A few moons later...
Goldpaw was shaken awake. She blinked open her eyes and yawned. Her golden tabby fur was messy from last night, because she was on a night hunt with Bronzestripe. Now that he's a warrior, he doesn't sleep in the apprentice's den. Also, with all of this training, she hasn't had the time to talk to him a lot.
Graypaw was standing over her. He was trembling with excitement, his mouth stretched into a wide grin. His green eyes gleamed with happiness.
"What is it you furball?" Goldpaw mewed drowsily. "I wanted to sleep in today."
"G-Goldpaw... W-we..." Graypaw stuttered with excitement. "It's-"
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, join me beneath the Tall Crystal for a clan meeting!" The familiar call of their mother echoed through the camp. Graypaw just giggled and rushed outside. Goldpaw sat up and started to groom herself. Tigerlily stepped inside the den.
"Come on Goldpaw." Tigerlily purred. "Today is your day." Goldpaw looked up confused, but her mentor had walked out at that time. She sighed. Goldpaw hauled herself onto her paws and padded outside. The sun was setting behind the trees, creating a dappled lighting over the camp. Goldpaw knew she shouldn't have stayed up all night. She walked up beside her brother and looked over at Bronzestripe, who was beaming. Why was everyone so happy?
"Goldpaw and Graypaw have reached the end of their training..." Saphirestar began. Goldpaw gasped. I'm going to be a warrior! Her paws started to tingle with anticipation. What would her name be? Thoughts crowded into her mind as she processed that she was about to enter the world of being a warrior.
"I, Saphirestar, leader of Crystalclan, call upon Starclan to look down on these apprentices. They have trained well, and understand your noble code. I command you to make them warriors in their turn." Saphirestar paused to sigh. She closed her eyes for a few heartbeats, then reopened them with determination. "Goldpaw and Graypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect your clan at all costs? Even your life?"
"Yes! I do!" Goldpaw meowed loud and clear.
"I do!" Graypaw mewed proudly.
"Then, with the powers of Starclan, I hear by give you your warrior names." Saphirestar paused for a heartbeat. "Graypaw, from now on, you will now be known as Graypelt." Goldpaw smiled at her brother, as he licked their mother's shoulder after she licked his ear. He looked so proud to have finally received his name, which suits him very well.
Goldpaw snapped her head over to her mother, who had cleared her throat. Her paws tingled even more.
"Goldpaw, from now on, you will be known as Goldflower." Saphirestar mewed, smiling, although deep in her eyes she didn't want to let her kits go. She leaned forward and rasped her tongue over Goldflower's ear, while she licked her mother's shoulder in return. The sweet scent of her mother calmed her nerves. The clan called their names.
"GRAYPELT! GOLDFLOWER! GRAYPELT! GOLDFLOWER!" The clan chanted. Bronzestripe was the loudest, as he smiled at her. Goldflower blushed. Ferntail was glaring at Goldflower, with no expression what-so-ever. She felt his eyes burning into her pelt. She squirms under his gaze.
"Tonight, you two will sit vigil until dawn. I will come and relieve you from your long night guard. You are required to guard us as we sleep, and do not talk." Saphirestar finished, and flicked her tail to dismiss everyone. Goldflower trembled with anticipation. Bronzestripe walked over to her.
"Good luck with the vigil!" He purred. His sweet scent calmed Goldflower, but it faded as he walked away toward the warriors' den. She looked at Graypelt and grinned.
"Hey, remember when we were kits?" Graypelt mewed. "When we watched Lavenderheart, Featherspirit, and Darkclaw get their warrior names? Well, I told you that we would be like them one day, and now look at us." Goldflower chuckled. She remembered it well. Saphirestar walked over to them. The red light of the setting sun made her pelt shine beautifully.
"It's time for your vigil." She smiled, motherly. And licked bother of their ears and sighed. "I'll see to you in the morning." She dipped her head and trotted to her den. Goldflower and Graypelt looked at each other, and nodded. They didn't utter a single word. They both turned to the camp entrance and waited. Goldflower flicked her ears, adjusting them, trying to find threats. The moon soon started climbing the night sky. Silverpelt stared down on the two new warriors. Goldflower felt blessed by Starclan. A gentle breeze stirred the leaves on the ground, and the scent of leafbare was carried to Goldflower.
Suddenly, a twig snapped. The newly named warriors frantically looked around. Goldflower jumped as a stick whizzed passed her head. She turned around, distracted. The rustling of the camp entrance made Goldflower snap her head over to the entrance. She saw a dark gray tail slip out of sight. At first, she hesitated, but then she stood up and started walking. Graypelt stopped her with his fluffy tail. When Goldflower looked at him, he was shaking his head. She looked at the entrance once more, then sat back down and continued her vigil.
YOU ARE READING
Goldstar's past
FantasíaGoldstar had a rough start in her life. But she has learned from her past and will put her last breath to protect her clan. But what happens... When the enemy... is somewhere in her clan.
