Chapter 9(:
Stormpaw watched with barely veiled amusement as Bramblepaw crouched fox-lengths above them on a tree branch, his fur fluffed out and his claws dug fiercely into the branch that was just barely supporting his weight. It was only with coaxing from Tawnypaw and Fireheart that the older tabby apprentice had dropped the squirrel he had managed to catch by scaling the tree so quickly. Now that he had realized how high he had actually climbed, the proud tom was scared to make his way back down.
"Stop being such a yellow-bellied WindClan cat, Bramblepaw!" Tawnypaw sneered lightly. "You're embarrassing me."
"No one asked you, Tawnypaw!" Bramblepaw called back savagely, his hackles rippling and his claws digging deeper into the branch.
"Take it easy," Fireheart purred, letting out a soft sigh. "If nothing else, I'm fairly certain that's the farthest any apprentice has ever climbed—if not any warrior."
"Yeah," Stormpaw added, trying to be helpful. "I would be terrified to be up that high."
"I'm not scared!" The dark tabby spat suddenly, the branch shaking as he turned a near-death glare on the dark gray apprentice below him.
"Yeah?" Tawnypaw called. "Then why aren't you coming down?"
"Great StarClan Tawnypaw, I already told you! I'm stuck!"
Brackenfur shook his head good-naturedly. "Just take a deep breath, Bramblepaw. Look behind you—there's a much thicker branch there you could go to."
Stormpaw sighed, sitting down as he realized that this would be a long wait if the warriors were going to have to coax him down every branch. He wished his own mentor were here to witness this, but the white warrior had been on the evening patrol and promised to train him after sunhigh. The gray apprentice didn't like thinking about it, but Whitestorm was much older than most warriors, despite how lively and strong he was. I'm sure he will serve ThunderClan for many more moons.
A rustling in the undergrowth had Stormpaw pricking his ears, though Brackenfur and Fireheart were calling instructions to Bramblepaw, and Tawnypaw was pretending to nap near the roots. As the dark apprentice struggled to place the sound, he was caught off guard by the weight of something crashing into him, sending him and his attacker sprawling forward. Instantly, he sprang to his paws, and Fireheart and Brackenfur whipped around.
"Featherpaw!" Stormpaw watched through concerned amber eyes as his sister scrambled to her paws, breathing heavily. "What's…"
"It's RiverClan!" She wailed. "They're at Sunningrocks—we—the Sun—the patrol—we saw them—they—they want Sunningrocks—Sand—help—I have to get help…"
"We have to go now!"
Stormpaw blinked, surprised to see Bramblepaw rushing to Fireheart, as if he had never been stuck in the tree. Tawnypaw was beside him, her eyes bright with the fire of battle.
"You've done brilliantly, Featherpaw," Fireheart meowed quickly. "Just a little further—I promise. Run back to camp as fast as you can and send another patrol, okay? If they want Sunningrocks, they won't give up easily."
"Y-yes, Fireheart." Featherpaw glanced at Stormpaw, and the bigger gray apprentice touch his nose to her ear.
"You always were the fastest." He murmured softly. She licked his shoulder.
"Be careful, Stormpaw."
The dark gray apprentice hesitated only a moment to watch the tip of her silver tail disappear into the undergrowth before he was racing after Fireheart and Bramblepaw, Brackenfur and Tawnypaw just behind him.
"Are you ready?" Bramblepaw called back as they pelted through the trees, his amber eyes burning. "Don't forget your training, Stormkit."
"As long as you don't forget how to climb out of a tree, Bramblekit." They exchanged a look—one that said 'good luck' and 'I've got your back' just as they reached Sunningrocks, the screeches of furious cats instantly diverting their attention to the task at paw. The small Sunhigh patrol was massively outnumbered, and with a ferocious cry, Fireheart announced that help had arrived.
Stormpaw launched himself into the battle, bowling over a lithe tabby tom and scouring his claws across his enemy's shoulders. "This is ThunderClan territory!" He spat harshly, swiping at the tom's ear and feeling grim satisfaction when he felt it tear under his claws. The enemy warrior growled, lashing out a counter-attack that left Stormpaw's cheek stinging, blood splattering the ground beneath his paws. With a furious hiss, Stormpaw lunged forward, forcing the tom down beneath him where the dark gray apprentice raked his claws down his enemy's exposed belly. With a pained screech, the RiverClan warrior struggled away, limping heavily and bleeding from Stormpaw's blows. Stormpaw let him go, whirling around to search for his next enemy.
The ThunderClan apprentice didn't have to wait long, a large, blue-gray tom barreling into his side. With a startled yowl, Stormpaw found himself pinned beneath the greater weight of the RiverClan warrior. His fur was still wet, and with a bolt of concern, Stormpaw realized that RiverClan must have planned for reinforcements. Hurry, Featherpaw!
"Get off!" Stormpaw yowled, struggling desperately against the claws digging into his back. The pain was making his legs weak, but he forced himself not to give up. Finally, the suffocating weight was lifted, and Stormpaw leaped to his paws, whipping around to see Silverstream grappling with the much larger warrior. The blue-gray tom, he noticed, didn't attempt to pin her as he had done to Stormpaw though. He cuffed her with his wide paws, but his claws never broke through her sleek tabby pelt.
"Silverstream…" Stormpaw heard the other warrior hiss softly, dropping into a low crouch, as if to seem less threatening. "Silverstream, listen—your father, he wants you to come home. You-"
"No!" Silverstream spat, raking her claws across the tom's already scarred ears. He merely ducked a little lower to the ground. "He made his choice—and I made mine."
Stormpaw stalked forward, brushing his mother's flank as he prepared to back her up in the battle against the RiverClan warrior. His amber eyes narrowed as he realized he had put himself in a vulnerable position, and then widened in a sudden recognition.
"Is that…" His voice trailed off, and Silverstream stood a little taller.
"My son."
A battle cry split the air, from the ThunderClan side, a fresh wave of warriors rushed into the battle. The blue-gray tom stood, stepping forward and murmuring something in Silverstream's ear. Stormpaw fought the urge to attack him again, watching with mixed feelings as he thrust his way between them and launched back into the thick of the fighting. Silverstream shook her head, whirling around and disappearing into another throng of fighting cats, and Stormpaw forced himself to do the same—making a note to ask his mother about the strange exchange later, when Sunningrocks was safe.
Out of the corner of his eye, Stormpaw caught sight of Tawnypaw struggling against two warriors, and the dark gray tom jumped instantly to her aid. He took on the larger of the two warriors—a tom with a smoky black pelt. Tawnypaw flashed him a grateful look, focusing on her opponent while Stormpaw swiped at the warrior's shoulder. His first attack merely tore the smoky black fur beneath his paws, but as he dodged the counter attack and flicked out his other paw, he caught his enemy off guard, watching his enemy's blood paint the gray stones. Tawnypaw chased the she-cat she had been fighting against back to the river, then spun to help Stormpaw. Between them, they sent the older warrior running, but both apprentices were left struggling for breath. The tortoiseshell was bleeding heavily, her green eyes dull, but still burning with determination. A deep gash ran along her side, steadily oozing blood.
"Tawnypaw," Stormpaw stepped forward, concerned. A flash of dark ginger drew his attention, and then Foxpaw was there.
"Hailpaw!" He yowled sharply. He turned to Stormpaw. "Don't worry, we've got her." A flash of pale silver followed, and Hailpaw was at Tawnypaw's side, herbs clamped in his jaws. Stormpaw dipped his head, leaving them to tend to Tawnypaw and attack another enemy.
"Retreat!"
The apprentice under Stormpaw's merciless attack scrambled backwards, almost as if the retreat was a welcome opportunity. All over, RiverClan warriors were tearing themselves free of their opponents, racing back down the slope to the river. The dappled golden she-cat hesitated at the edge of Sunningrocks, before with one last, furious snarl, she turned tail and followed her warriors to the river. There was a moment of hesitation, before Fireheart tipped his head back and let out a triumphant yowl. The rest of ThunderClan joined in, gathering around and pressing close. Many were limping, and all were bleeding. Fireheart halted their celebration with a raised paw.
"Wait," he rasped, turning his head and scanning the throng of battered ThunderClan warriors. "I need…" he coughed, and Cindercloud pushed her way through the crowd, pushing herself against her mate's side. "Bramblepaw. And Tawnypaw."
The dark brown tabby apprentice stepped forward, and with help from Hailpaw and Foxpaw, Tawnypaw joined him in front of their deputy.
"You both fought like warriors." Fireheart's tone was layered with pride, resting his level gaze on the two apprentices. "And as soon as we return to camp, you will be recognized as such. Do you agree, Brackenfur?"
The golden-brown tom lifted his chin high, his eyes glowing. "Absolutely."
Bramblepaw and Tawnypaw marked the border, and followed close behind Fireheart—who was leading the ragged battle party—back to camp. Stormpaw let himself trail behind, padding on weary paws beside his mother. Graystripe stayed close to her, murmuring in her ear and helping her stay on her paws.
"Silverstream…?" He meowed softly, glancing carefully at the pretty tabby.
"Yes, Stormpaw…?" She sounded tired, and cautious, as if she knew the question about to leave Stormpaw's lips.
"Who was that?"
She sighed. "Stonefur." Stormpaw waited patiently, and with a glance at Graystripe and soft murmur, Silverstream encouraged her mate to go on without them, stopping and waiting beside Stormpaw until they were alone. "He was… a very close friend of mine before I met Graystripe," she explained softly.
"Oh…" Stormpaw turned his gaze to the ground, sinking his claws into the soft grass. "Is that why he didn't attack you?"
Silverstream bowed her head. "Yes. And chances are likely he won't be able to bring himself to harm you either—or your sister."
"Why?" Stormpaw looked up into his mother green eyes again, feeling an odd combination of confusion and frustration curling in his chest.
"Because," Silverstream whispered. She took a deep, shaky breath. "Because he still loves me."
Stormpaw flattened his ears against his head. "But you left with Graystripe!"
"And I will never regret it. I love your father, and I love you and your sister—and day by day and I am falling in love with this forest as I once loved my precious river. Stonefur just never understood that to me he would always be a brother, just as his sister, Mistyfoot, is like my own sister."
Stormpaw let her words sink in for a moment before nodding. "Thank-you." He meowed quietly. "I'm glad you shared that with me."
Silverstream nodded. "Promise me, in return, that you will be the most loyal ThunderClan warrior you can be—show RiverClan what they missed out on when they forced us to leave."
Stormpaw nodded. "I promise."
They made it back to camp just as Bluestar was calling for the Clan to gather, and Stormpaw slipped quickly into his usual spot between Foxpaw and Featherpaw. Foxpaw's ears were swathed in cobwebs, and feeling his fur stiffening with dried blood Stormfur realized he would have to see Yellowfang and Hailpaw when the meeting was over.
"Today," Bluestar was yowling from the Highrock. "RiverClan attempted to steal Sunningrocks from us. This attack was met with courage and loyalty, and I could not be more proud of the way each and every warrior and apprentice fought to defend our territory. Two apprentices, however, showed exceptional bravery—the bravery of warriors. Bramblepaw, Tawnypaw, step forward."
The two apprentices stepped forward side by side, Bramblepaw still supporting his sister. Bluestar gazed down at them for a long moment before turning her eyes to the stars that were now beginning to appear above them.
"I, Bluestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn." She slithered from the Highrock, landing lightly, though unsteadily, in front of the two apprentices. Stormpaw felt a flare of jealousy as she approached them. "Tawnypaw, Bramblepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this clan even at the cost of your lives?"
I do. Stormpaw thought forcefully. From the blaze in Foxpaw's dark blue eyes, Stormpaw knew his friend was thinking the same thing.
"I do." Bramblepaw was meowing, Tawnypaw echoing strongly, "I do."
Bluestar bowed her head, turning to Tawnypaw first. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Tawnypaw, from this moment forward, you will be known as Tawnypelt. StarClan honors your wit and courage, and we welcome you as a warrior of ThunderClan." She rested her graying muzzle on Tawnypelt's head, and the newly named warrior respectfully licked her leader's shoulder. Their leader then turned to Bramblepaw. "Bramblepaw," she continued. "From this moment forward, you will be known as Brambleclaw. StarClan honors your strength and bravery, and we welcome you as a warrior of ThunderClan."
"Brambleclaw! Tawnypelt! Brambleclaw! Tawnypelt!"
The clan pressed around them, calling them by their new names. Alongside the other apprentices that trained with Tawnypelt and Brambleclaw, Stormpaw and Foxpaw were among the first to congratulate them. All the while, determination was burning in Stormpaw's stomach. We'll fight even harder. He thought back to his conversation with Silverstream as Featherpaw purred a congratulations to Tawnypelt. And we will become warriors that ThunderClan can be proud of.
Hey! I am on a roll with this story:D I want to give a huge thank-you to the people that reviewed these last two chapters—I'm not going to lie, I like to see at least one or two reviews before I post the next chapter, but I try really hard not to let that stop me from updating, because I don't like when people are like, "I'll update at 10 reviews." I don't know, maybe I'm weird… And I don't mean to offend anyone by that—please don't take it the wrong way, because I definitely understand why it's done. I, too, love reading reviews^^ Anyways!
To Frostflower223, Thank-you so much(: I really appreciate your continued support.
Beautiful Nightmarism, I never would have noticed I made it sound like they were a couple lol. Thanks again for pointing that out to me, and thanks for reviewing in general:D
And to my beautiful Guest, thanks so much for the couple suggestions! I really like Rain X Tawny, and I think I'm definitely going to put Runningwind and Sandstorm together.
To the rest of my readers, I am still looking forward to you suggestions for mates for: Brambleclaw (though I also like Bramble X Sorrel, my Guest), Tawnypelt (just to see what anyone else thinks, she'll probably be with Rainpaw), Sootpaw, Rainpaw, Sorrelpaw and now I'm adding Foxpaw, Stormpaw, Featherpaw and Hailpaw (maybe, not sure about the medicine cat forbidden love thing in this story, I tend to do it a lot lol). So let me know what you think!
Oh (and geez this is getting ridiculously long) for Foxpaw's warrior name, I'm down to Foxwhisker, Foxbelly, Foxear, and Foxhowl. If you guys want, you can tell me which one you like more, and if not, I'll just pick one I guess… lol. I would hate to disappoint you though…
So! Tell me what you think, give me couple ideas if you want, and let me know how you feel about Foxpaw's warrior name! Thanks so much for reading! Until the next chapter!