Warriors: Finding Myself: Downcasted (Book Two)

Chapter Twenty-Three: Kits Never Learn

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Snowkit smiled wide as she nudged Wintersky's shoulder. It had only been a few sunrises and Whispersong was allowing her to move around camp and stay in the nursery, but if she felt any pain she had to go straight to Whispersong.

Ravenclaw was a strong deputy. The entire Clan respected him, even Sunclaw, Fangclaw, and Mudstorm who were hesitant to follow his orders. They were not placed as leaders of any patrols. Lionfur-Lionpaw now-had dropped her attitude and listened to what Raindusk told her to do. She still didn't like listening to orders though.

Dovesong was definitely going to be kitting soon though. She looked like she was going to explode with kits at any moment and her mate, Shadowclaw, looked like he was going to burst with pride.

"Gather around the hazel branch for a Clan meeting!" Beestar yowled and Wintersky's ears pricked as she slid out of the nursery, her two kits trailing after her as the Clan gathered under the hazel branch, Ravenclaw standing up tall underneath it.

Beestar waited for silence to fall. "Today we do a very important ceremony. One that has been delayed too long. Springpaw, step forward!" The black tom stepped forward with his head held high. "I, Beestar, leader of ShadowClan, 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 them to you as a warrior in their turn." She took a deep breath and smiled. She looked a lot better. "Springpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

The long-legged apprentice mewed loud, "I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Springpaw, from this moment you will be known as Springleap. StarClan honors your determination and strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan. Tonight you will sit vigil and guard your Clan," Beestar finished and rested her muzzle on his head and Springleap licked her shoulder.

"Springleap! Springleap! Springleap!" the Clan yowled loudly and Springleap marched into the middle of the clearing and sat down, starting his vigil and cats congratulated him as they passed, Whispersong included.

Hollypaw squealed quietly, gazing at the newly made warrior. "That means we're next, Nightpaw!" the little black apprentice turned to her sister, her green eyes sparkling with excitement.

Nightpaw was looking at Springleap with interest though. She jumped when Hollypaw spoke to her. "Oh! Uhm, yes. We're next." Nightpaw glanced at Springleap again and she smiled before turning to Yellowbird and Creamsky who padded over to them.

Perhaps Nightpaw is mooning over Springleap, she thought and glanced at the black warrior. He's strong and handsome. I don't see why not. Wintersky turned around, seeing her kits were peering over at Springleap, their eyes wide.

"What're you doing?" Wintersky mewed and they jumped, looking up at her. "Springleap is a noble warrior. Whispersong is his sister," she purred softly and both her kits looked over at Whispersong who had moved on and was checking on the elders. "Go to the elders and stay with them. I need to speak with Beestar."

She watched her kits scramble over each other and race to the elders, jumping around and begging for a story. Pinenose smiled warmly down at them and Sleekfeather purred in amusement.

Wintersky turned away from them and padded to the hazel branch where Beestar and Ravenclaw were sitting, meowing quietly.

"Greetings, Wintersky," Ravenclaw mewed, turned to her with his familiar light eyes sparkling. "Did you want to be put on patrol? I'll watch your kits. I think Cometmoon was just about to patrol with RiverClan border." He glanced around curiously, looking for the black tom.