Warriors: Darkened Souls [On Hiatus]

Chapter Three

Honeykit and Cloverkit exchanged excited looks, each simultaneously leaping to their paws. A Clan meeting! Cloverkit pounced on her littermate's tail, which was waving around with excitement, and pinned it down. See? I can catch my own prey!

Honeykit mewed in annoyance, freeing her furry yellow tail from Cloverkit's paws. "I want to see the meeting!" she announced, vanishing from the den with a whisk of her tail. Cloverkit bounded after her, shivering as the dewy ferns brushed against her fur. Behind her, she heard Birchwing, whispering to Lightfern. "They're a bit young to witness a Clan meeting, aren't they?"

Well, they can't stop us! Cloverkit thought fiercely, scampering after Honeykit. The yellow she-kit skidded to a stop, and Cloverkit had to jump out of the way to avoid falling on top of her. "Watch it, Honeykit!"

"Sorry!" Honeykit squeaked back, her eyes transfixed on a tree, near the back of the camp. It was a huge oak, with gnarled roots that formed what looked like a den, and branches that seemed to reach for the clouds. On the tallest root stood a silver she-cat. Silverstar, Cloverkit realized, taking a few, cautious steps forward. I wonder what this meeting is about?

The silver leader fixed her green gaze on the two kits, and when she spoke, it was calm, like the lake that Lilyeye always spoke about. "Well, you two are a bit young..."

"Please?" Honeykit begged. Silverstar held her tail up for silence, her whiskers twitching. "You didn't let me finish." I know what her voice reminds me of, Cloverkit realized with a jolt. The clouds! It's all...floaty!

"As I was saying, they seem a bit young, but it would be good for them to witness a ceremony that one day, they will experience." Silverstar finished, holding her head high. "Today, our ranks strengthen with the making of a new warrior! Pikepaw, come forward! Frosttail, is Pikepaw ready?"

The white-furred warrior nodded. "As ready as ever, Silverstar. He'll make a great warrior."

The brown tom took a shaky step forward, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Silverstar leaped off the Stormtree, gracefully landing on all fours in front of the soon-to-be-warrior. Cloverkit felt a flicker of jealousy, but she pushed it away. That will be me one day, she promised herself. I wonder what my warrior name would be? Cloverdash? Cloverheart! I hope it isn't Cloverclaw! Too fierce! What about...Cloverstream?

Silverstar's voice tore her away from her thoughts, and Cloverkit looked at the leader, shaking her head to rid her mind of the thoughts.

"I, Silverstar, leader of StormClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you in his turn. Pikepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

When Pikepaw spoke next, his voice was strong, and not a flicker of doubt remained in his yellow eyes. "I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. From now on you shall be known as Pikeheart. StarClan honors your courage and kindness, and we welcome you as a full warrior of StormClan, " Silverstar finished, resting her muzzle on Pikeheart's head.

The new warrior licked her shoulder respectfully. Silverstar stepped back, dipping her head to the young tom. "When night falls, you will sit vigil," she announced, her voice strong. "But for now, we have another ceremony to do."

Cloverkit exchanged a confused glance with Honeykit. What another ceremony could there possibly be to do? Silverstar soon answered her question, her voice ringing throughout the camp. "Frosttail, is it your wish to give up the name of a warrior, and go join the elders?"