A cold wind cut through the IceClan camp, flattening the brown fur of Scruffystar. The camp was just beginning to come alive with the dawn. IceClan would be waking up to fresh snow on the ground. The Clan deputy, Graywhisker, was pacing through the snow, pushing down the snow to make paths between dens and the camp entrance. The leader was tempted to crawl back into the nursery and sleep until Sun-High but although she was a mother, she was also a Clan leader. She had duties to attend to.
Breezeclaw pushed out from the shelter of the warriors' den and padded across the camp to the tree stump the apprentices made a den beside. The muscular warrior ducked his head between the stump and a large rock. A few moments later the warrior stepped back and the slender black she-cat, Icepaw, ducked out of the den.
Scruffystar sat down beside the pine bush covering the nursery entrance as Breezeclaw approached her, his apprentice racing across the camp to Graywhisker.
"Breezeclaw," the leader said softly.
"Scruffystar, it is time for Icepaw's assessment."
"Very well. I look forward to giving Icepaw a warrior name."
The dark gray tom grunted in response and padded for the stone tunnel to exit the camp. Icepaw turned from her father and speed across the camp, sending a shower of snow onto Graywhisker.
"Good luck!" The deputy called after his daughter. The deputy slowly padded over to Scruffystar, pressing his nose to her cheek for a moment. "I hope Fishfur is looking down on Icepaw today," the tom murmured.
"I'm certain that Fishfur, Batpaw, and Rosekit are all watching over her today," Scruffystar assured him. "They'll be cheering her warrior name today." With a nod, the deputy padded towards the overhang to begin organizing morning patrols.
The low-hanging pine tree branches that sheltered the warriors' den shook, snow tumbling down upon Spikedpelt and Silverwhiskers as they slipped out of the den. The toms fluffed out their pelts to the cold and quickly padded over to join Graywhisker.
A purr rose in Scruffystar's throat as Lightwing stepped out of the den, he raised his tail in greeting to the leader and trotted towards her.
"Good morning, my dear," the cream tom purred pressing his nose against hers.
"Lightwing," the she-cat said happily.
"How are the kits?"
"Very warm. Thank you for the feathers for our nest."
"I have to take care of my family."
"I can't wait to move back into the leader's den," she admitted softly.
"Before you know it, you'll be giving our kits their warrior names," her mate teased.
"And your daughters will be having kits of their own." The cream tom looked concerned at her words. "Lightwing? Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," he looked at her startled. "I was just thinking about how old I'll be by then." It was good enough of an explanation.
"I'll let you get to your warrior duties," the leader pushed onto her paws.
"I'll bring you and the other queens the juiciest rabbit I can find," he nuzzled his nose into her cheek-fur for a brief moment before turning to join the other warriors under the rock overhang.
Scruffystar let out a soft sigh and ducked down under the bush to slip into the cave the nursery was hidden in. Dovesong was awake, grooming an irritated looking Puddlekit. Watersong raised her head, beckoning her tail to Scruffystar.
"Come look at Squirrelkit!" The small she-cat said excitedly. Leafkit was snuggled up between Watersong's front legs with Graykit laying nearby. Squirrelkit was sitting up, bright blue eyes open and taking in the nursery.
A soft gasp escaped Scruffystar's mouth as she looked down at her daughter. She had missed her kit opening her eyes for the first time. Being a leader as well as a queen was difficult. She purred softly as she rasped her tongue over the small kit's head. "Thank you for watching them, Watersong." The brown she-cat carefully stood up and returned to her nest, letting Scruffystar curl up with her kits. How many more important moments would she miss in her kits' lives because of her duties as IceClan's leader?
"All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the High-Ledge for a Clan meeting!" Scruffystar yowled through the camp, gaining the attention of her clanmates. Breezeclaw and Graywhisker sat on either side of Icepaw, their tongues working to smooth her fur. The Clan formed a semi-circle beneath the High-Ledge, waiting patiently for everyone to settle.
Icepaw finally stood up, padding forward with her head held high, letting her mentor and father pad after her.
"Breezeclaw," the leader began, "has your apprentice, Icepaw, learned the skills of a warrior? Does she understand the importance of the warrior code?"
"She has," the muscular warrior said with a respectful dip of his head.
"I, Scruffystar, leader of IceClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon Icepaw today. They have trained hard to understand the ways of the warrior code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn." The tabby she-cat leapt down from the High-Ledge to stand in front of the sleek apprentice. "Icepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do," the small she-cat responded, letting out a short purr.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Icepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Icespark. StarClan honors your energy and dedication, and we welcome you as a full warrior of IceClan." Scruffystar rested her muzzle on Icespark's head, letting out a small purr. Icepaw's tongue licked Scruffystar's shoulder before stepping back.
"Icespark! Icespark!" IceClan broke out in loud mews, Graywhisker leading the group of cats to greet their newest warrior. Scruffystar sat back, listening happily as Silverwhiskers offered to build her a nest in the warrior den and the other apprentices greeted their former denmate by her new name.
Once the cream warrior had greeted Icespark properly, Lightwing padded up to join his mate.
"She looks happy," he commented as his tail wrapped around Scruffystar's body.
"She's a good she-cat. She'll serve IceClan well."
"In a moon or so you'll be making Puddlekit a 'paw as well."
"You should come to see your kits later, Lightwing. Squirrelkit opened her eyes today, and I think Graykit will be opening hers tomorrow."
"What about Leafkit?"
"She's not as impatient as her sisters. Once her eyes open I'll let them leave the nursery for the first time," Scruffystar purred softly.
"I can see them already. Waddling around the camp and getting into trouble."
"Just wait until they become apprentices. Then they'll be proper pawfuls." It was Lightwing's turn to purr as the two imagined the future of their kits.
