Robinear woke up to a feeling of unsettlement.

At first, she couldn't remember what was wrong.

Then she remembered.

It had been three more moons.

Robinear groaned and settled back down on her moss, only to have Thrushnose peer over to her with concern. "Are you alright?" she asked.

Robinear shook her head glumly. "No."

Thrushnose blinked once and waited for an explanation.

Sighing, Robinear sat up. "Willowpaw becomes a full member today," she mewed.

Thrushnose's fur bushed up. "He does? Well he better keep away from you, that foxdunged--"

"Shhh! He is a Lesser Leader!"

Thrushnose rolled her eyes but begrudgingly shut up.

Robinear glanced around the den. Everything seemed so...normal. It seemed odd, wrong, that the rest of the Clan would go about their days as usual when Willowpaw became a full member. But of course, they weren't the ones who would be forced into a temporary claim.

I wish that I could pretend that this day was like any other cat's promotion...but I can't. I can't.

Maybe he's nicer than I think he is...?

Leopardpaw sat up, stretching. "Good morning, Robinear, Thrushnose!"

Thrushnose purred. "Hi, Leopardpaw! Ready for your ceremony?" She'd become a lot nicer to Leopardpaw ever since Robinear had told her about what Leopardpaw had said, late that night.

Leopardpaw's tail shot up. "Oh! Right! I forgot!" He purred. "I passed my assessment!"

Kestrelwing nodded. "I'm proud of you, Leopardpaw. You did very well!"

Leopardpaw puffed out his golden chest. "I did, didn't I?" He then proceeded to try to strut out of the den. He nearly fell flat on his face, and Thrushnose and Robinear exploded into purrs of laughter.

Leopardpaw ducked his head. "Oops."

Bearpaw yawned and poked his head up. "Leopardpaw? It's our ceremony today, right?"

Robinear turned to face Bearpaw, a hint of surprise covering her features. She'd practically forgotten about Bearpaw, if she was honest with herself. The russet tom barely interacted with her, and Leopardpaw never really spoke about him either.

She was more concerned with his brother.

Leopardpaw nodded. "Of course it is!" He purred happily and ducked out of the door, Bearpaw on his heels. "C'mon, let's hunt!"

Robinear could hear Bearpaw's huff of annoyance. "I'm not a Hunter, Leopardpaw..."

The silver tabby couldn't believe that it had really been three moons, it'd barely seemed like a couple of days. But that was what dread did, she supposed. Made things go faster.

Leopardpaw purred. "Well, come guard me, then!"

Bearpaw sighed. "Fine..." Robinear heard their pawsteps retreating, and she turned to look at Thrushnose.

The beautiful white she-cat was holding back purrs of laughter. "I can't believe they're even related," she snorted. "Bearpaw is so serious, and Leopardpaw's...not."

A purr escaped Robinear's throat, though it died quickly. Thrushnose laid her tail on Robinear's back. "Are you alright?" she asked in concern.

Robinear sighed. "As well as I can, considering the circumstances." She dropped her gaze to her paws for a moment before looking back up at Thrushnonse. "Are we on hunting duty today?"

Thrushnose snorted. "You expect me to know?"

"True," purred Robinear. "Hey, Kestrelwing?" she called. "Are we on hunting duty?"

Kestrelwing flicked her tail. "I believe so," she mewed, the paused, thinking. "Wait, I think only you are, Thrushnose."

Robinear straightened suddenly. "Can I go with her?"

Kestrelwing purred and winked. "Of course!"

They exited the den, walked across the camp, and were in the woods quickly, and that was when Robinear finally, utterly broke down.

She couldn't handle it, she really couldn't. She knew EXACTLY what was going to happen when Willowpaw became a full member, and she knew nothing could stop it. Leopardpaw wouldn't dare mess with his brother, and she was just doomed.

I'm doomed,  she repeated.

She was going to have to be with him, whether she liked it or not.

It was horrible, was what it was, but it was the way of living in FloraClan. It had been, ever since the sickness that had killed off so many kits.

Robinear curled up, tail over her eyes, and shook. Her mind was racing like a hare, and she barely registered Thrushnose laying down beside her.

"It's ok, Robinear," she murmured. "I know this isn't great, but...I promise, if you end up having..." She curled her lip, "...his kits, I will love them like they are ours."

Robinear turned to stare at her... Clanmate? Mate? warmly. No words needed to be said to convey how much that meant to her, and Thrushnose patted her gently with her tail. 

"I love you, Robinear," the white-furred she-cat murmured.

Somehow, those four words infused Robinear with more warmth, courage and strength than she thought her weak, frail body contained. She stood up and leaned against Thrushnose and purred. "Let's hunt, then, shall we?"

Thrushnose nodded. "Of course," she answered. "Fishing?"

Robinear dipped her head in assent. "Sure," she mewed, then paused. "I love you too." 

~----------------------------------------------~

It wasn't long before they had to return.

Somehow, Thrushnose's confession had boosted her confidence and endurance, and the silver tabby had managed to catch three fish. 

Now, though, her apprehension was returning.

"All cats old enough to serve meet under the Great Tree!"

The fear and dread was making her paws feel like they weighed more than a boulder, and she struggled to approach the tree. Her heart dropped as she was Willowpaw looking smug near the rock, and Leopardpaw looked both excited and worried at once. Bearpaw looked unconcered.

"FloraClan gathers here today to witness the ascension of ranks of three cats from trainees to full members. Bearpaw, step forward," mewed Oakbranch.

Bearpaw did so, his posture somehow both submissive and intimidating.

For a moment, Bearpaw's russet pelt shifted to a light brown under her gaze. Tankit had been like that once...always eager to impress, eager to fight...

If only I had that strength...

For all her bravado earlier against Willowpaw, the silver tabby knew that when he truly approached her, she'd submit. Without protest.

I am a coward.

Cedarbranch stepped forward and placed his paw on Bearpaw's head, reciting the words of the ceremony. "Oh, Sun and Moon, the givers of light and life, look down upon me to approve my choice. Bearpaw, you have proved an excellent contributor to the Den of Hunters and Warriors. Your excellent pinning and dodging skills are held in the highest regard by every member of FloraClan. Starlingclaw, is your trainee Bearpaw prepared to take on the role of a full member of the Den of Hunters and Warriors?"

Starlingclaw flicked her tail and nodded. "He is, Leader of the Trees," she mewed. She sounded confident, but Robinpaw was certain she heard a slight waver in her tone.

She heard it in every voice when they spoke to their superiors.

"Then by the power granted to me by my position, I give you your name. Bearpaw, from this moment on, your name shall be Bearfang, in honor of your sharp reflexes and the quick thinking like a fox. The Den of Hunters and Warriors welcomes you as a full member."

The newly named Bearfang stepped back next to his siblings, his tail swaying slightly from side to side in excitement.

"Leopardpaw, step forward."

Some part of Robinear was relieved that it wasn't Willowpaw called forward, even though the rational part argued that it was simply delaying the inevitable. The suspense almost made is worse...though she still somehow wished that Willowpaw's name would never be called.

Oakbranch leapt down from his place on the tree and placed his paw on Leopardpaw's head, reciting the now-familiar words of the ceremony: "Oh, Sun and Moon, the givers of light and life, look down upon me to approve my choice. Leopardpaw, you have proved an excellent contributor to the Den of Hunters and Warriors. Your stalking and balance skills are held in the highest regard by every member of FloraClan. Kestrelwing, is your trainee Leopardpaw prepared to take on the role of a full member of the Den of Hunters and Warriors?"

Kestrelwing nodded, though there was a flicker of nervousness in her eyes. "He is, Leader of the Trees."

"Then by the power granted to me by my position, I give you your name. Leopardpaw, from this moment on, your name shall be Leopardtail, in honor of your superb balance and hunting of the mouse. The Den of Hunters and Warriors welcomes you as a full member."

Leopardtail straightened almost imperceptibly as he walked back to his spot next to his siblings. He looked radiant, happy.

Robinear felt proud.

But now...

"Willowpaw, step forward."

Robinear's blood turned to ice. This was it. The moment she'd been dreading.

She felt a warmth suddenly on her shoulder as Thurshnose leaned against it. She's just as worried as I am...

"Oh, Sun and Moon, the givers of light and life, look down upon me to approve my choice. Willowpaw, you have proved an excellent contributor to the Den of Lesser Leaders. Your excellent proposal and endorsement skills are held in the highest regard by every member of FloraClan. Rowantwig, is your trainee Willowpaw prepared to take on the role of a full member of the Den of Lesser Leaders?"

Rowantwig nodded firmly. "He is ready, Leader of the Trees."

Robinear's breath stilled for a moment. She knew what was coming next.

"Then by the power granted to me by my position, I give you your name. Willowpaw, from this moment on, your name shall be Willowtwig. The Den of Lesser Leaders welcomes you as a full member."

Willowtwig stepped back to stand next to his brothers, his posture straight and expression haughty.

And then the cheering started, FloraClan cheering on its newest full members.

Robinear cheered for her denmates, but no one else.

Whew! Ember here with this very emotion-filled chapter! And I'm sorry that I'm a week late now...hopefully the next chapter will be out on Sunday.

So! What did you all think of the chapter? About Robinear and Thrushnose FINALLY admitting they liked each other? About Willowtwig and his sibling's promotions?

And any theories you'd like to put out here? xD

As always, hope you all enjoyed this chapter!

~Ember

PS: The results for the art competition are out! Go look at the Fanart book on FloraClanCharacters to see the results!