Chapter 10
Suddenly water swept of Jaypaw's head and the golden brown apprentice opened her gray eyes in shock. Scrambling to her paws, Jaypaw lifted her head out of the shallow water and tasted the cold leaf-bare air. Jaypaw gasped for more air until she realized that the air didn't taste as pure as she had first thought. Jaypaw sniffed the air and the scent of smoke flooded her nostrils, making Jaypaw remember the fire. Blinking water out of her eyes, Jaypaw suddenly noticed that two cats were staring at her.
One cat was a large white tom, his yellow eyes staring at Jaypaw with relief in their gold depths. Beside him was a small brown tabby tom who- like his leader- looked relieved that Jaypaw was awake. Jaypaw dipped her head to Blackstar and Littlecloud and noticed that the medicine cat was holding herbs. Recognizing the sweet scent of honey among the herbs, Jaypaw padded out of the lake and exclaimed, "Honey!" Jaypaw noticed that her voice was still a raspy cough.
Blackstar purred with amusement while Littlecloud meowed, hearing the rasp in Jaypaw's voice, "Your throat is probably still sore from breathing in so much smoke. I've already given some to Rosepaw, but Toadpaw wouldn't take any." Littlecloud's eyes clouded with sadness as he explained quietly, "Flowerpaw went to hunt with StarClan. I think Toadpaw wishes he could join her. He's been grieving since Russetfur and Oakfur brought her body back."
"Well what did he think was going to happen?" Blackstar snarled, but Jaypaw noticed that there was also a trace of sadness in the ShadowClan leader's voice. Like so many others, Blackstar had admired Flowerpaw. "Falling in love with a cat from another Clan! All cats know that that usually leads to nothing, but trouble." Jaypaw looked at Blackstar curiously: it sounded as though he was convincing himself as much as reprimanding Toadpaw for his actions.
"Jaypaw!" Rosepaw's mew pulled Jaypaw from her thoughts and she turned to face her friend. Jaypaw's stomach dropped when she realized who was following Rosepaw, their faces emotionless. Spotting Jaypaw, Brackenfur broke away from his place in-between Brambleclaw and Spiderleg and headed towards his daughter. Reaching her, Brackenfur covered Jaypaw in fierce licks, washing the scent of smoke off her fur.
"Thank StarClan, I have not lost you!" Brackenfur meowed and Jaypaw looked into her father's eyes and saw ancient grief bright in their depths. Jaypaw knew Brackenfur was thinking of Molepaw who had died before Jaypaw was born. Jaypaw was glad she hadn't been called to join StarClan yet. Brackenfur and Sorreltail would be devastated. Rosepaw padded up to father and daughter and Brackenfur turned to face her, adding, "Any of you. Where is Toadpaw?"
"He is grieving for Flowerpaw," Blackstar meowed for the first time since the ThunderClan warriors' arrivals, "Flowerpaw was an apprentice of ShadowClan and she, Jaypaw, Rosepaw, and Toadpaw had helped rescue Snowbird's kits. Unfortunately, she didn't make it out of the fire alive." Blackstar's eyes gleamed with grief as he revealed Toadpaw's secret, "I think Toadpaw and Flowerpaw were preparing to become mates when they became warriors. They both loved each other."
Spiderleg hissed from behind Brambleclaw and whirled around to find Toadpaw. Brambleclaw watched him go and then turned to Blackstar, meowing, "I'm sorry about Flowerpaw, but the apprentices must return home. I'm afraid the whole Clan was in an uprising looking for them." Brambleclaw lifted his tail high and Brackenfur nudged Jaypaw and Rosepaw to gather around him. There was a rustling of ferns and Spiderleg appeared, dragging Toadpaw by his scruff. Toadpaw was snarling loudly.
"Let me go!" Toadpaw growled, his paws scrambling on the ground, "I want to sit vigil for Flowerpaw!" Jaypaw's heart broke at the sadness in Toadpaw's eyes and she looked at Brackenfur, hoping her father might be able to convince Spiderleg to let Toadpaw stay in ShadowClan for the night, but Brackenfur shook his head. Spiderleg heaved Toadpaw over to where the ThunderClan cats were waiting and Jaypaw's fur bristled with anger. Spiderleg was Toadpaw's father! Why couldn't he understand that his son had loved Flowerpaw?
"Don't be so hard on the apprentices," Blackstar meowed to Brambleclaw, his yellow gaze sweeping over the soot-stained ThunderClan apprentices. "They all fought like warriors." Jaypaw shared a surprised glance with Rosepaw. That was the kindest thing they had ever heard the ShadowClan leader say and it wasn't even to cats of his own Clan. Jaypaw craned her head to look at Toadpaw, but the black-and-white apprentice wasn't meeting anyone's eyes.
"I'll make sure Firestar knows that," Brambleclaw mewed, "Rosepaw and Toadpaw have been apprentices for many moons and it might be time for them to earn their warrior names." Brambleclaw's amber gaze darted to Jaypaw for a second and the dark tabby added, "Jaypaw is too newly apprenticed to earn her warrior name, but I'll make sure Firestar knows of her part in helping ShadowClan."
Blackstar dipped his head and meowed, "I'll send Oakfur and Rowanclaw to escort you to the border." Blackstar flicked his tail to Oakfur and Rowanclaw and Jaypaw shrank into Rosepaw's fur as she recognized the ginger tom she had once fought against. Above one of Rowanclaw's burning orange eyes, Jaypaw saw that there was a scar and her claws flexed, wondering if that was a wound she gave the ginger warrior. Oakfur stood beside Rowanclaw, his brown fur lying flat on his small frame. Jaypaw stared at him and wondered what his destiny was.
"Thank you," Brackenfur mewed, returning Blackstar's nod. Brambleclaw swept his cats together and the six of them padded to the border escorted by the two ShadowClan warriors. When they reached the border, Brackenfur meowed, "May StarClan grant you a fast recovery. Fire is a threat to all the Clans." Brackenfur crossed the border, Brambleclaw, Spiderleg, and Rosepaw behind him. Jaypaw fell into step beside Toadpaw, brushing her pelt against his.
"Flowerpaw should have gone before me," Toadpaw whispered underneath his breath. Jaypaw looked at Toadpaw and saw that her friend's amber eyes were staring unfocused ahead of him. Jaypaw flicked her ear sadly, realizing that- despite their different Clans- she had admired Flowerpaw. Jaypaw wondered how long it would take Toadpaw to stop mourning and realize that Flowerpaw was worthy of any warrior. "It's my fault she died."
Jaypaw turned to look at Toadpaw, shock flashing in her gray eyes. Jaypaw knew that Toadpaw was grieving for Flowerpaw, but she didn't know that her friend actually blamed himself for her death! In a gentle yet firm voice, Jaypaw hissed, "No it's not! Flowerpaw wanted you to go first and you know- just like I do- that she wouldn't have changed her mind no matter what you said. Flowerpaw loved you and she wanted to make sure you got out okay. Respect her decision and don't beat yourself up over it anymore."
Toadpaw shrugged and Jaypaw sighed, following Rosepaw into the camp. Brambleclaw immediately padded over to where Firestar was sitting, Hazeltail and Poppyfrost beside him. Spiderleg stalked over to where Stripepaw was sharing tongues with Ashpaw. Brackenfur bounded over to the nursery and entered it. When Brackenfur emerged, Daisy was following him. Seeing Rosepaw and Toadpaw, Daisy jolted forward and covered her daughter in fierce licks before turning to her son. Jaypaw watched Toadpaw nod emotionlessly to Daisy, but suddenly someone barreled into her.
Jaypaw turned her head and recognized Sorreltail's tortoiseshell fur. Sorreltail covered Jaypaw in fierce licks just as Daisy had been doing to her two kits, meowing under her breath, "Thank StarClan! Thank StarClan!" Jaypaw allowed Sorreltail to continue licking her, knowing that- like Brackenfur- her mother thought that she had lost another kit. Jaypaw saw Cinderheart and Honeyfern bound over to her and nuzzle her flank. Jaypaw knew that Brackenfur and Sorreltail had lost a son, but Cinderheart, Poppyfrost, and Honeyfern had lost a brother.
Jaypaw looked over Sorreltail's shoulder and saw Firestar pad over to them, flanked by Brambleclaw, Hazeltail, and Honeyfern. Stopping near the seven cats, Firestar mewed, "Brambleclaw said Blackstar said that you three fought like warriors. Rosepaw, Toadpaw, I think it's time you received your new names. Jaypaw, ThunderClan honors you for helping ShadowClan, but you are still too young to become a warrior."
Jaypaw dipped her head to Firestar and meowed, "I know, Firestar. I still have lots to learn." Jaypaw saw Squirrelflight out of the corner of her eye and wondered when she would continue her training. Knowing that today, Toadpaw and Rosepaw- who she had slept beside in the nursery and the apprentices' den- were earning their warrior names made Jaypaw feel excited. Soon she would be a warrior and hopefully, Stripepaw would be beside her.
Firestar flicked his tail for the cats to follow him and then he bounded onto Highledge. "All cats who can catch their own prey, please report underneath Highledge for a Clan meeting." Jaypaw settled down next to Sorreltail, Cinderheart, Honeyfern, and Daisy. Jaypaw saw Brackenfur pad over with Ferncloud and Squirrelflight and Spiderleg followed, Stripepaw and Ashpaw with him. Bumblepaw and Blossompaw padded out of the apprentices' den while Jaypaw saw Leafpool and Applepaw leave their den.
Soon the whole Clan was gathered.
"I, Firestar, leader of ThunderClan, call my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn." Firestar meowed, "Rosepaw, Toadpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend you Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do," Rosepaw's reply rang out clearly while Toadpaw merely nodded.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Rosepaw, from this moment you will be known as Rosestripe. StarClan honors your serenity and reliability and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." Firestar rested his muzzle on Rosestripe's head, and she gave his shoulder a respectful lick. Then Firestar turned to Toadpaw.
Firestar opened his muzzle, but Toadpaw took a step forward. Jaypaw shared a surprised glance with Cinderheart; this wasn't part of the ceremony. Toadpaw's voice was quiet, but Jaypaw could hear the strength behind his words, "Firestar, I would like to choose my own warrior name. I want to be called Toadflower for the apprentice who did not make it out of the fire today."
Firestar looked surprised and Jaypaw understood his shock. Normally apprentices didn't pick their warrior names. To further Jaypaw's surprise, Leafpool stepped forward and meowed, "Firestar, this wouldn't be the first time something like this had happened. Crowfeather of WindClan chose his warrior name for Feathertail." Leafpool's amber eyes darkened with sadness and Jaypaw's pelt prickled, wondering why there were waves of sadness coming from the medicine cat's fur.
Firestar nodded and mewed, "A noble request just as Crowfeather made. Very well, then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Toadpaw, from this moment you will be known as Toadflower. StarClan honors your hope and your light and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." Firestar rested his muzzle on Toadflower's head, and he gave his leader a quick lick on the shoulder.
"Rosestripe! Toadflower! Rosestripe! Toadflower!" The Clan called and Jaypaw bounded over to the two cats, giving Rosestripe a lick on the cheek and twining herself with Toadflower. Dustpelt came over and touched Rosestripe's flank with his nose, dipping his head to Toadflower. Jaypaw looked over to Spiderleg and saw him, nodding in respect to his two kits. It wasn't the same as padding over to his kits, but Jaypaw knew that was a lot for Spiderleg.
Jaypaw looked behind Spiderleg and nodded to Foxfang. Suddenly a voice meowed behind her, "Congratulations!" Jaypaw turned and saw Foxfang dipping his head to the two newly named warriors. Her pelt bristling in shock, Jaypaw looked back at Spiderleg and realized that it wasn't Foxfang behind him, but Flowerpaw. The ShadowClan apprentice had been in the hollow when Toadflower was made a warrior.
