What if I DID own Warriors? This would happen in the 1st series…

Chapter 5 – Preparation

The SkyClan patrol burst back into camp, and Birdstar immediately fell into deep conversation with Leafblade, her brother as well as the Clan deputy, and Dovefeather, Shimmerpaw listening hard behind her mentor.

The whole Clan seemed to buzz, the patrol telling different groups of cats what had happened.

Firepaw listened as Dawnpaw, Moonpaw and Icepaw told Lightningpw and Hurricanepaw what was happening.

His mind was a buzzy as the Clan's chattering. Would ShadowClan attack? What would Birdstar say at the next Gathering?

"If ShadowClan attacks, then we'll all have our work cut out trying to keep the kittypet from dying!" Icepaw remarked loudly, and Firepaw swung around to glare at her, his neck fur bristling.

"When you're pinned down by a ShadowClan kit, don't come mewling to me!" he spat as Lightningpaw opened her mouth to speak.

"Will you two ever stop arguing?" Hurricanepaw mewed in amusement.

"Not when she starts it all the time," Firepaw meowed.

"Hey!" Icepaw spat. "You think you –"

"Cats of SkyClan, gather beneath the Skythorn for a Clan meeting!" Birdstar yowled, and Firepaw bounded away.

He sat down between Dawnpaw and Hurricanepaw.

Amberlight padded out of the nursery, closely followed by Whiteleg, the kits tumbling after their mothers, happily playing 'ShadowClan Attack'.

Burntear and Halfleg padded out from the elders' den, discussing ShadowClan battles in the past.

Shadowfur, Twilightsky, Eagleclaw and Hawkflight padded from the fresh-kill pile, their faces dark, while the younger warriors, Falconwing, Goldcloud and Silverstripe, sat discussing the problem at the base of the Skythorn.

Meanwhile, Dovefeather and Shimmerpaw were deep in conversation about StarClan signs and herbs.

Leafblade bounded up to stand beside his sister on the branch where she addressed the Clan.

"Cats of SkyClan," Birdstar meowed, "you have all heard of what happened tonight."

"And we will not surrender!" Leafblade yowled in a magnificent voice. The Clan yowled agreement.

"No, we will not." Birdstar agreed firmly. "Also, we may find allies with ThunderClan. We must use this. Two Clans united will be stronger against ShadowClan's many numbers."

The Clan murmured agreement, and for some reason Firepaw thought of Sandpaw. He pushed the thought away uncomfortably.

"We must prepare!" Birdstar's call jolted Firepaw out of his thoughts. "And we also need more warriors."

Her gaze fixed on Lightningpaw and Hurricanepaw.

"Wash!" Goldcloud mewed, rushing towards her kits and covering them with licks, while the other apprentices looked on with amusement and envy.

Silverstripe, their father, suddenly looked huge as he puffed out his chest with pride. It was obvious the family were related: Hurricanepaw's grey pelt was almost like his father's, while Lightningpaw was the smaller image of Goldcloud.

"Step forward," Birdstar ordered the apprentices. Their eyes shining, they stepped before their leader while the Clan drew back around them.

"Eagleclaw and Hawkflight," Birdstar meowed, "Are you satisfied that your apprentices are ready?"

"Yes," Eagleclaw meowed proudly.

"Hurricanepaw is more than ready." Hawkflight purred.

Birdstar looked down at them. Firepaw's fur shivered with anticipation. One day, he would have this ceremony. He could feel Dawnpaw quivering beside him, but that was nothing compared to how solemn and excited the oldest apprentices looked.

"I, Birdstar, leader of SkyClan, call upon our warrior ancestors to look down upon these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Hurricanepaw and Lightningpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your lives?"

"I do," there wasn't a trace of doubt in Hurricanepaw's voice.

"I do," Lightningpaw meowed firmly.

"Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Hurricanepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Hurricaneclaw. StarClan honours your courage and strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of SkyClan."

She rested her muzzle on the new warrior's head, and he licked her shoulder before stepping back to join Falconwing.

"Lightningpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Lightningstrike. StarClan honours your spirit and intelligence, and we welcome you as a full warrior of SkyClan."

"Hurricaneclaw! Lightningstike!" the Clan called.

Firepaw joined in happily. He couldn't wait for his warrior ceremony.

"In the tradition of our ancestors, the new warriors will guard the camp silently while we sleep tonight." Birdstar meowed. "But before they go, we must still prepare."

They were back on the subject of ShadowClan.

"Silverstripe, you will be in charge of reinforcing the gorse barrier," Birdstar meowed. "Shadowfur, you and Hawkflight will work on reinforcing the dens. I want Leafblade to oversee the apprentices' battle skills. Eagleclaw, you will be in charge of the patrols around the ShadowClan border. We'll also need to make a secret exit – just in case."

"Do you want me to lead a patrol now?" Eagleclaw asked.

"Yes. Make it the dusk patrol," Birdstar meowed.

"I'll go," Twilightsky offered. "Come on, Icepaw!"

"What? Now?" Icepaw mewed irritably. She sighed. "Fine."

Firepaw smirked at her – and she hit him with her tail.

"Ow!" Firepaw glared at her but she didn't look back.

"Firepaw," Firepaw looked up and saw the rest of the Clan had broken up. The new warriors were sitting alone in the middle of the camp. Birdstar had spoken.

"I'd like you to go out and help Shimmerpaw collect herbs tomorrow," Birdstar explained.

"Why?" he asked, trying to force awy the disappointment in his voice.

Birdstar heard it anyway. "Dovefeather is preparing the combat herbs in bundles, so she doesn't have time."

"Okay, Birdstar," Firepaw mewed. He would much rather go hunting for the Clan, though.

He padded over to the apprentices' den, and curled up, gazing at the soft fern roof as he drifted off to sleep.

What do you guys think of the story so far? Please review if you liked it, and let me know if I should keep updating!