Well Enough Alone

"Excited?" Tigerpaw nudged his brother, Lionpaw. He, Darkpaw, and Aquapaw were all going out on their final assessment. If they passed, they would be warriors!

Lionpaw let out a purr. "Of course. But ole' Lightpaw looks jealous." The other apprentices, Lightpaw and Moonpaw, would still train for at least two moons before their warrior assessment began.

Tigerpaw's mother and FireClan deputy, Stormlash, padded from the leader's den up to them. "Where are your brother and sister?" she asked, looking around, her blue-gray fur flashing.

"Darkpaw's with Firestorm," Tigerpaw meowed, naming his father, "And Aquapaw is in the dirtplace. She's coming." As he spoke, he saw his white tabby sister appear and head toward them.

"Who is going to assess us?" Lionpaw questioned as his mother bent to lick a scrap of moss off of his ear.

"Firestorm, Tigerfang, and Mistwhisker." Tigerfang was Tigerpaw's own mentor, Stormlash was Darkpaw's, and Mistwhisker was Aquapaw's. Lionpaw's own mentor, Talonblade, was sick with greencough, so Firestorm was assessing him in his place, even though he already had his own apprenitce.

As she spoke, Firestorm, Tigerfang, and Darkpaw arrived, followed by Mistwhisker.

Firestorm waved his ginger tabby tail. "Are you ready?" the apprentices nodded excitedly. Tigerpaw exchanged a glance with his black brother, Darkpaw. "Good. You must each choose a route of your own to go hunting. We will be watching you hunt, and you must catch as much as you can."

"You may go now," Tigerfang nodded, with a wink at Tigerpaw. Tigerpaw loved his mentor, and he was so humorous.

The four cats turned and padded out of camp together, their mentors watching them. "I bet Lionpaw's not going to the gorge!" Tigerpaw teased. Darkpaw let out a purr. Lionpaw was deathly afraid of the gorge that bordered one side of their territory.

The golden tom turned away. Tigerpaw was about to apologize when he dashed away into the undergrowth. With a sigh, Aquapaw broke away from the others, calling out, "Good luck!"

Darkpaw and Tigerpaw headed for the gorge. Soon Tigerpaw's brother scented a vole and veered away to stalk it. Tigerpaw scented a squirrel and saw it scruffling in the undergrowth. He began to stalk forward, but it shot off.

With a hiss of annoyance, Tigerpaw pelted after it. He was too intent on catching the squirrel that when he approached the gorge, he didn't slow and couldn't stop when the squirrel veered away, and he tumbled forward over the edge of the gorge.

"Help!" Tigerpaw screeched. He clung to the edge of the cliff, letting out a terrifying yowl.

He saw Darkpaw and Lionpaw rushing forward. Not long behind them came Aquapaw and their mentors. Tigerpaw felt himself slipping. "Help!" he repeated. Lionpaw was closest, and he flung himself at Tigerpaw and dragged him up.

"Thank you so much!" Tigerpaw began. "I-" Suddenly the ground crumbled benath him. Tigerpaw's heart missed a beat as Lionpaw plummeted down over the edge.

"NO!" Stormlash launched herself after him and tumbled down after him. Tigerpaw backed up and stared in disbelief as their wails faded. The scene played over and over in his mind, and one thing screamed inside him.

This is your fault!

--

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, join here beneath Den-ledge for a Clan meeting!" Raggedstar's yowl sounded around the camp. Tigerpaw wearily joined Darkpaw and Aquapaw in the clearing.

Two days had passed, and they had finished their assessment today. They were to be made warriors, but Tigerpaw wasn't in the mood. The new deputy, Firestorm sat beside Raggedstar proudly.

"Tigerpaw, Aquapaw, Darkpaw. Step forward." Tigerpaw followed his brother until they were standing in front of their leader. "I, Raggedstar, leader of FireClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn."

Tigerpaw felt to happiness despite his words.

"Tigerpaw, Aquapaw and Darkpaw, do you promise to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do," Tigerpaw flatly echoed his siblings.

"Then by the power of SkyClan, I give you your warrior name. From this moment on, you will be known as Tigerheart, Darkclaw, and Aquapool. We honor you for your courage and loyalty, and we welcome you as full warriors!"

"Tigerheart! Darkclaw! Aquapool!" the cats yowled. Tigerheart bowed his head in despair.

--

At moonhigh, Tigerheart rose to his paws. His siblings on vigil with him turned in surprise. "Goodbye." Tigerheart meowed. "I am leaving for good. This is not my home, and I'll be well enough alone."