Time passed since Fireheart organized the meeting with Tallstar and everything was ALMOST going back to normal. The patrols were still waiting for a Shadowclan's attack or a sign of the Dog. Goldeneye was feasting on a squirrel her mate gave her as she was thinking about the recent events : Cinderpelt received a sign from Starclan who warned them of a 'pack' , Bluestar who now seemed madder than ever…
The White and Honey furred Molly sighed as she watched her mate leading a patrol until Bluestar herself stepped out of her Den to approach them. Sadly, Goldeneye was too far to hear what they were saying but by the look on their Leader's face, she could tell Bluestar wanted to lead the patrol , which was strange because she usually almost never left her Den. The White and Honey furred Queen then saw her mate cuffing his nephew's ear as if he had said something wrong but then the white apprentice ran off to come back with Longtail and his apprentice Swiftpaw.
When the two reached the group, Bluestar seemed irritated but then she disappeared in the gorse tunnel quickly followed by her patrol. Goldeneye knew Bluestar didn't trusted her mate anymore after what happened with Windclan and she was a bit disappointed toward her leader. Fireheart did what he thought was right but yet Bluestar didn't seemed to care and instantly called her deputy a traitor.
Granted he was still Thunderclan's Deputy but still….. He was heart-broken that his old mentor saw him like a honor-less cat. She shook her head to get rid of those thoughts as she looked at the pacing felines around her. Since the first day she came in Thunderclan, she instantly loved their way of life. After being alone for so long, it was nice to have friends and best of all : a family on the way.
Sadly her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone running and everyone present looked toward the gorse tunnel to see Swiftpaw bursting out as if he was chased by an enemy Warrior. " Riverclan are at Sunningrock ! We are outnumbered ! We need reinforcements !" At those words, the Warriors of Thunderclan (the ones still at camp) followed Swiftpaw hurriedly to help their comrades at Sunningrocks.
Goldeneye wanted to join them but Willowpelt sternly told her not to move a muscle. Seeing the worry in the younger Queen's eyes , the pale silver-gray she-cat with blue eyes whispered encouragingly "Don't worry for Fireheart he will be fine ! He is an experimented Warrior after all !" Those words seemed to calm Goldeneye a bit but she was still concerned about her mate and prayed Starclan that everything would be okay.
Some time later, Bluestar entered the clearing followed by her Warriors. Some of them were injured but thanfully, it was nothing serious. A few scratches and bites marks. Goldeneye looked at her mate with relief when he approached along with a familiar gray tom with yellow eyes. But before she could say something, Bramblekit and Tawnykit rushed toward them with look of eager in their eyes "How it went ?" the male kit asked before his amber eyes landed on Graystripe "Is he a prisoner ?"
Fireheart chuckled before responding "No he is one of us ! Ask your mother if you want to know more !". Bramblekit seemed crestfallen by the Deputy's answer and he looked at his sister "Look we have a new cat in the Clan !" The little tortoiseshell's green eyes looked at the gray tom with curiosity "Who is he ?" Before Fireheart could respond, Darkstripe stepped in " A traitor ! But we are all traitors according to Bluestar !"
The two kits looked at the dark stripped Warriors with bewilderment while Fireheart AND Goldeneye were glaring at him furiously. Then the Fire pelted Warrior said to Bramblekit "Yes we won and Sunningrocks still belong to us !" The brown kit squealed in happiness "Yes I'm going to tell the Elders !" with that said, Goldenflower's kits dashed away.
"They are Tigerstar's kits , aren't they ?" Graystripe asked his longtime friend and Fireheart mumbled a 'yes' before remembering that his mate was there " Graystripe I want you to meet Goldeneye , my mate" the Flame colored tom said gently as she nuzzled Goldeneye's neck. The White and Honey furred Queen purred as her golden eyes looked at Graystripe , smiling. "Its a pleasure to meet you Graystripe ! Fireheart told me a lot about you~"
The gray tom nodded before gently punching Fireheart's shoulder "You know how to pick she-cats Old friend !" The two shared a laugh before the Deputy announced "We should maybe go see Cinderpelt to patch our wounds..." Graystripe nodded before looking back at Goldeneye and particularly at her belly " Your kits will come out soon ! Maybe in a week or two…."
The Queen smiled as she looked at the gray tom "Yes and I couldn't be prouder !" "I can tell !" Graystripe responded with his usual friendly behavior causing the three to laugh before the two toms went to Cinderpelt's den. Goldeneye watched them go with a smile before looking at Goldenflower who was responding to some of her kits' questions.
The sun was starting to set and the whole Clan was gathered around Highrock where Bluestar was standing. Why ? For the warrior ceremony of Cloudpaw. Goldeneye was happy for Fireheart's nephew but she was a bit disappointed that the white apprentice was the only to receive his Warrior name. Brightpaw , Swiftpaw and Thornpaw were sitting far away from the future Warrior.
The White and Honey furred Queen knew that they were a bit sad for not standing with their friend but she cannot say anything. From what Fireheart told her, Bluestar allowed Cloudpaw to be a Warrior particularly because of his lack of faith in Starclan . The Fire colored tom had tried to do something to convince his Leader than the other apprentices deserved their warrrior names as well but she stubbornly refused.
Bluestar called Cloudpaw up to the front, meowing that he was ready to take his place as a Warrior of ThunderClan before reciting the words " Cloudpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life ?" She was talking as if she had thorns in her throat. Goldeneye , and maybe some of the others, noticed the lack of commitments in the ritual words but Cloudpaw didn't seemed to noticed " I do" the White apprentice responded firmly but still happily " Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Cloudpaw, from this moment you will be known as Cloudtail. StarClan honors your courage and independence, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan !"
Bluestar then leaped of Highrock to press her muzzle on his forehead and he licked her shoulder in response. Normally, all members should be celebrating by cheering his name but everyone staid silent. Cloudtail seemed more and more disheartened as time passed until Brindleface approached him before nuzzling him "Congratulations Cloudtail ! I'm so proud of you~". At those words, Goldeneye , Cinderpelt and Graystripe approached the new Warrior before congratulating him as well. Then the whole Clan started cheering him.
However, Goldeneye noticed that the other apprentices were the last ones to come and when they did, it was to say a few quiet words. Fireheat noticed it as well and he sighed in sadness. Goldeneye approached her mate and the two were pressing their furs against one another in sort of comfort. She knew her mate was proud that his nephew was now a Warrior but disappointed that he was the only one. She was not really happy about it either and when the two were making their way to their respective dens, the new-made Warrior was guarding the camp in a silent vigil like all new Warriors did before him.
(To be continued…)