Ugh!!! Where are the reviews?! I need them, so please, please review!!! Thanks in advance… Anyway, take a look at this chapter!!!

Chapter 24

Firestar's aching muscles still reminded him of yesterday. While having a mock fight with Snowpaw, his apprentice nearly bowled him over. The white tom sat down, panting heavily.

"Hah! Got you there didn't I?" he crowed with pride.

Firestar chuckled. "Nice one, but you can do better."

After a teaching Snowpaw a few more fighting tips, he ordered his apprentice to head over to Riverclan. Snowpaw's eyes widened.

He meowed in confusion. "Whatever for? Aren't we rival clans with them?"

"Yes," Firestar replied patiently, "but in times of crisis, we all help one another. Go there and ask for more of those roots. I'm sure Mistystar will be glad to give you some."

"Sure. Luckily it's not Leopardstar anymore." Snowpaw muttered under his breath as he slunk away.

As he padded towards the freshkill pile for a bite to eat, Sandstorm suddenly appeared alongside him. Firestar purred in delight.

"How's Snowpaw shaping up?" she mewed.

"He's great, really." Firestar hastened to assure her. In truth, Snowpaw was a little vain, seeing as he had a spotless white coat, but his skills were actually quite good.

Sandstorm heaved a sigh of relief. "That's great. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that Brackenfur thinks that Stripedpaw is ready to become a warrior. And I think that Rushingpaw is ready as well."

Firestar's eyes lit up. After all their troubles, clan life still went on. That was very heartening to know.

"Okay then, I'll hold their apprentice ceremonies tonight." He answered.

Sandstorm nodded before padding off. Meanwhile, Firestar continued towards the freshkill pile. While munching on a mouse, Snowpaw dashed up to him, with roots of all sizes crammed into his mouth. Snowpaw dropped them before him, his sides heaving.

"Well done. That was fast. You can go and eat now." Firestar told his exhausted apprentice.

Snowpaw nodded and gratefully headed towards the freshkill pile. Firestar watched him picking up a piece in his mouth and joining Moonpaw. Those two were becoming pretty close. When he had finished, he headed over to the Highrock to start the apprentice ceremony. He bounded up and yowled for all to gather. Once all the cats had settled down. He began to speak.

"Cats of Thunderclan, as you all know, Stripedpaw and Rushingpaw have been apprentices for a few moons. I have decided that they are both ready to receive their warrior names."

He looked on as the two apprentices stared dumbly at him, eyes wide with shock. The cats sitting beside them had to nudge them, reminding them that they were about to become warriors. Rushingpaw padded over nervously to Firestar, with Stripedpaw following close behind. Their eyes blazed with excitement as Firestar pronounced the ritual words.

"I, Firestar, leader of Thunderclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard and have learned and understood the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you warriors."

He turned towards them. "Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

They both trembled in anticipation as they sat there. "I do," Rushingpaw meowed solemnly.

"I do," Stripedpaw meowed steadily.

"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior names. Stripedpaw, from this moment you will be known as Stripedface. Starclan honors your determination, and we welcome you as a full warrior of this clan." Firestar said.

He then stepped up to Stripedpaw and rested his muzzle on his head. Then, he turned towards Rushingpaw, who was fidgeting with excitement.

"Rushingpaw, from this moment you will be known as Rushingwind. Starclan honors your forethought and intelligence, and we welcome you as a full warrior to this clan." Firestar too rested his muzzle on Rushingwind's head.

After Rushingwind had licked his shoulder respectfully, the watching cats raised their voices to chant the new warriors' names. "Stripedface! Rushingwind!" They pressed close to them, congratulating them and wishing them well. Their mentors stood alongside them, eyes glimmering with pride. Firestar looked on proudly. There were two new warriors in Thunderclan.

As he passed by them, Firestar meowed. "Remember, you two have to keep vigil tonight."

They nodded in unison, eyes alight with happiness. After the exhausting ritual, Firestar padded into his den and succumbed to sleep. Today truly was a happy one.