Warriors - The Leopard's Apprentice

-Chapter 8 - Usual Suspects-

"Snakepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect Forestclan even at the cost of your life?" Sprucestar asked gazing with a smile at the silver and brown apprentice. "I do!" Snakepaw said confidently, Wolfhowl gazed up at his former apprentice with pride. "Then from this day forward I pronounce you as a full fledged warrior of Forestclan you will be known as... Snakestrike! Forestclan honors your courage and intelligence." he finished with a smile, Dandelionpaw and Smokepaw sat awaiting their warrior names on one of the smaller branches of the Oaktree, "Dandelionpaw please step forward. You have trained under Lynxdawn for many moons and you are ready to earn your warrior name. Dandelionpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect Forestclan even at the cost of your life?" Sprucestar said with a bright smile, Lynxdawn shouted up at her apprentice a huge smile planted on her face. "I do!" Dandelionpaw squeaked with a small surge of confidence. "Then from this day forward I pronounce you as a full fledged warrior of Forestclan you will be known as... Dandelioncloud! Forestclan honors your quick thinking and kindness." Sprucestar grinned at the young she-cat.

"And finally Smokepaw please step forward." Sprucestar said, with no hesitation Smokepaw leapt onto the adjacent branch to Sprucestar a grin planted on his face. "You have trained under Leopardwillow for many moons and have been deemed ready to earn your warrior name. Smokepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect Forestclan even at the cost of your life?" Sprucestar said although his face was no longer as bright as it had been for the previous apprentice - Leopardwillow didn't know why could he be hiding something? She thought to herself. "Yes definitely." Smokepaw answered almost instantly. "Then from this day forward I pronounce you as a full fledged warrior of Forestclan you will be known as... Smokedusk, Forestclan honors your fighting skills and confidence." Sprucestar finished with a small grin on his face.

"Snakestrike!, Dandelioncloud!, Smokedusk!" the cats in the clearing cheered. Leopardwillow cheered for her apprentice she hoped he was ready to be a warrior although it was very hard to tell he passed his assessment but does that really determine if your fit to be a warrior? She didn't know. Foxbristle walked towards her sister with a smile; she had moved into the nursery after Dovesong told her the kits would come anytime now. "I'm so happy for you! You must be thrilled." Foxbristle said with a smile. "Cats of Forestclan! I have other news." Sprucestar yowled all the cats stopped for a moment - "As many of you know Bearstar was murdered two moons ago though no one knew who killed him Bearstar himself told me when I received my nine lives, Foxbristle is an innocent cat." Wolfhowl mumbled something under his breath and Leopardwillow fought the urge to claw him.

Leopardwillow felt Foxbristle stiffen beside her at the mention of her dead mentor. If Foxbristle is innocent why does she seem so nervous? Leopardwillow couldn't help pondering. Before she could ask, Leopardwillow saw Foxbristle trot back towards the nursery. Leopardwillow shook her head it didn't matter she should be thinking about congratulating Smokedusk, she could already see Shadowpaw walk up to the grey tom. "I'm very proud of you, Smokedusk you did amazing!" Leopardwillow said walking towards him, Smokedusk looked at her with a smug look on his face; why did it look so familiar? "I knew I'd make it! Even when you had your doubts I'm going to be the best warrior in the clan your title is as good as mine already." he boasted. "Oh really? Well than your highness I didn't think you could forget about you vigil then or did you plan to miss it?" she said with a smirk. Shadowpaw giggled behind the tan she-cat. Smokedusk blushed and rushed towards the camp entrance beside Snakestrike and Dandelioncloud. Lynxdawn made her way over to Leopardwillow and smiled.

"Hi Lynxdawn! I haven't seen you since..." Leopardwillow trailed off. "I know I've been busy I'm so proud of Dandelioncloud! Can you believe Sprucestar named her after Junipercloud, I really should thank him." she smiled and her eyes looked up towards the sky as if she was deep in thought. "You can thank me right now, Lynxdawn but I can assure you I did it because she deserved to be remembered with love, Dandelioncloud will always honor her memory." Sprucestar said padding up to the two she-cats. "I almost forgot to mention Leopardwillow I need to speak with you." Leopardwillow looked confused and nodded Lynxdawn said something else to Sprucestar and the two cats padded into the Leader's Hollow. "I need to talk with you about- Smokedusk I know your part of the prophecy." "But why didn't you talk to me about this sooner?" Leopardwillow questioned. "B-because - Bearstar told me who killed him." he finished staring at Leopardwillow's bewildered expression.