Post by LιθΠΗΣαRτεD on Aug 24, 2015 23:53:18 GMT
Ever since the disappearance of Rosepaw, security had been tight around WhisperClan camp. Thrushkit and Foxkit had been admonished harshly by Shellsong a second time, and their fathers kept a close eye on them around camp. It had begun to feel like a constricting prison, and Thrushkit could tell that Foxkit was feeling the same thing.
Frostpaw and Goldenpaw had been of no comfort. They had reassured Icestar that Rosepaw's disappearance was temporary, and that this was one of "her antics." However, no trace of their sister had been found yet. What if she got killed by that dog that we encountered? Thrushkit thought miserably. Now there was no one to play with except Cinderkit and her littermates. However, they constantly annoyed him by complaining about Grayfern and Stonekit, and yesterday he had finally run away for some privacy.
"Today's your big day," said Shellsong gently, giving Thrushkit a groom. He didn't bother to run away, and instead closed his eyes as he felt his mother's warm tongue rasping down his back.
"Rosepaw's not here," said Thrushkit gloomily. Sadness weighed down upon him like Blazekit when they tussled; he could not lift it from him, nor did he want to. I just want to know where she is.
"Let all those old enough to chase rabbits join me for a Clan meeting!" yowled Icestar's voice from the clearing.
"Go, Thrushkit!" said Shellsong urgently, pelting past him. "Flamewolf will find you. Frostpaw and Goldenpaw still haven't been groomed, I've got to see them. Proud of you!"
Somewhat baffled by the sudden noise of warriors moving to congregate in the clearing, Thrushkit stumbled slightly and followed a squealing Cinderkit into the mass. Icestar was sitting on a large rock, towering above them all, his eyes sweeping across the Clan. He smiled in recognition of the kits, and Blazekit let out a loud holler.
"HI ICESTAR!"
Frostpaw and Goldenpaw turned to glare at her, and beside her Thrushkit flattened his ears. Calm down, furball! It's just a ceremony.
"No fair," grumbled a voice behind them. Foxkit had caught up with Stonekit beside him, who looked smug.
"It's okay," said Emberkit gently. "Your time will come."
"In three moons!"
"May I have everyone's attention?" Icestar said, and everyone fell quiet. "The time has come for kits and apprentices to move forward. Although we mourn the loss of Rosepaw-- and though we cannot consider her dead-- we will hold a memory vigil for her tonight. I pray that she will show up again. But we have ceremonies to perform today, and we cannot wait any longer.
"These kits have reached the age of six moons, and are ready to become apprentices. Cinderkit, step forward."
Cinderkit glanced back at all of them, her face shining in excitement, and with a small squeal, bounced forward. Icestar's eyes were light and amused.
"You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Cinderpaw. Timberwolf, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Cinderpaw."
I hope I get Flamewolf!
"Blazekit, step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Blazepaw. Brackenheart, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Blazepaw.
"Emberkit, step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Emberpaw. Junipertail, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Emberpaw.
"Stonekit, step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Stonepaw. Flamewolf, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Stonepaw."
No!
"Thrushkit, step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Thrushpaw. Rubbleclaw, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Thrushpaw."
He doesn't look friendly, Thrushpaw thought, as an unsmiling gray tom stepped forward. Thrushpaw forced himself to press his nose to Rubbleclaw's, and gave him a nervous smile.
"And now," said Icestar, pulling them both back into the meeting, "onto the warrior ceremonies. These apprentices have trained extremely hard, and have all passed their assessments. Anyone would be foolish to not give them their due ceremonies. Lakepaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Lakepounce. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan.
"Frostpaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Frostberry. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan.
"Goldenpaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Goldenfox. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan."
"What!" Thrushpaw heard Frostberry whisper furiously. "Your name's so much better than mine!"
"Stop being so rude!" hissed Lakepounce from beside them. "You should be glad Icestar even gave you one!"
"Kitepaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Kitepaw. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan.
"Shadowpaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Shadowfox. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan." Icestar's blue eyes swept the Clan once more. "Congratulations to all of you. This meeting is over, and everyone is dismissed. Thank you."
"If Rosepaw were here, she would've gotten her name, too," said Thrushpaw.
"Aw, lighten up," said Blazepaw. "We're apprentices now! If we go into the territory, maybe we can find her."
True. And Stonepaw still got Flamewolf. Ugh, he's going to be even more smug now.
"You're not doing it right, Thrushpaw," said Rubbleclaw in frustration.
"It's early," yawned Thrushpaw, stretching. "I'm sorry. I think I'm just tired."
"No you're not. We get up around the same time everyday," snapped Rubbleclaw. "Now, try again. Hunting crouch. I've seen you do it perfectly. What's going on?"
"Rosepaw," Thrushpaw muttered under his breath. Rubbleclaw's eyes softened, and Thrushpaw felt a spike of annoyance. I don't want sympathy right now. Can we just get onto whatever we need to do and finish it?
"Well, I'll give it to you easy today," said Rubbleclaw.
"No," snapped Thrushpaw. Flattening his ears, he backed down. "Sorry. I mean, please, let's go on. It'll probably take my mind off of her anyway."
"Thrushpaw, would you show us some warrior moves?" the new kits bounced up with their eyes wide, followed by Featherkit and her siblings, who hung back warily, but obviously couldn't help their curiosity.
"Not now, Doekit," said Thrushkit tiredly. "I'm busy."
"Oh." Doekit's ears drooped, and her brother Deerkit looked crestfallen. Thrushpaw's tense shoulders sagged, and his hard, dull stare evaporated. I sound like Rosepaw when I asked her to play with me.
"Fine," he said in exasperation. They perked up, and Thrushpaw lead them to the edge of the clearing. But he hadn't walked two steps when Deerkit let out a loud yowl.
"Thrushpaw's teaching us warrior moves!"
"What?"
"Can I see?"
"Wait for me!"
"Who's Thrushpaw?"
"Great StarClan," he muttered under his breath. Featherkit, Birchkit, and Brownkit instantly shot out of the nursery and skidded to a stop beside Deerkit and Doekit. A sixth kit whom Thrushpaw didn't know yet peeked his head out, but a lazy voice called him back.
"It's probably not good, Sunkit, come back. You can do it yourself in six moons. I've got another idea that's more fun," said Foxkit's voice. Thrushpaw gnashed his teeth, and Sunkit let out an "okay!" and disappeared.
"Er, well, here's the hunting crouch," said Thrushpaw, showing the spectating kits.
"Wow! So everytime you hunt, you have to get into that crouch?" asked Deerkit, tilting his head. "Does it hurt to hold that position for so long?"
"You get used to it," muttered Thrushpaw.
"Your haunches are too high," said a lofty voice behind them. All of them whipped around to see Goldenfox standing there. Thrushpaw hastily stood up.
"I'm still working on it," he said carefully, shifting his paws.
"Well, keep that in mind."
"Was that Goldenfox?" asked Doekit, peering up at Thrushpaw. "Why do you look so scared? He's your brother."
"I'm not scared," Thrushpaw retorted hotly. "He just got me by surprise, all right?"
Frostpaw and Goldenpaw had been of no comfort. They had reassured Icestar that Rosepaw's disappearance was temporary, and that this was one of "her antics." However, no trace of their sister had been found yet. What if she got killed by that dog that we encountered? Thrushkit thought miserably. Now there was no one to play with except Cinderkit and her littermates. However, they constantly annoyed him by complaining about Grayfern and Stonekit, and yesterday he had finally run away for some privacy.
"Today's your big day," said Shellsong gently, giving Thrushkit a groom. He didn't bother to run away, and instead closed his eyes as he felt his mother's warm tongue rasping down his back.
"Rosepaw's not here," said Thrushkit gloomily. Sadness weighed down upon him like Blazekit when they tussled; he could not lift it from him, nor did he want to. I just want to know where she is.
"Let all those old enough to chase rabbits join me for a Clan meeting!" yowled Icestar's voice from the clearing.
"Go, Thrushkit!" said Shellsong urgently, pelting past him. "Flamewolf will find you. Frostpaw and Goldenpaw still haven't been groomed, I've got to see them. Proud of you!"
Somewhat baffled by the sudden noise of warriors moving to congregate in the clearing, Thrushkit stumbled slightly and followed a squealing Cinderkit into the mass. Icestar was sitting on a large rock, towering above them all, his eyes sweeping across the Clan. He smiled in recognition of the kits, and Blazekit let out a loud holler.
"HI ICESTAR!"
Frostpaw and Goldenpaw turned to glare at her, and beside her Thrushkit flattened his ears. Calm down, furball! It's just a ceremony.
"No fair," grumbled a voice behind them. Foxkit had caught up with Stonekit beside him, who looked smug.
"It's okay," said Emberkit gently. "Your time will come."
"In three moons!"
"May I have everyone's attention?" Icestar said, and everyone fell quiet. "The time has come for kits and apprentices to move forward. Although we mourn the loss of Rosepaw-- and though we cannot consider her dead-- we will hold a memory vigil for her tonight. I pray that she will show up again. But we have ceremonies to perform today, and we cannot wait any longer.
"These kits have reached the age of six moons, and are ready to become apprentices. Cinderkit, step forward."
Cinderkit glanced back at all of them, her face shining in excitement, and with a small squeal, bounced forward. Icestar's eyes were light and amused.
"You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Cinderpaw. Timberwolf, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Cinderpaw."
I hope I get Flamewolf!
"Blazekit, step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Blazepaw. Brackenheart, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Blazepaw.
"Emberkit, step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Emberpaw. Junipertail, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Emberpaw.
"Stonekit, step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Stonepaw. Flamewolf, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Stonepaw."
No!
"Thrushkit, step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Thrushpaw. Rubbleclaw, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Thrushpaw."
He doesn't look friendly, Thrushpaw thought, as an unsmiling gray tom stepped forward. Thrushpaw forced himself to press his nose to Rubbleclaw's, and gave him a nervous smile.
"And now," said Icestar, pulling them both back into the meeting, "onto the warrior ceremonies. These apprentices have trained extremely hard, and have all passed their assessments. Anyone would be foolish to not give them their due ceremonies. Lakepaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Lakepounce. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan.
"Frostpaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Frostberry. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan.
"Goldenpaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Goldenfox. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan."
"What!" Thrushpaw heard Frostberry whisper furiously. "Your name's so much better than mine!"
"Stop being so rude!" hissed Lakepounce from beside them. "You should be glad Icestar even gave you one!"
"Kitepaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Kitepaw. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan.
"Shadowpaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Shadowfox. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan." Icestar's blue eyes swept the Clan once more. "Congratulations to all of you. This meeting is over, and everyone is dismissed. Thank you."
"If Rosepaw were here, she would've gotten her name, too," said Thrushpaw.
"Aw, lighten up," said Blazepaw. "We're apprentices now! If we go into the territory, maybe we can find her."
True. And Stonepaw still got Flamewolf. Ugh, he's going to be even more smug now.
"You're not doing it right, Thrushpaw," said Rubbleclaw in frustration.
"It's early," yawned Thrushpaw, stretching. "I'm sorry. I think I'm just tired."
"No you're not. We get up around the same time everyday," snapped Rubbleclaw. "Now, try again. Hunting crouch. I've seen you do it perfectly. What's going on?"
"Rosepaw," Thrushpaw muttered under his breath. Rubbleclaw's eyes softened, and Thrushpaw felt a spike of annoyance. I don't want sympathy right now. Can we just get onto whatever we need to do and finish it?
"Well, I'll give it to you easy today," said Rubbleclaw.
"No," snapped Thrushpaw. Flattening his ears, he backed down. "Sorry. I mean, please, let's go on. It'll probably take my mind off of her anyway."
"Thrushpaw, would you show us some warrior moves?" the new kits bounced up with their eyes wide, followed by Featherkit and her siblings, who hung back warily, but obviously couldn't help their curiosity.
"Not now, Doekit," said Thrushkit tiredly. "I'm busy."
"Oh." Doekit's ears drooped, and her brother Deerkit looked crestfallen. Thrushpaw's tense shoulders sagged, and his hard, dull stare evaporated. I sound like Rosepaw when I asked her to play with me.
"Fine," he said in exasperation. They perked up, and Thrushpaw lead them to the edge of the clearing. But he hadn't walked two steps when Deerkit let out a loud yowl.
"Thrushpaw's teaching us warrior moves!"
"What?"
"Can I see?"
"Wait for me!"
"Who's Thrushpaw?"
"Great StarClan," he muttered under his breath. Featherkit, Birchkit, and Brownkit instantly shot out of the nursery and skidded to a stop beside Deerkit and Doekit. A sixth kit whom Thrushpaw didn't know yet peeked his head out, but a lazy voice called him back.
"It's probably not good, Sunkit, come back. You can do it yourself in six moons. I've got another idea that's more fun," said Foxkit's voice. Thrushpaw gnashed his teeth, and Sunkit let out an "okay!" and disappeared.
"Er, well, here's the hunting crouch," said Thrushpaw, showing the spectating kits.
"Wow! So everytime you hunt, you have to get into that crouch?" asked Deerkit, tilting his head. "Does it hurt to hold that position for so long?"
"You get used to it," muttered Thrushpaw.
"Your haunches are too high," said a lofty voice behind them. All of them whipped around to see Goldenfox standing there. Thrushpaw hastily stood up.
"I'm still working on it," he said carefully, shifting his paws.
"Well, keep that in mind."
"Was that Goldenfox?" asked Doekit, peering up at Thrushpaw. "Why do you look so scared? He's your brother."
"I'm not scared," Thrushpaw retorted hotly. "He just got me by surprise, all right?"