Hawkstar's Clan

Chapter 12

"Hawkpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Hawkpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Hawkhope. StarClan honors your heroism and determination, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThistleClan."

Hawkpaw, now Hawkhope, felt his legs shaking when Badgerstar bounded down from the Thistle Tree and rested her muzzle on his head. He licked her shoulder in return, gazing up warmly at his leader. She returned the gaze. Around him, ThistleClan began to yowl out his new name.

"Hawkhope! Hawkhope!"

Although he was happy his apprenticeship was finally over, he couldn't help but feel a pang of grief hit him. It had been five sunrises since Twistedwish was killed by dogs. He had recovered from when he saved Eaglesight and so did Badgerstar. As promised, she went with holding his warrior ceremony. As nice as it was for his Clanmates to cheer out his new name, it wasn't the same. His brother wouldn't be here to cheer his name and congratulate him. He was dead, and nothing would bring him back. Hawkhope lifted his head up to the sky.

Brother, are you watching? I'm a warrior now! I hope I made you proud..! Hawkhope said to himself.

"Let's not forget that we will need a new deputy," Badgerstar said, climbing back up on the Thistle Tree. "Twistedwish was a great and loyal deputy, and ThistleClan will be forever grateful of his dedication to his Clan. May you find peace in StarClan." She lowered her head in silence, her tail swaying in the wind, before raising it up again. "I say these words before StarClan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice." She took a moment to gaze at her Clanmates.

Hawkhope watched intently. Who would she pick as deputy? He looked around his Clan; Buzzardsoar would be a good option; she was the sister of Grousestar, the leader before Badgerstar, and she had natural leadership. But so did Falconclaw. The two cats could practically be one. Would there be competition if one was chosen than the other? Jealousy? A plot for revenge?

The brown tabby tom shuddered, shaking his head from those thoughts.

No, don't think like a rogue, he berated himself. We're Clan cats. We're civilized. We wouldn't kill one of our Clanmates for power like our ancestors did in the past. Badgerstar will choose a great deputy, one that every cat will accept and follow.

"The new deputy of ThistleClan will be Eaglesight."

Eaglesight! That was a curious choice. Hawkhope turned eagerly to his former mentor, who appeared to be caught off guard. Other Clan cats turned to him, their eyes beaming. He appeared overwhelmed by all the attention focused on him and looked to his brother Falconclaw. He was probably hoping his brother would become deputy, since the blue gray tom was well known for his orderly behavior. Falconclaw returned Eaglesight's gaze with brotherly affection, nodding at him. He stood up and bowed at the gray and white leader.

"I'm honored to be chosen, Badgerstar. I will do everything to serve my Clan," Eaglesight said to her and every cat.

The Clan cheered his name too. Buzzardsoar and Falconclaw cheered the loudest. "Eaglesight! Eaglesight!" It seemed she approved the choice. Hawkhope felt his heart swell in newfound pride.

He smiled for his brother. It's what he would have wanted him to do.



It still feels empty without you, Twistedwish.

The moon hung in the night sky. Hawkhope's vigil had begun. It was lonely since he was the only new warrior. He sat at the border of his Clan, his body frozen as ice. The winds hadn't help with the cold, and his fur fluffed out even more. He gazed up at the sky. His eyes searched for a star amongst Silverpelt that would attract him, but they all shone the same, flickering the same. Maybe he wasn't ready yet to have his own star in the sky. He wasn't sure; he didn't know much about StarClan.

How's StarClan? he thought, for he knew he couldn't speak in the vigil. Is it nice? What endless prey is there that you're hunting? Who are you speaking to right now? He stopped his thoughts, flattening his ears.

Please... I wish you can give me a sign...

Hours passed and Hawkhope felt himself slightly dozing off from the grief of his brother. He straightened up, shaking his head and blinking rapidly. He can't fall asleep. Not yet. His belly was starting to ache. He was getting hungry. He knew he should have eaten before the vigil.

I'll quench it with a drink, he thought to himself.

The brown tabby tom got to his paws and padded. Luckily there was a small pond nearby. He tucked in his paws and extended out his tongue, letting his throat bathe in the cool water. Looking up, his eyes caught something in the distance, and he locked onto it at once. He stopped drinking. He squinted, trying to catch a glimpse of what he had seen. He wanted to move, but he was frozen in place.

Blue eyes peeked through the bushes, gazing intently on the brown tabby tom. Hawkhope jolted back.

T-Twistedwish?

The eyes looked eerily similar to his brother's. Was he dreaming? Hallucinating? Was this real? The eyes stared unblinking. Watching. It seemed to try communicating to Hawkhope, but he couldn't interpret what was trying to be said. The brown tabby tom stood up, his tail twitching. He shook his head.
No. No it can't be- You're dead. This isn't real. I'm just tired and hallucinating. You're not real in this life anymore.

He rubbed his own eyes before looking back.

The eyes were gone.

Hawkhope sighed. I'm hallucinating, he said to himself as he padded back to his spot. It was all just an exhausted hallucination, and he would be better once he got some sleep.

The first signs of morning sunlight hit his fur and he shuddered. It wasn't warm yet but it felt nice. He didn't look back but he already imagined the Clan emerging and getting ready for the day. Instead, he looked to the sky, watching the stars go away. The sky was soon painted in a bright pale orange. A shoulder bumped his and he turned around.

"Your vigil's over, Hawkhope," Eaglesight said. "Go get yourself a well deserved rest."

"Thank you Eaglesight," said Hawkhope, dipping his head. He padded away to the fresh-kill pile to have something before he went to the warriors den. He looked back to where he sat vigil, narrowing his eyes at the bushes.

Who were those mysterious blue eyes?

A rogue? A trespasser?

Or was it really his brother?