CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Flamepaw's haunches wriggled with excitement as he assessed the clearing where Robinwing had taken him. After running through the forest with his mentor for what felt like moons, Flamepaw could suddenly understand why Robinwing was half WindClan.
The lithe brown and white tabby was fast. Faster than most of the ThunderClan warriors. Flamepaw had taken that to his advantage by asking Robinwing to race against him every now and then. Not only was a good way to help strengthen his stamina, but it also gave him a chance to increase his speed. That would give him a major advantage in a battle, if one were to ever happen.
Despite there being tension between ShadowClan and ThunderClan, the Clans had been oddly peaceful over the last few moons. Flamepaw doubted the peace would ever last – Oakfire had always commented on the fact that the Clans were itching for a fight somewhere. But it also left him worrying over what would happen when a fight did occur.
We're all prepared for battle, but do we really want to destroy how peaceful things have been? he wondered.
"Alright," Robinwing meowed, cutting through his thoughts. "Let me see how much you've learned since we've last sparred together."
Robinwing had been taking Flamepaw out on more border patrols and hunting patrols since their last argument. Ever since his mentor realized that he needed the push to prove himself, he'd been doing just that. Flamepaw found himself appreciating the fact that Robinwing was taking the time to push him further than any mentor normally would with their apprentice. Because of that, he'd begun to excel at hunting. He'd taken everyone by surprise when he returned one hunting trip with a large quarry of prey, and Robinwing had been bursting with pride over what Flamepaw had learned within such a short amount of time.
Once they got into position, Flamepaw studied Robinwing's movements carefully. He was anticipating that Robinwing would make the first move. When he didn't, Flamepaw frowned in confusion. His tail lashed from side to side as they stood there in a stand-off of sorts.
Before Robinwing had the chance to make his move, Flamepaw suddenly lunged forward. He just barely managed to swipe his paws across Robinwing's muzzle. But his mentor was faster. Flamepaw's eyes widened in surprise when Robinwing moved to the side and managed to send him tumbling to the sandy ground heartbeats later. Annoyance swept through Flamepaw when he realized too late what Robinwing had been planning.
"I thought I was better than that," he huffed irritably after recovering from his initial surprise.
He was more frustrated with himself than anything else. He had been working on maintaining patience during a mock-fight. But patience only got him so far when a warrior attacked him unexpectedly. He knew he would have been a sitting target for an enemy warrior if it had been a real fight.
"Look, not everything is as easy as you would think," Robinwing informed him in a matter-of-fact tone. Flamepaw's ears flicked back and forth irritably when Robinwing looked at him in amusement. "I know it isn't easy since you've been improving over the last couple of days. But think of this as a challenge – now you know what you need to improve on."
He hadn't thought of it like that. Flamepaw glanced at Robinwing in surprise when his mentor brought up a valid point.
"Okay, can we try that again?" he asked.
When Robinwing nodded in agreement, Flamepaw let out a sigh of relief. Robinwing was using the same tactics as before, but this time he was judging Flamepaw's every movement. Flamepaw used that to his advantage by doing something unexpected. Instead of going for his muzzle, Flamepaw rounded the corner and went for his hind-legs, catching Robinwing by surprise for the first time. Just when Robinwing tried spinning around to catch his opponent, Flamepaw ducked out of the way and used the same tactics once again.
By the time he'd run around Robinwing for a fourth time, his mentor was reeling in both confusion and dizziness. A purr threatened to erupt in Flamepaw's throat when Robinwing shook out his fur and huffed in annoyance. For a moment, Flamepaw was afraid that he'd gone too far this time when Robinwing took him by surprise.
"What did I tell you? Practice really does make perfect," he purred. Pride threatened to overwhelm him when Flamepaw realized that Robinwing was actually praising him. "Don't let it get over your head, furball," his mentor added with a look of amusement.
Even so, Flamepaw had to hold back a triumphant purr after he realized what Robinwing was implying. Despite his earlier mistakes, he was steadily improving. Maybe all he needed was the extra push to keep him improving.
Flamepaw was about to say something else when Kestrelpaw and Hazelpaw arrived with their mentors. He knew that their mentors were going to hold their warrior assessments today. According to Hazelpaw, it would be their last, and they were both bursting with excitement.
All at once, jealousy surged through him at the thought of watching other apprentices become warriors. Though he'd seen a ceremony before, he'd only been a kit at the time. It was at times like these when he wished that he was older and had more experience like them. But than Roseclaw's words came rushing back.
"Don't wish your life away," his mother had said when he admitted about wanting to leave the nursery. "One of these days, you'll be an elder and regret asking why you can't leave the elder's den."
He held back a sigh, knowing that at some point, his mother was right. Yet at the same time, he wanted to learn everything he could while he was young. He was determined to prove himself to the Clan, if anything to ensure that he was capable of protecting everyone he cared about.
"Come on, we should head back," Robinwing suddenly meowed when he caught the look written across Hazelpaw's face.
For a moment, Flamepaw was ready to argue when he thought better of it. He didn't miss the way Hazelpaw had been watching their every move, or that Oakfire was as well. His father had been keen on making sure that his kits were trained properly. Keeping an eye on Robinwing certainly wasn't going to help with the sudden tension.
His whiskers twitched with interest when they returned to camp. Cats were bustling about, either sharing tongues or fresh-kill. Flamepaw quickly spotted Lilypaw sitting outside the apprentice's den with her tail wrapped around her paws. His eyes lit up when he noticed how much more relaxed she looked compared to the last couple of days.
Ever since he'd tried talking to her about Stormshadow and the way he was treating her, Lilypaw had looked stressed out. Flamepaw tried comforting her best as he could, knowing it couldn't be easy dealing with a mentor like that. But at the same time, interfering only seemed to make things worse for her. So, Flamepaw began keeping his distance, but he still kept an eye on her every now and then.
"How was training?" he asked when he reached her.
Lilypaw tilted her head to one side as she studied his expression carefully before she answered, "It went well, surprisingly."
That was enough for Flamepaw to look at her with renewed interest.
"Stormshadow hasn't been too hard on you, has he?" he pressed.
I sure hope he hasn't, otherwise I won't be making his life easy, he thought angrily.
"No, he hasn't," she replied without missing a beat. Flamepaw couldn't help but look at her apprehensively when she threw him a wary look. "I think he's beginning to realize that I'm not just another strong apprentice… though he doesn't make it easy, he isn't pushing me as often as he had been."
Relief swept through Flamepaw when he realized she was being truthful. He could see in her eyes that she looked happier than she had in days. While she was still worn out from training so much, he suspected she would get used to it. He fought back a purr when Shrewpaw slipped out of the elder's den, narrowing his eyes in annoyance upon seeing his two siblings together.
"What are you so happy about?" he asked irritably.
"The fact that training has been going well," Flamepaw replied without missing a beat.
And it had been. He was grateful that Robinwing didn't seem to mind pushing him further. Most mentors would have been worried about letting their apprentices overwork themselves, but Flamepaw wanted to keep learning new fighting tactics.
Shrewpaw merely rolled his eyes at Flamepaw's response, though he didn't say anything else until Kestrelpaw and Hazelpaw returned. Since their assessment had been today, Flamepaw had little doubt they would become warriors. He couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy at the thought.
"We'll be next," Shrewpaw meowed as if he'd read Flamepaw's thoughts. Flamepaw looked at his brother incredulously. He wondered how Shrewpaw could switch from being grumpy to excited over a ceremony within seconds. "And we're gonna be the best warriors in the Clan."
"Oh please, knowing you you'll end up running with your tail between your legs at the sight of a ShadowClan warrior!" Lilypaw scoffed. Her whiskers twitched in amusement when Shrewpaw glared at her. "But don't worry, we'll be there to pull you out."
Shrewpaw only let out a huff of frustration and suddenly pounced on her. Flamepaw rolled his eyes at the sight as the pair started tussling, until Roseclaw cuffed them over the ears.
"That's enough, you two," she snapped. "That's no way to act during a ceremony."
Flamepaw held back a purr of amusement at the looks they were giving Roseclaw. Sometimes it was fun acting like kits, especially during times like these. But he wanted to prove to everyone that he was mature enough to be a warrior.
Even if Shrewpaw acts enough like a mousebrain that he deserves to get pummeled. Flamepaw glanced at his brother in annoyance, knowing that Shrewpaw would always find something to complain about. It was just something his brother did, and he and Lilypaw would often get the better of him for it.
"I believe now is a good time more than ever for us to hold the warrior ceremony," Petalstar meowed when she emerged from her den and stood at the top of the Highledge. Flamepaw watched her expectantly as he noticed how eager Hazelpaw and Kestrelpaw looked. "I, Petalstar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Hazelpaw, Kestrelpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your lives?"
"I do," Hazelpaw replied.
Her voice was brimming with confidence, and Flamepaw could tell that she had been practicing this on her own time. He almost purred in amusement at the thought. It was unnerving to be placed in front of the Clan and expect to remember everything out of the ceremony. He'd watched them enough times to know what to expect out of his own ceremony. But anyone who was new to the Clan and the code would have been overwhelmed with all the rules and changes.
"I do," Kestrelpaw replied with equal confidence.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Hazelpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Hazelwind. StarClan honors you for your spirit and strength, and we welcome you as a full member of ThunderClan."
There was a pause as Petalstar jumped down to press her nose against Hazelwind's forehead. Out of respect, Hazelwind gave her shoulder a lick before Petalstar glanced at Kestrelpaw.
"Kestrelpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Kestreltalon. StarClan honors you for your courage and bravery, and we welcome you as a full member of ThunderClan."
Kestreltalon let out a purr of approval as Petalstar did the same with him. Flamepaw watched the scene with a sudden surge of jealousy. He desperately longed to be part of the ceremony and become a warrior himself. But he knew that it would take time and patience before he became a warrior.
Besides, I wouldn't want to wish my life away, he reminded himself silently.
He still had moons to learn everything that Robinwing had experienced as a warrior. And eventually, he would be standing there in place of Hazelwind and Kestreltalon. His chest puffed out with pride at the thought.
"Hazelwind! Kestreltalon! Hazelwind! Kestreltalon!" The Clan cheered their names, and Flamepaw couldn't help but join in.
The ceremony had come to an end, and Flamepaw found himself grabbing a mouse from the fresh-kill pile afterwords. With dusk settling in, it was time for everyone to share tongues or leave for border patrols. Flamepaw himself was lucky enough not to be sent on another night patrol. He didn't mind the night time, but being in the darkness bothered him. He wasn't even sure why, but something told him it had to do with his dreams.
He closed his eyes as he tried to picture one of his many nightmares. A forest far from the lake that was surrounded by trees of all kinds. This forest was untouched by Twolegs. It had always provided food, shelter and protection from outsiders. But there were dark times as well. Flamepaw shuddered as he remembered a clearing that was stained red with blood, and the ground littered with bodies.
"Flamepaw!" He blinked at the sound of Lilypaw's voice. Flamepaw looked at her in surprise when he noticed how worried she looked. "Flamepaw, are you okay? It was like you just zoned out or something…"
"I'm fine," he reassured her. "I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed by what will happen next."
Lilypaw tilted her head to one side and looked doubtful. She knew her brother better than he realized. Something was wrong, and he wasn't sharing that information with her or Shrewpaw.
