A half passed since the Gathering. However, it had been the most eventful half moon that I've ever experienced. I hadn't seen Bramblepaw since then and now I was finally going to see him! My heart was thumping in my chest with each lick of my tongue on my fur. I was already exhilarated, for Bluefrost had brought me to battle training. All my senses were alert as I glanced up. Flintpaw padded in with a large scratch on his shoulder.
"What happened?" I asked
"Ravenpaw accidentally unsheathed his claws." He replied
"Sorry about that."
Ravenpaw was padding in. His fur was slightly ruffled from the training session, but he looked fully awake. He sat in his nest and looked at me. He looked at his paws for some reason and curled his tail around his paws.
"Hey! Did ya hear? Ashpaw might be getting his warrior name soon!" Flintpaw exclaimed
"Tha..That's great!" Ravenpaw stuttered
I stood up and headed out of the den. I wasn't much for talking now. I headed over to the warrior's den. I didn't want to go out without doing something before. As I entered, I spotted Bluefrost talking to Goldflame. The golden/brown tom sat there with his paws tucked under his chest. Bluefrost was sitting on her nest with her sightless blue eyes on Goldflame.
"I'm just saying, we need to get the apprentices out more at night!" Goldflame exclaimed
"Would you want to be constantly bothered when you slept?" She asked
"I wouldn't." I said
"Ah, Willowpaw." The sightless she-cat mewed, "What's up?"
"Are you going on the dusk patrol?" I asked
She nodded.
"May I come?"
"I don't see why not. We're going shortly. Why not grab something to eat before we head out? You haven't eaten almost all day!"
My tail flicked happily as I left the den. I padded for the fresh-kill pile and found Ravenpaw there. He looked up and froze, his green eyes wide. I cocked my head. Why was he acting so weird?
"Uh..Yo..You want anything?" He meowed
"Sure. What's in there?"
He grabbed a large vole and placed it near my paws. All that was left in the pile was a lizard and two frogs. I nodded happily to the black tom and grabbed the vole. The warm scent drifted toward me as I took a seat near the prey pile. Ravenpaw was sitting too, but he looked uncomfortable.
"Are you okay Ravenpaw?"
His eyes widened again and he gave a quick nod. My tail lashed. What could he be hiding?
...
I entered camp with the patrol consisting of Silverpool, Birchstorm, Bluefrost, and Earthpelt. Thank Starclan we didn't go to the Thunderclan border again. They've stayed away from the border, which I was thankful of. Now, I'd be able to see Bramblepaw again!
"Hey Willowpaw!"
I turned my head and saw Ashpaw running at me. The large, fluffy tom was lashing his tail happily.
"I passed! Rainheart gave me my assessment today!"
"That's fantastic Ashpaw. I'm guessing you're ceremony is tonight!"
"Actually, I think now. Look, Rosestar's heading for the-"
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather under the High Branch for a meeting!"
I watched Ashpaw run over to the branch and sit underneath it. Graypaw and Flintpaw left the apprentice's den, Lizardheart, Blackfur, and Grassfang left the warrior's den, Ravenpaw came out of the nursery, and almost all the elders came from their den. Petalfire wasn't there for some reason. But, I did see Treeclaw leave the den, telling me something might be wrong with the elderly she-cat.
"I, Rosestar, leader of Shadowclan. Call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to learn the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn."
Ashpaw shuffled in his spot. I couldn't even begin to imagine how nervous he must be!
"Ashpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Rosestar meowed
"I do." He replied
"Then by the powers of Starclan I give you your warrior name. Ashpaw, from this day on you shall be known as Ashflame. Starclan honors your courage and loyalty and welcomes you as a full warrior of Shadowclan."
"Ashflame! Ashflame!" We chanted
His name echoed off the territory. The sky began to turn a dark shade of purple as the outline of Silverpelt appeared. I knew Bramblepaw would be there and I wouldn't be caught. So, I headed for the entrance and left the camp.
...
I burst through the forest as soon as I was out of the camp. My paws echoed off the marshy ground as the area grew darker. Thank Starclan I'm good at moving around at night. The moon was shrinking and was nearly the size of a claw. The trees whisked by me, the scent of prey tantalized me, but I ignored it. I wanted to be with him now more than ever! I checked the air and the earthy scent of Thunderclan drifted to me as I slowed down. I didn't want to be found either. I trekked silently to the border as Bramblepaw's scent drifted toward me.
"Bramblepaw?" I asked
"Willowpaw!"
I spotted the golden/brown tabby padding toward the border. His pelt was freshly groomed and his eyes were alert, as though he had a fresh night of sleep.
"Thank Starclan you came." He mewed, "I've missed you so much.."
He stepped toward me and rubbed against my fur. I breathed in his scent and purred. I missed it so much.
"Same here. It's been so boring back in camp." I whispered
I looked up and into his eyes. All I saw now was the light reflecting off his amber eyes and his pelt was hidden in the shadows. All that kept me knowing he was here, was the gentle purr of his voice.
"Willowpaw." He said
He stepped back, crunching a few leaves in the process.
"Is this right?"
"What?"
"Us..We're not in the same clans." He told me
I looked toward the sound of his voice and spotted the light reflecting circles that belonged to him. We were no longer friends...That much I knew.
"We're meant to be together. We're such good friends, ever since that first Gathering and the dreams helped us see that we're perfect for each other! Love isn't anything we can control. But, every single cat deserves to choose."
"Yes..Love's freedom is something we deserve." Bramblepaw meowed
I nodded, not caring if he saw me. My heart fluttered in my chest as I sighed. I wouldn't want to leave him no matter what. Our friendship was gone. It was now pure love that existed between us.