*Alrighty! This only took me forever and a day to get to, but… Here it is(: And yes, it is the continuation of "Graystripe's New Beginning", starting just a few days after his warrior ceremony* Enjoy! Oh! And before I get into this, I was just going to say I may just continue with the "peace" for a little while… I'm not quite sure if I want to follow the exact storyline, since a lot would have changed if Graystripe had stayed in RiverClan, especially later on. Let meh know what you guys think~!
"Let all cats old enough to swim gather for a Clan meeting!" Crookedstar's summons rang out from the center of the camp. Graystripe glanced up from his fresh-kill to see Shadepaw's shining eyes.
"This is it…!" She meowed, tail fluffed up in excitement.
Graystripe purred in amusement, giving the small she-cat a gentle lick between her ears. "You deserve it, Shadepaw, you've been working hard." The apprentice purred in response, then flicked the tip of her tail against Graystripe's flank. "You better be the first to call me by my new name!" And she was off, meeting Heavypaw at the edge of the crowd, identical looks of excitement shining in their eyes.
Still feeling the jolt of energy from even just the flick of Shadepaw's tail-tip, Graystripe joined his Clan-mates around Crookedstar's perch. Stonefur beckoned him with his tail, and the lighter gray warrior joined him gratefully. The older warrior had a great view.
"I have something to tell you later, Graystripe." Stonefur murmured, a bright, almost nervous light in his eyes. Graystripe had just enough time to nod before Crookedstar began the meeting.
"I've called you together today for one of the happiest duties I have as a Clan leader, and for two apprentices that have earned it a million times over. That being said, Shadepaw, Heavypaw, step forward." The two apprentices did as asked, eyes still shining in excitement. "Stonefur, Blackclaw? Are you satisfied that these apprentices are ready to warriors of RiverClan?"
Heavystep's smoky black mentor dipped his head. "Yes." Stonefur echoed this motion, his voice ringing out in a strong agreement of, "Absolutely."
Crookedstar dipped his own head in approval, then turned his own amber gaze to the stars of Silverpelt, which were just beginning to emerge. "I, Crookedstar, leader of RiverClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these two apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn." His gaze fell back to Heavypaw and Shadepaw. "Heavypaw, Shadepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the costs of your lives?"
Heavypaw lifted his head, puffing his chest out in pride. "I do."
Graystripe felt his heart stutter as Shadepaw gazed evenly up at Crookedstar through her dark blue eyes, a soft reply of "I do." Half the volume, but twice as strong and steady.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names: Heavypaw, from this moment forward, you will be known as Heavystep. StarClan honors your strength and courage, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan." He rested his muzzle on the young tabby's head, who in return licked Crookedstar's shoulder respectfully, before turning and pacing over to sit with the other warriors- giving Shadepaw an encouraging flick of his tail as he passed. Crookedstar turned his attention to the dark gray she-cat next, eyes filled with encouragement and strength.
"Shadepaw, from this moment forward, you will be known as Shadefrost. StarClan honors your compassion and quick-thinking, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan." He rested his muzzle on her head, and the small she-cat had to stretch up to lick her leader's shoulder respectfully, before turned and padding lightly to the other warriors, taking a place between Stonnefur and Graystripe, brushing either toms pelt on both sides.
"Shadefrost! Heavystep! Shadefrost! Heavystep!"
Graystripe purred as he was the first to greet Shadefrost by her warrior name, closely followed by Stonefur, Mistyfoot, and Mosspelt.
"Congratulations…" The gray tom purred softly, bending to rasp his tongue gently over Shadefrost's ear. "It's beautiful…" He paused, looking deep into those sapphire eyes of hers- finally beginning to see the same affection he felt for her reflected back in them. He touched their noses together. "Just like you…"
Shadefrost just purred in response, rubbing her head down his chin and against his neck and chest.
"Now you must sit vigil, watching over the camp until dawn. Leopardfur will relieve you then." He paused. "I am very glad to have such strong, loyal cats in my Clan. I couldn't have asked for more." Crookedstar's wise amber gaze flicked around all of his warriors, resting for a considerably longer moment on Graystripe, causing the gray warrior to swell with pride.
"Have fun sitting vigil!" Graystripe mewed playfully, giving Shadefrost one last playful nudge before heading for the warrior's den to get some sleep. As he went, he couldn't help but to contemplate. Crookedstar definitely wasn't in full health… But he had been the leader of RiverClan for as long as Graystripe could remember. Perhaps even longer than Bluestar had been for ThunderClan… As he pushed his way into the den, he saw Leopardfur and Stonefur sharing tongues quietly in the corner, and he faintly caught the mumbles of "border patrols" and "fresh-kill pile."
"Graystripe."
The gray tom looked up at his golden-furred deputy as he sat in his nest of moss and reeds. "Yes, Leopardfur?"
"I need you to take the dawn patrol tomorrow if that's okay. I know you were looking forward to spending some time with Shadefrost, but I think it can wait until sunhigh. She'll probably be sleeping until then anyways." Leopardfur's emerald eyes were glinting with amusement, and Graystripe flicked some moss at her across the den.
"Alright, alright. I'll take the patrol… So that you can spend more time with Stonefur." Graystripe didn't stop to see Leopardfur's shocked expression, but he still let out a faint purr of amusement as he settled down for the night, swiftly and easily falling asleep, thinking about Shadefrost… Hoping that when she made her nest in the warrior's den the next morning, she might make it next to his…*
End of Chapter 1~! Well? Continue or no? (And hopefully if you say yes, it won't take me three million years to update next time xD haha) well, as always, constructive-but not hateful- criticism is always welcome(: I know it's short, but I still hope you ejoyed! Is this a better chapter lengeth? Oh well(: