Redpaw

"Morning Redpaw," Sunpaw said, yawning. I groaned and rolled over. I had been assigned to a night patrol and I was so tired.

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather under HighTree for a Clan meeting," Graystar called.

I reluctantly sat up, stretching my tired legs. I gave my chest a quick groom and hurried out to the main clearing to sit beside Wolfpaw and Skypaw. Wolfpaw was still limping slightly.

"FlameClan has two apprentices who I believe are ready for their warrior names," Graystar announced. "Birdpaw, Sunpaw, step forward."

I looked across the clearing and saw Birdpaw and Sunpaw exchange an excited glance. They walked over to Graystar, who had jumped out of HighTree.

"Now, Thunderstorm, are you satisfied that your apprentice is ready to become a warrior of FlameClan?" Graystar asked.

"I believe that Sunpaw has trained hard to learn the ways of the warrior code," Thunderstorm agreed.

"Sunpaw, do you promise to follow the ways of the warrior code and protect your Clan with your life?" Graystar asked.

"I do," Sunpaw replied nervously.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. From this moment on, you will be called Sunblaze," Graystar said, resting his nose on Sunblaze's head. The new warrior licked his shoulder.

"Sunblaze," I called first.

"Sunblaze, Sunblaze!" the rest of FlameClan called.

After the cheering died down, Graystar walked over to Birdpaw. "Brambletail, do you believe your apprentice is ready to become a warrior?" Graystar asked Brambletail.

"I believe that Birdpaw has worked hard and she is ready to become a full warrior," a brown striped tabby replied.

"Birdpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect FlameClan with your life?" Graystar asked.

"I do," Birdpaw answered.

"Then by the powers of our warrior ancestors, I give you your warrior name. From this day forward, you will be known as Birdsong. StarClan honours your hard work and undying loyalty."

FlameClan crowded around the two newest warriors. Once the commotion died down, I wandered over with Wolfpaw. "Congratulations," I said.

"Thanks," Sunblaze said. Wolfpaw was chatting with Birdsong. "Hey, do you want to go hunting?" Sunblaze asked.

"Sure," I replied happily.

Sunblaze and I headed towards the bramble barrier. "Where do you think you're going?" Ravenclaw asked, sharing a vole with Owlfoot.

"Sunblaze and I are going hunting," I replied.

Ravenclaw purred quietly. "Run along now."

We headed into the forest. "Congratulations on becoming a warrior," I said.

"Thanks," Sunblaze replied shyly. "What can you smell?"

"I can smell squirrel, mouse and BreezeClan," I replied.

"BreezeClan, but we're nowhere near the border," Sunblaze said. We looked at each other. We crouched down and crept closer to the source of the scent. "Come on Duckpelt, hurry up," a cat hissed. "We don't want Owlstar to know we're gone."

"Why are we doing this anyway?" another cat said.

"How many cats are there?" Sunblaze hissed in my ear.

I stuck my head out of the bush. There was a patrol of six cats.

"Six," I replied, "too many for us to attack alone."

"Back to camp and warn Graystar then," Sunblaze decided.

We bolted through the forest and back to camp.

"Graystar," I panted, running over to him.

"Yes Redpaw," Graystar said.

"BreezeClan cats in our territory," Sunblaze answered for me.

"I'll round up a patrol and amb -" Graystar offered.

"ATTACK," a yowl interrupted Graystar.

BreezeClan cats poured into the camp. More than the six I saw with Sunblaze. "Brambletail, Branchfur, guard the nursery," Graystar ordered.

"I'll take Redpaw and protect the medicine den," Sunblaze offered.

"Go," Graystar called over his shoulder, launching himself into the battle.

I quickly followed Sunblaze to the medicine den. "Thank StarClan you're here," Splodgepelt sighed.

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

"Yep, I was just getting worried about Wolfpaw," Splodgepelt admitted. "She can walk but not fight just yet."

"But I want to fight," Wolfpaw complained.

"You must stay here," Skypaw instructed.

Grasstail burst into the clearing. "WOLFPAW," he screamed, eyes wide in terror. Windflight had snuck into the medicine den and was looming over the apprentice.

Wolfpaw reached up and scratched Windflight's belly. Windflight yowled in pain. Grasstail crashed into her flank, shoving her against the wall. "Traitor," Windflight hissed.

"I am a FlameClan cat," Grasstail shot back, tail lashing.

"I feel very sorry for FlameClan then, having to put up with you," Windflight spat the last word out.

Wolfpaw staggered out of her nest and to her paws. She ran at Windflight. "Leave Grasstail alone!" she screamed. "What has he ever done to you?"

"Wolfpaw, NO," Sunblaze called.

I rushed in to save Wolfpaw from being batted aside. I scratched Windflight's face. Grasstail leapt for Windflight. He landed on her back and dug his claws in.

"Okay, I submit," Windflight said. "I'll go call off the attack."

Grasstail reluctantly got off Windflight and escorted her back to the main clearing. "BreezeClan retreat," Windflight yowled.

All the fighting noise stopped as BreezeClan retreated out of camp. "Wolfpaw, are you okay?" I asked, rushing over to her.

"My paw hurts," she mumbled.

"Lie down and rest," Skypaw instructed.

Wolfpaw limped over to her nest and lay down. "Splodgepelt, come look at Wolfpaw's paw," Skypaw said.

Splodgepelt hurried over and looked. "It's fine," Splodgepelt said. "Just another night and you can go back to your apprentice duties."

Splodgepelt and Skypaw walked to the main clearing with some herbs to treat the injured cats.

"No!" Skypaw shouted.

I rushed over to Skypaw. "What is-" I broke off as I saw Branchfur's body sprawled in the middle of the clearing. Cats were gathered around him, paying their final respects.

"BreezeClan will pay for this," Wolfpaw said, limping over.

"Yes, you can be sure," Grasstail murmured in Wolfpaw's ear.

Graystar looked up from Branchfur's body. "All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather under HighTree for a Clan meeting," Graystar called, bounding into HighTree.

Once all the cats had assembled Graystar began. "Now, FlameClan, you all know of BreezeClan's attack and Branchfur's death. It is time to appoint a new deputy." Graystar scanned the crowd of cats. "I say these words over the body of Branchfur, so that his spirit may hear and accept my choice. Thunderstorm will be the new deputy of FlameClan."

"Me?" Thunderstorm asked.

"Do you accept?" Graystar asked.

"I do," Thunderstorm said, proudly. "I will serve FlameClan with my last breath."

The clearing erupted into cheering. Graystar jumped from HighTree, signalling the Clan meeting was over.

I was tired. I noticed Grasstail helping Wolfpaw to the medicine den. I caught Ravenclaw's eye and yawned. He nodded. I walked over to the apprentice's log. It was strange. I had never been sleeping in here on my own before.