will be your mentor.” Blazesong then leaned forward to gently rest her chin on Maplepaw’s forehead. Instead, Maplepaw leaned out of the way, nearly allowing her mentor to fall forward. In retaliation, Blazesong hit her softly on the forehead. “Hey,” she scolded, “that’s no way to treat your mentor.” Maplepaw hissed playfully, then, purring, slipped underneath Blazesong’s forehead. “I’m glad your my mentor,” she murmered. She felt a purr rising in her throat. “Me too,” she whispered back. Together, they sat that way, just enjoying the warm green-leaf breeze, mentor and apprentice. Blazesong felt a calling deep in her chest as her longing for her old clan began to diminish. This is your home now.