Sorry for not updating!

I am so busy trying to update on Wattpad as well, creating Quotev quizzes, and managing my forum.

Responses:

puppydogs68: Ha! Be careful doing that in front of Moonpaw...

HoneyBreeze: I love your OCs! I will use them in the next story or a completely different story altogether. Thanks!

Kay: Otterbright is so cute! :3 I will use her!

Shoutouts to puppydogs68, HoneyBreeze, Fastbreeze37, and Rowanmoth!

Enjoy!

A half-moon had passed.

Since then, Moonpaw and Sunpaw had grown further and further apart. They never interacted, always avoided one another, and flat out ignored each other.

And Moonpaw hated it.

Becoming warriors had never seemed so daunting. She couldn't get away to see Falconpaw as much then...

Or was he still a 'paw?

Moonpaw had refused to see him since Sunpaw had figured out. She didn't want to risk it.

Or should she?

Moonpaw was so confused at this point she could barely think straight. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the apprentices' den. Most likely for the last time.

She was becoming a warrior later today.

A warrior.

The phrase brought so many feelings; excitement, anxiety, worry, pressure, responsibility, confusion, regret, guilt.

Glancing around, she saw her mother literally running towards her.

"Moonpaw! Oh, my sweet baby, a warrior already!" The excited she-cat began lapping at her pelt, grooming off the leaves that had gotten stuck in her thick fur.

"Stormheart! I can groom myself," she protested. Stormheart backed away, sighing happily, apparently oblivious to her daughter's stormy mood.

"Cloudchaser is so proud! I know Featherear is too. Timbertree, may he rest in peace, would also be happy for you and your brother."

Moonpaw nodded, feeling a flicker of sadness at the mention of the dead warrior. After his passing, Fawnspeckle had replaced him as mentor to Sunpaw. Moonpaw had overheard her brother talking about how soft the queen was on him to Tumblefoot, and how much he wished Timbertree had survived the battle.

"Well, Moonpaw, this is it! Hawkstar said the ceremony would be held at sunhigh." Stormheart meowed cheerfully. Moonpaw glanced at the sun. It was almost at its peak. Only a few more moments of being an apprentice.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Burnt Tree for a Clan meeting!"

This is it.

"Cats of BlazeClan, I have an important ceremony to perform. We have two new warriors among us!" Hawkstar called.

Breathe. Just breathe.

"Moonpaw, Sunpaw, please step forward."

Come on Moonpaw, focus!

"I, Hawkstar, leader of BlazeClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to learn and know your noble code, and I commend them as warriors in turn."

Moonpaw risked a glance at Sunpaw. The tom was staring up at Hawkstar, a determined expression on his face.

"Sunpaw, Moonpaw, do you promise to uphold and defend the warrior code, even at the cost of your life?"

Say it.

"I do."

"I do."

"From this day forward, Sunpaw, you shall be known as Sunshadow. Your Clan honors your courage and determination, and I am proud to call you my Clanmate." Sunshadow dipped his head to lick Hawkstar's shoulder, and threw a proud glance at Moonpaw. Probably proud that he was named a warrior first, the big egghead.

"Moonpaw, from this day forward you shall be known as Moonsong. Your Clan honors your loyalty and perserverance, and I am happy to be giving you your warrior name. Serve your Clan well." Moonsong froze at being called out for her loyalty, but then dipped her head just like Sunshadow had, and licked her leader's shoulder.

"Sunshadow! Moonsong! Sunshadow! Moonsong!"

Sunshadow lifted his head, basking in the praise. Moonsong dipped her head to her Clan, feeling a surge of happiness.

It will all be fine. Falconpaw and I are meant to be together, and nothing can stop that.

As soon as the cheers had died down, Turtlefoot, Jadeshine, and Lavenderfern ran up to her, covering her in compliments and congratulations.

"Congrats, Moonsong!"

"Great job!"

"Now you get to be in the same den as us!"

"We already made a nest just for you beside us!"

Moonsong purred, happy that her friends were being so kind.

"Thanks, you guys," she meowed. "I can't wait to go on patrol with you!"

Turtlefoot nodded. "Me too! We'll be the best warriors ever!"

Moonsong nodded, glancing past her friends. Sunshadow was staring at her, eyes narrowed. Lavenderfern fell silent, and, following her gaze, began staring at Sunshadow as well. The gold tom glanced away, padding off to chat with Quickfleet.

"Ignore him, Moonsong. Brothers tend to be that way sometimes," Turtlefoot reassured her, whisking her off. "To the warriors' den!"

Moonsong followed her friends, feeling the cold hate build up a wall between her and Sunshadow.

He will never understand. He isn't worth your time, a voice whispered in the back of her head.

Moonsong narrowed her eyes. "He isn't, isn't he?" she whispered.

. . .

Unknown Location

"Do we have her?"

"Oh, we have her. Let us begin."

Mwahahaha. This took a turn to a darker side, huh?

Sorry for a short chapter. I tried to make it longer, but it didn't really work.

Remember, the contest is open until Nov. 5th! Enter for a chance to win!

Thanks for reading!

-Russet