Warriors: Riverclan's Fall Book 1

Chapter Four

"Applestar! Applestar!" Featherkit chanted with the clan. Appledusk had recently come back, recieving her nine lives and her new name, Applestar.

"Okay. Before Cloudwisp sends out patrols, I have a few ceremonies to preform." Applestar announced. "Birdpaw, Ravenpaw. Please step forward." she said.
The two apprentices stepped forward, eyes shining.

"Birdpaw, from now on you shall be known as Birdsong. Riverclan honors your bravery and trust." Applestar said.
She turned to Ravenpaw, who was shaking with excitement. "Ravenpaw, from now on you shall be known as Ravenflight. Riverclan honors your humor." Applestar called.

"Birdsong! Ravenflight!" Riverclan cheered. "Tigerkit, Rowankit. Please come forward." Applestar called. They strolled forward, tails erect, heads held high, eyes shining.

"Tigerkit, from now on until you have recieved your warrior name, you will be known as Tigerpaw. Grassfoot, you have shown numerous amounts of strength, and you will mentor Tigerpaw." she said.

Applestar turned to Rowankit. "Rowankit, from now on until you recieve your warrior name, you will be known as Rowanpaw. Your mentor will be Vinepelt." she called.

"Rowanpaw! Tigerpaw!" Riverclan cheered. "Cloudwisp, you may choose patrols now." she said, leaping down. Featherkit turned to Honeykit.

"It'll be our turn next!" she squealed. Honeykit stretched up, trying to be bigger than Featherkit. "Ya!" she exclaimed, bouncing around. Tigerpaw and Rowanpaw walked by.

"Tigerpaw! Rowanpaw! Wanna play moss-ball?" she squealed. Tigerpaw turned sharply to her. "That's for kits! I'm not a mewling kit like you!" he hissed.

Featherkit drew back, offended.
He raced after Grassfoot, who was padding out. Rowanpaw gave her a look of sympathy before walking away from the crestfallen Featherkit.

Featherkit shook her head and watched as the dawn patrol padded through the thorn barrier. Petaldusk chatted with Firefur for a few moments before padding off. She crumpled to the ground, breathing heavily.

"Help!" Featherkit yelped. Applestar raced over. "What?!" she demanded. "Petaldusk fell!" she whimpered. "Echowing!" Applestar screeched. Echowing raced out. "Petaldusk is kitting!" Echowing called after examining her.

"What?" Applestar asked. "We can't move her. It's too risky." she said. "Where's Leafpaw?" she hissed. "Here!" Leafpaw burst from the medicine den, carrying raspberry leaves and borage.

Petaldusk let out a screech as a tiny kit slipped out. "A she-kit!" Echowing exclaimed, handing it to Leafpaw. "Lick it the wrong way to get it breathing." she said. Spasms rippled through Petaldusk's belly, and she let out a yowl as another kit slipped out.

"A tom!" Echowing said, handing it to Applestar. "Do it like Leafpaw." she ordered. Petaldusk let out a tired, agonized yowl as another kit slipped out. "The last one! A she-kit!" Echowing yowled, handing it to Leafpaw.

Petaldusk let out a sigh of relief as it was over. "Go to the nursery." Echowing demanded.

Featherkit raced away to where her sibling was standing. "Snowsong said we had to go to bed." Honeykit said, eyes wide. Featherkit nodded and slunk to the nest, eyes bleary with sleep.