Warrior Cats: Gossamer

Chapter 4

"Let all cats of FloodClan join beneath the Weeping Willow for a Clan meeting!"

Myrtlepaw jolted awake at the call, blinking away cloudy delirium. Pansykit and Elderkit were already gone. Much to their relief, though, Plumrose was in the den with her.

"Morning. Or evening, rather," Plumrose said, flicking Myrtlekit's flank with her plumy tail. Myrtlekit stood up, stretching her back and shaking out her long coat. "What's happening?" they asked, looking up and studying the orange tabby's face.

Plumrose tipped her head towards the den entrance, urging her to follow while she explained. "Tonight is one of the other kits' apprenticeship ceremony," she said. She slipped out of the burrow den and pulled Myrtlekit out by the scruff. When she was back on the ground, Plumrose went on: "Iriskit. She's Lushtail's and Lotusglow's kit. You wouldn't think she's only six moons, though. She's almost bigger than Tundrapad!"

The two padded towards the crowd, sticking towards the fringes where there were less cats milling about. Plumrose picked her up again and scaled a rockfall several lengths away from the Willow. Myrtlekit felt dizzy at the height, scooting back to sit in between Plumrose's forelegs.

From their perch, they could see everything. The massive tree's roots twined around a boulder slightly above the medic's den, as if clinging to it for support. The boulder tapered to a dull point, where a pale silvery-blue tabby perched.

"That's Willowstar," Plumrose murmured. "She's been our leader for maybe twenty moons now. She was named leader much earlier than most leaders had been, after..." she stopped, thinking for a moment. "I'll tell you later. Looks like the meeting's about to start."

As the sun sunk slowly beneath the horizon, the crowd fell silent. "Tonight, it's important to remember that this may be one of Iriskit's most treasured memories. I trust you all to behave?" Willowstar called, a glimmer in her eyes.

A chuckle rolled through the gathering. When they stilled again, Willowstar flicked her silky tail.

The Clan parted at Willowstar's signal, leaving a clear pathway towards the perch. Myrtlekit squinted to see what was happening. Her breath caught at the sight.

A fluffy brown tabby she-cat slowly made her way through the crowd, accepting 'good luck's and 'thank you's along the way. As she glanced around, she caught Myrtlekit's eyes.

Myrtlekit's fur spiked, and they immediately looked away when Iriskit offered a smile. She dared to glance back to see if she was staring. Myrtlekit let out a breath she didn't know they'd been holding when they saw Iriskit's focus had shifted. Still staring, Myrtlekit noted that the molly looked very unique. Stark against Iriskit's dark oaken coat was a thick mane of white fur around her neck. Her paws were the same white, as was the tip of her long, fluffy tail. The contrast between the different colors of her fur made it seem as if she was glowing. She's so pretty..!

"Iriskit." The meow startled Myrtlekit out of their stupor. Willowstar was beginning the ceremony.

"You have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for a new chapter of your life to begin. From this day onward, until the time comes for you to receive your full warrior name, you will be known as Irispaw..." Willowstar hopped down from her perch, urging whispers from the crowd.

Plumrose's own folded ears pricked. Does this not happen often? What... what is happening?

"...I will be your mentor."

Irispaw seemed to weaken for a moment, haunches sinking and jaw agape. She practically fell over herself pressing her red nose to Willowstar's, whispering something Myrtlekit couldn't hear. "I will pass on all I know to you, Irispaw," Willowstar finished. With a dip of her head, Irispaw flocked towards a gaggle of young cats, including Pansykit and Elderkit. They were the first to cheer out her new name.