Shadow is closer then ever before, darkness licks at the shores of the lake, destruction is leaking over the horizon, the light of a flame and the courage of all will only stand in it's way. Larkflight leapt from her nest, cold shivers tingling along her spine. There was that dream again. Shadow cats circling her, and the forest burning in the heat of a yellow-orange fire. She could still practically feel the flames licking at her whiskers, and she swiped a paw over her face just to be sure.
"Mother! Mother, oh Moo-theer!" cried Wildpaw, dancing up to her where she lay in the shade of a bush.
"Oh mother, do you know what sort of delightful day today might just happen to be?" sang Wildpaw, smiling innocently up at her. His fangs gleamed, shining in Larkflight's eyes. The pale gray warrior blinked.
"I'm afraid not. Would you mind filling me in?" she meowed, beginning to wash herself.
"Our warrior ceremony!" yowled Wildpaw, flinging himself to he ground dramatically. Larkflight's eyes opened wide. Had it really been that long since Wildpaw, Ravenpaw, Featherpaw and Firepaw had been tiny, nursing kits?
"Really?" she exclaimed, leaving off her wash and watching her son intently.
"Of course, mouse brain! Why would I make that up?!" snapped Wildpaw, jumping to his fleet swiftly. Larkflight rolled her eyes.
"So move! It should be starting soon. I want my name o be Wildblood…" Wildpaw wandered away, laughing to himself and growling experimentally. Larkflight watched him go with mixed feelings of pride and sorrow washing over her. So this must be how Brackenstar felt so many moons and moons ago, when she had first become a warrior.
"May all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highledge!" cried Brackenstar, leaping up onto the ledge. The cats trickled in, until all warriors and apprentices were seated at the edge of the camp.
"I have many things to tell you today. First I would like to announce that Darkpool will be joining the elders. We will forever miss her vigor and boldness in battle. And now, I believe some warrior ceremonies are in order? And even perhaps a few apprentice ceremonies?" Brackenstar glanced comically at Mousewhisker's three little kits, all of them sitting eagerly at the side of the crowd. Their eyes were round as dinner-plates, and each little tail was thumping enthusiastically. Spottedkit, Brushkit and Pebblekit.
"Ravenpaw, please step forward," called Brackenstar, beckoning to the lithe black apprentice with a flick of his tail. Ravenpaw trotted forward, his held high.
"This apprentice has showed his intelligence and quick wit in the battle at the Clearing. I welcome you as a full warrior of FireClan, Ravenslash!"
Ravenslash stood proudly, his tail held straight in the air, and his claws unsheathed. The cats chanted his name, and Larkflight nuzzled him affectionately when he returned.
"Featherpaw, please step forward!" Brackenstar watched as the white she-cat slipped to the front. Her fur shimmered, and her eyes were a dazzling blue. For a moment, her face caught the light, and a streak of gold washed down her nose, illuminating it. Her beauty was stunning, and Larkflight smiled, amused, as she heard Huntingspirit breath in sharply. Featherpaw had a thing or two coming at soon.
"Featherpaw, your kind and gentle spirit is a thing to behold, and your calm, organized technique will win you many a battle in your future. I welcome you as a full warrior of FireClan, Feathersong!" Brackenstar softened the name, and a wash of calm fell over the crowd as Feathersong nodded proudly and quietly stepped back. Larkflight watched her daughter for a moment, and almost immediately, Huntingspirit was at her side, pelting her with compliments that fairly dripped with flattery.
"Wildpaw, please step forward!" Brackenstar braced himself for the hyperactive launch, but Wildpaw reined himself in, only leaping lightly to the front, though his legs quivered with the effort.
"Wildpaw, your extreme energy level and cheerful, bright heart have made you many a friend, and your enthusiasm and go-to attitude in battle are the finest elements of any warrior. Never let anything dampen your high spirits!" Brackenstar flashed a glowing smile at his Grandson, who grinned back.
"I welcome you as a full warrior of FireClan, Wildwind!"
"Wildwind, Wildwind, Wildwind!" crowed the crowd, and Wildwind couldn't resist emitting a tiny roar for the benefit of Featherpaw and his friends. Larkflight couldn't help but notice the cocky smile that Wildwind directed at Highpaw, Redflower's daughter. The gray warrior grinned. Highpaw was going to have to be a very patient cat.
"Firepaw, please step forward!" Brackenstar's glowing expression dimmed slightly, and Larkflight fervently hoped that Firepaw had seen.
"Firepaw, your intelligence, bravery, and calm personality make you a wonderful cat to be around, and I look forward to you becoming a great leader some day. I welcome you as a full warrior of FireClan, Fireheart!"
Larkflight watched Fireheart cautiously. She willed him not to do anything arrogant, and to just nod and walk away, walk away…suddenly something clicked in Fireheart's eyes. It was hardly detectable, but Larkflight noticed it. As Fireheart stood proudly, listening to the cats chant his name, something changed inside of him. Something for the better. His expression softened, and instead of his usual pompous smirk, the warrior donned a gracious, excited smile, and he unsheathed his claws. Then the warrior did something that blew Larkflight away. Fireheart opened his mouth and yowled, smiling broadly and laughing and joking with Wildwind. Larkflight could see the surprise in Wildwind's eyes, but much to Larkflight's pride, the good-natured tom shrugged it off, and cuffed Fireheart lightly, laughing with him and ignoring the diminishing personality of the "Before" Fireheart.
Redflower's kits were Mousewhisker's kits were apprenticed to Brackenstar, Softstep and Tabbytail. Briskpaw became Briskleaf, and he sat with Fernmist, talking cheerfully. Highpaw became Highstep, and she trotted over to Wildwind at the end of the ceremony. Intrigued, Larkflight wandered over to a distance where she could hear what the new warriors were talking about. The group consisted of Ravenslash, Fireheart, Feathersong, Huntingspirit, Wildwind and Highstep.
"I think your name is very brave and fitting, Wildwind," mewed Highstep sweetly, treating Wildwind to one of her irresistible smiles. Larkflight watched with satisfaction as the rambunctious tom's heart melted from the inside out. What a little charmer she is! Thought Larkflight, rolling her eyes. Wildwind was soft.
"Isn't it daring?" muttered the white and gray tom, trying a dashing, heroic smile. Larkflight had to admit, Wildwind wasn't bad. He had Highstep dangling from his paw.
"Oh wow! Do you remember the battle at the Clearing, Fireheart? And I was like, 'slash!' right at Rockjaw's leg and he fell like dead bird and-"
"Ew, Ravenslash, that's just gross," meowed Fireheart jokingly, wrinkling his nose. Ravenslash sniffled in mock hurt, whimpering like a kit. But Ravenslash was bored of pretending to mope after a second, and he returned to his story with as much vigor as before.
Larkflight flicked her ears toward Feathersong and Huntingspirit, who were sitting next to each other, slightly separate from the group, murmuring. Larkflight smiled smugly.
"Feathersong. I love your name. It's almost as beautiful as you are," purred Huntingspirit, pressing his nose into Feathersong's flank. The white she-cat purred, making a noise like the tinkling of a brook over polished stones. The sound only pushed poor Huntingspirit even further into his reverie. The slender white she-cat looked right at home next to Huntingspirit's muscled bulk. Larkflight flicked her ears away, amused. But as she padded away towards the warrior's den to chat with Gustfoot, her heart constricted, and she longed to see Moonleaf again, and sit next to him, and purr.
"Ah hello, Larkflight! What are those little lovebirds saying? Don't think I didn't notice you eavesdropping!" laughed Gustfoot, a twinkle in her eye. Larkflight rolled her eyes, shaking her head.
"You are too observant, my friend." Larkflight flopped down, letting the strong sun wash over her and spread along her flank.
The two she-cats sat in the sun for a while, bathing themselves and remarking lightly on the sun. New-leaf was beginning. Suddenly, in a blast of noise, Quicktail came crashing into he camp, her ears torn and blood caked on her fur.
"Brackenstar! Somebody come quickly! They've attacked our patrol!" she managed to cough out, before collapsing in a pile of red stained fur. Briskleaf and Fernmist were swarming over her in a second, applying cobwebs here and poultices there. In a few moments, Brackenstar appeared, his eyes brimming with worry.
"What happened? Fernmist, get out of my way? Where is the rest of the patrol?"
Larkflight leapt to hr feet and raced over. "She said that they had been attacked, Brackenstar," put in the gray she-cat. Brackenstar looked over at her, and he held her gaze for a long moment, searching her. She knew that he knew what she was thinking. Firestar and his band of cats had kept their promise.