AN: Sorry the updates didn't come yesterday; I was grounded. To reply:
souljaboy: I don't know what that means. D:
Cinderpaw: …moo?
Warriors06: I like the name, but I'm sure it isn't as speshul as what people were hoping for. It plays a role later in the story, though, so it works.
Ravenwhisper: Well, he did save her life so she can't punish him, really, and he distracted her with his father's story. Sneaky sneaky Tigerpaw. Plus he gets punished all the time anyways, or at least he used to. xD
Lyneye: A nice long review! *purrs* You're very kind! Thanks bunches! And although ShadowClan was my third favorite Clan (stoopid WindClan is the wurst) I actually like them in this story. It's like…role reversal with RiverClan, or something. . And yeah, all the warriors know about AC, they just don't think about it as often.
Ally: I don't think I did. Intuition for the win? And that would be awesome, but I'm not sure it will happen. Maybe….0.0
Once again, sorry for the lateness (and sorry for some of my weird spellings of words in this AN. I just felt like spelling special, stupid, and worst wrong for some reason….)
49
Tigerpaw left Brightstar's den, feeling as if he was walking on air. His father was a hero! His father had died saving the war! At that moment, he felt as if he could take down all of RiverClan, even Streamstar, with one swipe.
His mood didn't falter even when Lionpaw glowered at him near the apprentice den.
"You snuck away and didn't even get in trouble!" Lionpaw hissed. "Favoritism!"
"Maybe if you were nicer, Brightstar would like you too," Whitepaw retorted, cuffing her brother's ear. Tigerpaw smiled at her, and then yawned. It was only sunhigh, but he still felt dreadfully tired.
A nap will do me some good, he decided, before padding into the apprentice den and curled up within.
* * *
At sunset, Brightstar was feeling much better. As such, she went upon the HighRock, to speak with her Clan.
"ThunderClan has shown RiverClan our strength today," she yowled. "They will not be so quick to make foolish demands again. Tomorrow, I will go to Highstones to see if StarClan will shed some light on the issue with WindClan. However, tonight, there is something I must do before I leave in the morning." Her eyes swept over the Clan. "Foxpaw, would you come up here please?"
Foxpaw exchanged glances with the other cats curiously, before getting to her paws and padding to the foot of the HighRock.
Brightstar nodded down to Patchpelt. "Patchpelt, are you satisfied that this apprentice is ready to become a warrior?"
Patchpelt nodded. "Yes, she is ready." There was a glimmer in his eyes as he spoke, and Tigerpaw blinked in surprise. Had Patchpelt forgiven Foxpaw? Had she proved herself to the Clan again? Then, it hit him; she was going to be a warrior! Foxpaw's eyes widened.
"I, Brightstar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon 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." Brightstar blinked down at Foxpaw.
" Foxpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?"
Foxpaw's green eyes were shining. " I do "
" Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name. Foxpaw, from now on, you will be known as Foxfire, for your fiery fur and your bright heart. ThunderClan welcomes you as a warrior on your turn. You will serve your vigil tonight alone, in silence."
"Foxfire! Foxfire!" Tigerpaw yowled, the first to chant her name. Foxfire's friends took up the chant, and eventually Badgerstripe was the only one left not joining in. Foxfire positively glowed, but as Tigerpaw heard her name being chanted, it was as if someone had lit a candle inside of him. He felt almost as if he had suddenly exploded with rage, as anger coursed through him, making him tremble with controlled rage. What's going on? Tigerpaw thought, panicking. Then, as quickly as it had come, the anger faded, leaving Tigerpaw feeling dazed. It was the same kind of ambitious anger he had felt before, when he had recently gained Firestar's life. That hatred had subsided after he spoke with Tigerstar about it; he thought it was controlled. But apparently it wasn't. Rather, it appeared stronger than ever. And with Foxfire's warrior name bearing "fire", Tigerpaw was sure the problem would get even worse.
"Accompanying me to Highstones will be Lionpaw and Whitepaw," Brightstar said with a smile, as the Clan quieted. "With WindClan so weak, I don't think we'll need to worry about any sort of attack." With that, she sprang off of the HighRock, and padded into her den.
"Congratulations," Tigerpaw purred, padding up to Foxfire and nuzzling her side. 'It's an amazing name."
Foxfire nodded, but the pure happiness she had been radiating moments before was dulled now. "If only Gingerpaw…." She trailed off. Tigerpaw licked her side.
"Don't think about her," he meowed. "She made her choice; you made yours. You should be happy; you're a warrior now, after all."
Foxfire smiled, and nuzzled him. "Thanks," she purred, and then glanced up at the sky. "The sun's almost down. I shouldn't talk anymore," she whispered, and Tigerpaw nodded.
"Goodnight," he whispered, before looking around for Brightstar. He needed to talk to her immediately.
"Brightstar?" he called, entering her den and looking around quickly. Brightstar blinked at him warmly.
"Wondering about your own warrior ceremony?" she asked. Tigerpaw shook his head.
"I want to come with you," he said. Brightstar blinked at him.
"What?" she asked. "Why?"
"Well, Lionpaw and Whitepaw are…and I just want to come too," Tigerpaw said, looking at his paws. "Honestly…I want to speak with my dad again."
Brightstar frowned. "Again?"
Tigerpaw kept his eyes on his paws. "When Foxpaw and I went to Highstones together, I touched the Moonstone and spoke with my father for the first time," he admitted. "I just want to see him again, to let him know he didn't fail after all, you know?"
Brightstar's gaze gentled. "It's highly unusual for an apprentice to hare dreams with StarClan, even if they touch noses with the Moonstone…surprising," she mused, and then shrugged. "You are a unique case, I suppose, aren't you?" She smiled again. "You can come. Tell the other apprentices if you wish, Tigerstar."
Tigerpaw had been turning to go, but whipped around again. "Tigerstar?" he echoed.
"You're leader of ApprenticeClan now, aren't you?" Brightstar said evenly, but she didn't look at him, as if she was hiding something.
"I-I guess so," Tigerpaw said, before slipping out of the den, feeling confused. Had she really called him that because of ApprenticeClan? Or could she see the Tigerstar within him?
