Finding a Clan.

Gammy walked through the forest, dodging puddles of water best he could. He looked around the forest, the green trees raising high above him as the canopy closed out the sun. Without looking he found a puddle, his front left paw quickly sinking into the muddy water. Ah Geez, not again. He thought. He pushed with his other three legs, pain shooting into his back right leg. His leg emerged from the mud with a squish. He rubbed his leg in the grass to get the mud off of it before he continued his awkward limp march through the forest. Just need to find somebody from the marsh clan.

Streamsong was busy. After becoming Swiftpaw's mentor, she had overworked herself trying to figure out how to do things best. It was at this moment the two were going on a patrol around GroveClan's border, and she scented the air curiously and flicked her ear, picking up the scent of an outsider. She turned toward her Apprentice, and nudged him with her nose. "Swiftpaw, sniff the air, do you scent anything?" she asked and instructed, finding this a good opportunity to test his own senses.

"Hmm." Swiftpaw said. He scented the air, picking up something. "Yes. It seems to be another cat." He said, his tone peppy as always. He swished his tail back and forth, then pointed a paw in a direction. "That way. And coming rather slowly." He said.

Gammy perked his head. His ears began to twitch and his tail fling side to side as he heard a noise coming from the distance. He looked around trying to find somewhere to hide, as usual nothing orange was available to him, he limped over to a bush, curling up in it trying to be as small as possible. Hopefully its not another passing group of rouges. He thought with a shutter.

"Good job," Streamsong praised, dropping into a hunting crouch. She flicked her ear in a signal for Swiftpaw to do the same, and she began creeping up on the intruder. Silently, she got closer and closer until the cat came into view. Doesn't seem hostile, but we can at least scare them to be safe.

She leapt out at Gammy with claws unsheathed, purposefully missing the cat by inches. "Why are you intruding on MarshClan territory?" she hissed threateningly.

Gammy flinched back at the claw but quickly straightened himself, his awkward face of kitten soon to be adolescence twisted into a near smile. "Marsh clan?!" He said, excitedly jumping to a stand, almost falling back down immediately, he had forgotten about his weak leg. He looked at the two cats with a gleeful smile. "Ah, can I join?" He asked, slightly lowering his head to look up at the bigger cat. "I've always wanted to be a warrior for the Marsh clan!" He puffed his small chest out as best he could, back right leg raised in the air so he wouldn't have to limp and look weak.

Swiftpaw had jumped out and landed next to his mentor, staring Gammy up. He was seeing if he was capable of living the Clan life. Gammy himself seemed enthusiastic enough, like Swift, and had a good attitude seemingly. He approached Gammy, cautiously as he was not completely sure of the stranger just yet. "How old are you?" Swiftpaw asked. He wanted to see what rank the intruding cat was.

Still favoring his back right leg Gammy put his attention on the other kit, about the same size as he was. "Ive been around for six moon cycles." He said happily. He shook his tail back in forth, swooshing to and fro in a smooth rhythm.

Streamsong nodded slowly and sheathed her claws. "Then you're just the right age to be an Apprentice, like Swiftpaw here," she gazed at her Apprentice affectionately. "If joining our Clan is your true intention, we'll take you to our camp, you can speak with our leader, Sandstar, there. She'll be glad to have another Apprentice!" Without another word, she turned and started running back toward the camp. It was a test of sort, she knew Swiftpaw could keep up, and she was seeing if the excited Loner could do the same or give up.

Gammy watched as the other cats took off, watching them slowly shrink as they gained distance, maybe even watching his dreams run off. He started moving, a slow gallop of sorts before he tried running. Pain shot up his leg as he awkwardly tried to run, nowhere near the speed of the others. Even if he lost sight of them he could atleast keep following through smell and hearing, he hoped, unless this was a test, in which case he would fail. His eyes slightly teared up, not crying just a small amount of sadness flooding them.

Streamsong looked back and noticed the young cat was limping. A sense of guilt and pity washed over her, but she didn't slow. The life of a Warrior is harsh. This cat will have to overcome many obstacles if he wants to be one. This will be the first.

She did slow her run, but just by a fraction. She knew the cat couldn't keep up, so she was sure to rub against brush to leave a clear scent trail. As long as he made it to the camp, he would pass the test.

Gammy continued to follow even after losing sight of the other cats, be it either refusing to be shamed or not wanting to lose to his handicap he didn't care. He followed the (Quite obvious) trail left behind by the cats, flinching with every step. He could smell the scent of the female cat on leaves and other foliage as he limped past, during the start of his run he would hear the sound of breaking sticks up ahead only to be greeted by nothing when he reached it.

During this little race, it was quite obvious to see why Swiftpaw had his name. He bolted off quick as possible and ran without pause. It was not long before he was ahead of Streamsong herself and continued to bolt along. It was only until he was a large margin of space ahead that he stopped to think and take a bit of a relax before starting off again, much slower this time.

Streamsong's steady lope caught up to Swiftpaw, and even her breath was slightly quicker than usual. "We were farther from camp than I thought," she said, but just as she said it, it came into view. She closed the distance between them and it, and laid at its entrance. "Now let's see if our friend is as determined as he sounded, Swiftpaw, we're done today. Feel free to grab some fresh kill and take it easy until the patrol at moonhigh."

Gammy finally saw the two cats up ahead, upon doing so he slowed his pace, giving his leg a rest and causing the pain to cease. With leg raised and head lowered he made his way to the other two, sure that he had failed the test. "Do I have to leave now?" He asked once within speaking distance, his eyes on the dirt, his tail lowered with it.

Streamsong ran her tail along the young Cat's side soothingly. "No," she said calmly, "you passed!" Her steady gaze turned then from him to the Leader's den. "I'll have a word with Sandstar about you becoming an Apprentice of MarshClan." She said nothing about his hindering leg. She knew that it would always hold him back from becoming as strong as a true Warrior, he would have a huge challenge ahead if he truly joined the Clan.

She padded away and disappeared into the den, conversing with her old leader. The two exited together, and Sandstar appraised Gammy thoughtfully. "Our Clan does need young blood. You're welcome to join MarshClan if that's your wish."

Gammy perked up immediately at the news. "Thanks you, thank you!" The young cat chanted as he jumped in circles, his hops being awkward without one of his feet, almost falling to his side with each landing. He looked at the other cats excitedly. "So, what do I do now?!" He asked, obviously ecstatic over his new found bonds.