Mudpaw trotted forward, looking worried as his anxious denmate looked frozen. “Sunpaw? Are you ‘kay?” Mudpaw meowed softly. Sunpaw twitched, his blue eyes glancing at the other apprentice. Finally, speaking, he muttered. “I’m okay but..Leopardstorm is displeased with me-” The young cat spoke, worry in his tone. Mudpaw eased his gaze and rubbed his pelt onto Sunpaw’s. “It’s okay, he can’t stay mad forever-” Mudpaw pointed out, trying to lift his friends spirits. Sunpaw smiled and stretched out, purring. “Well he’s probably waiting for me..I’ll see you later!” He said to his friend. Mudpaw rubbed his tortoiseshell pelt against Supaw, mewing a goodbye as Forgottenpaw bounded off through the gorse tunnel and into the forest. Leopardstorm was flicking his tail in annoyance, sitting in the middle of sunning rocks. Sunpaw's scent filled the air as the apprentice came closer with meowing. “Sorry I’m late Leopardstorm, I was talking to Mudpaw!” He explained hastily. His mentor glared at him then spoke. “Today is your assessment, Willowstar thinks you're ready to be a warrior if you can do well.” Sunpaw’s face lit up. “Really?!” Leopardstorm’s whiskers twitched in amusement and gave a soft nod. Sunpaw mewed eagerly and scrambled off to find prey. He lowered himself to the ground, his belly scraping against the dirt and undergrowth. Rabbit filled his scent glands as he kept his narrow blue eyes tracked on the plump rabbit a fox - length away. His tail flicked softly and he pounced, a small gasping like shriek came from the rabbit as he bit its neck, finishing off the poor creature. Sunpaw, proud of his catch, buried it slightly and bounded off to find more prey, eager to fill his clanmates' bellies. As the sun slowly dipped beneath the trees Sunpaw came stumbling into the gorse tunnel with two rabbits, a mouse, and a vole. Dropping it all in the Fresh-Kill pile, Leopardstorm approached him. Sunpaw’s mentor spoke gently, his tone proud. “You’ve done well Sunpaw.” The apprentice beamed and puffed out his chest, his tail held high in a thanks. Leopardstorm continued - “Eat some prey and get some sleep.” Sunpaw nodded and grabbed a plump mouse, settling down in the clearing. A familiar tortoiseshell furred cat slipped out of the apprentice den and made way towards Sunpaw. “Sunpaw!” Mudpaw beamed, padding over and sitting beside his acquaintance. Sunpaw felt his fur get hot as he stuffed the rest of the mouse into his mouth as an excuse not to talk, embarrassed. “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather around!” Willowstar mewed loudly. Sunpaw and Mudpaw stopped payfighting and groomed their pelts to fix them, then padded forward into the crowd of cats. “Mudpaw...Sunpaw…Orchardpaw..Step forward.” All the apprentice’s fur starts tingling as they step forward, huddled together like sardines in a can. Willowstar gave a soft smile and started with the she-cat. “Orchardpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend the clan, with the cost of your life?” Willowstar questioned. Orchardpaw murmured a tiny “I do.” Willowstar cleared her throat and mewed. “Then by the power of Starclan Orchardpaw shall be known as Orchardfeather, for he bravery and honesty.” Orchardfeather beamed proudly and Willowstar looked at Mudpaw. “Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend the clan, even with your life?” Mudpaw squeaked loudly. “I do!” He puffed his chest out. Willowstar smiled and meowed calmly. “Then by the power of Starclan, Mudpaw from this day on shall be known as Mudtail, for your loyalty and swiftness.” Mudtail smiled and purred loudly, then Willowstar turned to the last apprentice, Sunpaw. His whiskers twitched and his fur felt heavy, anxiety creeping in. “Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend your clan, even with your life?” She asked, gazing at him. Sunpaw couldn’t force out the words and he just nodded. She raised a catbrow and continued, knowing the apprentice meant well. Murmurs rose through the crowd as she muttered. “Then by the power of Starclan, Sunpaw will be known as Sunwhisker for his quick learning and kindness.” The crowd broke out into cheers. “Orchardfeather! Mudtail! Sunwhisker!” Willowstar leapt down from the highrock and slipped into her den. Mudtail curled his tail around Sunwhiskers, smiling gently. “I guess we’re warriors now!” He purred, sharing tongues with his friend.
- CHARACTERS - Sunwhisker - A scrawny and witty Red / Brown Russian Blue. (Tom) Orchardfeather - A sadistic and pushy Siamese. (She-cat) Mudtail - A sweet and determined Tortoiseshell. (Tom) Bugpelt - A cheesy and talkative silver American Wirehair (She-cat) Ciderspark - A calm and self aware light yellow Javanese (Tom) Leopardstorm - A Judgemental and Insensitive long-haired dark gray and brown Cymric. (Tom) Willowstar - A steady and keen orange tabby. (She-Cat)
