Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Warriors


Chapter 3

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, join here beneath the Hightree for a clan meeting!" Leafstar's voice rang out above the rustling of leaves and whispers of wind. Silkfur stretched her back and paws. Then suddenly she sat upright, realizing that today was the day that Drizzlecloud, a caring queen was going to have her first litter of kits become warriors! Silkfur ran out of the warrior's den and found Drizzlecloud fiercely licking her kits.

"Stay still Foxpaw!" Drizzlecloud was yelling.

"I can do it myself you know!" Foxpaw retorted.

"And Willowpaw, what have you done!" Drizzlecloud continued. "You must have caught all the burrs from here to the gathering island!"

Silkfur left the two apprentices to their complaining. She found her place beneath the Hightree and felt comforted after the natural sounds of the forest. The birds' songs, the leaves rustling, the winds whisper, not to mention the elders urgently whispering to each other about why Leafstar would call them out of their dens before sunhigh. Leafstar bounded down the tangle of roots to come and stand with her clan.

"I have waited long for this day" Leafstar called out. "Today we shall be gaining two new warriors. Willowpaw, Foxpaw, please step forward."

The two apprentices walked up to Leafstar, Foxpaw tripping over his shadow once or twice. Willowpaw's sky blue eyes blazed with more ferocity than a burning fire, devouring up everything in its path. Silkfur could see that they were both excited.

"Airpelt, is your apprentice Willowpaw ready for her warrior ceremony?" Leafstar asked.

"Yes, she has trained hard. I know she will be the best warrior she can be." Airpelt replied.

"Good. Falcongaze, is your apprentice Foxpaw ready for his warrior ceremony?"

"Yes" Falcongaze replied, a purr rumbling deep in his throat. Silkfur realized that Falcongaze was not only Foxpaw's mentor but his father too. Now she could see why he was so happy. It was an unusual sight to see Falcongaze smiling when he wasn't around Drizzlecloud.

Silkfur could sense the excitement growing in the air around her. Foxpaw's white tipped tail was twitching. She couldn't help realizing how much Foxpaw actually looked like a fox.

"I, Leafstar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these two apprentices." Leafstar's voice rang out around the clearing. "They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Willowpaw, Foxpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your lives?"

"I do!" Now there was no hesitation in what the two apprentices said or did. They were as confident as a warrior should be. Silkfur could see that they would be a great advantage to the clan. Silkfur felt memories come back to her as she watched the apprentices. She remembered having her warrior ceremony. She had to sit vigil with Crowfrost for the whole night! Crowfrost was a great friend and she could see he liked her but she couldn't love anyone but Strawpelt. 'Oh Strawpelt, where are you?' Silkfur thought.

Her mind cleared as Leafstar spoke again. "Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior names." Leafstar went on "Willowpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Willowgaze. StarClan honours your wisdom and responsibility and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."

Leafstar rested her muzzle on top of Willowgaze's head and Willowgaze respectfully licked her shoulder.

"Foxpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Foxtail. StarClan honours your enthusiasm and optimism and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."

Leafstar did the same routine with Foxtail as she did with Willowgaze.

"Willowgaze! Foxtail! Willowgaze! Foxtail!" The chants echoed around the hollow, the apprentices being the loudest. As the noise died down, Silkfur padded over to the two new warriors and said her praise and welcome. The sun was high in the sky right now, perfect time for hunting. Silkfur's cream coloured pelt turned golden in the sunshine. She padded out of the hollow and into the forest. Smells overwhelmed her scent glands and Silkfur realized that she would never feel more at home than here in the undergrowth.

Silkfur tasted the air more carefully this time, trying to taste any scent of mouse or squirrel. She couldn't smell anything unusual until suddenly, fox! Silkfur gathered up all her strength and crept along the scent path. She would just find the burrow and then go back to camp to tell Leafstar. Eventually she came to a rocky outcrop. Silkfur peered out of the bushes and saw it. The fox. It was sniffing out prey from the bushes. Silkfur carefully crept backwards, but her tail brushed the foliage. The fox looked up, sniffed and raced towards Silkfur. She didn't know what to do! If she ran back to camp it would lead the fox there and become a threat to everyone. But if I stay I could lose my life. What have I done?"