Chapter 6

" I just wanted to thank you for saving me. I couldn't breathe and I knew I would have died if it hadn't been for you. You are really great friend. And making me feel better after Mosskit died? That was sweet. So thank you." I meowed. He looked at me, embarrassed and… disappointed? What was he thinking I would say? He blinked and it disappeared. I told myself I imagined it.

He smiled and said, "Hey no problem, that's what friends are for." He gave my ear a lick and we returned to the others. Fernpaw and Rosepaw were cleaning their wounds. My sister gave me a look that I couldn't decipher. I would ask her about it later.

We sat down next to them and Fernpaw gave me a fond lick. "Well?"She purred.

I eyed her suspiciously. "Well what?"

She snorted and asked, "What'd you say to him?" She was excited but I had no idea why.

"I just told him thanks. A cat was trying to kill me and he saved me."

She just nodded, deflated. Shadepaw padded up to us, and gave us all marigold and cobwebs for our wounds, and scurried away. I had never seen her so busy. She would have time to talk later.

The clan traveled back to camp. Rainstar jumped onto Mossrock but didn't need to call the summons. The clan pooled around him. "Riverclan today we have won a great victory!" Cheers rose. "It would have been a lot harder without Rosepaw and Oakpaw. They did a great job hunting, but their shining moment came during the unexpected fight part of the assessment. Splashspot and Reedpelt agree with me they deserve their warrior names." Rosepaw and Oakpaw exchanged excited glances and padded up to Mossrock. I caught Oakpaw's eye and gave him a smile, which he returned.

"I, Rainstar, call upon Starclan to look down on these two apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of the warrior code and I commend them to you in turn. Rosepaw." She stepped forward quivering in excitement. "Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend the clan even at the cost of your life?"

She said, "I do!" her voice squeaking like a kit.

Rainstar smiled. "Then by the powers of Starclan I give you your warrior name. From this moment on you will be known as Rosedrop. Starclan honors your enthusiastic nature and your sensitivity. We welcome you as a warrior."

He rested his muzzle on her head, and she licked his shoulder respectfully. Then Oakpaw took his sister's place. "Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend the clan even at the cost of your life, Oakpaw?"

He nodded solemnly and said, "I do." He sounded completely different from his sister.

"Then by the powers of Starclan I give you your warrior name. Oakpaw from this moment forward you will be known as Oakstorm. Starclan honors your wisdom and kindness." For a second Rainstar caught my eye. He must have seen Oakpaw, I mean Oakstorm, save me.

I nodded, and he went on. "We welcome you as a warrior." The clan cheered for their newest warriors. My sisters and I yelled the loudest; we knew them best, being their denmates and friends. Fernpaw and I ran up to them, swept up into their happiness.

Rainstar added, "In the traditions of our ancestors, Rosedrop and Oakstorm will guard the camp in silent vigil." They nodded. "But first we shall feast in celebration!" Rainstar added. My clan yowled their approval. I cheered too.

Rainstar tossed around fish. Only after everyone had one did Rainstar take food for himself. But before he could eat, Graymist came up to him and spoke in his ear. A smile spread across his face and he said something back. I wondered what it was. Chances were it wouldn't affect me.

I carried my fish over to where Shadepaw, Fernpaw, Rosedrop, and Oakstorm were eating. Their mother, Shinewhisker was there too. And Reedpelt and Wetfoot. They had been Rosedrop and Oakstorm's mentors. I settled down in the middle of my sisters, but I still didn't bite into my fish yet. Instead I turned to Shadepaw. "You were pretty busy after the battle."

She nodded her eyes shining. "And you were busy during the battle. Isn't is great, using our skills to help the clan?" Fernpaw and I agreed wholeheartedly.

After the Feast, Rainstar had one more announcement. "Graymist has informed me she is expecting Reedpelt's kits." The clan cheered. I spotted Fernpaw congratulating her mentor. "You have the clan's blessings." He added. Graymist and Reedpelt looked proud enough to burst. Then, with Sandclaw and Willowshadow, they head into the forest. Watersong walked up to us and meowed, "Shadepaw, when she comes back will you check her? She shouldn't have fought in the battle." Shadepaw dipped her head to her mentor, and Watersong padded away.

I had a hard time sleeping that night. The den seemed so empty, with just me and Fernpaw. I got up and left the den, sitting just outside of it so I could see the stars. A rustle sounded to my left. It was Shadepaw. She sat beside me. "You ok?" she inquired carefully. Maybe she was worried that I was feeling guilty about Mosskit again.

"I couldn't sleep, the den's too empty." I meowed. She stared into my eyes, and for a second it was like she could see all the way into my soul.

"You must be missing Oakstorm. But I can sense it's something more." It was my turn to stare. What was going through her head?

"What do you mean?" I didn't understand what she was trying to say.

"Maybe you feel deeply about Oakstorm but you don't realize it." She said slowly. Where did she get that from? Had Fernpaw put that idea in her head?

"Right now we are just really good friends. I don't even know what love feels like."

Shadepaw just smiled and cuffed my ear. "Mouse brain," she said, "It's not a bad thing to have feelings for him. And you do know what love feels like; you love me and our sisters and Willowshadow and Rockshade."

"Love for a mate is different than love for your family." I told her. " Don't forget I was a kit only sometime ago. If I was older I might like him in the way your thinking but right now I'm too young to be think of him like that."

"You're almost 9 moons old. That's not a kit, but if you say there's nothing between you but friendship, then I believe you."

She gave me a lick and headed for the camp entrance, and for the first time I saw Watersong waiting for her there. I looked up, and saw it was a haft moon. They must be going to the Moonstone with the other medicine cats. "Goodnight, my dear sister," Shadepaw said over her shoulder as she walked away. I stayed out a lot longer, still gazing at the moon and the stars.

Did I feel like that for Oakstorm? I searched my heart truthfully, but all that was there was friendship. No matter what my sister said, I did not believe I was old enough for those kinds of feelings. Even if I was, I knew I didn't feel them. Oakstorm was just my best friend, plain and simple.