Chapter I
"C'mon, Tigerpaw! Do you want to miss training?"Lionpaw! I thought, yawning. That conceited, I dug my claws into the moss and stretched, baring my teeth, and growling to myself, bratty know-it-all- looking up I realized he was staring at me. "Do you have a burr in your pelt?" He asked, "You look mad about something."
"Oh it's nothing," I meowed quickly. "I was just having a good dream." "Well next time try to have good dreams earlier. Come on, you don't want to keep Smallear waiting, he gets grumpy when he's kept waiting." With that, he turned and raced out of the den.
I padded after him more slowly. Judging by what had just happened, I should be more careful. On the way out Goldenpaw caught up to me. Giving me a quick smile, she hurried on leaving me with a strange tingly feeling.
Outside I found my mentor, Smallear, waiting for me. He was already pretty old he would soon join the elders. I was probably his last apprentice.
"Where have you been?" He growled, "Anyone would think you where a hedgehog with you hibernating like that." Without waiting for an answer he went on, "Sunstar and I have been talking. We think that it is time you were made a warrior. Lionpaw and Whitepaw will be made warriors with you. You will all three go on patrol with your mentors before the ceremony."
I felt a stab of hatred when Lionpaw's name was mentioned. He was being made a warrior with me? Never! I was older, stronger, and smarter. But I did not let my anger show. Dipping my head I murmured 'yes Patchpelt' and secretly resolved to do the best I could. Better than Lionpaw.
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Leaping onto the Highrock Sunstar yowled, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting!" It was time for the ceremony and I was exited as a kit his first time out of the nursery. Warrior was the first step to leader!
When the Clan had gathered he meowed, "Tonight we gather here to give three apprentices their warrior names." Beckoning to us he went on, "Lionpaw, Tigerpaw, do you promise to uphold and defend the Warrior Code even at the cost of your lives?"
Remembering my fathers dying words, I replied confidently, "I do."
"I do." Lionpaw echoed
"Then by the paws of StarClan, I give you your warrior names." Sunstar meowed, "From now on Lionpaw, you will be known as Lionheart. StarClan honors your loyalty, and your bravery. She rested her head on his, and the newly named Lionheart gave her shoulder a respectful lick.
Finally, it was my turn. Sunstar hesitated only half a second, glancing at my long claws, which were out to stable my excitedly shaking legs. "Tigerpaw, from now on, you will be known as Tigerclaw. StarClan honors your courage, and your skill. She leaned down and touched her muzzle to my head and I licked his shoulder. I was a warrior! At last! For a few precious moments, I forgot my father's dying words. I forgot that I was striving to be leader. For those few minutes, I was just like any other newly made warrior. All I felt was joy and pride at being a warrior at last.
As I sat down with the other warriors, I saw Goldenpaw gazing at me with awe and admiration. Hesitantly, I gave her one of my rare smiles and once again felt that strange tingling as she returned the favor.