Rising Greatness

Chapter 12

“Cats old enough to catch their own prey meet here below the High rock.” Dawnstar said as everyone gathered around. “As you all know we lost Leafleap. He was a great deputy and a brave warrior. But now I need to call upon someone else to fill this gap in our clan.” She said then cut her eyes over Drakenfur as he walked up. “Drakenfur, has proven himself worthy of this position. He stays and doe’s the duties that aren't even that important or the ones where you stand and guard the camp and not fight. He has shown that he is a good hunter and organizer.” I mumbled to Shadowstorm who was sitting next to me, “Yeah and a great jerk and stalker too!” “I ask Starclan to look down and approve of my choice. Drakenfur, do you promise to uphold the ways of clan life by following your duties and responsibilities?” “I do.” He said gruffly. “Then by the powers of Starclan, you are now the new deputy of Thunderclan. Serve us well.” She said, holding her head high. “Now there is one more thing that needs to be addressed.” She said looking at me, inviting me up. My heart began to thump, what did I do? How could she address me in front of the clan like that? I knew she said she needed to talk to me but out here?! I rushed up as quickly as I could, remembering the thoughts of my apprentice ceremony. The glittering eyes of my clan mates as I received my name but now, who knew what would happen. “This mighty Willowpaw, killed Sootstar the muredur to Leafleap.” Gasp went wild through the clan. “As an apprentice that is not an easy task but now she won’t carry around that name forever. Through that war she showed me she was fit to be a warrior.” I couldn’t believe it! I am now a warrior. “Willowpaw, you have learned to follow the Warrior code and have trained hard. Do you promise to protect the clan even at the cost of your life?” “I do,” I said proudly. “Then by the power of Starclan I grant you your warrior name, Willowpaw from this day on you will be known as Willowheart.” I couldn’t believe it! I still had a whole nother moon of training to do. “Now as the clan knows, Willowheart will sit in a silent vigil until sunrise, while we all get a good night's rest.” Congratulations went out through the entire clan. I was still shocked and stunned. “Follow me, I will give you time to talk to your new roommates and family later.”Dawnstar said walking into her den.

Her den was nice and cozy and safe that gave me memories of the first time I had to go in there. The moss that covered the entrance made it even more isolated but peaceful. “I am very proud of you, Willowheart. You have lived up to your legacy of being a descendant of Firestar. You have your fathers skills and fighting moves, and your mothers wisdom and guidance.” Dawnstar said while seating herself. “That means a lot.” I said. “You killed Sootstar to justify Leafleaps death and you beam with the pride of Firestar and his spirit lives through you.” She finished. I was grinning but looked down and scraped my paw on the sand. “I get the feeling you are disturbed by something,”she said. “I really believe Drakenfur is up to something. Have you not noticed the smell he brings back when he is out on supposing ''patrols' '. I’m telling you! He is bad news to have around and be deputy!” I said. “Have you seen something I haven’t? Are you judging my choice? Has Starclan sent and omen, Willowheart?” She said gently. “Yes, and Drakenfur is leading a band of rogues into camp. With a big old, old black and white cat shouting orders. The sad part is… Lunafang is fighting alongside him.” I said stressfully. “I think all this stuff in your head that Drakenfur is bad because he is gruff and goe’s out alone makes you dream and believe that he truly is. I trust him and I strongly believe this is no Omen.” “But Firestar was in it!” I shouted. “Maybe the other dreams but I assure you not this one, yes not this one.” Dawnstar said to herself over again as if she was just trying to cling on to something that was fading. “Trust me, Willowheart.” She said calm and steady. “There is nothing to fear over just because he can be ruff and mean sometimes. Your dreams may be misleading you never know. Now go out and talk to your family and friends before the veil and leave all this out of mind.” With that I got up, nodded my head and walked out of her den. The air had never felt as thick and as awkward before, especially when Drakenfur was around. If I couldn’t tell Dawnstar or convince her, I had to warn someone who does see the truth in this. The entire day was crashing down at my paws. My father had died on the day I became a warrior to save my mother. Dawnstar no longer thought of me as worthy to share my dreams and thoughts with her because she believes it’s all false accusation, and worst the problems my dream prophesied were far worse than all of this. Starclan! Please guide me! Help me! How can I carry this all out on my own?! I prayed as I walked back to the camp.

         Once I reached the bottom of the slope, Oceanheart, Shadowstrom and Leaftail ran up to me. “Congratulations!” Oceanheart said. “Now you're finally a warrior! A half a moon before too!” She gave me a friendly paw over the ear. “Good job Willowheart!” Shadowstorm said giveing me a friendly nod. “You're a really great fighter! You could pick all the rats off in the forest one by one I’m sure.” Leaftail added with humor in her tone. “Thanks guys, but you really don’t have to butter me up!” I said. As everyone else came up and congratulated me, I noticed Lunafang stalking off into the warriors den. I knew for sure Drakenfur wasn’t going to dare say anything, and now he could watch me even closer. “I’m very proud of you, Willowheart. It was an honor being your mentor..and..and, friend.”Barkstripe said as she walked up to me. “Thank you, that means a lot Barkstripe, maybe you’ll get lucky and have an easier apprentice than me.” I said teasingly. “I very much doubt it, but hey, there's no harm in wishing.” she chuckled. “I’ll let you go eat now, you must be hungry. I’ll see you later!” with that she walked off. I really did need to eat for tonight.

I walked over to the fresh kill pile and picked out a nice  big vole that was still warm. I tore into it, asi f it was the best thing in the world to eat. After I gobbled up the delicious piece of prey, the sun had already started to sink below in the horizon. I decided to say good night and goodbye to the apprentices before my duty. I felt wrong to leave them without a nice little goodbye. “You’re really leaving us?! Why what did we do wrong?” Flowerpaw said. “All of y'all haven’t done anything wrong, I was made a warrior today! Plus, all of you strong apprentices need room! I would just be a big block anyway.” I said licking each of them on the head. “We will miss you too! Please come visit us soon won’t you?” Rockpaw and the others pleaded. “You bet! Now get some sleep. I have to guard the camp tonight and I don’t want any more noise than those crickets.” I said with a hint of laughter.

         The night seemed colder than normal, leaf bear was coming and without the prey that used to thrive like wild in the warmer seasons stored up for the winter, it was going to be hard to live on. I knew that even worse times than that were to come. The wars my dreams proposed, Drakenfur doming us all, Lunafang turning her back on most of her closest friends and family, nothing would be the same. The night dragged on and my thoughts seemed to be endless. Why had Skyclan really not come to the gathering if they were lying? Where are the rogues staying hidden? They were surely not staying in any of the territories that we knew of.  Would we ever stop fighting each other to notice the food supply is gone? I was hoping I could go to the gathering and find out a little more than what meets the eye.