Hopepaw above! Art by Me!

As Leafloss season settled into the forests, meadows, lakes, and mountains, the sun started to set earlier and rise later. The leaves on the trees transformed from a vibrant green to a beautiful blend of soft gold, crimson, brown, and orange, creating a tortoiseshell-like pattern. Mornings were chilly, and the first frost of the season- although mild, and quick to melt- had already withered delicate foliage and flowers.

Hopepaw found that she quite liked this new season. With its colors and tones that matched her pelt, allowing her to creep more easily through the undergrowth and the lessened heat, it was pretty enjoyable.

As she sped down the mountain and into the forest, the distance between herself and Bluepaw grew. If I don't see him until sundown, it'd still be too soon. She thought, slowing down as light began to stream through the withering canopy of leaves. She scented the air and through the aroma of damp leaves and the medley of a Leafloss forest, she could faintly smell a squirrel. 

Tracking it proved to be easy, and she found the russet-furred creature quickly. It was sitting at the base of a gnarled old oak, chewing an acorn busily. Easy, Hopepaw gloated to herself, and launched off the forest floor, landing with a thump just short of the squirrel. It scrambled for a moment, allowing Hopepaw to grab it and draw the struggling prey toward herself, ending its life with a quick nip to the throat.

Her paws stung from the clumsy landing, but pride flooded her as she stared at the squirrel. It was a fine piece of prey, plump and large. And, a good start to her assessment. Confidant, Hopepaw buried her first catch in a pile of leaves and ferns and continued on her hunt. This assessment will be as easy as taking a mossball from a day-old kit! 

                                                                             ~❆~

Hunting proved to not be as easy as she'd originally thought. The sun was nearing its highest point in the sky, and a hungry, frustrated Hopepaw only had a single squirrel to show for her work. She had almost caught a jackdaw, but it had seen her at the last moment and took flight, its raucous alarm call scaring off every other piece of potential prey. The day had turned unusually hot, for Leafloss, and Hopepaw was sweltering. She sat down heavily. This would be a lot better if I had Screechpaw with me...

For the first time in days, the old bitter guilt surged through her, and she realized she'd been blocking her grief for a while. Guilt for the accident that she possibly could have prevented and guilt for the fact that her brother would never receive his Medicine cat name made her heart heavy. 

Her mood soured, Hopepaw continued on her fruitless search for prey. 

                                                                             ~❆~

Energy surged through Hopepaw as she struck out, knocking the sparrow from its frantic flight, and slamming it onto the ground. Her second catch of the day. It seemed that her luck had turned, and the bounce returned to her step, as the silken-furred apprentice buried her prey and kept searching. 

Even though she now had two pieces of prey, the sun was gradually sinking lower in the sky, causing Hopepaw to worry. She quickened her pace, nose held high in the air searching for scents. But instead of prey, the aroma of two Clans- Her own Clan, and their greatest enemy, EmberClan filled the air the further she walked. And with the scent, came voices, raised and angry from near the border. She couldn't make out many words, but it was clear that there was something wrong. 

Heart pounding, Hopepaw crept through a stand of juniper bushes and watched through the thin waxen leaves as two patrols stood nose to nose. She recognized Lynxfury, Darkdaisy, Witheredcry, and Brookspirit from BleakClan, and Flickerstar, Rubypaw -now presumably a warrior- and three other warriors who she didn't know from EmberClan.

 Flickerstar's blazing amber eyes were locked with Lynxfury's imposing, muscular frame towering over Lynxflight's smaller, more compact form. She was trying hard to look confident, but anxiety showed in her gaze- BleakClan was outnumbered. 

"This has gone on too long, Lynxfury," Flickerstar hissed. "This ends tomorrow, at the gathering. We meet an agreement, or I declare war." 

"Not if I call war first!" Lynxfury snarled, sending a sneer onto Flickerstar's muzzle. "You're not special. Your Clan dies either way. Now, run back to your worm of a leader, and tell him that he'd better be ready to submit before it gets..." He drew a claw across his throat, mockingly. "Messy." With that, the patrol of EmberClan warriors turned, disappearing into the brush. 

Shaken, the BleakClan patrol stood for a moment, murmuring amongst themselves, before running toward the camp, leaving Hopepaw confused and alone. The exchange between patrols had only lasted a minute at most, but it felt like she'd been holding her breath for a moon. 

She shook off any questions and kept walking, but the more she walked, the more she thought, and the more she thought, the more dire the situation seemed. Snowfall season was quickly approaching, the most disease-ridden and death-fulled time for BleakClan. Herbs were incredibly hard to find, and prey was always scarce enough to cause starvation. War in Snowfall would mean injuries using up valuable herbs. The lack of prey would mean no warrior would have energy. No energy meant injured or sick cats couldn't recover; it would be a complete and utter disaster. 

And Hopepaw knew her leader; He was brave, and kind, and wise, but also very proud. He wouldn't give in unless the Clan was on the edge of collapse. And by then, it could be too late. Apprehension spiked in her chest; She didn't think she could handle any more death. Even from cats she barely knew. 

But, there was no time to worry; Dusk was drawing closer. 

                                                                             ~❆~

Crimson, pink, and gold stretched like the feathers of some grand bird across the sky, and Hopepaw collected her latest, and last catch of the day; a magpie. The bird had been distractedly picking at the corpse of a fish on the banks of the creek, and Hopepaw had been able to sneak up on it, and, with a mercifully simple struggle, kill it. Now, she had her squirrel, sparrow, and magpie. 

She felt confident that her trio of catches would be enough; Tumblesoar knew she wasn't incredible at hunting. His expectations would likely be relatively low. However, a small, hateful part of her hoped Bluepaw, somehow, had failed. It would certainly knock his ego down a notch. 

With the sky steadily darkening, jaws heavy with prey, and nose clogged with fur and feathers, she hauled herself up the mountain toward camp. When she reached the cliff in front of the cave entrance, Bluepaw, Pinestalk, and Tumblesoar were already standing there. Bluepaw had five pieces of prey, and Pinestalk's pride showed in every word he spoke.

Heads turned as Hopepaw dropped her catches and her paws, and stood waiting. Tumblesoar padded over, giving his apprentice a nod of approval. "Well done, Hopepaw! Three pieces. That squirrel's a fine specimen- it'll feed all the elders." But Hopepaw hardly heard his praise. Five? How in the stars did Bluepaw get five pieces of prey? 

The two mentors led their apprentices down into the camp, where cats sat all over the place, waiting with ears pricked. All eyes went immediately to Bluepaw, his two mice, rabbit, and squirrel overshadowing Hopepaw's prey. Gentlebreeze was one of the only cats who looked equally proud of both of her kits- But as Hopepaw's gaze searched the crowd, confusion prickled at her pelt when she saw Harepad, the blind and mostly-deaf elder staring intently at the smaller apprentice, milky eyes as bright as the moon. She shifted uncomfortably. It's almost like she can see me.

Adderstar bounded into the center of camp, eyes lighting up in approval. "Cats of BleakClan, gather at the Sacred Cliff for the making of two new warriors!" Hopepaw followed the rush of pelts, in a daze. She couldn't register that finally, after moons and moons of heartbreak and uncertainty, and hard work, she'd finally be a warrior. But her mind lingered on one thought, that seemed to tap incessantly on her brain, like a woodpecker in a tree. Screechpaw should be here. He'd be here if it weren't for But before she could think any final thoughts, the chill of dusk air slapped her in the muzzle. As she walked, she wondered what her warrior name would be. What she wanted it to be. Then, suddenly, she knew. 

She and Bluepaw took their places at the edge of the cliff, in front of Adderstar, mountain breeze whipping her fur to, and fro. "Pinestalk, has your apprentice learned the meaning of our noble code?"

"He has." Turning to Bluepaw, Adderstar's intense blue gaze drilled into the young tom. "Bluepaw, state the seven most important rules of the code in order," Without hesitation, he rattled off the first five, and with little more difficulty, the last two. Adderstar nodded approvingly. "Good. Pinestalk, has your apprentice learned what it means to be a warrior, and all the necessary skills needed to serve his Clan?"

"He has."

"Then, Bluepaw, I hail you by your new name; Bluehawk. With the fierce spirit of a hawk and the heart of a true warrior, I honor you for your bravery." He laid a paw on Bluehawk's shoulder, and Bluehawk dipped his head, eyes blazing as he searched the crowd, gaze alighting on Emeraldshatter. Then, he stepped back and Adderstar turned to Hopepaw.

"Tumblesoar, has your apprentice learned the meaning of our noble code?" Eyes shining, Tumblesoar nodded fervently. "She has." 

"Hopepaw, please recite the seven most important rules of the Warrior Code." Hopepaw hadn't explicitly studied the rules before the ceremony- there'd been no time. But, Bluehawk's speel had given her all she needed.

"Warriors may not give up the lifestyle of a warrior, to take up residence in the home of a Twoleg. Cats may not kill or injure their Clanmates or kin, unless in self-defense. The life of a kit is the most Sacred, beautiful form of life, and they are to be protected at any cost, no matter their Clan or the crimes their kin may have committed." She paused for breath, before continuing. 

"Borders are to be respected at all times. Gatherings are a Sacred time, conflict and combat is forbidden. A cat can only have a romantic or... Physical relationship with a cat of their own Clan. When taking a warrior name, said cat pledges loyalty to their Clan and code." She finished with a flick of her tail, thanking her memory. 

Adderstar smiled. "Tumblesoar, has your apprentice learned what it means to be a warrior, and every skill needed to protect and serve her Clan?" Tumblesoar's voice shook with pride. "Yes, she certainly has." 

But before Adderstar could say anything, Hopepaw interrupted him. "Adderstar, I have a request." Mutters and gasps arose from the gathered Clan, and Hopepaw saw her mother's eyes widen with anxiety. Adderstar looked skeptical. "Go on..." 

"I'd like my name to be Hopescreech- after Screechpaw. He should be standing here with me, and he was taken from us far too soon. I'd like to honor him for the rest of my life, with my name." 

Adderstar almost looked like he was considering it for a moment. But, shook his head. "A warrior's name is decided by their leader. Not the warrior." 

"But Adderstar-" 

"No. If every warrior chose their name, then the warrior ceremony would be useless. The leader chooses the name that they know fits the apprentice they're naming; We put a lot of thought into it."

"Tumblesoar named himself after Soaringpaw, why can't I?"

"I chose to name him after Soaringpaw. Because it was not only honorable but showed his growth as a cat. Now, if you would please step back, and let me continue." Hopepaw, pelt hot with embarrassment and anger, closed her mouth and waited. 

"As I was saying; Hopepaw, I hail you by your new name, Hopewilt. A flower has to wilt before it can flourish and bear fruit, just like how you pulled through all the loss in your life and came back stronger. And I'm sure, that later in life, you will blossom into a formidable warrior. I honor you for your strong will." 

Cheers finally erupted from the Clan, and dozens of pairs of eyes shone from the half-dark below the two new warriors. Hopewilt rolled her new name around on her tongue; it wasn't what she'd expected. Nor what she'd wanted. But it wasn't terrible- It sounded fierce and strong. And for that, she was happy. 

The Clan milled around, congratulating both siblings- but she heard far more praise for Bluehawk than herself. It was obvious that talking back to Adderstar hadn't been a good choice. She expected Gentlebreeze to be ashamed, but instead, the cream-and-gray queen wrapped her paws around her grown daughter's neck, locking her in a tearful embrace. "I'm so proud of you, Hopewilt."

"But I talked back to Adderstar- I interrupted the ceremony."

"That doesn't matter. All that matters is that you're a warrior now- you've made it. After everything. I know how hard you worked. And Screechpaw would be proud too." She released Hopewilt and nodded toward Adderstar. "But now, I think you and Bluehawk should talk to him about your watch; the first night that a warrior carries their name, they protect the Camp. And we sure need it now that EmberClan is being so hostile."

Sure enough, Adderstar was adamant about the watch. Once both warriors had eaten, they were sent up to the tunnel's entrance. A chill settled into Hopewilt's fur, and she sat, fur poofed out to ward off the cold, Bluehawk crouching statically across from her. 

And, thus, the first night of being a warrior began. 

Fun Fact: If Screechpaw had gotten his Medicine cat name, it would have been Screechcedar or Screechcinder. 

Hooo, this was a long chapter- I'm sorry it took so long to come out! What do you think will happen next?