Chapter 21

The snow had been on and off for the last few weeks. The ground was coated with a paw-high layer of powdery snow, brownish pawprints and wet, dead bits of grass interrupting it in some areas. It lingered on the treetops mostly in thick clumps, and I wasn't the first cat in the Clan to have one fall on my head. But despite the lack of snow, the air was like ice needles digging through my long but thin coat. Everyone was huddled in their dens if they weren't out trying to find whatever prey wasn't hidden in their own dens.

But no matter the weather, Clan business must go on. There just had to be a few adjustments made.

Breezeflight frowned. "That's all?"

I sighed, looking down at the two mice that were steadily growing cold on the measly fresh kill pile. "It's almost the middle of leafbare. You can't expect me to catch what I usually do!"

"What about fishing?"

"The ice is too thick where the fish usually are, and the current is too quick where the water flows free. No luck."

"Consider yourself lucky your assessment was last week before all the animals went into hiding," he meowed gruffly.

"I do every day," I responded before heading to the apprentices' den.

The oak was now completely bare of leaves, only decorated with whatever clumps of snow hadn't fallen off and the frost sparkling on the trunk. Moonpaw and Sweetpaw were huddled, looking more like snowflake speckled lumps than cats.

"Better get those snowflakes out of your fur, Moonpaw," I meowed.

Moonpaw opened one over her amber eyes. "Already time?"

"We've gone through twelve moons of training almost every day. The least you could do is tidy yourself up."

"Alright mom," Moonpaw meowed coyly. She stood up and shook out her long gray and black striped pelt, and started smoothing it down with rhythmic licks along her chest and legs. "Good enough for you?"

"Stop that," I purred. "We're becoming warriors not sass masters. And you look lovely."

"As lovely as you can look while freezing your fur off."

"I said stop that! But you aren't lying. Brrr!"

I gave my fur a few final licks, seeing Sparkstar leap up on the Earthmound.

"Let all cats old enough to swim gather to hear my words!" the ticked tabby called.

Cats crawled hesitantly from their dens and huddled tightly around the mound.

"This is my first ceremony as leader of RiverClan, and a very important one at that. Today two apprentices earn their new names and become full warriors. Moonpaw, step forward."

Moonpaw smiled and padded forward, her amber eyes shining.

"Moonpaw, you have trained for twelve moons under the guidance of Applepelt. Applepelt, has Moonpaw learned the ways of RiverClan, the warrior code, and the skills needed to become a warrior?"

Applepelt nodded. "She has."

"Then from now on you shall be known as Moonblossom. StarClan honors your kindness and the way you blossomed from a shy kit into a brave warrior. May you live well for many moons," Sparkstar declared, crawling down from the mound and touching his nose to her head.

Moonblossom dipped her head in respect and padded back to my side.

"Frostpaw, step forward."

I tried to keep my legs from shaking with nervousness, which I could control a bit, and padded to the base of the snow covered mound of half frozen earth.

"Frostpaw, you have trained for twelve moons under the guidance of Breezeflight. Breezeflight, has Frostpaw learned the ways of RiverClan, the warrior code, and the skills needed to become a warrior?"

"She certainly has," he said confidently.

"Then from now on you shall be known as Frostleaf. StarClan honors your sense of leadership and willingness to do whatever it takes to be the best warrior you can, even if it means taking your own time to learn helpful skills. May you live well for many moons."

Sparkstar touched his nose to my head and I dipped my head like Moonblossom had done, running back over to where she sat.

"Frostleaf! Moonblossom! Frostleaf! Moonblossom!" the cats cheered.

"I'm so proud of you," Cloudfeather purred, running over and nuzzling our shoulders. "You've come so far."

"I'm just jealous you two have your names," Coalpaw mewed, padding up beside Cloudfeather.

"Coalpaw! Come, I need your help," Mudstripe called, peeking out of the den.

"StarClan, it must be worse," Coalpaw muttered.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Sweetpaw's got a minor case of whitecough, but by the sound of it, it might be a full case. We're trying to cure it before it develops into greencough. An epidemic is the last thing we need in leafbare," he explained before trotting into the den.

"Frostleaf, it's getting dark. Time for the vigil," meowed Moonblossom, walking to the frosty reeds along the island's shore.

The stars weren't visible through the heavy snow, but small patches of dark blue sky sometimes showed through the clouds. My fur couldn't block the chill as the winds picked up and snow piled on the ground. By the time moonhigh was near, a full blizzard had broken out. We huddled silently together, trying to keep warm through the storm.

We just have to stay until sunrise, I kept reminding myself. But the blizzard was relentless, and more trouble was sure to come.

A/N: Yay, they're finally warriors! But Coalpaw still has a lot of training until he's a full medicine cat. Thanks for reading!