Flames & Shadows

Chapter 1

The warm greenleaf wind gently coarses the she-cat's pale ginger tabby fur as she diligently watches over her kits. Her three kits had been born two moons ago and she couldn't be any happier.

Redkit, named for his fur and eventually his fiery personality, became the one who got into the most trouble of his littermates. Patchkit, however, quickly became completely opposite of his brother — grumpy and sullen, always wanting to stay near his mother, constantly complaining about his brother's careless antics. Snowkit, the patient young kit she is, took on the role of leader of the trio early on and acts as the mediator whenever her brothers argue.

"Honeystorm, can we go see Ravenstorm?"

The she-cat nudges Patchkit gently. "Ravenstorm is not here. He is out on a border patrol. But, when he comes back, then you can go see him."

Patchkit sighs and dips his head sadly.

His mother licks his head comfortingly. "I get that you miss Ravenstorm. But he also promises, every time, to come back to us."

He looks up at her. "But you do not even know if he will come back."

Honeystorm shakes her head. "I do not. But I do know that Ravenstorm is a strong warrior." She licks her kit's head again. "I have faith that Starclan will keep him safe and let him return to us."

Patchkit nods and she touches her nose to the top of his fuzzy black head.

"Patchkit! Ravenstorm is back!" One of his littermates comes crashing into him and the two fall in a heap.

The young black-and-white tom hisses angrily. "Watch it, Redkit! You stupid furball!" He disentangles himself from his brother and stalks over to his only sister.

A stocky black tom saunters over to Honeystorm and the kits. "How were they?" He touches his nose to her ear and sits down next to her.

She sighs. "Patchkit missed you. He was asking when you would be back."

Ravenstorm shakes his head. "And Redkit, how was he?"

"Fiery as ever."

The black tom gives her ear a couple licks. "We named him after Firestar. Did you think that we would expect any less from him?"

Honeystorm sighs and shakes her head. "Not really."

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting." Featherstar sits at the top of the Highledge and both Ravenstorm and Honeystorm sit in front of the nursery, their kits sitting in front of them.

"What's going on, Honeystorm?" Redkit asks.

"Hush, Redkit. Featherstar is giving Robinpaw and Mosspaw their warrior names." Ravenstorm swipes his tail over the kit's back, his tone stern.

"Cinderfrost, Sagestripe, have your apprentices Robinpaw and Mosspaw learned the skills of a warrior? Do they both understand the importance of the warrior code?"

Cinderfrost and Sagestripe both nod. "They have."

"I, Featherstar, leader of Thundclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon these two apprentices. They both have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Robinpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

The young tortoiseshell she-cat nods. "I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name." Featherstar smiles softly. "Robinpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Robintail. StarClan honors your loyalty and wisdom, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Thunderclan."