Born Broken

Chapter 3

"No!" Firestar turned around to face Darkstripe, and flung himself upward. Darkstripe's shock quickly melted into fury as he clawed Firestar's stomach. "Graystripe did not die for nothing!" He screeched.

Stormkit began to run, her paws barely touching the ground.

"Where do you think you're going?" Hollowtail pulled her back.

"No!" She yowled. "Let me go!" She swiped her claws over his eye. It didn't do much, but blood dripped from the wound. Taking her chance, she ran.

"Stormkit!"

"Stormkit, wake up!"

Stormkit blinked open her eyes as her siblings jabbed at her back. She shuddered. That felt too real... She felt bruised and battered, yet somehow finding enough strength to stand up. "What's going on?"

"Icekit and Hollykit are having their apprentice ceremony!" Splashkit hissed. "They're so lucky..." He sighed.

Sure enough, moments later, Heatherstar's call rang around the hollow. "All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath Highledge for a Clan meeting." Icekit and Hollykit padded out of the nursery, tails high and fur groomed.

"I am happy to perform two very important rituals today." Heatherstar announced. Stormkit noticed that Leafpaw, Nightpaw, and Applepaw were standing next to Icekit and Hollykit at the front of the crowd.

"They must be having their warrior ceremony today!" Springkit said wistfully as she pointed at the three apprentices.

"Yeah..." Stormkit said, not really listening. She looked up at Heatherstar, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

"Hey, I can't see! Get out of the way!" Mudkit shoved her away, and sat next to Splashkit and Springkit. Just when I thought they were starting to become nicer...

"We are gathered here today, not only to welcome two new apprentices, but three warriors as well. Icekit, come here please." Heatherstar beckoned him forward. "From this day until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Icepaw, and your mentor will be Berryfur. Let us hope that he will pass on his strength and courage to you." Stormkit watched Icepaw walk towards Berryfur, touching his nose and nodding.

"Hollykit, come forward please." Hollykit scampered forward. "From this day, until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Hollypaw, and your mentor will be Rainsong. May we hope that she will pass on her bravery and swiftness." Hollypaw ran to Rainsong, and touched noses with her.

Fernheart was the first to cheer. "Icepaw! Hollypaw! Icepaw! Hollypaw!" The hollow broke out in cheers.

"There is still one more ceremony I must perform." Heatherstar said. "I, Heatherstar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon our warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has worked hard to learn the ways of your noble code, and I commence her a warrior in turn. Leafpaw. Do you promise to uphold the code, even at the cost of your life?"

Leafpaw held her gaze. "I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Leafpaw, from this day forward, you will be known as Leaftail. StarClan honors you for your swiftness and good hunting skills."

"Nightpaw." Heatherstar dipped her head. "Do you promise to uphold the warrior code, even at the cost of your life?"

"Yes." Nightpaw replied. "I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Nightpaw, from this day forward, you will be known as Nightflicker. StarClan honors you for your loyalty and good fighting skills." Nightflicker nodded.

"Thank you." He murmured.

"We have one last warrior to recognize." Heatherstar turned her gaze towards Applepaw. "Applepaw. Do you promise to uphold the warrior code, even at the cost of your life?"

Applepaw hesitated for a minute. "I do." She nodded.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Applepaw, from this day forward, you will be known as Applefoot. StarClan honors you for your courage and strength."

A moment passed before the Clan broke out into cheers.

"Leaftail!"
"Nightflicker!"
"Applefoot!"

"Tonight you three will guard the camp while we sleep." Heatherstar said.

"I'd hate to do that in this cold." Mudkit muttered.

"Meeting dismissed." Heatherstar flicked her tail and leapt down from Highledge, and the crowd began to disperse as Featherfall began organizing patrols. Stormkit watched as Fernheart headed towards the warriors den.

"It feels good to finally be sleeping in the warriors den again!" She said, stretching.

How long until I become a warrior?