Rising Moon
Jedi Goat
Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors.
Author's Note: Finally, I'm back! Sorry about the long wait for this one.
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Chapter 19
Oakheart and Moonpaw raced into ThunderClan camp and nearly ran into the cats just returning from battle. They slowed their pace, exchanging relieved looks. No one would notice they had disappeared.
Firestar leaped up on the Highledge, calling to the clan. His pelt was matted with blood, but his eyes shone with victory. Moonpaw and Oakheart sat beside Wolfpaw, hanging back at the edge of the clearing.
As ThunderClan gathered beneath Firestar, he yowled, "With the help of WindClan, we have destroyed the last of the wolf pack! Our patrol escaped with only injuries."
And WindClan? Moonpaw wondered worriedly. She remembered seeing the clan suffer through the first part of the battle and her belly knotted with concern. StarClan, help them!
Firestar gazed around the camp. "Our two apprentices fought well in battle. I believe it is now the time for them to receive their warrior names."
Moonpaw spotted Honeypaw, sitting up straighter and raising her head proudly. Beside her and Oakheart, Wolfpaw's eyes widened in amazement. "Us? Really?"
"What? You thought you'd be an apprentice forever?" Amused, Oakheart nuzzled his sister's ear. "Go on. You deserve to be a warrior."
Moonpaw gave her a smile and nodded.
Wolfpaw flicked her tail nervously and made her way through the crowd. She joined Honeypaw, Dustpelt, Ferncloud and a pregnant Squirrelflight at the base of the Highledge.
Firestar bounded down to meet them. "Honeypaw," he began as the golden she-cat strode forward. "You have fought and trained hard under two mentors for your warrior name. You will make ThunderClan proud." He raised his eyes to the darkening sky. "I, Firestar, leader of ThunderClan, 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."
Honeypaw swelled with pride as Firestar spoke directly to her. "Honeypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do," she said loud enough for even Oakheart and Moonpaw to hear clearly. Moonpaw felt a smile touch her lips, and she rubbed her shoulder against Oakheart's.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Honeypaw, from this moment forth you will be known as Honeydew. StarClan honors your bravery, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."
Firestar placed his muzzle on Honeydew's head, and she licked his shoulder respectfully. As Honeydew turned to face the clan, grinning broadly, the cats called out her name.
"Honeydew! Honeydew!"
Squirrelflight and Ferncloud followed her back to her seat, both looking proud.
"Now, Wolfpaw," Firestar announced. The clan quieted. Beside her, Oakheart tensed and Moonpaw knew why. Being named after a wolf, after the attacks, was a burden Moonpaw knew her friend was carrying. She blinked up at the stars; a close-knit threesome shone extraordinarily bright. StarClan, give her a good name, please!
Wolfpaw bowed her head, looking nervous, as Firestar began. "You have fought with the courage and strength of a warrior, and you carry out duty with the maturity of one." Moonpaw guessed the shy she-cat was blushing by now.
"I, Firestar, leader of ThunderClan, 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." Moonpaw waited with bated breath.
Turning to Wolfpaw, Firestar asked, "Wolfpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do," she murmured.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Wolfpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Wolfspirit. StarClan honors your courage and strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."
As he laid his muzzle on her head, Wolfspirit gave his shoulder a respectful lick. Then she stepped back, eyes glittering.
"Wolfspirit!" Moonpaw yowled, and soon the other cats joined in her call. Wolfspirit smiled and padded over to sit with her brother and Moonpaw.
"That wasn't so bad, now was it?" Oakheart purred, grinning.
"I guess it wasn't," Wolfspirit smiled back.
Moonpaw touched noses with her friend. "Congratulations!"
Firestar yowled for silence again; the cats turned to face him, eyes curious. What else could be happening? Moonpaw wondered.
Firestar stood back up on the Highledge; his gaze traveled over the clan and then he closed his eyes. "Brambleclaw was injured severely in the first attack from the wolves. Until he recovers, I must appoint a replacement deputy."
Opening his eyes and raising his head, Firestar continued, "I say these words before Brambleclaw and the spirits of all StarClan, so that they may hear and approve my choice." He took a deep breath. "Brackenfur will be deputy of ThunderClan."
Moonpaw saw the golden brown warrior stand, his eyes wide in shock. He padded forward and Firestar leaped down to meet him.
Touching noses with his leader, Brackenfur mumbled, "Thank you, Firestar. I'll do my best to help the clan."
Honeydew was the first to call out, "Brackenfur! Brackenfur!" The clan joined in the chant, Moonpaw swelling with pride for her foster father.
Soon the cats were dispersing all around them. Cinderpaw came by to congratulate Wolfspirit.
"Moonpaw!" Moonpaw looked up to see Leafpool making her way toward her. "I would like to see you in my den. Now."
Moonpaw nodded, ducking her head. All of her happiness dissolved in an instant. Surely now she'd get in trouble for running away.
Moonpaw glanced back her friends. "I'll see you guys later."
"Good luck," Wolfspirit said, eyes sympathetic. Oakheart gave her a friendly lick.
Moonpaw turned and reluctantly padded after her mentor.
"Moonpaw." Leafpool addressed her curtly. She sat with her tail curled neatly over her paws, while the apprentice in question crouched in front of her. "You know you shouldn't have done that."
Moonpaw stared purposely at a small stone lying by her right front paw. "I'm sorry, Leafpool. I – I just got a little emotional, that's all."
Leafpool shook her head sadly. "Running away doesn't solve anything."
"I wasn't going to," Moonpaw confessed. "I only wanted to be alone for a while. But then Cougarpelt asked for my help and I couldn't just leave."
"Cougarpelt?"
"WindClan's medicine cat." Moonpaw raised her head. "Barkface died in the wolf attacks and his apprentice had to take over."
Leafpool nodded, eyes distant. It was a long time before she spoke. "I understand how you felt, Moonpaw. When I was an apprentice I went to help Mothwing and RiverClan when their cats were sick from the Twoleg stuff." She stepped forward to touch Moonpaw's shoulder with her tail. "But it is best to tell me first," she purred gently.
Moonpaw was shocked. "You mean it's alright to help other clans?"
"Yes and no," Leafpool explained. "We're medicine cats; we're closer than normal warriors. Occasional help is usually for the best."
Moonpaw got to her paws. "So you're not mad at me?" she asked hopefully.
Leafpool smiled. "Only a little bit. Firestar will want me to reprimand you, though, so I'll ask you to take care of the elders for the next few days."
"Okay." Moonpaw shrugged. She paused on her way to the exit. "Can I go to the Gathering, though?"
Leafpool considered. "Well…maybe if you do a really good job with the elders…"
"Thanks!" She grinned and bounded out from under the fern curtain. Leafpool sighed and rolled her eyes at her apprentice's retreating back.
Russetfur's death had completely escaped Moonpaw's mind.
To be continued...
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