Warrior Cats: Hidden Secrets (Book One)

Chapter Seven (REVISED)

  "So, what do FloodClan apprentices do when they aren't fishing and patrolling?" Asked Cinderpaw, who was sitting next to Rainpaw, the newest member of HurricaneClan. She looked suprised.
  "Well... we play games like Find the Reed or Hide and Seek."
  "Find the Reed? What's that? How do you play?" Pressed Cinderpaw, intrigued. Rainpaw purred and continued,
  "Well, a cat usually takes a reed, which we have all the time, and hides it somewhere in the camp. Whoever finds it first doesn't have to take care of the Elders for the day. I won not that long ago..." She said, fading. Cinderpaw frowned.
  "Are you okay?"
  "I just miss being home, that's all. I can't go back."
  "Why?" He scooted closer, concerned. Rainpaw shuffled her paws nervously.
  "Don't tell anyone this, but mother banished me, after Piketooth, Minnowtail, and Fishleap got their names. She says I'm a traitor...and I had to run before those who followed her, like Shellfur and Amberheart, could chase me out."
  "That is....wow....I won't tell anyone. But Meadowpaw should know."
  "I already told her. She swore on StarClan she wouldn't tell. Please promise me you won't either. My Clan is already enough trouble as it is."
  "I promise, Rainpaw."

  Cinderpaw licked Rainpaw's ear, and twined her tail with his. Together, the two cats began to pad back to camp.

||

  "Why can't you three sit still like sensible apprentices, like Larkkit? She's listening to me. Icekit, stop fidgeting! Willowkit, your pelt! Shrewkit, I saw you sneaking away..."

  Meadowpaw watched in amusement, with her two friends, as Leaftail and Iceclaw groomed their kits. Larkkit looked terrified, while the others were too excited to sit still. Birchstar patiently waited on the Highrock. However, Iceclaw gave up and padded to his leader, who flicked the deputy's ear with his tail. Birchstar sighed and called to Leaftail,

  "They look fine, Leaftail. Bring them forward."

  Leaftail rolled her green eyes and nudged her kits, who jerked away and padded to their leader. Poor Larkkit was so terrified that Leaftail had to pick her up and take her over to the others. When the Clan settled, and when Leaftail sat with the other queens, Birchstar meowed,

  "Cats of HurricaneClan, Leaftail's kits have reached their sixth moon, and are ready to become apprentices. Willowkit..."
  "Yes!" The tom eagerly bounced forward, but realized his mistake, and quickly stood still. Purrs of amusement echoed through the camp, and Birchstar purred,

  "From this day forward, until he has earned his warrior name, this kit will be known as Willowpaw. Darkfoot, with your skills, I hope you can contain Willowpaw's overwhelming energy."
  "I will, Birchstar." Purred the smoky-gray tom with darker paws. Willowpaw eagerly padded over to his mentor, who touched noses, and sat down together.

  "Icekit..." Birchstar called next, and the little white she-cat stepped forward. Soon, both Icepaw and Shrewpaw were sitting next to their mentors, Spiderjump and Bluebird.
  Poor Larkkit jumped to her paws, turned away, and fled the crowd of cats to the Nursery, where she flinged herself into her mother's nest, even more terrified that she was the only kit left to become an apprentice. Birchstar sighed and meowed,

  "From this day forward, until the apprentice has earned her name, that kit shall be known as Larkpaw. Feralclaw, as her mentor, please help her overcome her fear of being in front of large crowds of cats."

  "I'll be right back." Meowed the young warrior, who dashed to the Nursery to retrieve Larkpaw. A few seconds later, the two cats padded out of den, Larkpaw pressed shyly against her mentor's fur and her eyes wider than moons as she glanced around. The two cats sat next to the other mentors, and Larkpaw slowly started to relax around Feralclaw.
Before the cats could even retreat, Birchstar called,

  "Wait, before you all go, I have another ceremony to perform. Cinderpaw...Meadowpaw...."

  "What, us?" Meadowpaw jumped onto her paws, only to have Bluebird dash over and start to groom her fur. Pinenose, leaving her kits with Cherrypelt, quickly joined Bluebird to groom her son's pelt. Once their mothers both were satisfied, Meadowpaw padded to her father and sat down before him. So did Cinderpaw. Meadowpaw caught Rainpaw's eye, who looked proud of her friends.

  "Iceclaw, Buzzardtail, are you satisfied with your apprentices and believe they are ready?"
  "They are ready." Called Buzzardtail, Iceclaw nodded his head in agreement.
  "Good. I call upon my warrior ancestors to look upon these two apprentices. They have both trained to learn your ways and to understand the warrior code. Meadowpaw, please step forward."
 
  Meadowpaw slowly stepped forward, feeling the wind starting to ruffle her cream tabby pelt. The birds started to chirp, as if they were calling her. Was StarClan calling her?

  "From this day forward, you shall be known as Meadowfur. StarClan honors your kindness and thoughtfulness, and welcomes you as a full warrior of HurricaneClan."

  "Meadowfur!" Cried her Clanmates, and she lifted her head proudly. Meadowfur. My name is Meadowfur. She thought to herself.

  "....You shall be known as Cinderflame. StarClan honors your strength and courage, and welcomes you as a full member of HurricaneClan."

  "Cinderflame!" Quickly cried out Meadowfur, joining in with her Clanmates. After the Clan broke up, whispering in excitement, a familiar cat approched her. Tanglebush.

  "How about after your vigil, you and I can go hunting." Offered the brown tom. Meadowfur blinked ducked her head, licking at her chestfur,
  "Um yea sure. Tomorrow?"
  "Tomorrow. I'm going out with Hollyflower and Nightpelt to collect moss for you and Cinderflame's nests. We might have to start expanding the warriors den."

  "Yes, we will." Inturrupted Longfang as he padded over. He turned to Meadowfur.
    "You and Cinderflame will have to stay in the Apprentice den until it's completely finished. Is that okay with you both?"
  "That's okay with me. I'm sure Cinderflame would say the same."
  "Good. Make sure Leaftail's kits aren't going to be chattering all night. I don't want to work up Ashwood about it." He meowed, glancing over his shoulder. The senior warrior was talking with Eaglefeather and Jaggedpeak about the ceremony.

  "Will do. See you later, Tanglebush."
  "Bye."

  As she turned around, she could hear Longfang mew quietly to Tanglebush,
  "You like her, huh?"
  "She's a great cat. That's all."
  "Uh huh. You've been mooning over her ever since she was a kit. Young love, I say."
  "Shut up. I am going to talk with Mapleheart now."

  Meadowfur let out a soft purr, amused. She was happy, however, that the warrior had feelings for her as well. Maybe one day we can be mates, She thought, her heart fluttering in her chest as she padded over to Cinderflame and Rainpaw, who were chattering like starlings. StarClan please let us become something....

A/N: I AM SO SORRY this chapter was already finished and I was procrastinating (as usual). The next one will be up shortly.