Warriors: Shadows in the Light - Veiled Stars

Chapter Sixteen

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

ROSEPAW | WINDCLAN CAMP

Dawnpaw burst into camp, alarming Rosepaw, who was on the verge on dozing off.

"Rosepaw! Rosepaw!" Dawnpaw chirped. "I passed! I'm going to be a warrior now!"

"Really?" Rosepaw yawned, blinking slowly. "Congratulations..."

"I know!" Dawnpaw paraded around Rosepaw. "Oh, there goes Waspeye right now, telling Beestar." Rosepaw looked as well. Waspeye chatted with Beestar, head tipping back in her direction every once in a while. Beestar looked past Waspeye and nodded to Dawnpaw. The splotched leader rose to his paws.

"I think he's going to call a meeting." Rosepaw sent a quick glance around. The camp was quite full.

Beestar yowled. "WindClan, gather around for a Clan meeting!"

Any conversations stopped at his summon. Rosepaw picked herself up and followed Dawnpaw, right on her tail.

Once every cat was settled down and quiet, Beestar began. "We have gathered for the making of a new warrior-"

"Hey! We're nearly six moons. Can this be our ceremony too?" Three voices complained. Rosepaw looked over her shoulder, eyeing Feathersong's kittens, Cloudkit, Lightningkit, and Rainkit.

Feathersong looked extremely ashamed and embarrassed. "Kits, quiet." She snapped, shooting an apologetic glance at Beestar, though the white tom had a thoughtful look on his face and didn't notice.

"Is that true, Feathersong? Are your kits nearly six moons old?"

"In a few days, Beestar." Feathersong's voice was weak.

"Are you okay if I make them apprentices now? I don't see any harm making them apprentices versus making them wait a few more days."

Feathersong and Lowcloud quietly conversed, before nodding their heads.

"Excellent." Beestar meowed.

The three kittens cheered and rushed forward, next to Dawnpaw.

Rosepaw heard Feathersong sigh to Lowcloud. "I didn't get to groom them. Look at Lightningkit - it's as though he lives up to his name and got struck by a lightning bolt." Sure enough, Lightningkit's fur was spiky. Rosepaw swallowed an amused purr.

"Dawnpaw, step forth." Rosepaw could tell Dawnpaw was becoming impatient; the whole talk about the kits ceremonies had annoyed Dawnpaw. "Dawnpaw, from this day forth and so on, you will be known as Dawnstream. StarClan honors your swiftness and thoughtfulness, and we welcome you as a full warrior."

"Dawnstream! Dawnstream!" WindClan cheered.

Dawnstream licked Beestar's shoulder as he rested his head on hers, murmuring something in her ear. Dawnstream's eyes lit up even brighter than before, then she joined Rosepaw in the crowd.

"Good job, Dawnstream." Rosepaw emphasized her name proudly.

Dawnstream purred, not saying a word.

"Cloudkit, Lightningkit, and Rainkit, step forth." Beestar ordered. The three kits bounced forward, each one bristling with anticipation. "Cloudkit, Lightningkit, and Rainkit, you shall be known as Cloudpaw, Lightningpaw, and Rainpaw." Beestar paused, searching the crowd. "Lionsun, you trained Barkwing and I believe it is time for your second apprentice. Cloudpaw, Lionsun will be your mentor."

The silver apprentice walked over to Lionsun, touching noses.

"Lightningpaw, your mentor will be Barkwing. As stated before, Barkwing, you received excellent training from Lionsun and I hope you will pass that knowledge onto Lightningpaw."

Lightningpaw and Barkwing did the same thing, although both had shining eyes.

"Finally, Rainpaw, your mentor will be Thistlemoon. Thistlemoon, you have yet to train an apprentice, and I have complete faith in you to train Rainpaw. Teach her your hunting tricks."

"Cloudpaw! Lightningpaw! Rainpaw!" The Clan cheered.

That's a lot of apprentices. Rosepaw thought, then thought about the nursery. Sunkit's left in the nursery, but Tulipfoot is expecting very soon. Any day, that's what Rowanmask says. And he predicts about two kits. WindClan would be bursting with young cats soon. Rosepaw even heard rumors about Horsewhisker and Hollowbranch discussing about their future kits.

"How does it feel, being a warrior and all?" Rosepaw turned to Dawnstream, dumbfounded when her sister wasn't there. She whirled around, finding her sister being congratulated by lots of cats.

Dawnstream looked embarrassed and proud at the same time as every cat passed her. The silver warrior licked her chest fur nervously when Duskface came by. A different feeling overcame Rosepaw's blissful state. A kick of jealousy - wait, jealousy?

Rosepaw watched, teeth grinding while Dawnstream smiled at Duskface. Duskface nudged her cheek playfully, tail beckoning for Dawnstream to follow. Happily, Dawnstream trotted after him.

Rosepaw flattened her ears. She shouldn't be feeling envy, but she did.

They're just good friends. Besides, what am I envious for? The two of them won't leave me friendless now that both of them are warriors. Rosepaw kicked a pebble, crestfallen. She dragged her paws back to the medicine cat den, sitting down on her nest.

"Pick that rump up right now and sort these herbs." Rowanmask's icy mew sliced through her.

"What?" Rosepaw flicked her ears.

Rowanmask narrowed his eyes. "Are you deaf or something? Sort these herbs."

"Why?"

Rowanmask was about to turn away, but he turned back quicker than she could blink. "Why?" Rowanmask hissed. "Because it's your duty, Rosepaw. If you'll stay in this mood because you haven't received your full name, then I will postpone your ceremony."

Rosepaw sighed. That's not what I'm angry about. But you wouldn't get it. Suddenly, Rosepaw widened her eyes. He would understand.

Rosepaw slyly glanced at Rowanmask, trying to figure out a way to ask your question.

"Do you ever want a mate?" Rosepaw asked without looking, but she could feel Rowanmask stiffen as though he was right next to her.

"No." That was a lie. How often did Rowanmask lie to her?

"I do." She sighed wistfully.

"But you can't," meowed Rowanmask bluntly.

"I can't." Rosepaw repeated. "Do you know anything about loving another cat? Not loving your parents or siblings."

"Never felt it." Rowanmask paused, then asked suspiciously. "Why are you asking me?"

"No reason. I was just curious to know if you ever liked another cat since you're allowed to take on a mate." Rosepaw still didn't look. She could already feel how taut he was.

"I've never loved another cat and never will." Rowanmask finally meowed after several seconds of silence.

Rosepaw stared at the herbs, processing his words. Processing his lies.

Without a second thought, she meowed. "Why do you lie to me?"

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-artemis