WARRIORS: Snowdrift's Promise

Chapter 9

A few moons after Snowpaw had been confined. She was ready for her final Assessment that would determine if she was ready to be a full warrior. Shadowstep padded to the apprentice's den and called out,"Snowpaw, time to wake up! Its your warrior assessment!" The Shadowclan deputy mewed into the bramble thicket that made the apprentice's den. Snowpaw woke, blinking her blue eyes. She stood from her nest, shaking the debris from her fur and stepped out, it had been a moon since Witherpaw's untimely death during a fight with an intruding fox that came out of nowhere. Snowpaw stepped out of the den, her eyes shining happily,"I can't believe I'm so close to becoming a warrior!" she squeaked in joy as she trotted to her mentor. Rainpaw had already left for her assessment, the blue-grey she-cat was in the hunting segment. Snowpaw had dazed out for a moment in thought, but was soon brought back to the place her mind was supposed to be in by her mentor's tail poking her shoulder,"Come on Snowpaw, it's time to go. We will be starting with a spar and then we will do our hunting segment when Rainpaw is done." Shadowstep mewed. "Who will be my opponent?" Snowpaw asked curiously, her eyes widened when the newest warrior, Billystorm was standing in the Training Hollow, he'd had become a warrior three moons before Moonpaw received his warrior name, becoming Moonfall. Billystorm's golden eyes shone with an emotion Snowpaw had seen before, he had always admired the she-cat and most likely wants her for a mate. Shaking her head, Snowpaw thought of Billystorm as a Thunderclan warrior, specifically, Skypelt. She stepped into the invisible battlefield and raised her hackles. "Wow, you actually look like you can put up a fight. Lets see if your as tough as you look!" Billystorm meowed as he charged, he was going for a brute force charge. Snowpaw easily maneuvered from the attack and raked her paw a crossed his flank, her eyes narrowed, ready for the next attack. None came, Billystorm was now just observing the she-cat, ready to dodge any attack. Snowpaw hissed and rushed in, ready to dodge a blow Billystorm would give. Watching out for any moments of ducking or a rearing lash of his paw, Snowpaw kept running in. Billystorm reared back, lashing out his paw to whack her in the muzzle. Snowpaw saw it coming and ducked, her head turned and her jaws took the grip of the fluffy, white warrior's paw. Pulling him to the ground enough to unbalance him so she could head butt him in the side. The warrior staggered, surprised by the apprentice's swift, nimble, but strong movements. Shadowstep stepped in after he saw Rainpaw and her mentor, Raindancer appear,"Alright, that's enough. Snowpaw is the winner." His deep mew paused the two's next attack.

Billystorm sat up and purred,"That was very impressive Snowpaw." The warrior mewed cheerfully. "T-thank you!" Snowpaw stammered feebly, her tail twitched nervously from the compliment. Shadowstep padded over," Lets take a break from the assessments. Its Sunhigh and Im pretty sure everyone here is hungry." The deputy mewed with a smile. Raindancer and Billystorm nodded,"Sounds like a plan. These two obviously have worked hard on part of their assessments." Raindancer mewed in agreement to the Shadowclan Deputy. Shadowstep nodded,"Lets go then, come along, you get first pick from the fresh-kill pile." he purred. Rainpaw was bouncing and Snowpaw just padded onward, already acting like a true warrior. Shadowstep purred, he had watched the silver apprentice grow from a weak and terrified kit to now, a more independant, a more stronger, and more braver warrior then any cat could be. Just as the group of cats returned to camp, Flashstep and Sonicstep came running,"SHADOWSTEP! SHADOWSTEP! It's Darkstar!! He's dieing!" The panick in both the warrior's wails scared the Shadowclan Deputy,"Lead me to him, NOW!" He ordered rushing off,"BILLYSTORM! Finish Snowpaw's Assessment for me! Put Moonfall in the Training Hollow for Rainpaw to practice her battle training!" He then called to the fluffy white tom. Billystorm nodded,"Yes Shadowstep." He then turned to the apprentices and Raindancer,"Lets eat, then Snowpaw and I will do the hunting portion of the assessment." He mewed, letting the two apprentices to pick first. Snowpaw chose a plump hare and a mouse,"Rainpaw, get a mouse, we can share this hare." She purred, her grey tipped ears twitched before heading to the Apprentice Clearing when Billystorm stopped her,"How about eating in the Warrior's Clearing?" He suggested with a purr. Snowpaw gasped and then nodded, motioning for Rainpaw to follow as they followed Raindancer and Billystorm. Settling down, the four cats ate their fill and stood,"Alright. Raindancer, tell Moonfall that Shadowstep said to do a battle assessment with Rainpaw." He mewed, motioning Snowpaw away to the forest. A grieving mew sounded behind them,"Billystorm... Watch the clan... Snowpaw, no need for your Hunting Assessment, your battle assessment will be enough." The two cats whirled around and saw Shadowstep standing with Newmoon behind him,"Darkstar... has join Starclan.... It is now my time, to go and recieve my nine lives." He mewed, stepping between his apprentice and the warrior. BIllystorm and Snowpaw exchanged a glance and then looked to Newmoon for an explanation. Newmoon dipped her head,"Darkstar passed away due to his age, he has lead his clan for many seasons and Starclan was calling to him." She explained then heard Shadowstep shout,"Newmoon! Lets go!" He called to her. "Coming!" The medicine cat mewed rushing to meet the new leader. Turning, Shadowstep made his journey to the Moonstone.

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OMG, such a short chapter ;3; Im so sorry peoplez but I was typing this chapter longer then it has to be!! Well, thank you for reaing Chapter 9!! :D

~Dementedstar OUT!!!