Chapter 7
Honeypaw padded into camp. It had been hours after the attack with Lionpaw and Heatherpaw. She sighed and dropped all of her fresh-kill into the fresh-kill pile. Her sister, Poppypaw, bounded over. "Can you believe we're going to finally be warriors!" the tortoiseshell she-cat exclaimed. Honeypaw's eyes instantly brightened up. She felt as though she had completely forgotten about the attack.
Honeypaw, Poppypaw and Cinderpaw sat in front of the apprentices den and groomed each other's pelts until all three of them shined beneath leaf-fall's golden sun. The three she-cats' mother, Sorreltail and their father, Brackenfur, came over to them. "Great, StarClan, you all look so beautiful," Brackenfur purred, pride showing in his eyes as he gazed at his daughters. Sorreltail pressed her fur against her eldest, Honeypaw. Then, she moved onto Poppypaw and the Cinderpaw.
"We're so proud of you three," Sorreltail meowed, her amber eyes glowing with pride as well.
Brackenfur sat down and wrapped his tail around his paws. "We both know you three will make excellent warriors that ThunderClan will be proud of," the golden brown tom mewed.
Honeypaw looked at her paws shyly. She couldn't believe it… finally a warrior. This was what she had been waiting for ever since she was made an apprentice. Just then, Sandstorm, her mentor padded over. Thornclaw and Cloudtail followed her. Cloudtail was Cinderpaw's mentor and Thornclaw was Poppypaw's.
The group of cats talked until sunset. A little but before that, Lionpaw and Hollypaw had returned from their hunting patrol. They had brought back enough fresh-kill to feed the Clan. Honeypaw didn't even look at Lionpaw.
"May all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the High Ledge for a Clan meeting," Firestar called out. All of the cats gathered in front of the High Ledge.
Honeypaw and her sisters were on top of the High Ledge.
Firestar stepped before them. Icekit and Foxkit were with their mother, Ferncloud to the side. The two kits were becoming apprentices. But Firestar was going to make the three apprentices warriors first.
"We gather beneath the golden sky for a special ceremony… one of my most favorites. Honeypaw, Poppypaw and Cinderpaw served as excellent apprentices, devoting their lives to protecting the Clan. It is time for them to become Warriors. StarClan, we gather before you to present these young cats. They have trained in your noble code and I commend them to you as a Warrior in their turn," Firestar meowed out loud. He stepped forward and looked at Cinderpaw. His green eyes sparkled with memory… but the three cats didn't know what the flame colored leader was thinking about.
"Cinderpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Cinderheart. We welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan. ThunderClan honors your strength and determination," the leader mewed loudly so the rest of the Clan could her. He rested his muzzle on top of Cinderheart's head and she licked his shoulder respectfully. "Cinderheart! Cinderheart!" the Clan chanted excitedly.
Firestar's green eyes showed with wisdom, but he wasn't at all that old. He was a senior tom, and older than a lot of the cats, but he was not old. He still had a long life ahead of him. He looked excited and happy. He moved on to Poppypaw. "Poppypaw, from now on, you will be called, Poppyleaf. ThunderClan welcomes you as a full warrior and honors both your fierceness and gentleness," Firestar meowed. "Poppyleaf! Poppyleaf!" the cats chanted. Firestar lay his muzzle on her head and she too licked his should with respect.
Honeypaw's heart was racing. She felt so excited, tingles were running from her ears to tail tip. Firestar moved over to her.
"Honeypaw, from this moment on, your name will be Honeywing