Warriors
Chapter 10
I ate dinner that night with Cinderwing, Kite, Eiffel, and Calluse and we had some interesting conversations about herbs that healed this wound or a herb that cured a cat of a bad cough and it was pretty interesting, but half of it I missed, because I was too busy worrying about my ceremony. What if I messed up? What if I wasn't ready?
"You poor thing," kite's sympathetic voice broke me out of my thoughts and I turned my attention to the others who were all looking at me. "You look so worried, its basically eating you all up," Kite added and I shrugged and finished my mouse.
"Everyone gets nervous that's all," I said dismissing the matter as I began to groom my fur so that I looked nice for the ceremony.
"I'm sure," Eiffel teased and I glared at him. I wanted to snap at him, but Willowtail walked into the den at that moment. I had just finished grooming myself and she stopped and looked me up and down and I saw pride gleaming in her eyes.
"You look beautiful," Willowtail said and I walked forward and we touched noses. "I need to talk to you before the ceremony," Willowtail whispered to me and I nodded.
"Will you all be coming to the ceremony?" I asked as I turned back to the others.
"Of course," Cinderwing said as if the answer had been written on his face the whole time.
"I'll see you later then," I said and Willowtail led me out of the den and into the clearing. The news of our ceremony had spread fast and I spotted several eyes watching as Willowtail led me over to a quiet spot near a small fern with purple flowers just sprouting along the edges. She sat down and I sat across from her and I watched as she looked me up and down again and I felt a new wave of nervousness crash onto me and one question poke me like five thorns; What if I disappointed Willowtail?
"Twigpaw, you were my first apprentice," Willowtail began and I looked up at her. Pride seemed to be bursting from her fur and I had to purr. Willowtail had not only been my mentor, but my friend and in some ways my mother, who taught me the ways of a warrior like a normal queen taught her kits to behave and listen to their superiors. "I was so proud when I was named as your mentor and I couldn't have been given a better apprentice. I admired her attitude and personality. You were so content on learning everything there was I could teach you. You at fist were very hesitant and precise with what you did and at first it bothered me, but then I saw that you were just trying to be perfect and impress me. When I realized that I decided to see how much you really could do, so I tested you on all that I had taught you and stuff I hadn't even taught you and you answered everything I asked correctly, showed me all the battle moves and stalks I had taught you precisely, and then you told me that you were happy. When I was testing you, I noticed you looked so determined and a little frustrated when you thought you messed up or were trying to remember an answer and I thought that I had been a terrible mentor and that you weren't happy, but when you told me that you enjoyed the challenge and the thrill of it all I knew that I had finally proven to you, Puddlestar, and myself that I could handle this and that I was capable of being a mentor." Willowtail was looked at me intently to reply to what she had said, but I just nodded indicating for her to go on.
"It's not over yet and you know it," I whispered and Willowtail nodded.
"After that things got easier and clearer, I remember my training and apprenticeship and taught you the way I had been taught, but n the end I saw that you were doing different battle moves or different stalk techniques and I asked you about how you came to making them up, but you told me that I had taught them to you and I mean I was shocked. Soon you were just amazing, a great hunter, a very observant patroller, a fantastic fighter and everything I thought you would live up to be. I knew about a moon ago that your training was almost over, yet you still had so much to learn, but when I was talking to Kite yesterday, she told me how amazing you were in leadership, fighting and I was stunned and so proud of you that I thought that you were finally ready and here we are on the greatest night of your life and I don't care if you think you're not ready or you might disappoint me, but I know and truthfully you know deep down that you're ready for this and you've always had the warrior just waiting to come out and show itself to the clan and you've showed it more times than I have paid attention to see it, but tonight is the night that its going to come out and stay out and it's the night that I lose a very important part of my heart too." Willowtail's final words made me look straight into her eyes and I felt like crying, but I didn't instead I purred.
"Willowtail, now we can be closer than ever and even if Puddlestar or Honeyclaw never puts us on patrols together or we barely see each other, you'll always be my mentor, my friend, and my one and only idle," I whispered and I saw tears well in Willowtail's eyes, but none fell down her cheeks, she just blinked and they were gone.
"I love you Twigpaw," Willowtail whispered and we stood up and touched noses and just that little connection brought me back to when I had become an apprentice…
Flashback
7 moons previously
I bounced excitedly as I stood beside my mother who was trying to keep me still. Puddlestar was speaking a few words to the clan before he stopped and silence fell. I sensed the importance of this silence and stopped bouncing around and sat obediently at my mother's side.
"Tonight we name yet another apprentice, this moon," Puddlestar announced and I let my gaze wander over to my two friends Smokepaw and Nightpaw who had been made apprentices only 8 sunrises before me. I looked up at my mother who looked down at me, pride and encouragement shone in her eyes like bright stars in the dark sky. "Twigkit please step forward," Puddlestar said and I took a deep breath before I stepped forward so I was sitting in front of everyone in the clan. "Twigkit from this moment forth you will be know as Twigpaw," Puddlestar and excitement and worry boiled inside me fiercely as Puddlestar's gaze flickered out over the crowd before stopping at the front of the crowd. "Willowtail you are ready for your first apprentice, you will mentor Twigpaw," Puddlestar said and a silvery-gray she-cat with amber eyes stepped forward. I remember her bringing some prey to the nursery sometimes and she would speak with my mother sometimes when I was playing with Smokepaw and Nightpaw. I stood up and started padding towards Willowtail and when we were close enough we touched noses and really it was a magical moment that I swore I would remember for the rest of my life.
End Flashback
We drew apart and remembrance shone in Willowtail's eyes and I knew she was thinking of the same memory I had been. I glanced around the clearing quickly and spotted Smokepaw, Mosspaw, and Nightpaw quickly grooming themselves while their mentors talked to them semi-privately.
"All cats old enough to catch their own prey please gather beneath the highrock for a clan meeting," Puddlestar's called rang clearly throughout the clearing and I looked over and saw him standing upon the highrock looking proud and excited. Honeyclaw was already seated beneath the highrock and some of the other warriors joined her. Others sat behind them or a little bit closer to the den. I saw the elders padding out from their den and I saw Ferncloud and Leafpool looking at me proudly like Willowtail had been. Brackenpaw and Hazelpaw sat beside them while Bramblemark and Berrytail sat down closer to their den. Finally I saw Cinderwing emerge from his den with Kite, Calluse, and Eiffel. They sat down where Cinderwing usually sat, so that they could survey the whole clan if they wanted, but they sat obediently and set their gazed straight forward.
"Are you ready?" Willowtail turned to me and I looked at her and licked her shoulder.
"Now I am," I said and Willowtail nodded and she led me over to where the others were seated in the front. I saw next to Nightpaw and he glanced at me excitedly.
"Tonight is a wonderful night, good news seems to be rising with the sun, every day," Puddlestar began and then he looked up at the stars. "First off I would like to announce that I have decided that the three rogues, kite Eiffel and Calluse shall stay with us until so long as they wish to leave, Kite shall help Cinderwing while Eiffel and Calluse shall become warriors, as they will hunt and fight like anyone else," Puddlestar announced and loud roars of applause came from the clan as if the decision had been long overdue…even Berrytail and Bramblemark didn't object or make any comments. I glanced over at the three rogues who all looked shocked and quite flattered. "Now what we've all been anticipating," Puddlestar said and complete silence fell across the crowd and Puddlestar jumped down from the highrock, landing gracefully on his paws his eyes gleaming fiercely in the light the moon gave off.
"This is it," Nightpaw whispered to me and I nodded, while I really felt like smacking him for talking, especially during our own ceremony.
"Sunstreak, Oakfur, Willowtail, Pebblefoot have your apprentices earned the right to become warriors?" Puddlestar asked loudly and I glanced at Willowtail and then I saw everyone's eyes on us.
"Yes," Pebblefoot spoke up first his head raised in pride.
"No doubt in my mind," Sunstreak added and he glanced at Nightpaw with a more loving glance then a mentoring glance.
"Yes," Oakfur said and I glanced at Willowtail who was the only one who hadn't said anything yet. She was staring directly at Puddlestar, but I couldn't read what was in her eyes, but I could definitely sense the hesitation she gave off, but what seemed like moon for me turned out to be only a mere few seconds.
"Of course," Willowtail said and relief washed over me like when rain feel too fast and it basically pelted you.
"Nightpaw, Smokepaw, Twigpaw, and Mosspaw please step forward," Puddlestar said and some of the cats shifted and the four of us stood and came forward obediently. Puddlestar looked up at the sky, pride and excitement in his eyes. "I, Puddlestar, leader of Shadowclan call upon our sacred ancestors to look down on these four apprentices. They have trained hard to learn the ways of your noble code and I commend them to you warriors in their turn. Nightpaw, Twigpaw, Smokepaw, and Mosspaw do you all promise to uphold the code of our ancestors, to protect and defend this clan even with the cost of your life?" Puddlestar asked and I felt wonderful, exhilarated.
"Yes," Nightpaw said proudly.
"Yes," Smokepaw whispered.
"Yes," Mosspaw squeaked excitedly.
"Yes," I said with as much courage and pride as I could muster up.
"Then by the powers that our ancestors have granted upon me, I give you your warrior's names. Nightpaw from this moment on you shall be known as Nightwind, the clan honors your courage and wisdom and we welcome you as a warrior of Shadowclan," Puddlestar said and he rested his head on Nightwind's head and Nightpaw licked his shoulder in thanks. "Mosspaw, from this moment on you shall be known as Mossflame, the clan honors your quick thinking and your energy and we welcome you as a full warrior of Shadowclan," Puddlestar with a hint of amusement in his voice. Mossflame's whiskers twitched in amusement as Puddlestar rested his chin on her head and she licked his shoulder. Puddlestar then stared straight at Smokepaw. "Smokepaw from this moment on you shall be known as Smokeheart, the clan honors your strength and kindness and we welcome you as a full warrior of Shadowclan," Puddlestar whispered and he rested his chin on Smokeheart's head and he licked Puddlestar's shoulder in return.
Nervousness struck me like a thorn in my paw and my first thoughts we were to just run and hide behind Willowtail and just have her protect me forever, but then I told myself that this was my time, my time to show everyone that I had done it, made it through apprenticeship to become a warrior the one who would hunt and fight for the clan with every scrap of energy I had. Puddlestar was staring at me intently and he stepped slightly closer.
"Twigpaw from this moment on you shall be known as Twigstripe, the clan honors your friendship and determination and we welcome you as a full warrior of Shadowclan," Puddlestar announced and even though it only took about a few seconds it was going to last for many moons in my heart. Puddlestar rested his chin on his head and I licked his shoulder. He stood back and nodded as if to signal he was done or just because he felt like it.
"Nightwind! Smokeheart! Mossflame! Twigstripe!" I could hear Willowtail's voice distinctively in the crowd and it made me want to start crying, but I stopped it and just turned to face my clanmates with my friends as they cheered for us. Soon we were surrounded by many cats, warriors and apprentices, elders and queens who were congratulating us. It felt good, but one face was missing from the crowd…Willowtail. As the others cleared away I tried to spot her pelt in the crowd, but no sights.
"You don't think I wouldn't congratulate you," I jumped and turned to see Willowtail right behind me and I was about to say so much to her, but I didn't as I remembered the silent oath I had to keep tonight until sunrise. I just simply nodded and amusement flickered in Willowtail's eyes.
"Willowtail," Cinderwing padded up with Eiffel, Calluse, and Kite trailing behind him. "You've raised her well," Cinderwing said and Willowtail purred and dipped her head to Cinderwing. "Well Twigstripe, I can't say that I'm not proud of you and…" Cinderwing trailed off as he leaned in really close to me. "You're destiny shows the path pf a warrior to be hard for you, but trust me you'll pull through, because your strong like that," Cinderwing concluded and I nodded and we both touched noses.
"Congratulations," Kite said and I blinked in thanks. "Why do you not reply?" Kite asked, confused.
"When a new warrior or warriors in this case are named after their ceremony they are to keep a silent watch of the camp all night until sunrise when they can speak again and go sleep in their new den," Willowtail explained quickly and I again blinked my thanks, but it was aimed towards my mentor this time.
"Okay, still very weird, but I'll get used to it," Calluse murmured and then I felt soft fur brush against my pelt. I turned to see Nightcloud who nodded to the rogues, Cinderwing, and Willowtail and then flicked his tail towards the center of the camp where Mossflame, Smokeheart, and Honeyclaw were waiting. I nodded and waved my tail in goodbye and then followed Nightcloud to the center of camp.
"Okay now that you're all here," Honeyclaw began. "I just want to say congratulations and that the whole clan is proud of you, tonight as you know you must sit a silent vigil and watch over the camp, at sunrise either I or Puddlestar will come to relieve all of you, good luck and goodnight," Honeyclaw said and then padded into the warriors den. I looked up at the moon and held back a long sigh. I didn't like silence it bothered me, because it always worried me that something bad was going to happen, but I shook myself and focused on the task ahead. I was determined to prove to everyone that I am ready to be a warrior and that Puddlestar made no mistake…and maybe Cinderwing didn't either. Maybe my future held a Twigstar or just Twigstripe the elder or the queen…I glanced at my friends who were all staring straight ahead each lost in their own thoughts of how awesome it was to finally be a warrior, but I knew that one day I was probably going to rule over all of them, everyone and everyone will remember my name for I will not fail even if its just a queen, a elder or a simply warrior, but I know that I am ready to begin a whole new start, a whole new Twigstripe.
By sunrise I am tired, exhausted and grumpy and I saw the same exhaustion in Mossflame's eyes, but Smokeheart and Nightcloud still looked alert and awake and I admired their strength. The sun was just emerging when I heard pawsteps and I looked over my shoulder and saw Puddlestar padding towards us. His fur was neatly groomed and he looked wide awake and just as alert as Nightcloud and Smokeheart. He padded around Mossflame and then stopped in front of us.
"You all have done a wonderful job. You may for 1) speak and 2) get some rest, your lives of warriors have just begun," Puddlestar said and as if on cue, Owlwhisker and Vineclaw padded out of the warriors den and Brackenpaw bounded out of the apprentices den. All four cats disappeared out of the camp and I let out a long needed sigh. It felt good and seemed to relax me more and I wish I had let it out last night, but I didn't know if that counted as speaking or not, but now I could officially let it out.
"You both look exhausted," Smokeheart said his gaze traveling from me to Mossflame, but I saw his gaze linger on Mossflame seconds longer than it did on me.
"You two look chipper and giddy," Mossflame mumbled as she stifled a yawn.
"I'm just as tired, but I know how to conceal it," Smokeheart replied and he and Mossflame padded towards the warriors den. Nightcloud started to follow them, and then he looked back at me. I was still sitting watching as the sun slowly rose into the sky, like a queen giving birth to a kit it was basically the universe giving birth to a new day.
"Are you okay?" Nightcloud asked and I nodded solemnly.
"It's weird," I whispered and Nightcloud looked slightly puzzled. "I always thought being a warrior really would change me, you know make me someone different someone that a cat had to make sure it was me before moving on, but I feel just like an apprentice, young and inexperienced," I explained and Nightcloud sat back down beside me and pressed his soft fur against my flank.
"We all are young and inexperienced, but trust me you are a different cat," Nightcloud whispered and I looked at him expectantly. "Ever since the battle you've been…stronger, I guess. You always used to examine every little move or thought you made or said, but now you speak, fight, hunt, and act more openly and like a different cat sometimes I hardly recognize you, but I know you're the same old cat that I grew up with," Nightcloud added and I sight and I felt his tail upon mine and before I knew it our tails were entwined and we were just sitting there watching the sun rise as slow as a snail.
"I guess you're right," I murmured and Nightpaw nodded. "I may not see the difference in myself, but I'm going to make it scene by everyone," I added and Nightpaw shifted slightly, but he stayed close and out tails were still entwined. "Being a warrior is just like the sun rising it's a new chance to be beautiful, and perfect."
"Twigstripe," Nightcloud whispered softly in my ear. "You already are beautiful and perfect," Nightcloud said and I turned to look at him and saw the wonderful emotion I had wanted to see for so long and the same emotion I had held in for so long that finally was going to be released now.
"Nightcloud, being a warrior is a new chance for me…I mean us," I said and Nightcloud purred. "We can finally be all that we want and we can finally be together." The last few words just hung in the air and then our noses touched lightly and then we broke apart. Nightcloud and I then turned and watched as the sun continued to rise and I leaned my head onto his shoulder and I heard a soft purr rumble in his throat, but it died there as I realized how tired he must be and how truthfully Smokeheart had been talking, they had been just as tired, but had only just concealed it like I should have done, but that doesn't matter. I stand up and Nightcloud joins me as we finally go into the warriors den…as true warriors.