Chapter Twenty-One: New Warrior

Something sharp prodded in his side, and Lionpaw slowly opened his eyes. It was dark out; great StarClan, he'd slept the day away. There were beautiful streaks of gold, red, and pink that glowed around the sun. Sunset.

Looking around, narrowing his eyes and yawning off his sleep, he wondered who'd woken him up. His eyes looked up in crystal-clear blue eyes, and he flinched.

Frostpaw.

"Frostpaw," he breathed.

The apprentice, her white-tinged fur glittering like snow in the sun's dying rays, stared at him silently, her expression kept carefully clean. "Hello, Lionpaw," she meowed, voice clipped.

A rush of emotions crashed over him to see her again; happiness that she was talking to him, worry that he'd lose her again, and anger at the whole fight she'd caused. Before he could say anything, she turned as if to leave, and he uttered, "Wait! Don't go!"

She hesitated, as if torn between leaving him and turning around. Lionpaw held his breath, and finally released it in relief as she turned reluctantly, eyes blue pools of annoyance and regret. "What?" she growled. "You better talk fast."

Lionpaw bit back a chuckle, realizing how much he'd missed his friend over the past weeks. "Frostpaw... look, I'm sorry. I- I don't understand why you were angry with me, but I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry for whatever I said." He stared straight into her eyes, and meant every word as they fell like stones in the air.

Frostpaw gazed at him, silent, for a long time before finally sighing. Gently, she murmured, "I forgive you, Lionpaw. I forgave you a long time ago. But... I'm still mad."

"Why?" Lionpaw put every ounce of frustration and confusion he felt into that one word, and he wished she'd make him understand.

His friend was motionless, and for a heartbeat he thought she was going to turn around and leave. But she stayed. She stayed.

"It hurt me that... that I thought you liked Pebbleheart. That you liked her more than me." Her voice was so quiet, it was hard to understand. But Lionpaw heard her. Slowly, understanding trickled over him, and he felt suddenly dizzy at he realized what she was saying. And he didn't like the amount of emotion her words had on him; powerful and confusing. But something warm trickled over him. It wasn't uncomfortable and strange like when he was with Pebbleheart; somehow it felt...

Right.

"Frostpaw," he said slowly, stepping closer to her as his heart pounded in his chest. "I would never do that. You... you're..." He struggled to say what was swirling in his mind. "You're the best friend I have."

The hope that had been rising in Frostpaw's eyes flicked suddenly, and he saw disappointment. But before she could talk, there came a roar from outside the darkening den, and he knew it was Snowstar. "All lions old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the High Rock for a Clan ceremony!"

Frostpaw looked at Lionpaw, expression unhappy, as she brushed past him. Lionpaw felt his own bitter disappointment; although he knew they were friends again, something was missing.

They stepped into the camp, and he glanced around, yawning. He couldn't believe he'd slept the day away. He'd never done that before, and wondered why nobody had woken him up before now.

Around the High Rock, there was everyone from LightningClan; elders and queens and all the warriors, and every apprentice. Lionpaw went and sat with Brightpaw and Cricketpaw. They gave him a weird look as he sat down, and he remembered how he'd acted earlier with Rowanpaw. They probably wanted answers.

"You alright, mate?" Brightpaw mumbled into Lionpaw's ear. "You've been acting odd lately. And then today all you did is sleep. Are you... sick?"

Lionpaw grimaced. "No... don't worry. There's just..." He stopped, trying to sum up everything going on in his life right now. It was impossible. "A lot going on," he finished lamely. He saw the concern in his friend's eyes, and he sighed. Brightpaw had enough troubles in his life; he didn't need the burden of Lionpaw's. But he wished he could talk to his friend about it.

"Really. It's okay," he promised his friend, forcing his voice not to shake.

Cricketpaw had been listening, but Lionpaw avoided his sister's gaze, not wanting to talk about it any more. Instead he focused on his father, standing proudly on top of High Rock, gazing down at Buzzardpaw. His fur was gleaming, and he looked tall and handsome in the ring of loving clanmates surrounding him. Despite the problems pressing down on him, Lionpaw felt true pride for his friend. He knew Buzzardpaw had dreamed about this day for a long time.

"Warriors of LightningClan," Snowstar rumbled, gazing around at his Clan, pride brimming in his eyes. They began to grow quiet and listen as their leader continued. "We are here today because of a young warrior, ready to gain the name he's earned time over and over again. Buzzardpaw, it is your night to become a warrior."

There were some whoops and yowls of support, and Lionpaw chuckled as Brightpaw and Cricketpaw joined in. Buzzardpaw was popular in the Clan, and he was pleased they were showing their support.

Snowstar took a deep breath as he prepared the ancient ritual. "Sunpelt," he rasped, gazing into the crowd at the tall, handsome lion. "Are you satisfied that this apprentice is ready to become a warrior?"

Everyone listened as Sunpelt spoke, his voice low and true. "Yes, he is ready." He beamed proudly at Buzzardpaw, who gazed back, eyes excited and respectful.

Snowstar nodded, and cleared his throat. "I, Snowstar, leader of LightningClan, call upon our warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the way of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn."

Lionpaw felt a sense of awe rise in him. A quiet longing whispered in his heart. Warrior. It was the ultimate goal, the true pride, of every Clan. He could barely wait for his. But right now, it seemed a long ways off.

Snowstar continued, his voice low and strong. "Buzzardpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Buzzardpaw lifted his head, eyes glowing, and when he spoke, Lionpaw knew he meant it. "I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Buzzardpaw, from now on you will be known as Buzzardflight. LightningClan welcomes you as a full warrior."

Lionpaw watched, fascinated, as Snowstar stepped forward, and gently, the huge, white-furred lion rested his furry chin on top of Buzzardflight's strong head. Respectfully, the new warrior rasped a tongue across the leader's powerful shoulder, and stepped back, eyes shining as he faced his Clan. There were shouts from all of LightningClan. "Buzzardflight! Buzzardflight!" they cheered, all stepping closer to the new warrior as they wove around him, murmuring congratulations and wishes.

"Buzzardflight!" Cricketpaw whispered in delight, ruffling her fur as she raced across the camp to press against the warrior, her whole body shaking with pride. Lionpaw chuckled and stood up, letting out a shout of praise for his old friend.

"Lucky guy," Brightpaw remarked as they stood up, ready to go over and congratulate their friend. "Warrior. Just think, Lionpaw; in a few moons, that'll be us."

Wonder flashed over Lionpaw as he realized that was true. He shivered, and knew he could hardly wait for it.

Suddenly, there came a voice behind him. "Lionpaw!"

He paused, and turned, shocked to see Pebbleheart standing behind him, her pretty face twisted with fear and determination. He swallowed hard, thinking of their earlier, uncomfortable words, and wondered what she could possibly want now. "Yeah?"

She stared hard at him. "We have to talk."