Chapter 13
The cats gasped in surprised as they entered the camp. Most had never been in anything like this before.
"What is this place?", Kimber asked curiously.
"This is our new camp", Foxtail said proudly.
"But where will we sleep?", Night asked.
"Foxtail, you found this place you tell us what's what", Lightningstar said.
"Alright I thought this rabbit warren could be the elders den", Foxtail suggested; pointing to the old den near the entrance to camp.
"This elderberry bush could be the warriors den", Foxtail said pointing to the large bush.
"The hollow fallen tree could be the nursery", Foxtail continued as he led them to a large fallen oak with a hollow inside.
"This large rock has a cave inside it so I thought this could be the leader's den", Foxtail said as he brought them to the first of the three rocks that did indeed have a small cave inside.
"This could be where the leader does ceremonies and announces things", Foxtail continued, moving his gaze toward the second rock which was tall and smooth.
"But how will any cat get up there?" Lavender asked.
"That is what this rock is for", Foxtail started and turned to the last rock which was slanted so much it was half a mouse-tail away from touching the second rock, "This is what we will use to get up to the rock and I thought we could store our fresh kill under the rock when it rains or snows", Foxtail finished
"Foxtail, that brilliant", Lightningstar said astonished.
"Why always the tone of surprise?" Foxtail said with amusement.
"Any way this stream I thought we could use for drinking water obviously, teaching our clan to swim, and in the winter we could fish for minnows", Foxtail announced as he waded into the stream which, even though it wasn't very wide it was deep enough to were a cat could lose its life if it didn't know how to swim.
"You see that fern bush across the stream?" Foxtail asked, "Well I thought it would be a good apprentice den"
"That's great Foxtail I'll tell the clan right away", Lightningstar said happily.
"What about a den for the medicine cat?", a cat shouted; it was Estrati.
"Oh, I almost forgot about that. I'm sorry, Estrati", Foxtail said apologetically.
"Follow me", Foxtail ordered.
He took them to the right side of the dip and showed every cat that there was a gap that led to a clearing on the other side. As the cat walked through the gap the noticed a stone wall completely surrounding one side of the clearing. Foxtail must have seen them looking at it because he said…
"The large crack in the wall opens up to a huge cave. And the small crack would be perfect for storing herbs. Those rocks jutting out of the wall lead to the top of the wall, it has a bush up there and who knows it might even be a herb"
"And", he continued, "The stream comes through here too, so Estrati could soak moss for sick cats and I thought this rock would be good for sitting vigil for dead clanmates"
"Well now that everything is set up I will announce it to the clan", Lightningstar said jumping up on to the slanted rock.
He got to the top of the tall rock he announced, "Let all cats of Lightningclan gather beneath this rock for a clan meeting"
When all the clan had gathered he explained where everything was around camp then he announce, "This rock it where I will hold clan meetings; it will be called Tall Rock and the slanted rock will be known as Stepping Rock. That is all"
He was starting to make his way down the Stepping Rock when a voice said, "Um Lightningstar… aren't you forgetting something?" it was Mulson
"No I don't believe I did. Why is there something I should have done?", Lightningstar asked curiously.
"Well I just figured that we would get our warrior names today", Mulson said simply
The naming ceremony, I forgot how mouse-brained can I get, Lightningstar thought to himself.
"Yes of course I'm sorry to keep you all waiting", Lightningstar apologized
He padded back onto Tall Rock and started, "I, Lightningstar, leader of Lightningclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these cats. They will work hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn"
"Alila, Lilac, Cotton, Link, Russet, Samuel, Flicker, Blue, Thorn, Mulson, Clover, Smoke, Lavender, and Kimber", he continued, "do you promise to uphold the Warrior Code and to protect and defend your clan even at the cost of your life?"
"I do", they all said in unison
"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior names. Alila, come forward" When Alila was standing next to him on the Tall Rock he said, "Alila, from this moment on you will be known as Palestripe. Starclan honors your initiative and honesty, we welcome you as full warrior of Lightningclan", and to finish the ceremony, he rested his muzzle on her head.
Once Palestripe had sat back down he called, "Lilac, come forward. Lilac, from this moment you will be known as Willowfur. Starclan honors your energy and enthusiasm, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Lightningclan"
"Cotton, from this moment forth you will be known as Swanfeather. Starclan honors your warmth and cleverness, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Lightningclan"
"Link, from this moment forth you will be known as Cloudspirit. Starclan honors your wisdom and strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Lightningclan"
"Russet, from this moment forth you will be known as Neetletooth. Starclan honors your loyalty and determination, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Lightningclan"
"Samuel, from this moment forth you will be known as Swiftfoot. Starclan honors your speed and spirit, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Lightningclan"
"Flicker, from this day forth you will be known as Owl-ear. Starclan honors your patience and bravery, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Lightningclan"
"Blue, from this forth you shall be known as Mistypelt. Starclan honors your intelligence and loyalty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Lightningclan"
"Thorn, from this forth you shall be known as Talonscar. Starclan honors your bravery and courage, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Lightningclan"
"Mulson, from this forth you shall be known as Wildbreeze. Starclan honors your humor and independence, and we welcome you as a full member of Lightningclan"
"Clover, from this forth you shall be known as Cloverspots. Starclan honors your kindness and determination, and we welcome you as member of Lightningclan"
"Smoke, from this forth you shall be known as Rabbittail. Starclan honors your honesty and loyalty, and we welcome you as member of Lightningclan", Lightningstar said.
"Lavender, from this forth you shall be known as Dewflower. Starclan honors your speed and strength, and we welcome you as member of Lightningclan"
Finally he called Kimber up and said, "Kimber, from this forth you shall be known as Brightclaw. Starclan honors your kindness and strength, and we welcome you as member of Lightningclan", Lightningstar finished.
When the ceremony was finished the cats cheered each other's names as if they were old friends.
Lightningstar interrupted them by saying, "Cloverspots's kits are six moons old, and so I would like to make them apprentices"
Once all six of the kits where standing in front of the Tall rock he began and called Fire to come and join him…
"Fire, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day forth, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Firepaw. Your mentor will be Neetletooth. I hope Neetletooth will pass down all he knows on to you"
He called up Neetletooth; who had a surprised look on his face and said…
"Neetletooth, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You have shown loyalty and determination. You will be the mentor of Firepaw, and I expect you to pass down all you know to him", Lightningstar said.
Then Neetletooth touched noses, and both mentor and apprentice sat back down amongst the crowd.
"Tiger, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day forth, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Tigerpaw. Your mentor will be Wildbreeze. I hope Wildbreeze will pass down all he knows to you"
Turning to Wildbreeze; who had come up when his name was said, Lightningstar said…
"Wildbreeze, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You have shown humor and independence. You will be the mentor of Tigerpaw, and I expect you to pass down all you know to him", Lightningstar said.
When he turned back he came face to face with Frost, who looked about ready to burst with excitement.
"Frost, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day forth, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Frostpaw. Your mentor will be Rabbittail. I hope he will pass down all he knows to you"
To Rabbittail he said, "Rabbittail, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You have shown honesty and loyalty. You will be the mentor of Frostpaw, and I expect you to pass down all you know to her"
When they sat down he beckoned Silver to come forward she looked calm and in a flash he knew exactly who her mentor to was going to be.
"Silver, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day forth, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Silverpaw. Your mentor will be Cloudspirit. I hope he will pass down all he knows to you"
Turning to Cloudspirit he said, "Cloudspirit, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You have shown wisdom and strength, and I expect you to pass down all you know to her"
After the two touched noses he called up Night and started the ancient ceremony again.
"Night, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day forth, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Nightpaw. Your mentor will be Palestripe. I hope she will pass down all she knows to you"
"Palestripe…", he said turning to her, "you are ready to take on an apprentice. You have shown initiative and honesty, and I expect you to pass down all you know to him",
The last cat, Cream came bouncing up happily until an angry look from her mother stopped her.
"Cream, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day forth, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Milkpaw. Your mentor will be Talonscar. I hope he will pass down all he knows to you"
"Talonscar, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You have shown bravery and courage, and I expect you to pass down all you know to her"
Milkpaw looked upset that Talonscar was her mentor and at first Lightningstar wasn't sure she would touch noses with him. But tentatively she touched noses with him and eagerly walked away.
As the clan cheered for the apprentice's Lightningstar interrupted them once more and said, "One of our cats has decided to become an elder. Revee, is it your wish to give up the life of a warrior and go to join the elders?"
"It is", Revee said gruffly.
"Then I hail you by your new name, Lakesplash. And I call upon Starclan to give you many moons of rest", Lightningstar finished.
As the clan cheered for the elder Lightningstar interrupted them for the last time by saying, "Estrati. Our warrior ancestors have chosen you to be our medicine cat. Now I give you the care of Lightningclan as we hail you by your new name, Starwatcher. We all trust you to use your skills for healing and to interpret the signs that the spirits of our ancestors will send us"
"This is the end of our meeting, but before you go to sleep remember that all newly named warriors are to hold a silent vigil to protect the camp tonight until dawn. So none of you better be in the warriors den sleeping when I get up", Lightningstar ordered.
Lightningstar then jumped onto the Stepping rock and slid down onto the sandy floor of the camp. He saw apprentices leaping over the stream and heading into the apprentice den. He saw Lakesplash disappear into the elders den. He saw Starwatcher disappear into the medicine cat clearing. And he saw the new warriors lying on the ground of the camp sitting vigil.
He was about to go into his den when Foxtail stopped him and said, "You did well. I know you'll be a great leader"
"Thanks, goodnight Foxtail", He said as Foxtail walked towards the warriors den.
"Goodnight Lightningstar", Foxtail replied and with that he disappeared into the warriors den.
As soon as he got into his den he flopped down and tried to fall asleep.
As his eyes started to close he saw Dewflower looking at him with a strange look in her eyes.
She said nothing; because she was not allowed, but she nodded. And he drifted off to sleep.