Chapter 22

Almost a moon had passed since Mousestar had left the clan to be a loner. Eaglepaw was much quieter and rarely spoke out of turn, only having real conversations with his mentor, Gorsepaw and Quailkit. He noticed a few cats in the clan flashing him angry and uncertain looks, only increasing his reluctance to engage with them. He prefered spending time alone though, learning to enjoy his own company in the absence of his mother's.

Now he was in the forest, enjoying the fresh air as he had completed his training for the day. He noted how today's training was much more intensive than previous days, and how Vulturefeather had praised him greatly after catching a heap of prey and locking him into an inescapable move. His mentor was selected as the deputy after Flamestar received his lives, and the kind hearted tom seemed even more good natured after receiving his new position. Eaglepaw hummed quietly and sat down, the springy pine nettle floor crunching under his paws. I wonder what it's like to be deputy… not like I'd ever know, half of the clan doesn't trust me because I'm "the son of a traitor". He frowned, lowering his head. His mother was a very touchy subject, and all the cats close to him knew to not mention it. He perked up at the sound of someone calling his name.

"Eaglepaw? Are you out here?" A she-cat called, making him inwardly groan as he realized who the voice belonged to. Heatherflight stepped from the bushes behind him, her yellow eyes flashing as she saw him. "There you are."

"What do you want?" Eaglepaw groaned, slowly turning to face her. The she-cat was standing lightly on her paws, her tail tip twitching playfully as she gazed at him. Heatherflight had been bothering him a lot the past moon, trying her hardest to be a part of every patrol he was in and fussing at Vulturefeather when he was being "too rough".

"To see you, silly!" Heatherflight purred, padding closer. "Why are you sitting here all alone?"

"I didn't want company."

"But why not?" She was closer now, her warm breath blowing into Eaglepaw's face only a mouse length away.

"Because I don't." He mewed, his voice low. Eaglepaw closed his eyes, hoping that she would take the hint and leave him alone.

Heatherflight obviously didn't, wrinkling her nose at him. "But whyyyyyyyy?" She crawled in front of him, flopping onto her back and flailing her paws in the air. She pouted, making her eyes wide and mewled obnoxiously.

Eaglepaw scoffed, turning away. "Because you're annoying. Leave me alone."

Heatherflight rolled onto her paws, furrowing her eyebrows at him. "I bet if I was Quailkit you would want me here."

Eaglepaw narrowed his eyes, confused. "What? Where did that even come from?"

The warrior rolled her eyes, her tail lashing. "Don't think I havent noticed. You've been spending more time with that pipsqueak than you have with me."

"Yeah, because she's actually good company." Eaglepaw grunted, standing to his paws. He turned to walk away, but Heatherflight dashed in front of him, her eyes flashing.

"It won't work out, you know!" She meowed, her whiskers twitching. "She's just a stupid kit, and you're almost a warrior. Plus, you're too old for her."

Eaglepaw bristled, clearly annoyed. "Dont call her stupid, she has more of a brain at five moons than you will ever have in your entire lifetime." Besides, I'm only four moons older than her!

Heatherflight blinked, her eyebrows furrowing even further. "How interesting can a kit be anyways? What do you guys even talk about? How she caught a feather while sitting around the camp uselessly?" Eaglepaw growled at her, but she ignored it. "We would have sooo much more to talk about."

Eaglepaw glared, his tail lashing. "Like what? Like how you think my mother's a dirty traitor?"

She stepped back, her eyes wide. "Eaglepaw, I didn't know you were still mad about that. I didn't mean it!"

"You sure didn't do anything when she was exiled."

Heatherflight was quiet for a moment, her mouth wide. "Eaglepaw, she wasn't exiled, she chose to- '' She was cut off by the sound of rustling bushes. Heartbeats later, Orangepaw emerged with Swiftpaw in tow, small smirks on their faces.

"Eaglepaw, Flamestar wanted you back in camp," Orangepaw started, a knowing look on his face, "But if you're spending time with your mate, I guess he'll just have to wait." Swiftpaw snickered behind his brother, his face alight with mischief.

Eaglepaw scoffed, pushing past Heatherflight and the apprentices. "I'd rather stab thorns into my eyes than be considered mates with that insolent, half witted, bird brained excuse of a she-cat." He didn't turn back to see Heatherflight's reaction, instead heading back to camp.

As he slid past the large boulder that marked the entrance, Eaglepaw ducked as Chivepelt roughly bumped into him, a large branch in his jaws. He grunted at him, unable to speak due to his jaws filled with wood. Eaglepaw followed behind the warrior, his whiskers twitching. Cats were milling around, either chatting with each other or dragging materials around to rebuild dens. A half moon ago, extremely heavy rainfall flooded the camp and ruined the dens, and the clan has been working on rebuilding ever since. For the most part, the warrior's den, the apprentice's den and the nursery were practically fixed, save for a few patches in the bramble roofs. Being a hollowed dip in the ground, the medicine den suffered the worst, making Cinderpaws more irritable than usual. The den was still damp and a majority of the herbs were ruined, but the Green Leaf sun had warmed the forest, so Eaglepaw went herb hunting with Gorsepaw to help his friend restock

Eaglepaw stood in the middle of camp, blinking. They're all acting like nothing's wrong, like they didn't exile their leader almost a moon ago. He sighed, shaking his pelt. It's like she didn't even matter, like they don't even care… Eaglepaw was broken from his thoughts by a quiet voice coming from behind him.

"Hello Eaglepaw," Quailkit mewed, blinking at him. The she-kit had definitely opened up more ever since she and Eaglepaw had gotten close, though she still wasn't as bubbly as she was before her father disappeared. "How was training today?"

Eaglepaw straightened up, his tail curling over his paws as he sat down. Being around Quailkit seemed to soothe him, calming him down when he was upset or making him feel happier, even if it was only a little. It's funny, almost two moons ago she was the most annoying cat in existence, now I actually look forward to seeing her. "Training was good, though it was a bit more rigorous than usual."

Quailkit tilted her head, her whiskers twitching. "Maybe Vulturefeather's testing you."

"Testing me? But why?"

The she-kit shrugged. "I dunno. Maybe there's something big coming up." She looked behind him, prompting Eaglepaw to turn his head.

Flowerpaw and Tigerpaw were nearby, peeking at the two, then turning back to each other to speak in hushed voices. Eaglepaw's eyes furrowed and Quailkit moved to stand next to him. Tigerpaw then lifted his head, his eyes narrowing to slits as he glared at him. Eaglepaw narrowed his eyes. What's his problem? He began to bristle, which Quailkit tried to stop, but Eaglepaw ignored her. He stopped closer to the other apprentices, his voice low. "What are you gawking at, mousebrain? Do you have a staring problem?"

Flowerpaw flinched at his words, but Tigerpaw stood, his eyes narrowing as he stalked closer. "Oh, nothing special. Just a stupid, half-clan freak."

Eaglepaw bristled more, his tail lashing. "What did you call me?" The clan grew quiet, the cats around the camp ceasing activity to watch the two toms.

The apprentices were nose to nose now, their teeth bared as they glared at each other. Tigerpaw lifted his head, a small smirk on his face. "A stupid, half-clan freak. What are you deaf too? Does that come with being the descendant of traitors?"

Eaglepaw unsheathed his claws, his eyes flashing in anger. Quailkit pressed against his chest, shaking her head. "It's not worth it, Eaglepaw. Let's just go somewhere else."

Tigerpaw looked down at the she-kit, grinning. "You know what? I've noticed that this past moon, you two have always been together. What, is this your mate, Eaglepaw?" The yellow tom prodded Quailkit in the chest, making her yelp. "Shame that you rely on such a puny thing to fight your battles, though."

Eaglepaw hissed, arching his back. "I fight my own battles. I don't need anyone else."

"Prove it then." Eaglepaw lowered himself to the ground, bunching his shoulders. Before he could lunge at Tigerpaw, he was stopped by a voice calling his name.

"Eaglepaw? Eaglepaw?" Flamestar mewed, padding into the camp. The ShadowClan relaxed as he saw the apprentice, his confused expression replaced with a curious one. "I've been looking all over for you, but it seems like you're pretty busy." He gestured at Tigerpaw, who was fighting to lay his fur flat. "What's going on?"

Tigerpaw opened his mouth to say something, but Eaglepaw beat him to it. "Nothing, Flamestar, I was just having a nice chat with Tigerpaw." He could see Tigerpaw glaring at him from the corner of his eye, but ignored him. "You wanted to see me?"

Flamestar nodded, then shook his head, "I did, but there's something I need to address first." He ran to the large tree towards the side of the camp, climbing up and perching on the large branch that hung over the clearing. "All cats old enough to stalk the shadows, gather beneath the High Branch for a clan meeting!" Since a majority of the clan was already wandering around the clearing, it didn't take long for everycat to gather. Eaglepaw sat down next to Quailkit, and Tigerpaw sat a few tail lengths away, glaring at them occasionally. Eaglepaw ignored it, his golden eyes focused on his leader.

"Things have been going well for our clan," Flamestar started, his eyes sweeping over the crowd, "And though we have rebuilt, I cannot shake the nagging feeling that something big is coming. Cinderpaws and I think that the heavy rains were symbolic." A quiet murmur drifted through the group of cats. "A great storm is coming, so we must be prepared. Thus, I decided that three young cats will be advancing through the ranks early. Eaglepaw, please step forward." Eaglepaw stepped below the branch, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he gazed at his leader. "You've suffered these past few moons, I know. With the loss of your mother and a loss in trust from your clanmates, you've experienced an immense amount of pressure that any cat would crumble under; yet you didn't. You've remained strong, and you've shown great diligence and confidence in your duties. I've spoken with your mentor, and he agrees with me. Thus, I, Flamestar, leader of ShadowClan, call upon our warrior ancestors to down on this apprentice."

Eaglepaw's paws trembled as he realized what was happening. My warrior ceremony! It's really happening! I'm becoming-

"WHAT?" A cat screeched, breaking Eaglepaw from his thoughts. Eaglepaw turned around to come face to face with Tigerpaw, who was bristling. "How does he get his warrior ceremony before my brothers and I? We're a moon older than him!"

Flamestar narrowed his eyes at the yellow tom, his tail lashing. "How dare you interrupt me? This is an important ceremony, Tigerpaw!"

"Important imshmortant! You're only doing this because you pity him and no cat talks to him." Tigerpaw bristled, baring his teeth at Eaglepaw. "You think it's just because we're being mean, but no cat wants to be his friend because he's a weird, worthless, half-clan freak! Don't give him special treatment!"

Eaglepaw felt his hackles raise, but he forced them to lie flat. I want to claw his stupid face off right now, but I need to stay calm. He glanced atVulturefeather who had stood to his paws, glaring at Tigerpaw. "That's enough, Tigerpaw! Eaglepaw is receiving his warrior name because he's earned it, and doesn't tear down his clanmates! He's passed his warrior assessment, and what have you done? Show how much of a fox-heart you can be?"

Tigerpaw's claws unsheathed as he glared at the ShadowClan deputy. "You're only saying that because he's your apprentice! Let's face it, you two don't really care about him, you're just trying to relieve your guilty consciousness from letting Mousewhisker go. You aren't fooling anyone!" The cats behind them began to speak amongst each other, a majority agreeing with Tigerpaw.

"The apprentice is right! You're just pitying him!"

"He has the blood of a traitor! Why give him special treatment?"

"You've gone soft! I say we exile him with his mother!" Eaglepaw's ears flattened against his head.

"SILENCE!" Flamestar yowled, the group's noise immediately ceasing. Eaglepaw looked at his leader, whose eyes were flashing in anger. "The disrespect! You should be ashamed, ALL OF YOU! You mongrels have the audacity to interrupt such a sacred ceremony and give me cheek? I should shred you all to mousedust! Eaglepaw's done nothing but prove himself to be loyal to the clan, and this is how you repay him? You're no better than rogues!" Eaglepaw could hear the blood roaring in his ears in anger. Flamestar's right! I have not wronged them in any way, I'm doing my best! "And as for you Tigerpaw," Flamestar growled from clenched teeth, his claws piercing the branch he perched on, "Since you're responsible for this disturbance, you and your brother's will be punished. Your warrior ceremonies are being delayed by two moons!"

Orangepaw and Swiftpaw stood, whining. "Why do we have to be delayed too?"

"We didn't do anything!"

Tigerpaw sprang to his paws, hissing in protest. "That's not fair!"

Flamestar scoffed, his tail lashing. "Not fair? Not fair! The only thing that is not fair, is you denying Eaglepaw a respectful and honorable warrior ceremony. I've heard enough from you. If I hear another mew, I'm adding another moon to your punishment."

Tigerpaw's mouth opened and closed a few times, his eyes wide. Defeated, the yellow tom stalked away, shooting a deadly glare at Eaglepaw. Eaglepaw ignored it, a small smirk on his face. That's what you get, mousebrain! Turning his attention back to his leader, Eaglepaw's whiskers twitched as the flame colored tom blinked at him sympathetically.

"Does anyone else wish to interrupt?" Flamestar growled, his tail lashing. No cat said a word, and Flamestar straightened up, flattening his pelt. "Good. We'll get on with the ceremony then. I, Flamestar, leader of ShadowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in their turn. Eaglepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Eaglepaw nodded, his body trembling in excitement. "I do." I wish Buzzardpaw and Mousestar were here to see this!

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Eaglepaw, from this moment you will be known as Eagleheart. StarClan honors your determination and loyalty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan."

Eagleheart turned to face the group, his chest puffed out in pride. He ignored the shady looks received from Tigerpaw and a few others, turning his attention to Quailkit who was dashing towards him.

"Eagleheart, wow! I wanted us to train as apprentices together, but you're a warrior now!" She smiled at him.

Eagleheart smiled back at her, his golden eyes warm. "I sure wasn't expecting it, but I'm happy. I'll do my best to protect you."

Quailkit opened her mouth to say something, but was pushed aside by Heatherflight. The brown she-cat rolled her eyes at the kit, turning her gaze to Eagleheart. "He doesn't want to talk to you, stupid kit. Come on Eagleheart, you can make your nest next to mine." Eagleheart grunted, ignoring her. He motioned for Quailkit to sit next to him, then lifted his head to look back at Flamestar.

"That wasn't the only ceremony being held this evening. Ashkit and Quailkit, please step forward." Eagleheart looked down at Quailkit in confusion, his whiskers twitching. They aren't six moons yet! They have another quarter moon. Quailkit stepped forward with her brother, her eyes wide. "I am aware that these two kits have not reached six moons, but I believe it is best for them to be apprenticed early, in preparation for what's to come. A great storm is coming and I want our clan to be ready. Ashkit, from this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Ashpaw. Your mentor will be Eagleheart." Eagleheart blinked in shock. What?! "I hope Eagleheart will pass down all he knows on to you. Eagleheart, you have received excellent training from Vulturefeather, and you have shown yourself to be diligent and dependable. You will be the mentor of Ashpaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to him."

"Flamestar's definitely giving him special treatment now." Eagleheart heard a voice behind him. "What warrior gets an apprentice literally right after receiving their warrior name?"

"I say we watch this play out." Eagleheart recognized Tigerpaw's low growl and forced himself to remain calm. "There's no way he'll be a good mentor, he's younger than me! I'll enjoy watching him crumble under the pressure." Eagleheart blinked, looking at Ashpaw, who had turned around to face him. I can do this. Flamestar wouldn't set me up for failure, would he? He touched his nose to Ashpaw's, then sat back down.

Flamestar nodded from his perch, his eyes flashing. "Quailkit, from this day forward, you will be known as Quailpaw. Your mentor will be Heatherflight." Quailkit turned to her new mentor warily, who was looking right through her. "Heatherflight, I expect you to pass down your quick wit and swiftness down to young Quailkit." Eaglepaw watched as the two she-cats touch noses, the tension between them apparent.

"Ashpaw, Quailpaw, Eagleheart! Ashpaw, Quailpaw, Eagleheart!" The clan cheered. Eagleheart felt his chest swell with pride. I don't know what's coming next, but I do know that I'll give my all to protect my clan! Flamestar leapt down from the High Branch, dismissing the clan with a flick of his tail. Eagleheart started to pad away with Quailpaw, but was stopped by his leader, who beckoned him to his den.

Eagleheart sat on the mossy ground, his tail curling over his paws. Vulturefeather shortly joined the two toms after assigning a few patrols, and Flamestar began to speak. "Eagleheart… I apologize on behalf of everyone else. You don't deserve to be treated that way. If you have any problems with anycat, you let me know."

Eagleheart shook his head, his whiskers twitching. "Don't worry, Flamestar. I don't care for their harmless teasing, it won't affect me in any way."

Flamestar nodded, humming quietly. "Is it too much? Giving you an apprentice I mean. Having an apprentice is a big responsibility, and I don't want to put too much pressure on you."

Eagleheart shook his head once more. "I can handle it, I'm more excited than anything. Ashpaw and I will get along just fine."

"Well, I guess I have nothing to worry about then." The flame colored tom mewed. "Now, onto what I called you in for. Vulturefeather and I have been talking for awhile, and we want you to go on a quest."

"A quest?"

Vulturefeather nodded. "We want you to look for Mousewhisker."

Eagleheart perked up, his eyes widening. Flamestar smiled slightly, tapping his paw to the ground. "Not today of course, maybe after your first day of training with Ashpaw."

"But why? Why do you want me to look for her, and why did you wait a whole moon to ask me?" Eagleheart tried his best to seem as unaccusing as possible, keeping his body still.

"We're worried about the rogues. YOu know how we've been catching their scent a lot this past moon, and we want to make sure she's safe. We didn't ask you before because we didn't want the clan to doubt you." They already do, but they don't have to anymore. I'm a warrior now! Vulturefeather paused. "This would have to be a journey to take alone, Eagleheart, and though you have extraordinary fighting capabilities, I can't help but worry. Do you think you can do this?"

Eagleheart nodded, wanting to leap to his paws. "I can, I'm not afraid of any rogues. If they even think about laying a claw on my mother, I'll make them wish they were never born."

Flamestar smiled, his eyes flashing with pride. "That's the spirit. It's not sundown yet, so you have a while before you sit vigil. Go out, enjoy your first day as a warrior."

Eagleheart dipped his head to his leader, exiting the den and dashing out of camp. He breathed in the scents of the forest, the fresh smell of pine and prey filling his nostrils. Eagleheart, made his way down to the lake, his ears twitching as he listened to the life going on around him. The quiet, cool water lapped over his paws, filling his body with a deep calm. After becoming a warrior, even the foret feels different! Eagleheart was broken from his thoughts by a loud yowl coming somewhere behind him, and he rushed towards the sound, his pelt bristling in alarm.

In a small clearing, Nettleclaw, Oatblossom, Shrewpounce and Swiftpaw were standing around a small figure. Eagleheart stepped closer to see the body of a she-cat, her brown pelt bloody and dirty. Flies buzzed around the body, indicating that it had been there for a while. A clean cut sliced her throat open and her legs and tail were bent at awkward angles, the bone jutting out of each limb. The she-cat's mouth was agape and her clouded green eyes were wide with a horrified expression. Her soft, cream and white belly was flattened unnaturally and a disgusting mass of entrails spewed from her rear, filling the air with a revolting smell. Eagleheart stared at the she-cat's body for a moment longer, his stomach tightening and his heart dropping as he recognized who it was.

Mousestar!

Author's Note:

Chapter 22! Poor Mousestar! Things are definitely starting to get serious here! Also, Eaglepaw earned his warrior name, Eagleheart! Do you like it?

Thanks for Reading!

~MeltingPopsicles