I hit 35 reviews when i checked about 10 minutes ago, so i'm posting!
When we got back to camp, Thrushpaw, as promised, gave me a through check. Nosing through my fur, putting on herbs and cobwebs, and then telling me to take it easy on the hind leg that got scratched up.
I was tired, so I decided to try and sleep for a little while. Settling into my nest, and curling my tail around me, I closed my eyes and hoped I would be undisturbed and left to sleep.
I open my eyes to a handsome, gold tabby tom, his fur littered with stars.
I bet this is Lionblaze.
I dip my head respectfully, and he laughs.
"I see my brother got you, huh. He's very, erm, oriented toward being respected. Me, not so much. You fought well." He says, and it is Lionblaze, as I recognize his voice.
"Thanks. I mean, you helped me too." I say, feeling a bit awkward from so much praise, not just from Lionblaze, but from my clanmates too.
"No, the fighting was all you. I just gave you more strength, the energy to keep going." He explains, his eyes sparkling gently.
"Oh, I, well, thanks." I feel uncomfortable, and wished I could have just been left to sleep.
"I see you're just wanting to sleep. Well, I'll leave you to that then. Goodbye Hazelpaw." He states, and then disappears.
I feel a bit bad for not engaging him more, as he is an ancient Starclan cat, and he saved me in the battle, but I really did just want to sleep.
I find a soft looking patch of ferns, and curl up, closing my eyes.
"Hazelpaw. Hazelpa-aw... Hazelpaw!" A sharp paw prods me in my side. I open my eyes and see Brackenkit staring at me with wide eyes. His fur is all slicked down, and his wide eyes glitter with excitement. "Hazelpaw, you got get up! Tunnelstar called a clan meeting! And guess what!" He spouts, and then his voice drops to a whisper. "I'm gonna become an apprentice!" He's practically bouncing with excitement. I nearly laugh, but still feel too weary. My limbs don't want to hold me up as I stretch and try to lick some of my sleep-messed fur.
I really just want to go back to sleep.
I force myself out of the dark, cozy den into the sunlight of the camp's clearing. Most cats were already sitting, waiting for Tunnelstar to speak again. I settle myself in the middle of the group, next to Mosspaw because I can't see Nightpaw anywhere. It's not that I don't like her, it's just that we never really connected. She wants to fall in love and have kits, I just want to become a great warrior and make Ivyfeather and Aspenstrike proud.
"Hey. You were sleeping, so I went out hunting with Bouncepaw and Cheetahtail instead." Nightpaw informs me after plopping down next to me. He has two mice, and suddenly, I realize how hungry I am. "You want one?" He asks, gesturing to the mice.
"Oh, well, no. I shouldn't. I didn't hunt, you did." I decline, against the noises my stomach has decided are necessary. As if I didn't already feel hungry.
"Just eat one, don't worry. Just hunt on the dawn patrol tomorrow." He says nonchalantly.
"Well... I guess." I reply, and settle down to eat the mouse quickly before Tunnelstar starts talking. I swipe around my mouth to make sure nothing has taken trace there.
"Now that every cat is here, the ceremonies can begin." Tunnelstar calls out. "Darkpaw, Poppypaw, please step forward." The golden tabby and pale grey she-cats walk toward him, and he closes his eyes for a moment. He takes a deep breath, and reopens them.
"Darkpaw, you fought very well in the battle. You fought like a true warrior.
I, Tunnelstar, leader of Sunclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her as a warrior in her turn.
Darkpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
She swallows nervously before answering, "I do."
"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. Darkpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Darkwhisper. Starclan honours your bravery and enthusiasm, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Sunclan." He rests his head on her muzzle, and she licks his shoulder.
"Poppypaw, you thought quickly in the battle and it is time for you to become a warrior.
I, Tunnelstar, leader of Sunclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her as a warrior in her turn.
Poppypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
She speaks almost immediately after he stops. "I do."
"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. Poppypaw, from this moment on you will be known as Poppystorm. Starclan honours your energy and speed, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Sunclan." He does the same he did to Darkwhisper, and Poppystorm is visibly shaking with excitement.
"You both will hold silence, and start your vigil over the camp tonight.
Now, Clovespot, your kits are 6 moons old, and ready to become apprentices, correct?" He asks. I see her nod out of the corner of my eye, and see the four kits all with wide eyes, brimming with anticipation. "Well then, Brackenkit Lakekit, Blossomkit, and Wishkit, step forward." All four nearly leap over one another trying to be the first to Tunnelstar. I hear Mosspaw giggle, and realize that the kits do look quite funny, tumbling all over each other. I even see Tunnelstar with an amused look on his face.
"Brackenkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Brackenpaw. Your mentor will be Dipfur. I hope he will pass down all he knows to you.
Dipfur, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from Tigerfang, and you have shown yourself to be smart and patient. You will be the mentor of Brackenpaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to him." Brackenpaw and Dipfur touch noses, and then Tunnelstar calls forward Wishkit. I'm not gonna type out all the ceremony words the next three times because I'm on my phone and can't copy-paste. Sorry!
Wishkit turns into Wishpaw, and she gets Longstripe as a mentor, Blossompaw gets Greystorm, and Lakepaw gets Lightreign.
"We also have a cat from Moonclan who has asked me to come to Sunclan. I, upon hearing what she had to say, have accepted her. She is already an apprentice, and she therefore will not have an apprentice ceremony. Rainpaw, your mentor shall be Birdwhisker." Tunnelstar dips his head, signalling the end of the ceremony.
"Darkwhisper, Poppystorm, Brackenpaw, Wishpaw, Blossompaw, Lakepaw, Rainpaw! Darkwhisper, Poppystorm, Brackenpaw, Wishpaw, Blossompaw, Lakepaw, Rainpaw! Darkwhisper, Poppystorm, Brackenpaw, Wishpaw, Blossompaw, Lakepaw, Rainpaw!"
Cats leave and head their own ways, and I decide to go back to sleep, as its nearly sunset, and wake up early to hunt.
I curl up and let sleep take over, a peaceful blanket of black.
so writing this has gotten somewhat easier, so i'm hoping with more regular updates, i'll bring in new readers!
until next update!
-kat