Chapter Seven
Lionpaw's eyes shot open, his surroundings were familiar again and he was in Goldenfeather's den. Wounds on his shoulders burned with agony as he tried to sit up. He looked around and saw Birdpaw laying in a nest close to his. Her eyes were shut tight and she didn't move. Lionpaw panicked as Goldenfeather entered the den," What happened? Is Birdpaw alright?" he asked frantically.
"Of course, dear. She just was up making sure you were alright. I told her she could sleep in here as long as she stopped asking me or Vixenpaw if you were okay." Goldenfeather meowed as she began to gather herbs to put on Lionpaw's scratches. "You'll have to take it easy for a day or two. Shadestar has been waiting for the warrior ceremony until you woke up. It's a good thing Hawkeye was there to take to take that mangy crow-food leader off of you, otherwise, you would be dead."
Hawkeye saved my life. I will have to thank him. Lionpaw thought. He rose from the nest after Goldenfeather applied her poultice. He padded to his denmate, Birdpaw. He licked her black fur on her forehead and her bright green eyes shot open. She looked up at Lionpaw in awe. "Thank you for staying with me, Birdpaw." He purred.
She looked up at him gratefully and before she could reply Shadestar called," Everyone old enough to catch their own prey, join me here for a clan meeting."
Lionpaw's fur pickled with excitement as he bounded out of the medicine-den with Birdpaw following hard on his paws. He took his spot in the center of the gathering cats with his littermates, Leopardpaw and Tigerpaw. Their eyes glowed with excitement as Shadestar yowled," Today, is a wonderful day for ThunderClan. A day where apprentices become warriors." He glanced at his three kits as pride glittered in his amber gaze and he continued," Leopardpaw, Lionpaw, and Tigerpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this clan even at the cost of your life?"
"I do!" Tigerpaw yowled loudly.
"I do." Leopardpaw meowed as excitement brimmed in her eyes.
Lionpaw boomed," I do."
"Then by the powers of StarClan, you will be known as Leopardspot, Lionsound, and Tigerstripe. StarClan honors your loyalty, courage, and intelligence and welcome you as full warriors of ThunderClan." Shadestar yowled loudly.
"Lionsound! Tigerstripe! Leopardspot!" the clan cheered.
Lionsound felt the excitement finally burst from under his pelt. Birdpaw ran up to him and stretched up to rub her muzzle along Lionsound's. Warmth struck his heart and his heart pounded as he took in Birdpaw's sweet scent for the first time. When he opened his amber eyes, he saw Hawkeye looking at him with approval gleaming in his eyes. He padded up to Hawkeye and meowed," Thank you. For saving my life."
"Don't mention it, Lionsound." He replied.
Lionsound dipped his head respectfully as Leopardspot padded up to sit beside Hawkeye. Lionsound, then, turned to see Silvertooth padding into the clearing with two mysterious cats. Silvertooth was accompanied by Crowfur, Lightfoot, and Rosethorn. One of the cats was jet black tom with mysterious black eyes. Lionsound's fur rose as he noticed the uneasiness coming off the two cats. Next to the black tom was a pure white she-cat. Shadestar greeted them and they instantly engaged in conversation. Lionsound bounded up to them and asked," What's going on? Who are they?"
"Shadow and Misty Magic. They wish to join ThunderClan. They come from a barn not far from ShadowClan territory and they have seen the danger they are in by living so close to them. They're decent cats and Misty Magic is expecting Shadow's kits. He just wants the safety for them, but will help us in anyway." Shadestar meowed thoughtfully.
Lionsound watched him turn to the two cats," Very well, we're always willing to help. Shadow, you will be known as Shadowshade, for your midnight pelt. And your mate will be called Mistywater. I am glad you have joined ThunderClan. Our medicine-cat, Goldenfeather, will look after Mistywater until she has kitted."
Lionsound watched Shadowshade dip his head to the leader and speak in a deep voice," I am very grateful you have accepted us, I will make sure you do not regret your decision."
The black tom looked up at Lionsound, his eyes reflected yellow as the sun came in contact with them. He dipped his head to him and Shadestar added," Lionsound, why don't you show Shadowshade around our camp?"
"Of course, follow me." Lionsound replied as he beckoned the black tom with his tail.
Shadowshade followed him closely. He was a bit shorter than Lionsound but his sleek black fur showed thick mussel that rippled in his shoulders of any seasoned warrior. His tail was shorter than any ThunderClan warrior as if it were shortened by a badger.
"The den with the ferns covering it is the nursery. The den to the left by the fallen tree is the elder's den, where warriors that are too old to fight or hunt for themselves retire to and are looked after by our apprentices. You've already see the leader's den, where Shadestar came out of to greet you. The medicine den is covered by lichen and the warriors den is next to the apprentices den which is to the right of the elders den." Lionsound meowed as they walked around the camp," Any questions?"
Shadowshade thought for a moment then shook his head. Uneasiness was still flowing off his pelt in waves. Lionsound nudged the tom gently and meowed," Calm down, you're among friends here."
The tom nodded then said," Thanks for showing me around. Is it alright if I see how Mistywater is getting on?"
"Of course, but don't be too long. There are patrols and hunting parties you should take to so you can see and know our territory." Lionsound warned.
Shadowshade nodded once more before he turned toward the nursery. Lionsound sat in silence as the moon began to shine above him, turning his fur silver. He stood and stretched and began to pad toward his new nest in the warriors den. He entered the den and saw Leopardspot's aqua eyes glittering with happiness as she curled close to Hawkeye. An empty nest was beside Tigerstripe, she signaled him to come lay and he did so. He curled up in his new nest and saw Silverpelt flicker though cracks in the roof of the den. He closed his amber eyes and allowed sleep to engulf him.
Lionsound's eyes shot open as he saw Ragestar standing before him with a familiar orange cat with black stripes in his jaws. Terror struck Lionsound's heart when he realized it was Tigerstripe in his jaws. To the left of Ragestar, Birdpaw's lifeless body lay and Leopardspot fought for her life against the fierce Firefur. Panic seared through him as Ragestar dropped his sister's body and jumped on him. Long claws sliced though his fur and flesh and pain burned in his shoulders. Darkness engulfed him and sorrow flickered though the air. "We are sorry for the loss of all hope." Several voices sounded as one as it echoed though the pitch black area.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thanks for reviewing! It's really starting to pick up now. Sorry for any spelling errors in any of the chapters, I get caught up in writing and ignore my errors even though I notice them. I'll go back and fix as many as I can. Continue to review and I will continue to write! Thanks!
