Melting Ice and Raging Love
Hello Readers. Well this chapter I will try to talk about different characters for a bit with every page break ok. Just so I won't focus on just the main cats they will be some surprises in this chapter too.
Me: I don't own warriors
'Talking"
'Thoughts'
Dreams
/Runningpaw, Tigerpaw, and Morningpaw are apprentices. Snowfrost gives birth to her litter of kits. And Featherpool and Iceheart get closer, totally oblivious to the planed separation between Mistyfur and Wolffang. And a random surprise, Nightwing is expecting a litter. /
Frostpaw debated for a moment longer and shook his head.
"We are friends, nothing wrong with that. I mean I knew her longer then you anyway. We were in the nursery together" Frostpaw pointed out.
'I admire Iceheart but he's a mouse brain sometimes. He doesn't even realize he likes her too or else he wouldn't drag me out to ask such a thing. I can even see panic in his eyes…lucky for you I gave up on her, to protect her from Wolffang…wait a minute' he had an idea.
"But…still... Featherpool is in danger, Wolffang and Mistyfur is planning on something that will hurt you and Featherpool" he meowed.
But Iceheart was so relieved that Frostpaw didn't like Featherpool that what the white apprentice said next sounded ridiculous.
"Mistyfur is a nice she-cat who always talks to me. She wouldn't do anything like that, come on, let's actually do a practice battle" Iceheart instructed.
Featherpool was so surprised by Nightwing being a queen soon but was happy.
"I'm glad to hear it" she purred and walks away.
The sky started to turn gold, signaling the time where the clan settles down to eat and share tongues.
Silvercloud entered camp with a rather tired Morningpaw.
"You can get something to eat and then go rest, you have earned it today" Silverloud meowed as she watched the little tortoiseshell and white apprentice go to the fresh-kill pile.
Silvercloud looked to see Stormpelt, her mate sitting near their usual spot they sat to share tongues but saw him talking to a few other warriors. Their eyes met and she swore she saw a hopeful look in his eyes.
'I guess I've ignored him long enough…' she told herself. They had a fight about Iceheart; Stormpelt didn't too much care for the loner still along with a few other cats. She wanted nothing to do with her mate and spent time with Foxstar, her friend since kit hood.
She walks over to Stormpelt and the other warriors and flashing her blue eyes at them in a warm glow.
"Hey, everyone" she meowed.
"Hey there Silvercloud, did you see my kits yet?" Flamepelt purred looking at the silver she-cat.
"No, I will stop by later. I know my Featherpool saw them" she answered.
"Thornclaw how is Tigerpaw do in his training?" Silvercloud then asked the senior warrior.
"Great, I say he's a great fighter, just as good if not better than your Greystreak. Maybe we should set our apprentices up for battle tomorrow" he suggested and flicked his tail before getting up.
"I will let you two get some alone time, let's go Flamepelt" he meowed getting up. The two warriors walk off leaving the couple alone.
Stormpelt's eyes met Silvercloud's before purring happily. "I'm glad I have your attention" meowed Stormpelt and the two of them share tongues
Iceheart returned with Frostpaw and went to the fresh-kill pile to grab a mouse.
"Hey Iceheart, want to share tongues with me" it was Mistyfur. Her eyes glued to his icy blue ones.
He nods "Sure, we can share this mouse too" He meowed seeing how a lot of cats are sharing kill instead of getting their own peace.
Mistyfur purrs and sits to share the mouse with Iceheart. She glowed on the inside 'This is my chance to talk with Iceheart without his annoying apprentice'
Owlgaze went to look for someone to share tongues with and saw Featherpool chatting with Mouseflight and Rocketfoot. The brown tabby walks over as the wind blew and dried leaves across camp.
Mouseflight's fur bristled at the chilly air "It's so cold…leaf bare is coming" she meowed and pressed closer to Rocketfoot who glanced away in his embarrassment.
"Yea, I bet Featherpool is warm" Owlgaze purred and leaned against her long pelt.
Featherpool just flicks her tail "Yes, times like these makes me feel glad that I have a long pelt. And welcome Owlgaze, nice for you to join us" she added as she turned to the tabby tom.
Rocketfoot gave the warrior a nod before glancing to the side and then hissed to Featherpool "You see that"
Mouseflight looked and then narrowed her eyes "Back after Iceheart, Featherpool you going to let her do that?" asked the brown warrior.
"I don't have a say who he's with…he can use more friends anyway" Featherpool mewed.
"I guess… I mean who else besides Frostpaw and myself?" she added.
"You have a point, I'll be his friend, I mean I never really disliked him" Owlgaze meowed.
"Thanks Owlgaze, you are the best" Featherpool meowed.
The four shared tongues and talked until the sun went away and stars started to appear.
"Come on" Rocketfoot meowed and stood to head back into the warrior's den. Mouseflight was behind him every step of the way.
"They really like each other" Owlgaze meowed to Featherpool making no move to go into the warrior's den.
"Yea, soon we may have more kits" Featherpool meowed and went into the warriors den.
Featherpool looked for her place by Iceheart but Mistyfur quickly made her place by him. He didn't even look up to her as he was engaged in a conversation with her.
"Hey Featherpool, you can have the nest next to me" Wolffang meowed, his amber eyes glowing
Featherpool nods and curls up next to the brown tom. She no longer felt awkward around him like she did when he first told her he liked her. They were able to talk normally with each other for awhile.
Soon all the warriors settled down for the night and all became quiet.
In the next half moon Snowfrost's kits all ventured out of the nursery. Whitekit, was out first, his twin sister Cloudkit was next and last was Lightkit.
Frostpaw and Firepaw were already there to see their brother and sisters. Their eyes shone with happiness.
"Hey there, I'm your big sister Firepaw" Firepaw meowed.
Lightkit's honey brown eyes were wide as she looked at her two older siblings.
"Wow, you are an apprentice, you look very strong" she squeaked.
"I can't wait to be an apprentice!" Whitekit meowed fluffing up his fur.
"I rather enjoy being a kit, apprentices have so much to learn and so much work to do" meowed Cloudkit, but her pale blue eyes sparkled just as Whitekit.
"That's true, but it's all worth it when you finally become a warrior" Frostpaw meowed
"When will you two be warriors?" Lightkit asked.
Frostpaw and Firepaw looked at each other.
"Well…it depends on our mentors, when they think we are ready" Firepaw replies.
"And of course Foxstar has to agree on rather or not an apprentice is ready to be a warrior" Frostpaw adds.
Suddenly a blue black tom walks up "Come on Frostpaw, we are on patrol with Silvercloud with Morningpaw and Mistyfur with Ripplepaw" Iceheart meowed as he walked up to his apprentice.
"Oh, are these the new kits?" he asked and looked down.
"Snowfrost told us about you, your Iceheart right?" Cloudkit mewed, eyes wide.
Iceheart chuckled and the tips of his ears burned, he didn't think Snowfrost would tell the kits about him.
"Yes, I'll be back later, I have to borrow your brother for awhile" Iceheart heads off with Frostpaw.
'Ugh, of all she-cats I'm stuck with Ripplepaw and Mistyfur' he bit back a groan as he approached the camp entrance with the other she-cats.
"Are we ready to go?" Silvercloud asked and then takes the lead out of camp.
The patrol was out in the forest, the cold wind blew, carrying the leaves and ruffling their fur. Mistyfur shivered and pressed against Iceheart
"It's getting so cold out here isn't it" she meowed.
Iceheart looked at the she-cat and nods "Win…I mean leaf bare is coming soon" Iceheart comments.
Morningpaw was playing with the leaves that blew by. Her golden eyes were full of kit like joy.
"Stop being a kit, your jumping around will scare away what little prey is out here" hissed Ripplepaw.
Morningpaw stopped and looked down casted. "But it's fun…and anyway we are on a patrol, not a hunting patrol" Morningpaw replied.
"You are an apprentice not a kit, you should start acting like it" Ripplepaw comments.
"Keep it down Ripplepaw because your hissing actually scares away the prey" Mistyfur hisses at her apprentice.
Frostpaw rolled his eyes "Annoying she-cat" he muttered
Morningpaw's whiskers twitched in a silent way to show amusement. She walked up beside Frostpaw.
"Was she always this irritating?' she asked
"Always, don't worry, I like playing with the leaves, and stick with me and Firepaw and you and your brothers won't be annoyed to death by her" he meowed.
"Let's check the Shadow clan border, they been quiet for awhile" Silvercloud meowed and the patrol follows her towards Shadow clan border
Featherpool was out with Owlgaze and was close to the Shadow clan border. In an attempt to hunt they caught a vole and a mouse.
"Hold on…I heard something" Owlgaze meowed.
Featherpool halted as she heard rustling leaves and bushes and thudding of paws. She saw a mouse run across the border and to their dismay a small dark grey bushy cat cross the border and caught it and killed it.
A grey tabby came out as well followed by two other warriors.
"Good job Bushpaw" Greyclaw.
"Hey, get off of Thunder clan territory" hissed Owlgaze stepping from their place within the undergrowth.
"We do what we want" growled Greyclaw.
Before they knew it Shadow clan patrol ran across the border and attacked the two warriors. Yowling and spitting filled the air.
Panic filled Featherpool and felt a stinging sensation on her flank. She hissed and lashed out her claws but she was out numbered.'
Suddenly a loud yowl and more thudding could be heard. It was Silvercloud's patrol and the silver queen was angry not only to see Shadow clan on Thunder clan territory but to find her previous apprentice and her daughter being outnumbered.
The dark grey apprentice launched into an attack and crashed into Morningpaw and the two tussled in the leaves.
Iceheart growled and attacked Greyclaw, furry burning in his belly.
"Shadow clan retreat, come on Bushpaw!" hissed the deputy after giving Iceheart some gashes.
"Featherpool are you ok?" Frostpaw asked he walked to the fallen she-cat who was barely conscious.
"I'm such a mouse brain…I shouldn't have confronted them…oh Featherpool stay with us" Owlgaze meowed; he was also in rough shape.
"Relax…I'm…" Featherpool meowed and soon felt licks from Silvercloud all over her.
"Let's get you back to camp" Silvercloud meowed as she and Iceheart supports Featherpool.
"Silvercloud what happened?" Foxstar asked, concern written all over as he left his den.
"Featherpool and I were trying to hunt. We saw Shadow clan chase prey across the border…we confronted them…and they attacked us…and then Silvercloud's patrol came" Owlgaze meowed.
Soon Mapleleaf and Bluefeather came and took in Featherpool and Owlgaze, Morningpaw, who was the least experienced, needed some treatment.
"Ah, Iceheart, you got a nasty scratch, let me treat you" Bluefreather meowed and flicks her tail.
The tom shook his head "If it's all the same just worry about those three, they got hurt the most" he comments. He mentions the three of them but his eyes were only on Featherpool.
Mapleleaf murrowed in laughter at the sight of the worried Iceheart "Silly tom, we have plenty of supplies now come here, when Featherpool sees you she will be all the more worried about you" meowed the experienced medicine cat and patches him up with cobwebs.
By then word around camp had spread and murmurs were all that could be heard from inside the den. All that could be heard was "All cats old enough to catch their own prey join for a clan meeting"
"That's Foxstar, I take it you will stay with Featherpool, if anything happens come get me or Mapleleaf" Bluefeather meowed once her mentor stepped out of the den.
Iceheart looked at the she-cat and licks her ruffled fur gently, recalling this had happened before only instead of Owlgaze it was with Nightwing.
"I promised I would protect you…I'm sorry" he murmured softly and lays next to the silver she-cat.
Outside Foxstar stood on high ledge his eyes set on his clan. "As you all know, Shadow clan was found chasing prey across our border" Foxstar began.
Yowls were filled across camp Lightkit, Cloudkit and Whitekit stood by Snowfrost who hissed softly and turned to Flamepelt.
"I say we attack Thunder clan and teach them a lesson!" it was Blackpelt, the deputy was loyal but was sometimes too willing for a fight.
This times yowls of agreement came from the clan, Rocketfoot and Shadowfang being the loudest.
"All they do is cause trouble for everyone!" Rainingsky yowls.
"Silence! We will not attack Shadow clan. Leaf bare is approaching; we all need to be strong to survive it. All our energy needs to be towards hunting and providing enough food for our Queens, kits, and elders. We won't go looking for a fight" Foxstar meows and looks directly at his deputy.
"We will not harm Shadow clan" he gave the deputy a firm look. "That is all" he added and everyone broke off.
"Frostpaw are you okay?" It was Firepaw who pressed against the white tom.
"I'm fine, I just helped out Morningpaw, but I failed, she was battered pretty bad, she is a new apprentice" he meowed glancing at the medicine cat's den.
The sun was falling and soon everyone headed to their nest, all accept Iceheart who insisted on staying with Featherpool oblivious to the amused look on Morningpaw's and Owlgaze's face.
"Relax Iceheart I'll be fine, go and rest up" Featherpool meowed calmly.
"Are you sure? I don't mind staying here" he replies.
"Don't smoother her Iceheart go back to the warrior's den already" Bluefeather meowed.
A moment of grumbling Iceheart padded out of the medicine cat den after saying goodnight to everyone.
"Wow, I didn't know Iceheart is so caring…I always thought he was a mean tom who didn't care about any of us" Morningpaw meowed.
"He has a soft spot for Featherpool" Bluefeather meowed making the silver she-cat flush.
"Only because I am nice to him, I think he cares for all those who are nice to him, like you and Mapleleaf" Featherpool meowed to Bluefeather to take some of the heat off her.
"I think he's nice Morningpaw, everyone else is just mean to him because he's not from Thunder clan he's kind of like how Rocketfoot was to us in the apprentice den, right Featherpool?" Owlgaze meowed looking from the apprentice to the warrior.
"Yes he was very annoying and mean and one of us could tolerate him. But now he's better and I like him now" she meowed.
"Alright you kits stop mewling and get some rest" Mapleleaf purred to them in her joking way.
"Alright you old fur ball we are going to bed. Night you three, rest up so you guys will be fit in no time" Bluefeather meowed.
Featherpool was walking in the forest the sun beaming through the trees so its light shinned through so the trees in spots landing on her and the forest floor.
"Featherpool.."
"Iceheart?" Featherpool looked surprised to see him but flushed hotly how she saw the light beaming down on him making his icy eyes glow.
They walked to each other and she found herself purring and nuzzling him and was overwhelmed with happiness to know he was returning her affection.
"Featherpool…I…" Iceheart stepped back to look at her in the eyes.
"Yes Iceheart?" she asked wondering what he wanted to say.
"Featherpool I l-"
He was interrupted by a cold mist that surrounded him and it took the form of a cat and by the figure it was a she-cat.
"Come with me" the misty cat purred softly and flicked her tail under Iceheart's chin. His eyes became dull and he follows the misty cat.
"No Iceheart come back!" Featherpool went to chase him but he was gone as the mist cleared leaving her feeling alone and confused.
"He left you alone Featherpool… I'm here for you" meowed a voice
"Wolffang?" Featherpool meowed softly realizing how glad she was to see the brown tom and was wrapped in warm brown fur and was comforted by his warm amber gaze and she saw nothing else.
"Beware of the mist and wolf" came a faded voice as the forest and Wolffang started to vanish.
Featherpool woke up feeling disturbed and confused she wasn't sure what Iceheart wanted to say and why he went off into the mist. 'And what is with Wolffang showing up when I needed him' she looked around to see Morningpaw and Owlgaze asleep and yawned before giving a painful stretch.
"Morning Featherpool, looks like you get to get some fresh kill all to yourself" Bluefeather meowed and gave Featherpool a mouse.
"Thank you so much. I feel bad eating it alone" Featherpool meowed looked at the sleeping Owlgaze and Morningpaw.
"Early cat catches the prey, well gets the fresh kill. No harm done they will have to share later" she said and goes into her nest. "By the way Mapleleaf said it is ok for you to walk around a little, I know Silvercloud and Greystreak was worried for you" the blue apprentice meows before curling up.
Featherpool eats her fresh kill and with a light hiss got up from her next she really felt sore and but it didn't stop her from licking down the fur that wasn't covered in herbs and cobwebs. Getting up she walks out into camp to see a few cats walking around but was so amused by the kits that were playing.
Firepaw was already playing with her siblings, trying to teach them how to do the crouch.
"You crouch down on your paws like this" Firepaw meowed and dropped into a flawless hunter's crouch all weight supported evenly.
The kits were all too eager to try out this so they copied their sister.
"Eep…I can't do it" Lightkit whined when she fell over.
"It's ok you aren't strong enough yet" Firepaw reassured her sister and nudged Lightkit off the ground.
"Is this is?" Whitekit asked
"Yea what about me?" Cloudkit meowed trying very hard to do it right.
"Not quite, Whitekit you are leaning too much, Cloudkit you look like you going to fall over any minute" meowed the flame colored she-cat.
"Careful Firepaw, they are young" Foxstar came from behind.
"Sorry Foxstar" Firepaw mewed and dipped her head.
Soon all the other cats started to emerge out of their dens and started to talk and chat.
"Wolffang, take some cats out for morning patrol. Swiftwind, take a few out for a hunting patrol it's time to restock on the fresh kill pile" Blackpelt meowed to the clan getting everyone into action.
Wolffang went off with Firepaw, Stormpelt, and Shadowfang to go on patrol and Swiftwind chose Rocketfoot, Brightcloud, Thornclaw and Darkpelt out for the hunting patrol.
"What a chilly morning" Brightcloud mewed as the wind blew.
"Then we better get a move on, that means the prey will want to stay in their nest" Swiftwind comments to the she-cat sniffing around for any prey.
"I'm so in the mood for clan gossip" Brightcloud mewed.
"Aren't you always, you might as well be an elder" Thornclaw meowed gruffly
"Put a mouse in it you old fur ball" Brightcloud hissed and playfully swatted the older tom.
"Well for one thing all you she-cats are really starting to like that fox dung Iceheart" Thornclaw growled.
"Don't get me started with our younger warriors who were apprentices when he arrived" Swiftwind chimed in.
Darkpelt ran off to chase after a vole and returned a moment later.
"I swear he's no good, he'll turn on us for sure" Thornclaw hissed.
"I think he's ok, I mean he risked his life in that storm for the apprentices during the green-leaf…not to mention he saved me and helped many others with one of those border battles with Shadow clan. He works hard" Brightcloud meowed.
"See, he has you she-cats in his paws, next thing you will all line up to have his kits" Darkpelt meowed.
"I actually agree, he maybe a jerk but he still defends the clan well. I don't like him, but he's earned my respect" Swiftwind meowed which caused Darkpelt and Thornclaw to snort.
"And what is that that young Mistyfur flaunting with all the toms in the clan considering all clan members have a mate. There are plenty toms like Owlgaze and Rocketfoot " Brightcloud meowed.
"Hey don't forget Swiftwind he is mateless" Darkpelt comments making the black and white tom flush.
"And I think she is rather fetching for a young she-cat" Thornclaw meows.
"Down you old tom" Brightcloud hissed.
"And she's doing no harm, I'm loyal to Sandwhisker"
"Oh please I saw you. You glad Sandwhisker didn't claw your face, just don't expect any more kits. I'm so glad Blackpelt is so loyal to me. I been watching him the moment I got a hunch about that she-cat and he didn't look at her like the other toms" Brightcloud squealed excitedly.
"All is quiet, Shadow clan isn't causing any trouble" Wolffang meowed as they patrolled the territory.
Firepaw crouched low instantly, she saw a mouse and crept up on it and in a flash of ginger she caught the mouse and killed it.
"Very impressive, I say it's nearly time to end her apprenticeship, she is trained well and a fabulous hunter" Stormpelt praised and Firepaw beamed with pride.
"Thank you Stormpelt" Firepaw meowed.
"Yes, and she's is outgrowing the apprentices now, it's about time we get another assessment in don't you think?" Shadowfang gruffly chimed in.
"I'll assess her later, I want to be sure she's absolutely ready, she is my first apprentice" Wolffang mewed he respected both Stormpelt and Shadowfang but he wants to see for himself if she's fit to be a warrior now or not.
'Wow, Stormpelt actually praised me! I must be doing a good job, I wonder if Frostpaw is getting close to being a warrior or not' Firepaw had an extra energy in her step, her eyes shimmering blue and green in the light.
When they arrived at camp the hunting patrol came back and was putting their catches into the pile. It wasn't much but it was something. Shadowfang instantly went to Nightwing and all his walls fell as he purred and groomed his mate.
Wolffang went up to Foxstar "Foxstar…" Wolffang meowed feeling uneasy as he never had to do this before.
The dark ginger tom turned his head towards the brown tom. "Hello Wolffang, can I help you with something?" asked Foxstar.
Wolffang shuffled his paws but gathered his courage to look at Foxstar. "I want to assess Firepaw, I think she could be ready to be a warrior" Wolffang explained
"Thunder clan can use more warriors, it won't be much longer before we get more elders" Foxstar murmured and he nods his head. "Okay I will personally asses her, I will also ask Iceheart is he ready to assess Frostpaw as you both are new mentors"
Wolffang wasn't happy about dealing with Iceheart at all but he didn't dare show it. "Alright Foxstar, may I ask when?"
Fosstar stood up to stretch "We start now, by sun down it will be determined who is made a warrior" Foxstar meowed.
Featherpool was talking with Iceheart very happy he had just turned down Mistyfur's invitation to hunt with her. 'Why do I care? Is it because of that dream I had…is Mistyfur kind of looks like the cat from my dream, the mist shaped cat could have meant her that she would take Iceheart away' she flushed at the thought. 'What am I saying, Iceheart isn't mine…'
"It was the biggest mouse I ever seen and just before I could grab it that lousy brother of you snagged it, I mean I like you but your brother is just ridiculous and then he taunts me with it. Like some kit" Iceheart meows to Featherpool about what he had done during the course of the morning.
"Greystreak thinks like Thornclaw because it's his mentor that's all" Featherpool meowed and flicks her tail on his shoulder in a kind gesture.
"So how are you feeling?" he asks her
"I'm fine Iceheart, you asked that already, besides it won't be long before I'm back out there" Featherpool meowed.
Suddenly Foxstar and Wolffang walked up to them, Wolffang's eyes only saw Featherpool. The silver warrior flicks her tail in greeting. "Hello Foxstar, Wolffang" Featherpool meowed.
"Hello young Featherpool, how are your injures?" Foxstar asked with obvious concern.
Featherpool flushed thinking it was nice of her leader to be worried "I'm doing ok Foxstar, those lousy Shadow clan can't take me out"
"That's good, you had Silvercloud worried. Now Iceheart I have come to you so that the three of us could assess your apprentices, it's about time we get more warriors and make room for the next apprentices" Foxstar meowed shifting from Featherpool to Iceheart.
"I do think Frostpaw is ready to become a warrior. Alright I'll go get Frostpaw" Iceheart meowed getting to his paws.
"No one tell them it is their assessment to be warriors just tell them we are going to train" Foxstar meowed and heads towards the entrance.
"I'm so excited for Frostpaw and Firepaw" Featherpool purrs.
"Don't tell anyone" Wolffang meowed and the two toms walk away.
"I can't believe Foxstar is coming with us" Firepaw meowed as she walked in the forest.
"Yes, Foxstar often comes to watch the progress of apprentices" Wolffang meows.
Frostpaw assumed it must be their final assessment but he didn't dare get too excited or hint it to Firepaw.
"Okay Frostpaw, today I will set you lose to hunt on your own" meowed Iceheart
"Same for you Firepaw" Wolffang meowed.
"Alright, come on Firepaw" Frostpaw meowed and walks off with his sister leaving the mentors and Foxstar to figure out a plan.
"I'm pretty sure they will stick together for awhile. So I'll scout ahead of them while you two follow from behind in case they do split up" Foxstar meowed and went ahead so he could get a side view.
"Okay Firepaw I can be sure our mentors and Foxstar are watching us, so let's do our best" Frostpaw meowed.
A mouse scurries by and Frostpaw leaps into action before Firepaw could even drop into a hunters crouch. Frostpaw hooked his prey with his claws and did the final blow.
"Wow, that was fast" Firepaw meowed.
"With Iceheart as my mentor he taught me you have to be fast, you can't afford to let prey get away" he meowed and bury his prey for later.
"Wow, having a loner for a mentor must have its perks" Firepaw meowed slightly envious.
"I guess so. But come on and let's catch some more prey" Frostpaw meowed.
A squirrel and a vole later and the apprentices was still looking for more prey to catch. Suddenly a bird landed on the forest floor to collect seeds the squirrels and mice could have misised.
Frostpaw took this chance and crouched down and was moving slowly towards his prey. But before he could leap into action Firepaw stepped on a twig and the bird started flapping it's wings to take off.
Frostpaw hissed and ran to try and catch it so it won't signal danger to the other animals of the forest. He took a giant leap and grabbed the bird's wing and killed it before it could make a distress call.
"Darn it Firepaw I could have lost this catch, be more careful" Frostpaw hissed
"Sorry, I was trying to move to hide so it wouldn't see me" Firepaw hissed, her fur prickling in defense.
"I'll go on and catch more prey on my own " Firepaw went her own way.
"Finally, now I can catch prey better without worrying about her messing it up" Frostpaw meowed and went another way.
"Frostpaw, you have learned well. Now, I challenge you to a battle" Iceheart meowed as he appeared from the bushes.
Frostpaw leaps at Iceheart who jumps over him and quickly twists around and scratch at his flanks.
"Ouch! We are using claws?" Frostpaw asked
"Loners never fight with sheathed claws, for the sake of clan rules, blood won't be drawn" Iceheart meowed showing his claws slightly unsheathed.
For awhile Frostpaw and Icheart had fought, when it was over Iceheart panted, the battle making him tired. Frostpaw stood panting as well, his flank and legs burned from the light scratches that were given.
"Great job Frostpaw, though Icehaert I don't agree with the method of using claws even if it's only a little" Foxstar appears.
"It's okay Foxstar, I don't mind, I want to be a tough and strong warrior who is willing to take any pain for the sake of my clan" Frostpaw meowed jumping to Iceheart's defense.
"Still, leaf bare is on its way, I can't have any strong warriors and apprentices injured from training. But congratulations Frostpaw, at sun down you will be a warrior" Foxstar meowed.
The white apprentice could barely hold his yowl of triumph.
"Head back to camp and I'll talk with you later" Foxstar meows and goes off to check on Firepaw's progress.
"I knew this was out assessment, I hope Firepaw passes" Frostpaw meowed as he walks back with Iceheart.
"I'm sure she is if she's as strong and determined as you are" Iceheart meowed.
With Wolffang and Firepaw the batter just begun and Wolffang has the upperhand as he pinned her to the ground.
"Ughh..arrgg" Firepaw squirmed under Wolffang's weight.
"First rule when fighting a bigger opponent; never let them pin you down" Wolffang told her.
Firepaw managed to wiggled from under him and tackles him into the leaves and they tussle for awhile longer.
"I've seen enough" Foxstar meowed as he approached them.
"Judging by what I've seen and comparing you to your brother I say you are not quite ready to be a warrior" Foxstar meowed.
"What? I am ready. I've been training as long as he had" she exclaimed as Wolffang held his head down in shame.
"I'm sorry Firepaw, I haven't been focused on your training" Wolffang murmured remembering all the times he went off with Featherpool.
"You did catch the most prey in the hunting part but you made mistakes, including nearly costing Frostpaw his catch. You have to be quick and catch prey, especially during leaf fall. During the battle you kept getting yourself in tight spots, yes you got out of them but what if it was a real battle, you would have been killed" Foxstar meows.
"I can be a warrior, I just messed up a little. I am just as good as Frostpaw" Firepaw insisted.
Foxstar looked into Firepaw's blue green eyes and saw the determination buring within her. He nods. "I see you are determined, I think you can be a good warrior. Well let 's get back to camp" Foxstar meowed and leads them back to camp.
"Wow, such high praises from Foxstar, Frostpaw I'm jealous, I didn't have Foxstar himself come to assess my training" Featherpool meowed.
The white apprentice flushed hotly and glanced away from her admiring gaze. "It's no big deal, maybe because you have such an experienced warrior as your mentor. I mean Iceheart just came into Thunder clan not long ago and I'm his first apprentice" Frostpaw meowed.
Iceheart chuckled "Well, I'm glad my first apprentice was successful" Iceheart meowed.
"I wonder what you name would be..hmm Frostpelt?" Featherpool meowed.
"I like Frostheart" Frostpaw meowed
"Aww, trying to be like me?" Iceheart meowed which made Frostpaw hiss and turned away.
"As if, I like the name that's all"
"Well we will figure it out when Foxstar comes back" Featherpool meows.
Before long Foxstar came back with Wolffang and Firepaw. The ginger apprentice walked up to Frostpaw.
"Hey, did you pass?" Frostpaw asked
"No, because you practically outshined me" Firepaw hissed
"What are you saying? I'm only doing my very best so I can be a warrior like Iceheart" Frostpaw meowed.
"I wanted to be a warrior to and be the best I can be, but he saw my slip up when you where hunting and I made an error when I was fighting Wolffang" Firepaw meowed.
"It's okay, some apprentices become warriors at their own pace" Featherpool meowed.
"I would have been one now had it not been for you Feahterpool, if Wolffang wasn't so busy fawning over you and put in as much time trying to get your attention as training me I would have been caught up with Frostpaw" Firepaw hissed and just walked off into the apprentice den.
Frostpaw sighed and shook his head "I can't help it if I have Iceheart for a mentor" Frostpaw meowed.
"I feel bad for her…she will have to work harder" Featherpool meowed.
Frostpaw flushed when Featherpool starts grooming him "H-hey…" he meowed
"Just grooming you for your warrior ceremony, it's a shame your white pelt is kept dirty all the time" she meowed.
As soon as she finished Foxstar got onto high ledge
"All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather under the high ledge for a clan meeting"
"It's starting" Featherpool mewed excitedly.
"It's time to grant another young apprentice into warrior ship, Frostpaw step forward" Foxstar began much to Snowfrost and Flamepelt's surprise as the white tom stood forward.
"I call upon Star clan to look down upon this apprentice, he has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code and I commend him as a warrior. Frostpaw do you promise to uphold the warrior code even at the cost of your life?" meowed Foxstar.
Frostpaw tood up straight and tall he was calm but his blue eyes sparkled in excitement.
"I do" he meowed
"Then by the power of Star clan I give you your warrior name, Frostpaw, from this day forth you will be known as Frostclaw, Star clan honors your strength and courage and Thunder clan welcomes you as a warrior" Foxstar meows, finishing the ceremony.
"Frostclaw!, Frostclaw!" Featherpool chanted loudly and the clan followed
Frostclaw held his head high and looked at his clan and his eyes met Featherpool. 'I'm a warrior like you now' he was happy to be with Featherpool more.
"Remember to guard camp" Foxstar meowed before walking off.
"This is wonderful, my son is a warrior" Flamepelt meowed
"Yay, big brother is a warrior" Whitekit mewed
"You are amazing" Cloudkit mewed as well, her eyes sparkling
"But what about my Firepaw?" Snwofrost mewed
"Um…it's my fault… I failed her and you guys as a mentor…Foxstar wasn't impressed with her skills yet. He did say she had potential" Wolffang meowed as he walked up to them.
"Don't worry, apprentices aren't always ready" Flamepelt meowed.
"I failed her…now she isn't a warrior with her brother" Wolffang meowed and padded away to sulk.
"Firepaw hates me…" Frostclaw meowed
"I'll talk to her, don't let it ruin your day Frostclaw, you only become a warrior once so enjoy this feeling" Snowfrost meowed and turned to Featherpool.
"I know you are still injured but would you mind keeping the kits company while I talk to her" Snowfrost asked.
"Of course, come on kits" Featherpool stood on her paws and lead them back to the nursery.
Firepaw was out alone and just hissed at the thought, she should have been happy for Frostclaw but she was upset she didn't get to be a warrior.
"Firepaw, I wish you stop acting like a kit and be happy for your brother" Snowfrost meowed gently as she approached her daughter.
"But Snowfrost Foxstar just chose my brother over me and pretty much just told me I'm not good enough yet. I worked hard, I even trained alone because my mentor was too busy chasing after a cat who doesn't like him" Firepaw meowed, her eyes narrowing as she looked away from her mother as hot tears streaked down her face.
"I wanted to be made a warrior with him, I wanted to be with Greystreak" she meowed but realized to late what she said and clamped her mouth shut and her pelt burned as her mother murrowed in laughter.
"My daughter likes a tom, is that Featherpool's brother, aww my kit is growing up" Snowfrost purred.
"Oh I remember when I fell in love with your father. I was an apprentice back then and he was just becoming a warrior…oh to be young and in love…" Snowfrosts' eyes glazed over before snapping back to reality.
"Foxstar just doesn't want to make apprentices who aren't ready into warriors, I personally don't want you to be a warrior if you not fully ready. Don't worry, every apprentice doesn't become warriors at the same time, I promise your turn will come" Snowfrost told her daughter and lick between her ears.
"Ok…I'll wait…" Firepaw stood on her paws and walked back to camp passing by the white warrior himself.
She looked to the cats getting back into their dens and saw Greystreak head into the den with Mouseflight and Rocketfoot.
"Greystreak…I should be in there…" Firepaw's ears dropped as she turned and walked into the apprentice den.
"Hey Firepaw" Brownpaw greeted.
"Hey Firepaw" Morningpaw mewed as the fire colored apprentice took a seat in her nest.
"Heh, I see you didn't become a warrior with your brother. You must have been lacking in your skills. At this rate Brownpaw and I will be warriors before you" Ripplepaw sneered.
In a flash Firepaw pinned Ripplepaw to the ground and bared her fangs. "I may not have been ready to be a warrior but I sure know I can claw your tail Ripplepaw. Just try me, any punishment will be worth clawing you to shreds" Firepaw hissed and dug her claws into the gray tabby's skin.
"Ahh…get off Firepaw" Ripplepaw hissed but before she could yowl for help Tigerpaw and Brownpaw dragged the ginger apprentice from Ripplepaw.
"Stop it! I don't want any more trouble. I just want some sleep" Tigerpaw meowed.
"Ripplepaw, all you do is come in and cause trouble for everyone who is here. I can't keep defending you when I know you are wrong. Next time I will just let whoever you tick off claw your face" Brownpaw hissed at his sister.
Ripplepaw was taken aback and sighed "I didn't know you felt that way…" Ripplepaw took her nest and dragged it away from Brownpaw into a corner by herself.
Firepaw thought it served her right. She was annoying in the nursery and she was annoying now. She curled up in her nest and closed her eyes.