By all accounts, Stormpaw knew he should be afraid, or at least worried. Prey was dwindling. Large birds were circling. Worst of all, it hadn't rained in days, and water was getting scarcer. But he just couldn't be worried. He was too happy.
Lionpaw was here, with him. Lionpaw walked side by side with him, her tail intertwined with his. Lionpaw slept curled up with him, and even in the dry heat, that helped him sleep. He could just say the things he thought about her, how beautiful she was, how much he loved watching her hunt, how her blue eyes were enough to drown in, how her purr was his favorite sound in the world.
And unbelievably, impossibly. Lionpaw would say things like that to him. She made him feel like he should be proud of himself. Somehow, this brilliant, golden she-cat loved him back. He was the happiest he'd ever been.
One day, after they'd taking a resting night, he woke up before Lionpaw. Her golden fur was illuminated in the rising sun, and he watched the gentle rise and fall of her breathing for awhile. It was soothing. Eventually she woke up, blinking blearily at first, but then she smirked.
"You watching me sleep, mousebrain?" She purred.
"Y-yeah," Stormpaw stammered. "Is that–is that creepy? I won't do it again, if–if it makes you uncomfortable–" Lionpaw batted him on the nose.
"Don't worry about it," She said. "You sleep right here. If we slept in different dens and you walked over to watch me sleep every night now that'd be creepy."
"I love you, Lionpaw," Stormpaw blurted out. It wasn't the first time he'd said it.
"I love you too," Lionpaw purred. Stormpaw wondered if he'd ever stop getting that feeling, like a lighting strike in his chest, when she said she loved him. He hoped not.
"You kits say that too much!" Graycloud warbled as she walked past. It was clear she didn't actually mean much harm by it. "You're gonna make it lose its meaning!"
"Aw, shut, up you elder!" Lionpaw shouted back just as jokingly. Graycloud wasn't even that old, but Stormpaw laughed anyway. "You're just jealous cause you can't find a mate!"
"Not my fault all the toms in the clan already have mates, or are my brothers–" Graycloud stopped. "Brother." She said, softer than before. The cheer drained out of everyone's faces. Stormpaw still missed Jayfur like a stone under his heart. He could only imagine what Graycloud and Lightningstar were feeling at the loss of their littermate.
"I'm going to go hunt," Lionpaw said as she stood up. She stretched and began to pad away. "Wanna come with, Stormy?"
"O-of course!" Stormpaw scrambled to follow her. He felt Minnowfoot's presence near him.
"Pay attention today, mousebrain," The StarClan cat whispered into his ear. He shivered a little.
I'll try, he thought at her.
"I mean it," She said. "The shadow of the–"
"Stormpaw, keep up!" Lionpaw shouted ahead of him, and he ran to follow her. She seemed so excited at the idea of hunting; she hadn't had the chance lately. Stormpaw had seen her hunt back in the forest. She was the best at catching birds; she could leap like nothing else he'd ever seen, her back legs stronger than any other cats.
But he and Lionpaw wandered around the ravine and up the cliffside, and there was no prey in sight. No mice or squirrels or small birds, even no bodies of water with fish in them. The only animal life in sight was the shadow of a massive hawk circling above.
Stormpaw was about to tell Lionpaw that they should call it quits when he spotted a flash of movement across a big open stretch of the ravine.
"Lionpaw," He whispered. "Do you see that?"
"Yes," She whispered back. Before Stormpaw could say anything, she took off running.
And too late Stormpaw saw the hawk swoop down, and too late Lionpaw reacted to his warning yell. The hawk sank its talons into her shoulder, but not too late did Stormpaw leap at the hawk. He scratched at with his claws and tried to bite it, grab it. Lionpaw was screaming. He tried to bite at its legs, tried to make its grip loosen, and then it struck at him with its beak and he was knocked aside, back onto the ground.
As soon as he hit the dirt, he tried to stand up again, but he realized that where the bird had hit him was a gash, bleeding heavily. There was a low throb of pain in it that he was sure was about to get worse soon, but that didn't matter, it didn't matter because Lionpaw needed him, he had to stand up–but he wobbled and fell again.
He gazed up with bleary eyes as he saw the hawk and Lionpaw struggle, the hawk beginning to take off, and he cried out again. No, no, you can't take her! And then he saw a blur the color of snow racing toward them–Whiteflower.
Whiteflower's face was contorted in rage, and she was shouting something Stormpaw couldn't quite here. As the hawk ascended higher, he saw Whiteflower pause, and then she crouched, a hunter's crouch, and leapt into the air, legs as powerful as her daughters, even in her thin frame. She collided with the hawk and it dropped Lionpaw on the ground. She landed on her feet and staggered, bleeding. Stormpaw tried again to get up and walk over to her.
The hawk and Whiteflower twisted in the air. She had it by the neck, it's wings furiously beating. She scratched at its face with her claws. They were high in the air, near the top of the ravine, when Whiteflower sunk her fangs deeper in, drawing blood from the neck. The hawk plummeted again, and both it and Whiteflower struck the rocky walls of the ravine.
"Stormpaw!" A voice called, as if from far away. He turned his gaze and saw Cloverheart running toward him, along with Lightningstar and even the medicine cats from the other clans. Cloverheart settled down next to him, gauging his wound.
"I'm fine," Stormpaw murmured. His words slurred, and he doubted it was very reassuring. "Go help Lionpaw. Please."
Cloverheart stayed by his side, but the RiverClan medicine cat rushed away. He looked out past his sister and saw Lionpaw, still standing, rushing toward the wall of the ravine despite the blood running down her back. Stormpaw tried to see what she was running toward, and he felt his blood run cold as he made it out.
Whiteflower was lying on the ground next to the hawk's corpse. Her white fur was covered in red, the fur on the back of her head stained with fresh gouts of it. Stormpaw watched as Lionpaw ran over to her mother and began nudging her. Whiteflower was still, so still. Shrewpelt came to a stop beside Lionpaw and shook their head.
That was the last thing Stormpaw saw before he drifted into a dark unconsciousness.
...
Minnowfoot, I'm sorry, Stormpaw kept thinking once he woke up. The other clans had finally allowed ThunderClan to stand proper vigil for Whiteflower, a resting day while Stormpaw and Lionpaw recovered. Stormpaw's shoulder was healing up well, as were Lionpaw's back wounds. But she was very quiet now. Minnowfoot, Stormpaw thought again. Minnowfoot, please.
Minnowfoot must be mad at him. And she should be. This was his fault. If he'd been quicker, less stupid, ThunderClan wouldn't have lost its deputy. Lionpaw wouldn't have lost her mother. He remembered dully the advice Whiteflower had given him about telling Lionpaw his feelings, how she said she was happy that Lionpaw could be happy. She didn't deserve to die.
When the sun set again, Stormpaw sat vigil with Lionpaw, and everyone in the clan. Even Turtlekit was curled up next to their mother, and Stormpaw remembered how Whiteflower had reassured the little kit when they'd said they weren't a she-cat. Stormpaw was side by side between Lionpaw and his sister.
Eventually, as the sun was rising, Lightningstar stood up. His pale blue eyes were tired, his lean frame shaking. Everyone rose to their paws, expecting to go to sleep for the resting day when Lightningstar cleared his throat.
"All cats old enough to…" He trailed off, his voice shaking, and then cleared his throat again. "All cats old enough to catch their own prey, meet me at the wall of the ravine." Then he turned toward and walked away. Stormpaw realized he hadn't chosen the next deputy before moon-high like he was supposed to. He hoped StarClan would forgive the young leader for it.
The clan proceeded toward the wall of the ravine. Stormpaw could feel the watchful gaze of the clans around them, see their eyes reflect in the moonlight. At the wall of the ravine was a rock,and after a moment's pause, Lightningstar climbed up onto it.
"I know it's been much-delayed," The young leader said. "But It's time for me to choose my next deputy. Whiteflower served this clan well. I know I will always remember her guidance, and hope that she's watching down from StarClan." Lionpaw winced as Lightningstar talked about her mother. Stormpaw pressed closer to her, and she leaned on him, but didn't say anything. "But the clan must go on." He took a long, shaky breath before continuing.
"I say these words before StarClan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors–Whiteflower, Jayfur, Minnowfoot–may hear and approve of my choice," Lightningstar said, the moonlight glowing in his eyes. "The new deputy of ThunderClan will be Oakstem."
Stormpaw turned to look at Oakstem, who was sitting beside his mate and kit. The heavyset tabby tom was blinking in surprise. Finally, he steadied his shoulders and stepped forward, dipping his head at Lightningstar.
"I'm honored," Oakstem said. "I will do my best to serve ThunderClan. Thank you so much, thank you so much, Lightningstar." His voice was brimming with emotion.
"You are a kind and reliable cat," Lightningstar said. "I've watched you all my life. I know you are the right choice." Oakstem dipped his head again, before returning to sit beside Sandface. Turtlekit raced around him, and he smiled down at them.
Stormpaw waited for Lightningstar to step down off the rock, but he didn't. He lifted his head again.
"There is one more matter to attend to tonight," He said. "One that should have been resolved long ago. There are two cats among us who have proven their worthiness time and time again, but have not yet received their warrior names."
Stormpaw's heart leapt when he realized Lightningstar was talking about Lionpaw and himself. He glanced over at Lionpaw, and she looked back, her dark blue eyes round.
"I regret that they were not given their names in time for their mentor or mother to see," The leader continued. "Lionpaw, Stormpaw, step forward."
It was all Stormpaw could do to not run up in front of the clan like an excitable kid. Lionpaw padded up beside him, their pelts brushing.
"Lionpaw," Lightningstar said. "Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do."
"Stormpaw." Lightningstar turned his piercing gaze toward Stormpaw. " Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I-I do!" Stormpaw hoped his voice didn't shake too much.
"Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names," Lightningstar said. "Lionpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Lionfur. StarClan honors your courage and strength."
Stormpaw looked at Lionpaw–now Lionfur. Her fur and eyes were alight in the rising sun, and there was the ghost of a smile on her face. Stormpaw wanted to congratulate her, tell her it was a beautiful name, but Lightningstar spoke up again, and Stormpaw turned his attention to the silver tabby leader.
"Stormpaw," He said. "From this moment on you will be known as Stormspots. StarClan honors your warmth and spirit."
Stormspot's breath caught in his throat. Finally. Finally. He wanted to laugh, he wanted to thank Lightningstar, he wanted to say so many things, but he was frozen with happiness as the clan around him chanted.
"Stormspots! Lionfur! Stormspots! Lionfur!" His clanmates' voices resounded, warm as Greenleaf sun, cutting through the morning mist, up into the sky. It surrounded Stormspots, warmed him, gave him as much strength as Cloverheart's best traveling herbs. Lionfur leaned against him, nuzzled her face into the fur of his neck, she was purring, laughing, crying, and Stormspots found he was too.
Sedgekit wailed in pain.
"Stop it! Stop it!" Robinkit yowled as she ran toward Briarshade, who had Sedgekit pinned under one of their big front paws. "You're hurting him, you're hurting him, stop it!"
Briarshade glanced up at Robinkit, but still held Sedgekit down. Robinkit hissed and puffed her fur up. Briarshade smiled at that.
"Your enemies will not fight with claws unsheathed, kit," They purred. "You need to be prepared." They pressed down harder on Sedgekit, sinking their claws into his fur. Robinkit didn't care if Briarshade was right or not, that was her brother, her shy, timid brother and he was hurting.
Robinkit looked around for Smallkit. He was her friend, he would back her up, wouldn't he? And Briarshade was his kin, maybe they'd listen to him. But when her eyes met Smallkit's he looked away. He was hiding behind a bush. Robinkit wanted to yell at him to help, but she couldn't get out the words. She guessed she had to do this by herself.
She charged at Briarshade, claws unsheathed, and bit their leg as hard as she could. She sank her fangs into them with all her heart until she tasted blood. Briarshade didn't even flinch.
"Brave little kit," Briarshade said. "But you're going to have to try a little bit harder."
"R-R-Robinkit," Sedgekit mewed. "No don't–"
Briarshade raised their paw off of Sedgekit, but Robinkit refused to let go. They tried to claw at Briarshade, but their fur was so thick and her claws were so little. The dark tabby lifted her up and then shook her off their paw so violently that she was sent flying and hit the ground hard. Her head hurt and the breathe was knocked out of her.
And then Briarshade pounced on her, putting their paws on her throat. They were so heavy. Robinkit could hardly breathe. This must be how a little mouse feels, she thought, when we catch it.
"You need to know when to run," Briarshade rumbled in her ear. "Do you think Sedgekit would have done this for you?"
"Y-yes," Robinkit squeaked out. "H-he would if he wasn't hurt–"
"Kin means nothing," Briarshade continued. Their oranges eyes were wide as the moon, their pupils narrow. They pressed down harder. "Your brother doesn't love you. You should leave him behind to die. He'll only betray you."
"No! He wouldn't!" Robinkit's vision was getting dark. Her hard thumped in her chest. She was so scared, so scared.
"Let me tell you something, kit." Briarshade leaned closer, until their whiskers brushed Robinkit's face. "Your sweet friend Smallkit? He's just like his mother. She let me die." They unsheathed their claws more, digging in her neck. "Just like he's going to let you die now."
No, no no! Robinkit didn't want to die, she didn't want to die, she didn't want to die. Was StarClan listening? She didn't want to die yet, she didn't want to die before she was an apprentice, she didn't want to die before she caught her first rabbit, she didn't want to die and leave Mama and Sedgekit alone, she didn't want to go to StarClan yet. She lashed out with her paws but Briarshade didn't notice.
She heard a wail above her. It was Smallkit, she was pretty sure. He was screeching. He was trying to save her, but it wouldn't work. He was so small and Briarshade was so big. But he tried. Briarshade was wrong about him. You're wrong, she wanted to say. You're wrong about Smallkit and my brother, she wanted to say. I forgive you, Smallkit, she wanted to say. But she couldn't breathe, and she could barely see either. She was going to die.
Suddenly, Briarshade was knocked away by something, knocked off of her. She gulped in air, and then coughed. Her throat hurt the worst it had ever hurt, but she wasn't dead. She struggled to open her eyes and stand up. She looked out into the clearing and saw the strangest thing.
There was a bright orange cat standing between her and Briarshade, and there were stars in his fur. He glanced back at Robinkit and his eyes were a dark, dark blue. He seemed familiar–
It was Flameleaf! It was the medicine cat! She could barely remember him, her memories from before the fire were blurry, but she remembered him carrying her out of the burning nursery and going back in for Sedgekit. His eyes had a warm look, like Mama's.
"How did you get here?" Briarshade hissed. They had a big scratch on their shoulder and were crouched down in front of him. "The code–"
"Briarshade," Flameleaf said. "Why are you hurting these kits?"
"I'm only doing what's best for the clans," Briarshade growled. "What's best for Smallkit. He is my kin. I don't want him to turn out like his simpering mother."
"So you kill his friends?" There was something in Flameleaf's voice, some kind of hurt that Robinkit couldn't place. "That's not the way to teach and–and hurting kits is the worst thing a cat could do. You are as evil as this place." Briarshade laughed.
"You say evil," They said. "I say free." Briarshade stood up to their full height again. "The clans are weak and pathetic and they are going to die soon. All of them." They started laughing again, a raspy sound.
"If you lay a claw on these kits again," Flameleaf said. "I will always be there to fight you. I'll kill you."
"You can't fight, pretty boy. You're a medicine cat. Or is that another part of the code you broke?"
"Leave." Flameleaf stepped closer to Briarshade, and they stepped back. They snarled.
"I'll win. You'll see." Briarshade turned tail and ran into the forest. As soon as they
disappeared, Flameleaf turned back toward Robinkit, running over to her.
"Robinkit," He said. "Can you speak?"
"Yeah," She said. Her voice was a croak. Her throat hurt, hurt, hurt. Sedgekit ran toward her, still wailing. Smallkit stayed away, looking guilty.
"Hang on." Flameleaf went into the bushes behind Robinkit for a heartbeat, and came back holding a bundle of herbs. He lay it down on the ground and motioned a sticky chunk of something toward Robinkit. "Have some of this. It will help your throat."
Robinkit licked some of the tasteless liquid off the waxy chunk. Her throat did feel a little better, so she licked up the rest.
"W-w-what is that?" Sedgekit asked, looking up at Flameleaf.
"It's honey," Flameleaf purred. "It's good for the throat." Robinkit didn't feel all the way better, but it had helped so much, and she was grateful.
"And these other herbs?" Sedgekit sounded genuinely excited. "What do they all do?"
"I'd love to tell you." Flameleaf looked down at Sedgekit, smiling softly. "But you kits need to wake up now." He stood up and gave Sedgekit a brief lick on the head, and did the same for Robinkit. "I'll always protect you as best I can."
Then he gathered up his herbs and walked into the woods. As soon as he was gone, Robinkit woke up.
A/N: This chapter ended up waaay longer than I expected but, a lot had to happen in it. Sorry for the long wait, hopefully this mammoth chapter makes for it a bit. Also this is about halfway through the first book, so that's exciting! Hope you enjoy.