d

Guess What

Goldenpaw was lying in a sunny patch in front of the apprentice den, sharing tongues with Leafpaw. It was two weeks after her victory against Tigerpaw, and today she would be going to the Gathering with him and her brother. She and Leafpaw had become quite good friends. Often sharing tongues, having a chat or sharing secrets. "Typical she-cat stuff." Is what Lionpaw and the other tom apprentices would say.

Goldenpaw and Leafpaw were the only she-cat apprentices, and already some of the toms were starting to pad after them. The only apprentice that didn't pay any attention to the she-cats was Tigerpaw. Ever since the competition, he would act very peculiar around her. On the other side of the camp Whitepaw, Redpaw, Tigerpaw and Lionpaw were gossiping together, often glancing at Goldenpaw and Leafpaw.

"What do you think they're talking about this time." Leafpaw asked her.

"Dunno. They've been acting all strange these past weeks." Goldenpaw answered back to Leafpaw. Not helping to avoid a glance from Tigerpaw.

"Who would you like as your mate Leafpaw?" She asked her friend. Leafpaw had been very intent on spending much of her time together with Redpaw. They'd make a great pair, Goldenpaw thought to herself.

"Don't tell anyone, but I think Redpaw likes me." Leafpaw blushed when she said his name.

"That's great Leafpaw! I think he'd make a great mate!" Goldenpaw purred.

After a while of chatting she could hear paw steps of a cat coming towards them. Both apprentices turned around to face Smallear. The grey tom was Leafpaw's mentor. Goldenpaw figured he must be wanting to take her out for training. Smallear turned towards Goldenpaw and asked her if could speak with his apprentice alone for a minute. Goldenpaw left the two and padded towards the fresh-kill pile. She hadn't eaten yet today. Picking a small pigeon she padded away from the pile a few tail lengths and lay down. After finishing her meal in a few ravenous gulps, Goldenpaw saw Leafpaw speeding towards her. Her ears perked. She halted, panting heavily.

"Guess what Goldenpaw!!" Leafpaw squealed.

"No what?" Goldenpaw asked. She had no idea what could get her friend in such a good mood.

"Sunstar is making me a warrior!" Leafpaw twirled around and flopped down onto the ground.

"That's great Leafpaw! When?" Goldenpaw purred at her friend.

"At sunhigh." Leafpaw tried to calm herself down but excitement was tingling in her paws.

"What name do you want?" Goldenpaw asked even though she knew only clan leaders or medicine cats could name warriors.

"I was thinking maybe Leafcloud, Leafcoat or Leafwhisker." Her friend thought hard. The names Leafpaw chose were beautiful. Hopefully Sunstar would choose a name that nice.

"Those name are beaut..." Goldenpaw was interrupted by Sunstar's yowl sounding through the clearing.

The two apprentices padded to the highrock for the clan meeting. Goldenpaw was always astounded when Sunstar was standing on the highrock. The old leader looked strong and proud gazing over his clan. Leafpaw turned to her with an expression of sadness on her pretty face.

"Goldenpaw, I'm sorry we couldn't be made apprentices together." She said.

"It's alright. I'm only seven moons and a bit old and your ten moons. It's only fair." She purred to her friend. Comforting her.

They turned to face their leader again. As soon as every cat was present, Sunstar began the ceremony.

"Cats of Thunderclan! We gather here below highrock for three warrior ceremonies. By naming new warriors we show that we are strong." He gazed over his cats.

"Whitepaw, please step forward." He called for the big white tom. Whitepaw stepped forward until he faced his leader.

" I Sunstar, leader of Thunderclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to learn the ways of you noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn." Sunstar looked at the apprentice.

"Do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do." Whitepaw answered with much confidence.

"Then by the powers of Starclan I give you your warrior name. Whitepaw, from this moment on you will be know as Whitestorm. Starclan honors your strength and thought, and we welcome you as full warrior of thunderclan." Sunstar stepped forward and rest his muzzle on Whitestorm's bowed head, Whitestorm respectfully licked his leaders shoulder and stepped back to sit next to Bluefur while the clan shouted his new name.

"Redpaw, please step forward." The small tortoiseshell apprentice stepped forward to face his leader.

" I Sunstar, leader of Thunderclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to learn the ways of you noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn." Sunstar looked with pride at the small apprentice.

"Do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do." Redpaw meowed. His voice quivering.

"Then by the powers of Starclan I give you your warrior name. Redpaw, from this moment on you will be know as Redtail. Starclan honors your speed and kindness, and we welcome you as full warrior of thunderclan." Sunstar stepped forward to do the same as he did to Whitestorm. Redtail respectfully licked his leaders shoulder and sat down next to Lionpaw.

Goldenpaw could feel her friend shaking. It was her turn now. "Good luck Leafpaw." She meowed to her friend and licked her ear. Leafpaw returned a friendly glance and padded to Sunstar when he called name.

" I Sunstar, leader of Thunderclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to learn the ways of you noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in his turn." Sunstar gazed at the beautiful ginger tabby.

"Do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do." Leafpaw meowed very quietly.

"Then by the powers of Starclan I give you your warrior name. Leafpaw, from this moment on you will be know as Leafwhisker. Starclan honors your bravery and compassion, and we welcome you as full warrior of thunderclan." Sunstar once again stepped forward to rest his muzzle on the newly named warrior. Leafwhisker licked his shoulder, and backed away to sit next to Redtail.

When the chanting died down Sunstar called again."Tonight these warriors must sit quiet vigil and guard the camp until sunrise. But before I announce who will be going to the gathering we have one more ceremony to perform." All cats turned to look at their leader. Goldenpaw wondered what ceremony would be happening. The apprentices were way too young to be made warriors, and their were no kits to be apprenticed.

"Heavybelly," Everyone turned to look at the old cat." You wish to join the elders." Heavybelly nodded at Sunstar.

"Then you may join them. You have served your clan well in your life. May you live the rest of your life in peace with the other elders until Starclan take you from us." Sunstar called. The whole clan shouted Heavybelly's name just like in a warrior or apprentice ceremony. Heavybelly went to sit next to Blackpelt and Loudfoot.

"Also Dappletail has decided to join the nursery. As Goldenpaw is now mentor less, she will be trained by Tawnyspots"

Goldenpaw gazed up at her leader with disbelief. The deputy's apprentice! Wow! she thought. She ran over to her previous mentor and went to congratulate her. Dappletail was definitely getting plump. It wouldn't be long before she would have her kits. She almost forgot to listen to who would go to the gathering tonight.

"The cats going to the gathering are Tawnyspots, Featherwhiskers, Patchpelt, Speckletail, Thistleclaw, Bluefur, Tigerpaw, Goldenpaw, Lionpaw, Hazelface, Dawnfur and Blackpelt." Sunstar called. Goldenpaw already knew she was going but she was still very exited. She had never seen anyone from the other clans before. Other than the Riverclan warriors that had invaded the camp.

Tawnyspots padded towards her and Lionpaw. She still couldn't believe he had chosen the deputy to be her mentor!

"You two better get some rest before you go to the gathering. Bluefur will wake you up just before we leave." He told them, then padding away.

She would bet for all the fresh-kill in the forest that the gathering would be amazing. Together Goldenpaw and Lionpaw padded into the apprentice den. It was very empty now that there were only three apprentices left. She lay down in her nest and soon fell asleep. Dreaming about what the gathering would be like.

Hah!! I tricked you all!! I knew everyone would think this chapter was about the gathering, but I needed to make Whitestorm, Redtail and Leafwhisker warriors, so that it could fit in with the original line of the story. Tune in next time for the exiting chapter about the gathering. Good night folks. See you next time. HAHAHA!!