A Clan is better than being alone

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The small gray cat slinked into the camp, blue eyes huge with alarm. The fact that one of his eyes was framed with white fur made him look even more panicked than he might have looked otherwise. Leap moved quietly but quickly, not wanting many cats to notice him. His pelt prickled with alarm at being around so many other cats.

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A young she-cat of RiverClan with fiery amber coat and streaks of black saw him. "Who are you?" she asked, she was not a hostile, just a mild question as if she said, 'Hello, how are you?' to a good friend.

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The tom flattened himself to the ground, tail flat with nervousness. "I'm Leap," he mewed. "I... I was a loner." He kept his eyes lowered, not knowing who he was talking to. All he knew was that it would be safer to be in a Clan than on his own.

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"Was?" she said, "You still smell like a loner to me." she said.

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Leap kept his head lowered. "I want to join RiverClan," he murmured. "I don't want to me a loner anymore." The young cat remained crouched, half in terror and half in respect.

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The young she-cat studied the tom. "Well thats not my decision, but I must say you have a very good first impression." she nodded, "Follow me." she lead the way towards the leaders den, poking her head in. "Ma? I have someone here to see you." She mewed, poking her head out. "Go right in Leap." She said, "My mother will speak with you. I'm Spottedsky by the way." she dipped her head in respect and padded towards the fresh-kill pile.

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Leap's paws trembled as he walked into the den, managing a nervous thank-you nod to the other cat - Spottedsky, was it? He pressed himself to the ground again, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the slight gloom.

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Firestar nodded, "Leap, Is it?" she mewed, "Please, come in and make yourself comfortable. I am Firestar, Leader of RiverClan. Why are you here?"

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Leap froze, temporarily stunned by the leader, being slinking in. His eyes were huge as he took in the sight of the majestic she-cat. "H-hello," he stammered. "I... I would like to join RiverClan." His voice shook. "Out there, alone -" he gestured outside with his tail. "- it's hard for a young cat to survive. In groups, it's easier."

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"No, why are you here, To RiverClan rather than the others." She mewed, "I figured why."

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Leap looked up at her with pleading eyes. "I've been watching RiverClan for about a moon now," he murmured. "You guys fish for your prey. I tried fish once." He licked his lips. "It was really tasty. And your Clan is the furthest away from where I used to live. I don't want to meet any of those other cats again."

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Firestar nodded, "Even so, you haven't really been here. I can tell you are sure, but I cannot make you a Warrior just like that. It is a lifetime commitment. If you have never been in a clan you should live in it for a while first."

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Leap nodded, sitting up slightly straighter. "I would like to join your Clan. Maybe as an apprentice first, since I don't know how to fight, or fish, or even hunt very well. Most of the time as a loner I just ate other cat's leftovers."

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"Good, I will apprentice you to one of my finest Warriors. One who I promise will do the best." She said. "For now you should sleep in the apprentice den. Tomorrow I will take you out to show you the borders and the basics of fishing. Then tomorrow night you shall have an official mentor."

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Leap's eyes brightened slightly, and he seemed less nervous. "Thank you!" he mewed. "I will do my best for your Clan."