Sleetpaw froze as a mouse came into sight. He locked his amber eyes on the creature, slowly drawing into a crouch.

He pressed his belly to the cool forest floor, the shadows of the leaves dappling his pelt and concealing him from the mouse. After a moment of silence, he leapt, landing on the mouse almost perfectly and killing it swiftly.

He closed his eyes and silently thanked StarClan. He scraped earth over his catch and pricked his ears when a stick snapped along the other side of some bushes.

Ravenleaf sure isn't being quiet for having to observe my final assessment.

Sleetpaw opened his jaws and took in every scent. It bathed over his glands and made him lift his ears when he smelled a squirrel.

He slithered through the bushes and lightly set his paws down. His eyes caught sight of the squirrel. It was slowly climbing up the tree trunk.

Sleetpaw bunched his muscles and gave a massive leap. He stretched his paws out as far as he could, extending his claws as they brushed the squirrel's tail. He fell with a thud and groaned as the prey scurried away.

Great...

He shook the dust and debris from his pelt. He cursed under his breath and tried to detect anymore scents.

•••••••••••••••••••••••

It was evening. The stars began poking through the dark sky, setting the forest to an eerie glow.

Sleetpaw had completed his assessment and was heading back with Ravenleaf, his mentor.

He carried the prey he'd caught in his jaws. Two mice and a large thrush. He hoped it would be enough to please Falconstar.

Ravenleaf padded ahead, glancing over her shoulder to make sure Sleetpaw was following.

They entered camp. Sleetpaw placed his prey on fresh-kill pile. Then he settled down in the clearing.

Ravenleaf had fetched Falconstar. The FlightClan leader leapt on a huge stone and called out.

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather for a Clan meeting!"

Warriors and apprentices padded from their dens. The evening patrol padded in just as Falconstar called the meeting. Queens walked out slowly after their kits. And the elders sat at the edge of the crowd, looking thoughtful, probably remembering their warrior ceremony.

"We gather here for a special reason. Today, Sleetpaw becomes a warrior."

The Clan excitedly meowed and whispered to each other.

"Ravenleaf, has Sleetpaw proved worthy of becoming a warrior?"

"He has." Ravenleaf's eyes gleamed as she looked at her apprentice.

Falconstar nodded. He beckoned for Sleetpaw to come forward. Sleetpaw's legs shook as he stood before the FlightClan leader.

"I, Falconstar, leader of FlightClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn."

Falconstar looked Sleetpaw square in the eyes. "Sleetpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do." Sleetpaw meant it with all of his heart.

"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name. Sleetpaw, from this moment on, you'll be known as-"

Falconstar was cut off as a yowl sounded just outside the barrier. It shook as cats poured in. They leapt on the FlightClan cats.

Sleetpaw stared, horrified as he recognized the cats.

CurrentClan!!

He instantly pushed through the throng of cats, and helped a queen shove her kits in the nursery.

After they were all inside, Sleetpaw turned to defend them.

A black she-cat leapt at him. He pushed her back, claws unsheathed, and drew a paw over her ears. The she-cat snarled and sliced at his face. Sleetpaw felt pain course up his cheek.

He dashed to one side and clawed at her flank. His claws glinted in the pale evening light. He bared his fangs and dug then firmly into her shoulder. She howled and flicked him aside.

He jumped to his feet, but was thrown back down by another cat. It was a dark ginger tom. He hissed and swiped at Sleetpaw's muzzle.

Sleetpaw bit back the scream of pain that bubbled from his throat.

He kicked out with his hind legs and shoved the tom away. He glanced up for a brief second.

The clearing was becoming bloody. Claws, teeth, swipes, all visible in the darkening light. Sleetpaw could barely make out the cats. He could see a few retreating out the barrier, yowling into the night.

We're winning!

A heavy weight smashed him down. Fierce claws scraped his back and tore his shoulders.

Sleetpaw slumped to the ground and watched as a huge tom raced toward the nursery.

No!

Sleetpaw struggled to his paws and tore after the tom. He was nimbler, so he caught up quickly and jumped on the tom. He slid his claws along the bright fur. Tearing at flesh.

The tom gasped and fell on his back. Sleetpaw was crushed, the air knocked out of him. He lay stunned, unable to move or breathe.

The tom hissed in triumph.

Sleetpaw wouldn't let him win!

He staggered to his paws, blood trickling down a wound in his head. He glared icily at the CurrentClan Warrior, then flung himself at the tom.

Sleetpaw slashed his claws across the tom's face. He yowled painfully, and brought both paws up to Sleetpaw's throat.

Sleetpaw felt a gush, and he collapsed on the ground. He watched the tom shriek while pelting away.

Sleetpaw felt almost numb, but the pain in his head and back was what kept him conscious.

A blurry figure was in front of him, saying something Sleetpaw couldn't catch.

He noticed the dark brown mottled pelt of Gentleflower. The queen was screaming something, but Sleetpaw only felt blissful silence.

He couldn't stop his eyelids from closing.

Sleetpaw found himself on a high hill that overlooked a beautiful valley with shining streams and crickets chirping.

He gazed around in awe. A waterfall thundered down slick, steep rocks, rumbling into a pool of crystal clear water.

"Sleetpaw." A voice meowed.

Sleetpaw jumped and bristled, unsheathing his claws. A majestic silver tom stepped into the light, his emerald eyes glowing like tiny moons.

"W-who are you?" Sleetpaw's voice shook.

"My name is Flashstar. I was the second leader of FlightClan."

"Where am I?" He asked, sheathing his claws.

"You are in StarClan, young one."

Sleetpaw's eyes widened. "I-I'm dead?" He almost wailed.

Flashstar shook his head. "No. I'm StarClan, you're always alive."

"Did I die in the ambush?"

"Yes. You risked your life to save Gentleflower's kits. You truly lived up to your potential, and you deserve a warrior name."

Sleetpaw's jaw dropped. "R-really? I get a warrior name?" He was so excited, his biggest dream coming true.

"I, Flashstar, give you, Sleetpaw, your warrior name. From this moment on, you'll be known as Sleetheart. You're bravery and kindness will never be forgotten by your Clanmates. Live well, Sleetheart.

Sleetheart's lips curled into a smile.

1,175 words!!