*CURRENTLY EDITING*
Leopardpaw's POV:
It's been a week since the battle. I looked out of my den with my head on my paws. The kits were playing outside with my siblings and the other apprentices. I watched as Cloudkit pounced on Tawnypaw's tail then squealed as she scooped him up into the air. I looked away and saw Willowpelt and Whitestorm sharing tongues lovingly. Pain and regret tore at me as I watched them. I closed my eyes as tears began to form. I'm not going to cry over that lousy tom! Forget Riverpaw! "Hey, Leopardpaw!" Cloudkit's squeak sounded. I opened my eyes to see him in my face. "Wanna play with us?" he asked excitedly. I gave him a small smile.
"No thanks, little fluff. I think I'll just watch." I murmured. Cloudkit pouted.
"Oh come on, Leopardpaw! You haven't played with us since the battle! You used to always play." he complained. I sighed.
"I'm just tired." I lied.
"That's your excuse for everything." Cloudkit muttered. Bramblepaw padded up behind him.
"He does have a point." he murmured. I glared at him. "Come on, Leopardpaw. Show some spirit and play with the kits. They are a pawful." I sighed and rolled my eyes.
"Fine." I said. Then I followed them out into the clearing.
"Leopardpaw's here to play guys!" Cloudkit squealed. The other kits let out little squeals and they ran to me. I smiled at them. What is wrong with me? How could I not spend time with these little guys? They're so cute! I crouched low to their level.
"Who wants to play Fight The Fox?" I growled playfully.
"I do!" they squealed. Brightkit stood beside Thornkit.
"I'll be the hero!" she squeaked.
"You were the hero last time!" Thornkit complained.
"I'll be the hero this time!" Cloudkit declared.
"Why can't I be the hero?" Thornkit whined. I chuckled.
"Why don't you all be the hero?" I suggested. Cloudkit sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Fine, if we have to." he muttered. I giggled and crouched low.
"I'm here to steal your prey!" I growled. Brightkit puffed out her chest.
"Not if I can help it!" she declared. Then she leapt at me. Bramblepaw and Brackenpaw joined in.
"We're nasty greedy foxes as well!" Brackenpaw snickered. Cloudkit leapt at Bramblepaw while Thornkit leapt at Brackenpaw. I fell as Brightkit tackled me to the ground. I softly pawed her head but she swiped at my muzzle.
"You dirty creature! Get out of our territory!" she exclaimed. I growled in mock pain.
"Ouch! You're gonna pay for that, you little furball!" I barked. Frostfur sat beside the nursery and watched as we played with Goldenflower beside her. I got up and towered over Brightkit. Brightkit stood tall and proud as she looked at me.
"Back off mange-pelt!" she growled. Then she swiped my nose. I gave a yelp and fell back dramatically.
"My nose!" I cried. I staggered backwards and gasped. "I think I can see the light!" Goldenflower and Frostfur purred in amusement. I groaned and fell onto my back. Brightkit jumped onto me and puffed out her chest. "I underestimated you, young one." I breathed. Brightkit lifted her head with pride and she smiled. "But you're still a little furball!" I snickered. Brightkit pawed my nose and I yelped.
"Thunderclan is safe for another day." Brightkit meowed. Then she looked down at me. "Do you give up or do you have to feel my claws to keep you out?" she growled. I flattened my ears.
"I give up, o'mighty one. I will take my foxes and leave the territory forever." I mewed. Brightkit smiled and flicked her ears in approval. Cheers erupted from the watching apprentices and the two queens. I got up to my paws and looked down at Brightkit. "Well fought. Like a true warrior." I purred. Brightkit flicked her tail.
"I know." she mewed. I chuckled and cuffed her ear with a paw.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the High Rock for a clan meeting." Bluestar's yowl rang throughout the clearing. I looked up to see her on the High Rock. I padded over with the other apprentices. "As you all know, we have won the battle. I am proud of all of you for helping Windclan with all your strength and I'm sure Windclan thanks you for your bravery. But there are three new warriors that I must announce today. Leopardpaw, Tawnypaw, and Bramblepaw step forward." I gaped at Bluestar in surprise and Goldenflower ran to us before licking down our fur.
"I wish she would've told us this earlier!" she muttered. Tigerclaw helped her while purring loudly.
"I'm so proud of you three!" he purred. I blushed as the clan watched us with amusement.
"I can lick my own fur Goldenflower." I muttered as Goldenflower licked my face.
"Hush now and let me do my job." Goldenflower scolded. Tigerclaw pulled her back which caused her to let out a snap of protest.
"Bluestar's waiting." he chuckled. I shook myself which made Goldenflower more fussier.
"I just groomed your fur!" she snapped. I chuckled and followed my siblings to the High Rock. Bluestar looked down on us with proud eyes. Then she looked at the sky.
"I, Bluestar, leader of Thunderclan, would like you to look down on these three apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code and I would you to make them a warrior in return." she meowed. "Do you three promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?" I looked at her with a sincere gaze and I stood tall and proud.
"I do." we meowed.
"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior names." Bluestar said. "Bramblepaw from this moment on, you will be know as Brambleclaw. Starclan honors your bravery and strength and we like to welcome you as a full warrior of Thunderclan." Brambleclaw licked Bluestar's shoulder then stepped back to take his place among the clan. "Tawnypaw from this moment, you will be known as Tawnypelt. Starclan honors your enthusiasm and wisdom and we like to welcome you as a full warrior of Thunderclan." Tawnypelt did the same as Brambleclaw then stepped back beside him. Finally Bluestar looked down on me. I looked into her eyes with a proud expression and I stood tall. She smiled and began to give me my name. "Leopardpaw from this moment, you will be known as Leopardstorm. Starclan honors your courage and defiance and we like to welcome you as a full warrior of Thunderclan." she meowed. I licked Bluestar's shoulder and stepped back as the clan cheered our names.
"Brambleclaw! Tawnypelt! Leopardstorm!" Then realization came to me. I looked around to see Talon Fang, Ocean Breeze, and Silver Frost with Redtail and Spottedleaf. Their eyes glittered with pride but also somberly. Inside a leopard's storm is where faith will remain. Courage of a lion, heart of a leopard will shine through the darkness and peace to the clans will be restored once more. I widened my eyes. I know who the hero is. I looked back at my ancestors but they were gone. I looked at my clanmates gathered around me. It's me...