Chapter 28
Hey guys! I apologize in advance, this chapter may be a bit short, or dull. And I'm super, super sorry in advance, but next chapter will be long and full of excitement! I also think I forgot to mention that Summerpaw is now Summerfur. Really sorry I couldn't do her ceremony, but she'll be important soon so bear with me! So, yeah I'm sorry! But, bye my loves! –Majesty
Pouncer was snoring lightly as he slept in the warriors' den. Grayfur grumbled and kicked Pouncer's gray belly lightly. "Shut up you old badger," he snapped. Pouncer grunted. Yeah I'M the old badger…sure Grayfur. Now I can't sleep!
Sleep deprived, the gray cat padded sleepily into the medicine cat den. Whiskershadow and Runningbreeze were sleeping silently, but Vitapool gave him a sweet smile curled up next to her mate. "Everything alright?" she mewed quietly.
"Yeah I'm fine. Anything I can? Grayfur woke me," he murmured. The white she-cat giggled softly, which made Whiskershadow place his tail over her lips.
"I here Zeldastar is making Poolpaw a warrior, oh! And those two kitty-pets! Apparently they passed their assessment with flying colors. And that fluffy one totally has a crush on Lightningfall," she mumbled excitedly. Vitapool has been so lively. When I was Starclan I always viewed her serious, and kind of strange. Something is up, but at least she seems happy.
"When you two elders are done chattering like starlings, I would like to sleep!" Runningbreeze growled. Vitapool rolled her eyes but snuggled closer to her mate. Sighing, Pouncer walked out of the den.
I'm so bored! Maybe I can hunt! The tunnel started to stir, and Wolftail was organizing patrols. "Zeldastar wants to hold a warrior ceremony later, but until then, Mudraven you lead a patrol and make sure Sanguis isn't doing anything suspicious," he exclaimed, narrowing his eyes. "Take Wishpelt, Snowy, Poolpaw, and Juniperfrost." Nodding, the mottled brown warrior led his patrol out of the entrance.
"Fishwhisker, Waterstar, Iceheart, Emberwing, and Skyflower hunt near the stream. Blackfeather, Crowtalon, Treepaw, Berryfoot, and Thornlight hunt in the willows. Pinestar and Flamefur you can take three cats each to practice battle moves, we need all the strength we can get," the tabby tom said narrowing his eyes. As everyone split up into patrols, Pouncer was left alone.
Before the deputy could speak with Zeldastar, Pouncer tapped him with his tail tip. "Yes?"
"I think all the apprentices should be made warriors today. Exception for Juniperfrost's kits, I mean all the apprentices of Starclan and Poolpaw and Sunpaw. Oh and what about Whiskershadow's kits? They've been training so hard," Pouncer suggested. Wolftail nodded and smiled.
"You're right, we need all the warrior's can afford. Sanguis is getting stronger, and we're desperately avoiding it," he replied grimly. Pouncer nodded. "So Treepaw, Daisypaw, Dapplepaw, Midnightpaw, Sunpaw, Poolpaw, Thornpaw, and Bouncepaw." Pouncer nodded.
"Ok, I'll tell Zeldastar. Meanwhile, do you think you could hunt, and kind of asses the apprentices," he winked. Both toms exchanged a smile and headed off. I truly hope the get to become warriors.
Sunlight flittered through the trees and dappled the grass. Green-leaf, the best season. Warm sunshine made Pouncer feel as peace while he hunted in the undergrowth. Opening his jaws to catch a scent, when he saw a squirrel munching on some beach nuts. Pouncer licked his lips and slowly stalked the furry prey. Bunching his hind legs, the gray tom gave a giant leap and killed the squirrel with a blow to the back. Yes!
When he picked up the prey, warm flesh danced on his tongue. Ah, looks so good! Foxflame and Moonfire will love this! Pouncer quickly ran back to the tunnel, gave the queens the squirrel, and started searching for the apprentices.
Bouncepaw and Treepaw were stalking a blackbird, Whiskershadow's kits were practicing battle moves, and Thornpaw was hunting while Sunpaw watched him intently. They're doing so well! Perking up his ears, he started to eavesdrop.
"Shut up, Sunpaw! I know what I'm doing!" Treepaw snapped. Both she-cat's neck fur was fluffed up in anger.
"Can we all shut up and focus? I think we're going to be warriors!" Poolpaw squeaked.
"You might not even become a warrior with your lame paw," Bouncepaw sneered.
"Shut it Bouncepaw! At least Poolpaw is handsome, you look like a vole!" Daisypaw swooned. Ugh shut up! They're all soooooooo annoying! At least they'll make good annoying warriors!
After watching them hunt and train, Pouncer was determined all of them would become good warriors. Reporting to his leader and deputy, he settled down near the entrance, waiting for the ceremony.
Zeldastar's yowl soon broke the banter of Memoryclan's clan mates. "All cats old enough to catch prey gather at the tunnel entrance!" As everyone gathered around, all the apprentices' eyes shone excitedly. Moonfire was grooming Sunpaw and Poolpaw. "First of all, Snowy and Fluffy joined Memoryclan, and they have proven them selves' worthy of a name and position in our clan." Beckoning them with her tail, both she-cats excitedly rushed to the tortoiseshell leader.
"Snowy, Fluffy, do you swear your loyalty to your clan and promise to uphold the warrior code?"
"Yes!" they answered happily.
"Snowy, you shall here by be known as Snowbird. Fluffy, you will be known as Fluffytail," she said resting her muzzle on Snowbird's head. Skyflower whispered to lick her shoulder, and the white-she cat nodded, following instructions. Fluffytail soon did the same.
"Fluffytail! Snowbird!"
Once the cheers died down, Zeldastar indicated for all of the apprentices to walk forward. "We have five young cats ready to pursue the life of a warrior. But, we also have three apprentices from Starclan that deserve to become warriors," she smiled.
"Poolpaw, you will now be known as Poolwing for you're your soaring heart," she said completing the ritual. Soon, Sunpaw was given the name Sunpelt, Daisypaw became Daisyrain, Midnightpaw became Midnightfang, and Dapplepaw is now Dapplefoot. As for the Starclan cats, Treepaw became Treeflight, Bouncepaw is now Bouncelight, and Thornpaw became Thornwhisker.
"Thornwhisker! Bouncelight! Treeflight! Dapplefoot! Midnightfang! Daisyrain! Sunpelt! Poolwing!" The cheers of their clan-mates made the new warriors smile brightly. I'm so proud of them!