Warrior Cats: Rainfall

Chapter Four

   The rising sun allowed the morning rays to unfold upon the waking Clan. The fresh morning dew dropped off of leaves from the trees, moistening the ground and therefore allowing a more comfortable surface for many cats' cracked paws. Ashpaw breathed in the fresh air of a new day. She inhaled until she could hold the air no longer, and let it out with a relaxing sigh. These were her last moments as an apprentice. Hopefully.

   "Aren't you excited!?" Scorpionpaw and Frostpaw were bounding around the clearing. Adrenaline was coursing through their veins as they embraced the last of the apprentice stage. Where they would be in the warrior's stage for a long while, and hopefully become an elder. 

   Sootpaw and Rainpaw emerged from the apprentice's den. They were calm, but their eyes raced with wonder and eagerness. Ashpaw could hardly contain her own emotions.

   Mousefoot slinked out of the warrior's den and shook out his messed up fur. He sat down and began to flatten down his long fur with a spiked tongue. Ashpaw bounced over to him, hoping to discuss her future as a warrior.

   "Do you think I passed?" Ashpaw blinked at him.

   He stopped grooming and gave her a reassuring glance, "I know you did."

   Ashpaw blushed, "What do you think my warrior name will be?"

   Sootpaw said as he walked by, "I'll be surprised if you get one."

   Mousefoot flattened his ears, "Ignore that brat. He's lucky his skills compensate for his attitude."

   Ashpaw shrugged, unbothered by Sootpaw's remark.

   Stonestar emerged from his den and skillfully jumped up onto the Great Boulder. He only had to touch a ledge of the boulder once before he reached the top. His gaze was content and happy like he had accomplished a goal he was waiting to achieve for a long time.

   "Cats of LightningClan! Gather beneath the Great Boulder for a long awaited Clan meeting!" His deep voice rang through the camp so that no cat, not even Frostpaw (who has a weak sense of hearing), couldn't hear. 

   Gradually, cats gathered together with their friends and their family. Ambersong limped out of the nursery, her kits bouncing around her as they watched eagerly from the entrance. Naturally, all five apprentices grouped together near the bottom of the boulder, awaiting their warrior name.

   "May all five apprentices come up on this sacred boulder," Stonestar gazed down at them.

   One by one, they jumped up. First the gray trio, Sootpaw, then Rainpaw and Ashpaw. Scorpionpaw jumped up with ease, and Frostpaw was on his tail. In moments, they were next to Stonestar, their hearts pounding as they waited to hear the results of their assessment.

   "Frostpaw and Scorpionpaw," Stonestar gazed at them with his warm, green gaze, "Step forward."

   As they stepped forward to distinguish themselves from the rest of the apprentices, Stonestar let his voice be heard throughout the camp and most of LightningClan territory:

   "I, Stonestar, leader of LightningClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn," Stonestar turned toward them. "Frostpaw and Scorpionpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

   Frostpaw nodded, her chin brushing her chest, "I do."

   Scorpionpaw shifted as a way to contain his excitement, "I do."

   "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Frostpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Frostleaf. StarClan honors your patience and kindness, and we welcome you as a full warrior of LightningClan."

   Frostleaf gasped with the amazing sensation of being relieved from being an apprentice. For no longer was she bound under the rules of a mentor, but she could walk freely through the territory and maybe even teach an apprentice of her own. She was a new cat, a new warrior, and she embraced it with tender love. Stonestar rested his muzzle on the top of her head between her ears, in turn, she licked his shoulder, and her ceremony was finished. The newly-made she-warrior bounded down from the boulder and sat comfortably at the base, relishing her new name that she would carry until death.

   Stonestar shifted so he was facing Scorpionpaw, "Scorpionpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Scorpionfang. StarClan credits you for your courage and skill in battle. We welcome you as a full warrior of LightningClan."

   Ashpaw knew that Scorpionfang liked his new name. It was a representation of his ferocity and his skill and courage. Scorpions were known for being tough and deadly creatures, and Scorpionfang enjoyed that he was a perfect image of such. As he had with Frostleaf, Stonestar touched his muzzle to Scorpionfang's head, and then Scorpionfang licked his leader's shoulder in firm respect. Then he too jumped off the large rock to join his sister at the base.

   "Sootpaw, Rainpaw, and Ashpaw, come forward."

   Stonestar repeated the first part of the ritual in commending a warrior to StarClan. Then he asked the senior apprentices, "Do you all promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

   "I do," Sootpaw sat up straight.

   "I do," Rainpaw answered with a brief nod.

   Ashpaw purred, "I do."

   "By the approval of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Sootpaw, from this time and forever more, you will be known as Sootpelt. StarClan honors your fighting skill and forethought."

   Sootpelt exhaled in relief and jumped down, not allowing Stonestar to complete the ritual with the rest of his muzzle and the shoulder lick. However, it was acceptable to skip it.

   "Rainpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Rainfall. StarClan honors your ability to take initiative and the warmth of your personality."

   Rainfall allowed Stonestar to rest his head on his, and licked his shoulder. With a nod of respect, Rainfall landed at the base of the rock with the other warriors.

   Stonestar twitched his whiskers, "The last apprentice. Ashpaw, from now on, you will be known as Ashfrost, not only to resemble your friendship with Frostleaf, but to remind you of your ability to cool the fire. StarClan honors your spirit and your thoughtfulness."

   Stonestar, for the last time, rested his muzzle upon the flat of her skull and allowed her to lick his shoulder.

   Then he turned to face the Clan and yowled a hearty and happy caterwaul, "Let these cats be known as full warriors of LightningClan!"

   The Clan erupted into loud cheers, "Frostleaf! Scorpionfang! Sootpelt! Rainfall! Ashfrost! Frostleaf! Scorpionfang! Sootpelt! Rainfall! Ashfrost!"

   Ashfrost felt better than ever to be relieved of the burden that her apprentice name had laid down on her. She had made the journey and contributed to the revival of CloudClan and dealt with many struggles in her belief of StarClan. While the cats were cheering, Ashfrost could detect one voice that rang louder than the others, and the voice was none other than Mousefoot. A warm glow rang through her body from tail tip to nose. Her ears grew warm and she purred. She purred louder than she ever has before. She was a warrior. Not a full-grown warrior, not quite yet, but a warrior nonetheless. And she was proud.