Wild Born

Chapter 3 - The Ceremony

"They'll be back,"

Thunderpaw replayed the words again and again in her head as she lounged on her side in the medicine cat den. She had received no fatal wounds, but her friend Sandpaw was in a more critical condition. She lay next to Thunderpaw, listless but still breathing. The gory scratch that left blood surrounding her left eye had dried and become hard. "Are you okay, Thunderpaw?"

"I told you, Amberleaf, I'm fine. It's no big deal." She scoffed. "It's Sandpaw you should be worried about."

"She just needs to rest, that's all, Thunderpaw. No worries," Amberleaf's warm smile darkened Thunderpaw's heart. How could she say that when Sandpaw is about to meet StarClan? Thunderpaw shook off these depressing thoughts and somberly walked outside the medicine cat's den. "Thunderpaw! You're so BRAVE!" A kit squealed at her feet. It was Foxkit, Duskfire's daughter. Thunderpaw bit her lip, struggling not to retort. "Thank you, Foxkit. Shouldn't you be in bed? It's a little to late for a kitten like you to be awake—"

"I'm no little kitten! I'm a warrior!" She unsheathed her claws and swiped at Thunderpaw playfully. Losing her balance, she fell forward, but Thunderpaw caught her. "Be more careful next time, okay? I know you'll be a great warrior someday."

"But I'm a great warrior now! I'm just as brave as you are, too! I bet I could fight off those rogues!" Foxkit growled. Laughing, Thunderpaw replied, "Now, if you're going to fight off those rogues, you'd better get your rest, right?" The kitten nodded. "Right! Goodnight, Thunderpaw! Good luck at the Gathering!"

The Gathering, Thunderheart remembered. The rogue fight had caused her to forget all about it. She began to groom herself casually, licking her fur that was still mostly soaked in blood. My first kill....my first cat kill, She reminded herself. She had gone hunting with her mentor dozens of times, but she had never killed one of her own...another—cat. And now she had. She could remember the daunting look on the other cat's face when she realized she had breathed her last. "Thunderpaw. Thunderpaw! Thunderpaw!!!" The gray cat shook off her thoughts. "What?" She snapped, then realized how harsh she had been with her good friend. It was Brackenpaw, and thankfully he didn't seem to notice the resentment in her voice. "Goldenstar wants you," He said, his striped tabby tail motioning towards the leader's den. Thunderpaw apologetically bumped heads with him before walking towards the cave under the Highrock.

"Hello? Mother?" Thunderpaw called. Her voice echoed back from the cave walls. She soon spotted her mother in the corner, licking her golden fur. "Thunderpaw," Her face lit up at the sight of her only daughter. "Thunderpaw, your bravery has brought victory to this Clan. You are young but you are stronger than you realize. You are a powerful apprentice....and you are ready to become a warrior."

Thunderpaw gasped. A warrior! I'm going to be a warrior!

"Thank you, Goldenstar! I won't let you down!"

"Good. We need you to fight the rogues. I know this isn't over—I can feel it in my bones."

"You mean—what you said earlier is true? They'll be back? Aren't they smarter than that?"

"Even those within your own species can exhibit high levels of stupidity. Don't worry. They'll be back. That's why we need you, Thunderpaw. You will be our best warrior yet—I can feel it."

"All cats gather at Highrock for a Warrior Ceremony," Goldenstar announced, having taken her seat atop Highrock. Murmurs uprose among the Clan cats as they gathered. "We come before StarClan on this day to present this apprentice—my daughter—to become a warrior of LightningClan. "I, Goldenstar, leader of LightningClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn." Goldenstar looked to Thunderpaw, her eyes shining with disbelief and awe. "Thunderpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Thunderpaw, from this moment you forever will be known as Thunderheart. StarClan honors your strength and bravery in battle and we welcome you as a full warrior of LightningClan."

Goldenstar rested her muzzle on Thunderheart's head. "I love you, Thunderheart," She whispered. Thunderheart licked her mother's shoulder ceremonially. "I love you too, Mom."

"Thunderheart! Thunderheart! Thunderheart!" The Clan chanted. Thunderheart saw Stormkit in the crowd, chanting with all of her heart. She smiled as she locked eyes with the kit. I'm a warrior of LightningClan!

Thunderheart proudly strode down Highrock, receiving warm nuzzles and congratulations from her Clan mates. She was now a warrior.