|Shadows Born|--A Warriors Fanfic--|

Chapter 6- What's my name now?

Oakpaw was worried.

He paced against the woven structure of the medicine den, his tail flicking with the same amount of worry, excitement, and nervousness. It's today! I'm going to get my medicine cat name today! Oakpaw stopped his pacing as he heard his mentor pad into the den.

"Oakpaw?" Flamestream entered the den. "Are you ready?" He purred, his meow bright.

"Ready for half-moon? Yes," Oakpaw hesitated, "but for my medicine cat name. No." He stammered in a low mew. "What do I have to say again?" He asked abruptly to his mentor.

Flamestream let out a mrrow of amusement, "You'll be fine!" He reassured Oakpaw. "And all you have to say is 'I do'."

Oakpaw nodded slowly, is that all I have to say? I thought there'd be more. Those words decide the fate of one of the greatest moments of my life... Oakpaw remembered how he felt when he was named Flamestream's apprentice, it was like eating warm fresh-kill but twenty times better and warmer. I can't wait for my name! Wait... what will be my name?

Flamestream smiled and with a whisk of his red tail, he bounded into the tunnel.

Oakpaw gulped and briskly followed. As Oakpaw exited the tunnel a mew greeted him.

"Oakpaw!" Cherrypool's, a pale cream-and-white she-cat, meow surprised him. "I can't wait for you to get your medicine cat name!" She chirped, her medium-furred pelt brushing against Oakpaw's flank.

"Hey, I'm excited too!" Mudsplash, a splotched brown-and-white tomcat, laughed.

Oakpaw smiled at his littermates, Cherrypool and Mudsplash. They both were just made warriors a moon ago. But medicine cat training took longer than warrior training which is why they both had their names before Oakpaw. Understandable because medicine cats had to learn more than warriors.

Flowerfall, a pretty white she-cat with unusual eyes, one green and the other yellow, padded towards her kits. "Oakpaw!" She greeted, licking Oakpaw's ear. "Me and Aspenpool are so proud of you!" She praised, her eyes shining with affection.

Oakpaw's, Cherrypool's, and Mudsplash's mother was very different from their father, Aspenpool. Aspenpool always pushed them to their limits. Mudsplash always said that he learned the best from Aspenpool. Who was well was his father, but also his mentor.

Oakpaw's pelt felt hot, "thanks, Flowerfall." He dipped his head with embarrassment. 

Flowerfall nodded as she licked Oakpaw's ear again.

Aspenpool approached his kits and his mate, he stood by Flowerfall. Aspenpool glanced at his mate, love shining in both of their eyes, then he tuned to Oakpaw as he spoke. "Oakpaw, tonight's the night, right?" he asked, his chest fur ruffled as Flowerfall laid her head into it.

"Yep," Oakpaw nodded, his gaze meeting his father's. Does my voice really sound that calm? He realized. I feel like a can run around the Lake, maybe even two times!

"Wonderful," Aspenpool purred, he glanced at the setting sun. "You should be going now."

"Thanks, Aspenpool." Oakpaw dipped his head and walked over to Flamestream. "I'm ready," He meowed.

Flamestream just sighed, "let's go." He leaped on top of the fallen log and strolled across it.

Oakpaw turned, his muzzle facing his kin. He smiled back to them and purred. Oakpaw walked into the fallen log and caught up to Flamestream. He was heading to the half-moon spot only known by medicine cats.

Silence was the only thing that entered the walk and swim of the two medicine cats. Oakpaw didn't mind, he was thinking of a bunch of medicine cat names for himself that he might receive.