"You're up. I thought we'd lost you." Rainpaw was over her, her familiar scent lingering in the air. A warm, pleasant smile graced her face.
"What... what?" Phoenixpaw looked from side to side, checking that she was still alive and well. She sighed pleasantly when she realized that not a fur on her face was harmed.
"You've been out for a day. Riverpaw limped back into camp and said he found your body in the woods. We thought that, just maybe-"
Phoenixpaw felt salty tears splash against her bedraggled fur. "Rainpaw, I'm fine. All I remember was..."
Her voice suddenly turned serious. "Oh my StarClan, the body."
Rainpaw nodded. "Yes, that. You saw it and passed out."
Phoenixpaw tried to get to her feet and let out a yowl of pain, falling back to the floor. "I think my leg's been torn out of socket."
Rainpaw handed her a stick. "Bite this."
Phoenixpaw did as she commanded, "Waith whath?"
Searing pain shot up her body like a lightning bolt. Her eyes were as wide as bowls for a second as she bit down on the stick, every fur on end in pure terror. Just as quickly as it came, it faded to a dull throb. The stick, shattered in two, fell to the floor.
"Well, that's over."
"Yes," muttered Phoenixpaw, "It is."
"Anyways, you did technically pass your test. So, well, we're going to need you outside for your warrior ceremony."
Phoenixpaw bolted out of the den, ignoring the creaking of her leg. Cats were already gathering by the Hightree, pleasant purrs all around.
Moonstar waited up on the lowest bough as always, flicking her tail against the tree trunk. "Petaldust, are these young cats ready to become warriors?"
"Yes they are, Moonstar."
"Riverpaw, Phoenixpaw, do you promise to uphold this clan at the cost of your life?"
"I do."
"I do as well."
"Then by the power of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Phoenixpaw, you will be known as Phoenixwing. StarClan honors your agility and ambition. Riverpaw, you will be known as Rivertail. StarClan honors your compassion and loyalty. Now, rise as warriors of DragonClan."
"Phoenixwing! Rivertail! Phoenixwing! Rivertail! Phoenixwing! Rivertail!"
Phoenixwing, her feather dangling from her ear as always, looked around the clearing and felt like her heart could burst. Everyone in the clearing was calling her name- no, their names. Rivertail stood beside her, his eyes lit up, and for the first time, she didn't feel compelled to put him down.
Moonstar looked different, almost exhausted. Her stomach was swelled- greenleaf was kind to all of them. Phoenixwing searched the crowd and finally found her. Rainpaw. She was cheering hardest of all, even though her brother was still not yet a warrior and with the lack of apprentices, probably wouldn't be for a while.
"I have something else to announce. We now have two kits over the age of six moons who are ready to become apprentices. Silverkit, Windkit, step forwards."
"Silverkit, you are now Silverpaw. Your mentor will be Phoenixwing."
"Windkit, you are now Windpaw. Your mentor will be Rivertail."
"Silverpaw! Windpaw! Silverpaw! Windpaw! Silverpaw! Windpaw!" The crowd cheered until their throats were hoarse.
The clan fell back into regular purrs and meows, patrols leaving steadily, one by one.
