Whiteriver's Truth

Chapter 4

The three sisters that she had once been so close with came back from their final assessment not long ago. She was happy that her adoptive siblings would become warriors this day. She watched from the back of the gathered cats with jealousy and sadness creeping its way into her heart, but she tried to not let it take away the joy she felt for the younger cats.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Nightpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Nightshine. StarClan honours your courage and honesty and we welcome you as full warrior of ThunderClan."
Nightpaw and her were always so close. Whitepaw considered her as her own sister by blood. Watching her become a great warrior was one of her joys and she loved spending the time she could in the apprentice den with her. Nightpaw was devastated when Whitepaw had to move to the medicine den, but once she had, they stopped talking as much as they used to.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Frostpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Frostpoppy. StarClan honours your compassion and fighting skill and we welcome you as full warrior to ThunderClan."
Frostpaw wasn't as close to her, but she was still friendly and they shared some good moments. Frostpaw always seemed more interested in her brother, even as a kit, which hurt her sometimes, but she eventually didn't care as they grew further apart.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Brightpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Brightwhisker. StarClan honours your strength and dedication and we welcome you as full warrior to ThunderClan."
Out of all three of the sisters, Brightpaw was always the furthest. They barely ever talked and played together except when Echowing told her too. She was always distance to most cats of the clan, but she stuck to her duties and was as loyal as any cat could be.
   Once Goldenstar had named the three new warriors, the crowd erupted into cheer. "Nightshine! Frostpoppy! Brightwhisker!"
   Goldenstar jumped down from the rock and bowed to each of the cats. Quickly, Frostpoppy bounded over to Birchblaze and he gave her an affectionate lick on the ear before they nuzzled up against each other. Brightwhisker made her way over to her old mentor, Stonefang and Nightshine came over to Whitepaw before any other cat. Echowing sat outside the elders den just listening and looking proud of her kits.
"How are you doing?" The new warrior asked.
"I'm okay. Congratulations." Whitepaw responded giving her a lick on the forehead.
"I'll be cheering the loudest when you become a warrior, Whitepaw." Nightshine purred.
Suddenly, the smile that was on Whitepaw's face faded and she turned her head down with a sigh. "If I become a warrior." She said.
"Oh don't say that." Nightshine flicked her playfully with her tail, but her voice was stern.
"I feel like my leg with never get better."
"It will. You have Swiftfeather watching over you and she said herself that you'll be a warrior one day." Nightshine tried to cheer her up.
"Thanks." Whitepaw responded trying to sound better, but the bitterness of her sadness cut through.
"You'll be the best warrior any clan has ever seen.
I know it." Nightshine gave her an affectionate lick and when she got no response she got up. "I'll see you around." She then turned around and walked away leaving Whitepaw alone.

***

A moon had passed and Whitepaw's condition was getting better. She was now able to walk around with barely any pain and no visible limp. Her and Clovernose were going out to try training again and Bravepelt and Robinpaw tagged along.
"Alright." Clovernose started when they got to the training area. She turned to face Whitepaw. "Do you remember the last thing we worked on?" She asked.
"Well I remember that I won." She smirked.
   Clovernose chuckled in response. "Yes. How about we try to battle again and Robinpaw can watch and possibly learn a few things from you."
   Without a second thought, Whitepaw crouched tched down and stared up at her mentor. Her tail waved and then went still. Once everything went quiet, she leaped into the air with the knowledge that Clovernose would dodge her first "attack." She was right and Clovernose quickly rolled over to the side. Once her hind legs hit the ground she felt a little sting run through her leg, but she didn't make a sound. She pushed up and twisted her body to land directly on the she-cat, but her leg was too weak to get as high in the air as she wished. Her claws stayed sheathed, but she bit down on her neck to stay on top. Underneath, Clovernose was wriggling trying to shake her off, but she couldn't succeed. Whitepaw suddenly shifted her weight making both of them fall to the ground on their sides and then she rolled over so that Clovernose was on top of her and with a push of her back legs, she sent the she-cat flying.
   Clovernose twisted her body so she wouldn't hit the side of the hollow and get hurt. Clovernose knew about the move Whitepaw had made up while practicing with the other apprentices at the time. She knew it was a strong move that could fool a cat if they weren't watching carefully, but she didn't seem as strong as she could be.
   Once she had landed on the ground she shook herself to clear her head. "To anyone who tells you that you aren't a strong warrior, just know that they're wrong. You're one of the strongest warrior I've ever met."
   "That was so cool, Whitepaw! You need to teach me!" Robinpaw meowed bounding over to her with  admiring eyes.
   "I'm not your mentor. Bravepelt is. He'll teach you some cool fighting moves too." Whitepaw explained.
   Robinpaw suddenly looked dissapointed. "Okay."
   Bravepelt walked up behind him and gave him a comforting lick. "She can tag along at some point a teach you. I don't mind." He looked up at her with a loving smile that made her suddenly feel hot.
   Robinpaw seemed to be cheered up by the warriors words. "Yay!" He shouted excitedly.
   "Well Whitepaw." Clovernose started. "Your leg seems to be a lot better now. You can definitely start training again, but I think it'll be about a half moon before you can become a warrior." She informed.
   Whitepaw looked down to the ground a little disappointed, but she took the good news that she was going to become a warrior quite soon. She hated being an apprentice and being 14 moons old especially seeing the apprentices that were younger than her become warriors before her, but she was thankful. She then lifted her head back up and gave her mentor a smile. "Thank you Clovernose." She meowed.
   Clovernose purred back. "It's my duty to train and assess you. You are the best apprentice I could've ever asked for." She said.
  She went over to her mentor and gave her a head bump, pleased that Clovernose was the one who trained her. She then looked over at Bravepelt and walked over giving a lick on his ear.
   "I knew you would make it." He whispered in her ear.