Chapter 15
"A Burst Of Energy."
8/9/16
Stealthpaw first feels her paws in a river stream. The river's currents grew stronger and swept Stealthpaw into the raging waters. She sees the dark clouds over her head as lightning flashes from above. Stealthpaw sees an owl swooping straight from the clouds and, with its talons outstretched, sank its talons on her head!
Stealthpaw feels paws stomping on her head and woke up to see Sneezepaw glaring at her.
"For StarClan's sake, you were waking us up! Get moving, Seabreeze is looking for you."
Troutpaw leaves the den without waiting for a reply. Stealthpaw rubs her head and growled in annoyance with the dark brown tom.
I thought I was done with jerks, now I gotta deal with this Flameclaw wannabe!
It was no secret that Sneezepaw admires Flameclaw since he came out of the nursery, but compared to the dark ginger tom, Sneezepaw was complete loudmouth and nuisance!
His sister Dawpaw was the nicer one, and Troutpaw was a jokester like Stoatpaw.
But if cats had blood pressure issues, Sneezepaw rose Stealthpaw's like water filling a cup.
And he always goes after her! Not Squirrelpaw or Stoatpaw, just her!
What was this cat's deal?!
Stealthpaw exists the apprentices den and sees every cat doing their chores, as usual. Their mother Birdwish went back to her warrior duties when Dawnpaw, Troutpaw and Sneezepaw became apprentices three days ago.
Dawnpaw was already leaving with Brightpool and Troutpaw left with Volefang.
Seabreeze was the only one left… But then Stealthpaw sees Sneezepaw and Leopardstrike, his mentor.
Fuuuuck! Stealthpaw hissed mentally. Leopardstrike still hasn't forgiven her for what happened to Pounceclaw, which was almost two moons ago.
"Stealthpaw," Seabreeze said. "We're going to have your warrior assessment today."
"You mean?..."
"Yes, we're going to see whether you're prepared to become a warrior." Seabreeze told her.
Stealthpaw felt her ear tips warm up.
"I thought since this is Sneezepaw's first time, you can show him how to fight." Seabreeze puts in.
Stealthpaw tilts her head.
"Are you coming with us?"
Please say yes!
Seabreeze shook her head.
"No, I have, uh, important business with Thornstar today."
Son of a mother!
"Okay, Seabreeze."
The silver she cat dips her head to Leopardstrike and leaves. The gold brown tom narrowed his eyes on Stealthpaw.
"You two can eat before we leave."
Stealthpaw quickly ran toward the fresh kill pile and eats a rabbit.
"If I'm going against you, then this should be an easy win."
Stealthpaw glared at the smirking Sneezepaw.
"You shouldn't judge your opponent before you fight them, that's just plain stupid."
"I bet you know a lot about stupid, slow cat."
Stealthpaw whirled around - smacks her bushy tail across Sneezepaw's muzzle, and pads toward Leopardstrike, with Sneezepaw close behind her.
The golden brown warrior nods in satisfaction.
"Alright, let's go."
Leopardstrike took the two apprentices to the clearing. He sits down and says,
"Every warrior must learn to fight in order to protect ourselves and defend our Clan.
You two will reuse the moves we taught you - with your claws sheathed - and fight to the best of your abilities. Stealthpaw, come here!"
The golden she cat jumped at the sudden command. She pads toward him, and Leopardstrike uses his paw to apply pressure to her own as she reveals long, white claws.
"Your claws are just as long enough to deal a blow. In fact, Tigerstar was said to have claws like these."
Leopardstrike backs up.
"You two are going to try subdue the other and keep your opponent down for three seconds."
Leopardstrike lashed his tail. "Begin."
Stealthpaw stands up as Sneezepaw smirks.
"Get ready, rogue!"
Really? That's the best insult he has?
Stealthpaw and Sneezepaw circle each other, keeping an eye on their movements.
Okay, if I could just-.
Sneezepaw suddenly pinned her down with both paws on her chest. She hissed and aimed for a mock bite, Sneezepaw jumped back as she quickly gets back on her paws.
"You didn't even warn me!"
"An enemy won't 'warn' you when they're going to attack." Leopardstrike retorted.
Sneezepaw lunged again, and Stealthpaw dodged it before slapping her paw on his nose. Stealthpaw charged and slams her head on Sneezepaw's chest and backs away to get a better distance from him.
"Is that all you got?!" Sneezepaw sneered. "You're so cowardly in your attacks, I don't know what that mouse brain Stoatpaw sees in you!"
Stealthpaw didn't know what, but something snapped in her mind when Stoatpaw was insulted. She dodged Sneezepaw's swipe and smacked her paw across his muzzle. Stealthpaw uses her tail to seep Sneezepaw's feet and knocks him down.
Stealthpaw quickly pins Sneezepaw with one paw on his cheek and two of her feet on his flank. Sneezepaw fought her, but she kept him down despite her petite size.
"Times up." Leopardstrike said. Stealthpaw removes herself from a hissing Sneezepaw as Leopardstrike gave her a grudging nod.
"You did good. Seabreeze taught you well." Stealthpaw can see the lingering negative emotions in his eyes.
"I'm sorry about Pounceclaw… But she came to me in a dream when I went to Moonpool."
Leopardstrike's eyes narrowed, but he kept silent.
"She's always watching over you, and your kits. And she loves you very much."
Leopardstrike stared at her, and he bows his head.
"I know she is… Thank you for sharing this."
Stealthpaw pads into the camp that afternoon as she spots Seabreeze and Thornstar talking quietly to each other, their tails were entwined. Only now did Stealthpaw notice the closeness between her mentor and ThunderClan's leader.
Leopardstrike looked at them and coughed. Thornstar's fur bushed up while Seabreeze's eyes widen with surprise.
Thornstar quickly regained his composure when he looks at Leopardstrike.
"Yes, brother?" Thornstar said.
They're brothers?! Stealthpaw notices the matching golden brown pelts on the toms, and mentally smacks herself for not noticing that sooner.
"Stealthpaw has done well in her training, I agree with Seabreeze that she should be made a warrior."
Thornstar nodded.
"Good. Stoatpaw and Squirrelpaw will be with her when I make an announcement."
Seabreeze nuzzles Stealthpaw. "I'm so proud of you. I'm glad you're becoming a warrior, because…"
Stealthpaw notices a round bump on Seabreeze's stomach.
"You're expecting kits! Is Thornstar your mate now?"
Seabreeze nods, happiness shining in her emerald green eyes.
She deserves it, especially after what Crowstar did. Stealthpaw thought.
Stealthpaw leaves the grown cats and found… Stoatpaw balancing a vole on his head, with Squirrelpaw watching as he fights a smile.
Unfortunately for them, Mooneye seems to know what he was doing, and smacked Stoatpaw on his ears.
"Didn't Stormfoot teach you the warrior code?! Now get, Thornstar's waiting for ya!"
Stoatpaw scampered away making "whoop, whoop" sounds like Curly, Squirrelpaw followed a bit more calmly. Mooneye turns his blind gaze on Stealthpaw fondly.
"Go on little one, or your next."
Stealthpaw pads to Squirrelpaw and Stoatpaw as they sat in a line. Thornstar summoned the cats to High Rock.
"I am pleased to announce that we will have three new warriors today. Squirrelpaw, please step forward."
The bushy tailed brown tom pads toward Thornstar.
"Dapplepelt," he addressed the calico she cat. "Is Squirrelpaw ready to become a warrior?"
"Yes, he is." She replied.
Thornstar looks at Squirrelpaw.
"Squirrelpaw. Do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and protect your Clanmates, even if it costs you your life?"
"I do."
Thornstar touches his nose on Squirrelpaw's shoulder.
"Then from now on, you shall be known as Squirreltail. May your calmness and cooperative nature be remembered, as we welcome a full member of ThunderClan."
Squirreltail licks Thornstar's shoulder and pads next to Dapplepelt.
Stoatpaw whispers to Stealthpaw. "Wish me luck ~."
Stoatpaw pads to Thornstar.
"Stormfoot," he addressed the blue grey tom. "Is Stoatpaw ready to become a warrior?"
Stoatpaw held his breath and closed his eyes, waiting for Stormfoot to answer.
"Yes he is." He replied.
Stoatpaw breaths out in relief and stood up straight when Thornstar's gaze fell on him.
"Stoatpaw. Do you promise to uphold the warrior code, even if it costs you your life?"
"You bet your sweet bippy I do!" He said. Several cats purred with amusement, Stealthpaw even bit her lip to keep herself from laughing.
"Say it right you upstart!" Mooneye yowled from the elders side. Stoatpaw chuckles.
"I do."
Thornstar had amusement in his eyes and nods. He bends down and touches Stoatpaw's head.
"Then from now on, you shall be known as Stoatfrost. May your… Positivity and energy be remembered, as we welcome you as a full member of ThunderClan."
Stoatfrost licks Thornstar's shoulder and sits next to Stormfoot.
"Stealthpaw, please step forward."
The golden she cat pads slowly as she feels everyone staring at her, but she didn't feel uncomfortable about it.
"Seabreeze." He said to the pale silver she cat. "Is Stealthpaw ready to become a warrior?"
"Yes, she's more than ready." Seabreeze replied.
"Stealthpaw." He said to the golden she cat. "Do you promise to uphold the warrior code, even if it costs you your life?"
"I-I do." She said.
Thornstar touches his nose on her head, a million names went through her head.
Stealthleaf? Stealthwind? Stealth..something?
"Stealthpaw." He said, Stealthpaw tenses up. "You shall be known as Stealthfire."
"Stealthfire!" The gold she cat gasps, cutting him off. A few cats purred while the older ones bristled at the broken tradition taking place.
Thornstar smiled.
"Yes, Stealthfire. May your kindness and enthusiasm be remembered, as we welcome you as a full member of ThunderClan."
Stealthfire licked Thornstar's shoulder and stepped down as her Clanmates chants her name.
"Squirreltail! Stoatfrost! Stealthfire!"
Duckheart, Foxflame, Flameclaw, Rainstorm and Sweetflower approach the three new warriors with happiness.
"We're all finally together again!" Sweetflower cheered.
"Congratulations you guys." Duckheart said, nuzzling Squirreltail.
Stealthfire heard voices from the nursery, and sees Leopardstrike's kits and Timberkit talking among each other.
"I want Squirreltail as my mentor!" Said Gingerkit.
"I want Flameclaw!" Redkit exclaimed.
"Oh yeah? Well I want Stealthfire as my mentor!" Spottedkit said.
"No, I do!" Timberkit told her. "No! I want Stealthfire!" Spottedkit snapped.
Rainstorm smirks at Stealthfire.
"Looks like you've got two fans."
The sun began to set when Stealthfire sees Stoatfrost pad toward her.
"Stealthfire, can we take a walk?"
Stealthfire blinks at him. "Sure! Where are we going?"
"Nowhere special." Stoatfrost replied. Stealthfire and Stoatfrost leave the thorn barrier and made it to the lake. The sun turned the lake red and gold.
"We have to take our vigil tonight." He told her.
"Yeah, I hope it doesn't rain tonight."
Stoatfrost dug his claws in the dirt, and glanced at Stealthfire. The sunset complemented her bright gold fur coat. And her fox like tail was neatly covering her paws.
She's beautiful.
Stoatfrost never felt like this about any she cat, not even for the ones he flirts with. Stealthfire just draws him near her. He doesn't know why.
She was always aloof from his advances. Stealthfire was even standoffish around him for the first few days until she became this bright, kind she cat before him.
Just tell her! Tell her, you mouse heart!
Stoatfrost took a deep breath and said,
"Stealthfire."
The golden she cat looks at him curiously.
"You know… We're friends, right?"
Stealthfire nods. "Of course we are."
"Then, how would you feel if we became...more than friends?"
Stealthfire blinks at him slowly.
"Oh Stoatfrost." He caught his breath and prepared to say the three words, but Stealthfire says,
"You wanna be best friends? Why didn't you say so?"
Friends.
Friends.
Friends.
Stealthfire presses her nose on Stoatfrost's cheek.
"Come on, Thornstar might be looking for us."
Stealthfire pads back to camp, leaving Stoatfrost with his thoughts. Duckheart appeared and saw the distraught look on his face.
"What's wrong? I just saw Stealthfire go back."
Stoatfrost bowed his head and slumped his tail on the ground.
"I've got friend zoned…"
Duckheart blinked. "Oh."
Stoatfrost sighed. "I don't understand…"
"Did she misunderstand you?" Duckheart asked. "Stealthfire's a little slow about these things."
Stoatfrost looks at Duckheart.
"So… You're saying I might have a chance?"
"If you try again, you might."
Stoatfrost smiles. "Thanks Duckheart. Maybe I'll repay you whenever you're ready to admit that you like Flameclaw."
The pale grey she cat became even more fluffy as she glared at him playfully.
"I most certainly do not! Especially not that stuck up tom!"
Stoatfrost laughed as he follows Duckheart back to camp. Him, Squirreltail, and Stealthfire stand in silence for their vigil. Stoatfrost stole a glance at the gold she cat on the other side of Squirreltail.
Yeah, the game's not over yet.
Two chapters in one day. I love that feeling ~. Also, be sure to check out my favorite stories and read and review some other authors.
Including Sierra. Stanley.52, who probably told you about this story, and who also has a series called "Heart Of Fire". If you're looking for a Genderbent Firestart story, she's your girl...or guy. (I'm not sure, don't kill me if I'm wrong.)
