Chapter 15

A/N: This is the second to last chapter of this story. Yay!! I will try to get Resistance up as soon as possible.

Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors.

CINDERPAW'S POV

"It'll do for now," Cinderpaw meowed to her companion Berrypaw. The cream colored tom responded by purring and twining her tail with his.

"Warriors and apprentices, clear the camp, search for places to rest," Brambleclaw meowed from behind them. Ferncloud waved her tail.

"My kits need to rest," she wailed. Cinderpaw and Berrypaw joined Dustpelt and Sandstorm. Sandstorm's eyes traveled over Berrypaw and came to rest on Cinderpaw. The gray tabby shrunk back from the ginger she-cat's stare.

"Cinderpaw," Sandstorm meowed, her voice hollow. "I will be taking over your training." Cinderpaw had no choice but to nod her head. Sandstorm softened her gaze.

"All right. Let's get to work," she meowed. Berrypaw jumped up, waving his tail in anticipation. Cinderpaw joined her.

"You can start by clearing some of these thorns. Make some sort of a barrier, but leave room for shelter," she meowed. The two apprentices raced off to where the pile of brambles was the largest. Cinderpaw and Berrypaw each grabbed a pile of brambles and dragged them to the edge of the clearing, dropping them next to the other brambles. Cinderpaw started to trot back to the bramble pile, when Berrypaw pulled her over. The young tom's eyes were troubled.

"What is it?" She asked, worried. Berrypaw stared at his paws.

"Well, I just, if we do fight, well, one of us may, you know, die," Berrypaw meowed softly. Cinderpaw's eyed widened.

"Don't think like that, Berrypaw. Of course we won't die! And besides, if we're together, it's all okay, right?" She meowed, searching his face. Berrypaw nodded.

"That's right. Silly me, getting worked up over nothing. Let's get back to work," he meowed, straightening up. Cinderpaw pressed herself against him.

"I'm glad you're here," she meowed.

LEAFPOOL'S POV

Leafpool sat in the shade, watching the two apprentices. A purr rose in her throat. The two apprentices were growing up fast. It wouldn't be long before they became warriors.

"Hey, Leafpool!" Brackenfur meowed from behind her. Leafpool turned to face him. The golden brown warrior was beckoning to her across the camp. Leafpool got to her paws, thoughts of Cinderpaw and Berrypaw quickly fading.

"What is it?" She meowed when she reached the senior warrior's side.

"I found you a den," Brackenfur meowed, motioning to a rocky cave. Leafpool cautiously stepped inside.

The cave was roomy, with a small pool on the side and a few cracks in the wall. It wasn't nearly as big as the old den, but it would do for now.

"It's great," she meowed. Brackenfur dipped his head.

"I'll leave you then," he meowed, backing out of the den, leaving Leafpool alone one again.

BERRYPAW'S POV

Berrypaw padded next to Cinderpaw. He met Sandstorm's gaze evenly.

"We're done," he meowed. "There are no more brambles." Sandstorm looked behind them. The brambles had been moved around the clearing to from a wall. After a second, the ginger she-cat dipped her head.

"All cats gather round!" Brambleclaw called from the center of camp. Cinderpaw and Berrypaw trotted eagerly over, waiting for what the dark tabby had to say.

"We have made our barrier and found resting places for all the cats. Anyways, we have three apprentices who need to become warriors. Berrypaw, Cinderpaw, Honeypaw, please step forward," he meowed. Berrypaw steeped forward happily, Cinderpaw at his side. He cast Hazelpaw a curious glance, she avoided his gaze.

"These three cats are ready to receive their warrior name. Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do," Cinderpaw meowed, straightening herself up.

"I do," Honeypaw meowed, her voice echoing across the clearing.

After a second, Berrypaw nodded. "I do," he meowed.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names, Honeypaw, from this moment on you will be known as Honeywing. StarClan honors you bravery and courage and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."

Honeywing stepped up and licked Brambleclaw respectfully on the shoulder. She stepped back to stand next to Brackenfur.

"Berrypaw, from this moment on you will be known as Berrytail. StarClan honors your bravery and courage, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."

Berrytail stepped up and licked Brambleclaw's shoulder. After a second, he stepped back.

Brambleclaw turned his gaze on Cinderpaw. The gray tabby seemed to shrink back for a heartbeat.

"Cinderpaw, from this moment you will be known as Cinderfire. StarClan honors you bravery and courage and we welcome yo as a full warrior of ThunderClan."

Cinderfire stepped up and respectfully licked the brown tabby's shoulder. When she stepped back, the cats began chanting.

"Honeywing, Berrytail, Cinderfire! Honeywing, Berrytail, Cinderfire!" They yowled.

"According to tradition, Berrytail, Honeywing, and Cinderfire must guard the camp tonight," Brambleclaw meowed. He pushed his way back through the cats, who began to break off in small groups to go to sleep.

Berrytail stood at the front of the camp proudly. He hadn't seen Hazelpaw congratulating them, he realized.

I wonder why Brambleclaw won't make her a warrior, he thought. He cast a glance at Cinderfire. The words of the prophecy echoed in his head.

Soon the flames will die down, leaving only a path of cinders, which must rise up to replenish the fire…

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he remembered the words Brambleclaw had spoken, and for some strange reason, they gave him a hollow, empty feeling.

"Even at the cost of your life?"

A/N: Dun dun dun!