Nightpaw's yowl was knocked out of her as she slammed into the edge of the gorge, her paws desperately scrabbling for some sort of hold as she started to slip down the wall, ever-conscious of the torrent of water thundering below her. Nightpaw slid a few mouse-lengths more before her back paws managed to slip into an alcove and her front claws dug deep into the rough soil, both saving and stranding her on the gorge's wall. The momentary relief Nightpaw felt was quickly swept away when she looked up and saw how impossible it was to even attempt to clamber back up to safety. It was only a matter of time until tiredness forced her grip to relax and she would fall down into the watery depths all alone and with no help for survival.
"Help!" She cried desperately, hoping someone, anyone could hear her. "Please someone help me!" Nightpaw had never needed her sister more than in this moment. If only Dawnpaw had stayed to help fight with her, this might not have happened. "Dawnpaw!" She yowled. To her relief, two white paws appeared at the top of the gorge but it wasn't Dawnpaw who's face peered down shortly after. Instead a handsome young grey River Clan tom looked down at her. He could only be slightly older than her. A newly made warrior perhaps.
"Uh, hey..." Nightpaw began weakly, fully expecting the tom to just leave her where she was but instead, the tom's dark green pools widened at the sight of her and in an instant, he was reaching down with his two white paws towards her. "It's okay." He said soothingly as he stretched down towards her. "I'll have you back up here in a minute, uh..."
"Nightpaw." Nightpaw told him.
"Whiteclaw." He returned. "Okay, Nightpaw. I'm going to need you to be brave and reach towards me with a paw."
Nightpaw gulped but obediently pulled one set of claws out of the gorge wall and reached up towards him. She didn't even consider the fact that this could be a River Clan trick to make her fall. For some reason, she just instinctively trusted him.
"That's good." Whiteclaw gave her a warm grin as his paws clasped hold of her's. "Now just-"
He never got to finish his sentence as a grey and brown ball barrelled into the back of him and with a yowl of shock, Whiteclaw tumbled over the edge as well. Nightpaw just had time to sink her claws back down deep into the gorge before Whiteclaw's claws ripped into her back, halting his descent and Nightpaw couldn't help echoing his yowl at the sudden intense pain from the rips in her back.
Greystripe and the brown tabby River Clan apprentice he'd been fighting with looked over the edge a moment later. "Oh, thank Star Clan." Greystripe breathed looking down at the two of them. "I thought I'd...Never mind." He finished quickly at the glares of fury Nightpaw was giving him. Seriously, if she survived this, she was going to kill him. "I'll get help."
"Me too." The River Clan apprentice squeaked and the two of them disappeared, leaving Nightpaw and Whiteclaw to hang alone.
"Thanks." Nightpaw muttered downwards, her muscles screaming from the effort of holding them both up.
"For what?" Whiteclaw grunted, his face clearly strained. "My claws are gouging holes in your back."
"For trying to help. Thank you."
"It was nothing." Whiteclaw glanced away from her down at the gorge, one ear flicking with embarrassment.
Both of them were saved from future awkward conversations by the rumbling sound of footsteps and the very two cats she could have wished for appeared. Her sister and probably the strongest cat in all the Clans. Maybe she wouldn't kill Greystripe...just severely maim him...
"Are you alright, Nightpaw?" Tigerclaw meowed staring down at her and Whiteclaw, Dawnpaw by his side, her eyes blue pools of horror.
"Great!" Nightpaw meowed back, the panic inside her at knowing she was moments away from death returning and making sarcasm drip off her tongue. "We're fine. Me and Whiteclaw are just hanging around, enjoying the view."
As Tigerclaw sat back to calmly assess the situation, Dawnpaw issued some frantic words of wisdom. "Just hold on, Nightpaw!"
"WHAT IN THE NAME OF STAR CLAN DO YOU THINK I'M DOING?"
"Okay." Tigerclaw began. Nightpaw glared at him. Was that the slightest hint of laughter in his voice? "I'm going to try to pull you up. Dawnpaw, dig your front claws into my back."
"What?" Dawnpaw looked shocked.
"Just do it, Dawnpaw!" Nightpaw snapped and Dawnpaw did what Tigerclaw said, the big tom not even showing the slightest hint of pain as he leaned over the edge towards them, leaving Dawnpaw to support his weight and keep him from slipping. She felt Tigerclaw's teeth sink into her scruff at the same time that her claws gave up the fight and let go. She let out a yowl of fright but soon realised that she wasn't falling.
Instead Tigerclaw let out a grunt of effort at the sudden weight and Nightpaw found herself and Whiteclaw hanging from his jaw. Somehow Tigerclaw found the strength and he wrenched his head back, claws digging deep into the top of the gorge as he slowly lifted them up. For one second, Nightpaw thought she had been saved but Star Clan had tricked her. There was a crumbling sound and the bit of the gorge under Tigerclaw's front paws gave way, slamming the tom downwards and taking Nightpaw and Whiteclaw with him. She could hear Tigerclaw's claws frantically scrabbling to find purchase as Dawnpaw fought to keep him up but she knew it was only a matter of seconds before the two of them were pulled over the edge as well by her and Whiteclaw's weight.
"Nightpaw." The tom spoke below her softly startling her out of her vision of them falling to their doom. "Can I just say you're the most beautiful cat I've ever seen?"
"Not really the time, Whiteclaw!" Nightpaw cried with exasperation, for Star Clan's sake, she'd only just met the guy, but Whiteclaw continued, his voice getting stronger and more determined with every word. "I wish things could have been different...Maybe we might have been...Promise me you'll live Nightpaw. Promise me I'm not doing this in vain. Have a long and happy life. For me."
"Whiteclaw, what in the name of Star Clan are you-" Nightpaw's question was answered by the sudden loss of weight clinging to her back. "WHITECLAW!" She screamed, whipping her head around to see the grey tom falling into the gorge, green eyes closed as though he was at peace. "WHITECLAW!"
She hardly noticed Tigerclaw find a grip on the edge or heave her back up into safety or her sister covering her in licks. All she could see was the sight of those white paws disappearing beneath the waves. He'd let go...for her...
"Whiteclaw!" Leopardfur's cry broke her out of her daze, and she turned with tear-filled eyes to see the golden she-cat pounding towards them with Greystripe and the brown tabby tom beside her, all three of them with identical looks of horror in their eyes. "NO!"
"I'm sorry." Nightpaw choked, letting Dawnpaw turn her away and lead her from the edge. "It was my fault." She sobbed into her sister's pelt. "He shouldn't have even been there."
"No, it was mine." Greystripe whispered in a horrified voice. "If I hadn't-"
"It was neither of your faults." Dawnpaw interrupted them with a determined look. "It just happened. Whiteclaw made his choice. To save you Nightpaw. And I'm very glad he did."
"Dawnpaw's right." Tigerclaw strode up to stand by them as the River Clan cats darted away. "What's done is done. Whiteclaw wouldn't want you moping over what happened for the rest of your lives."
"Right." Greystripe and Nightpaw sighed together but neither of them could even try to force a smile on their faces.
She hardly noticed them saying good-bye to the Wind Clan cats or beginning the journey back to the camp. Warm happy mews greeted them at their return but they quickly fell quiet at the expressions of the returning cats. Willowpelt bounded over to them instantly at the sight of her injured kit but Dawnpaw diverted her and began to explain in hushed voices, something Nightpaw was grateful for as she slunk into the medicine cat den where Yellowfang immediately began simultaneously fixing her and complaining about it. Greystripe wasn't so lucky, he and Fireheart were dragged into Bluestar's den by Tigerclaw presumably for a major telling-off but for the moment, Nightpaw really didn't care as she fell asleep, thoughts of a certain grey tom who had given his life for her.
-x-
By the time she was awoken by Dawnpaw mewing something about a ceremony, Nightpaw felt better. She wasn't over the incident, far from it but Tigerclaw was right. What's done was done and moping around changed nothing. As she walked with her sister to sit beneath the High Rock however, she noticed Greystripe didn't seem to share her view. Fireheart was talking to him but the grey tom just stared at the ground slumped over and looking like an elder.
"What's going on?" She hissed to her sister as Bluestar emerged from her den.
"Look over there." Dawnpaw indicated with her tail and Nightpaw looked over to see Frostfur with two of the four kits they'd rescued from Shadow Clan. The grey she-cat and one of the ginger toms. Nightpaw felt a burst of excitement in her chest at the prospect of more apprentices in the den but a pang of sadness hit her too. Here were some more kits who's father had never lived to see this day.
"Lionheart would be proud." Dawnpaw murmured almost as though she knew what her sister was thinking as she glanced up at the stars.
Bluestar jumped up on the Highrock and waved her tail but it wasn't too the two kits she signalled. Instead a proud looking Sandpaw and Dustpaw strode forward.
"Well, I didn't know that was happening..." Dawnpaw muttered. "Should have expected it though."
"Yeah. It's about time they joined Ravenpelt in the warriors den." Nightpaw nodded pushing down the tiny spark of jealousy that more cats were becoming warriors without them.
"I, Bluestar, leader of Thunder Clan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these two apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your code and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn." Bluestar began the ceremony. "Sandpaw, Dustpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your own life?"
"I do." Sandpaw replied, eyes gleaming.
"I do." Dustpaw echoed his sister's words.
"Then by the powers of Star Clan I give you your warrior's name. Sandpaw from this moment you will be known as Sandstorm. Star Clan honours your courage and your spirit, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Thunder Clan. Dustpaw, from this moment you will be known as Dustpelt. Star Clan honours your bravery and your honesty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Thunder Clan." Both new warriors licked their leader's shoulder before heading back to sit with their mentors before cries of Sandstorm and Dustpelt littered the air as cats gathered round to congratulate them.
"In the tradition of our ancestors, Sandstorm and Dustpelt must sit in silent vigil until dawn, and guard the camp alone whilst we sleep. But before that, I have another ceremony to perform. Two new apprentices to name. Come forward, you two." The two kits by Frostfur made their way over, the female darting to sit in front of Bluestar, the ginger tom walking more slowly forward. Nightpaw glanced around, wondering who their mentors could be. They were running short of warriors to train apprentices. Willowpelt was the only option left. Or Brindleface. Unless Mousefur or Tigerclaw were to have another apprentice so soon after their last.
"From this day forward," Bluestar meowed, gazing down at the little grey kit. "Until she has earned her warrior name, this apprentice will be known as Cinderpaw. Fireheart." Nightpaw glanced up with surprise and she wasn't the only one. Fireheart was getting an apprentice? He'd only been made a warrior a few sunrises before. Did that mean Ravenpelt, Moonshine or Greystripe would be getting the other kit? Brackenpaw was then named and given to Greystripe. When mentors and apprentices had touched noses, the ceremony was over and Nightpaw hurried forward to congratulate her friends.
"Congratulations." Dawnpaw mewed to the two of them. "You two deserve it." Nightpaw added.
"Do I?" Greystripe muttered, stalking away to the warrior's den.
Fireheart sighed, head turned away from them to follow his friend with his eyes. "Sorry about him."
"It's fine. Give him time and in a few days he'll be back to the old Greystripe." Dawnpaw glanced worriedly after the grey tom as well. "I hope."
"Are you okay, Nightpaw?" Fireheart turned to her. "Greystripe told me what happened. I tried to see you earlier but you were asleep. Yellowfang about bit my ear off for nearly disturbing you."
"I'm fine." Nightpaw shivered at the look in those green eyes, so similar to White...and turned her gaze to the ground. "I appreciate the concern."
"It was nothing." The ginger tom shrugged, the words causing Nightpaw to glance sharply up, a jolt hitting her heart. That was what he had said. After a moment, she shook her head and turned away again but before she could get away again, there was a yowl from Bluestar asking for silence and Nightpaw felt herself obliged to sit down where she was, her pelt prickling uncomfortably at the feeling of Fireheart next to her.
"Dawnpaw!" Bluestar called and Dawnpaw got to her feet, a confused look on her face. Nightpaw stilled. If her sister was made a warrior now as well, she thought she might actually cry. Thankfully, Bluestar hadn't called her up for that reason. "Dawnpaw, you are without a mentor since Frostfur has given up the position. I have thought long and hard on a suitable mentor to help you complete your warrior training and have now come to a decision. Your new mentor will be...Tigerclaw."
There were gasps of surprise, most noticeably from Dawnpaw herself, as well as Ravenpelt, Moonshine and Fireheart beside her who all looked rather shocked and even...concerned. What was that about? In contrast, Dawnpaw's eyes shone like stars as she bounded over to Tigerclaw who gave her a warm purr and dipped his head to greet his new apprentice.
Nightpaw bristled slightly as they touched noses, and stayed there for a fraction longer than she would have liked, but Tigerclaw had saved her from death and so she returned the favour by swallowing her feelings and heading over to congratulate the two of them.
She was followed by the rest of the Clan, except from Fireheart, Ravenpelt, Moonshine and the missing Greystripe. Nightpaw's eyes narrowed slightly as Ravenpelt, Moonshine and Fireheart drew together in a clump and started talking in hushed whispers. Something was going on with those three. Something involving Dawnpaw's new mentor and for the safety of her sister, she was determined to find out what.
-x-
Dawnpaw took a long time to fall asleep, excitement still coursing through her veins. Tigerclaw was her mentor! She hadn't even trained with him yet but she already knew she couldn't think of a better cat to train her. He knew all the best fighting moves, he was so strong and brave putting his own life in danger like that to rescue Nightpaw. And those amber eyes just radiated calm no matter what the situation. She felt safe just being in his presence, like nothing could touch her, like he would protect her from anything and everything. Tigerclaw was just so...
"Dawnpaw!" Dawnpaw spun on the spot, her spine spiking at the voice of the cat she most wanted to see and yet most dreaded seeing again.
"Redtail!" Dawnpaw gasped in delight, racing forward at the realization that her father was standing right behind her, completely whole and blood-free. She buried her nose into her father's neck, sniffing and checking for any sign of a wound or injury but there was none. It must have been a nightmare. "Oh, Dad. I thought..." She sobbed.
"Thought what, little one?" Redtail licked her gently on the ear.
Dawnpaw composed herself and drew back. There was no need to tell her dad about her nightmares. "Nothing. I'm just so glad you're here."
"Me too." Redtail breathed. "I've missed you."
"I miss you too, Dad." Dawnpaw couldn't help leaning forward again and burying herself into his side.
"How are you doing? How's Nightpaw? And your mother?"
"Fine. We're all fine. Well, Nightpaw nearly fell off a cliff today but..."
"She nearly did WHAT?" Redtail gasped.
"Don't worry. She's fine." Dawnpaw smiled at the concern in his voice. Even in Star Clan, Redtail still worried about them. "And mum's fine too. Getting better, I think."
"That's good." Redtail nodded but he couldn't meet her eyes as he spoke. "I wouldn't want her to mope over me for the rest of her life. She should be free down there, find love, be happy."
Dawnpaw drew back, concerned. "You don't really mean that, do you?"
Redtail looked back at her, eyes troubled. "I'm not sure. I just want her to be happy."
"But to find someone else, find love again?"
"I'm not sure." Redtail echoed with a sigh. "I just don't know. I think...if she found someone else...I'd be happy for her."
"Oh Dad..." Dawnpaw's eyes brimmed with emotion. He had always been like this, so selfless. It was one of the reasons why he'd made such a great deputy. He would have made an even better leader.
"So..." Redtail shook his head, eyes clearing as he changed the subject. "Any other news or near death experiences I should be made aware of, young lady?"
"No." Dawnpaw giggled. "Though something great happened today. Frostfur gave up being my mentor which admittedly, wasn't all that great...but then I got a new one. And you'll never guess who it is. Tigerclaw! And he's so handsome and brave. I just know under him I'll be a fine-"
"No..." Redtail choked. "No..."
"Dad?" Dawnpaw looked up in surprise at the sudden interruption and then slid back, a strangled scream of fear catching in her throat, fur fluffing up everywhere on her body. Redtail's neck was slit from one side to the other, blood flooding out as his eyes stared at her, dull and glassy. As she watched, her father slowly slumped to the ground, a bloody lake flowing from him that reached her toes, washing against them, wave after wave of sticky blackness, staining her paws a deep red. Dawnpaw stared down at her blood-stained paws, horror-struck for a moment before slowly looking back up. Her father was gone, instead a blackness loomed in front of her. Then from out of the blackness, two large lights like cat-eyes raced towards her and she felt herself thrown to the ground, an intense pain radiating from one of her legs as she finally screamed.