Lavenderpaw's Destiny

Chapter 7

Daisypaw watched anxiously as her brother received his warrior name. She proudly cheered his new name with the rest of their clanmates, but her mind was whirling. I'm next. She thought, her whole body trembling. 

Lionstar turned his head and fixed her with his green stare. "Daisypaw, please step forward". 

It felt like her paws had been turned to stone, and she had to force each one in front of the other to reach her leader. He could obviously see how nervous she was, and gave her a reassuring look. His support eased her nerves slightly, but she couldn't help thinking about what Turtlefoot had told her at the gathering. How could this kind cat break the warrior code? Even worse, how could he betray his family? 

"I, Lionstar, leader of Pineclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn," Lionstar began. "Daisypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do". She mewed confidently. 

Lionstar nodded approvingly at the certainty in her tone. "Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. Daisypaw, from this moment on you will be known as Daisystream. Starclan honors your confidence and strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Pineclan". 

Daisystream felt her pelt grow hot as her clanmates cheered her name. She awkwardly trotted over to her family, touching noses with all of them. Astertuft covered her face in licks, purring so loudly that Daisystream thought she might lose her voice. 

"I'm so proud of you three. All of my kits are warriors now!" She mewed, both happy and wistful. 

"We'll make more". Cloudrun mewed jokingly. 

Daisystream screwed up her face, pretending to be disgusted, and  her littermates purred in amusement. Swanfur shook her head, a grin across her face, while Frogclaw just rolled his eyes. Daisystream glanced at all of them, feeling a rush of affection for her family. Now that she was a warrior, she might have her own little family soon. 

She shyly glanced over at Stumppaw, wondering if he'd join her as a warrior soon. He was staring at her with admiration, and Daisystream locked eyes with him. She curled her tail up happily, and he waved his tail at her. 

Daisystream turned back to her family, desperate to talk to someone about her crush. She started towards Swanfur before she noticed the distracted look in her sister's eyes. Before she could ask what was wrong, the white queen got to her paws and led one of her sons, Strikekit, towards the medicine cat's den. 

Daisystream watched them go, worried. Was Strikekit sick? She wondered. The new warrior contemplated following them, then shook her head. She'll tell me what's going on when she's ready. She decided. 

The sun had begun to set, and Daisystream knew her vigil would start soon. The queens and kits were all back in the nursery, preparing to sleep, and the apprentices were starting to head to their den as well. The elders were no where to be seen, and Daisystream assumed they were already asleep. Even some of the warriors were making their way to their den, though many of them still lay in the fading sun, sharing tongues with one another. 

When the last of the warriors had disappeared into their den, Daisystream made her way to the edge of the camp. She sat silently, facing the entrance. Her littermates joined her, both keeping quiet as well. Darkness fell over the camp, causing long shadows to stretch across the clearing. Daisystream shifted uneasily; she had never been a fan of the dark. Her brother pressed close to her, sensing her discomfort. Though he didn't say anything, she felt comforted by his presence and began to relax.