Whiteclaw's Tale - Chapter 10

Darkfinch turned and signaled to Darkenberry, Mistlight and Cinderstar that he wanted to speak. Cinderstar nodded and they padded up to his den. "What do you need?" Cinderstar snapped. Darkfinch glared at his leader when Darkenberry suddenly interjected, "Cinderstar, Darkfinch was arguing with Rissa. At least I think that's her name. He was arguing with one of his siblings. He said that his sister had to feed the clan before eating. The other cat retorted that she hunted outside our territory and she ate only what she caught. She says that if she has to feed the clan to stay here then she is leaving. Her mother says that if Rissa leaves then they leave too. Hollytail insists that if thy leave then she goes with them." Cinderstar nodded. "If they don't hunt for the clan and we hunt for them, then some of the clan are going to starve to death. If we are feeding others before our own then some of our may not survive.  We must be loyal to the clan first which means that we must feed our clan members first." responded Darkfinch. Cinderstar looked between his deputy and his most skilled battle warrior. He turned to his most skilled hunter to see what she would say on the matter. "I think that we should respect that Rissa would like to hunt alone, she has all her life and as she says she is independent. She isn't used to having to fend for others or having to feed others. We didn't starve hunting for ourselves before so why should request that our guests feed our clan mates." Cinderstar nodded. "Darkfinch you will announce to the clan from the Sharp Ledge, that our guests are not required to hunt for our clan they can if they like to. They can feed themselves or the clan will feed them. We would not let any cat starve."  Darkfinch nodded his head in understanding. "Darkenberry, Mistlight, you stand with him, some proof that it was actually what I said," ordered Cinderstar.  Darkenberry and Mistlight nodded and followed Darkfinch to the Sharp Ledge. "Cats of Nightclan it is time for a clan meeting!" called Darkfinch. All the cats turned and padded towards the ledge that the 3 cats sat on. "As you know we have 3 guests," at that Rissa pricked up her ears. "Cinderstar has decreed that they can hunt for themselves and if they want to they can hunt for the clan but they don't have too. None of our guests will be forced to feed our clan." Some of the cats looked concerned. "Why, don't they have to help hunt, they are in our territory." called Blackpaw. Rissa leapt to her paws, "I hunt outside your territory so I don't steal your prey." she snarled. Mistlight nodded, "We never starved by hunting for the cats that couldn't hunt  for themselves or the cats that didn't how. We didn't starve then and we won't starve now."