ThunderClan's Hope- Book #1 in Sunrise

Chapter 23

Dewstorm waited with Starlight outside of the apprentice den, and wondered how long it would take them to wake up. The sun was up in the sky, and her pelt itched with impatience. Starlight nudged her shoulder and smirked. "If they won't come out, then I'm coming in." He nosed his way into the entrance, and Dewstorm followed him in. Inside, Clawpaw and Twitch seemed to have left, and Lightningkit, Moonkit, and Sparrowkit were still curled up in their nests, their tails tucked into their nests. Sparrowkit's black pelt blended with the shadows of the den, her fluffy black tail curled underneath her paws.

Dewstorm padded towards Sparrowpaw, nearing her ear. "Sparrowpaw, time for-" Starlight broke her off with his yowl. "Everybody up!" He yowled. Moonpaw was up faster than a WindClan warrior lunging for prey, sitting erect in her nest. "Mouse-dung!" Lightningpaw shouted, his fur bristled down his spine. Sparrowpaw was the last one up, but when she was up, she was halfway out of the den when she stopped. After Starlight stopped laughing, he sat upright. "Lightningpaw, don't say that word, its offensive," He scolded.

Dewstorm beckoned Sparrowpaw out of the den, who was laughing, herself. "You're going to learn how to fight, well, at least partially fight," Sparrowpaw's tail stuck up with excitement at the news. "What are we going to learn?" She asked as they trotted into the forest. She cheerfully sniffed the air, letting in all of the New-Leaf scents. "Some basic moves..." She said vaguely, she was still thinking about Clan problems, like what is the Clan going to do with Frost? How much longer will Riverrush be a warrior? How is Creamcall dealing with sitting alone in camp? She's probably on a patrol, Dewstorm thought. Oh, here's a new one, how many lives does Ravenstar have left to spend? That question stopped Dewstorm in her tracks. "Where is the training grounds?" Sparrowpaw asked, pulling her from her own thoughts.

"Oh, um, right over..." She turned in a circle until she noticed a recognizable rock, about as big as a cat. "Here. We should be there before you can say 'Three crazy CloudClan cats caught a cold,'" Dewstorm padded towards the rock, proud of her tongue-twister. "Three clazy Cl-CloudKlan cats caught uh cold," Sparrowpaw stuttered, and then she repeated herself. By the time she perfected 'three crazy CloudClan cats', they had arrived at the training grounds. The clearing was full of dust, being blown every so often into their faces, so Dewstorm faced her back to the wind.

"Okay, we're going to start with a front-paw-blow," She said. Sparrowpaw perked her ears from beside Dewstorm, ready to obey commands. "Now, for all training here, we're going to keep our claws sheathed. in the front-paw-blow, you keep your claws sheathed no matter what." Sparrowpaw bobbed her head, ready to follow instructions. "The front paw blow is a frontal attack, in which you'll lean on your haunches, and then bring your paws down hard on your opponents' head." As Dewstorm explained the move, Sparrowpaw tried copying, throwing herself into thin air. Dewstorm padded over to wheee Sparrowpaw was practicing and chuckled. "It would be easier if you practiced on an actual cat, here, show me what you know on me."

Sparrowpaw crouched, letting her tail wag in the air. She leaned back and threw herself at Dewstorm, letting out a little cry of battle. She took her front paw and whipped it onto the side of Dewstorm's face, making it ache. "Wow," Dewstorm whispered, bringing hr tongue down the top row of her teeth. Sparrowpaw beamed, trailing her paw in the dirt.
                                                                                                .  .  .
Ravenstar puffed out his chest on Highrock. "I'd like to welcome Frost,Mud, Scat, and Scar into the Clan, and they have accepted a renaming for themselves...." Dewstorm sat back happily as Scat became Scatpaw, Mud became Mudfur, and Frost became Frostfang. "...and, Scar would like to change his name entirely." Scar stepped forward, looking towards the sky. "StarClan, I know you knew me before I came here, and I know that you understand that I've changed. I would like to become Peppernose. I hope this name is pleasing to you, and I am doing the right thing by changing my name and erasing my past." He stopped, bowing his head down. The Clan was silent for a moment, before deciding to except him.

"Peppernose! Frostfang! Mudfur! Scatpaw! Peppernose-" Ravenstar cut them off. "Oh, and I have two more announcements to make, its a busy day. Scatpaw needs a mentor. I have chosen Creamcall to show him the ways of the Clans. And, also, Riverrush has decided to resign to an elder. Riverrush, please step forward." He deserves it. Only StarClan knows how long he's been a warrior. Riverrush stepped forward. "Riverrush, you have served your Clan well, and you have decided that your time as a warrior has ended, true?" "It is true." He confirmed. "Then, by the powers of StarClan, you are now officially an elder of ThunderClan." The Clan yowled their approval, and Creamcall went to congratulate Peppernose.

Streameye padded over to Riverrush, obviously glad for the company. Sparrowpaw rubbed up against Dewstorm. "Can I learn how to do a belly rake? Starlight already taught Lightingpaw a dozen moves already!" "Then he must be a real natural," Dewstorm murmured.

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