I already have chapter 10

I already have chapter 10! By the way, Fireheart doesn't suspect anything evil about Tigerclaw. He is just a regular cat…with unusually long claws.

…CHAPTER 10…

Fireheart's heart quickened. Blackclaw, that filthy traitor. It was against the warrior code to kill enemies in battle unless the threat is a badger, a fox, a rat, or a hawk, but it was even worse to kill a cat from your own Clan!

Fireheart let out a growl. Leopardfur would've made a fine leader, if Blackclaw had let her live. Graystripe brushed his best friend's flank with his thick gray pelt for comfort, while Cinderpaw just stared up at him with round, blue eyes.

"We grieve for Leopardfur, but she is not one of our own Clan," Bluestar meowed. "I'm sure Longtail and Darkstripe agree when I say I think it's time Dustpaw and Swiftpaw were made warriors."

Fireheart felt his heart sink. If Sandpaw were still here, she'd be up there with the two apprentices, gazing down at her Clanmates proudly, her ginger fur bathed in silver light from the almost-full moon.

"Swiftpaw, Dustpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Bluestar recited the traditional words always spoken before a cat is made an apprentice or warrior.

The two toms dipped their heads and mewed in unison, "I do."

"By the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior names," Bluestar announced, her blue eyes shining with pleasure and wisdom. "Swiftpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Swiftstep. StarClan honor your courage and loyalty, and we welcome you as full warrior of ThunderClan."

The black and white newly named warrior bowed his head and gave Bluestar a respectful lick on her shoulder. He sprang off the Highrock, his chin raised. Longtail beamed with pride and happiness for his previous apprentice.

"Dustpaw, you will be known as Dustpelt," Bluestar declared. "StarClan honor your loyalty and courage, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."

She rested her chin on Dustpelt's head as he licked his leader's shoulder, then padded proudly off the huge rock.

"Swiftstep! Dustpelt! Swiftstep! Dustpelt!"

The crowd of cats cheered the new warriors' names in joy.

"Before I end this meeting, I want to make another apprentice a warrior," Bluestar meowed, her voice grief-filled. At first Fireheart thought his leader was talking about Cinderpaw or Brackenpaw, but they had been apprentices for barely a moon, with no assessments.

"Sandpaw."

The name trickled through Fireheart's mind like a creek, washing over pebbles. He could hear Sandpaw's voice mewing, "Fireheart…"

"She died fighting in a battle with ShadowClan," Bluestar announced, her eyes dull, "like a noble, loyal warrior. She deserves her warrior name. I hope StarClan approve of her warrior name. Sandpaw, from this moment, will be known as Sandstorm."

"Sandstorm! Sandstorm!"

The cheering was even louder than it was for Swiftstep and Dustpelt. Fireheart cheered loudest. The cat's voices rose up into the sky, where the StarClan cats would cheer for Sandstorm as well. Fireheart could almost see her pale green eyes shining in pleasure and pride.

She was a very noble warrior indeed.

"Also, we have some other news," Bluestar went on. Fireheart sat back down and curled his tail around his paws. This meeting was going to be a long one.

"Three kits have reached their sixth moon. Thornkit, Brightkit, and Cloudkit."

Fireheart glanced up and purred as he saw his fluffy white nephew bounding onto the Highrock, followed by Thornkit and Brightkit. Cinderpaw looked happy as well for her siblings.

"Thornkit, Cloudkit, Brightkit, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Bluestar asked. The kits looked ready to burst with excitement, especially Cloudkit, whose blue eyes were wide and his tail twitching.

"From this moment, now until you earn your warrior name, Thornkit will be known as Thornpaw." Fireheart could see the resemblance between Brackenpaw and Thornpaw; they both had golden-brown tabby fur. "He will be mentored by Mousefur."

The dusky brown she-cat dipped her head and scurried onto the Highrock, where she touched noses with her new apprentice and walked him off.

"Brightkit, you will be known as Brightpaw," Bluestar proclaimed. "Your mentor will be Whitestorm." The ginger and white-patched she-cat widened her eyes. Whitestorm was a wise senior warrior.Brightpaw pressed her nose against the huge white tom's, and let him escort her off the large rock.

"Cloudkit, you'll be known as Cloudpaw. Your mentor will be Tigerclaw."

Fireheart saw jealousy rage in Thornpaw's amber eyes. Cloudpaw gasped and bounced a little. Tigerclaw prowled onto the Highrock, dipped his respects to Bluestar, and touched his nose to Cloudpaw's.

Thornpaw narrowed his eyes, and Mousefur rested her tail on his shoulder, looking hurt. Fireheart understood why she would be hurt. Her apprentice wanted someone else to mentor him. If Cinderpaw wanted that, Fireheart would be hurt as well.

Fireheart felt something fluffy brushing his haunch. He glanced down to see a thick-furred dark gray tail rubbing his flank. Cinderpaw glanced over at him and drew her tail back, looking embarrassed. "Sorry," she mumbled.

Finally, Bluestar dismissed the cats. Tigerclaw was already ordering patrols. "Runningwind, Darkstripe, and Cinderpaw, take the evening patrol, since you didn't fight. Search mainly along the RiverClan border."

Fireheart heard his apprentice let out a long sigh. He wondered what she had wanted to tell him earlier before Yellowfang came, and before Bluestar held the ceremonies.

Cinderpaw quickly followed Darkstripe and Runningwind out of the camp. Fireheart couldn't help noticing how spectacularly her fur gleamed in the moonlight.

I must be the Queen of Bad Endings. Oh, so now Fireheart is beginning to form some affection for his apprentice. Oooh.

xx-Starfall-xx