This is gonna be an exciting chapter!

Chapter 4: Decisions

Flowerpaw woke up when she heard an agonized wail coming from outside the den. Flowerpaw wen't outside the den just in time to see Sandclaw rush towards the nursery with a bundle of herbs in his mouth, as another wail echoed around the camp. Flowerpaw raced across the camp her muscles stretching with every stride. A moon had passed and Flowerpaws legs had gotten longer and her muscles had also gotten stronger. Flowerpaw reached the nursery as Sandclaw came out looking around, then spotting Flowerpaw.

"Go get some water! Quickly!" He ordered her

Flowerpaw did as she was told. She went to the stream going through the camp, down the path beside it to the Whispering Cave. She went into the cave until she found the shinning moss. She clawed a piece off, careful not to tear the piece apart, dipped it into the stream, then raced out towards the nursery. Flowerpaw went inside the nursery where she saw Sandclaw handing some herbs to Tuliptail to chew. Twilightsong was there too, mewing words of comfort to the troubled Queen. Flowerpaw hurried to Tuliptails side and set the moss soaked with water next to her head.

"Go ahead Tuliptail." Sandclaw told her "Take a drink."

Tuliptail took a drink of the water as a spasm racked her body. Sandclaw put his paw on her belly as another spasm went through Tuliptail. Sandclaw nodded then looking at Tuliptail calmly told her that she would be having two kits. Another spasm went through Tuliptail as a little bundle slipped into her nest. Sandclaw picked up the wet bundle and handed her the kit.

"Lick it's fur the wrong way." He told Flowerpaw

Flowerpaw licked the kit until he started mewling and by that time Tuliptail had stopped kitting. Flowerpaw picked up the kit she was licking and set it next to their mother. Sandclaw smiled at Tuliptail and nodded.

"You have a tom and a she-cat. I will leave you to care for them." Sandclaw told her then about to leave.

"Could you please send in Boulderfoot?" Tulipail asked

Sandclaw looked at her and nodded. Flowerpaw looked at the two tiny kits. The tom is jet black like Boulderfoot while the she-cat is light brown with black paws. Boulderfoot came in and looked at Tuliptail then at his kits, he smiled warmly to both of them and he sat down next to Tuliptail. He poked the kit that looked like him and the kit flailed his legs in protest.

"I would like to name this kit Lizardkit." Boulderfoot said

Tuliptail nodded her head touched her head to her other.

"This one will be called Sunkit."

Flowerpaw left the nursery to leave the two mates and their kits alone. Flowerpaw went to go find her mentor, Badgerface, She found him beside the Fresh-kill pile eating a sparrow. When Badgerface saw her, he quickly finished his sparrow and padded over to her.

"You will be having your first assessment today. You will be hunting with a partner to show that you can cooperate with others when you become a warrior."

"Alright. Will I be hunting with another apprentice?" Flowerpaw asked

"Yes, You will be hunting with Silverpaw, she will be giving the orders on what you should do."

Badgerface turned away to lead Flowerpaw up the trail then stopped and turned to look at her.

"Sandclaw told me you helped him with Tuliptail's kitting. I just want to say good job."

They continued up the trail to the training area where they saw Robinpaw, Jaypaw, Silverpaw, Lillypaw, Treeheart, Stormtail Owlpool, and Icestorm . Flowerpaw ran to the training area to stand between Silverpaw and Robinpaw. Stormtail stood in front of the apprentices to give them their instructions and partners.

"Silverpaw, you will be hunting with Flowerpaw. Jaypaw, you will be hunting with Lillypaw. Robinpaw, you will be hunting with Treeheart, since there aren't any other apprentices to pair you up with."

The apprentices went to their partners. When every cat had, Stormtail nodded and gave them their hunting instructions.

"The oldest apprentice will be giving the instructions on how to hunt. Icestorm, you will be giving Robinpaw her instructions. When you all think you caught enough prey, you come back to camp."

Silverpaw and Flowerpaw went in to the forest to begin their hunt. Silverpaw sniffed the air and crouched down, flicking her tail to Flowerpaw. Flowerpaw crouched down next to her and looked where Silverpaw was looking, only to see a squirrel nibbling on an acorn.

"I would like for you to go around to the other side and chase the squirrel to me." Silverpaw told Flowerpaw.

Flowerpaw did as she was told and slowly went around the squirrel, careful to keep her scent from blowing to it. She finally reached her spot and waited for a few heartbeats, then leaped out from her hiding spot towards the squirrel. The squirrel ran away from Flowerpaw into Silverpaws outstretched claws. Silverpaw bit the squirrels neck, killing it instantly. She looked up at Flowerpaw and gave a nod of approval while burying the catch.

"Let's keep going!" Silverpaw said excitedly.

SUNSET

Silverpaw and Lillypaw are sitting in front of the Rock-pile with Leafstar on top. Every cat had already gathered beneath the Rock-pile, waiting for Leafstar to start the ceremony.

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

Leafstar padded down the Rock-pile to stand in front of the two apprentices.

"Silverpaw, Lillypaw, do you promise to protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do." Silverpaw vowed

"I do." Lillypaw also vowed

"Then by the powers of Starclan I give you your warrior names. Silverpaw from this day forward you shall be known as Silverheart. Starclan honors your loyalty and compassion and welcomes you as a new warrior of Skyclan."

Leafstar touched Silverheart's head as Silverheart licked Leafstar's shoulders with respect.

"Lillypaw from this day forward you shall be known as Lillyleap. Starclan honors your battle skills and your agility and welcomes you as a full warrior of Skyclan."

Lillyleap licked Leafstar's shoulder as Leafstar touched Lillyleap's head. The two new warriors stepped back as the clan called their names.

"SIVERHEART, LILLYLEAP! SILVERHEART, LILLYLEAP!"

"In honor of our ancestors Lillyleap and Silverheart will sit a silent vigil until dawn." Leafstar announced

MOONHIGH

Flowerpaw walked into the abandoned Twoleg den where Flowerpaw and Blackbird had been meeting for the past moon. Flowerpaw looked around the den and to her joy saw Blackbird sitting next to the patch of catmint. Blackbird leaped up and ran to her, licking her ears when he reached her. They both sat down staring at the stars through the hole in the roof of the den. Flowerpaw was a little nervous because she wanted to ask Blackbird something a little personal.

"Blackbird?"

"Yes?"

"Where is your family?"

Blackbird blinked, confusion swimming in his eyes.

"Why do you want to know?" He asked

"It's just, you never talk about them."

"Promise you won't laugh?"

"Of course not!"

"Alright then." Blackbird said sighing "My mother and father are kittypets. I also have a brother named Alex, he was always my parents favorite. He is stronger, bigger, and a better fighter than me. He would always pick on me for being small, not even thinking about how it made me feel. Finally the day came for me and Alex to get a new home away from our parents. All the Twoleg kits ignored me. They went straight to Alex, going past me, even when I was in front of him. Alex finally got a new home but I was still living with my parents. They scorned me, saying how I am worthless and that no cat would want me. One day, when they were taking a nap, I left. I left and never went back, knowing that I would be mocked. I distinctly remembered hearing my mother telling me and Alex about her mother, saying that we shouldn't ever try to find her."

"Why is that?" Flowerpaw asked

"My mother thought she is a disgrace for being a rogue and catching her own food. Also saying that she lives a repulsive for living out in the cold, rain, and heat. But I did the opposite of what my mother told me to do. I went to find her mother so that she could teach me how to hunt and fight in the forest, so I could survive. I finally found her after a couple of days. She wasn't anything like I would expect. She was cranky, aggressive, and stubborn. But she agreed to teach me how to hunt and fight, to live out here."

"Where is she?"

"She travels around a lot, so I don't see her that much."

"Can I ask you another question?"

"Sure."

"Why don't you join the clan?"

Blackbird reeled back with surprise.

"Why would I want to?"

"Every cat is kin in the clan. Were all family to each other. Why don't you join?"

"It's a little sudden. I would have to think about it."

Tell me when you have your answer."

"I will."

Flowerpaw left the den to go back to the clan and get some sleep for training in the morning.

Authors note:

I am sorry for not updating for so long. But hey! It's up! I would really like for everyone to vote on my poll on whether or not Blackbird joins the clan. That's all I have to say for this chapter so please vote and review.