Thanks for helping me reach 80 reviews! Okay, so this chapter is pretty dramatic. Also, I will be deleting several of my stories. I may start them up later and improve them. Tell me if you protest.
Inside the Tunnels: Hollyleaf's Story – Nobody has really read this one, it will be deleted
Way of The Wolves: Need to work on it a lot more I think, so it will be deleted but may be reposted later.
Mistyflower's Story – Again, one person read it… might repost it and improve it later.
Warriors Introduced to Music – this one is pretty popular, but I don't see it going anywhere really.
All for now, might delete more later, but I am making another story called 'Calm Before The Storm', please check it out!
Galefire: Thanks for the compliments on the names! Ah, its okay being stalked, it must mean your worth being stalked haha Update your stories soon too! I really want to see what happens in them!
Zestia240: Glad you like Rosewater's name! I got a lot of different input on it
Sunfur: Hey there! Thanks for reviewing, glad you like Rosewater! And I'm sorry for your cat would you like me to add a character in the story in honor of her?
Starbomb: Yeah, she did, they came for her warrior's ceremony. However, all that glory is gone in this one… be prepared!
Nalasleafheart: Thanks! Rosewater is kind of weird, but I think it sounds pretty.
Dawn-of-the-Wolf: Sorry, I didn't see that you had a Dawnpool, I looked at your story and found her… is that okay? I will change her name if you like
On with the story, by the way, does anyone know how to check how many views you have? And wow that was a long author's note XD.
Chapter 21: And As A Warrior
Rosewater blearily opened her thick eyelids. She felt a tail sweep across her fur. "Wake up Rosewater." She heard the familiar meow of Lilyfrost. The creamy she-cat slowly came into focus for Rosewater. "You're joining the sun-rise patrol with Flamethorn and Hailwhisker."
Rosewater nodded, getting up and following Lilyfrost out of the Warrior's Den. The Warrior's Den! She still couldn't believe it. Flamethorn had become a warrior a moon after Rosewater and her friends had, leaving ThunderClan with no apprentices. But the Clan couldn't complain much, they had grown immensely over the past seasons.
The light brown she-cat was met by Flamethorn and her former mentor, Hailwhisker. The gray and white she-cat greeted her warmly, obviously pleased with going on a patrol with her former apprentice. Rosewater felt an urge to prove herself.
"I figure we'll hunt around the old two-leg place." Lilyfrost suggested. Rosewater nodded in agreement, falling into step beside Hailwhisker.
They reached the two-leg place shortly. Lilyfrost, being the leader of the patrol, sat down and wrapped her tail around her paws, looking around at the other cats. "Hailwhisker, why don't you head that way." She meowed, flicking her tail towards the left. "Rosewater, head down near camp."
Rosewater nodded swiftly, padding away into the forest. She opened her mouth and tasted the air as she ran. How she loved the cool air with the faint taste of water in it. She enjoyed the wind blown into her fur, and the thundering of her paw steps.
The she-cat slowed to a stop shortly. The whiff of a bluebird passed her nose. Rosewater twitched her whiskers; her eyes flickered to the bird singing away in a tree. Rosewater had to admit, she loved the song of the bluebird, she wished she could lie around and listen to it all day. However, the song of the bird meant that prey was nearby, and Rosewater couldn't neglect her duty.
Rosewater crouched down. She would have to climb this tree quickly and silently. She bunched her muscles, and in an instant, a lapse of time between from being perfectly still to launching off in pursuit of her prey.
She glided up the tree, her claws snagging effortlessly at the bark to pull her way up, she did it quickly, and Rosewater herself was impressed at how easy she would have made that seem. However, Rosewater couldn't waste time. She used the tree as a springboard to bounce off to another limb where the bluebird perched. It had stopped singing.
Rosewater ran to it, keeping her balance only slightly at the speed she was going at. She came to a halt beside it and the bird took in the air. Rosewater cursed under her breath, but couldn't waste time. She lashed out a paw and clawed the bird's wing.
The bluebird let out a cry and stumbled in the air, falling down the tree with an eerie thump. Rosewater raced down the tree to claim her prize. It was a bit bloody, but most of it was internally from the fall, it was still good to eat.
"Nice catch!" Rosewater stiffened at the first sounding of the voice, but then let herself relax. She let a purr rise in her throat as she turned to see the big gray Stonefang.
"Thanks," she meowed, snatching it quickly.
"Do you want to go back to camp? I have a pile nearby to take."
"I'm with a hunting patrol now." Rosewater meowed.
"I'm sure they'll understand." Stonefang said, seemingly unfazed, but seemed as though pleading her.
Rosewater stifled a sigh. "I'll come Stonefang." She meowed, knocking herself into his bulky body playfully. She then followed him to his buried prey and the two headed for camp.
Rosewater felt as though something felt right about them. Just them, running together as though no worry in the world, new warriors, nothing shady covered their past. But Rosewater had faced many challenges and death, and no amount of happiness or… love could change them.
Stonefang pushed his way into ThunderClan camp with Rosewater following. The two dropped off their prey. Rosewater turned to Stonefang, a small mouse in her jaws. "Want to share?" she asked hopefully.
Stonefang gave her a hard stare. "Later." He meowed plainly. Rosewater was surprised at the harshness in his meow; even his green eyes were stony right now. "Go into the Apprentice's Den, we need to talk."
Rosewater blinked at him in confusion. Who ruffled his fur? She wondered. And why the Apprentice's Den! I thought we left that thing behind! Nonetheless, Rosewater nodded. "Sure," she meowed.
Stonefang nodded, turning off to the apprentice den. Rosewater followed casually. When they were inside, her voice broke out in a hiss. "What is this about?" she asked.
Stonefang's gaze softened. "It's Lionfire." He meowed.
Rosewater froze. "What of him?" He couldn't know, could he? I don't think Lionfire is even seeing Larchpaw anymore. She had noticed that since he became a warrior, he had seemed very focused on the job, and awake.
"He's been sneaking out." Stonefang meowed, his green eyes lit with concern for his friend's brother. "I can tell when he does, his nest is near mine. I can hear his paw steps when he leaves and his breathing is very sharp and short as if he knew he was up to no good."
"What are you accusing him of?" Rosewater asked. She had to play dumb. The more likely he would believe that Lionfire wasn't sneaking out if Rosewater remained calm.
"There is RiverClan scent on him."
Rosewater released a heavy sigh.
Stonefang's eyes narrowed. "You know what he's doing… don't you." He meowed deeply.
Rosewater nodded. "He's sneaking out to see a RiverClan cat, Larchpaw is her name." she meowed. She felt guilt weigh down on her for letting Lionfire's secret slip. Oh well, maybe its best that it come out, she couldn't keep it a secret from her best friend anyways.
Stonefang only looked down at his paws. "Oh," he murmured. His green eyes lifted to meet Rosewater's. "What do you plan on doing?" he asked.
Rosewater felt stuck. She couldn't do anything to stop it; Lionfire would always find a way to sneak out. She released a long awaiting sigh. "I really don't know…. I thought he'd stop seeing her by now."
"How long has he been seeing her?" Stonefang asked curiously.
Rosewater thought for a moment. "About a moon after we were apprenticed…" she murmured, looking down.
Stonefang reached forward and licked her cheek. "It's alright Rosewater." He murmured. "We'll find a way around this?"
"How though?" Rosewater asked desperately. "I can't let him do this! He is ruining his life!"
"He must be enjoying it though." Stonefang added. "He seems to be liking his life, doesn't he? If he is happy, I say that we leave him be." The tom meowed.
Rosewater nodded reluctantly. "I guess you're right… Thanks Stonefang." She murmured.
Stonefang dipped his head in response. Rosewater turned to leave, padding outside of the Apprentice's Den. She looked outside of it and saw cats lounging in the sun cheerfully, sharing tongues or sharing prey. Rosewater inhaled deeply. She padded out of it. She felt a sudden force against her leg along with 'oof"!
Rosewater whipped around in surprise. Her eyes met those of a kit and she stiffened. Her eyes met the light blue ones of a cream kit. But not just any kit. It was Snowkit. The kit that though indirectly, was the reason her mother was dead. Rosewater stiffened.
Snowkit backed away a little, seemingly frightened at Rosewater's gaze boring into her. Rosewater didn't care.
She felt another pelt brush against her, but Rosewater didn't turn to face it, she scented Stonefang beside her.
"Rosewater!" he meowed, pushing his way in between Rosewater and the kit. The light brown she-cat blinked her eyes.
"What?" she snapped at him, feeling her anger overcome her.
Stonefang's gray fur bristled. "Rosewater…" he murmured. "Why are you so hostile towards Snowkit?" he asked, his voice low. His tail brushed over the kit who looked very scared.
Rosewater's tail lashed in fury. "She killed my mother!" she growled. She felt more cats' gazes bear into her. She didn't care who stared.
"She didn't kill your mother!" Stonefang argued, standing more in front of Snowkit. Rosewater flexed her claws in frustration. Of course, they'd never understand! Not even her best friend! Stonefang continued. "Talonfox killed her! And he is dead now; you should have no desire for revenge!"
Rosewater couldn't help but feel a rush of relief when Stonefang said that she hadn't killed Talonfox. Hopefully, that secret would remain hidden forever. "But she is the reason all of this happened!" Rosewater cried. She felt helpless inside.
"No she's not." Stonefang meowed solidly. "WindClan is the reason."
Rosewater felt herself crumple inside. It was WindClan's fault, but how would she seek revenge on all of them? And not all of them were bad. Perhaps there were good cats in there as Leopardheart was. But she still couldn't help but feel angry towards the kit, and to herself. It had been her decision to save the kit… if only she hadn't been caught.
"Let it go." Stonefang murmured more gently, laying his tail on her shoulder.
Rosewater let out a cry. She turned and sprinted away. She needed time to think. There were too many worries in the world. Her mother's death, WindClan's rising threat, Lionfire's secret… Why couldn't she be a normal cat? Why did she have to deal with that stupid prophecy she had received so many moons ago?
She charged into the forest, she felt her Clanmates watching her leave. Did they doubt her sanity? Would she ever earn their respect? She shouldn't even have to earn their respect, she was born in ThunderClan. Why did she have to be such a curious kit?
Rosewater released a long sigh as she approached the Sky Oak. She curled up beside its roots, watching the sun begin to set on the horizon. She closed her eyes tightly. She just wanted to forget right now. Just right now.
A scent drifted across her nose. Lionfire. It was her brother. He was sneaking out to meet Larchpaw. For an instant, Rosewater forgot her worry. She narrowed on Lionfire's scent. She needed to solve her problems one at a time, and she'd start with him. Slowly, she rose to her paws and trailed silently after Lionfire.
Pretty short chapter there if I have to say so myself. Sorry they aren't indented, my indent button wasn't working. I hope you enjoyed it, please review. Is Rosewater really losing her sanity just because of all the problems in her life? Tell me what you think!
~ Mistyflower