Chapter 27

Goldenpaw's POV

The travel back to camp with the rescue patrol felt like it took moons. I had had to travel somewhat slowly through the forest, my legs hurting as if I had just run around the lake several times over. But, I had walked the whole way, side by side with Snowpaw, as my heart seemed to grow and warm up with each pawstep. Yes, I was bone-tired, but in a way, I felt happier than I ever had before. It was kind of like that exhausted-tired that you feel when you fight for something you want, and after lots of strife, you finally get it.

My head was held high when our patrol arrived into ThunderClan camp. I was surprised to see that many cats were still awake, clearly awaiting our arrival. Once Hollyleaf and I were in sight, ripples of yowls and gasps spread throughout the clearing. As tired as I am, I thought, a pleasant welcome is very nice!

I exchanged an amused glance with Hollyleaf as all of the kits immediately burst out of the crowd to stand in front of our patrol, beginning to pester us with questions.

"Were you scared?"

"What were the tunnels like?"

"Did you almost die?"

The answers I gave were brief, firstly because I tried to answer every question that I could, and secondly because I was just that tired, and even speaking felt like work.

After the excitement of our arrival had died down, the cats of ThunderClan had begun to spread out - Brambleclaw sending out the dawn patrol, cats discussing the events of the past day, and some going to their dens to sleep - which was what I had decided to do.

After saying goodnight, well... good morning rather to Lilypetal and Thornclaw, I had padded over to meet Snowpaw, who was waiting for me by the medicine den.

I had let out a huff as I walked up to meet her. "So..." I breathed, sitting down, deciding to address the situation that had gone unspoken on our way back to camp. "You're finally the medicine cat apprentice, huh?"

Snowpaw had stared back at me solemnly, her head nodding slowly. "Yes, I am," she meowed, her eyes already lighting up as she gave me her answer. She then looked wary, hesitating before saying her next words. "Listen, Goldenpaw, I'm sorry-"

I lifted my tail up, signaling for Snowpaw to stop speaking. "There's no need to be sorry," I murmured, touching my nose to my sister's. "I'll be fine. I'm happy that you're happy."

Snowpaw's ears flicked as her eyes widened. I narrowed my eyes as I saw this. She is actually surprised that she has my approval... I thought sadly. I've made her feel terribly about this for moons just because I was selfish. I should have tried to integrate Thornclaw's words in more ways than just saving my Clanmates...

"Really?" Snowpaw had questioned, interrupting my thoughts.

I gave the white she-cat a sharp nod as I looked back at her warmly. "Yes," I whispered, twinning my tail with my sister's. "But that doesn't mean I won't miss you having me at my side all of the time, and that I necessarily like that this is happening..."

Snowpaw nodded slowly, her pale blue eyes thoughtful. "I understand, Goldenpaw," Snowpaw purred. "Thank you."

I had then let out a sigh of relief, realizing that conflict that had been jabbing at me since Snowpaw first looked at the medicine den, had now been resolved. We are taking two completely different paths, but that is okay, I told myself as I finally gave Snowpaw a farewell flick of my tail and crawling into the apprentices den, the sun already in sight as dawn began to vanish.

Now, it was the next day, and I had just woken up from the deepest sleep I had ever had.

I stood up, now mind and body feeling fully energized as I trotted out to face the sun, which was now high in the sky. I was confused to see that almost every cat in ThunderClan seemed to be gathered under the Highledge.

I tilted my head to the side, scanning the camp around me. What's happening? I wondered. I didn't hear Firestar call for a Clan meeting!

"There you are!" I heard a familiar voice exclaim from behind me, and I turned to see the gray and white pelt of Mousewhisker. "I was just about to go into the apprentices den and yank you out of that nest!"

I purred with amusement, but I was still confused. "But why?" I asked as Mousewhisker padded up to sit beside me.

"Well, for one, it is very late," Mousewhisker answered teasingly, nudging me on the shoulder with his as I rolled my eyes. "And also, Firestar called a Clan meeting. Didn't you hear him?"

I gasped, my mouth dropping. So I did sleep through Firestar's yowl! I realized, thankful that I had woken up when I did. Great StarClan, my body was really trying to rest. "No!" I finally answered Mousewhisker, then lowering my voice as the clearing fell silent. "I wonder what's going on?" Well, there would certainly be a lot of things to address from yesterday...

"I have many guesses," Mousewhisker whispered, repeating my thoughts, as he watched Firestar gaze over his Clan from the Highledge. After a few heartbeats, the ThunderClan leader finally spoke.

"Cats of ThunderClan," he began. "Last night Hollyleaf revealed secrets that shocked us all."

As Firestar spoke, I shot a sympathetic glance over at where the black she-cat was sitting next to Lionblaze and Jayfeather, wondering what she thought of Firestar bringing up her actions from last night. But, to my surprise, her gaze remained even as she listened to the ThunderClan leader.

Firestar continued. "But that prey is eaten. There can be no going back. Instead we must find the way forward, for all of us."

"What about the other Clans?" I heard Dustpelt call out from the other side of the clearing. "Now, they all know what happened."

Firestar acknowledged the warrior's words with a quick nod before looking over at Hollyleaf, his gaze giving nothing away. "Maybe some things should not have been said," he admitted. "But the deed is done. As for the other Clans - they think we are broken."

I then watched, my tail lashing excitedly as Firestar lifted his head up in pride. "It's up to us to show them that we are not," he yowled out. "ThunderClan will survive!"

I joined in as yowls of agreement rose from around the clearing. Firestar was absolutely right. ThunderClan was strong, and we wouldn't let something like this stand in our way!

I then raised my eyebrows as Firestar continued to stand where he was on the Highledge, waiting for silence. I wonder what more there is to say?

Once the camp had fallen quiet, the leader spoke again, my heart nearly dropping into my stomach as his gaze fell on me. "One way that we can put this Clan back together, is by commemorating and making a new warrior."

Wait... what?!

I gasped, utterly surprised by Firestar's words. I then looked around shyly as cats purred with amusement, my gasp having been quite audible.

I then felt Mousewhisker lightly poke me with his tail. He bent his head down to whisper in my ear. "Well, how about that? You almost slept through your warrior ceremony!"

I gave my friend an amused look before looking back up at Firestar.

"Goldenpaw showed immense courage last night, risking her life to save Hollyleaf's," Firestar meowed clearly, his eyes glowing with gratitude and admiration as he looked down at me. "For this, I can say with complete certainty that this apprentice deserves her warrior name."

I still was having a hard time processing Firestar's words as I stared back up at him, my eyes wide. I turned my head to look at Sorreltail to see her looking back at me. She nodded her head slowly as I gave her a questioning look. So, Sorreltail knew about this already! I realized, beginning to knead my paws into the ground with enthusiasm. This is really happening!

I then looked back at Firestar to see that he was beckoning me forward with a flick of his tail. I took a deep breath and began to pad up to meet the ThunderClan leader as he leaped down from the Highledge. I glanced back for just a moment and saw Lilypetal, Thornclaw, Mistpelt, and Snowpaw and many others staring back at me, pride and happiness showing in their eyes. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them... they've taught me so much.

I took a deep breath, stopping just a tail-length in front of Firestar. It was now beginning to settle in that within heartbeats, I would no longer be an apprentice. The moment that I had been anticipating since I'd first opened my eyes was here. I was finally going to be a warrior, at last!

I held my breath as I watched Firestar lift his head to the sky.

"I, Firestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She trained trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn."

Firestar then lowered his head to meet my gaze, his green eyes shimmering in the sunlight. "Goldenpaw," he continued. "Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

There's absolutely no doubt about that. I dipped my head to Firestar, and meowed as sharply and clearly as I could, "I do."

A chill suddenly ran down my spine as Firestar's voice then rang across the clearing. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Goldenpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Goldenshine. StarClan honors you for your dedication and bravery, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."

I had never felt so exhilarated as I did when I heard my Clanmates shout out my name.

"Goldenshine! Goldenshine! Goldenshine!"

A sudden rush of excitement surging through me, I let out a squeal, jumping up in the air. I then forced myself to remain calm for just a moment as Firestar touched his nose to my head. "You are going to be a warrior that this Clan will be proud of, Goldenshine," Firestar meowed to me as he pulled away.

"Thank you, Firestar," I breathed out after I had licked the leader's shoulder. I am so glad to hear you say that, I said to him in my head. I am going to try with all of my might.

I then was overwhelmed as I turned around, cats gathering around to congratulate me. Snowpaw was the first one to arrive to me.

"You're a warrior now, Goldenshine!" My sister purred, touching her nose to mine. "I am so proud of you, you have no idea!"

"Oh, I think I do!" I teased, purring with amusement at Snowpaw's enthusiasm. Snowpaw was definitely known as one of the most demure cats in ThunderClan, but if the white she-cat was excited enough, she could sometimes behave as energetically as a kit! Her eagerness made me feel all the more happy for just a moment, before I suddenly felt a pang of sadness. Snowpaw should've been up there with me, I thought.

I then shook my head quickly. It shouldn't matter, I told myself. We are sisters, and still best friends. That should be enough, and it is enough, for me!

A loud purr rumbled in my throat as Lilypetal and Thornclaw then approached, both of them flanking me on either side.

Lilypetal dug her muzzle into my cheek. "My kit is a warrior now!" She exclaimed. "How wild is that? Oh, Goldenshine, I am so proud of you."

I tilted my head as I then heard Lilypetal snort, pulling her muzzle away from my cheek. "I have to admit, I do wish that you had chosen a safer way to prove yourself," she muttered, her hazel eyes glowing with humor.

"What is the point of being safe?" I questioned my mother teasingly before leaning my head on her shoulder. "You're the one that taught me that taking risks is important, if it means that you are helping those you care about."

Lilypetal then let out a sigh as she stared at me, her gaze full of love. I returned the look before turning my head to look at my father, who was looking back at me, his blue eyes glimmering with affection.

I dug my muzzle into Thornclaw's neck fur. "And you taught me that dealing with challenges or changes is part of what makes a good warrior," I murmured to him, then alternating my gaze between my two parents. "Thank you."

Both Lilypetal and Thornclaw then let out loud purrs, touching their muzzles to my head while Snowpaw watched happily just in front of us.

"Hey, Lilypetal?" I heard Thornclaw meow to my mother.

"Yeah?" Lilypetal responded cheerfully.

"I'd say we did a pretty good job with this one, huh?"

I continued to purr as Lilypetal licked my head. "Oh, yes. I'd definitely say so."

I closed my eyes, letting out a relieved breath as I continued to sit in the ThunderClan clearing, wrapped up in the comfort of my parents' fur. Snowpaw eventually padded up to join us, worming herself between Lilypetal and I.

It was then that I realized that I had never felt happier. How could I not, with the love and support of my family, and such a great Clan to grow in and be apart of?

And I am a warrior now, I said in my mind, almost jumping up in the air again at that thought. And Great StarClan, I'm going to be a great one at that!

THE END

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