A moon passed since Hawkpaw and Icepaw's expedition, and things started to change. Skyheart had been growing increasingly close to Cinderfall. Cinderfall had never gotten over the loss of Seedfur, but Skyheart seemed to give him as much peace as Seedfur did. Patchshine passed away peacefully in her sleep. Russetstripe's meetings with Runningflame became more and more frequent. She was on his way to see him now, on the island, and her heart pounded quickly just as her head swum and her paws tingled.
She used the tree to cross and enter the island. The scent of Runningflame was thick, telling Russetstripe that he was already there. The muscular sight of his ginger-and-white pelt confirmed it when Russetstripe leaped over the foliage and met him in the center of the island. Even though the moon was high in the sky, Russetstripe felt as warm as the sun when she gazed at him. She had been fighting it so long, but she could finally put a name to the feeling that she experienced when she saw Runningflame.
It was love. What a horrible tragedy, though – love for the wrong cat. Runningflame was a RiverClan warrior – it was forbidden. It was against the warrior code. It could never work out. It was terrifying to love a cat forbidden to her, terrifying to feel something she could never speak of, something that was horrible to almost every cat she knew, something that could – and would – destroy her life.
She loved him. I truly love him. She had never been in love like this before. This was no crush. This love was rich and a little dangerous and carried her into a new world. This love… was like a storm. It was not the thorn bending to the honeysuckles, but the honeysuckles embracing the thorn. But it didn't matter, anymore. She had made her decision… and there was no going back.
"Well, cara mia, I'm glad you came." Runningflame licked Russetstripe's cheek, a purr rumbling through his body.
"Of course." Russetstripe brushed against his side. "I always will."
"Aha." Runningflame flicked her with his tail. "I'm glad to hear that. So, cara mia, I'm thinking you should decide what to do today. We've gone past the skirts of territory, chased out some kittypets from the greenleaf Twolegplace, climbed the biggest tree on territory. I thought I'd throw you a bone and let you choose."
"There's something I need to ask you." Russetstripe wanted to get the words from hm.
"Hm?" Runningflame tilted his head.
"I asked you this a few moons ago," Russetstripe breathed, "and then, neither of us knew the answer. So, I'm going to ask again. What are we?"
"What are we…" Runningflame echoed.
"Or, at least, what do you feel about me?" Russetstripe gazed into Runningflame's forest green eyes, searching for an answer in those unwavering depths.
"Do you really want to know, lass?" Runningflame asked, sitting down and wrapping his bushy tail across his big paws.
"It's all I've been thinking about," Russetstripe admitted.
"The first time I saw you, so many years ago… I thought you were just a little pretty she-cat escaping from WindClan. I felt bad because I've been in your paws before. I told you that I was responsible for the death of my father." Runningflame shifted his paws nervously. "I wanted to leave the Clan, after that. But Rippleheart encouraged me to stay. I felt the same way you did."
"But now…?" Russetstripe trailed off.
"The time we've spent together…" Runningflame lifted his head. "I've realized one thing. You really are my dear one. Sweet cara mia. My only beloved. I love you, and I will love you for every, precious, irreplaceable second." He nuzzled Russetstripe's cheek. "Stay with me. That's my only request."
Russetstripe caught her breath. He had said it – the words there was no going back from. I love you. She didn't know where this wild storm would carry her, nor when or if it would end. But she wasn't lost in it. The storm called love… may it last until the end of her days. I know I should've never fallen in love with you, but at the same time, there was never a moment I wasn't looking at you.
"So, cara mia?" Runningflame tilted his head. "Don't tell me this is unrequited, 'cause I won't believe you for a second." His voice was low, rumbling, bestial – something that called out a similarly primal feeling in her.
"It's not." Russetstripe pressed her nose to Runningflame's tough shoulder, breathing in the scent of danger and wildness that stuck to his fur. "It never has been. I love you, too. I know that our love should have never happened, that it's forbidden. But the problem is I don't want to be with anyone else, no matter what happens." She didn't regret a thing. She was with a tom who filled her life with loud excitement and quiet joy. Who would always make her smile.
Runningflame purred, and Russetstripe wreathed around his body, enjoying the warmth of his body against hers. I can't stop myself from being fascinated by you. I can't keep my heart from being moved by you. The things you've said have made me think and have brought me joy. He was magnificent - he drew cats to him, almost effortlessly, he was so easy to love. I was bound to fall in love with him from the start.
"Sometimes I think you're furious," Runningflame chuckled, "but then in the next moment, you're smiling. I've seen you strong, and I've seen you in tears. Keeping up with you – it keeps me busy. And I don't ever want it to stop. You're the one who glows to my eye… so unbelievably bright."
Russetstripe pressed her muzzle against Runningflame's, purring so loudly that she was sure the ground was shaking underneath her. "Thank you," she whispered to him. I never knew love could feel like this. Dangerous, wild, and limitless. It shook her world to its core, but it was a line of danger she was willing to dance on, if it was for Runningflame. I know Scorchstar would kill me, but as long as he doesn't find out…
"Thank you?" Runningflame arched an eye whisker. "Why are you giving me that look, lass?"
"Why?" Russetstripe echoed. "…Because this is the first time you've ever told me you loved me. I mean, I knew…" But you're finally saying it. And somehow, that brought tears to her eyes.
"You'll know now," Runningflame said. "I'm going to tell you I love you until you're tired of hearing it."
Russetstripe gazed at him, her heart jumping for joy.
"Well, cara mia." Runningflame nuzzled her. "Now that we both know what we feel for each other, how about I teach you how to fish?"
Russetstripe rolled her shoulders. "All right, all right."
"Haha. Keep a close eye, lass." Runningflame padded over to the edge of the island where the waves lapped at the sand. Russetstripe sat down next to him, watching Runningflame as he focused his sharp, keen green eyes on the water. In a second, his big paw flashed into the water, and right in his claws was a massive fish, flailing in his claws. Then his paw dropped, and the fish fell on the sand. He killed it quickly with a bite to the throat.
"Wow," Russetstripe breathed. "That was fast."
"Just keep an eye on the water," Runningflame told her. "You'll see something move, and right when it does, just jab your paw in the water with your claws and hook it out. It's easier than cats make it out to be."
Russetstripe nodded. She looked down at the water, waiting to see a moving figure, like Runningflame had said. The minute a gray figure stuck out against the silver-tinged waves, she lunged her paw into the water and felt a slick gray fish under her. She sank her claws into it and pulled it out of the water, and just as she sheathed her claws, the fish fell on top of her. Gah! The slippery, slimy feeling of its sleek scales made her fling the fish back into the water, and for a moment, she found herself tripping.
Runningflame laughed. "Lass, that is not how you're supposed to kill a fish!" He rolled with her, resting his back on the sand and looking up at the sky. Russetstripe followed his gaze, and the two cats laid on their backs, gazing at the stars of Silverpelt draped into the indigo sky. Wow, Russetstripe thought. It's beautiful.
"Sometimes I sat at night and looked out at the sky, whenever I got into an argument with my father," Russetstripe said quietly. "Even if he, or my brother, or my half-brother, when he was alive, judged me, I knew the stars never would."
"Do you think some of them are cats you knew?" Runningflame asked.
"Do you?" Russetstripe countered.
"I like to think they are." Runningflame pointed with a big paw to a dazzling star, bigger than the rest in the sky. "Maybe that's my father. And you see the small one, next to him? Hopefully, that's my mother."
"Do you think your father forgave you?" Russetstripe whispered.
"I don't know." Runningflame shook his head. "He was the one who told me to do it." His voice was shaky and trembling with fear. Russetstripe finally caught a glimpse of his vulnerabilities. He's not as confident as he lets on. He's a cat, too, with fears like the rest of us. And it makes me just love him more.
"It wasn't your fault," Russetstripe said. "Like you said, he told you to do it."
"Maybe." Runningflame focused his gaze on the sky. "But I can't keep living in the past. I need to move forward, and that means putting Flamestripe behind me. I'll see him one day, I'm sure. But that day isn't today." He glanced over at her. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure." Russetstripe nodded.
"Do you miss your father?" Runningflame's question was gentle and soft, and Russetstripe knew he wasn't trying to offend her.
"No." Russetstripe shook her head. "I hated him. I didn't care when he died. It felt like a weight was taken off my shoulders. I didn't have any cat to judge me for simply breathing the wrong way. He did so many horrible things, Runningflame, for no reason. I can't ever forgive him for that." She sighed. "He tried to claw me, once."
Runningflame's jaw clenched. "If I was there, I would've clawed his eyes out."
If you were there. Russetstripe bit her lip. How would their relationship work? What would their future look like? They were from two different Clans. How could they ever be in a committed relationship? I love him so very much, and he loves me. But we have to keep our love a secret from the world. And I hate it. She wanted every cat to know how much she loved such a great tom like him, but he was a RiverClan warrior. She would be breaking the warrior code, and the punishment for that was exile or death. I don't want to leave the Clans. She wondered if the thought was weighing on Runningflame's mind as well.
"Do you think StarClan is cursing us?" Russetstripe asked.
"Even if they were, I wouldn't care." Runningflame's voice was rough. "I have my sweet little cara mia with me, and if the gods finds something wrong with that, I'll fight them myself."
"That's such a you response." Russetstripe chuckled. "Well, I'll be at your side if you do end up fighting the gods."
"Good." Runningflame let out a yawn. "Do your Clanmates miss you at night? When we meet like this?"
"I don't know," Russetstripe confessed. "I sneak out when they're all asleep, through a secret entrance. What about you? Does Rippleheart hound you?"
"It's the same," Runningflame said. "It's the best time to meet, when they're asleep, and the nights are as beautiful as they are."
Russetstripe moved closer to Runningflame so that their pelts touched, and the two cats continued to gaze at the stars, talking quietly as they did. Just as the moon started to dip in the sky, Russetstripe found herself closing her eyes and lulling herself into a quiet sleep. She could hear Runningflame's whispered words before she surrendered to the darkness.
"I love you."
When a beam of dawn light penetrated Russetstripe's eyelids, she looked up to see the morning sun bathing the island. It's late! Russetstripe got to her paws, letting out a yawn. Even though she had been able to sleep for a bit, she couldn't fight the exhaustion that kept ahold of her. Runningflame shook out his ginger-and-white pelt as he looked up at Russetstripe.
"My cara mia finally woke up." Runningflame chuckled. "I hate to leave, but you were so cute when you slept that I didn't have the heart to wake you." He pressed his nose to hers. "I need to go back to my Clan."
"I know." Russetstripe felt her voice break. So many nights, she was blessed to meet him, but at the end of those nights, she was cursed to see him walk away. Runningflame licked her cheek before turning away and leaping into the lake, using his strong paws to paddle away from the island and towards the RiverClan shore. Russetstripe watched him go and then crossed the tree back towards WindClan's shore.
She quickened her pace to get back to camp before the WindClan cats woke up. Sleepiness made her paws sluggish and heavy, and she forced her eyes not to close as she reached the WindClan camp. Just as she approached the ridge, she heard a voice behind her that made her stop.
"Russetstripe."
Blackdove! Russetstripe turned her head to see the black she-cat behind her. "Hey."
"Don't 'hey' me." Blackdove's green eyes were narrowed. "I saw you."
"You what?" Russetstripe bit her lip to prevent her voice from growing shrill. "W-what do you mean?"
"Don't play stupid with me." Blackdove sighed. "With… him."
Blackdove's words sent Russetstripe's heart pounding at a dangerous pace. No! She had been so careful – only meeting with him at night, making sure every cat was asleep before she left, and getting back before the cats woke up. How had she messed up this time? She gazed at Blackdove desperately. "How? Why?"
"You've been so different the past moon," Blackdove sighed. "Every cat has noticed it, but no one has said anything. I… I had to find out. You were distracted, aloof, and… so happy. I knew something happened, so tonight I…" She shifted her paws. "I followed you."
Russetstripe curled her lip and lashed her tail. "You followed me?"
"Yes!" Blackdove exclaimed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."
"So, what?" Russetstripe narrowed her eyes. "Are you going to tell my dear brother?"
"No." Blackdove shook her head. "I love you, Russetstripe, as if you were my own sister. I wouldn't do anything to harm you, and I'll keep your secret. But I have to tell you that it isn't going to work out. I want you to put a stop to it. Falling in love with him is going to break his heart… and that will finally be what breaks yours."
"I can't," Russetstripe confessed. "I love him too much to leave him."
Blackdove narrowed her eyes. "Let me tell you the story of Wolfwhisker and Squirrelheart."
"Who?" Russetstripe tilted her head.
Blackdove sat down. "Squirrelheart was the most beautiful daughter of a leader and his mate. But since Squirrelheart was so beautiful, so dazzling, the other cats got jealous of her. One of those cats, a cat by the name of Dreamcatcher, ordered her son, Wolfwhisker, to destroy Squirrelheart. But Wolfwhisker took one look at Squirrelheart and became enamored with her. He believed she was perfect in every way."
Russetstripe shifted her paws back and forth, not sure where Blackdove was going with this story. "No one's perfect."
"That's right," Blackdove meowed. "No one is perfect, not even Squirrelheart. But Squirrelheart's father was very upset because she didn't have a mate – she was too beautiful not to. So, he took her to see an oracle who told her that they would all meet a disastrous fate unless she was sacrificed to a monster."
"What?" Russetstripe's eyes widened. "That's horrible!"
"Isn't it?" Blackdove tilted her head. "He left here where he was told to, but instead of a monster coming to take her away…"
"Wolfwhisker did," Russetstripe finished Blackdove's sentence.
"Right. But she didn't know that." Blackdove nodded. "He took her to a territory that had beautiful rivers, luscious trees, stunning mountains, and all the prey you could imagine. Every night, when it was dark, he would come to her, and they would talk all night. But he forbade her to know who he was. It was a secret."
Russetstripe hitched a breath. She was Runningflame's secret… and he was hers.
"Squirrelheart was curious, though, to know who her lover was. She wanted to see the cat she was falling in love with. So, one night, when he was about to fall asleep, she urged him towards a shaft of moonlight, but didn't look at him. When he fell asleep, she looked at him, and her gasp woke him up."
Russetstripe leaned in, nibbling her lip. She was enthralled.
"Nervous?" Blackdove asked.
"What did he do?" Russetstripe asked. "Was he angry?"
"He wasn't happy," Blackdove replied. "He left her. But Squirrelheart went after him. She was distraught and wanted him back. When she left the territory, Dreamcatcher saw her and started unleashing horrible events. Eventually, Squirrelheart was led to the Dark Forest to retrieve a hollow branch. The only condition was… under any circumstances… she was not allowed to pull out what was in the hollow branch."
"But she did, didn't she?" Russetstripe inquired. "She was too curious not to."
"Yeah." Blackdove nodded. "It didn't matter what she'd been told not to. Squirrelheart wanted to know."
"Wanted to know what?" Russetstripe leaned in.
"She wanted to know what was in the branch."
Russetstripe bit her lip. "I was curious to know what Runningflame was like."
"Sometimes curiosity should stay just that," Blackdove remarked dryly.
"Should it?" Russetstripe countered.
"Yes." Blackdove nodded. "There's a reason Squirrelheart was told not to look inside the branch."
"And that reason was?"
"Because looking inside it would only bring about the most severe of consequences," Blackdove replied.
"Which was…?"
"Death." Blackdove's coldly delivered word sent shudders down Russetstripe's spine. Will this forbidden love be what kills me? "Except she was revived by Wolfwhisker, who licked her cheek. He reached for him just as she did for him, and his touch made her immortal."
Russetstripe turned away. "I don't understand what you expect me to get out of that story."
"I'm telling you that forbidden love never works," Blackdove growled. "Squirrelheart and Wolfwhisker is the story about the fall of a warrior's soul. Squirrelheart was driven by sinful curiosity and Dreamcatcher was the figure stopping them from being together in the first place. What awaited Squirrelheart was death because she looked inside the branch."
"But Wolfwhisker made her immortal," Russetstripe pointed out.
"Runningflame does not have the power to make you immortal." Blackdove's voice was colder than the ices of leaf-bare. "I don't want to see your heart get broken, Russetstripe. Please, do the right thing. Break it off before you – or some other cat – is hurt. Plus…" Blackdove's voice trailed away. "I can't keep training Frostpaw like I had to train Harepaw." The last sentence, filled with so much raw pain, was thrown over her shoulder as the black she-cat plunged down the hollow into camp. Russetstripe flinched. Blackdove had been forced to train Harepaw because Scorchstar had spent his moons as a mentor with Wildheart.
Is Blackdove right? Russetstripe thought as she leaped down the hollow and slid down its walls before walking into camp. Will this forbidden love hurt me? A gust of newleaf wind buffeted her fur. It's because of Runningflame that I know that true love is real. He has me in his grasp, and even if he let me go, I would never leave his side. I love him too much to let him go. She shook away the story Blackdove had told her. Just as her paws stepped into the grassy clearing, she came face-to-face with Frostpaw, who was staring at her intently.
Blackdove's words echoed back to her.
"I can't keep training Frostpaw like I had to train Harepaw."
"Are we going out today?" Frostpaw asked.
"Yes." Russetstripe nodded, even though she much would rather catch up on the sleep she had missed. Exhaustion swarmed her head and nearly made her stumble. But Blackdove was right. She couldn't neglect her duties as a mentor to Frostpaw. It wasn't fair. "We're going to… erm… ThunderClan."
"Cool!" Frostpaw exclaimed. "Thanks, Russetstripe! Can we go now?"
"Yeah," Russetstripe replied.
Cinderfall walked up to them, his yellow eyes bright as he asked them, "Are you two going out?"
"We are," Russetstripe said. "Do you want to come?"
"Do you mind?" Cinderfall asked, glancing over his shoulder as Icepaw rose to her paws.
"No." Russetstripe shook her head. "You can come."
"Thanks!" Cinderfall waved his tail excitedly and called out to Icepaw over his shoulder. Icepaw immediately began scrambling up to them, and Russetstripe let out a heavy sigh as Cinderfall started to lead them out of camp. It was better if they hunted, she decided – if she had to show them battle moves, she'd be sure she'd fall straight on her paws like a fool. Russetstripe followed the cats into the moorland.
She led the way towards ThunderClan territory. The warm winds of green-leaf were traveling towards their direction, and even the morning sun was hotter than it had been just a couple of days ago. Russetstripe lifted her head as she sniffed the air. There was something odd, something foul. She couldn't quite make it out. What is that? She turned her head, trying to figure out where it was coming from. As she studied the horizon, she could make out a massive, black-and-brown figure pelting over the hills and straight towards them.
"Dog!" Russetstripe cried out. "Frostpaw, Icepaw, out of the way!" She turned to Cinderfall. "Let's deal with it!"
"Okay!" Cinderfall's fur was bristling, and Russetstripe waited for the dog to head to them. Her claws were unsheathed, but she was still exhausted and her head was swimming. She wasn't sure how good of a fighter she'd be today. The dog came closer into their vision, its pink tongue lolling out to its side, and just as it arrived, Russetstripe launched herself onto its back, sinking her claws into its skin and digging her teeth into its neck. She could feel its muscles, taut beneath its skin, and felt the wind underneath her as the dog easily shook her off, sending her straight towards the ground. Gah!
Winded, Russetstripe tried to get up, but found herself collapsing. Her eyes widened with horror as the dog grabbed Cinderfall in its throat and shook him like he was a piece of prey. Frostpaw and Icepaw both lunged at the dog, clawing its eyes until it released Cinderfall. Then the two she-cats started to run away, the dog on its heels. Both Russetstripe and Cinderfall were on the ground, seemingly both struggling to get up, and Russetstripe could only watch as Frostpaw and Icepaw ran away.
What am I doing? Ignoring her exhaustion, Russetstripe forced herself to her paws and willed her muscles to work as she ran after the dog. But the dog – and the apprentices – were faster than her. Russetstripe felt as if she would never reach the dog. Icepaw and Frostpaw were running faster than any other cat Russetstripe had ever seen, and she suddenly saw the two of them reaching the shore towards the island. The two she-cats raced towards the oak tree that led towards the island, passing it easily, and the dog followed them, barking excitedly. But just as the dog landed on the tree, its heavy weight caused the tree to shift, and the dog plunged into the waves, yowling furiously. Russetstripe skidded to a halt, staring at the waves where the dog had disappeared. She expected it to swim back to the shore, to chase after Frostpaw and Icepaw again, but it never reappeared. Wha…
Icepaw's silver face popped from the foliage. "Is it gone?" she asked.
"Yeah," Russetstripe replied, out of breath.
"We did it, Frostpaw!" Icepaw exclaimed. Frostpaw leaped over the grass that skirted the island and bounded across the tree, with Icepaw behind her.
"Wait, what do you mean, you did it?" Russetstripe asked, confused.
"We planned to chase the dog here, towards the island!" Frostpaw exclaimed.
"Huh?" Russetstripe stared at her apprentice.
"We lured it after us," Icepaw explained, "because we thought that if it ran on the tree, it would slip and drown!"
"Thought…?" Russetstripe echoed. "So, you didn't know?"
"Well… no." Icepaw looked at the ground. "But it worked!" She gazed at Frostpaw excitedly. "We did it!"
"Great job!" Frostpaw purred. "You were awesome, Icepaw!"
"So were you!" Icepaw brushed against her sister.
Russetstripe could hear the heavy breathing of another cat behind her, and she turned over her shoulder to see Cinderfall. Cinderfall gasped as he ran towards the cats, blood trickling from the wound on his throat, but overall, he looked fine. "What happened?"
"They were able to drown the dog," Russetstripe told Cinderfall. After a few moments, she finally got over the initial shock, and was pleasantly impressed by the two apprentices' intelligence. They hadn't been running out of fear – no, they had a plan to defeat the dog, and it went off without a hitch. I can't believe it. There's only one thing this is worthy of.
"That's awesome!" Cinderfall exclaimed. "Great job, you two!"
"Thanks!" Frostpaw gasped.
"Come on." Russetstripe tried not to let her excitement for Frostpaw show, but she couldn't stop a smile from breaking on her face. "I think we have to tell Scorchstar about this."
Icepaw's face wrinkled. "Will he be mad?" she fretted.
"Who knows." Russetstripe shrugged and hoped that they wouldn't catch on to what she wanted to suggest to her brother. She met Cinderfall's eyes, and there was a knowing spark in them. The four cats headed away from the lake and back through the moor towards camp. Russetstripe cast a nervous glance at Cinderfall, but the wound in his throat didn't seem deep, and he was keeping up just fine.
The cats arrived at camp and entered the hollow. Russetstripe searched for her brother and spotted him at the entrance of his den. Scorchstar lifted his head and met Russetstripe's gaze. Suspicion darkened his eyes, and Russetstripe wondered what problem he had today. But it could wait. She walked over to him, and before he could open his mouth and chastise her, Russetstripe said, "Frostpaw and Icepaw defeated a dog today."
Scorchstar's amber eyes widened. "Are they all right?" he demanded. "Where is the dog now?"
"It's dead." Russetstripe sat down and wrapped her tail over her paws. "Frostpaw and Icepaw lured the dog towards the island, and when it tried to cross the tree branch after them, it was too heavy. It fell into the lake and drowned. It was Icepaw and Frostpaw's plan the entire time – they killed the dog on their own!"
"That's incredible," Scorchstar gasped, his eyes shining with genuine respect for the two apprentices.
"Listen, Scorchstar," Russetstripe said. "I know they haven't been training as long as Hawkpaw and Redpaw, but I can't think of a better time to give them their warrior names. They did it on their own. We didn't help them – the dog got the best of us and sent us down for a few moments. They really outshone today. We need to reward them."
"You're right." Scorchstar nodded. "If Hawkpaw and Redpaw get jealous, I'll try to speak to them. This is an opportunity they deserve." The ginger-and-white tabby tom trekked over to the Tall Rock and leaped on top of it. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather underneath the Tall Rock for a Clan meeting!"
As Scorchstar's cry rung through the clearing, the warrior cats started to gather. Larchcloud poked her head from the elders' den, and behind her walked out Hawkpaw with a ball of mouse bile in her mouth. Russetstripe assumed she had been removing ticks from the elder. Redpaw had just arrived back from training with Heathercloud, and he sat in the center of the clearing. Frostpaw cast a nervous look at Redpaw, biting her lip. Songbreeze finished piling off a rabbit before joining the cats in the clearing. Dovewillow followed with Aspenstep and Sandfall near her. Sedgefall emerged from the medicine den, Mallowpaw at her side. Lightningtalon and Buzzardwing approached the Tall Rock, and Brambledusk was behind his brothers.
"Clanmates!" Scorchstar yowled. "Today, Icepaw and Frostpaw managed to defeat a dog on their very own! They convened a plan to lure it onto the tree branch towards the island, and when it was there, it fell and drowned – just according to their plan. I can't think of a better time to give them their warrior names than now."
Russetstripe couldn't miss the jealousy – and respect – written on Hawkpaw and Redpaw's face. She would try to talk to them herself, to convince them that this was for the best, after the ceremony. She looked at Frostpaw and Icepaw, whose blue eyes were shining in joy and wonder. Waspberry walked over to her daughters and purred loudly, and Lightningtalon shifted on his paws. Brambledusk nudged his brother sharply, and the striped black tom slowly made his way towards his daughters, although his pawsteps were stiff and awkward.
"Icepaw, Frostpaw." Scorchstar's voice was powerful as he addressed the two apprentices. "I, Scorchstar, leader of WindClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn. Frostpaw, Icepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do." Frostpaw's voice was firm with the strength of her resolve.
"I do." Icepaw, a usually quiet and reserved cat, did not hesitate as she responded quickly and loudly to her leader.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Frostpaw, from this day forward, you shall be known as Frostpetal. We honor your courage and strong spirit, and we welcome you as a full warrior of WindClan." Scorchstar leaped from the Tall Rock and rested his muzzle on Frostpetal's head, and she licked his shoulder in return.
Frostpetal purred loudly as Scorchstar turned to face Icepaw. "By the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Icepaw, from this moment forward you shall be known as Iceheart. StarClan honors your honesty and sensible nature, and we welcome you as a full warrior of WindClan." Scorchstar rested his muzzle lightly on Iceheart's head.
Iceheart's blue eyes glowed with pride as she licked Scorchstar's battle-scarred shoulder. The two she-cats turned to face their Clan, as the chants of, "Iceheart! Frostpetal!," rang through the clearing. Waspberry licked her daughters roughly, her eyes sparkling, while Lightningtalon walked over to them and nodded.
"Good job," Lightningtalon said awkwardly. Iceheart and Frostpetal gazed steadily at him before he walked away. Brambledusk snorted and raced over to the two she-cats.
"You both did great," Brambledusk purred warmly, licking their shoulders. "Congratulations. I can't think of any cat who deserves it more than you two."
Russetstripe joined the throng of cats. "Congratulations," she said to Iceheart and Frostpetal. She focused her gaze on Frostpetal. "I'm proud of you."
"Thank you, Russetstripe!" Frostpetal exclaimed. "I owe it all to you."
"Even though I trained you pretty hard." Russetstripe touched her nose to Frostpetal's ear.
"I know why you did," Frostpetal said. "It was to make me a better warrior. And that's what I am, because of you."
A better warrior, Russetstripe thought, gazing at her former apprentice. Yes. Frostpetal and Iceheart were warriors now – a milestone in their journey as Clan cats. She couldn't be prouder of the two cats, and she was glad that her time as a mentor was over. But she didn't regret it for a second.