Journey of a flame (Book 1 of A step in the wild direction AU series)

Chapter 7

The patrol returned to camp, Firepaw carrying one of the kits between his jaws. Frostfur, who had been pacing back and forth around camp took notice of the returning patrol, her ears pricking upward when she noticed her kits. She ran forward, weaving around the patrol to check each of her kits. 
"Oh thank you. Thank you" she purred, licking the head of one of the kits. Firepaw placed the kit down next to Frostfur and lifted his head. He looked around the camp, searching for Tigerclaw. He found the tom, sitting in a shadowed spot of camp alongside Longtail and Darkstripe. Tigerclaw had narrowed eyes, his tail twitching once. Darkstripe was sitting on Tigerclaw's left, his ears perked upward and his back straightened. Longtail was on the right, his head bent down and shoulders tight, his tail curled around his paws and eyes flicking across every member of the patrol. Firepaw separated from the patrol and approached the three. All three of them were looking at him although he focused on Tigerclaw. He puffed his chest out and stood tall to not seem intimidated to the deputy. 
"Tigerclaw. I have some news about Ravenpaw" he spoke, dipping his head before looking at the deputy once more. Tigerclaw showed little response but from the corner of Firepaw's vision, he saw Longtail's ear prick upward. 
"Well. Go on" Tigerclaw ordered, flicking his tail once again.
"Ravenpaw was killed by one of the Shadowclan cats. Graypaw and I couldn't stop it in time and we couldn't find his body afterwards" Firepaw locked his eyes with Tigerclaw but nothing changed in his posture or expression. 
"That's quite a shame. I guess there won't be a vigil for him either" he got to his paws, stretching out his front legs while Longtail turned to look at him with wide eyes. The younger tom looked to his paws.
"We could still have a Vigil. It just means that the elders can't bury him" Tigerclaw's tail swished close to Longtail and he flinched.
"I'll go talk to Bluestar about it" he grumbled, stepping past Firepaw and approaching Bluestar. Firepaw watched the two, his tail tip twitching back and forth. A cold breeze brushed against his side, making him shiver. 
"Hey Firepaw. You cold?" Graypaw asked, sitting down next to Firepaw. 
"Just a cold wind is all. I'm fine" A small stone skimmed across the dirt for a mouse-length before coming to a halt. Firepaw stared at the rock but it didn't move again. He turned his attention to Yellowfang who was leaving the medicine den with some herbs and applying them to Spottedleaf who had been moved to the middle of camp where some cats were settling down for the vigil. Firepaw turned back to look at Bluestar who was now talking to Whitestorm while Tigerclaw stared at the two with a flick of his tail. Graypaw leaned in. 
"Hey Firepaw" he turned.
"Yeah?" 
"Did you know that Whitestorm and Bluestar are actually kin?" Firepaw's neck fur fluffed.
"Really. Are they mother and kit?" Graypaw shook his head.
"My mother told me that Whitestorm's mother was a cat called Snowfur who is Bluestar's sister" 
"Oh. I didn't know that" Firepaw watched as Whitestorm gave the two of them a look before going to settle down next to Spottedleaf, pressing his nose against her back. Bluestar leapt up onto the the highrock, calling the clan together. Cats began gathering under the rock.
"Today has been a tragic day for Thunderclan with the loss of two cats, Spottedleaf and Ravenpaw" the gathered cats began whispering to each other while strangled cries came from near the nursery where Frostfur and Brindleface were comforting each other. 
"I'm sure we all hope that they will both be happy in Starclan and will be watching over all of us however we have further news" everyone went quiet, staring up at Bluestar.
"Brokenstar has been driven out of Shadowclan and Nightpelt will be taking his place as Shadowclan's leader" yowls of joy filled the camp. Bluestar waved her tail to gain silence.
"And although we have lost today, we are also gaining two new warriors" she turned to Firepaw and Graypaw. 
"Graypaw, Firepaw, step forward" the two apprentices did as they were told. 
"I, Bluestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these two apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Firepaw, Graypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your lives?" Firepaw, puffed his chest out, pride welling up inside. 
"I do" Graypaw and Firepaw said in unison. Bluestar gave a quick nod. 
"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior names: Graypaw, from this moment you will be known as Graystripe. StarClan honors your bravery and strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan. Firepaw, from this moment you will be called Fireheart. StarClan honors your bravery and your strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan. Fireheart, I am proud to have you as my warrior. Serve your Clan well, young one"
"Fireheart, Graystripe. Fireheart, Graystripe" the clan yowled their new names. Fireheart looked up to Bluestar who was looking down at him with a soft gaze. He purred, dipping his head to Bluestar, relishing in his clanmates cheering his name.