Deep Blue Eyes-- a warriors fanfic (completed story!)

Chapter 17

“Blazepaw! I think I have a thorn in my pad again!” Dapplepaw fake limped into the medicine den where Blazepaw was, sorting herbs.

“Hello, my love.” She whispered softly. “How are you?”

“Perfect, now that you’re here.” Blazepaw purred.

It had been a moon since Dapplepaw confessed her love to Blazepaw. Dapplepaw found ways for them to be together in private; sharing fresh-kill like friends, and Dapplepaw sometimes personally stumbled into a thorn bush to be able to go into the medicine den. On the occasion they would meet outside of camp at midnight. Those were the best times of Dapplepaw’s life.

She felt hardly guilty- she felt guilty still, but hardly, that she had lied to Blazepaw and Dapplepaw. Dapplepaw kept telling Flowerpaw Blazepaw was getting worse and worse and showed absolutely no sign of wanting to become friends again. If Blazepaw ever mentioned Flowerpaw, Dapplepaw would tell him that Flowerpaw said her life was perfect once Blazepaw left her. They were slowly growing apart, and Blazepaw stopped staring at her when she was leaving for patrols. Dapplepaw felt like jumping with joy. Her plan was working.

“It’s almost time for you to receive your full medicine cat name,” Dapplepaw purred.

“What makes you think that? I haven’t been that good yet!” Blazepaw told her.

“Well, apparently I’m about to get my warrior assessment.” Dapplepaw shook with happy purrs.

Blazepaw was purring uncontrollably. “That’s great,” he whispered.

“I know.” Dapplepaw mewed. She had just heard the news when she was hunting. Her mentor, Bramblefur, had told her she would be getting her assessment soon. Dapplepaw began to hunt better than she had ever before, and didn’t let one mouse slip.

“Dapplepaw!” Dapplepaw literally sprung away from Blazepaw once she heard her mentor’s voice. “Did Blazepaw get the thorn out yet?”

“Umm… yes!” Dapplepaw called, getting to her feet.

“Good, because we’re having your assessment now.” Bramblefur stuck his striped head into the medicine den.

Dapplepaw’s eyes grew wide with happiness. Blazepaw nudged her, eyes sparkling. “C’mon. You deserve this.”

Dapplepaw smiled at him, not noticing her mentor staring at her suspiciously.

The assessment dragged on, long and full of exhaustion. The first part was hunting, in which Dapplepaw had caught three mice and a bird. The second was fighting, where Dapplepaw had to battle Fernstar. She was harder than Dapplepaw had expected, and it was a close call.

In tree climbing, Dapplepaw almost made it to the top when a branch snapped. She had to put all of her strength into latching onto the trunk, claws digging in deep, tail fluffed out and lashing. When she came down, Fernstar seemed very thoughtful.

The sun was beginning to set. Dapplepaw’s paws ached, and her claws felt as though they were ripped out. But the most intense part of the warrior assessment was about to come next.

Fernstar lay sprawled out on a bed of moss, obviously tired from the assessment as well. She waved her tail lazily to Dapplepaw. “Come sit,” she mewed tiredly. “It’s time to decide your name and if you’re worthy of becoming a warrior.”

Dapplepaw nodded and came forward. She didn’t know what happened in the interviews, but she noticed many soon-to-be warriors coming out with fear in their eyes and shaking. Whatever happened, this wasn’t going to be any better than nearly falling to your death.