It wasn’t long before Heronfeather joined her in the apprentice den, cobwebs and marigold in his yellowed teeth. He was silent as he worked on cleaning and covering the wounds. Her heart heavy as her eyes stared at her paws. She had felt the hot, burning heat coming off of Vinepaw’s pelt when she jumped at her, the angered slashes that cut at her fur. She didn’t even know if the tabby had intentions of stopping her assault. “Come to me tomorrow so I can replace your bandages,” his voice steady and free from emotions. Nightpaw didn’t even speak and had rested her head down and only seemed to look over at the entrance when the tall Thunderclan leader walked inside the shadowed den. “Are you alright Nightpaw? I hope Heronfeather patched you up well,” his voice was easy and tone gentle. “Yes I’m fine,” she responded, lifting her head to look up at him. Hawkstar nodded to himself, “Want to tell me more on what happened between you and Vinepaw?” he asked, sitting down next to the black furred apprentice. “I overheard her talking badly about me and Thornpad, I confronted her about it and wanted her to apologize, I said some things...then she started attacking me ,” she spoke slowly and once again he nodded. Standing he looked down at his apprentice, “I should have trained you more than just hunting and fighting. I won’t punish you, you were the one that got injured as I noticed you never even used your claws, but I will say if this happens again you will be getting the same punishment as Vinepaw. Not because I want to, but I still am your leader and mentor,” he said sternly, causing the she-cat to flinch. The tom relaxed, “ You’re like a daughter to me Nightpaw, I know you can do better than this.” Dipping his head he turned and left the apprentice den. Closing her eyes she didn’t even notice herself dozing off. When she woke up, cats slept in their nests, and prey ran around in the safety of the night. Sitting up slowly the pain from before was only in soft pulses as she stood up. Gently she walked out of the apprentice den. Stars lighting the skin and the clearing ahead of her and looking up stars reflected off the depths of her eyes. Starclan was looking down at her. She could feel it. Closing her eyes she felt a cool wave pass over her. Starting at the small of her back and trailed up to her nose. They were watching. “Please Starclan, guide me. I put my life in your guidance and I hope I am doing the right thing to be able to one day join you,” she spoke to herself as she open her eyes to look up at the stars for a few more moments watching as the stars sparkinged and danced in the dark void of the midnight sky. Soft whispers hit her ears and padded towards the camp entrance. Coming out she saw the three warriors awake and sitting at the entrance. Sitting vigil she watched as Creekfrost rested her head down with closed eyes in silent thought. Quietly she saw Thornpad staring up at the forested tree line. Nightpaw slowly padded over and rested next to him. Feeling the startle she felt as she sat next to him, she purred quietly. Feeling the tom press lightly against her she looked up and saw forest green eyes looking down at her. “I’m ok,” she whispered to him. Feeling his tail rest softly against her back she sighed and allowed the night to pass while listening to the soft sound of the forest as the stars and moon moved across the sky. Looking into her reflection she watched as the water rippled and moved causing her face to shift and change. Her deep blue eyes stared back at her and she looked to the scar that now adorned her ear. Long claw lines that flawed her white tipped ears. Her ears lowered, it was forever a mark and physical sign of the hatred Vinepaw felt towards her. “Nightpaw.” Hawkstar’s voice was gentle as she raised to look at her leader. Giving him a small smile she quickly went to stand by his side. Even if the she-cat had grown out of her kitten fur and her most of her apprentice weight she still wasn’t anywhere as tall at the tom next to him. His shoulders broad and fur thick and full. His cool brown fur always groomed and bright yellow eyes always focused and keen to what's around him. Nightpaw purred, she was glad he was her mentor. “So, you never told me what we were doing out here. I thought dawn patrol went along the Riverclan border,” she asked with a flicked ear as she looked ahead. Hawkstar hummed in response, “We’re just double checking the border and when we meet up with Sparrowcall and Skypaw at the Owl Tree before heading to camp.” Nightpaw never understood her leader, his voice was always so smooth and all knowing as if she could just ask him anything and he would know. The black she-cat only nodded and continued walking.
Silence settled between them as they walked, “Are you ready to protect Thunderclan Nightpaw?” Hawkstar asked, eyes looking ahead, Night shook her head as if her ears were full of moss. “Why wouldn’t I? Thunderclan is my home, I want to do anything to protect my clanmates and our home!” She said loudly her fur standing up with her declaration, pride in her voice. Hawkstar chuckled, “That is all I need to hear Nightpaw.” “All cats old enough to climb trees gather around high rock!” The Thunderclans leader’s voice boomed over the clearing as his shadow was casted down by the sun gleaming overhead. Nighpaw’s head rose up from her spot of resting by the apprentice den. As she stretched out the sun's light made ripples shine from her raven colored fur, showing the depths of the dark pelt. Walking over she noticed the yellow eyes gleaming down at her with joy. Eyes widening she knew. Her heart began to race as she sat down in the middle of her clan, their whispers hushed. The loud noises that pounded against her ears were deafening as she felt her body warm. “I, Hawkstar, leader of Thunderclan, 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. Skypaw, please step forward.” “Sparrowcall, has your apprentice, Skypaw, learned the skills of a warrior? Do they understand the importance of the warrior code?” A low, smooth chuckle sounded next to the happy she-cat, the tall powerful warrior standing to stand next to the light gray tom. “They do, Hawkstar.” She said looking up at the tom with a gentle look. Skyfall. His new name roared in her ears as they called out from the clearing. Then soon gleaming yellow eyes stared down at her. “Nightpaw, please step forward.” Her legs shook as she stood. Feeling the hot stare of eyes against her fur was simmering the tips of her pelt. Soon standing before her was Hawkstar. Her mentor. Her leader. Someone who she saw as a father to herself. Now stood in front of her. “Nightpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?” Swallowing deeply she allowed her body to relax as she looked back at him with pride. “I do.” “Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Nightpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Nightshade. StarClan honors your loyalty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Thunderclan.” Her new name erupted in front of the clearing. Her heat leapt in her throat, she was a warrior now. Jumping off high rock she looked around as cats came up to her. The light pelt of Honeypool and Sheepstep, even the comforting one of Roseheart. Yet as she spoke the sign of a gray and russet tom was nowhere to be found. Taking a slow step away she saw his back towards her as he looked at Vinepaw, voice low . The world slowed and her ears lowered. She didn’t even realize it but tears brimmed her eyes and a new found sorrow nuzzled close to her heart.
