Warriors: Bloodshed

Chapter 5

"I, Bluestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these two apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn." She looked down at Firepaw and Graypaw, narrowing her eyes. "Firepaw, Graypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your lives?" Firepaw felt something stir within him, a fire that burned in his belly and rang in his ears. He suddenly felt that everything he had done for the Clan so far—all the prey he stalked, all the enemy warriors he had fought—had been for the sake of this single moment. "I do," he replied steadily. "I do," echoed Graypaw, his fur bristling in excitement. "Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior names: Graypaw, from this moment you will be known as Graystripe. StarClan honors your bravery and your strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." Bluestar stepped forward and rested her muzzle on top of Graystripe's bowed head. He bent lower to give her shoulder a respectful lick, then straightened up and walked over to join the other warriors. Bluestar stood and studied Firepaw for a long moment before speaking. "Firepaw, from this moment you will be known as Fireheart. StarClan honors your bravery and strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." She touched her muzzle to his head and murmured, "Fireheart, I am proud to have you as my warrior. Serve your Clan well, young one." As Fireheart moved away from his leader, the Clan that once doubted his loyalty chanted his and Graystripe's name. "Fireheart! Graystripe! Fireheart! Graystripe! Fireheart! Graystripe!" ThunderClan chanted the new warriors names as they soon died down. The Clan started slipping into their dens as Fireheart and Graystripe sat in the middle of camp, as to tradition, newly made warriors must sit vigil on the night they receive their warrior names for one full night and must not leave their post until their former mentor approves.

Morning approached as Graystripe let out a yawn, his gray fur lifted up as he yawned. "You two are relieved." A large white tom with yellow eyes meowed stepped out from the warriors den, his pelt glowing in the pale dawn. "Thanks Whitestorm." Fireheart meowed once he dipped his head to the senior warrior. "No need to dip your head like that Fireheart. You are a warrior too and you don't have to act like an apprentice." Whitestorm mewed politely as he flicked his tail, Fireheart lifted his head as Graystripe stretched his aching limbs. "You two should get some rest, Bluestar will want you two to go hunting later on." Whitestorm said as Graystripe joined them. "Alright, we will Whitestorm. Thanks again." Fireheart meowed as the white tom nodded and padded towards a group of cats, Mousefur, Runningwind, and Sandpaw, they soon headed out on the dawn patrol. "I'm starving!" Graystripe complained as he made his way towards the fresh-kill pile, only to be blocked by Tigerclaw. "Hey!" The gray warrior hissed as the dark brown tabby turned to him. "Senior warriors eat first." The large tabby growled as Graystripe flinched, Fireheart dashed up to them. "You two can eat after you've cleaned out the elders den." Tigerclaw growled once more after picking up a plump vole. "We're not apprentices anymore Tigerclaw." Fireheart growled as he arched his spine, letting his fur rise. "You still are to the Clan, maybe not to Bluestar but to the rest of us, you're a kittypet." Tigerclaw hissed to Fireheart but didn't say anything to Graystripe as he watched almost helplessly. "I'm a warrior. A ThunderClan warrior." Fireheart corrected him with a hiss. "Sure, let your dreams drift to the real world Firekit. That's what you've been doing ever since Bluestar approved of you." Tigerclaw sneered as he whipped his tail and padded towards the shade where Darkstripe and Longtail sat, sharing a pigeon as they both lifted their heads up to Tigerclaw and glared at Fireheart. He threw back the glares. "Don't worry about him Fireheart. We're warriors now and if he can't see that then let that be his problem." Graystripe meowed to his friend as the ginger tom let out a sigh of frustration before turning to him with a smile. "You're right. Thanks." Fireheart meowed with a polite tone as his green eyes lit up, the sun's rays hit his pelt and it burst into flames. "No wonder Bluestar named you Fireheart." Graystripe joked as his yellow eyes turned amber from gazing at Fireheart's flaming pelt which reflected its bright orange color into his eyes that made it seem amber. "Yeah." Fireheart meowed as his ears twitched.