Chapter 34: Bonetail

Chapter 35: Bonetail

     Wolfstar looked at the new cat.  It hadn't exactly been hard to lie about finding Bone; with Skullstar's directions to bring Scarletpaw on the dawn patrol and to go by the river.  Skullstar had also mentioned that he and Mapleleaf wouldn't be seeing Wolfstar or Sharpfang in awhile, which had struck Wolfstar as odd.  Oh well.  I suppose training cats gets tiring after all; they may train other cats besides me and Sharpfang.  Besides, Skullstar said I was doing great and could practice on my own!  Oh!  What about the cat's name!?  "Hey, newbie!"  Wolfstar jogged up to the white cat.  "Did you have a loner name that I can get your name from?" 
 The cat nodded.  "All the other loners called me Bone,"  he said.  "But I have practiced your warrior tactics so can I be a warrior, and if I'm not good you can train me with the apprentices."
Wolfstar nodded.  "That's a great idea.  I'll announce your name in a few minutes."  Wolfstar padded away from Bone and headed towards Blooddrop.  "Blooddrop,"  Wolfstar began, "what do you think the new one's name should be?  His loner name was Bone."
Blooddrop's eyes widened.  "You called me Blooddrop!?  Are you feeling okay, Wolfstar?"
For a moment, Wolfstar was surprised, and then Skullstar's words ran through his head:  No mercy, let no cat boss you around.  I don't want to see your soft side, Wolfstar, as a matter of fact, I don't want you to have one at all.  "I'll call you whatever I want," Wolfstar said with a trace of harshness.
"Ok..."  Bloodfeather began.  He paced for a second.  "Bonetail.  Sounds good if you ask me."
Wolfstar nodded.  "Thanks, Blooddrop.  I'll go announce it to the group."
Wolfstar padded up to the gathering area.  "The new cat's official warrior name is Bonetail,"  Wolfstar said after the cats had gathered around. 
"Bonetail..."  whispers serged through the crowd.  Finally, one of the warriors cheered, "Bonetail!  Bonetail!".
"Bonetail!  Bonetail!"  the cats joined in.  Wolfstar recognised the starter as Turtlepath, a pretty good hunter.  "Clan dismissed,"  Wolfstar said after the cheers died down.  Bonetail held his tail high, and he padded towards the hunting patrol that was about to depart.  I'm sure Bonetail will make a fine warrior.  But... why him?