Alright! Finally, here is Chapter 19! Blackpaw finally gets her warrior name...

It's today!" Copperheart shook Blackpaw. "Get up, lazybones! I know that you came back literally yesterday, but get up!"

Blackpaw opened her eye blearily, shoving Copperheart off roughly. "I want to sleep."

"Not an option." Copperheart declared, beginning to poke Blackpaw. "I'm your annoying brother, I have to make sure that you get no more sleep. Get up, or I'll go get Hollyclaw to haul you out of your nest herself."

"You suck." Blackpaw groaned, rolling out of her nest and onto the hard ground of the apprentice's den.

The morning light filtered cheerfully through the walls of the den, causing Blackpaw to squint. The den where I was kept in Poppyclan was so much darker, even during the day. Everything is darker in Poppyclan though, I suppose.

She stood up shakily, arching her back in a long stretch and yawning."I'm up, I'm up."

Copperheart grinned. "Finally! Come on!"

She shoved him back, sending him to the ground with a thump. "And that's payback."

He rolled his eyes. "I'll get you back later. What would happen if I did it during your warrior ceremony?"

Blackpaw glared at him. "Don't you dare. I've waited too long for it."

Copperheart gave her a smile, but a more serious one this time. "I know. We'll finally get to be warriors together."

They padded into the clearing, sitting a little ways away from the center, where Vinefur was assigning patrols. "Mudpaws, Ferneyes, Sprucefrost, Shadewing… Ferneyes, get your tail over here! I know that you can hear me! You're on border patrol, so deal with it!"

Ferneyes didn't move. Vinefur paused, taking a deep breath, before bellowing.

"FERNEYES! GET OVER HERE, NOW!"

The gray warrior jumped in surprise. "Ok, ok!"

He padded over, grinning at Vinefur cheekily. She smacked him on the head. "Go on damn patrol. I don't have time to deal with your nonsense."

Ferneyes only grinned wider, joining his patrol. Mudpaws rolled his eyes, but he gave a good-natured smile back to the younger warrior, leading the patrol out of camp.

"Copperheart!" Lightbriar called. "Let's go hunting!"

Copperheart's easy smile vanished, and he suddenly looked more uneasy, finally at a loss for something to respond with. Most likely he can't find a good excuse not to. Blackpaw shot a glare at the golden tabby, who smiled triumphantly back. Leave my brother alone. He doesn't love you, take a hint.

"Sorry, dear sister, but me and Copperheart actually planned to go hunting today." Thawtail came up beside her. He glanced at Blackpaw. "Do you want to come?"

"Oh, I wouldn't want to intrude on anything." Blackpaw replied smoothly, giving him a knowing glance.

"Are you sure?" Copperheart asked her. "I'm not trying to exclude anyone from anything."

"It's fine." Blackpaw reassured him. "Just go. I'll find someone to go with."

Copperheart nodded and dashed over to Thawtail, the pair padding out of camp, Copperheart chattering on about something excitedly.

"We could go hunting, if you'd like." A familiar quiet voice came from beside her, and Blackpaw turned to see Seedstorm standing shyly nearby.

"I'd like that." Blackpaw replied softly. The two padded out of camp, and Blackpaw tried to calm her already-racing nerves. Honestly, it's like you're a kit! Calm down, will you? She scolded herself inside her head, but it was in vain. We're literally just friends! The silence sat in between them like a barrier, both of them too shy to speak to each other and just trying to hunt without completely making a fool of themselves.

Blackpaw caught the scent of mouse, and tensed, eyes scanning for the small creature. She spotted it by a tree root, nibbling on a nut. It doesn't even know that I'm here. She began to creep up on it slowly, falling into the familiar hunting pattern that she had learned with Hollyclaw.

I finally get to do it again, Thank Starclan. She pounced, killing the mouse with a well-aimed bite to the neck.

"Nice catch." Seedstorm commented.

"Thanks." Blackpaw scraped earth on her catch. "Is there anywhere in particular that you want to go?"

Seedstorm shrugged. "The river would be fine."

"That sounds good. I bet that we'll run into Copperheart and Thawtail there." Blackpaw gave a small smile when she thought about her brother.

"Probably." Seedstorm shrugged. He returned her smile.

"We both know that those two are so cute together."

"They are." Blackpaw agreed immediately. "Are they officially mates yet?"

Seedstorm let out a dramatic sigh. "Not yet, and it's killing me! I mean, my brother is too shy to ask Copperheart and well, Copperheart is just waiting for the right moment, I suppose, because theatrics is something that your brother is quite good at."

Blackpaw laughed. "Yeah, he's definitely planning SOMETHING out, and I pity Thawtail when it happens."

The river came into view in front of them and they both padded onto the sandy bank, the water lapping hungrily at their paws.

"I told you that wasn't a fish!" Copperheart's voice rang out from in front of them, and Blackpaw saw him and Thawtail sitting by the bank, fishing.

"It's a piece of moss or something!" Copperheart laughed.

"I think that it's just some kind of river plant." Thawtail mewed thoughtfully, dangling the strange object by one claw. "Whatever it is though, you are correct. It is not a fish. Well done, Copperheart."

Copperheart grinned. "I know, I'm just so unusually perceptive."

His gaze landed on Blackpaw and Seedstorm. "Hello! Care to join us as we attempt to hunt and only catch weird plants? I think that Dustwing might appreciate them, but no one else."

Blackpaw rolled her eyes. "Sure, if you're okay with that." Thawtail shrugged. "Everyone's invited. It's fishing, after all."

"Great!" Seedstorm exclaimed, sitting by his brother and peering into the water carefully, making sure that his shadow didn't fall across the water. He flashed out a paw, catching a small silver trout and flinging it onto the bank, where he killed it swiftly. Thawtail raised an eyebrow.

"Good catch."

He turned to Copperheart. "See, that's how catching prey works. That's what we were supposed to be doing."

Copperheart shrugged. "I know, but it's more fun to catch random river plants, and we'll definitely not get yelled at by Vinefur."

"Vinefur yells at everyone." Seedstorm commented. "You more than most, but still."

Copperheart shrugged again, grinning. "It's a gift, Seedstorm."

Blackpaw rolled her eyes. "Your gift is getting in trouble, apparently."

Copperheart grinned wider and gave a cheeky nod. They hunted for a little bit, but Blackpaw noticed Copperheart inching towards Thawtail, the former obviously planning to push the blue-gray tom into the water. Copperheart pushed, and Thawtail fell into the water with a yowl of surprise, only to resurface a moment later spluttering up water and treading lightly.

"Well, there goes hunting." Seedstorm mewed to Blackpaw.

"Copperheart! Come on!" Thawtail exclaimed, but there was a playful glint in his eyes.

"Ah, sorry Thawtail." Copperheart replied sarcastically. "But it's my dear sister's warrior ceremony today and I have to look presentable-"

The rest of his sentence was cut off as Thawtail yanked him into the water, his reddish fur glinting a darker brown as he came up to the surface.

"Thawtail!" Copperheart exclaimed, splashing the blue-gray tom.

"It's payback." Thawtail grinned at him. Copperheart brought his paws down hard on the surface of the water, spraying water all over Thawtail, who gave another yowl of surprise. He shook his wet fur out of his eyes and splashed Copperheart back, the two started a water fight, sending droplets everywhere, Blackpaw gave a small yelp as a bunch hit her pelt.

"Not afraid of a little water, are you?" Seedstorm smirked.

"Of course not." Blackpaw raised an eyebrow. "Are you?" She pushed him into the water, but he grabbed her paw as he fell off the bank, sending her into the water with him with a squeal of surprise.

"Seedstorm!" Blackpaw exclaimed, rising to the surface. Seedstorm grinned.

"I wasn't about to go swimming without you."

Blackpaw rolled her eyes. "I suppose that it's nice to go swimming again as I haven't done it in a while."

The sun shone through the branches of the tree, warming her wet pelt and making Seedstorm's tortoiseshell fur glitter from the water droplets.

"Exactly." Seedstorm affirmed. "Now, where did your brother go?"

"I'm here!" Copperheart exclaimed, rising to the surface. "I guess that we're all going to get yelled at for not fishing!"

"Oops." Seedstorm shrugged. "We'll be fine."

Copperheart plunged with a shriek back into the icy water as Thawtail splashed him, laughing.

"Ahem." An icy mew came from the bank above them. Blackpaw glanced up to see Lightbriar standing over them, her eyes glittering with anger. "Aren't you guys supposed to be hunting? All four of you?"

"Yeah." Thawtail shrugged. "Why do you care? You're not Vinefur."

Lightbriar narrowed her eyes further. "I may not be, but I'm doing my duty, and you're not. I would think that BLACKPAW would want to do something productive before getting her name so she could feel like she actually earned it."

Anger scorched through Blackpaw's pelt, and she climbed out of the river, her fur dripping water onto the sandy ground below.

"Why, I'm not trying to brag, but I feel that I might have earned my warrior name by going to Poppyclan and back."

"You were captured." Lightbriar spat at her, smirking.

"Oh, shut up, will you?" Seedstorm joined her, glaring at Lightbriar. "You always pick on her. What's your damn problem?"

Blackpaw glanced at him in surprise. Is he defending me?

"I was just pointing something out, dear brother." Lightbriar hissed at him, shoving her muzzle close to his face. "It seems like someone is acting slightly defensive today. Do I see…"

She gave a fake gasp of surprise. "Love is in the air, isn't it?"

Seedstorm widened his eyes in surprise, but Blackpaw saw the slight blush that was creeping up his face. "Shut up, Lightbriar. The cat who you love is with Thawtail, so you're one to talk."

Lightbriar took a step back, hurt sparking in her gaze, and marched off, trying to maintain her air of fury, but Blackpaw heard a sniffle.

"That wasn't very nice." Blackpaw commented to Seedstorm. He dipped his head, looking thoughtful.

"I know. I lost my temper, a rarity."

"I'll go talk to her." Copperheart stood up. "Don't worry, Seedstorm. It happens to everyone."

Seedstorm shrugged desolately. "Thanks. We should go back to camp, though. I'd rather get our lecture from Vinefur sooner than later."

Thawtail gave a weak smile, but he joined them and shot a concerned glance towards Copperheart, who was shaking his fur like a dog in order to dry it. You're so weird, brother.

"Are you sure you want to talk to her? It might be better for me to do it-"

Copperheart nodded. "I'll do it. The only reason this whole mess is beginning is because of me, after all. You guys go back to camp."

He headed off in the direction that Lightbriar had gone, and the three of them headed back to camp, Blackpaw's fur drying in messy spikes. She glanced at it. I'll have to groom it before my ceremony. I can't become a warrior looking like this. Thawtail dropped the few fish that they had caught on the fresh-kill pile and Blackpaw sat on the edge of camp, beginning to groom her fur hurriedly.

"Copperheart's fur is usually more untidy than yours." Sagestreak came up beside her. "You should've seen it during his warrior ceremony. Wolfblaze tried to groom it beforehand, but it only works so well with him."

Blackpaw gave a rueful smile. "I really wish that I could've been there."

"It's okay." Sagestreak rested his muzzle on her head gently. "You're home now, and I've never been more glad. Now, sit still."

He began to groom her fur, and Blackpaw let out a groan of exasperation. "Father, I'm almost a warrior! You don't need to wash me like I'm a kit!"

"It's the last time that I'll be able to," Sagestreak mewed in between licks. "So I better do it now."

Blackpaw sighed, but didn't protest further. It's kind of calming, actually. She glanced around camp, checking for her brother's tabby pelt, but he was still nowhere to be seen. Why isn't he back yet? He's been out for a while… Blackpaw inwardly scolded herself. It doesn't matter, he's a fully grown cat and can take care of himself!

"There." Sagestreak finished.

"Thank you." Blackpaw smiled gratefully at him.

"Of course." Sagestreak replied. He fixed Blackpaw with a serious gaze, love in his pale blue eyes.

"I'll always be there for you, remember that. And I'm so proud of you, and I know how hard you've worked to become a warrior, and how much you deserve this ceremony."

Blackpaw nodded, a little overcome with emotion. Sagestreak had always been quieter, to display so much emotion was rare for him and Blackpaw treasured it. Stormstar's yowl split the peaceful silence that had developed between them.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Sunrock for a Clan meeting!"

At that very moment Copperheart came rushing through the Clan entrance, a worried look on his face, though it swiftly changed to his usual grin when he realized what was happening.

"Come on!" He exclaimed to Blackpaw. "Why are you just sitting back there?"

"I'm coming." Blackpaw responded, padding over to him. She sat by her parents and her brother, and gazed up at Stormstar, who was surveying the crowd that was gathering. When everyone had gathered and a respectful silence had fallen over the crowd, Stormstar spoke.

"I think that we all know why I've gathered the Clan today." His gaze turned to Blackpaw. "Blackpaw, step forward."

Blackpaw's legs shook slightly as she stepped forward, raising her eyes to Stormstar's. It's finally time. It's finally happening.

"I, Stormstar, leader of Streamclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn."

His blue-green scorched Blackpaw's fur, and she shivered slightly.

"Blackpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Blackpaw's voice rang out confidently through camp. "I do."

"Then by the power of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. Blackpaw, from now on you will be known as Blackdawn. Starclan honors your perseverance and determination, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Streamclan."

He rested his muzzle on Blackdawn's head gently, and she licked his shoulder respectfully in return before stepping back. The Clan began to call Blackdawn's new name, and she stood awkwardly, feeling strange under all the attention. I don't like being the center of attention, that's for sure. When Stormstar dismissed the meeting and cats began to go back to their regular duties, Copperheart ran over to her. "We're warriors! Aren't you excited?"

Blackdawn nodded. "Blackdawn." Hollyclaw's voice came from behind her. "You have to keep a silent vigil tonight, remember that. The sun is already going down."

Blackdawn dipped her head respectfully to the older warrior and took her place by the camp entrance. Cats were heading off to bed with night falling rapidly, soon Copperheart excused himself and headed towards the warrior's den, saying that he'd make a nest for Blackdawn too for tomorrow.

Blackdawn admired the air of the camp, even when everyone was heading to bed, it still was busy and chaotic, and she felt a pang of love for her beautiful, chaotic Clan that she had grown up with.

Vinefur soon was the only other cat left in the clearing apart from Blackdawn, as she always made sure everyone was in their dens before going to sleep herself. She gave a polite nod to Blackdawn before padding into the warrior's den. A blissful silence fell over the camp, and Blackdawn stared up at the starry sky, the warriors of Starclan shined back down on her from Silverpelt.

She was no medicine cat, but she felt like the beautiful stars were trying to send her a message of peace, to tell her that she had survived something big, and that there would hopefully be more peace.

I appreciate the message, Starclan, but I can't help worrying a little. Applestar only was driven out, she isn't dead, which means that she'll certainly cause more trouble to the Clans in the future. When will her thirst for power end, and how many more will be affected before it does?

Finally! I will be posting the first chapter of New Beginnings later today, so keep watch for that! Also, please review, they make my day and I love to hear your opinions!

Have a great day (or night), and keep writing!

-Mintflight