Swiftfire's Promise

Chapter 7

Lionstar

"I, Lionstar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon our warrior ancestors to look upon these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of our noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their place."

Lionstar sat upon the High Rock, with Brightpaw and Snowpaw in front of him with more excited cats. Swiftfire watched the two sisters happily as they earned their warrior names.

Though he hid it well, Swiftfire's mind was racing, it had been almost a moon since he witnessed Foxear meeting Hawk and Stone, and Swiftfire had been avoiding his father since then. When ever Foxear asked him to share prey Swiftfire would stiffen and shake his head and walk away, leaving a confused Foxear standing there. But, Swiftfire always noticed a bit of fear edging Foxear's gaze.

Lionstar's booming voice interrupted his thoughts, "Snowpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan even at the cost of you life?"

Snowpaw's tail twitched excitedly, but her blue eyes seemed distant with somberness, and Swiftfire knew it was about her love.

"I do," she meowed firmly.

Lionstar nodded, "then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name, Snowpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Snowfeather. StarClan honors you for your determination and forethought and we welcome you as a full member of ThunderClan." Lionstar then rested his muzzle on Snowfeather's head and she licked his shoulder, pride shining in her eyes.

"Snowfeather! Snowfeather! Snowfeather!" The clan chanted, Swiftfire especially loud.

Lionstar than turned to Brightpaw, who seemed about ready to burst with excitement, "Brightpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend your clan even with the cost if your life?" He asked.

Brightpaw couldn't help a giddy hop before she cleared her throat and meowed, "I do."

With a smile, Lionstar continued, "then, by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name, Brightpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Brightwillow. StarClan honors you for your enthusiasm and dedication and we welcome you as a full member of ThunderClan."

The huge golden leader then bounded over to Brightwillow and rested his muzzle on her head. The white and golden she-cat, quivering with excitement, licked Lionstar's shoulder as the clan chanted their names.

"Snowfeather! Brightwillow! Snowfeather! Brightwillow!" Crowed ThunderClan, and Swiftfire made sure he cheered the loudest.

"As clan rules require, you two will have to sit vigil tonight and watch our clan," boomed Lionstar, "that is all."

The sun was quickly setting and as the clan dispersed, giving the two new warriors a congratulations, and Swiftfire noticed that a chilly breeze was beginning to ruffle the fur of the clan cats and the ginger and white tom noticed the leaf-fall was coming quickly.

He ran over to Snowfeather and Brightwillow, who were very busy thanking cats for their plenty of congratulations. As the crowd dispersed, Swiftfire up to the sisters.

"Snowfeather and Brightwillow, I like it!" He purred. Snowfeather smiled brightly and Brightwillow purred, rubbing up against Swiftfire.

Taken in by surprise, the ginger and white tabby almost stepped away, but Brightwillow's warmth comforted him and with a purr, Swiftfire rubbed against Brightwillow.

Snowfeather looked at her paws, a sorrow feeling in her bright blue eyes. Swiftfire knew she was missing Stormblaze.

"Don't worry," he murmured to Snowfeather, "he's watching you from StarClan." She just nodded but the distant gaze never faded from her eyes.