Warrior Cats: Snake's Path

Chapter two

"Driftkit, step forward." Thistlestar smiled at the young apprentice. "You have reached the age of six moons, and from this day onwards you shall be known as Driftpaw. Your mentor will be Birchsong." The clan cheered and whooped the cat as he sauntered over to the older tomcat.

As Thistlestar said Birchsong's name, the mentioned mentor had a crooked grin upon his face. "Of course!" Upon inspection, Birchsong was a middle-aged cat with pale, cream coloured fur and ink-black spots adorned his back.

"Adderkit, step forward." Adderkit purred, walking forward. "You have also reached the age of six moons, and from this day onwards you will be known as Adderpaw." At this, the cat known as Adderpaw pranced over to where the others were. "Your mentor will be Toadpounce." Thistlestar smiled. Toadpounce, a tom with thick pale grey fur, had a twisted smile on his face. The clan cheered as the two now fully-grown apprentices glanced around, soaking in the others' encouragement.

"Meeting dismissed!" Everyone bustled off, and Toadpounce padded over to Adderpaw. "How about a territory tour? So you can see the borders." Adderpaw nodded, and the two bounded out to the surrounding forest.

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Back at camp, Toadpounce had started a quiz to see how much Adderpaw remembered from the tour. "Twolegplace." Toadpounce flicked his tail, waiting for Adderpaw's answer. "Kittypet's homes, correct?" Adderpaw mewed, her tail flicking with excitement. "That's right, you learn quickly! What about the barn?" Toadpounce smiled. "Where the loners live." Adderpaw nodded confidently. Toadpounce nodded, purring. "Go get some rest. You've learnt well, and I'm assuming you're tired." Adderpaw nodded and walked off towards the hole in the wall that housed the apprentices. Driftpaw lifted his head Adderpaw walk in. "Hi, Adderpaw! How was training?" The she-cat shrugged, before flopping down in a nest and stretching her sleek black front legs out. "Hey, you want some fresh-kill?" Harepaw's voice was muffled as he and the other apprentices walked over. Adderpaw and Driftpaw nodded happily, and in return they got a vole each. Swiftpaw and Drift paw had started up a conversation, and Adderpaw noticed Driftpaw was happier then she'd ever seen him, as was Swiftpaw.  

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Several moons had passed and it was time for Heronpaw, Harepaw and Quailpaw to become warriors. "All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather under the MossRock for a clan meeting!" Thistlestar's voice rang out. Harepaw, Heronpaw and Quailpaw were seated beneath the rock, purring excitedly. "These three apprentices have completed their final warrior assessments. Grimvine, is Harepaw ready?" Grimvine nodded. "Ready as he'll ever be." "Then, by the powers of StarClan, Harepaw shall now be known as Haretail. StarClan honours your courage and fast thinking." Haretail bowed his head respectfully. "Dovepelt, is Heronpaw ready?" "Of course he is!" Dovepelt mewed happily. "Then by the powers of StarClan, Heronpaw will be now known as Heronflight. StarClan honours your bravery and intelligence. And last but never least, Quailpaw. Is she ready, Foxeye?" Foxeye nodded. "Always will be." "Then by the powers of StarClan, Quailpaw will be now known as Quailheart. StarClan honours your honesty and kindness." "Quailheart! Haretail! Heronpath!" The clan cheered for the three new warriors. "Clan dismissed. Haretail, Heronpath, Quailheart, you will hold vigil tonight and guard the camp." The young warriors nodded with respect before walking over to their old denmates. "Warriors, eh? Good names." Swiftpaw mewed, her ears drooping sadly. "Don't be sad, Swiftpaw! You have Adderpaw and Driftpaw still!" Heronpath nudged the young molly. Driftpaw sidled up to her and wrapped his tail around his friend. "We're still here for you, don't worry!" Swiftpaw smiled and started purring. "It'll be quieter without you lot in there!" Adderpaw joked. "Hey!" Quailheart batted the young she-cat's ear playfully. "We should go- you know, the vigil." Heronflight gave each of them a touch on the nose before the three new warriors padded off.  

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Swiftpaw and Driftpaw talked more and more as the seasons went on, and Adderpaw seemed to realise that her friend and brother had started feeling differently about one another. Adderpaw trained harder and harder with Toadpounce, and talked more with Haretail while she wasn't training or helping the elders. Thistlestar made Mistlepaw a warrior, and her warrior name was Mistleclaw. She'd become a warrior because her mentor thought she'd battle well against a badger during training. Unfortunately, the fight had left her with around half a dozen scars along her body, but she seemed as confident as ever. Toadpounce's mate, Owlwillow, announced she was expecting kits and everyone congratulated the two on the news. Adderpaw accidentally overheard Sheepstorm and Sorrelflame's conversation about a prophecy, but walked off as soon as she heard Thistlestar walk over.