PROLOGUE
The silvery-gray tom crept around the bush, making sure he was upwind of his prey, a plump young rabbit. He risked a quick glance behind him - a tortoiseshell she-cat with amber eyes was creeping around the other side. He knew that downwind, a fluffy ginger she-cat was getting ready to pounce. Suddenly three pairs of claws grabbed the rabbit. The silvery-gray tom stood up abruptly. None of his cats had moved yet. Instead, a ginger she-cat, a brown tom with lynx points, and a gray tabby she-cat were all on their prey. "Hey!" called out the silvery tom. "HEY!" The rabbit was already dead.
The pointed tom stood up, leaving the rabbit at his paws. He looked surprised. "Who are you?" he asked, friendly enough. "I am Tidestar, leader of TideClan." growled the silvery-gray tom. "And this is my deputy, Shellfrost." he said, nodding towards the tortoiseshell. "A clan?" the pointed tom mewed excitedly. "Nice! My name Midnight. My little band and I come up here for the summer and fall seasons. It's our hunting grounds."
There was a loud hiss, which caused Tidestar to turn towards Midnight's 'Band'. The ginger she-cat had a small, fluffy ginger she-kit pinned under her paw.
"Let me go!" hissed the kit. "Or Tidestar will rip you to shreds!" Tidestar purred. "It's alright, Barkpaw." he said. "These cats are friendly enough." The ginger she-cat hesitantly let go of Barkpaw, who hissed once more before returning to Tidestar and Shellfrost. Suddenly the gray tabby's ears perked up.
"Did she say your name was Tidestar?" she asked Tidestar. Tidestar nodded. "That's a clan name, right?" mewed the gray tabby excitedly. "Midnight, we found the clans!"
Now Tidestar was confused.
These are strange cats. He thought. Midnight nodded. "I already know that, Stripes." he said, though not unkindly. "Now," he mewed, turning back to Tidestar, Barkpaw, and Shellfrost, "Would you let us join your clan?"
"It's just what we need." Encouraged Shellfrost. "They're not enemies, I can tell. Three warriors would complete our clan!" Tidestar studied the 'band'. "Fine." Tidestar said. "From this moment on, Midnight, you will be known as Darkfang. Stripes, you will be known as Palestripe. And ginger she-cat - " "Sun." muttered the ginger she-cat. "Yes,
SUN, Tidestar decreed, you will be known as Sunblaze. All hail the new members of our clan. We will see if they're worthy.