I don't own warriors!
Chapter 14
Boulderstar was shaken awake. Yowls ran through the camp. Dawn had barely fallen, and the sun shone through thick grey clouds. With Goldenheart beside him, Boulderstar rushed out of his den to see what had happened.
At the entrance to the camp sat the patrol of Tigertail, Hawkpelt, Firestorm, and Eaglestripe. For a moment, Boulderstar felt a surge of happiness burst through him, but it soon disappeared when he relised why they were back so soon.
Flamestripe's body was draped over Eaglestipe and Firestorm. All the cats were covered in scratches and cobwebs. Their pelts were coated in red-soaked mud. Eaglestripe had a tear in his ear. Each wore a humble look of defeat, mourning over their dead clanmate.
Boulderstar ran to them, climbing up the branch and next to the tree. "What happened?" he gasped.
"The owls attacked, just like we knew they would," Eaglestripe answered. "The battle was short, and we won quickly, but Flamestripe, he wasn't so lucky."
"He fought like a true warrior," mewed Boulderstar. "We shall honor him for the life he has used to defend others, and fight for what is right. Let's bring him into camp. TOnight, we shall hold vigil for Flamestripe."
The patrol carried Flamestripe's body into the clearing together. Featherpaw, Owlpaw, Foxcloud, and Grayleaf, who had all been sitting in the clearing at the time, rushed over to help. Boulderstar rushed into the warriors' den. He smiled for a moment, looking at his alive and heathy clan. Her shook his head, and began nudging them awake.
"I don't want too," moaned Graymist, pawing the air in her sleep. She shook herself awake, and dashed out the den, thinking that she had forgotten to set up patrols. Leafshadow and Rawfire followed her, leaving the den empty.
In the clearing, Snowfeather and Lilacpool had jumped down from their den to join their clanmates. Silver Moon peered at them from his den, but refused to join.
"Come on, Silver Moon," mewed Leafshadow. "If you really are part of this clan, you would be mourning over Flamestripe just as much as the rest of us."
"No thanks," Silver Moon croaked. "He wasn't my friend. As much as I apprechate it here, there are some things that I just can't understand or take part in. Flamestripe died in your fight, and it is not my place to get to know him better."
"Okay, if you really want to be that way."
Boulderstar pressed his nose into Flamestripe's cold fur. Memorires of the Twoleg place, and every day he had known Flamestripe, flooded through his head. Even though it had only been a few moons, the warrior would alwayys be remembered as a loyal clanmate and good friend.
"Everyone," Boulderstar spoke up. "Our clanmate Flamestripe is now with StarClan. We will remember him as an amazing warrior and loyal companion. He died a warrior's death, defending our friends in the tribe, and us in turn, with his life. May Flamestripe always be remembered as one of the brave members of the renewed LeafClan."
The Clan cheered at Boulderstar's remarks. Graymist sat on the highbranch, organizing patrols. Foxcloud left with Leafshadow and Rawfire on a bourder patrol, while Graymist took Featherpaw, Owlpaw, and Grayleaf out hunting. The camp was calm, as the queens returned to their den.
Eaglestripe, Firestorm, Hawkpelt, and Tigertail stayed next to Flamestripe's body. After whispering their last remarks, the group lumbered to the warriors' den. Quickpaw and Runningpaw seized their chance, and ran to greet their tired mentors.
"Hey Firestorm! We missed you!" mewed Quickpaw.
"We want to go train and fight!" said Runningpaw, full of energy.
"Maybe later," replied Firestorm with a sigh. "We are tired after walking back to camp from the mountains. Once Eaglestripe and I are rested, we will train."
"We will?" groaned Eaglestripe, half asleep on his paws. Firestorm shook her head sadly, and climbed into her nest. The soft moss lined with sleek bird feathers relaxed Firestorm's sore body. She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the warm nest.
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(Half moon later; I got bored)
"Goldenheart! Lilacpool is kitting!"
Goldenheart dashed out of her den, and jumped into the nursery without hesitation. Windkit, Rainkit, and Aquakit scrambled out of their den, followed by screams of pain. The warriors in the camp all fell silent.
Eaglestripe, Rawfire, and Grayleaf climbed down the branch, their mouths filled with fresh kill. At another cry of pain, Eaglestripe froze. His blood ran cold. Dropping his rabbit where he stood, Eaglestripe ran to the nursery.
Featherpaw and Owlpaw sat outside the apprentices' den, watching over the kits. Aquakit danced playfully around Windkit and Rainkit, who responded with quite shushes.
"Do you think Lilacpool will be okay?" whispered Owlpaw.
"I hope so," replied Featherpaw.
Owlpaw just sighed. Eaglestripe poked his head out of the den, then sprinted out of the camp. His worried paw steps faded into the distance. The sun scorched the green plants that had sprung up, pushing them back. A cool breeze brushed over the camp, but failed to sooth anyone.
More screams came from the nursery, echoing off of the stone walls. Rainkit had joined Aquakit, and they now played happily with a ball of moss outside of the warriors' den. Snowfeather ran out from the nursery, and disappeared into Goldenheart's den. After a few moments, she reappeared with a bundle of both fresh and dried herbs in her jaws.
In a flash of white fur, Snowfeather dashed back to the nursery. Eaglestripe rushed down the branch, with a ball of wet moss in his mouth. He jumped in the nursery. A few moments later, Lilacpool's shrieks subsided. The whole clan seemed to exhale at once, the silent pain of waiting finally over.
Curious, Featherpaw climbed into the nursery. Laughter floated from the main cavern as she approched her clanmates. Eaglestripe, Snowfeather, and Goldenheart were huddled around Lilacpool. They each wore proud, but extremely tired smiles on their faces. Snowfeather moved to the sidde to make space for Featherpaw as she looked at the kits.
Three squerming blobs of fur wriggled about at Lilacpool's belly. One was a rusty orange color, with patches of gold fur, and a white underbelly. The kit beside it was gray with black flecks and tail-tip. The last was silvery, with one white paw.
"Congrats, Lilacpool," mewed Goldenheart. "You have two toms and a she-cat." She geatured to the gray and orange kits to be toms, and the silver one was a she-cat.
"Let's name them," suggested the tired Lilacpool. "You go first."
Eaglestripe looked at his kits proudly. The orange tom seemed so strong, and full of energy. His brother was much calmer.
"The orange tom should be named Sunkit, for his brilliant pelt."
"I love it," said Lilacpool. "I think the she-cat should be named Silverkit. Her pelt is so beautiful, and seems calm."
"The last leader of the old LeafClan's name was Silverstar," Goldenheart chimed in.
"Even better. And the last tom is so calm and precise. His name will be Grasskit."
"Perfect."
Lilacpool sighed happily, and nodded off into a dreamless sleep. Featherpaw stepped backwards, and turned out of the den. Her face was stuffed with fur, as Graymist tried to enter. Featherpaw staggered backwards, allowing Graymist to step into the nursery.
"Featherpaw," Graymist mewed. "I was looking for you!"
"Oh, okay," replied Featherpaw.
Graymist padded over beside Lilacpool's kits. "They are so cute!" she whispered to Eaglestripe over the sleeping Lilacpool.
Eaglestripe nodded to Graymist as she left the nursery. Outside, Featherpaw turned to her mentor. "What did you want to talk to me about?"
"Well, go get Owlpaw and Boulderstar first."
"Okay."
Featherpaw dashed to Boulderstar's den. Her claws dug into the smooth bark of the branch as she raced up, and jumped into the den. Soft leaves brushed her pelt, and fresh moss lined the floor.
Featherpaw walked over to Boulderstar, who was curled up into a ball on the floor. She poked his side gently, a snort coming from the ball of fur. Nudging him harder, Featherpaw woke up Boulderstar.
"What do you want?" Boulderstar mumbled, stretching his legs out.
"Graymist told me to get you and Owlpaw to train," Featherpaw replied.
"Oh! That's today!" Boulderstar dashed out of the den.
"What's today?" Featherpaw asked herself, but Boulderstar was gone.
Outside, the camp was already busy. Cats scurried around, gathering into patrols. Quickpaw and Firestorm climbed up the brach, followed by Quickpaw and Eaglestripe. Grayleaf, Hawkpelt, and Rawfire left to check the borders behind them. Snowfeather's kits played in the clearing underneath the warriors' paws.
Featherpaw found Owlpaw outside Silver Moon's den, changing the moss.
"Owlpaw," she mewed. "We are training with Graymist and Boulderstar. Come on!"
"Okay, sis."
Owlpaw grabbed the ball of old moss, and leaped off the ledge to join his mentor. Boulderstar and Graymist were waiting for Featherpaw and Owlpaw outside of the medicine cat's den, their pelts well-groomed. They nodded to their apprentices, and climbed up the branch, followed by Featherpaw and Owlpaw.
A warm breeze swept over the moor. The grasses whistled, their song floating up into the clear blue sky. A few birds flew overhead, bringing newleaf on their wings. Boulderstar stopped suddenly a the edge of the forest, and turned to the appretices.
"Owlpaw, Featherpaw, you have been training hard for the past moons, and you are ready to become warriors." The apprentices smiled. They had known that they would become warriors soon, but now it was finally time.
"But before you can become warriors, you have to take a final assesment," Graymist added. "You will be split apart. Each of you will follow a set trail through the forest, catching as much prey as you can."
"Owlpaw, come with me," instructed Boulderstar.
Owlpaw ran to his mentor, and disappeared from Featherpaw's sight through the trees. Graymist led her through the forest in silence. Insects chirped around them in complex harmonies, bringing the forest alive. Featherpaw could already taste the fresh kill in her mouth.
Graymist stopped at a clearing. Turning to Featherpaw, she mewed, "Featherpaw, you are to go through the forest, in a straight path towards the high-cliffs. Gather as much prey as possible, and be aware at all times. Your assesment begins now."
In a flash of gray fur, Graymist disappeared. Featherpaw took a step forward, cautious of her surrounds. Nothing stepped out from the underbrush. The forest stood still, as if it was holding its breath.
Opening her mouth, Featherpaw smelled the deep green scent of the forest, mixed with the fresh smell of squirrel. She was downwind of her prey, and began to stalk it silently.
Wind rustled the new leaves that perched on the trees. Finally, Featherpaw saw her prey. The squirrel sat part way up the trunk of a thin aspen tree, unaware of her presence. She watched as the squirrel clibed carelessly to the ground, and began to chew on a pine cone.
Featherpaw jumped forward, her claws outstreched. The squirrel didn't hsve time to react. With a killing bite, the squirrel died. Featherpaw laid the squirrel in a pile of dead leaves, and buried it in a thin layer of grass and leaves. She bowed her head for a moment, thanking StarClan for the life given.
She stood, focused on finding more prey. After a few pawsteps, Featherpaw found a mountain bluebird in the low branches of a nearby pine tree. She creapt forward silently. Staying completely still, Featherpaw watched the bird hop down to the ground, pecking at a stray bug.
Smiling at here unaware prey, Featherpaw jumped. The bird thrashed around in Featherpaw's paws, finally going limp at the killing bite. She dropped the prey to the ground, coving it just like she had covered the squirrel. Featherpaw stood, and began to search for more prey.
Occatioally, she saw a flash of gray fur or a rustle in the brush, but besides the incests and prey around her, Featherpaw was alone.
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Leaves drifted to the ground as Owlpaw pulled himself from a bush. He had already caught two mice and a black bird, but had missed his last piece of prey. The squirrel had dashed through a bush, and escaped.
Shaking himself off, Owlpaw went in search of more prey. He wanted to impress Boulderstar with his hunting skills. But everyone knew Featherpaw was better. She had been visited by StarClan in her dreams, and always had more power in her battle moves, more fresh-kill for the Clan.
Lifting his head, Owlpaw noticed a patch of brown and black fur in the shadows. Knowing it must have been Boulderstar, Owlpaw took a deep breath of the heavy forest air. This was his chance.
Catching the scent of another bird, Owlpaw was on his was again. Boulderstar had told him to travel to the high-cliffs, which Owlpaw had neared faster than he had wanted. This was his last chance to make his mentor proud.
Owlpaw followed the scent to a broad oak. The tree's branches scraped the sky, looming omiously above him. He spotted the bird, a robin, in the bottom branches. Perfect, he thought as he silently padded forward. When only a few tail-lengths away, Owlpaw jumped into the tree.
The branches greeted him, scooping him up. A gentle breeze tickled Owlpaw's nose. The robin sat on the tip of the branch above him, teasing with whistles of joy. Finding paw holds in the rough bark, Owlpaw climbed up to the robin's branch. He stalked forward, nearing the edge.
Noticing Owlpaw, the robin spread its wings. But Owlpaw wasn't going to let the bird escape. He leaped forward, balancing on the wind. Claws bit into feathers as predator met prey in mid-air. Owlpaw dragged the robindown to the branch, and gave the killing bite.
With the limp bird in his jaws, Owlpaw left to collect his prey. Near by the oak he uncovered his mice and bird, still warm. He pulled the prey along, the robin slung across his back. The black bird dragged along the ground. Finally, Owlpaw found his way out of the forest. High-cliffs was just ahead, glowing in the sunset.
Something colided with Owlpaw's side, sending him flying. His prey scatered across the stones. Owlpaw whipped around, to see that his attacker was Boulderstar.
His mentor pounced again. Owlpaw slid to the side, avoiding the attack. Making sure his claws were shedeth, he leapt, slidding under Boulderstar at the last moment. He flung out a paw, unbalancing Bouldestar, who struck with a blow to Owlpaw's back. Owlpaw shook it off, and proceded to show off his battle skills.
In the distance came a cry of surprise, and Featherpaw was knocked over by Graymist. Featherpaw battled in a tornado of grace and fury, with perfectly aimed moves. Graymist pinned her down several times, but Featherpaw soon won.
Graymist and Featherpaw joined Boulderstar and Owlpaw under the high-cliffs. Owlpaw had caught two mice and two birds, while Featherpaw had caught a squirrel, two birds, and a mouse.
"You both did very well," began Boulderstar. "Showing that you two are more than capable of becoming warriors. Once we get back to camp, you will have your ceremonies."
"Come on," mewed Graymist. "We could feed the whole clan with this prey!"
Featherpaw and Owlpaw were about to burst with excitment and pride. They were going to be warriors!"
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The camp was energetic in the fading sunlight. Warriors sat side-by-side, sharing tongues. Silver Moon told the kits stories of his old tribe, just like any elder. Snowfeather was at the fresh kill pile as they arived, shocked at the amout of prey.
"Looks like you guys have been busy," she purred. "We could have a feast with that much fresh kill!"
"Thanks," mewed Featherpaw. "Owlpaw and I caught it all."
"Well done!"
The apprentices laid their fresh kill on top of the pile. The clan gathered around, hungry at the sight of food. But they were interupted by Boulderstar's yowl.
"All cats gather under the Highbranch for a Clan meeting!"
The Clan turned their heads to Boulderstar, and gathered beneath him. Eaglestripe and Snowfeather jumped down from the nursery to join their Clanmates.
"There are two wonderful things that have happened today. At dawn, Lilacpool gave birth to three heathy kits, Sunkit, Grasskit, and Silverkit."
Eaglestripe held his head up proudly at the mention of his kits.
"Today, we will also receive two new warriors. Featherpaw, please join me on the Highbranch."
With a gentle nudge from herr brother, Featherpaw jumped onto the Highbranch beside Boulderstar. She was beaming as he began her ceremony.
"Featherpaw, you are a brave and loyal cat. You have known LeafClan since the very begining, and it is now time for you to become a warrior. Graymist, are you sastisfied with Featherpaw's training, and believe that she is ready to become a warrior?"
"Yes, I do."
"Then I, Bouldestar, leader of LeafClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Featherpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life."
"I do."
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Featherpaw, from this moment on, you shall be know as Featherdance. StarClan honors you for your courage and kindness, and welcomes you as a full member of LeafClan."
"Featherdance! Featherdance! Featherdance! Featherdance!" The Clan cheered for their newest warrior. Featherdance smiled, and jumped down from the Highbranch as Owlpaw was called up.
"Owlpaw, you have trained hard for these past moons. I am sastisfied with you abilities, and find you worthy to become a warrior.
"I, Boulderstar, leader of LeafClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn. Owlpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do."
"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name. Owlpaw, from this moment on you shall be known as Owlflight. StarClan honors your skills and honesty, and welcomes you as a full member of LeafClan."
"Owlflight! Owlflight! Featherdance! Featherdance! Owlflight! Featherdance!"
"Starting tonight, our new warriors will sit vigil through the night," Boulderstar instructed. "Meeting dismissed."
Okay, I thought for a moment about this. Wouldn't it be awesome if Owlpaw's warrior name was Owlcity?! Being a giant hootowl myself, that would be SO COOL! Can't wait to see you all again next chapter, and don't forget to review!