Warriors || Rose's Path

Chapter 30

The sky was overcast. A light mist swirled down from the sky. The Clan gathered in the camp. Sandstar was in his place on the Tallrock. He had called a Clan meeting. The cats were bustling with concern and curiosity. Velvet sat on the outskirts of the gathered cats, Moonpaw at her side.
She had stayed with WindClan for three sunrises. She spent most of her time in the medicine cat den with Moonpaw or wandering the WindClan territory be herself.
She was an interesting cat. Roseblossom could tell she was meditative. She also seemed very fond of kits. She spent any spare time keeping Oliveclaw company in the nursery.
Roseblossom glanced up at Sandstar. In the past sunrise there had been yet another battle against RiverClan. Ryestar seemed determined to get revenge, and he would stop at nothing. So many deaths were taking place, that the Clans weren't surprised when a patrol came back, dragging loved ones into the clearing.
       In the most recent battle, in which Roseblossom was not present, WindClan had lost Firepool. She had gone with the border patrol in case there would be any injuries. A RiverClan cat had been so ruthless that they would go to the extent of not only attacking, but killing a medicine cat.
       Roseblossom felt worry curl inside her stomach, but it softened as she remembered what Moonpaw had told the Clan the night after Firepool's death. "Firepool visited me in a dream. She told me she will continue to train me in my dreams until I'm ready to be made a full medicine cat." He had said.
How can Moonpaw become a full medicine cat without a trip to the Moonpool? Roseblossom pushed the worry away. We'll get to that when it's time. Right now she could only worry about how terrible the tensions had become.
       Roseblossom gazed up at Sandstar, waiting for him to start the meeting.

       "Cats of WindClan, I sent a patrol out to retrieve Velvet's companions. She has informed us that they can help in this hardship. Jaggedswirl and the patrol should arrive back anytime now, and when they do I'll have an important ceremony to commend." Sandstar's voice faded as he finished speaking, and he jumped down from the Tallrock, padding over to the fresh-kill pile.
Before he could reach it, the sound of paw steps grew near. Roseblossom turned her head to see her father returning to camp. Brackencatch and Ambernight flanked two she-cats. They found them! Roseblossom looked the two she-cats over in turn.
There was a short brown tabby she-cat with a white chest and belly. Her pale green eyes were glancing around, searching for Velvet, possibly. Kestrel! The other cat beside her was light brown with long fur. She had white tufts on her chest and silvery-green eyes. And that must be Swoop!
Roseblossom's happiness faltered. She relized they were one cat short. Where's Acorn? Is she still wandering somewhere by herself?
But Roseblossom's doubts were washed away as Velvet bounded forwards to meet her friends. Velvet licked Kestrel over the ears, then turned to dip her head to Swoop, who nodded a greeting.
"Is this really where Aspenrose came from?" Roseblossom heard Kestrel whisper in Velvet's ear, green eyes glancing around. Her voice was edged with disbelief.
Velvet nodded. "I'm sure. We should help them. It's the least we can do for Aspenrose." Velvet's voice grew more hushed. "She saved my life, Kestrel."
Sandstar had approached and gazed at the potential allies before him. "So, you want to help WindClan?" He questioned. "You know you could get hurt."
"We're loyal to Aspenrose. This is the least we can do for her." Roseblossom's surprise reflected in the newcomer's gazes. The voice that had spoken didn't come from any of them, but a cat bounding up the slope. Acorn!
Roseblossom's heart swelled. She had found her way after all. Swoop turned to rest her tail on Acorn's shoulders. "Where have you been all these moons?" Kestrel's voice rose in excitement.
Perhaps she done grieving. Roseblossom concluded as the four friends huddled together for a moment.
Swoop was the first to break away, gazing up at Sandstar with authority in her silver gaze. "We are ready to give our lives if it means we can keep Aspenrose's memory alive. I speak for all of us when I say this."
Roseblossom was surprised by Swoop's words. She would make a great leader. Sandstar held her gaze for a moment. "You clearly thought of Aspenrose as a very dear friend. And any friend of such a noble medicine cat is a friend of WindClan's."
Roseblossom felt her paws tingle. Sandstar looked as if he was standing taller. Her leader was regaining his confidence in his Clan. With these four, plus Oliveclaw's kits on the way, WindClan will thrive once more.

Sandstar beckoned Swoop forwards first. This is it. The leader had decided to give the four newcomers warrior names to welcome them as true Clan members. They had all agreed without a doubt.
"Swoop, from this moment on you will be known as Swoopbite. StarClan honors your independence and skill and welcomes you as a full warrior of WindClan."
"Swoopbite!" Roseblossom called, for once not caring what any cat would think of her. These were Aspenrose's friends. She was so happy they found their way here. Kestrel gazed around quizzically, then joined in as well. "Swoopbite!" Soon the whole Clan was cheering on the brown she-cat.
Acorn went next, and received her warrior name as Acornhollow. Then went Kestrel, who's warrior name was Kestrelbush. Finally went Velvet. Roseblossom wasn't sure if the pale she-cat belonged in the rank of a warrior. She seemed more suited to the position of medicine cat or even a queen. But Roseblossom knew WindClan needed fighters right now, and didn't object.
"From this moment I'm you will be known as Velvetmask. StarClan honors your thoughtfulness and intelligence."
       "Acornhollow! Kestrelbush! Velvetmask!"
       Warmth spread through Roseblossom. Finally her Clan was starting to regain hope. She just hoped they would keep it until the end of the storm.