Chapter 6
"Well, it's only mild greencough." Feathersky said hopefully, pulling Icekit closer to her. "Greencough spreads quickly." Goldenfern replied seriously. Cinderflight decided to leave them alone, padding back to her den for a nice, earned rest.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Burnt Log!" Rosestar yowled. Smokepaw got up, his ears twitching in surprise. Rosestar's tone sounded extremely happy and excited and he was itching to know what was going on.
"I'm pleased to announce that I will be having Reedfall's kits in one and a half moon!" Rosestar meowed happily. "During that time, Swallowpath will be the 'leader'." She added, beckoning Swallowpath onto the Burnt Log. All the cats had surprised looks on their faces, some murmuring to each other.
"On a more serious topic, I'd like to give Smokepaw, Mintpaw and Breezepaw their warrior names." What? Smokepaw blinked in surprise. "They have shown confidence in the flood by trying to swim even when they failed, and they have managed to get over the death of four of their loved ones." She relayed in a faintly sad voice, turning towards the warriors gathered. "Those are traits of a warrior, and that is why I would like to present them with their warrior names. Also, Smokepaw will be going on a journey and that is mostly why I feel the need to give him and his siblings their warrior names."
"I, Rosestar, leader of DuskClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to learn the ways of your noble code, and I commend them as warriors in their turn. Smokepaw, Mintpaw, Breezepaw; do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do." Smokepaw mewed first, with confidence blazing through his words. "I do." Mintpaw agreed with an exhale of breath. "I do." Breezepaw's words rang out in the air until Rosestar started speaking again.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I grant you your warrior names. Smokepaw, from this moment on you shall be known as Smokeblaze. StarClan honors your cleverness and independence, and we welcome you as a full warrior of DuskClan." Smokeblaze dipped his head as Rosestar continued.
"Mintpaw, from now on you shall be known as Mintpetal. StarClan honors your enthusiasm and courage, and we welcome you as a full warrior of DuskClan." Mintpetal and Smokeblaze exchanged joyful glances as they stepped back a little to let Breezepaw stand in front.
"Breezepaw, from now on you shall be known as Breezestep. StarClan honors your confidence and bravery, and we welcome you as a full warrior of DuskClan." Rosestar dismissed the Clan with a nod of her head, while the three warriors went to their new den.
That night, Smokeblaze walked towards the Island in the darkness by himself. His nerves were getting to him as he placed one paw in front of the other on the tree-bridge. "Hello." He meowed clearly as he reached the island, slightly trembling in excitement and nervousness. "Hello, Smokepaw." meowed a small black she-cat with four white paws that Smokeblaze remembered as Littlepaw of LakeClan. "I'm Smokeblaze now. My leader gave me my warrior name." Smokeblaze didn't really know what else to say. "Well, I have my warrior name as well. My name is Littlewing." Littlewing replied good-naturedly.
"So, we're here to discuss our plan about the journey." Oneshadow, DawnClan's representative leant forward. "Right." Smokeblaze mewed, feeling a little more comfortable. "I was thinking - we don't know where the killer is. So I suggest we go sniff around the lake territories and see where he is." He explained to the other cats.
"That's a good idea." Boulderfoot, EmberClan's representative meowed gruffly. From what Smokeblaze had gleaned from other cats, Boulderfoot acted tough but he was grieving over his mate Blossomwing's death. "Then what next?" Riverpetal meowed questioningly.
Yellowclaw, who had been listening intently shrugged. "Then we keep on going in the killer's direction." She meowed in a well, of course- tone.
"When do we set off?" Littlewing asked. "As soon as we're ready." Smokeblaze answered without a second thought. "Then… tomorrow at dawn?" Oneshadow asked - well, it was more of a statement, really.
"Tomorrow at dawn." The cats meowed together. And with another step of the journey decided, the cats left without looking back.
A/N: I think this is the best chapter of Departed so far! Anyway, hope you enjoyed!