Chapter 12

The next morning every cat in Riverclan was on edge and uptight. Owlear had stayed up the remained of the night tending to Birdsong's wounds. The black she-cat had been severely injured from the Twoleg's claw and she was expected to stay in Owlear's den for two more sunsets. Icepaw had her torn paw bandaged and covered in cobweb. Owlear had told her she couldn't hunt or train for a day and she must leave the sticky spider web on the wound. But the real tragedy was Greybelly's death.

The day after the attack the clan had gathered around the dead warrior's body and paid their respects. Icepaw had crouched on the hot earth and felt as hollow as the nursery tree when she touched her nose to Greybelly's cold pelt. Icepaw even managed to feel a pang of sorrow and pity for Fernfoot, who was Greybelly's mate, as she rested her head on her dead love's flank.

The morale in the camp was very low. Every cat was solemn. The elders carried Greybelly's body out to be buried at sunhigh. Fernfoot trailed along after them, muttered that she was going hunting. When her back was turned, Silverstar indicated that Miststorm should follow the black and white warrior and make sure she was safe. As Miststorm padded out of the camp, Coldsnow entered, looking tired and forlorn. Icepaw knew he had spent the day fishing and hunting for the clan. She hadn't been allowed to go and help him but she didn't think she be able to assist her mentor even if she could go; she was so distracted from the Twoleg attack that she could barely eat properly. Owlear had noticed and given Icepaw some thyme to sooth her nerves. Willowkit had taken to helping Owlear carry the herbs around as he checked up on all the cats involved in the battle. Icepaw could tell Owlear was glad of the help.

Icepaw was sharing tongues with Rainpaw when the elders, Miststorm, and Fernfoot returned to the camp. Icepaw had her eyes half-closed in a state close to sleep, having her head being washed by Rainpaw, when Silverstar yowled,

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather at Tallrock."

Icepaw felt her eyes snap open; Rainpaw jumped to his feet. The two apprentices trudged over to the rock. Icepaw had never seen the call of Silverstar draw so many cats so quickly before. The whole clan was situated in front of their leader faster than Icepaw could say 'slow slug.'

Icepaw shuddered. She couldn't get the memory of that Twoleg swinging his claw around out of her mind.

Rainpaw pressed his warm body up against hers and gave her an affectionate lick on the shoulder. Icepaw nestled her head against his, glad for his company. He had been there, he knew what it was like.

"A great calamity has hit Riverclan. One cat is dead. Another is gravely injured," Silverstar started. Her words were punctuated with sniffles and soft mewls from Fernfoot. Icepaw's heart pricked with sympathy for Fernfoot again.

"However the damage could have been much, much worse. I hate to think what would have happened if we hadn't been made aware of the Twoleg. So we must recognize the cat that alerted us to this danger and may have saved us all: Icepaw."

Icepaw felt the eyes of Riverclan turn to her, staring in a mixture of sorrow, pride, and respect. Icepaw pressed herself a little closer next to Rainpaw.

"I would also like to acknowledge the wonderful display of skills Rainpaw showed. These two apprentices used their heads and helped to drive out a force that could have totaled our camp," Silverstar continued, nodding her head to an embarrassed Rainpaw. "And finally, let us thank our newest member of Riverclan, Seakit, for alerting our senior warrior to the danger. She has proven her loyalty to Riverclan."

Rosetail pushed Seakit out in front of her, letting the kitten bear the gazes of the other cats. Fernfoot suddenly stood and walked over to Seakit. Icepaw rose so fast, her head spun a little from dizziness. She felt her claws unsheathe, ready to protect Seakit.

But Fernfoot hunched down next to the kit and said clearly and loudly for the whole camp to hear, "Thank you Seakit."

Icepaw gaped at the warrior. Fernfoot then turned and dragged her feet back to her place next to Wingfeet. Icepaw somehow knew that Fernfoot's graciousness towards Seakit was an indirect apology to Icepaw. Icepaw managed to catch the other cat's eye and nodded once, her eyes full of remorse. Fernfoot twitched her ear in understanding. Icepaw turned her attention back to Silverstar, grateful for Fernfoot's reaction. The she-cat could have easily been angry with Icepaw for being the one to find her mate's body. But she hadn't been and Icepaw wouldn't forget that.

"Icepaw is not yet experienced enough or old enough to become a warrior, and though I applaud and respect her efforts to save our clan, I cannot give her a warrior name yet. However Rainpaw is an skilled and an accomplished apprentice. I believe it is time for him to receive his warrior name," Silverstar said strongly. Icepaw gasped and looked to her side. Rainpaw didn't look surprised at all. He looked apologetically at her.

"Birdsong and Silverstar told me last night. I said you should be made a warrior too but-"

"Oh shut up you stupid furball," exclaimed Icepaw happily, "Congratulations! You deserve it." Icepaw licked her friend's ear and pushed him forwards to Tallrock with her head. Rainpaw nervously stepped up to Tallrock, his mottled fur gleaming.

Icepaw noticed that the crowd of cats was parting like fish in a river, making way for a lithe black cat being supported by Owlear. It was Birdsong. She steadily made her way up to Tallrock and sat down by her apprentice. Even though she looked worse for wear, with cobwebs on half her body, no cat could deny the pride in her eyes as she looked at Rainpaw.

"Birdsong, are you satisfied that this apprentice is ready to become a warrior?" Silverstar asked.

"Yes, he is ready," Birdsong said, her voice hoarse and cracked.

"I, Silverstar, leader of Riverclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand and follow the warrior code and he has shown a great deal of courage and loyalty to Riverclan. Rainpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Rainpaw seemed to glow with self-assurance. He raised his grey and black head to sky and said, "I do."

Icepaw felt her heart bursting with happiness for her den mate. He was the one apprentice she felt deserved to be a warrior. He was kind and courageous and extremely faithful to the Clan. Icepaw felt herself smiling.

"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. Rainpaw, from this moment on you shall be known as Rainwhisker."

Silverstar vaulted from Tallrock and walked over to where Rainwhisker was standing. She gently put her muzzle on his shoulder. Icepaw watched as Rainwhisker licked his clan's leader's should in return.

"You will sit vigil alone tonight, Rainwhisker," Silverstar proclaimed, "And it is especially important for you to pay attention tonight. The Twolegs might return."

"Thank you, I understand," Rainwhisker said.

The rest of the clan began to cry out his name. Icepaw joined in, trying out her friend's new name.

"Rainwhisker! Rainwhisker!"

Icepaw and Tinypaw flew up to their old den mate and nuzzled their heads against his flank.

"We're going to miss you in the apprentice den," Tinypaw said.

"I hope you guys join me soon," Rainwhisker said, his eyes lingering on Icepaw.

"Oh we will. You can count on that," Icepaw said stoutly. Rainwhisker gave a purr of laughter. Soon other cats pushed forward, wanting to congratulate the new warrior. Icepaw stepped back, the exhilaration of the warrior ceremony wearing off. She sighed. Her chance to become a warrior had be snatched away from her due to her own inexperience, even though she had proved herself last night. Icepaw, not watching where she was going, accidentally walked into another cat.

"Icepaw," said the deep voice of her mentor.

Icepaw slowly looked up. Coldsnow was smiling faintly at her. She noticed his fur was sticking up from the ointment Owlear had rubbed on his pelt.

"Hello Coldsnow." Icepaw hadn't had a chance to talk to her mentor since the night before because of the death of Greybelly and Rainwhisker's warrior ceremony.

"Icepaw, you may not have been made into an official warrior, but to me, you are a true warrior," Coldsnow said bluntly. "You proved yourself beyond my expectations. You saved the clan. I could not be more proud of you."

Icepaw's ears grew hot. These type of compliments from her mentor and the senior warrior weren't given out lightly.

"Thank you," she said, almost inaudible.

"I know you're not supposed to train, but would you like to come on a border patrol with me?" Coldsnow asked, his voice stern but his eyes sparkling with warmth.

Icepaw felt her heart expand in gratefulness to her mentor. The truth was she was going a little stir-crazy in the camp.

"Oh yes," she said, flexing her claws.

Coldsnow smiled.

"Let's go."