Flamepaw watched Nyka sleep with a sour expression. His inability to sleep had left him that way. It wasn't the ice den's incredibly cold temperature or a coughthat was keeping him up, though. It was RiverClan's evident decision to exile him as soon as they heard about what he did.
Some of the patrols had seen him around, of course. However, once they saw how behaved he was, and how close Leopardleap and Nyka were, they didn't even approach. He was just a benign loner in their territory that would do them no harm.
But they didn't know about his mother.
Flamepaw didn't want to be there when his father told the clans that he was a murderous, insane tom with no respect for life. Hawkkit, however, insisted. For good reason: if anyone could change Streamstar's mind, it would be Elementals. In his mind he knew RiverClan's leader would be more prideful than to subside with fear.
Aren't you a ball of happy moss.
Flamepaw sighed and responded, I can always count on you to ruin my thoughts, can't I?
Who else, if not me? Flame asked. Everyone needs a pesky mentor to give them a little fun.
I doubt that, Flamepaw asked. Remember my old mentor?
That old brute? He wasn't your mentor, he was your kitsitter, Flame said. He never even called you by your real name.
That part I didn't mind, Flamepaw mumbled.
What, you like being called a mousehearted birdbrain? Flame asked.
No, but it's better than hearing 'Flamepaw' like it's some sort of curse, Flamepaw growled.
So you still believe you'll change it?
When I'm a loner, I will, Flamepaw asked. Maybe to something like 'Fire' or 'Scorch.' Those sound intimidating.
Whatever you say, Flame said. But what if the clans accept you?
As if -
Just answer the question.
Flamepaw hesitated a moment.
I guess I really haven't thought about it much, Flamepaw asked. Nyka and Leopardleap are mostly the ones I've been concerned about.
Exactly! Flame exclaimed. You've got to stop thinking about all the bad points about the future - you don't even know what's going to happen yet.
Nice thing to say considering your feelings toward Lightning, Flamepaw mumbled. Pain rippled through his head with a quick flash. It was over as soon as he felt it.
You've got no right talking about him as if he's innocent, Flame growled. There was a deathly tone in his words. He is a treacherous, evil, and dangerous, and there's nothing else to him.
What did he -
"Flamepaw?" Nyka asked. Flamepaw's gaze shifted upward to the she-cat's sharp blue eyes.
"Hmm? Oh, sorry, Flame's taking to me."
"Understandable," Nyka responded.
"He keeps mentioning Lightning and whatever in StarClan's name he did," Flamepaw said as he stood. "It really is annoying how they won't tell any of us. I mean, if history is deemed to repeat itself with Darkpaw, wouldn't it be smart to tell us what happened?"
No, it would be -
"They won't tell us, no matter what we do," Nyka said with a yawn. "Besides, who cares? They're up in the sky, not down here with us. Their rivalry is their own problem." Flamepaw shrugged.
"Point taken," he said. "So, is it time to go?"
"Are you mouse-brained? We've got the entire afternoon," Nyka said.
"Didn't Hawkkit say we had to go early? That's why we slept in so late, remember?"
Nyka groaned and growled, "Do I really have to go back and stare Scarface in the face again?"
"Don't be a hypocrite," Flamepaw sighed. "Darkpaw's had just as hard life as you, and he isn't that bad if you ignore him."
"Yeah right," Nyka spat. "All he wants to do is be the leader because that's what he's destined to do." At the word 'destined' she made an exaggerated gesture.
"Have you ever had a normal conversation with him?" Flamepaw asked. "The last thing he wants is to be a leader."
"Then he's a coward," Nyka muttered.
"What's your problem?" Flamepaw asked.
"Nothing!" Nyka hissed. "He's the one who keeps winning."
"That's kind of the point of training."
"Yeah, but if he wanted to give up the leader's spot so bad, he wouldn't be fighting so hard for it."
"Maybe that's not why he's fighting so hard."
Nyka looked away.
"Come on, let's go find Leopardleap and Mudroot," she said.
"Okay," he responded. "Nyka?" She paused. "I don't hate you for wanting to be on top, you know. It's what I like about you." She hesitated, and then continued walking. Flamepaw smiled; he'd gotten to her.
As they walked through the snow, Flamepaw found his mind wandering about Leopardleap's relationship with Mudroot. No one could confirm it, of course, but no matter where they were, they were together. Usually in an odd spot. Normally, Mudroot came to RiverClan after the training, and then went home in the morning. ThunderClan hadn't really noticed, but from what he'd overheard patrols saying, Streamstar was going to intervene soon. After all, Leopardleap was still their only medicine cat.
But she's also a warrior, sort of, Flamepaw thought. I mean, she fights, doesn't she? And she's training just like all of us. So why can't she have kits? She's breaking all of the other rules.
Having kits is a larger responsibility than fighting and healing at the same time, Flame warned. His voice was dark again.
What difference does it make? If she's expected to fight with us, train with us, and to abandon her medicine cat duties if she's needed, she's not much of a medicine cat any more, is she?
Kits are not the same as duties to your clan, Flame said.
The only difference is she's doing it out of love! Flamepaw growled.
And that is my exact point, Flame responded. Love has always destroyed more lies than it has saved, which is why I will warn you once again -
Oh, shut up! Flamepaw hissed. I get it already! And guess what? I've decided that Nyka and I being together won't cause anything other than a glacier melting, so stop going on about something I already know.
"There you are!"
Flamepaw glanced upward to see Mudroot and Leopardleap on their pillar of earth. Their tails were the only thing that could be seen about them.
"Hmm?" Leopardleap asked. She sat up so the rest of her could be seen. "Is it that time already?"
"Yup," Flamepaw said with a smile. "So stop making googly eyes at each other and come down here before I burn through whatever you're sitting on."
"You can't burn through dirt," Mudroot said as he stood. He made a strong movement, and the pillar lowered to the actual ground.
"I could try," Flamepaw pointed out.
"Leopardleap can quench it," Mudroot said back.
"I'll spark it up again," Flamepaw said.
"Leopardleap can quench it again," Mudroot said. "Flames always go away when rain comes." Nyka burst out laughing.
"And there you go, Flamepaw, the cycle of life," Nyka responded. With a shake of her head, she said, "Come on, or we're going to show up later than Darkpaw." Mudroot shook his head.
"We will get there faster," Mudroot said. "Darkpaw said he was going to be very late today."
"Did he say why?" Leopardleap asked curiously.
"He said it was important," Mudroot said.
"That's a load of mousedroppings," Nyka hissed.
"Darkpaw does important things," Mudroot defended. "He trains Pinepaw."
"He's training an apprentice?" Nyka asked. "Why?"
"I don't know," Mudroot said. "He doesn't like her mentor. He thinks he's mean to her."
"As if!" Nyka laughed. "He's probably just paranoid."
"Darkpaw is smart," Mudroot said lowly.
"No, he's lucky and he receives pity," Nyka stated.
"Nyka, just be quiet," Leopardleap hissed. "Obviously you two have different opinions. You don't have to fight over it."
The two were quiet for the rest of the journey.
"Come on, Flamepaw, you've got more than that, don't you?"
Flamepaw breathed heavily as he stared at Nyka. After a quarter moon of training without their elements, they were now training with both. One of them wouldn't be able to use their element, and the other could. Fortunately for him, Nyka was the one who couldn't.
She surged forward and went past all of his blasts of fire, quick as the wind. Flamepaw backed up as he created a wall of fire, preventing her from pinning him. He dashed away and realized right then that he was losing.
My body is too tired! Flamepaw exclaimed.
Stop throwing the fireblasts - they exhaust you more, Flame instructed. Stay away from the trees. Use that technique I showed you when you were in ShadowClan if you need a last resort.
Flamepaw did exactly that. He moved far enough from the trees that Nyka couldn't do anything, but close enough for refuge. He resorted to confusing her as to where he was, covering himself in flames while covering the land with temporary flames. It seemed to work.
Suddenly, she jumped through a wall of flames near him and became too close. Flamepaw sprinted into the trees and slid around to face Nyka, who stopped in confusion. An explosion happened around her, tree after tree erupting with flames.
Several branches fell from the impact. He couldn't see the sly she-cat behind the wall of branches and flames, so he gave a sigh of relief as he caught his breath. Sooner than he would have thought from Nyka, the white cat figured out a way around the branches and quickly made her way toward him.
Flamepaw had no more energy, for though he started running, Nyka had him pinned. Rain came from the skies and the slight breeze grew still. In just a few heartbeats, the island was back to normal other than a few scorch marks.
"I win!" Nyka announced. Flamepaw growled loudly and stood up.
"Mouse-brained!"
"Me?" Nyka asked, her muscles tensing.
"No, me!" Flamepaw yowled. "I could have gotten away, but I just stood there!"
"You'll do better tomorrow," Hawkit said.
Flamepaw gave a laugh of myrth. "If there even is a tomorrow."
"Not this again," Nyka groaned.
"What are you talking about?" Hawkkit asked. "You're coming back, aren't you?"
"If the clans let me, sure," Flamepaw growled.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Look, I don't want to talk about it -"
"Tonight, at the gathering, Shadestar will tell the clans why he was exiled," Nyka interrupted.
"Nyka!" Flamepaw hissed.
"What? They need to know," Nyka said. "Maybe, and I'll regret saying this as long as I live, they'll help."
"Help what?" Hawkkit asked. "He was exiled, and now he's in RiverClan. How is an announcement going to change anything?"
"It's not that I was exiled," Flamepaw said, "it's why."
"Why? What did you do?" Hawkkit asked.
"That doesn't matter," Flamepaw growled. "But as soon as RiverClan hears it, I'll be exiled for sure."
"That's not right," Hawkkit said. "There has to be something -"
"Make yourself useful to them," Darkpaw said. They all turned to the quiet apprentice.
"What?" Flamepaw asked.
"Make yourself too useful to exile," Darkpaw said simply. "If you're too valuable, then they will take the risk."
"How do I do that?" Flamepaw asked. "They don't know the first thing about me, and the Gathering is tonight."
"Exactly," Darkpaw said.
"I'm missing the point," Hawkkit put in. Darkpaw narrowed his eyes a bit tighter.
"This is going to be hard to explain," he warned, "but I know RiverClan is going to be attacked tonight."
"What -?"
"You're joking -"
"How in StarClan's name do you know -?"
"Listen, I know it's difficult to believe, but everything this cat has told me has happened so far, so I'm going to trust him," Darkpaw went on.
"I won't," Nyka hissed. "And I most definitely won't trust you."
"Nyka, if you don't -"
"How long were you going to wait to tell us?" Nyka asked, her voice dangerously low.
"I had to make sure my sources were reliable -"
"No, you were just going to use it to your advantage," Nyka growled. "You traitor!" Without much warning, Nyka lunged forward. Despite his shock, Nyka was on her back, pinned to the ground, in only a few heart-beats. "Get off me so I can kill you!"
"What's your problem?" Hawkkit screamed. "What ancestor in StarClan gave you the right -"
"No one gives me the right to do anything!" Nyka hissed. "Not Streamstar, not StarClan, and certainly not this half-hearted birdbrain!"
"I'm not ordering you to do anything!" Darkpaw said. "I'm just telling you what would be best -"
"And I'm not agreeing with it!" Nyka snapped. "I'm not going to trust you with a decision like that, even if my life was at stake!"
"Nyka, calm down, or I swear to StarClan -"
"Why not?" Darkpaw growled. "What have I done that could have possibly given you a reason to distrust me?"
"You are the only loner in this group!" Nyka hissed. "No one ever questions anything you do, and you're Lightning's mortal, so obviously -"
"- I'm a treacherous, murderous monster?" Darkpaw asked. Flamepaw shivered. Nyka took this chance to push the dark apprentice off of her. In an instant, there was a wall of ice surrounding just her and Darkpaw.
Flamepaw leaped forward to the edge, blasting everything he had at the large ice wall. Large gusts of wind came forward. Nothing happened.
"Nyka, stop!" Flamepaw yelled. He saw Darkpaw glance around quickly and his heart leapt. Darkpaw was never afraid, so if he was, he knew something bad was about to happen.
"How does this feel?" Nyka hissed. "To feel like you're trapped? Like there's no where you can go?" She lunged at him. They collided, and Darkpaw was pushed into the thick layer of ice. He collapsed.
"I wasn't allowed to leave RiverClan. This is how I felt all of the time. No one liked me. No one understood me. They always looked at me as if I were going to kill them. And I was trapped in this. And I had no one. But then you show up, acting as if you've been through so much."
She put a paw on his shoulder and went on, "You aren't anything but a loner looking for a place to stay, and yet you act as if you went through the Dark Forest and back. And now you're using their pity to gain leadership. It's pathetic, cowardly, and -"
"How does it feel?" he asked. Flamepaw blinked.
"What?" she questioned.
"How does it feel to be like the cats who forced you into exile?" Darkpaw asked. Nyka's eyes widened and she quickly backed away from the gray apprentice. Flamepaw's heart began racing.
Suddenly, the ice melted away completely. Flamepaw sprinted forward to Nyka and searched her eyes for something he could use to help her get back on her paws.
"Darkpaw -"
"I'm fine," he said.
Are those his favorite words? Flamepaw wondered sourly.
"Nyka," Flamepaw said. "Nyka, talk to me." She closed her eyes tightly, turned around, and sprinted away. "Nyka!"
"Let her go," Leopardleap said, standing in front of him. "At times like this, she needs to be alone to think things over. She will be okay." Flamepaw watched the white she-cat disappear from his sight before he relaxed.
"Come on," Leopardleap told him. "Let's go figure out a way to make sure you stay in RiverClan." Absently, he nodded and followed her. No matter how hard he tried, however, he could not get Nyka's discomfort out of his head.
Flamepaw knew what he had to do. Darkpaw had told him, every detail, of what he had to do, and he prayed to StarClan that this would work. That he wouldn't screw this up.
RiverClan camp wasn't hard to find, though he had to stay far enough away from it that the guards couldn't see him. That's what Darkpaw had said. Why am I listening to him all of a sudden? Flamepaw asked. Nyka hates him.
Unfortunately, Darkpaw is right in this case, Flame said. I know how Streamstar's mind works, and if you successfully carry out the plan, you won't be exiled.
And then I get to stay, Flamepaw said. It was a thought that allowed his shoulders to relax.
Flamepaw's ears perked at the sound of rushing paws in snow. He crouched to the ground and waited, listening as hard as he could. He caught the movement of one rogue, and set his jaw. One. . .Two. . .Three. . .Four. . .Now!
Flamepaw sprinted forward and with a sharp twirl, the camp was surrounded with fire.
Hawkkit sat in the same spot she did in the last gathering as the clan cats started forward. The first clan to arrive - WindClan - looked at her cautiously and whispered to each other and glancing with narrowed eyes to the Elemental Mortals.
The next Clan to come, RiverClan, was quite at ease with the Elementals being there. There was talking now, and Hawkkit heard, "they've been training here" and "they come here every day." WindClan still moved around nervously.
"They aren't too thrilled to see us, are they?" Hawkkit asked. Darkpaw gave a small smile of recognition, but nothing further.
ShadowClan entered with hesitating steps. Shadestar, however, walked with a slow gait, and his tail was drooping. His amber eyes were distant, and he looked older. What did Flamepaw do? Hawkkit asked herself.
"Why is ThunderClan late?" Darkpaw wondered out loud.
"Duskstar has been acting weird," Mudroot said.
"Not this weird," Darkpaw warned. Hawkkit bit her lip.
"Do you know what it is?"
"I have a guess," Darkpaw said. "My spy. . .he's not the most precautious tom. He's only slightly older than me, too. I was supposed to meet him tonight, before these meetings started. I told him about it the last time we met, but. . ."
"Don't be ridiculous! Why would ThunderClan attack such a young tom?"
"These days, they'll attack anything," Darkpaw said. "They don't want to be invaded again."
ThunderClan came, and Darkpaw tensed. Hawkkit wondered why until she noticed the way the ThunderClan warriors held their selves: clenched and ready for attack. Their eyes were wide. She looked to Darkpaw, and his idea seemed confirmed.
The yowl from the leaders happened several heartbeats later, and the clans gathered in silence as the clan leaders prepared their description.
"I shall begin this meeting," Duskstar announced, "as all of you have been asking. We were late because of a rogue entering deep into our territory" - "No," Darkpaw murmured - "and we have captured him -"
"Captured him?" Streamstar asked. "Why not chase him away?"
"It is not that simple, Streamstar," Duskstar said. "This rogue managed to wound four of my warriors." There were gasps below the leaf line of the tree.
"What will you do with him?" Fogstar asked.
"My deputy reasoned with the rogue when the battle broke apart, and he is being watched by my deputy and one of my best warriors."
"If he is that strong, I would be worried of his escape," Streamstar said.
"Indeed, but this rogue was just as frightened to see us as we were to see him," Duskstar responded.
"Frightened? But then why did he fight?" Fogstar asked.
"There is much we do not know, but as of yet, he is being kept in a secure den, and he was sleeping when we left," Duskstar explained. "I noticed his body was very weak when he was brought into camp, and he was very submissive when I attempted to speak to him. So no, I do not believe he will escape." There were whispers and quick speaking, but the only thing Hawkkit noticed was Duskstar's gaze. It had rested completely on Darkpaw, who averted his eyes.
"I am very happy to report, if you are done, that no more rogues have been sighted in my territory," Fogstar said. His voice wavered. "We have a new warrior tonight, however. Cloudheart and Crowfang recently received their warrior name." The clans repeated their names over and over, and Hawkkit yowled them as loud as she could. Several WindClan cats gave her dirty looks.
Streamstar announced. "We have also had no further run-ins with the rogue which murdered Reedfur. Leopardleap, our new medicine cat, is doing well in his turn. No cat has caught greencough this leaf-bare as of yet, and Lilyfur has given birth to her new kit, Silverkit. Willowpaw has also recieved his warrior name, Willowtail." The clan announced her name eagerly, and this time Leopardleap was the one who shouted the loudest.
"There is a matter," Streamstar went on with his gaze on Shadestar, "concerning a ShadowClan apprentice living in the outer parts of my territory. Is there a reason explaining this?" Shadestar had his eyes on a point far away. "Shadestar."
With a deep sigh, Shadestar shifted his eyes to Streamstar and said, "Nearly a moon ago, my deputy, Scorchwhisker, was killed by one of my apprentices, Flamepaw, who pleaded innocence by claiming he had done it in his own defense. In sorrow, I detained him instead of exiling him, and that night he escaped. Several warriors followed after him, and found him next to the body of his sister, Yellowpaw." He clenched his jaw and swallowed hard.
"The warriors, acting on their own accord, attempted to rid the forest of him, but he managed to get onto the river border. The last they saw, he fell in. When I went to make sure what I heard was true, I found him in your territory with your medicine cat and an apprentice of yours. They would not escort me to you, and so I have told myself I would not mention it until now, so that you may all hear of the danger he is."
Hawkkit's eyes were wide, and though she had expected the clans to start yowling in an uproar of insults toward Flamepaw, they were quiet. It was a deadly silence, as if they were all paying their respects to Scorchwhisker and Yellowpaw, both of which everyone knew were related to Shadestar.
"I am truly sorry for you, Shadestar," Fogstar said. "May StarClan welcome your mate and kit, and may they light your path."
"I tell you now, Streamstar, that this tom is dangerous, and is not to be reasoned with," Shadestar said with firmness in his voice. "Do not let him lie to you with his keen tongue. He is a killer, and there is no changing him." Streamstar stared straight at the tom with an expression of relation. He's been through the same thing, Hawkkit realized with a jolt.
A burst of light made everyone glance over to RiverClan territory, where a fire had erupted in several different spots. Streamstar did not look the least bit surprised despite the gasps and shock rippling through the other clans.
Without any words, Streamstar jumped down from the tree he was in and sprinted straight for the tree bridge. His warriors, loyal and very perceptive, followed right after him. Hawkkit and Leopardleap followed.
No one said anything. They just ran. Hawkkit, despite her size, was keeping up with all of them. Next to her was Leopardleap and another young apprentice, one with worry in her eyes.
"Everything's going to be okay," Hawkkit told the young she-cat, who glanced at her with her frantic eyes. "Streamstar is a strong tom, he'll know how to deal with everything." The she-cat nodded firmly, but Hawkkit could see her shoulders relax.
The closer they got, the warmer the around them seemed to be. Trees were singed, but not burning. Rocks were darkened, but no flame was snaking its way up them. Then they began to see the damage of the first, which - considering it was fire - was not that much. Several trees were blackened, and bodies could be seen, but they were only injured rogues.
The camp wasn't destroyed at all. Rogue cats scrambled as the warriors who went to the gathering chased them out, one by one. The clan cats who didn't go to the gathering were shaking with both fear and anxiety, each with their own level of fear.
"Was anyone hurt?" Leopardleap called out. Only three warriors stepped forward, none of them seriously injured. Leopardleap padded over to them anyway.
"Don't heal us, heal him," one of the warriors said. They parted to reveal Flamepaw, who was sprawled upon the ground unconscious. Hawkkit dashed over to him with Leopardleap at her heal. They looked him over, and other than a few parts of singed fur and shallow cuts, he was only asleep.
"What happened?" Streamstar demanded at the closest warrior.
"The rogues attacked us just a small while ago, and we would have been completely outnumbered had it not been for this tom," the senior warrior answered.
"He used a huge wall of fire to scare off some of the rogues, and then he chased those that still went through with fire blasts -" one warrior spoke.
"He even fought a few!" interrupted a queen.
"And he saved me!" came the voice of a small kit. "They went into the nursery, but he battled them until they ran out screaming!"
"I wanna be like him someday!" one of the kits announced with his chest out.
Streamstar was frowning at Flamepaw, obviously conflicted.
"Streamstar, you can't be thinking of letting him go," a she-cat told him. "Think of what he did!"
"I am," Streamstar said. Hawkkit felt as if she were intruding then. His voice was so authoritative that it made her seem small and unimportant. "He killed Scorchwhisker and Yellowpaw, but he also saved my entire clan."
"He's a murderer!"
"Then he shouldn't have cared for my clan," Streamstar said sharply. His ears fell backward, and the she-cat shrunk away.
"N-nyka. . .?"
Hawkkit's amber gaze sifted back to Flamepaw, who's jade green eyes could be seen.
"Flamepaw! Thank StarClan - are you feeling alright?"
"Did I do it. . .?" Flamepaw asked. "Did. . .Did I save the kits. . .?"
"Yes. . ." Leopardleap said, tears coming from her eyes. "Yes, you did. This. . .this is going to hurt a bit, Flamepaw, but I have to heal -"
"Flamepaw!"
Hawkkit spun around to see Nyka running forward. She got out of the way as Snow's mortal reached the ginger tom.
"Flamepaw, what did you do? I thought you were going to be killed -"
"Still goin'," Flamepaw coughed with a smile on his face. "What. . .you think I would. . .leave you to get your revenge. . .on your own?" Nyka gave a small laugh.
"Don't scare me like that," Nyka said, "or I might just have to encase you in ice."
"That. . .would be painful. . ." Flamepaw claimed. Water crept onto his pelt, and immediately he became rigid. Hawkkit frowned. When the water engulfed him, it soaked into his fur, and he clenched his jaw.
"Hawkkit - get him dry -"
Hawkkit increased the wind in that area and the heat, and heartbeat by heartbeat, he dried. When it was over, he exhaled.
"I hate that part," he muttered. Nyka laid next to him and he rested his head on her front legs. And then he fell asleep again, as peaceful as he was before.
As Leopardleap began to heal the other warriors, Hawkkit watched Nyka and Flamepaw from a distance, curiously contemplating whether or not she would like to feel a love like that.
"You and Leopardleap will join me in my den when she is finished," Streamstar said lowly. Hawkkit turned to meet his amber eyes and then she watched as he padded toward what she assumed was his nest.
"What was that about?" Leopardleap asked.
"Are you done healing everyone?" Hawkkit questioned.
"I think so," Leopardleap responded.
"We have to go to his den," Hawkkit said. "Presumably to talk about Flamepaw." Suddenly, she gave a loud coughing fit.
"Are you alright?" Leopardleap asked immediately.
"It's. . .It's probably just the smoke," Hawkkit breathed. "Come on - we've got to make this right." Leopardleap nodded and padded forward with a swift gait, and Hawkkit followed.
His den was dark, especially considering the lowering moon. He was at the back with his gaze to the ground. When they made their appearance, he lifted eyes to meet theirs.
"Why did you want to speak to us?" Leopardleap asked.
"Why does a murderer of such an insane sort save a clan which does not even matter to him?" Streamstar asked. "I ask of you the answer, because you two know him best."
"I did not know of his crime until today," Hawkkit said. "But he doesn't act insane or murderous when we are training. In fact, he is the only one to lighten the mood. He's just a regular apprentice."
"What he told me," Leopardleap said, "was that his actions were truly out of defense, but since there were no witnesses, he was falsely accused. And it was not him who killed his sister. He found her dead on his way to RiverClan." Streamstar's eyes narrowed.
"Do you truly believe this?" he asked.
"I do," Leopardleap responded. "He told us what he did, freely, and he has made a friend in Nyka. And now he has saved our clan. Does that sound like a murderer to you?" Streamstar sighed. And then he said, mostly to himself:
"StarClan, what do I do?"
"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather here beneath the highrock!"
Nyka stood and walked right by Flamepaw's side as he made his way to the high rock. Dawn rays were peeking up over the horizon. Throughout the night, Flamepaw had slept his exhaustion away, and though he was still shaky, he'd said he was ready for this.
So she was too.
Nyka hadn't been there for him during the fight, so she was determined to keep him beside her in this announcement. Neither of them knew what was going to happen; Leopardleap had been too busy elsewhere to tell her, and Hawkkit had to leave. But she knew, for some reason, that if he was exiled, she would be too, and she would never return.
"As most of you have heard by now, our savior's past is filled with dark crimes," Streamstar began. "However, I have listened to his side of the story - who he is despite the accusations placed upon him - and I have shared dreams with StarClan. The wisdom given to me by the stars has allowed me to make the best decision regarding Flamepaw's acceptance or exile. I have chosen acceptance."
Sighs of relief from those not at the gathering could be heard, but those who had heard Shadestar's explanation were yowling, shouting, and yelling as loud as they could.
"He killed an apprentice!"
"He murdered his own mother!"
"Silence!" Streamstar bellowed. His tail flicked with irritation as the clan became quiet. "Do you question StarClan's judgment? Do you understand what you are condemning this tom to? There are rogues right outside our territory, and exile is as good as execution. Would you all enjoy becoming murderers yourself?"
"He deserves it!" someone said.
"He. Does. Not," Streamstar growled. "Flamepaw was wrongfully accused, and I will not allow him to be forced away because of it. If you feel differently, I suggest you leave." There were gasps and murmurs, but no one moved. "No one?"
Streamstar's eyes met Flamepaw's, and he said, "Then, as leader of RiverClan, I welcome you, Flamepaw." There was an errie silence, one where Flamepaw was frowning.
"Streamstar, if I may make a request. . ."
"Yes?" Streamstar asked with a tilt of his head.
Looking straight into the leader's eyes, Flamepaw said, "Flamepaw is a name that is haunted, cursed, and covered with red. It is too much of a reminder, too much of a flashback into a forgotten past. If I could, and if you are willing, can my name be changed?" Nyka grinned. His wish - his dream - was coming true.
"I am willing," Streamstar said. "Do you wish to change your name?"
"I do," Flamepaw said.
Streamstar inhaled, and then announced, "Spirits of StarClan, you know every cat by name. I ask you now to take away the name from the cat you see before you, for it no longer stands for what he is. By my authority as Clan leader, and with the approval of our warrior ancestors, I give this cat a new name. From this moment on he will be known as Sunpaw, for though flames shine brightly, the sun shines brighter than them all."
"Sunpaw! Sunpaw! Sunpaw!" those who wanted him to stay shouted. Eventually, out of loyalty, the other clan members started repeated the name as well.
"Welcome, Sunpaw, to RiverClan."
As Streamstar jumped down from the highrock, he looked to her with bright green eyes. They light up as light as the stars. Nyka returned his smile, and that feeling, the one which had forced her to come back for him, flared to life once more.
Flamepaw was safe.
And she would never leave his side.
A/n :: I do not own warriors.
I have never been in love. That's why my love scenes suck. ^^
This is not completely edited, and that is because I really don't have the time. Sorry if I killed your eyes. ^.^
So, a lot of things are happening in this chapter, but this is the reality from here on out. Writing, in my mind, is for entertainment and teaching, and I am going through a lot of current issues with this book. Bullying, rights (like medicine cat having kits), and war are just a few of them, along with politics and several other minor lessons. For me, writing is a way for me to stand up for what I believe in, something I don't get to do when I'm not writing. So, if you pay attention, you'll get to see all of these issues (and more) being addressed. =)
All I'm saying is that, if you get offended about an unwritten meaning, I've warned you.
On a happier note, things are going to pick up from here. Darkpaw's chapters will be more frequent, but if you haven't figured it out by now, he is the main main character (because that totally makes sense). Furthermore, there will be quicker plot development, which, I'm going to warn you right now, I haven't even gotten one half of the way done with this yet. Yeah. This is going to be a large book XD
-+- The Assassins Anthem, may darkness be with you.