Warriors: Burnttail's Regret (Complete)

Chapter 11

 Burntpaw rushed through the thorn tunnel, holding his gray tail high proudly. I can't believe I just passed my assessment! I'm finally going to become a warrior!

 He padded toward the fresh-kill pile and dropped the prey he caught during his assessment. Needlerose walked after him and nodded proudly. ''Well done, Burntpaw! I'll go ahead and tell Bumblestar that you're ready to become a warrior.''

 Burntpaw nodded, excited, and watched his mentor walk toward the leader's den. He then heard paw steps and he turned around. He hissed in irritation when he saw Frostedwillow and Snakepaw walk back in camp. Of course, she's also going to become a warrior. Great. That won't be awkward at all.

 Burntpaw padded away before the two she-cats could approach him and he sat down near the apprentices' den, looking toward the Shaderock. Suddenly, he felt someone walk past him and he turned his head in a panic, but relaxed when he saw that it was only Stormfleck and Prickleshadow.

 ''Hello, Burntpaw!'' Stormfleck meowed and sat down next to him. ''Me and Prickleshadow just moved Snakepaw's and your nests in the warriors' den, since you'll be sleeping there starting tomorrow. Are you ready to become a warrior?''

 ''Yes, very!" Burntpaw purred. ''I wonder what my warrior name will be!''

 ''Oh, I bet Bumblestar will name you Burntscar, after your scars.'' Prickleshadow teased, flicking his tail. ''You did get a few scars in your apprenticeship, and some cats don't even get one during their entire life. For example, me!''

 ''Oh, shut up!'' Stormfleck rolled his eyes and nudged Prickleshadow, then looked at Burntpaw. ''Well, whatever you warrior name is, I'm sure you'll be proud of it.''

 Burntpaw nodded. ''I guess, but I'm scared to sit vigil with Snakepaw. We've been completely avoiding each other lately, and we probably will for the rest of our lives.''

 Stormfleck sighed. ''I know, but you really shouldn't. You two used to be-''

 ''Very close, I know.'' Burntpaw interrupted him and rolled his eyes, irritated. ''But it's not my fault that she decided to start an argument! She threw some pretty harsh words at me, too.''

 ''Yeah, about that, it was pretty amazing.'' Prickleshadow chuckled.

 ''Hey!'' Burntpaw growled at the speckled brown tom. 

 ''Sorry.'' The warrior mumbled.

 ''Let all cats old enough to lurk in the shadows gather beneath the Shaderock for a Clan meeting!'' Bumblestar suddenly yowled. 

 Burntpaw turned his head and saw the yellow leader with black stripes standing on the Shaderock. He instantly jumped up and walked over there. ''It's time!'' He whispered to himself, feeling excitement rush through him. He couldn't wait!

 Burntpaw sat down, joined soon by Stormfleck and Prickleshadow. He looked up, but his fur suddenly started tingling. He felt as if he was being watched. Blinking, he turned his head and saw Snakepaw stare anxiously at him. However, when she saw his head turn, she growled and turned her head to look at Bumblestar again. Burntpaw rolled his eyes, annoyed, then looked back at the leader.

 ''Today, two apprentices are ready to become warriors.'' Bumblestar meowed when everyone gathered around. ''Burntpaw and Snakepaw, step forward!''

 Burntpaw felt like his stomach turned upside down when he stepped forward along with Snakepaw. He tried to avoid looking at her, but he could still see her tortoiseshell pelt with the corner of his eye.

 Bumblestar sighed, but continued speaking. ''Do you two promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your lives?'' He asked.

 ''I do!'' Snakepaw promised.

 Burntpaw hesitated, his mind wandering to his past adventures in ThunderClan's territory, but then he brushed it off. ''I do!'' He meowed. I'm over that, I promise. I'll never do that ever again. I still don't think that what Jaggedriver did was right, but I definitely exaggerated. I'll mind my own business from now on, I swear.

 ''Then, by the powers of StarClan, I will give you your warrior names.'' Bumblestar nodded. ''Burntpaw, from this day forward, you will be known as Burnttail.''

 Burnttail! He thought, and he looked at his gray tail. Well, it was pretty obvious that this was going to be my warrior name, but I'm not mad about it. I like it!

 ''Snakepaw, from this day forward, you will be known as Snakesong.'' Bumblestar continued, then dipped his head to the two new warriors.

 Burnttail couldn't help but turn his head to look at Snakesong. Her former friend was holding her head high, looking proud. He let out a short hiss and turned his head again, looking back at the leader.

 ''Burnttail! Snakesong!'' The Clan chanted. 

 Burnttail purred and backed off, sitting next to Stormfleck again. He didn't think he ever felt prouder than he did now.

 ''Meeting dismissed.'' Bumblestar meowed and jumped off the Shaderock, then he turned around and padded toward Smokedream, his deputy.

 ''Well, your warrior name isn't Burntscar, but Burnttail is still pretty great.'' Prickleshadow meowed, looking at the new warrior. ''Congratulations!''

 ''Yes, congratulations!'' Stormfleck meowed, then purred. ''Now go sit vigil for a very cold and long leaf-fall night. Have fun!''

 Burnttail grinned. ''Thanks, I won't. Leaf-bare will be here soon, though, and that's even worse. I'm so glad I don't have to sit vigil during leaf-bare. I'd probably freeze forever!''

 ''You're right.'' Prickleshadow nodded. ''Leaf-bare isn't fun at all. I'm definitely not looking forward to it.''

 Burnttail then dipped his head toward the two toms and turned around, but stopped when he saw Sootblossom and Ebonyheart approach him. He rolled his eyes.

 ''Congratulations!'' Sootblossom dipped his head.

 Ebonyheart purred warmly. ''Congratulations! Your name suits you. I hope you're not upset about it.'' She said worriedly.

 ''I'm not, actually. Thank you.'' Burnttail growled, but then sighed and raised his head. I have no reason to be mad at them. They've already apologized. I'll never forget what they did, but I can't keep on being upset forever. ''Anyway, I'll go eat something and then go sit vigil. See you!''

 ''Good luck, Burnttail!'' Sootblossom meowed, looking relieved at his change of heart. 

 Burnttail got up and padded toward the fresh-kill pile and looked through it, then he picked up a frog and sat down, digging his fangs into it. He then looked around camp. Ebonyheart was padding back to the nursery, where Bluekit, Breezekit, and Cloudkit were playing with each other. Sootblossom quickly followed her. Fawnwhisper and Flintdusk were talking quietly near their den, and Smokedream was assigning patrols. Burnttail suddenly blinked as he saw Pebblewhisper and Owlsight talking together with their tails entwined. Oh? ShadowClan might have new kits soon!

 After a while, Burnttail finished eating his frog and he got up, padding out of camp, still feeling hesitant. I still haven't completed my punishment for going in ThunderClan's territory, but I can leave the camp now, right? I mean, wait, obviously. I have to sit vigil now. But I'm surprised Bumblestar didn't delay my warrior ceremony.

 Burnttail pushed his way through the thorn tunnel and ducked to keep his head away from the sharp thorns, suddenly surprised at how tall he had gotten. It feels like I was a kit just yesterday! He padded outside and sat down right by the entrance and looked at the sky. The sun was starting to set, and a few stars were already shining brightly on the darkening sky. After a few heartbeats, Snakesong padded out of the camp and joined him. She sat farther away from him and didn't look at him at all. Burnttail's heart jabbed with both sadness and irritation, but he didn't do or say anything. Soon, a cold breeze started ruffling his fur, and he started shivering from the cold.

 Well, this is going to be a very cold and awkward night.