Stormy Nights

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

            “Redstar, why did we come here?” Mewed the achingly wonderful voice. Redstar looked back at the pretty she-cat, once again admiring her creamy brown fur and white spots dappling her flanks. The elegant build of her body intrigued him, and he found his instinct willing him to pad swiftly back to her side and confess everything. A battle raged deep in his stomach, causing him to feel extremely nauseous. This, naturally, was his internal instinct fighting his warrior’s instinct.

            “Obviously to speak to StarClan,” Redstar forced himself to scoff his words in a spiteful manor, obnoxiously flicking his tail across her face. Her injured expression was almost enough to shatter his resolve and ruin his plans, but he clung desperately to his sanity. If he kept up his act, this beautiful cat might never speak to him again. Their friendship would falter, thus dwindling the chance he might reveal his secrets.

            “Redstar, I don’t know what happened, but you’re turning into a real fox-heart!” Fawnspots growled hotly, her neck fur prickling.

            “Listen, dog-breath, I don’t want to have to put up with your whining all the way back, too. So, if you will, please shut up.” Redstar retorted maliciously. Fawnspots snorted and dipped her head to the Moonpond. She lapped up a mouthful of the icy water and laid down with her nose to the rippling surface. Redstar sighed and followed her lead.

            The ice water burned down his throat and froze his belly. Then, it seemed to evaporate. The dreaming trance floated down to him slowly, than crashed with the weight of a thousand warriors. A single, fluffy white cloud drifted down, a familiar red tabby head peering down at him.

            “Flowerstar!” He cried in delight. The tabby blinked warm blue eyes, than leaped down to stand next to her son.

            “You’ve done no wrong.” She said.

            “What?” Redstar was suddenly very confused.

            “You and Fawnspots are destined for great things, together.” Flowerstar replied calmly. “Do not hide your feelings. I’m sure, if you confess, you will be surprised.”

            The former RainClan leader faded, leaving her son in darkness.

            “Humph. Never mind her; I’ll continue my act all by myself. No way she can just waltz in here and tell me what to do! Not anymore, anyway.” Redstar said to himself, lifting his nose into the air.

            “What act?” Fawnspots asked from behind him. Turning in surprise, he found himself spilling all to the beloved medicine cat, and indeed, was quite surprised with her answer.

            “Me too.” She declared.

            “What?” Redstar blinked.

            “Me too. I…love…you…too.” Fawnspots repeated simply, pausing between words as if she were teaching a kit to speak.

            The pair lay together on the shore for a while, thinking. Fawnspots sat up.

            “Guess we’re mates now, right?” She wondered.

            “Yup.” Redstar replied giddily. “Yes we are.”

~*~

            Upon returning to camp, Wolfsong was the first to notice them.

“Hey!” She called out. “Finally! You’re back! We had a bit of trouble with SparkClan on our territory, but no worries. There are no serious injuries.” With that news, Fawnspots raced off to treat her patients.

“Redstar, you need to be thinking about making Graypaw a warrior. He fought like a StarClan warrior in the battle, and left with only bite on his paw. He chased off Lionpaw, Silverpaw, and even Blackleaf! I was fighting Blackleaf; to annoy her I insulted Sparkstar, and she would’ve killed me had Graypaw not come out of nowhere and butted her aside! We chased her off together, and we didn’t see her again for the rest of the battle.” Wolfsong articulated, her eyes shining in admiration. Sidling closer she added, “I think Grayheart would be nice, don’t you think? ’Cause he definitely has some heart. That cat is brave, and a true friend.”

“Yeah, I like that.” Redstar approved the name before leaping into the Tall Tree. “All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Tall Tree for a Clan meeting!”

Graypaw was quivering in excitement. Redstar’s kits, Beekit and Honeykit, both also looked as if their whiskers would fall out from excitement. Redstar beckoned with his tail to the young cat. He stepped forward, elation illuminating his yellow eyes. Both Tigercloud, his mentor, and Sunstream, his mother, looked extremely proud of the gray tom.

“I, Redstar, leader of RainClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn.” Graypaw stood up even straighter. “Graypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?”

“I do!” declared the eager apprentice.

“Then, by the power of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Graypaw, from this moment forward, you will be known as Grayheart. StarClan honors your loyalty and bravery, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RainClan.”

Cheers from the cats echoed as Redstar placed his muzzle on Grayheart’s head. The new warrior licked his shoulder respectfully and backed away.

“According to tradition, every new warrior must sit a silent vigil to think about what it means to be a warrior. Grayheart, your post will be here, at the foot of the Tall Tree.” Redstar decided. Raising his tail for silence, he then turned to his kits.

“I’m gonna be a warrior first!” boasted Beekit.

“Nuh-uh!” cried Honeykit.

“Neither of you is going to be a warrior today. Instead, you will become apprentices!” Redstar smiled, with several mrrows of laughter from the crowd.

“YAY!” chorused the kits. Honeykit shoved Beekit to the side and stepped forward proudly.

“Honeykit, from this moment forward, you will be known as Honeypaw. Wolfsong, you have been without an apprentice since Eaglefeather was made a warrior; you will be mentor to Honeypaw. Dirtfoot was your mentor, and he taught you to be kind and trustworthy. Pass those skills to your new apprentice, and train her well.

“Beekit, from this moment forward, you will be known as Beepaw. Sunstream, you are ready for your first apprentice. Nightfur was your mentor, and she taught you the fierceness of battle and the swiftness of the hunt. Pass these skills on to Beepaw.”

More cheers followed the new apprentices’ naming. Beepaw and Honeypaw stood surrounded in the center of the crowd, radiating their pride-scent to all. “We’re apprentices now!” Honeypaw mewed happily to anyone who listened.

“Yeah! We’re gonna be the best apprentices ever! We’ll beat everyone in keeping the Elder’s den clean!” Beepaw put in. “We’ll catch more prey than any other apprentice!”

“They’re the only apprentices, though!” laughed Grayheart.

“They’ll calm down soon enough,” Redstar chuckled, turning away and padding to his den. “Do not ruin their fun, Grayheart! I know all about your pranks!” He called over his shoulder.

“What? I never put that fire ant in Tumblefoot’s nest!” Grayheart exclaimed indignantly. His eyes stretched innocently.

“Oh, really?” Redstar snorted. Shaking his head, he entered his den and curled up in his nest. Letting out a contented sigh, he rolled over onto his back, folding his front paws on his chest and wrapping his tail around his flank.

Once he hit relaxation, it was not long before sleep took him at last. Being a leader sure was hard work!