Warrior Cats: Darkness Rising. (2/3)

Chapter 6

Timberheart pelted out of camp with Acornfall, Swiftstrike, Willowfern, Pigeonwing, Firepaw, Sootpaw, Juniperpaw, Flashpaw and Coalpaw on his heels. Outside the barrier, the forest was soaked, the dead leaves slimy and rotten underpaw, but Timberheart soon began to feel warm as he chased Acornfall to the training hollow. The rain was beginning to ease when they finally plunged down the mossy slope and into the training hollow. They were all panting, but quickly caught their breaths again. "What are we going to do?" Flashpaw asked, flexing his claws. "We're going to test your battle skills." Willowfern. Timberheart had discussed it with the clanborn cats what they were going to, and they had planned it all out. "Okay, but-." Firepaw's mew was cut off as Pigeonwing launched at him. Firepaw let out a yowl of surprise as he fell onto his side. "This will be without warning." Timberheart mewed before charging into Sootpaw. He let out a grunt and tumbled over and fell with a thump onto his side. Timberheart pinned him down and slashed at his face with sheathed claws. "If I did this in a real battle, what would you do?" He hissed as Sootpaw writhed underneath his paws. The black and white tom then stopped struggling before bringing up his hind legs and scrabbling at the soft skin of Timberheart's belly. Timberheart leaped off him and Sootpaw sprang to his paws. Timberheart reared up onto his hind paws, and Sootpaw dashed toward him. But just when Timberheart thought he would rear, he scooted underneath him and slashed at his hind legs. Twisting, Timberheart saw that Sootpaw had already reared and he butted him in the chest, making Timberheart lose his balance. He fell onto his back, and rolled away just before Sootpaw brought all his weight down on him. He scrambled to his paws, but Sootpaw swatted at him with a large paw and sent him crashing back to the ground. He crawled away, but Sootpaw slammed his paws down on his haunches and dragged him backwards before leaping onto his back and nipping at his scruff and scrabbling at his back with his hind paws. "Okay! Okay, you've won me." Timberheart mewed and Sootpaw sprang off his back. Timberheart scrambled to his paws, his body battered and bruised. "Great job, Sootpaw." He panted. He was certainly ready to become a warrior. Sootpaw dipped his head before licking a paw and dragging it over his ear. "Are you alright, though?" Sootpaw asked him. Timberheart nodded. "Yes, but I wouldn't want to fight you with claws outstretched and teeth bared." He complimented him, and he heard a faint purr rising in his friend's throat. They watched the other cats tussle in silence. Firepaw hooked Acornfall's paws out from under her and Juniperpaw sent Swifstrike flying with an explosive back kick. Coalpaw nailed Pigeonwing to the ground while Flashpaw landed a heavy blow on Willowfern's cheek with such force that she crashed to the ground with a yowl of pin. Flashpaw gasped and hurried to her. "Are you alright?" He mewed worriedly. Willowfern staggered to her paws. "Yes, I'm fine." She grunted. "You fight very well, Flashpaw." She complimented him. "You did all very well." Timberheart mewed when all cats had gotten to their paws again. "And I'm sure Bramblestar will be happy to fully invite you to his clan, because you have proved your loyalty and skill many times over." The five former rogues dipped their heads, grateful for his compliment.

Timberheart sat down beside Cloverpool, Fernleaf and Oakshade and all four littermates gazed up at their leader. "I am happy to give you all your warrior names, and you have proved your loyalty, skill and your honor, and all of Thunderclan hope they can trust you with their lives. You've promised that you'd die for our clan, and I hope I can trust you." He mewed, but he had given them all their warrior names. Nightstorm, Redfang and Goldenclaw were honored for their strength and fighting skills. Junipercloud was honored for her kindness and intelligence. Firetail and Sootfall were honored for their humor and dedication. Coalfrost was honored for his cleverness and bravery. Flashheart was honored for his courage and speed, and got the name heart because Flailpaw would always be in his heart. The clan exploded into yowls, but some stayed silent, like Rainsong, Frogleap, Thornclaw and Badgerpaw. Fernleaf bounded forward and pressed herself up to her friends, purring too loud to say anything. The sun was setting behind the trees, and Timberheart's heart took a leap when he realized that it wouldn't be long until he had to go meet the Shadowclan she-cat.