Beyond the Code/Part 1

Chapter Summary
Leafstar's PoV
 * Leafstar sits on a large rock and watches her kits play beneath her, thinking that it feels like an eternity since she was their age. She thinks that Firekit, Stormkit, and Harrykit are the best thing that ever happened to her, even better than becoming the leader of SkyClan, and she sometimes wonders if they are more important. Leafstar watches her little ones play, and part of her hopes that they never have to go into battle. She asks herself what she is thinking and whispers that they are destined to be warriors.


 * A tabby she-cat comes up from behind Leafstar and asks what she was saying. Leafstar turns around, surprised, and tells Clovertail that she was just talking to herself. Clovertail thoughtfully notes that it is hard knowing that they will grow up to fight and be in danger, but that they can't keep them in the nursery forever, and that it is an honor to know that they will serve their Clan one day. Leafstar agrees, and thanks Clovertail for helping her since her kits were born. Clovertail says she is welcome, and looks over at the entrance to the gorge where a tortoiseshell tom comes down with a prey in his mouth. She notes that Sol is fitting in pretty well, and Leafstar thinks that Sol has been a good addition to the Clan, by learning fast about hunting and patrolling the border, and being respectful to the experienced warriors- she wishes that increasing their numbers was always that easy.


 * A young black she-cat and a young light-colored she-cat fun toward Leafstar and Clovertail, and Leafstar thinks that Birdpaw and Honeypaw could use a lesson or two on respect. Clovertail notes that the apprentices don't seem to have enjoyed removing the elder's ticks. Leafstar jokes that she can't imagine why. As the apprentices cross a small stream, Honeypaw hurtfully says that Lichenfur told her she was as clumsy as a turtle. Birdpaw complains that Sol doesn't have to do apprentice tasks, and both young she-cats complain that it is not fair. Leafstar tells them that sol isn't exactly an apprentice, as he is full-grown and has lot s of experience. Honeypaw protests that he should then have a warrior name, and Leafstar assures her that he soon will.


 * Later, Leafstar thinks that it has been very hot lately, and that she doesn't remember the last time it felt that hot for so long. She notes that the fresh-kill is scarce, and sees the pile of fresh-kill getting bad and attracting flies due to the heat. A black she-cat, a ginger-and-white tom, and a white tom are seen resting in the shade of a large rock ledge, while Rockshadea black tom and a ginger-and-white tom watch them, and Leafstar notes that the heat creates a problem, since the daylight-warriors would rather bask in the sun than do anything about the fresh-kill pile, and that even her mate, Billystorm, isn't too enthusiastic about going on another patrol. Billystorm is seen with his eyes closed, sweating. Rockshade mutters the word daylight-warrior, and Billystorm asks Rockshade if he wanted to say something. He replies by asking Billystorm to start pulling his weight around for once, and that the Clan shouldn't go hungry just because their bellies are filled with Kittypet food. Harveymoon angrily offers to not eat anything if it would make them happy, and Bouncefire replies that it would, as Harveymoon eats a lot every day. Harveymoon coldly answers that he didn't realize his eating habits upset Bouncefire so much, and suggests not turning up at all. Bouncefire replies that it would suit him just fine.


 * Leafstar's head pounds when Clan cats snap at each other, and she thinks that the heat makes it happen more. She knows that they are frustrated and don't mean the things they say, but would rather go and put a stop before anything bad happens. However, before she can finish her though, as she jumps down from her den, Harrykit, who plays with his sisters, gets his nose poked on a thistle's thorn. He lies on the ground and squeals, and when Stormkit asks what happened, he wails about his nose. Leafstar turns her head and looks.


 * Meanwhile, The daylight-warriors and full warriors are shooting insults at each other, but Stormkit wails that Harrykit is going to bleed to death. Billystorm tells Leafstar that he will see to the kits and runs off. Leafstar sighs and thanks him, and turns to the quarreling cats. She orders them to be quiet. The cats fall silent, and a ginger tom and a black tom approach also. Leafstar tells her cats that the daylight-warriors are valuable to SkyClan, but that though they may eat fresh-kill, they must make a contribution to the pile. She adds that they are aware that hunting is difficult in the heat, and suggests changing the patrols to dawn and dusk only and sleep during the day. The black tom frets that if they do that, their enemies might mind out and attack them, but the ginger tom reassures Shrewtooth that they wouldn't all sleep at once.

Major

 * Leafstar

Minor

 * Stormkit
 * Firekit
 * Harrykit
 * Clovertail
 * Sol
 * Unnamed ginger-and-white tom
 * Unnamed tabby
 * Birdpaw
 * Honeypaw
 * Rockshade
 * Bouncefire
 * Billystorm
 * Ebonyclaw (Unnamed)
 * Harveymoon
 * Shrewtooth
 * Sharpclaw