SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING! But I had homework and stuff (yes, I have homework in summer) and…I will admit that I was a tad bit lazy. But anyway. Onwards with the chapter!
"Let all cats that are old enough to catch their own prey gather here under the Grassheap for a Clan meeting!"
Fatepaw stumbled out of her nest, blurry-eyed with sleep. On the other hand, Graypaw, who was the only other apprentice since Emberpaw had left, was pacing back and forth with anticipation. Every single tuft of his fur was groomed in place.
"Aren't you sleepy?" Fatepaw murmured.
"Not at all." Graypaw continued to pace back and forth.
"What's with you? It's not like you're going to become the deputy!" Fatepaw meowed teasingly.
Graypaw stopped pacing and looked at Fatepaw squarely in the eye. "Wait until the meeting starts and you'll understand," he answered.
"It is time to do the ceremony that I enjoy the most-the naming of new warriors," Bladestar yowled.
Realization struck Fatepaw. Graypaw was about to become a warrior!
"Do you think that Graypaw is ready for this honor?" Bladestar inquired to Graypaw's mentor, Runningtail.
"He is," Runningtail purred.
"Graypaw, do you promise to honor and follow the warrior code, even at the cost of your life?" Bladestar questioned.
"I do," Graypaw meowed solemnly.
"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your name. Graypaw, from this day on you will be known as Grayflame. StarClan honors your kindness and loyalty, and we welcome you as a warrior of GrassClan."
"Grayflame! Grayflame!" the Clan yowled. Fatepaw yowled the loudest of all.
Bladestar swept his gaze over his Clan. "There was one more cat to be named warrior," he meowed. Sorrow cracked his mew. "Emberpaw is not here. But still, we should honor her, and we will have her warrior ceremony when she comes back."
"Emberpaw! Emberpaw!" the Clan shouted. Fatepaw found herself shouting out Emberpaw's name, which was surprising, though she did feel sympathy towards Emberpaw.
Fatepaw nudged Grayflame. "Are we still going to be close?" she mewed quietly. After all, she would be the only apprentice until Wingbird's kits were old enough.
"Of course we will," he purred. He buried his muzzle into her flank. "Just because I became a warrior doesn't mean that we won't be close." His eyes sparkled. "Though I suppose that I could boss you around."
"Never!" Fatepaw growled playfully.
Grayflame snorted. "I suppose you're right. You'd probably attack me if I try to boss you around."
Fatepaw was quiet for a moment. "What do you think happened to Emberpaw?" she asked.
"I don't know," Grayflame answered honestly. "To be honest, I feel sorry for her."
Fatepaw nodded. "Me too." Then she thought of something. "You do know that you're going to have to keep vigil, right?" she asked Grayflame.
Grayflame's eyes widened. "Darn! I was looking forward to sleeping today." He let out a huge yawn. "I had to get up early to groom myself."
Fatepaw purred. "Well, don't fall asleep," she warned. "Because I don't think Bladestar would like that."
"I know." Grayflame licked Fatepaw's cheek. "And I would never forgive myself if a badger or a fox came in and hurt you if I fell asleep during my vigil."
"Grayflame! Fatepaw!" A yowl sounded from the leaders' den. "Come over to my den."
The couple padded over to Bladestar's den. He was looking at the wall, his eyes full of…guilt? Was that guilt in his eyes?
"You two are to find Emberpaw and bring her back," he meowed.
"What if it takes too long and I can't do my vigil?" Grayflame asked.
"Then don't do it," Bladestar growled. "StarClan surely can forgive us."
"But-"
"No buts!" Bladestar lashed his tail. "I don't care if it takes too long. If you can't do your vigil, fine. You can do it some other day, it doesn't matter which. You two are dismissed," he meowed.
Once they were earshot of the leader, Grayflame whispered, "Is he mad? No cat would miss a vigil! And does he really think that StarClan would forgive him? The last time a cat missed a vigil, the Clan leader died!"
"Don't worry about it," Fatepaw soothed. "I don't think StarClan would punish us."
Grayflame sighed. "I hope you're right."
I know this chapter is shorter than usual. I'll begin to update more frequently.
