Hello, again! THis chapter is a little bit of fluff before the really big stuff happens. (It also makes things in the future a little bit more bitter, but we'll get there...eventually ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) )
Also, DISCLAIMER: I know that Wasppaw is 6 moons older than Swiftpaw, but for an age gap in the Warriors universe, it is not nearly as large as it could be. I do not support adult/minor relationships under any circumstances, so while they may have massive dorky crushes on each other, Wasp X Swift will be waiting until Swiftpaw becomes a warrior to get together.
I hope you enjoy the chapter, and a new one will be out soon!
enjoy!
"Let all cats old enough to run the moor gather around the Tallrock for a Clan meeting!"
Swiftpaw settled down beside Wasppaw, gazing up at him giddily. The tabby tom looked down at her fondly, and Swiftpaw's pelt grew warm. It was at long last the day of Wasppaw and Turtlepaw's warrior ceremony. For the tunnelers, it was rather hard to forget, for all that Wasppaw chattered about it while they dug. Swiftpaw didn't mind, though; she loved to listen to Wasppaw talk.
She was really happy for him, though she'd desperately miss the late-night talks in the Apprentice Den she'd grown used to over the course of a moon, though she was sure Rabbitpaw and Dustpaw wouldn't, for all their complaining. Swiftpaw could only hope Wasppaw would miss her presence as much as she'd miss his.
As other cats settled down, the deputy, Heatherstem, sat at the foot of Tallrock, looking as regal as ever. Hollowstar gathered himself upon Tallrock, and Swiftpaw noticed he looked much more tired than she remembered from her own apprentice ceremony. He really looked his age.
Hollowstar raised his tail for silence, and the camp fell still. "Will Turtlepaw and Wasppaw please step forward?"
Wasppaw gave Swiftpaw one last lingering look before padding forward to stand alongside Turtlepaw.
Hollowstar dipped his head to them, and began: "I, Hollowstar, leader of WindClan, 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 a warrior in their turn."
Swiftpaw glanced over to the other side of the crowd where Rabbitpaw was poking a giggling Dustpaw's side with his paw, while Mintpaw and Thicketpaw watched, wearing matching expressions of helplessness. She couldn't help but be annoyed; did they not care about the ceremony going on right in front of them? Swiftpaw was only now six moons, and age was more mature than those who were nearly four, maybe five moons her senior!
She turned her attention quickly back to the two soon-to-be warriors, heartbeat quickening when Wasppaw turned his head and looked in her direction.
Hollowstar continued, his voice echoing across the moor, "Do you, Turtlepaw, promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
Turtlepaw nodded, amber eyes brimming with delight. "I do."
Hollowstar nodded, turning his gaze on Wasppaw. "And do you, Wasppaw, promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
Wasppaw dipped his head low with respect. "I do."
Hollowstar's tired, worried eyes softened. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Turtlepaw and Wasppaw, from this moment on you will be known as Turtleflight and Waspfur. StarClan honors your good humor and enthusiasm, and we welcome you as full warriors of WindClan."
The cats of WindClan erupted into cheers, the other apprentices snapping to attention as they called out the names of their friends, but no one cheered as loudly as Swiftpaw did for Waspfur.
Cats pushed forward to congratulate the new warriors, and it took quite a bit of shoving for the small Swiftpaw to reach them. She congratulated Turtleflight first, glad to see such a fine she-cat at last become a warrior.
Before she could even turn, Swiftpaw felt a tail drape across her back. She spun around, gazing up into the kind, excited face of Waspfur.
"Can you believe it, Swiftpaw? I'm a warrior!" he exclaimed, tail flicking back and forth wildly. Then, his posture relaxed, and his eyes grew impossibly warmer. "I only wish you were becoming one, too."
Swiftpaw giggled shyly, ears going hot. "Don't be rabbitbrained," she meowed, "I only just became an apprentice. I've still got at least six moons before I'm warrior material."
Waspfur sighed, looking down at his paws briefly before looking meeting Swiftpaw's eyes again. "I'll wait for you," he meowed, sounding as nervous as she suddenly felt.
Swiftpaw felt like flying. It was no secret she was rather taken with the older tom, and to have him reciprocate? It was truly a happy day! Somewhere nearby, a cat who sounded suspiciously like Mintpaw let out a loud 'aww'.
Ignoring it for the moment, Swiftpaw replied, "I'll count the days," holding the new warrior's gaze.
A purr rumbled in his chest, and he swooped down to touch his nose to her cheek. It looked like he might say more, but two older warriors, Mouseflower and Applefoot, practically dragged him off to join them and Turtleflight of to explain the Vigil.
The crowd began dispersing, and Swiftpaw was immediately tackled to the ground by Mintpaw, whose green eyes were wild with glee.
"Did he really just say that?" she shrieked, the earlier forlorn expression Swiftpaw had seen on her face now entirely replaced with that of an excited kit.
Swiftpaw giggled again, nodding from her place under Mintpaw. The dark silver tabby shrieked again, and the two friends laughed.
Swiftpaw couldn't help but picture her future with Waspfur: tunneling together, in the intimate underground, sharing tongues and prey with the wind in their fur, stargazing. Perhaps they'd have kits! Oh, she hoped they'd have kits.
With the future bright and happy before her, it was hard to deny that StarClan truly was good.