Here is chapter 9 folks!
Chapter 9:
Two moons passed, and the Clan had prospered, traveling to a different area every half-a-moon. They were now resting in a fog-filled forest, trees looming over the cats. Dewpaw hadn't gotten any visions about the prophecy yet, but she knew that her warrior ceremony was approaching. At least, that's what she hoped. She had also gone back to warrior training.
Dewpaw got a glimpse of Burnpaw. The tom now looked like a strong warrior; muscles ripped through his pelt, his flaming russet fur gleaming in the sun. He was taller than before, but his personality hadn't changed, which was good.
Burnpaw caught her gaze, purring with amusement. He padded up to her. "Hey, why are you staring at me?" He asked playfully, his golden eyes twinkling.
Dewpaw purred, pawing his ear. She was as tall as him, thankfully. "Just seeing if your okay," she mewed, her own blue eyes gleaming.
Burnpaw sat next to her, and sighed. Dewpaw looked at his leg. Of course, it had healed, but a long scar still remained, reminding Dewpaw of the destruction she had caused to him. She shuddered.
"I'm worried about Moonpaw," he suddenly said, pain showing in his gaze. "I mean, her leg is healing, but our warrior ceremony is any day. I'm afraid that... that she won't become a warrior with us. Until her leg fully heals."
Dewpaw wanted to tell him he was wrong, but since she had been helping Wolfscar, she knew he was right. She'd probably be becoming a warrior with Wasppaw and Briarpaw. She sighed, her heart being squeezed by enormous paws.
"Maybe it'll heal in time. And, if it doesn't, at least we know she'll still become a warrior." Dewpaw flicked an ear, her paws flexing the ground.
Burnpaw's gaze suddenly became even more worried, and he jumped up to his paws. "And what if she just doesn't become a warrior all together? What if her leg is a permanent injury, Dewpaw? She'll have no place!"
Dewpaw snarled gently, but it was full of determination. "She will become a warrior, Burnpaw! And we'll make sure of it."
Burnpaw sighed again, sitting back down. They sat together for awhile, watching Duststar as he talked with Spiderfire affectionately. Burnpaw's head tilted as he watched the two cats, clearly intrested. Dewpaw held back a purr of amusement.
As the day pasted, Dewpaw went to her father, Frosteddew. He was sitting quietly, looking up at the stars, whispering to himself. The death of Dawnpetal had changed Frosteddew completely. Instead of the fun, lovable, soft and energetic father, he had become quiet. His eyes hadn't glistened since the day Dawnpetal died.
Frosteddew whisked his tail as Dewpaw sat next to him. Dewpaw looked at him. "My warrior ceremony is soon," she murmured.
Frosteddew didn't look down at her. "Yes. I've heard." His voice was blank and empty, as though it had no meaning.
Dewpaw nudged him softly. "You do care, right?" She asked, suddenly afraid her father wasn't the least bit interested.
Dewpaw saw as her father looked down, and her heart lit as she saw the love that gleamed in his eyes. "Of course I do, Dewpaw. I care about all your accomplishments. Your mother did, too." The light faded in his eyes once more, and he looked back up. "She would've been proud."
Dewpaw blinked tears back. She hated seeing her father so gloomy. He had been that way for almost three moons. She turned from her father, not knowing what else to say. She watched as Burnpaw, Ripplepaw, and Moonpaw were gathered around Skyrunner. Their mother's gaze held a strong love and pride. Dewpaw looked at Wasppaw and Briarpaw, who were with Sorrelheart. Sorrelheart's eyes were also filled with the same love as she groomed her kits. Dewpaw saw Graytail as she groomed her two moon old kits. The love was also in her eyes.
Dewpaw had never felt so much loss in her life. She realized how much she missed her mother, how the strong affection had gleamed in her beautiful blue eyes. Dewpaw whimpered softly, suddenly wishing her mother were here to see her become a warrior. To help her with the dreams that told prophecies. The world faded around her, and she was left surrounded in her own grief-felt thoughts.
Dewpaw woke to sunlight gleaming on her pelt. She slowly stretched herself awake, wondering why she was asleep outside. Then she remembered that she had been grieving about her mother. She tried hard to push the image of her mother out. Today was a good day. She'd be attending her warrior ceremony. She wondered what her warrior name would be. Dewpetal? Dewfur? Dewheart? She wondered, bumping into Stormfall, her mentor. She purred.
"Hey! Isn't today a good day for some cat!" The deputy mewed, pawing Dewpaw's ear. "After today, you can officially mate!"
Dewpaw twitched her whiskers. "Why would mating matter?"
Stormfall rolled her eyes like she knew nothing. "Oh, I wonder." She starting laughing, and Dewpaw then realized what she meant.
"Burnpaw and I are friends, Stormfall!" She hissed, her pelt rippling.
"Okay, okay, keep your fur on," Stormfall purred, still laughing. Dewpaw glowered, but deep inside she knew she was right. She couldn't wait to actually mate Burnpaw. She
"Okay, let's just go patrol our temporary territory." Stormfall looked at Dewpaw. "Let's mix it up and bring Wasppaw. Burnpaw, Ripplepaw, and Briarpaw can go hunting."
Dewpaw sagged as she realized she wouldn't be spending her last day as an apprentice with Burnpaw, but she immediately brightened up. She hadn't talked with Wasppaw for awhile. She couldn't wait to meet the young witty tom again.
Dewpaw saw Wasppaw approaching and greeted him happily. Wasppaw's blue eyes widened as he saw her.
"Your so big!" He exclaimed, his ginger tail flicking from side to side in surprise.
Dewpaw purred. "Yeah, it's been awhile."
Wasppaw purred back. "Awhile? Give me a break! More like five moons!"
Dewpaw's eyes gleamed with laughter as she padded beside the ginger tom. Stormfall was talking with Birchnose about Twolegs, and their eyes were serious. Dewpaw ignored the fearful ripple of air that blasted at her. She wouldn't let Twolegs be on her mind.
Wasppaw looked at Dewpaw. "How's Bouncespirit?" He asked, slowing his pace.
Dewpaw blinked. "Uh, I'm not sure. We don't really hang out that much."
Wasppaw let a small smile flash across his face. "Maybe you should. I see the way he looks at you, Dewpaw. And Whitetail. He's been trying to go hunting with you for over a moon now."
Dewpaw gaped, shocked. She didn't realize that the two toms liked her. "Well, I think I already have my future planned out," she finally meowed. "I'm sure they'll both find someone else."
Wasppaw shrugged. "You have a good life, Dewpaw. You've got all the toms after you."
Dewpaw purred with laughter. "I'm sure you've got she-cats after you, too. With that sense of humor, I'm sure of it."
Wasppaw's eyes lit up. "I hope so. I know Briarpaw's eyes are set for Whitetail, but Whitetail barely notices her."
Dewpaw twitched her ear. "I'm sure I can talk to him and show him Briarpaw. It'll be good for him, anyway."
The four cats soon returned to camp as the sun set. Dewpaw looked eagerly at Ripplepaw, who was sitting with Burnpaw patiently. Dewpaw realized that Ripplepaw's fur was a bit wet, but she didn't question it.
Duststar's voice sounded from above. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather around! We have three warriors to make!"
A knot in Dewpaw's stomach formed as Duststar said three cats. She knew Moonpaw wouldn't be having her ceremony until her leg healed.
"Dappleleaf, has Ripplepaw done well in her training?" Duststar turned to the quiet she-cat, who nodded.
"Okay then. I, leader of DewClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down at this apprentice. She has trained hard and now understands the ways of the Warrior Code. Ripplepaw, to you promise to protect your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
Ripplepaw's leg shook, but she looked up with confidence. "I do."
"Then from this moment forward, you shall be known as Ripplesong. StarClan honors your patience and knowledge, and we welcome you as a full member of DewClan.
"Bushtail, has Burnpaw done well in his training?"
Bushtail nodded without hesitation. "Yes, he definitely has."
"Great. I, leader of DewClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down at this apprentice. He has trained hard and now understands the ways of the Warrior Code. Burnpaw, to you promise to protect your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
Burnpaw stood, his eyes gleaming. "I do."
"Then from this moment forward, you shall be known as Burnfang. StarClan honors your strength and courage, and we welcome you as a full member of DewClan."
Dewpaw watched the two new warriors as they sat, their eyes shining with pride. Nervousness pricked her pelt as Duststar called on her mentor.
"Stormfall, has Dewpaw done well with her training?"
"Of course she has," Stormfall purred, giving Dewpaw a proud glance.
"Good to hear. I, leader of DewClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down at this apprentice. She has trained hard and now understands the ways of the Warrior Code. Dewpaw, to you promise to protect your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
Dewpaw felt her stomach tighten with anxiety. "I do."
"Then from this moment forward, you shall be known as Dewfall. StarClan honors your kind heart and confidence, and we welcome you as a full member of DewClan."
Dewfall felt her heart flutter with pride as the cats called their names. "Ripplesong! Burnfang! Dewfall!"
Dewfall watched Duststar. "You three will sit vigil tonight. And also," he added, "I would like to thank Wolfscar, for helping Moonpaw go through the pain of her leg. Moonpaw will be becoming a warrior once her leg is fully healed." He dipped his head, dismissing the Clan.
Dewfall saw Moonpaw. Her eyes gleamed with pride and joy and sadness. She ran up to her.
"Congratulations, Dewfall!" Moonpaw purred, though her voice was tinged with sadness.
"Oh, Moonpaw, I'm sorry you couldn't become a warrior with us," she murmured, rubbing her muzzle against hers.
Moonpaw sighed. "It's okay. I'm happy for you guys, anyway. Now, go talk to Burnp.. Burnfang and Ripplesong."
Dewfall waved her tail in goodbye, padding slowly to Burnfang and Ripplesong.
Ripplesong let out a purr as Dewfall approached them. "We're warriors!" She exclaimed, practically jumping out of her silver fur.
Burnfang nodded, less enthusiastic. "It's great, isn't it?" He murmured, though his voice was dull.
Dewfall nudged Burnfang. "Burnfang, your finally a warrior! You've been waiting for this moment for such a long time! Why aren't you happy?"
Burnfang looked at Dewfall, his eyes carrying a fake light. "I am happy!" He exclaimed warily. "I really am. Everything's fine. I'm really glad I'm finally a warrior."
Dewfall narrowed her eyes. "Burnfang, be honest. What's wrong?"
Burnfang finally sighed. "I'm just.. It's a stupid reason. No one else really cares, so.."
"Well still, say it," Ripplesong meowed.
Burnfang looked towards the medicine cat den. "I just really wish Moonpaw was here with us. I can just imagine the look on her face, her being a warrior and all. She'd be so happy. But," he looked up. "But she isn't."
Dewfall looked at Burnfang. "That's not a stupid reason, Burnfang. I'd be sad if I saw my littermate not becoming a warrior with me. And I'm also sad," she confessed. "I really miss Dawnpetal. She'd be so happy to see me become a warrior. But she isn't here. And I just have to live with it."
Burnfang sighed, but he smiled, locking his gaze into Dewfall's. They sat like that for awhile, Dewfall lost in the depths of his golden eyes.
Ripplesong let out a mewl, dragged Dewfall's attention away. "I'm going to see Moonpaw. See you guys."
Dewfall murmured goodbye to Ripplesong, turning back to Burnfang. His eyes still gleamed.
Dewfall noticed two cats approach them. Dewfall realized they were Whitetail and Bouncespirit.
"Hi, Dewfall!" Bouncespirit greeted, running around her enthusiastically. Whitetail murmured his greeting, and Dewfall caught the envious look he gave Burnfang.
"Uh, hi guys." Dewfall looked at both the toms, suddenly uncomfortable. Burnfang sat, quiet.
"So, Dewfall," Whitetail whisked his tail across her back comfortingly. "It's been awhile since we've gone hunting. Maybe we could go before your vigil-"
"Actually," Bouncespirit interrupted, glaring at Whitetail momentarily. "I already planned a hunting patrol with Dewfall. So... Yeah."
Dewfall's eyes widened. She looked at Burnfang. His eyes were surprisingly calm, but jealously sparkled every once in awhile in the golden gaze.
"Sorry, both of you, but I'm going to start vigil early." She whisked her tail, declining their protests. "Maybe another time."
Whitetail sagged, and Bouncespirit slowed down. "Okay, see you later," they both said in unison, then glared at each other as they backed away from her and Burnfang.
Dewfall rolled her eyes. "Incredible, what they do just to get near me."
Burnfang shrugged. "Like I've said once before, your really pretty."
Dewfall felt her cheeks grow hot, and she murmured a thanks at the compliment. Burnfang padded with her to the entrance of their temporary camp, and they sat silently, and Ripplesong soon came along. The silver she cat soon fell asleep, leaving Burnfang and Dewfall awake.
"Should we sleep?" Burnfang suddenly whispered.
Dewfall glared at him softly. "Yeah, but we shouldn't be talking!"
Burnfang smiled mischievously, curling himself into a ball. Dewfall did the same and soon fell into a comfy sleep.
Finally warriors! Now we can all Really Ship Dewfall and Burnfang. BACK OFF, White and Bounce! XD