CHAPTER 10

Stonepaw was training by himself on the training grounds; the soft meadow grass below him was clawed up from his frustration. At first Stonepaw had just come here to train but after an hour of training his frustration had leaked into his training, "try again." meowed Greystorm the gray tom was helping Stonepaw train. Stonepaw gave a sigh of frustration, swiping some blades of grass in front of him with annoyance; "why does this have to be so difficult?" replied Stonepaw with a sigh. Greystorm gave a sigh a hint of frustration in it, Greystorm limped over to the younger tom's side; stars followed behind Greystorm in a trail. Greystorm gave Stonepaw a kind smile clearly trying to not snap at the frustrated apprentice. "Well it would be easier if you take your time in doing the move, you're still learning it so you can't try to speed this process up." explained Greystorm laying his tail on Stonepaw's back. Stonepaw sighed heavily as he began to do the move again making Greystorm smile and nod, Stonepaw stood up on his back paws as Greystorm had taught him. Stonepaw narrowed his eyes in concentration, Leaf-bare had passed and new-leaf had begun without Stonepaw earning his warrior name. As the leaf-bare went on Stonepaw's frustration had grown until he spent nearly all his time training and hunting to the point he hadn't gone to even one gathering. During the middle of leaf-bare Greystorm had suddenly started appearing to Stonepaw, everyday Greystorm would help Stonepaw train. Stonepaw didn't know why the other gray tom had started showing up so often; so far Greystorm was the only Starclan to do so. But when Stonepaw had mentioned it to Greystorm all the tom had said was 'the others aren't ready yet.' whatever that mean't. Stonepaw slashed his good front leg up, swiping at the air that was meant to be his fake enemy. Greystorm nodded at Stonepaw's use of the move with a smile, "good job that's the way!" Stonepaw purred at Greystorm's praise. Greystorm had become almost like a friend to Stonepaw, someone who cheered him on like his litter-mates, suddenly Stormpaw heard the paw steps of his brother Leafpaw's scent bathed Stonepaw's nostrils. Stonepaw landed back on his good hind leg and turned around just as Leafpaw came into view; the tabby's fur was ruffled up and his eyes showed a hint of worry and tiredness. Leafpaw carried a fat rabbit in his jaws for the two of them to share, Stonepaw limped over to his brother who offered Stonepaw a happy smile. Stonepaw nuzzled his brother's shoulder purring slightly, whenever Stonepaw was out here training (which as a lot) Leafpaw would come here with some prey for the two of them to share. Leafpaw smiled as the two brothers walked side by side to a small shady spot under a blossom tree; Leafpaw laid beside the tree in a loafing position that Stonepaw copied. Leafpaw placed the rabbit between the two of them before taking the first bite and chewing; thick tabby tail tip, swishing slightly. "How has your training been going?" questioned Leafpaw as he chewed, Greystorm gave a chuckle as he sat beside Stonepaw. "Well he keeps pushing himself too hard." added Greystorm to Leafpaw's question, Leafpaw didn't react to the starry cat's words; Stonepaw had realized some time ago that he was the only one who would see Starclan cats freely. Stonepaw shrugged towards his brother, "it's going alright." replied Stonepaw not wanting to worry his brother; Leafpaw raised an eyebrow like he didn't believe Stonepaw's answer; Greystorm smiled widely, "that kid knows all too well that you are pushing yourself too hard." chided Greystorm. Stonepaw 's ears flattened at the Starclan cat's words, Leafpaw sighed softly as Stonepaw took a bite of the rabbit. "I think you're ready to become a warrior." meowed Leafpaw honesty in his words; Stonepaw smiled with a hint of sadness in it, "Brightstar clearly doesn't think so." replied Stonepaw chewing slowly, Leafpaw hissed, clawing the ground. "Even if you haven't become a warrior yet doesn't mean mom doesn't want to make you one!" hissed Leafpaw. Stonepaw's eyes widened in surprise at Leafpaw's outburst "Swanhollow is teaching Leafpaw to speak his mind." thought Stonepaw with a slight smile, it was clear he wasn't the only one still learning things. Leafpaw sighed and countinced with his speech a bit calmer; "I know you think you're falling behind everyone else but the truth is we all have our strengths and weaknesses! That's the good thing about being in a clan! We cover for each other's weaknesses! Even if you aren't as strong as Amberpelt, or as calm as Blueflame, or as good at hunting as Tideripple or as good at healing as me, it doesn't mean you are worthless or not enough! You are you! You're kind, smart and strong! If I was you and I got that injury I would have given up! But you didn't, you kept working! Proving yourself! I wish I was as strong willed as you are!"snarled Leafpaw panting as he caught his breath. Stonepaw's eyes widened at his brother's sharp yet caring words; "he… Doesn't think I am useless." thought Stonepaw, Stonepaw's eyes filled with tears. Stonepaw began to cry but it was a calm cry like tears he needed to let out, Leafpaw came to Stonepaw's side wrapping his body around him. Leafpaw pressed his forehead to Stonepaw's "we are in this together brother, our clan and family is here for you." Leafpaw's words didn't hold the edge they had a moment ago. Stonepaw purred roughly "thank you…." Stonepaw's voice was soft yet strong, Greystorm smiled nodding to Stonepaw before a small wind blew through the clearing taking Greystorm's form with it. Stonepaw smiled at where Greystorm had been only a moment ago, before walking beside his brother back to camp.

Stonepaw was in the center of a large storm wind whipping all around him, making Stonepaw's eyes narrow in an attempt to see, Stonepaw whipped his head around as he saw a large storm above him lighting crackling above him. Thunder booming, making Stonepaw's head split with pain from the noise, he heard thousands of whispers of different voices saying the same thing "A storm rages through the mind of the shattered one!" Stonepaw scrambled backwards yelling louder "LEAVE ME ALONE!" the words were whipped away from him from the wind. Stonepaw backed away, turned and ran. He tried to outrun the voices, Stonepaw's paws suddenly hit a thunderpath's ground. Suddenly without warning Stonepaw's paws stood on something wet and sticky; Stonepaw opened his eyes realizing it was silent once more. Stonepaw screamed in horror as he saw bodies of cats, and blood all around him, on his paw pads and belly fur. Stonepaw was horrified "so many dead… What happened here?!" thought Stonepaw with great sadness, Stonepaw didn't think he recognized any of these cats. Until his eyes fell onto the body of a gray cat with a twisted back leg and glazed over gray green eyes, "Starclan why?!" Stonepaw backed away tears in his eyes. "The recovery of the lost shall come on the brightest night!" whispered a voice that sounded like Greystorm; Stonepaw turned his head around breathing hard. "GREYSTORM?!" Stonepaw's fear built as Greystorm didn't answer, Stonepaw blinked suddenly he was in the foggy clearing once more. The fog so thick Stonepaw couldn't see anything or anyone, Stonepaw began to hyperventilate; he felt his legs give out in fear he crashed to the ground. "Make it stop!" begged Stonepaw burying his face in his paws, he sobbed and trembled giving little wimpers.

….

Stonepaw jerked awake breathing fast as he jerked his head around, he was in the apprentices den; soft moonlight filtered through the den walls. Stonepaw got up racing to his mother's den. He needed to tell her everything, even about how he could see Starclan cats.

….

Stonepaw sat below the high tree, after Stonepaw had told his mother everything she had comforted him then went to call a clan meeting. Stonepaw had no idea what his mom was thinking, "maybe she wants to tell the clan about my ability?" thought Stonepaw felt his pelt prickle with slight unease at the thought. Amberpelt came to sit beside Stonepaw offering him a cheeky smile, Stonepaw smiled nervously back at his brother. Brightstar smiled as her clan gathered below her, Brightstar looked straight at Stonepaw; her eyes shone with pride and happiness. "Stonepaw, it is my honor to announce that you have finally proven yourself ready to become a warrior." purred Brightstar pride crystal clear in her gaze. Stonepaw's eyes widened in surprise and disbelief, he shot to his paws not believing his ears. "Is this really happening?!" thought Stonepaw not even realizing his mouth was slightly open, no sound coming out, "Stonepaw, are you willing to uphold the warrior code even at the cost of your life?" the words sent shivers down Stonepaw's spine of excitement Stonepaw swallowed before pushing out the words; "I do." Stonepaw trembled as the words came out but the words came out clear and full of strength. The smile grew on Brightstar's face and she stood up, "then by the full honor of Starclan and Blossomclan; I Brightstar leader of Blossomclan welcome you Stonepaw, are you full name Stonesight! Starclan honors your determination and the will carry on. We all know how much you worked for this." the words came out clear and strong. A strong wind blew through Stonesight's fur and he suddenly saw Starry cats all around him, forming a circle around him. Stonesight recognized Minkpaw and Greystorm in the group; Stonesight's eyes sparked and a swirl of stars swirled in his eyes for a moment. As he realized Starclan cat's were all around them, even sitting among them; "I finally became a warrior!" thought Stonesight raising his head higher to meet the gazes of all the cats around him, even the Starclan ones.

….

Stonesight looked up at the night sky, the stars above him glowing brightly but not as brightly as the full moon. That seemed to radiate light, Stonesight shifted his good foreleg feeling a prickle of nervousness to meet the other clan Hollyclan. Frigidsnow came to stand beside Stonesight offering him a comforting smile; her bright blue eyes seemed to glow in the darkness. "Are you nervous?" Frigidsnow's voice was much softer than Stonesight's sister's voices, Stonesight swallowed and nodded "I am a bit…" admitted Stonesight shuffling his back paws. Stonesight noticed out of the corner of his eyes two Starclan she-cats sitting in the corner of camp talking to each other about how big their living kits were. It was still taking a lot of effort for Stonesight to get used to seeing a lot of Starclan cats all the time, Frigidsnow smiled softly at Stonesight's honesty. "Well it won't be as scary as you think, really Hollyclan is kinder than most of the stories paint them." Frigidsnow sounded like she really believed what she had said, causing Stonesight to relax a bit. Stonesight looked in front of them to the exit of camp, seeing Brightstar began to lead the way out of camp. Stonesight walked alongside the younger cats Frigidsnow, Creamstripe, Amberpelt, Tideripple, Blueflame, Mistystream and Blackfrost. Stonesight felt a rush of happiness that he was keeping pace with his fellow warriors, breathing in the crisp night air. Stonesight hooped over a small tree stump, enjoying the cold wind blowing through his fur. Stonesight enjoyed the feeling of being outside of camp at night it felt freeing, Stonesight smiled and purred. "This is it! I am finally a warrior and going to my first gathering!" thought Stonesight felt like everything was going to be okay for now on, Stonesight smiled nudging Frigidsnow's side, his freeness bubbling over; the nudge made Frigidsnow laugh. Stonesight slowed his pace as he noticed the fact that a strange scent drifted through the air; the scent smells like spring water along with fresh snow. "That doesn't sound like Hollyclan…." thought Stonesight slowed his pace more, Frigidsnow seemed to have the same thought because she slowed her pace as well. Stonesight noticed that the rest of Blossomclan had begun to smell the odd scent, pelt's began to rise and murmurs began to fill the air. Stonesight noticed that the Starclan cats who had followed them to the gathering all seemed to be getting extremely excited. Along with these cats was Greystorm who was purring hard, "welcome home." purred Greystorm. Stonesight frowned, not understanding why Greystorm had said those words when he realized they had reached Twin pools. Stonesight's eyes widened as the Blossomclan cats came face to face with the loners.