CHALLENGE #2

"You're given a cat's name and an injury that they were born with."

Total of 1000 words

"I, Icestar, leader of RiverClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn." The crowd of cats before Icestar cheered.

"Silverpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" I looked around me at my clan and thought about everything they've done for me. "I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Silverpaw, from this moment you will be known as Silverpelt. Starclan honors your determination and spirit, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan." Icestar rested her head gently on mine. In return I leaned forward on my one front paw and licked her shoulder.

I turned and stood next to my litter mates, Hawkears and Mistyleaf, as the clan shouted our names. "Mistyleaf! Hawkears! Silverpelt!"

Once the crowd had settled down Icestar continued. "Our newest warriors will join us tonight at the gathering of the clans!" Everyone cheered, excited for us. I kneaded the ground with my claws. Icestar dismissed us and everyone dispersed.

Mistyleaf nudged me. "Can you believe it! We're warriors!" Her tail lashing in excitement.

Hawkears crouched in front of us. "No one's gonna stand a chance against this clan with us three around." He ended, leaping onto a leaf.

"What are you, still three moons old?" We all turned as Cloudbelly and Brightwing approached us.

"Oh I'm so proud of you three!" Brightwing stepped forward and just about licked my ears off. She quickly moved onto Mistyleaf, who was the closest.

"Brightwing please! I'm not a kit anymore!" Mistyleaf pleaded.

"I know, and I'm gonna miss the camp being filled with kits." Brightwing's tail drooped. Hawkears sighed, relieved, as Brightwing didn't make a motion of cleaning his ears after us two.

"We'll leave you guys be, we have a patrol to run." Cloudbelly puffed his chest as he made his way toward Greyclaw, Puddlesong, and Snowfang.

"Icestar told me that once we get back from the patrol we're going to head to the island, to get there first!" Brightwing whispered to us before jumping up to catch up with Cloudbelly.

Hawkears dropped two fish in front of us. "Celebratory meal before we head out?" I shared a fish with Mistyleaf as Hawkears dug into his own. Once we were finished Hawkears cleaned up and we shared tongues. I washed my paw, rubbing my face clean. Mistyleaf stretched before she stood as the patrol returned.

"You ready?" She licked my forehead as I stood.

"Ready as I'll ever be…" I sighed.

"What are you nervous about?" She bumped my shoulder, curious.

"I've never been able to make it across the river… Greyclaw has always had to carry me, but now that I'm a warrior, I have to do this." I kneaded the ground again, determined.

"It's okay to need help once in awhile you know." We all followed Icestar as we left camp toward the main river.

"I always need help though…" I whispered under my breath. The clan was very chatty this evening as a buzz of excitement fell over the group as we approached the river. Mistyleaf, Hawkears and I were toward the back. We waited as cats jumped in one by one. Greyclaw and Puddlesong were in front of us and Greyclaw turned toward me as Puddlesong went first.

"You want help getting across?" He asked. Puddlesong shook out her fur and waited on the other side.

"No. I can do this." I told him.

"Alright. If you say so, I'll wait on the other side." He dived in and was across almost instantly. He's always been one of the best swimmers in the clan.

I took a breath and watched the water as it went still after Greyclaw's swim. With a slow exhale I dived in. My back legs have always been my strong point as it pushed me through the water with ease. My head came up out of the water and I saw Greyclaw's worried expression. I moved my front leg across my chest to possibly make up for the missing one, only to roll in the water. I felt my throat become engulfed with water and could only see bubbles all around me. I was about to close my eyes and give up when I felt two steady bodies against me, push me up out of the water.

"I gotcha…" Someone took hold of the back of my neck and lifted me out of the water. I coughed and sputtered as I laid on my side on solid ground.

"Is she going to be alright?" I heard Mistyleaf ask. I opened my eyes to see the four of them surrounding me. I coughed once more before standing up and shaking out my fur. They all looked me over to make sure I was okay. I gritted my teeth, pushing past Greyclaw and Mistyleaf, storming off toward the island.

"Silverpelt!" I heard Mistyleaf call. She caught up and stopped in front of me. I came to an abrupt stop, looking down at my one paw.

"Silverpelt…" Mistyleaf took a step forward.

"Icestar should've just called me Nofoot! Why am I even in RiverClan? I can't even swim!" I shouted at her.

"You belong in RiverClan. Swimming doesn't come easily, you have to work for it, some more then others…" I looked up at her, her eyes showing how much she really cares.

"Come on. I swear you're going to have a great time tonight." She turned toward the log before us, her tail brushing my leg. She went first, making it across easily and I followed, walking into the clearing.

She was right. I never took the time to really train, I always let those swim for me. Not anymore.