Light Fading
Chapter 9
By Snakepaw
Clawpaw paced the den back and forth. Warriors. Warriors. Warriors. Hazelpaw and Reedpaw were becoming warriors. Today. He lashed his tail. Without those two, he and his siblings would be the only ones training.
Talonstar had told them earlier and they passed the news onto Ripllepaw and Clawpaw. They both looked excited.
He kept pacing and worrying, not noticing any movement around him until the shape came closer.
Ripplepaw's scent flashed through his nose and he turned around. He looked at her eyes, questioning. Her gaze was quietly determined and excited.
"Ifoundoutwhat'scausingthecatstodie-" She hurriedly mewed, but Clawpaw cut her off. She was panting heavily and looked like she had raced across camp to find him.
"Woah, okay, slow down." He looked up and down, trying to make sense of her blurry words.
"I found out," she started mockingly slow, but then sped up a little, seriously. "What caused Flametuft to die. Remember when you brought his body back to camp?"
And he did, all too clearly. It was limp, and odd-looking and cold as stone, but other dead cats were the same way. Why was she freaking out about it now?
"Yeah, well," she continued as if reading his memory, "his mouth was foaming. He was spazzing. He had this disease called…..oh-rabies. And only two cats that the Clan can remember had this disease. I got this all from the elders."
Clawpaw scoffed. "Yeah, right. A disease killed him." He found that very hard to believe. The body wasn't poisoned. He rolled his eyes, hearing Talonstar call out to the clan. He looked at Ripplepaw once more then left the den and padded closer to the ledge.
A few moments later, Talonstar started the meeting. "Today I am going to perform two different types in of the most important roles a Clan leader can do."
Two? Are we becoming warriors too? But, that would be the same ceremony?
After everyone was ready, Talonstar called out.
"Hazelpaw, Reedpaw, step forward."
When they did, he continued. "Specklepelt, Graybreeze, do you feel your apprentices are ready to become warriors?" Both mentors nodded. Reedpaw and Hazelpaw grinned while Talonstar continued.
"Then by the powers of StarClan I condemn you both as warriors in your turn. Hazelpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Hazelfall. StarClan honors your courage and endurance. Reedpaw, you will be known as Reedstripe. StarClan honors your intelligence and determination."
They both licked Talonstar's shoulder in tradition, then stepped back.
"Reedstripe! Hazelpaw! Reedstripe! Hazelfall!" The Clan cheered. It was good to be back to normal…...for now. Even though there still was darkness and mystery and speculation.
Clawpaw looked over and saw Ripplepaw glancing sadly at Reedpaw, who returned the gaze. Their love fest was getting annoying. At least different clan roles would separate them a bit more. But then Clawpaw realized it would separate him and Hazelpaw too...
Next, Talonstar gestured to Applebee's kits, Scorchkit, Featherkit and Streamkit.
"Scorchkit, Streamkit, Featherkit, step forward." He paused and let them, then continued not reacting Featherpaw's defiant meows. "Scorchkit, you will become Cinderstripe's apprentice. This is a huge honor during this dark time, but you will have a lot of work to do to be successful in what you do. You will be known as Scorchpaw until you earn your medicine cat name."
The two touched noses and stepped back together.
"Streamkit, you have asked to be Junipershine's apprentice. You will have to sacrifice your fighting chances, and the chances of finding a mate. But if you really want it then I know you can do it. I know she will pass on all she knows unto you. Until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Streampaw."
Those two touched noses, though Junipershine looked a bit unready, plus she as still young. And probably still haunted by everything going on, like the death, prophecy, darkness and shadows.
Lastly, Talonstar performed the ritual for Featherkit. Featherkit had always been dark, whiny, scary and even cold. This caused bullying for him. He always had a mysterious aura about him, and no one smiled when around him. Suddenly, the prophecy sprang into Clawpaw's mind. The feather that drops from the birds wing will never stop drifting until the clans' doom.
Could this somehow apply to Featherkit? Clawpaw knew he was overthinking it, but he couldn't rule out anyone yet. Besides, Featherkit's name had something to do with the prophecy. So...
"Featherkit, your mentor will be Stonelight. You will also have to train during these mysterious days, but I know you can do it." Featherkit grunted rudely before letting Talonstar continue. "Until you earn your warrior name, you will be called Featherpaw."
He let Featherpaw touch noses with Stonelight, though the apprentice just made a fake smile and sat back down.
Talonstar ended the ceremony now. "These important Clan roles are finished. Now meet your new apprentices!"
The Clan cheered out their names. This would be a great time for the Clan. Clawpaw thought. If only the times had been better and Featherpaw didn't seem so deadly...
That night, things only got worse. When everyone had returned from patrols, and the new warriors and apprentices tried their new roles and life, another tragedy had stricken the Clan.
Everyone was in their dens when anxious murmurs sounded.
Clawpaw left his den with Frozenpaw and Ripplepaw on either side. They saw Featherflight, Talonstar, Specklepelt, Stonelight, Scorchpaw, and Hazelfall-Clawpaw's heart sped up- whispering to each other.
"But where did he go!"
"He hasn't been here for two nights, and no one bothered looking!"
"Please, calm down-we will figure this out"
Clawpaw's siblings gasped when Hazelfall yelled out. "Where is Cinderstripe!"
Another warrior had gone missing...