Warriors: Starfaith's Fate (SOB short story) (COMPLETE)

Chapter 5

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the boulder for a clan meeting!"

Gladestar called from the clearing, catching Starpaw's attention from where she sat in the medicine den, sorting coltsfoot and marigold. Her heart skipped with happiness. It's time! She followed Silverberry outside and sat with her just outside the den.

The rest of the clan was gathering before Gladestar, who stood on the boulder, looking down on her clanmates. Thunderjolt and Clovernose sat together in the midst of the group. Firetail and Soakedears spoke to each other, looking amused as if one of them had told a joke. They were certainly the clowns of the clan. 

Featherblaze sat near the front of the crowd, looking proud as Blazingpaw and Petalpaw stepped forward. It feels like yesterday we were being made apprentices. Starpaw thought as she watched her siblings stand before the boulder, looking up at Gladestar. And now, they're being made warriors. 

She observed her brother and sister, noticing they were nearly as tall as the other warriors. We've grown so fast! The kit fluff was gone, replaced by thick, sleek fur. Sleek... Starpaw's heart skipped a beat as she realized this for the first time. Because we're half RiverClan... I'm sleek, too.

"Cats of WindClan," Gladestar began, and the cats below quieted. "Our two oldest apprentices have successfully completed their assessments, and it is time for them to become warriors." She looked down at the two young cats.

Blazingpaw stood tall, his yellow eyes lit with pride and excitement. Beside him, Petalpaw's tail was raised high in the air, her eyes glowing. We all have Sunripple's yellow eyes... Starpaw realized uneasily.

"I, Gladestar, leader of WindClan, 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." She looked down at them. "Blazingpaw, Petalpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your lives?"

"I do," Blazingpaw meowed, and Petalpaw echoed him confidently.

Gladestar gazed at them proudly as she continued. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Blazingpaw and Petalpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Blazinglight and Petalflame. StarClan honors your skill and loyalty, and we welcome you as full warriors of WindClan."

"Blazinglight! Petalflame!" The clan began to chant their names, and the new warriors looked around excitedly.

"Blazinglight! Petalflame!" Starpaw purred and rushed through the crowd to her siblings. She licked her sister's head, then touched noses with her brother. "Congratulations! You two will make wonderful warriors."

A loud purr rumbled in Blazinglight's throat. "Thanks! I hope so."

"And you'll make a great medicine cat," Petalflame purred, her eyes shining at her. "I hope you'll receive your full name soon."

Starpaw shook her head, feeling a pang of disappointment. "Medicine cat training takes longer than warrior training," She meowed. "I think I still have a long way to go."

"Starpaw!" Silverberry called, and she turned to see her padding toward the nursery, waving her tail for her to come.

"I have to go." Starpaw dipped her head to her siblings before turning and hurrying across the clearing. 

Silverberry paused outside the den as Starpaw arrived. "I want to check on Willowtail," She explained as she slipped into the nursery, and Starpaw followed.

When they entered the nursery, Willowtail was laying in her nest of moss, her chin rested on her paws. When she noticed the medicine cats, she raised her head and purred a greeting.