Night and dawn passed as a muscular tom ran past, leaves rustling. Oak trees flashed by like a hawk, a cat's yowling heard in the distance. The sun had been out for what seemed many sunrises before it finally fell as Sunningwisker was chased out of his clan.
"These cats won't stop for Starclan's sake!" he spat out, panting after he'd run so many tail-lengths of wet ground, closing closer towards the river.
His clan had finally known about his secret; he was half-Stormclan. Which his clan hated half-breed cats, thinking them only as lower animals like mice. He only found out a few moons ago, before his mother joined the Great Stars, but it wasn't a big deal! Many cats had been half-clan in the past, but why was "he" being punished now? Maybe, he thought, his luck had finally run out. It was frightful though, seeing so many of his once-clanmates chase him from his territory, but he knew he had to leave. Sunningwisker continued to pad on towards Puddleclan, his other half. He knew he wouldn't be welcomed right away, but he still would give it a try, like his mother had taught him when he was still a kit.
Sunningwisker wondered what Puddleclan would be like. He already knew they usually had thin, lean, and swift builds, which were very different from his. He looked back, the cats were still in pursuit.
"You won't run forever Sunningwisker, the Great Stars watch!" a blue and grey tom shouted. He already knew it was Willowtail, his litter-mate.
Willowtail was the deputy, and he was fierce. He'd once caught a hawk and an eagle in one patrol! But now he would never share tongues with the tom. Shaking his head, he could hear the river closing in. The river was as loud as a two-leg at the Cutter, cutting down the trees, taking what felt like every prey they had from the territory.
Sunningwisker finally reached the bank of the river, with Leaping Stones not far away.
Sunningwisker ran towards the rocks, looking back every so paw step to check how far his pursuers were. He opened his mouth, trying to scent any patrols. Looking across the river, he could see a patrol of Puddleclan cats on the other side of the stones.
He took his chance, shouting out at them. They turned their heads, wondering why a StormClan cat was shouting at them. Still curious, they ran to Sunningwisker consciously. "What is a Stormclan cat shouting at us for, and this close to the border?" The lead cat meowed.
"My clan is chasing me!"
"Why?" One of the other cats spoke.
Sunningwisker looked at the cat. "I'll tell you later," turning back to the lead cat, "but now I need to get to your clan's camp before they rip me to shreds," he said, panting, trying to take a breath. He stared at the lead cat, waiting for him to speak.
Finally speaking, "Fine. But you'd better tell Ripplestar everything."
Sunningwisker could hear the other cats bite back their protest at the lead cat's reply. He crossed the stones, followed closely as the patrol led him to their camp. While crossing, he could feel his paws begin to sink. "Stubborn Puddleclan," he whispered, gazing at his paws. He wondered if his clan-mates were looking at him, but he didn't want to know; he would start a new path.
The cats pushed through reeds and pine branches seen above as they finally reached the camp. Cats appeared out of their dens, eyes burning with hatred at Sunningwisker. "Mommy," a kit spoke, "Isn't that the enemy?" The kit questioned their mother. He didn't hear the queen's response, but he saw a red & black cat flick their tail in anger.
Looking forward, he saw a gray & white tom appear out of a den that had ferns hanging from it. "Will some cat explain to me why a Stormclan cat is in my camp?" The cat snapped. Looking around, no cat dared to speak. "I am honored to see you are well, Ripplestar," Sunningwisker said, sarcastically, bowing his head to the leader.
Icy-blue eyes glared at him. "Hmm, if it isn't Sunningwisker of Stormclan," he grunted.
"May we speak in private?" Sunningwisker choked out, noticing all eyes were on him.
The leader flicked his tail to him, seeming hesitant, signaling for Sunningwisker to follow. Two cats walked up as the leader flicked his tail. "Guard the entrance, Leapingstone and Reedpelt, let no cat through." The two cats nodded to the leader.
Sunningwisker was led inside, the den smelling of ferns and rosemary.
"Now, what is it?" Ripplestar said as he sat down, curling his tail around his paws.
"M-My clan has found out about my secret," Sunningwisker said silently to the tom as he lowered his head in shame.
"And this secret is what?" Sunningwisker swallowed," I am half-clan", pausing, "to your clan and Stormclan."
The leader looked at him, not saying anything.
"And what comes of you being half-clan? Many other cats have been before."
Sunningwisker was taken back; this cat didn't seem even a little bit resentful of him for being half-clan. He gulped, "You're not angry?" Ripplestar responded, "I am angry, but you are a cat on the outside. Nothing more different than us of every clan." The leader spoke wisely. Sunningwisker licked the fur on his chest, trying to ease his embarrassment. "Since I've been chased out, may I join Puddleclan? I will learn your ways and hunt whenever necessary."
"The-" Ripplestar tried to speak.
"Yes, I know." He interrupted, "The clan will not welcome me right away as they do with their own litter-mates, but I'll try my hardest." "Hmm-" Ripplestar started. "'l'll need to talk it over with my deputy, Stormstripe."
Sunningwisker nodded, feeling relaxed finally.
The two cats stood up, shaking the ferns that clung to their pelts. Walking out, the two cats guarding the entrance moved away. Eyes stared at Ripplestar, then shifted to him. Ripplestar raised his head and looked around, "Where is Stormstripe? I must speak to him." Cats looked around, trying to search the camp for the cat. "I'm here, Ripplestar," said a young and strong-looking grey tom as he walked out into the Clearing of the camp.
"Ah, there you are, Stormstripe. We must speak of something that has come up," the leader meowed as he pointed his tail to Sunningwisker.
The deputy's eyes glared at him for a moment before turning to the leader, nodding. The two cats walked away to a part of the camp. Sunningwisker found himself lost, not knowing what to do with his paws. Many of the cats returned to their dens, but they still watched him with close eyes and ears.