the stranger stirred in his sleep, his body shifting on a soft, moss—lined nest. his fur, still damp from the sea, pressed uncomfortably against his skin. he shivered despite the warmth of the den. his dreams had been chaotic: flashes of darkness, and water swirling around him. he could hear the thunder, the roar of crashing waves, and then — nothing. no memories, no images, just darkness.

with a soft groan, the tom—cats eyes fluttered open, blinking against the dim light. it was harsh on his eyes at first, and his head pounded. his limbs felt heavy and his throat burned with thirst. for a moment, he lay still to try and make sense of where he was. the air smelled odd — like sweetened flowers and plants, and salt. it was an unfamiliar combination that confused him. he wasn't on the beach anymore, but... where?

he pushed himself up onto unsteady paws, and blinked groggily to adjust his eyes to the darker lighting. the space around him was small. neat piles of plants were stacked in a crevice in the wall, the pungent smell of them cutting through the fog in his mind. it seemed to help him come to his senses. the tom could hear the distant murmur of voices outside.

suddenly, a white and ginger cat padded into the den. her scent was strong — herbs and flowers — and her gaze flicked towards the stranger. she gave him a soft nod, more to herself than him.

❝ ah, you're awake, ❞ she meowed calmly, ❝ good. you have been unconscious for nearly a day now, ❞

the tom—cat blinked at her, mouth dry. ❝ uh... where... am i? ❞

❝ you're in seaclan's camp, ❞ replied the she—cat. she turned to one of the herb stacks and selected a few dry looking leaves. ❝ my name is shellsong. i'm the clan's medicine cat. a patrol found you washed up on the shore during the storm, ❞

seaclan.

that meant nothing to the tom. he furrowed his brows and tried to grasp onto some threat of memory, but it was like grasping at water. all he could remember was the sensation of being tossed in the waves, struggling to catch his breath, choking on the water that swelled in his mouth, and then darkness.

❝ i don't... ❞ he flattered, shaking his head. ❝ i don't remember how i got there. the last think i remember is... the water, ❞

shellsong glanced at him, sympathetically. ❝ that's not surprising. you were in bad shape when we found you. it's a miracle you survived at all, ❞ she approached him with the leaves. ❝ chew these. they'll help with your strength, ❞ she commanded after placing them by the tom's paws.

the tom hesitated, his mind still reeling. he wasn't sure if he could trust her — he wasn't even sure if he could trust himself — but the hollow ache in his belly and the weakness in his limbs pushed him to comply. leaning in, he took the leaves in his mouth and chewed slowly, wincing at the bitter taste that coated his tongue.

❝ thank you, ❞ he mumbled, swallowing hard.

shellsong nodded but didn't respond. her gaze shifted towards the entrance of her den, where a long shadow loomed. a moment later, a large blue—grey tabby tom entered, his green eyes appraising the stranger with an intensity that made his fur prickle. the stranger knew the tom—cat — he carried him from the shore.

❝ tidewhisker, ❞ shellsong greeted the tom with a flick of her tail, ❝ he's awake, ❞

tidewhisker's head dropped with a dip towards the she—cat, before he turned towards the stranger, who felt as if he was being judged.

❝ how are you feeling? ❞ tidewhisker asked.

the stranger swallowed again, his throat still slightly scratchy. ❝ weak... but better, i think. i don't what happened. i don't remember anything, ❞

the tabby looked towards shellsong with an unreadable expression. then, he crouched down to be levelled with the stranger, his tone soft.

❝ we found you washed up during the storm, ❞ he said, his eyes locked with his. ❝ you were in a bad state but you're alive, thanks to shellsong. we don't know where you came from or how you ended up on our territory, but coralstar will want to speak to you at some point, ❞

the stranger's ears twitched. ❝ coralstar? ❞

❝ our leader, ❞ tidewhisker said simply, ❝ she'll decide what to do with you, ❞

the words sent a shiver down his spine. decide what to do with me. the idea that his fate was in the paws of a cat he'd never met filled him dread. what if they didn't want him here? what if they saw him as a threat or an intruder?

❝ i don't mean any harm, ❞ quickly meowed the tom, his voice edged with desperation. ❝ i swear, i don't. i—i don't even know where i am, ❞

❝ that may be, but seaclan doesn't take outsiders lightly. you'll need to speak with coralstar and explain yourself as best you can. in the meantime, you need to rest. you're still recovering,❞ mumbled tidewhisker.

before the stranger could respond, shellsong nodded toward the entrance, signalling it was time for the warrior to leave. tidewhisker stood and he padded out the den, his tail flicking in a gesture of finality as he padded out.

the quiet in the den settled uncomfortably, and the stranger found himself shifting on the moss bedding, his mind racing. he didn't know these cats, didn't know their ways or their territory. he was an outsider in every sense of the word, and despite their apparent hospitality, he couldn't shake the feeling that he didn't belong here.

shellsong worked silently as she sorted through herbs. the tom—cat watched her, the questions bubbling up inside him too many to ignore.

❝ do you think coralstar will let me stay? ❞ he asked.

shellsong didn't look up, but her tail flicked slightly at the question. ❝ that's for her to decide, ❞ she said with a relaxed purr in her tone. ❝ seaclan values loyalty above all else. if you want to stay, you'll have to prove you're worthy of that trust, ❞

proving himself? earning trust? he wasn't sure he had the strength for that. he wasn't sure he had strength for anything anymore. but the alternative — being cast back out into the wilderness, alone —was far more terrifying.

the night outside deepened and the rain slowly began to ease, its steady drumming outside softening to a faint patter. the tom curled up tighter in the moss. his mind swirled with questions and fears, but there were no answers, no clarity: only the constant, nagging reminder that he was a stranger here — a cat without a past, without a place.

eventually, his eyes slowly drifted closed, but sleep didn't come easily.

the crashing of the ocean waves echoed across the sandy shore as coralstar paced back and for. the waves in the distance lapped gently at the shore. her eyes scanned the horizon, watching as the sun shimmered and glittered haphazard patterns atop the surface. 

beside her stood eelstrike, her trusted deputy. his eyes were narrowed in suspicion.

❝ this is a mistake, ❞ eelstrike growled, his voice low but brimming with frustration. his claws flexed against the sand beneath him. ❝ we don't know where this cat came from, coralstar. for all we know, he could be a spy from rockclan, or worse — one of those rogues that have been stalking the borders, ❞

coralstar paused, lifting her gaze from the horizon where the sun melted into the sea, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson. ❝ i don't think he's a threat, eelstrike, ❞ she murmured. ❝ he was barely alive when we found him. if rockclan sent him, why would they let him wash up on our shores in such a state, ❞

eelstrike lashed his tail. ❝ that could be part of their plan. make us feel sorry for him, let him earn our trust, then strike when we least expect it. you know rockclan wouldn't hesitate to deceive us if it meant gaining an advantage, ❞

coralstar flicked her ears, unwilling to dismiss his concerns but equally unwilling to cast out a cat who had not yet proven dangerous. she turned to face her deputy. ❝ i trust your judgment, eelstrike, but i also trust my instincts. he's young. i don't think he has the guile or the malice to be a spy, ❞

eelstrike opened his mouth to argue further, but a sound from behind interrupted him and tidewhisker approached. his whiskers twitched, betraying the fact that he had overheard more than a little of their conversation.

❝ if i may, coralstar, ❞ tidewhisker said, dipping his head respectfully. ❝ i believe i can offer a solution, ❞

coralstar raised an eyebrow, her tail swishing as she motioned for him to continue. eelstrike, though clearly irritated by the interruption, remained silent.

❝ i'll mentor him, ❞ tidewhisker offered, his voice calm as he addressed his leader. ❝ if the young cat stays, we will need to train him in our ways. he's unfamiliar of our territory, our rules, our culture. and if eelstrike's suspicions prove true — if he is a spy, or rogue — then i'll be in the best position to keep an eye on him, ❞

eelstrike's fur bristled, but coralstar regarded the tom thoughtfully. the suggestion was not without merit, and tidewhisker had always been a reliable warrior.

❝ if you take him under your wing, he is, and will be, your responsibility. if he strays or endangers the clan in any way, it will fall on you, ❞ coralstar mumbled.

tidewhisker nodded solemnly. ❝ i understand, ❞

eelstrike let out a low hiss, clearly displeased, but he didn't object outright. ❝ fine, ❞ he uttered, ❝ but i'll be watching. one wrong move and i'll make sure he's gone
for good, ❞

coralstar stood tall, her decision made. she turned and padded away from the two tom's. the clan had since gathered, sensing something was brewing. coralstar climbed up onto a large piece of driftwood, which leaned awkwardly over her den.

❝ let all cats old enough to swim among waves, and stalk the sand, gather beneath the driftwood for a clan meeting, ❞

the sound of her voice carried across the camp, and the cats began to converge, their eyes wide with curiosity. among them, the young cat who had washed ashore sat near the back, his fur still tangled from being washed ashore the night before.

coralstar felt a twinge of sympathy as she watched him — he looked lost, like a leaf tossed by the wind and waves, with no sense of where he belonged.

the murmurs of the clan grew louder as their leader stood above them. and once the camp was silent, she spoke.

❝ on the night of the storm, we found a young cat who had washed up on our shores. he was battered and weak, and though some of us have concerns about his origins, it is clear he needs our help. we are a clan that is built on strength, but also on mercy. i have decided that he will stay with us, and be trained as one of our own, ❞

several of the warriors exchanged uneasy glances. a few of the younger apprentices whispered among themselves, unsure of how to feel about a newcomer in their ranks. coralstar continued.

❝ his name will be stormpaw, ❞ she declared, her voice carrying a finality that quelled most of the remaining murmurs. ❝ he will be monitored by tidewhisker, who has graciously agreed to take him on. tidewhisker will ensure that he learns our ways and proves his loyalty to our clan, ❞

stormpaw's ears perked at the sound of his new name, but the tension in the air filled him with anxiety. some of the warriors nodded in acceptance, others remained silent. coralstar could sense their hesitance, but she trusted in her decision — and in tidewhisker's ability to guide the young cat.

tidewhisker padded towards stormpaw. he pushed his nose toward the smaller tom's, and smiled as coralstar finished with the clan meeting.

coralstar stepped down from the jutted wood, meeting the stormpaw's wide—eyed gaze. ❝ you will find your place here, stormpaw, ❞ she promised. ❝ but it's up to you to prove to the clan that you belong, ❞

stormpaw dipped his head and watched as the she—cat turned and left with a long flick of her tail. he watched eelstrike, who lingered near the edge of camp, his eyes fixed warily on his body — causing his pelt to burn up with fear.

there would be no easy path for him now. for now, the storm had passed — but the waves of doubt churned just beneath the surface.