ALDER

"Well?" Hissed Poolstar, her face only a mouse-length from Alder's now.
Alder flattened his ears and his fur prickled uncomfortably. "I am no threat to your Clan," he mewed, looking down at his trembling paws.
"You threaten our Clan when you take our prey," hissed Poolstar. "You have plenty of food in your Twoleg nest already. You come here only to hunt for sport. But we hunt to survive."

Suddenly, Alder understood her anger. Alder stopped trembling, sat up, and straightened his ears. "I had not thought of it that way way before. I am sorry," he meowed solemnly. "I will not hunt here again."
Poolstar let her hackles fall. "You are an unusual kittypet, Alder," she meowed.

Quietly, Alder asked. "Is survival here really so hard?"
"Our territory covers only part of the forest," answered Poolstar. "We compete with other Clans for what we have. And this year, late newleaf means prey is scarce."
"Is your Clan very big?" Alder meowed, his eyes wide.
"Big enough," replied Poolstar. "Our territory can support us, but there is no prey left over."
"Are you all warriors, then?" Alder mewed.
Thornwing answered him. "Some are warriors. Some are too young or too old or too busy caring for kits to hunt."
"And you all live and share prey together?" Alder murmured in awe, thinking a little guilty of his own easy life.

Poolstar looked again at Thornwing. The brown tabby stared back at her steadily. At last she returned her gaze to Alder and meowed, "Perhaps you should find out these things for yourself. Would you like to join IceClan?"
Poolstar went on: "If you did, you would train with Shinepaw to become a Clan Warrior."
Shinepaw smiled at Alder. "You also would be able to eat real food!"

Thornwing meowed, "Poolstar is only offering you training, young one. There is no guarantee you would become a full warrior. It might prove too difficult for you. After all, you are used to a comfortable life."

Alder was stung by Thornwing's words. He swung his head around face the golden-brown tabby. "Why offer me the chance, then?"

But it was Poolstar who answered. "You are right to question our motives, young one. The fact is, IceClan needs more warriors."
"Understand that Poolstar does not make this offer lightly," warned Thornwing. "If you wish to train with us, we will have to take you into our Clan. You must either live with us and respect our ways, or return to your Twolegplace and never come back. You cannot live with a paw in each world."

A cool breeze stirred through the air, ruffling Alder's fur. He shivered with excitement at the incredible possibilities opening up in front of him.

"Are you wondering if it's worth giving up your comfortable kittypet life?" Asked Poolstar gently. "But do you realize the price you will pay for your warmth and food?"
Alder looked at her, puzzled.
"I can tell you're still a tom," Poolstar added, "despite the Twoleg stench that clings to your fur."
"What do you mean—still a tom?"
"You haven't yet been taken by the Twolegs to see the Cutter," meowed Poolstar gravely. "You would be very different then. Not quite so keen to fight a Clan cat, I suspect!"
Shinepaw giggled a bit under her breath.

Alder was confused. He then thought a few of his kittypet friends who had gone to the vet and came out a bit lazier. Was that what Poolstar meant by the Cutter?

"The Clan may not be able to offer you such easy food or warmth," continued Poolstar. "In the season of leaf-bare, nights in the forest can be cruel. The Clan will demand great loyalty and hard work. You will expected to protect the Clan with your life if necessary. And there are many mouths to feed. But the rewards are great. You will remain a tom. You will be trained in the ways of the wild. You will learn what it is to be a real cat. The strength and fellowship of the Clan will always be with you, even when you hunt alone."
Shinepaw smiled at him encouragingly.

Alder's head reeled. Poolstar seemed to be offering him a life he always dreamed of, but could he live that for real?

Thornwing interrupted his thoughts. "Come, Poolstar, let's not waste any more time here. We must be ready to join the other patrol at moonhigh. Shadowfoot will wonder what has become of us." He stood up and flicked his tail expectantly.
"Wait," Alder meowed. "Can I think about your offer?"
Poolstar looked at him for a long moment and nodded. "Thornwing will be here tommorow at sunhigh," she told him. "Give him your answer then."

Poolstar murmured a low signal, and in a single movement the three cats turned and disappeared into the shadows. Alder blinked. He stared—excited, uncertain. The scent of the Clan cats still hung heavily in the evening air.

And as Alder turned and headed for home, he felt a strange sensation inside him, tugging him back into the depths of the forest.