Wow. Chapter 20 already. It feels like this story hasn't gone very far since Chapter 1… Oh well. This chapter is really short, and it includes an updated allegiances. Tell me if you can find any mistakes in them. This chapter is pretty happy. But you know, those never last.
And also, yes, I know ThunderClan is big, but they won't be for… too long. *Evil Grin*
Galefire: Thanks for your sympathy, I am sorry about your dog too, my dog died over Summer, this hasn't been the best few years for me. And to make a poll, you go to you profile and click on the tab that says poll which will bring up the option between two things that are: Info/Guide and Polls. Click on Polls and it will bring you to a new screen. You enter the poll question (ex: Do you like dogs?) and the choices (ex: Yes [enter] No). Make sure poll status is open and then click on create poll.
After you do all that, a new poll should appear under my polls. Click on View/Edit for that poll. It will take you to a new screen, and at the top, right hand corner it will ask: Do you wish to display this poll on your profile page? Change it from 'no' to 'yes'
Hope that helped, tell me the results, sorry for rambling.
Pengirl: Your next chapter will be out soon. Thanks for your compliments and sympathy.
Starbomb: Oh, you'll see in time alright. Thanks for the sympathy, it mean a lot to me.
Zestia240: Okay, I listened to a little excerpt from that song on iTunes. It really did describe Rosepaw's situation and personality. Thanks for showing it to me.
Bailey: Thanks for the suggestion! But I already had to pick because… well you'll just have to see huh? Thanks for the compliments though! I really appreciate them! Enjoy!
Chapter 20: At Last
Rosepaw huffed. Her fur was matted and bloody; several cats were sprawled across the clearing. With a small skip of worry in her heart, Rosepaw noticed Lionpaw among them. Hailwhisker was crouched beside Rosepaw. There were only two WindClan warriors that still stood in ThunderClan camp, their eyes flittering nervously, wondering if they should retreat like the rest of their Clanmates or stay and fight.
Rosepaw recognized the black she-cat, the very cat who had nearly killed her had it not been for Troutclaw. The she-cat was very bloody, obviously hanging onto consciousness like moss draping off a tree. Rosepaw noticed that her claws had no blood on them, only small tufts of fur in them.
The other cat with her was a reddish tom. His eyes shone with hatred, though he too was very beaten up. He cast an unwavering glance at the she-cat. "Rushfall," she spoke her name. "We must leave."
Rushfall didn't protest, only nodded. "Sure Bloodwhisker." She mumbled.
Bloodwhisker! Rosepaw thought. What a foul name! At least Rushfall has decency to it!
Bloodwhisker met the gaze of Stormwhisper. "You can keep the kit." He spat. "For now."
The kit was now peeking out of the medicine cat den, her eyes glaze with certain fear. For a heartbeat, Rosepaw felt piteous for this kit, but then, the recollection of her mother's death stung her again.
Bloodwhisker turned away. Rushfall looked back at the kit with sympathy… or was it pride? "Goodbye Snowkit." She murmured, before racing away to join Bloodwhisker on their long journey back home.
Oakstar stood by his deputy. His gaze burned as the WindClan warriors left. He turned to Petalwind. "You and Iceblossom check up on our cats." He meowed. "Their wounds don't appear too terrible." To Rosepaw's surprise, then he turned to her. "Good job Rosepaw." He murmured.
Rosepaw felt a flash of surprise. After all of the awful things she had done that broke the warrior code, Oakstar still felt some respect for her.
Rosepaw nodded to her leader. "Thank you." She mumbled. Oakstar dipped his head before padding into the leader's den, flicking his tail for Stormwhisper to join him.
Hailwhisker looked at Rosepaw. "Your wounds aren't very bad." She meowed. "Petalwind patched them up pretty good last time. Why don't you go ahead and get some rest?" She asked.
Rosepaw nodded, she padded into the apprentice's den, surprised to find that Stonepaw was already there. There was blood in his nest as he tossed and turned. Rosepaw looked at him quizzically. He had fought in the battle. Why was he asleep already? He should get those wounds checked out.
Rosepaw nudged him with her paw. "Stonepaw, wake up." She whispered as she prodded him.
Stonepaw lazily flickered his eyes open. "Oh," his eyes fixated on Rosepaw. "Hi Rosepaw." He meowed. His eyes were searching for something, but Rosepaw couldn't tell what for.
"You had better get your wounds inspected by Petalwind or Iceblossom." Rosepaw meowed.
Stonepaw looked at the bloody mess he made. "I really don't need to…" he murmured. "They'll heal in time."
Rosepaw shook her head. "No. Just get them looked at, please Stonepaw? It won't take long." She meowed, her heart going out to the gray tom. Rosepaw could tell that he was indeed in pain, and quite a lot of it.
Stonepaw sighed. "I guess I will." He meowed. Rosepaw smiled. "But only because you begged me to." He meowed playfully before racing away.
Rosepaw sighed. She went to her own nest and curled up to fall asleep.
"Rosepaw! Wake up!" The light brown she-cat's eyes danced open when she heard such urgently in the meow of her sister. She jumped to her paws and whipped around to face Shinepaw.
"What is it?" she asked, thinking the worse. Did WindClan attack again? Were Stonepaw's wounds very terrible? She felt worry flickering inside of her. She looked expectantly at Shinepaw to find that the she-cat's bright blue eyes were shining wildly.
"Well, Oakstar was very impressed with our battle moves when WindClan attacked." Shinepaw meowed.
Rosepaw nodded slowly. "Go on." She murmured.
"We're becoming warriors!"
Rosepaw let out a yowl of joy. Excitement and anxiety bubbled inside of her vigorously. She was becoming a warrior! A warrior! At last! "What about Lionpaw and Stonepaw's injuries?" She asked.
"They're well enough to attend." Shinepaw explained briefly. "Oh, StarClan I hope I look okay!" Shinepaw added, licking her paw nervously.
Rosepaw purred in amusement. "You look fine Shinepaw." She meowed to her sister, and saw her sister relax a bit.
"Sorry Rosepaw… I just wanted to look good for Forestclaw." She murmured.
Rosepaw felt a stab of pity for her dear sister. It must be hard to have the one you love not love you back. Do I feel that way about anyone in particular? Rosepaw thought to herself curiously. "It's okay Shinepaw." Rosepaw meowed, trying to sound encouraging. "You'll find a good tom out there for you."
"But who?" Shinepaw asked worriedly.
"Well…." Rosepaw thought through all of the toms their age. "There is Flamepaw?" she suggested.
Shinepaw shook her head dejectedly. "No… I'm pretty sure Dawnpaw likes him." She murmured.
Rosepaw drew in a long breath.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!" Oakstar's joyous yowl echoed throughout camp.
"Let's go." Rosepaw meowed, leading her sister to the gathering cats. Rosepaw sat down next to Grayblaze. She looked at his eyes, expecting to see some sort of pride. She was surprised to find that his eyes held no accomplishment, no joy, and no happiness. Just sorrow, grief, anger all mixed together in just his eyes.
Rosepaw felt uncomfortable sitting with her father now. She hadn't spoken to him since Morningfeather's death. He looked… terrible, in one word. Rosepaw shuffled her paws unevenly. Her father's daunting gaze was on Oakstar.
Rosepaw inched closer to her sister, feeling safer beside her. She then peered ahead to notice the kit, Snowkit as she was known as in WindClan, sitting beneath the Highledge, a mixture of fear and uncertainty lit her gaze.
"Now, as you all know, ThunderClan has taken in a kit." Oakstar meowed, his tail swept over Snowkit. Rosepaw felt a stab of protest inside of her. Did this kit really have to become an official ThunderClan cat? Couldn't it at least go to RiverClan or ShadowClan? Or better yet, they could give it to a kittypet to raise.
"I have decided that this kit will become one of our Clanmates." Oakstar continued. "Her name is Snowkit. Featherfoot and Firestripe have agreed to foster her." He meowed. Rosepaw noticed Featherfoot and Firestripe sitting proudly beside eachother, Leafkit, Redkit, and Ravenkit struggling to sit still in front of them as the Clan chanted Snowkit's name. The Clan that was, except for Rosepaw.
"Also," Oakstar continued. Rosepaw felt an eager stab inside of her. This was it. She was becoming a warrior! Earning the name that she would forever hold excited her beyond measure. She felt a sudden hurt inside of her though. Brightpaw should be here. So should Morningfeather. They didn't' deserve to be dead.
"I will appoint some new warriors to this Clan today." Rosepaw didn't like the way he worded that. It sounded too… how to put it? Formal? Rosepaw looked at his eyes and was surprised to see that they were filled with worry. Their Clan leader, worried? What did he have to be worried about at this time?
"Rosepaw, Shinepaw, Lionpaw, Dawnpaw, and Stonepaw. Please come forward." Oakstar meowed, his gaze sweeping over the apprentices. Rosepaw drew in a sharp breath and fell into pace beside Stonepaw as they walked to the Highledge. Rosepaw could feel all eyes on them.
"StarClan look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand your ways of you noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in return." Oakstar turned to face the apprentices. Rosepaw could almost hear her heart beat inside of her chest.
"Dawnpaw, Stonepaw, Rosepaw, Shinepaw, Lionpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do," Stonepaw meowed boldly.
"I do," Joined in Dawnpaw, her voice smooth.
"I do," Shinepaw was clearly nervous.
"I do," Lionpaw meowed tentatively.
He's already breaking that vow. Rosepaw thought, lashing her tail.
"I do," Rosepaw chorused, she was surprised at how mature her voice sounded, even though she could hear her heart beat by this time.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names." Oakstar's gaze fell on Dawnpaw. Rosepaw noticed the ginger and cream she-cat shuffle her paws nervously. "Dawnpaw," Oakstar meowed. "From now on, you will be known as Dawnpool. ThunderClan honors your hunting skills and caring personality."
Dawnpool's eyes shown as the Clan chanted her name. "Dawnpool! Dawnpool!" Rosepaw noticed Flamepaw chanting loudly. So Shinepaw had been right about them.
"Stonepaw." Oakstar turned to Rosepaw's best friend. The gray tom looked sturdy. Maybe it was because he was bigger than Oakstar and look down on him now. Rosepaw felt a twist of pride in her friend.
"From this moment on, I name you Stonefang. ThunderClan honors your wisdom and bravery."
"Stonefang! Stonefang!" Rosepaw chanted loudly, joy flooded inside of her. For a moment, she had forgotten Brightpaw and Morningfeather. But their memory soon clawed into her again.
"Lionpaw," Rosepaw looked to her brother, standing before the ThunderClan leader. His fur sticking to his pelt with nervousness that made him appear much smaller than he usually looked.
"You will now be called Lionfire. ThunderClan honors your honesty and battle-skills."
What great traits to pick out there Oakstar. Rosepaw thought sarcastically, feeling sympathetic for her brother who shrank in his pelt, even when the Clan chanted "Lionfire!"
"Shinepaw," Rosepaw watched as her sister stepped timidly towards the leader. The silver apprentice's coat looked very pretty; she had obviously been wishing to attract at least some attention from her former friend Forestclaw.
"From now on, you will be called Shinedove. ThunderClan honors your loving nature and level-headedness." Oakstar meowed.
"Shinedove! Shinedove!" Rosepaw noticed Shinedove's eyes scouring the Clan for Forestclaw. Then she saw her blue eyes lit up when she realized that Forestclaw was calling her name. On that note, Shinedove walked away to be with her denmates.
"Rosepaw."
The world seemed to stop for the light brown apprentice. This was it. She was becoming a warrior. A real warrior. Forever.
"Oh how you have given ThunderClan stories to tell."
Rosepaw felt a little surprised at Oakstar's change of formal lines of tradition.
"All the more reason that you should become a warrior of this Clan."
Rosepaw felt a pride burst inside of her. She cast a sideward glance at Stonefang who grinned at her immensely.
"From this moment on, you will be known as Rosewater. ThunderClan honors your unmatched courage and faithful persistency."
Rosewater felt Oakstar rest his chin on top of her head. Respectfully, she leaned forward and licked his shoulder before turning to face the Clan.
The howled her name in joy "Rosewater! Rosewater! Rosewater!"
But, as cheerful as Rosewater was, becoming a warrior, at long last, she felt down. Discarded that her mother and sister couldn't be here.
The she saw something.
Was it actually something or just a mirage?
She swore to StarClan that she saw the faint outlines of Morningfeather, her light brown and white fur gently buffeted by the wind.
She saw Brightpaw too, sitting with pride clear in her eyes.
And of course there was Leopardheart. Standing there and looking to Rosewater as if it were her own daughter.
As ThunderClan cried out: "Dawnpool! Stonefang! Lionfire! Shinedove! Rosewater!" Rosewater truly felt happy. She raced off to be with her friends, a pertinent smile on her face.
So, how was it? Tell me what you think of their new names: Dawnpool, Stonefang, Lionfire, Shinedove and Rosewater. There was a tie between Rosewater and Rosefrost, but since I wanted to post this chapter sooner, I didn't wait for a tie breaker. Hope you approved of my choice
Mistyflower
Allegiances
ThunderClan
Leader Oakstar – Pale brown tabby tom with dark green eyes
Deputy Stormwhisper – dark gray tabby she-cat with deep blue eyes
Medicine Cat Iceblossom – white she-cat with pale gray paws and ears
Apprentice; Petalwind (White she-cat with light brown patches)
Warriors (toms and she-cats without kits)
Leafsparrow – Brown and white long-furred tabby she-cat with light green eyes
Apprentice; Flamepaw
Thornbird – Golden tabby tom with green eyes
Hailwhisker – Gray she-cat with white patches and blue eyes
Grayblaze – Long-furred gray tom with a white stripe running down his face
Lilyfrost – Cream-colored she-cat with brown ears and blue eyes
Rockheart – Dark gray tabby tom
Forestclaw – Dark brown tabby tom with blue eyes
Firestripe – Golden brown tabby tom with amber eyes
Bluedove – Blueish-gray she-cat
Flightbreeze – Light ginger she-cat
Rosewater – Long-furred light brown she-cat with red ears, tail and paws, light blue eyes
Stonefang – Large gray tabby tom with green eyes
Shinedove – Silver and white she-cat
Lionfire – Bright ginger tom with amber eyes
Dawnpool – Cream and Ginger she-cat with brown eyes
Apprentices (more than six moons old, in training to become warriors)
Flamepaw – Long-furred bright ginger and white tom with blazing green eyes
Queens (she-cats, expecting or nursing kits)
Swanwhisker – Brown and white she-cat with blue eyes; mother to Forestclaw's kits; Leafkit (Brown tabby and white she-cat), Ravenkit (Black tom with white paws), and Redkit (Reddish tabby tom) (4 Moons old)
Featherfoot – Long furred silver tabby she-cat; mother to Firestripe's kit: Silverkit (Silver she-cat), fostering Snowkit (Very light cream she-cat (almost white) with blue eyes, formerly of WindClan)
Elders (Former warriors, now retired)
Squirrelfang – Light brown she-cat
Troutclaw – Dark gray (almost black) tom
ShadowClan
Leader Clawstar – Tabby tom
Deputy Heatherfur – Blue-gray she-cat
Medicine Cat Goldwhisker – Light brown tabby she-cat
Warriors (toms and she-cats without kits)
Pineclaw – Brown tabby tom
Volefall – Dark brown tom
Apprentice; Mousepaw
Heavyfang – Gray and white tom
Apprentice; Runningpaw
Yellowblossom – Bright ginger she-cat with green eyes
Ridgewhisker – Pure black tom
Apprentice; Darkpaw
Firestream – Dark ginger tom
Rowanflower – Ginger and white she-cat
Apprentice; Willowpaw
Blackstorm – Huge black tom
Whiskerpool – Black and white she-cat
Antclaw – Light brown tabby tom
Whitewind – Tawny she-cat with white paws
Apprentices (More than six moons old, in training to become warriors)
Mousepaw – Little brown she-cat with green eyes
Darkpaw – Dark tabby tom with burning amber eyes
Runningpaw – Brown tabby tom
Willowpaw – Pale gray she-cat
Queens (she-cat, expecting or nursing kits)
Silverfur – Silver tabby she-cat; mother to Heavyfang's kits: Moonkit (White she-cat) and Echokit (Silver she-cat)
Elders (former warriors or queens now retired)
Amberclaw – Ginger she-cat
Tawnyfang – tortoiseshell she-cat with amber eyes
WindClan
Leader Adderstar – Huge tortoiseshell tom with long claws and amber eyes
Deputy Bloodwhisker – Reddish tabby tom
Medicine Cat Bramblebreeze – Black and white tom
Warriors (toms and she-cat without kits)
Eveningbreeze – tortoiseshell she-cat
Blazepool – ginger tabby tom
Streamfang – Gray tom
Gorgethorn – Dark tabby tom
Fallowclaw – Golden she-cat
Burningheart – tortoiseshell and white tom
Rushfall – Black she-cat
Moorbelly – Light brown tom
Deadwhisker – dark brown tabby tom
Leaffall – Light brown tabby she-cat
Littleclaw – Small tortoiseshell she-cat
Sparrowthorn – Dark brown tom
Ravenblood – Black tom with white paws
Bluewhisker – Blue-gray tabby she-cat
Grassfur – Pale gray she-cat with long-fur
Lakefeather – Dark gray she-cat;
Apprentices (more than six moons old, in training to become warriors)
Troutpaw – Tabby tom
Flowerpaw – Tortoiseshell she-cat
Brownpaw – Brown tabby tom
Queens (she-cats with or without kits)
Brightblood – White she-cat with reddish patches; mother of Blazepool's kit: Graykit (Gray tom)
Milkwhisker – Scarred cream she-cat; mother of Gorgethorn's kit: Thornkit (tabby she-cat)
Elders (warriors and queens now retired)
Poppybloom – Light brown tabby and white she-cat; retired early due to horrendous wounds
RiverClan
Leader Streamstar – Silver she-cat with green eyes
Deputy Boulderstorm – Dark gray tom
Medicine Cat Minnowbreath – Sleek tabby she-cat with blue eyes
Warriors (toms and she-cats without kits)
Splashingfire – Ginger tom
Apprentice; Rockpaw
Whiteflame – Pretty white she-cat
Sorrelfeather – Tortoiseshell, black, and white she-cat
Willowfur – Pale gray she-cat
Apprentice; Twistpaw
Beetleclaw – Dark brown tabby tom
Owlpelt – Pale gray and white tom
Jaythorn – Dark gray tom
Birchfrost – Tabby tom
Larchwing – Golden she-cat
Rockthorn – Black tom
Twistwind – Ginger tabby she-cat
Gazeflight – Gray and white tabby she-cat
Apprentices (more than six moons old, in training to become warriors)
Birdpaw – Gray and cream she-cat
Badgerpaw - Black and white tom
Sparkpaw – Ginger tom
Queens (she-cats, expecting or nursing kits)
Flutterfur – Ginger queen; mother of Boulderstorm's kits: Wingkit (Cream she-cat) and Barkkit (Brown tom)
Elders (warriors and queens now retired)
Oakfall – Brown tabby tom