Archive of Our Own ^beta

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Rusty was just a kit when he was given to his twolegs, who where teens at the time. At first everything was great! Rusty got his name, he got lovely twolegs who loved him and spoiled him with toys and treats. Things changed when his twolegs started going away for long periods of time.

Every time they came back they would spoil Rusty with affection and apologies. But soon they started coming back less and less, until eventually they never returned. The twoleg Rusty was left with never really liked Rusty, she used to just ignore him when he first joined their household.

But when her kids left, she couldn't just get rid of him or they would get upset with her. She did the bare minimum when they left for college in hopes that when they graduate they would take him. However the unimaginable happened…

The funeral was a quick endeavor. A once bright house filled with life, suddenly felt so cold. That damn cat was starring at her again. He won't stop. Just Stop. Stop it. Stop. STOP.

…

Rusty was curled up against the fence, he wanted so badly to jump up and look over at the forest. But his leg hurt, he wasn't able to land evenly this time when she threw him. Rusty sighed as his leg continued to ache. He just hoped the pain wont last long. Eventually he was able to ignore the pain and fall into restless sleep.

It was very dark. Rusty could sense something was near. The young tomcat’s eyes opened wide as he scanned the dense undergrowth. This place was unfamiliar, but the strange scents drew him onward, deeper into the shadows.

His stomach growled, reminding him of his hunger. He opened his jaws slightly to let the warm smells of the forest (the forest? how am I here?) reach the scent glands on the roof of his mouth. Musty odors of leaf mold mingled with the tempting aroma of a small furry creature. Suddenly a flash of gray raced past him.

Rusty stopped still, listening. It was hiding in the leaves less than two tail-lengths away. Rusty knew it was a mouse (why did he know that?) he could feel the rapid pulsing of a tiny heart deep within his ear fur.

He swallowed, stifling his rumbling stomach. Soon his hunger would be satisfied (could it?). Slowly he lowered his body into position, crouching for the attack. He was downwind of the mouse. He knew it was not aware of him. With one final check on his prey’s position, Rusty pushed back hard on his haunches and sprang, kicking up leaves on the forest floor as he rose.

Darkness swallowed him once more as his claws extended towards the mouse.

Rusty woke up to his stomach growling at him. He sighed looking at the door to her den, knowing it won't open for some time.

Rusty stumbled onto his feet, careful with his leg that was hurting. He looked at the door one more time before he positioned himself to leap up the fence (what if I miss?). Taking a deep breathe Rusty took the leap, stumbling slightly with his landing. Thankfully his nap seem to have help his leg so the jump wasn't to painful.

The sun's light peaked over the forest, Rusty smiled. He felt at peace here, looking over the forest feeling the light hit is pelt (Never warmed him. Why can't he feel it's warmth?) as the forest seemed to become alive once more for the new day.

Ears twitched as he heard movement not far from him. Rusty turned to see Smudge leaving his den. Smudge was his neighbor but they never talked (no one does, not with him at least). Smudge seems to be going to Henry's again. Rusty looked back at the forest once again.

What if Pine was lying? (He wouldn't do that! right?) What if there were no clans, no cats with nine lives, or cats in the stars watching over them? Does it even matter?

It's not like Rusty would be welcomed (is he ever?).

But if there are no clans, does that mean it would be safe to go out into the forest? (Is it ever safe?) Rusty felt his paw start to move forward as if pulled by the forest. Maybe I can follow my dream self's path, catch a mouse. Maybe then my stomach will be filled (for once).

Before he could second guess himself, Rusty jumped forward ignoring his hurt paw and walked out to the forest edge.

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Rusty wasn't far into the forest when he saw the movement of a tiny creature. He watched it scuttle under some brambles. He did his best to copy his movements in his past dreams.

Crouching low he slowly stalked forward, instinct pulling him forward. Rusty could clearly see the creature now, it was a mouse. The mouse was sitting up among the barbed branches, nibbling on a large seed held between it's tiny paws.

Rusty prepared himself to launch, ignoring the pain in his paw, letting hunger drive him. His heart raced in anticipation, as he was about to leap the sudden noise of cracking twigs and crunching leaves made him jump. (Please don't be her, please I'll be good) The mouse ran away at the sound, but Rusty couldn't bring himself to care as his eyes darted around looking for the source.

He could see the white tip of a red bushy tail trailing through a clump of tall ferns up ahead. It did not seem to be a cat or dog, but as he sniffed the air the strange scent gave the impression that it was a meat eater.

The relief Rusty felt was intoxicating as he realized it was not a two leg, however now curiosity took over. He wanted a better look.

As Rusty prowled forward, another noise caught his attention. His ears flicked as he caught the sound of pawsteps, coming from behind him. He did his best to pretend that he did not hear the noise and kept looking forward at the red fur ahead.

Only when the sound became loud and fast approaching did Rusty feel like he could not pretend to ignore it anymore.

Rusty turned fast as the creature lunged as him, he tried to intercept the hit but the creature was heavy and the pain in his paw exploded. Rusty was thrown back into a clump a nettles, he gritted his teeth as pain continued to overcome his senses. The creature was on him, spiked teeth pricking at his neck. Rusty pushed past the pain and squirmed in hope to free himself. The creature however had strong jaws and was not letting go.

Thinking fast Rusty flipped over onto his back, he knows how dangerous it is to expose his belly but hes dead anyway if he does nothing.

He was lucky, the ploy worked. He heard the breath of the creature bellow him leave it's body. Thrashing with all his might, Rusty was able to free himself. For once he was able to get a good look at the creature.

It was a cat, bigger than him but most likely not much older. It was a tom with thick shaggy gray fur, and a strong build. The tom was getting up. For a second Rusty concedered running, but he knew even if he got back to the fence, he would not be able to make the jump. All that would do is waste his energy. No Rusty had to take a stand and hope to chace the cat off, or at least hope the tom will spare him.

Making his decision Rusty got into a low crouch ready to intercept an attack. The tom had gotten up and… was just staring at him?

The tom tilted his head as if confused before gathering him self out of the nettles, settling just outside of it. Rusty refused to let his guard down. (This is a trick, he's waiting for me to let my guard down so it's an easier kill)

“Hi there, kittypet!” meowed the gray tom cheerily. “You put up quite a fight for a tame kitty!”

Rusty was tempted to fight anyway, but then his body decided now was a good time to remind him of his injuries. Gritting his teeth, he knew he couldn't show this weakness to the tom. Growling he said "And I'll fight you again if I have to."

The gray tom stared for a second " you look like you'll fall over any second now, what's a Kittypet like you doing out in the woods anyway? Don't you know it's dangerous? I'm Grapaw, by the way" Graypaw, apparently, looked proud as he said the last bit. " I'm training to be a Thunderclan warrior!"

Rusty remained silent, but he felt himself relax a bit. Thunderclan, it was one of the four clans Pine told him about. Still he refused to look away from Graypaw, not wanting to let his guard down fully.

"Oh don't worry, I don't believe it's worth hurting a kittypet like you anyway. It's obvious your not a danger to our clan with how skinny you are. If it wasn't for your collar and scent I would've thought you to be a rogue." A look of confusion crossed Graypaw's face "Hey wait why are you so skinny? Kittypets are meant to be plump and lazy. At least that's what I've been told. Your actually the first kittypet I have ever met. Are you a kittypet? You are right? I can't imagine a cat willingly putting on a collar or smelling like twolegs, unless they are a kittypet."

Graypaw continued to ramble as Rusty just stared in disbelief. This was the cat that attacked him so furiously just moments ago? Rusty half listened as the tom continued his rambling, started talking about other clans stealing prey and something about a sunning rock? Rusty used the time to look over himself, his paw from earlier still hurts and will make it hard for him to run, much less jump the fence. Otherwise its mostly just shallow scratches.

Graypaw suddenly stopped talking, sniffing the air he whispered "you should go, I smell cats from my clan. They won't be pleased to see you in our territory"

Rusty looked around trying to see the cats Graypaw was talking about, but he could not see or smell any other cats than them. Rusty rose from his crouch, ignoring the pain, he got ready to run. However before he had the chance a voice came from behind him.

"What's going on here?"

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Rusty stared as a large gray she-cat walks out from the undergrowth. White hairs streaked her muzzle, and an ugly scar parted the fur across her shoulders.

"Bluestar!" Graypaw yelled out from beside Rusty (when did he get so close? how did I not notice…) Graypaw's ears pinned back as another cat stepped from the undergrowth, a golden tabby larger than the she cat with a bigger build too.

"You shouldn't be so near the Twolegplace, Graypaw!" The tabby growled angrily with narrowed green eyes that bore into Graypaw.

"I know Lionheart, I'm sorry." (Do all forest cats have weird names like these?) Graypaw was looking down at his paws in shame. (What no, this is my fault. He probably would be so close to my home if he wasn't trying to fight me! It's my Fault! Mine, why won't you say that? Why?!)

"Who is this?"

Rusty was startled by the she-cat's (Bluestar?) voice, as he was distracted by his internal panic. Rusty tried to contain a flinch as he looked into her piercing eyes.

Seems he failed since her eyes seem to soften momentarily at his reaction.

"He's no threat" Graypaw mewed quickly, seemingly unaware of their exchange. "He's just a kittypet."

Lionheart turned his attention to Rusty, "Doesn't look like a kittypet to me. Much to skinny."

Rusty bristled as a sudden sense of anger washed over him. He doesn't know why but he felt insulted by that statement. (He isn't wrong though is he? He is skinny and hunger has become a far to familiar feeling.) Rusty glared at Lionheart but couldn't get words out to defend himself. (What is there to defend?)

Bluestar just continued to stare at the small kit in front of her. Lionheart was right, if it wasn't for the collar one would mistake the kit for a rouge. The smell of twolegs was faint on him, and seem to only come from his collar…

Graypaw, seemingly oblivious (Is he always like this?) to what his clanmates are getting to, whispered to Rusty "This is Bluestar, she's the leader of my clan. And Lionheart he's my mentor and a valued warrior of the clan"

"Thank you for the introduction, Graypaw" Lionheart meowed coolly.

"You have the mark of a kittypet, yet you hold yourself like a rouge." Bluestar continued to stare at Rusty, as he stiffened at being called out. "Which one are you? Truly?"

"I'm a kittypet" Rusty growled, "I have a twoleg"

Bluestar's eyes narrowed, "Yet the stink of one is faint on you. And you look like a rouge in the middle of leaf bare."

Rusty didn't respond, his ears flattened as he looked at his paws. Graypaw looked at Rusty with concern, now noticing how bad Rusty really looked.

"I think we can hold off the interrogation until we at least know the kit's name" Lionheart meowed stepping forward carefully as if trying to be gentle despite his big frame. "If your willing to share, may we know your name?"

(Why do you care? Why are you asking? Why are you being so gentle? I trespassed, I hunted on your land, I got your apprentice to do something he shouldn't have. Why? WHY?) Rusty blinked back into reality as he saw his claws were digging into the ground below. Focusing back to what was asked (Just do as I'm told, it hurts less) he said, "My name is Rusty"

Rusty looked up to see Lionheart looking at him gently (why…). Graypaw was still looking at him with concern, but Bluestar had an unreadable expression on her face.

Lionheart looked like he was about to say something, but Bluestar stopped him by laying her tail on his shoulder while walking closer. "Hello Rusty, I must admit, I've been watching you for some time now." Rusty tensed at that, looking at Bluestar with wide eyes. He wasn't the only one though. Lionheart looked surprised and confused.

"What? Why? W-Where?" The words stumbled out of Rusty as he tried to recall seeing a cat like her.

Bluestar's whiskers twitched in amusement as she answered, "I saw you out on the fence staring out into the forest, at first I thought nothing of it as most kittypets were to scared to venture out past that. But as time went on I couldn't help but come back wondering if one day you would have the courage to take that leap. It seems like today was that day."

Rusty continued to stare at her in amazement, not once did he ever see a cat in the forest, he felt no eyes looking at him. Yet here she is, admitting to be looking out for him, Him! Pine is a great friend but in his old age he couldn't do much other than be there for Rusty when Rusty was able to visit. Maybe it's a stretch to think this but she's the first cat outside of Pine to ever think about him, outside of a passing thought. (The unlucky kit, many cats would call me. Not to me, never to me. But whisper it to each other as I pass. Doubt they think of me when I'm not interrupting their day when I'm locked out.)

Bluestar continued, in hopes to get the kit out of his own head. "You seem to have a natural hunting ability, you would have caught that mouse if you weren't interrupted."

Rusty startled at that, "R-really?"

Lionheart nodded, understanding what Bluestar was getting at. "You have sharp eyes, with training you could become a valuable hunter."

Graypaw's eyes widened surprised at what his mentor is hinting at.

"Indeed, typical kittypets wouldn't understand but we hunt to survive here. The forest may seem plentiful when looked at by cats who've never lived here, but we are only one of the four clans that live out here. We have to guard our territory from not just the other clan's but from other outsiders or more dangerous creatures like foxes and dogs."

"Is your clan big?" Rusty asked getting a bit more comfortable once he realized that they really weren't going to hurt him.

Bluestar smiled "Big enough, our territory supports us but there isn't prey left over ."

"Do you all live and share prey together?" Rusty asked as hope surged within him. Was Pine right?

Lionheart and Bluestar shared a look with each other as if having come to the same decision.

Bluestar turned her gaze back to Rusty, "Perhaps you should find out these things for yourself. Would you like to join Thunderclan?"

Rusty stared at Bluestar in shock, to shocked to speak.

Bluestar went on, "If you did, you would train along side Graypaw here to become a warrior of Thunderclan. You will learn to hunt and to fight for your clan."

"But he is a kittypet, or at least was!" Graypaw blurted out "He has no warrior blood!"

A sad look clouded Bluestar's eyes. "Warrior blood," she echoed "too much of that has been spilled lately"

Bluestar fell silent and Lionheart meowed. "We are offering you only training, young Rusty. There is no guarantee you would become a full warrior. It may prove difficult for you, there will be no guarantee of easy food or warmth. In leaf bare, nights in the forest can be cruel. The clan will demand great loyalty and hard work from you. You will be expected to protect the clan with your life if necessary. And there are many mouths to feed. But the rewards are great, you will learn to be a real cat. The strength and the fellowship of the clan will always be with you, even when you hunt alone."

Rusty stared at Lionheart with amazement. Clan life sounded just like Pine described it. He cared little for the potential hardship (Do I not already endure enough of it already?), the promise of fellowship and perhaps the warmth he has been looking for is right there.

Bluestar and Lionheart shared another look between themselves. Bluestar looked over the small kit in front of her. "Perhaps you need to time to think, come back to camp with us and we will have our medicine cat look over your injuries, especially that leg of yours. You can spend the night and in the morning you can give me your decision."

Rusty hesitated. He knows if he went back to his twoleg she most likely will still not let me back in. And his leg will at least take two days before he would be able to make the jump again. If he did not go with them now, he would never be able to join the clans. (But what about Pine? If I join now would he think I forgot him? or worse…)

Graypaw nudged him gently "Come on Rusty, at least let yourself get looked over and some food. You'll get to see clan life up close! You'll see how amazing it is and will never want to go back!" He puffed is chest out, clearly proud of his clan.

Rusty looked between all three cats as his hesitation slowly melted away. Softly he said "Ok, I'd like to go to your camp if you'll have me."

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Bluestar took the lead as Lionheart and Graypaw took either side of Rusty, in case he needs assistance. Rusty wanted to protest, but he was tired and his leg just felt like it was getting worse.

"Normally it wouldn't take this long to get to camp, but with your leg we seem to be going an easier path to go through" Graypaw whispered to Rusty. (Why would you put so much effert into me? Are they just pittying me? What if once I heal they resend their offer and send me off? What if they find that I'm not the cat they think I am?)

Rusty's worrying was interupted by the other cats stopping. Bluestar had stopped on a rock that rested on the edge of a small ravine.

"We are very close to our camp now," Lionheart said.

Rusty strained his eyes to see any signs off life. When that didn't work he closed them and sniffed. The air smelled of many, many different cats. Rusty started getting nervous, mind spyralling with the posibilities of what the other cats will think of him. (I've never met so many cats before! And all in one place? What if they disagree with Bluestar's decision? I know she's their leader but what if the clan turns on her because of me? Lionheart and Graypaw too!)

Lionheart looked towards Bluestar, "Come, let's get back to camp, or Tigerclaw will think something happened to us" Lionheart purred in amusement, trying to ease Rusty.

Bluestar nodded and took the lead once again down the boulders to the bottom of the ravine, pushing his way through a thick patch of gorse. The other three followed at a slower pace.

Beyond the gorse, a clearing opened up. There were cats everywhere, sitting alone or in groups, sharing food or purring quietly as they groomed one another. Rusty felt a foreign feeling in his chest, unsure where to place it he brushed it off.

Cats turned at the entrance of their leader, when they saw Rusty standing beside Lionheart and Graypaw they started whispering to eachother.

Bluestar ignored all of it and jumped onto a large boulder that lay at the head of the clearing.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting." Bluestar did not raise her voice, yet it carried through the camp easily and catches everyone's attention. Cats emerged from all edges of the camp, coming out of their dens and gathering beneath the Highrock.

"Today Graypaw came across a young cat in need of assistance," Bluestar let her words settle for a moment. A few heads turn towards Rusty at her announcement. "Myself and Lionheart agreed to take this cat with us to get treatment, I ask of you to treat this cat as you would one of our own." Cats murmured to themselves at this. Not often does a leader take in an outsider to be treated.

"Look at that collar! He's a kittypet, why must we waste our herbs on a softpaw like him! Send him back to his twolegs!" A voice yowled from the crowed.

"Doesn't look like a soft kittypet to me, look how skinny he is! Poor kit…" Another voice called out.

"Doesn't smell like twolegs either, maybe he is just a rouge. Can't be easy to remove that collar with how tight it is on him."

Rusty ducked his head as people kept talking over him. (Their right, why waste their resources on a cat like him. He isn't worth it.)

Bluestar watched as cats started to notice the state Rusty is in. No matter where a cat comes from one would have to be heartless to turn away a cat in need, especially one that looks like he should still be in the nursery. ** Rusty is 6 moons in this but due to malnurishment he looks smaller than he actually is. **

"I will happily take him to my den to get treated, Bluestar" A dark tortoishell and white she-cat called from just outside a den. (Her den?)

Bluestar nodded in thanks. "Then it's decided, Rusty here will stay with Spottedleaf until he is healed enough. Further discotion on his stay will wait until he is healed to Spottedleaf's liking. Clan dismissed." (Further discusion? Did she already want to back out on her offer? Did she already realize how worthless I am…)

Few cats dispersed as Bluestar jumped down from the boulder. Most cats however stayed in the middle of the clearing looking at the strange cat and murmmering to eachother. Rusty didn't like the attention still being on him and looked towards Graypaw for help.

Before Graypaw could say or do anything however, Spottedleaf and Bluestar stopped right in front of him.

"Rusty, this is Spottedleaf our medicine cat. She looks over all the cats in our clan, insuring their health and wellbeing." Bluestar meowed nodding at the torteshell she-cat.

"O-oh nice to meet you, Spottedleaf." Rusty stuttered, as he kept from looking into her eyes.

Spottedleaf smiled kindly. "It's a pleasure to meet you Rusty, come I'll show you where you will be staying."

Rusty nodded and slowly followed Spottedleaf over to the den that she was at earlier.

Cats eyes were still on him as he walked, Rusty kept his gaze low. (I doubt I'll be here long no point in trying to get to know them. They probably don't want to know more about me anyway.)

Spottedleaf lead the way into her den, looking around Rusty saw a few plants organized in a area. Along with a few patches of moss which assumes is for people to sleep. (Most likely for Injured cats like me so she could watch them. It's smart to keep them here, I wonder if they do the same for the sick or have them more contained to keep the sick from spreading. What happens if a medicine cat gets sick or injured? Who take care of them? Do they take care of themselves or do they have to direct another cat in how to care for them? Seems sad to me, always taking care of others but who takes care of you?) Rusty couldn't help but pity the life of a medicine cat.

"I can feel you thinking hard over there." Spottedleaf purred in amusement. "If you have any questions feel free to ask, I'm sure this is very different to the life you had before."

Rusty hesitated for a moment thinking about asking some of his questions, but decided not to. (I won't be around long enough for it to matter anyway.)

Spottedleaf watched as the young cat let his doubts take over. She saw how he looked around the den in wonder, seems like he didn't even notice. "Well I hope you don't mind but it can get a bit lonely in here when theres no cats to take care of, so if you willing to listen I'd love to talk about the clans to you. Maybe it'll help ease your stay a bit if you know more about us."

Rusty settled into one of the moss nest as Spottedleaf start checking him over. "I don't know how much you've already been told, especially since Graypaw has a tendency to ramble. Hopefully he calms down before his first gathering" Spottedleaf Sighed. " I'll just start from the begining. There are four clans in this forest, Thunderclan which is us, Shadowclan who resides in the moors, Riverclan who lives past the river west of us, and Windclan that lives in the moors up north."

Rusty tried to look amazed, but he already knew this stuff thanks to Pine. Spottedleaf noticed however.

"Oh seems like Graypaw already told you this much. You don't have to fake it for my sake, if you already know something i'd rather skip to the parts you don't know so I'm not boring you to death" Spottedleaf purred hoping to lighten the young cats spirit. (Please stop putting so much effert into me, I'm not worth it sooner or later you will realize that.)

Spottedleaf went on to tell the story of how the clans came to be, while Rusty already knew the majority of the story thanks to Pine, it was enjoyable to hear it from the perspective of a Medicine cat. As Spottedleaf was telling the story, she was also checking Rusty over before instructing him to rest keeping pressure off his bad leg as much as he could.

Rusty closed his eyes, hoping that he can get as much rest as he can before he eventually gets pushed away.

Unknown to him five cats went to sleep thinking about the young cat resting in the Medicine cat den.