Today was the day, Reaper would be receiving his warrior ceremony. Winterpaw stretched, she didn't really care. Reaper would just be another clanmate just like the others. Winterpaw rolled in the dirt then got up, tracing her tongue over her paw. Reaper was staring at his reflection in the water after his bandages had come off, Smokeleaf had sat by his side the whole time, Winterpaw was sorting the herbs. Spikekit, Crimsonkit and Swiftkit were six moons now, Pumpkinkit was four moons, he still had two moons ahead of him, Foxfire had offered to take care of him but she could tell Foxfire wanted to leave the nursery soon. Glazesight was glad to leave the Nursery. And Spikekit Crimsonkit and Swiftkit seemed to be bursting with excitement, Reaper and the three kits would all be going into training. Soulstar informed Glazesight and Foxfire that their kits would be getting their ceremony just a bit late as people would have to get used to Reaper. Winterpaw had been in the Nursery at the time checking up on the kits as she usually did, leaf-bare was just around the corner. Winter'Paw's thoughts were cut off as Smokeleaf entered the den, holding a big plump toad and dropping it beside Reaper. She had a frog in her mouth. "Help yourself to some fresh-kill and then go get some thyme for us please, we're running low." Winterpaw nodded, she picked up the frog thoughtfully and trotted out of the den, placing it just beside the medicine den and crouching down, tearing parts out of the frog and chewing. Once she had finished it, she got up and stretched. She gave her paws a quick wash then left to go find thyme. She passed the clearing and then went through the exit, her ears giving a swift flick.
Winterpaw crossed the territory cautiously, careful not to bump into the Dawn patrol. There was a puddle in front of Carrionplace, Winterpaw turned to it, trotting over to the body of water. Winterpaw reached the water, the swampy reeds shadowing any fish that might be in there. She spotted a few fish and if she crossed a patrol, she'd let them know. She bent her head down and grabbed some thyme, her teeth wrapping around the herbs. She searched for another bundle, assuming just one more batch of thyme would be good before she went back. She saw thyme laying near the borage, from the corner of her eye she saw the Dawn patrol with prey full in their mouth leaving back to camp, Winterpaw gave them a swift nod. She'd inform the Sunhigh patrol about the fish. Her head turned back to the herbs and she shoved the thyme to a corner of her mouth and picked up the other bundle of thyme. Her maw was filled with thyme and she turned back toward camp. She stared at the slowly frosting grass, her paws feeling cold. Her eyes flicked around at the trees and bushes. Everything was slowly collecting frost, leaf-bare was coming and it'd be harsh. She sighed between the huge bundle of thyme. The leaves had grown just well, which she was thankful for. The herbs and prey were still popular. She felt her paws switch to the familiar path of back to camp. She's learnt her territory quite well after the two moons of learning. Winterpaw reached the camp, noticing from the corner of her eye Reaper was beside Soulstar, she didn't pay much attention to it as she walked past them and swished into the medicine den. Smokeleaf greeted her with a nod. "Just in time!" She walked past her as Winterpaw set the herbs out neatly on the shelf. "Reaper's apprentice ceremony is just about to start!" She mewed, her eyes bright. Winterpaw sniffed. "Alright, I'll be sure to be there." Smokeleaf nodded, and then sat down to clean her fur. Winterpaw realised she should do the same, she lifted up her front leg and licked her armpit, keeping her ears alert for Soulstar's meeting call. She continued to clean her fur, switching over to her chest fur. Then her fur fluffed up when she heard a screech. She looked outside of the den, narrowing her eyes to figure out who the two cats were. She figured out it Tempestcrow was staring at Soulstar as if all his fur just fell off. Winterpaw sat down and gave her fur a few strokes. She must've gotten some crazy news.
Soulstar's voice rang across the clearing. "Let all cats old enough to seek through the darkest of shadows, gather below Shade Rock for a clan meeting!" Winterpaw saw cats file out of their dens, she felt Smokeleaf's presence stray away from her as she exited the medicine den. Winterpaw followed her and sat beside her. She and Smokeleaf were close to Reaper. Who's expression seemed to be awed. When the elders passed Smokeleaf to sit somewhere, Smokeleaf nodded to the cats who have served the clan for so many moons. She turned her head and frowned. She wished she could sit next to Autumnpaw. She shifted her paws and realised Coalpaw wasn't with them, she turned her head to see Coalpaw sitting behind Smokeleaf, hidden in the bushes. Her eyes big as she gazed across the clearing. Soulstar spoke up again, his voice rippling across the clearing. "As you all know, we've had a cat in our care who was found extremely injured and almost dead on our territory." Winterpaw's ears gave a flick as she heard mewls of protest rising from her clanmates. Winterpaw watched as the cat's turned their gaze to Reaper, Reaper shrunk as his tail twitched and his claws unsheathed. Winterpaw's eye twitched. Please starclan don't make this a fight. Winterpaw finally decided to listen to their complaints. "Shadowclan no longer cares for clan blood? What are we, Thunderclan?" Winterpaw heard a voice ring out. Winterpaw turned her head as Soulstar's voice hushed the clan. "Please settle down. I didn't call this meeting to be talked over." His voice turned into a growl, his ears flicking at either side of his head. The clan went silent, turning their gaze back to Soulstar. "Now, after much discussion with Smokeleaf and Owlfeather, it's come to my attention the fate of this cat now lies within my paws. I could either rid him from the clan forever now he's healed or take him on as a Warrior. After an unsuccessful season of kitting where only Swayfern gave life to a litter of two kits, it's become clear to me the answer to my question. Winterpaw saw Smokeleaf giving a smile and a nod of approval, happy that Reaper would be in the clan now. "Reaper has proven to be a strong, resilient cat with use to us and will be staying within our camp's safety and assuming the name Reaperpaw per his request to keep his original name. He will be training under our very own Tempestcrow, where he'll learn the ways of the Shadowclan warrior." Winterpaw gave a quick glance at Tempestcrow who wasn't pleased at all. This must've been the news she received that made her screech. Her thought were snatched away as unenthusiastic chants began, though Smokeleaf's chant sounded like she just saw Shadowclan win a war against all the other clans. Winterpaw stared at her paws in boredom as Soulstar began to speak again, she turned her head up to listen. "I am hoping you will all greet Reaperpaw with empathy and meet him eye-to-eye in time as he proves himself to us. Owlfeather has already assigned patrols so you should all know your responsibilities. Clan dismissed." Winterpaw yawned but her ears pricked up as Smokeleaf turned to her. "You're excused from your duties for the rest of the day. Winterpaw gave her a grateful nod. She crept over to a place in the camp and thought for a moment, how much she missed Autumnpaw. She thought of how miserable he must be in Riverclan camp, it made her fur itch and her body tremble. She needed to get out of camp to think about things. So much was happening, her gaze followed the grass that laid out in front of her paws. She saw Tempestcrow and Reaperpaw on her stroll, but she didn't let them know of her presence. Instead, she went over to the tunnel, staring out across into Riverclan territory, squinting her eyes hoping that maybe she could see Autumnpaw from here. She wondered if they gave him a new name. She'd figure that out soon, the gathering was just a few moons away.
Winterpaw was back in camp now, her feet wanted to already drag her toward Soulstar's den, she wanted to ask him about saving Autumnpaw. She's his brother! Winterpaw let out a shaky breath, she missed him so much. Surely it wouldn't be too much trouble just for a patrol to save him? Winterpaw was visioning the look on his face as Sandleap carried him away, his words rang in her ears. "Winterpaw! Winterpaw help!" She didn't do anything. She should've done something. Anything. What if he hates her for not saving him, maybe he thinks it's her fault. Winterpaw shook her head. No! He wouldn't think that. He knows I would've saved him. Right? She heard cats talking to Reaperpaw and she decided she'd go ask Soulstar now. She trotted over to the leader's den. "Soulstar?" She mewed in a low voice. Relieved as she realised the leader was awake. "What's wrong, Winterpaw?" The tom mewed as he stood up, he didn't seem like he was getting ready to sleep, more so just warming up his nest. "Can't we get Autumnpaw back? From Riverclan territory?" Soulstar paused, staring at her. "And how do you plan we do that?" Winterpaw tapped her foot. "We send a patrol! I bet he's just waiting for us, oh he'll be so happy when we—" Soulstar cut off her words, "sorry kiddo, but that's not going to happen." Winterpaw's jaw dropped in misery, holding back a wail. "But...why not? Can't you talk to Owlfeather?" Soulstar shook his head, letting out a sigh. "We can't risk getting our warriors killed saving an apprentice. You understand don't you? You're a medicine cat, you have to take care of injured cats all the time. It's not pretty, is it?" Winterpaw let out a low cry, it felt like Soulstar just raked his claws against her chest. She felt engulfed by misery, turning to anger. "No, I don't! They won't die against fish eaters!" She spat, her fur fluffing up. "Do you think your warriors aren't capable enough or do you just not care about losing a valuable warrior, my brother!?" She hissed, her eyes fixed on him, her tail thrashed in anger. Frustration clouding her thoughts. "I'm not sending a patrol Winterpaw." Winterpaw drew her lips back in a snarl. But all that came out was a shriek of misery. Her ears flattened to her skull. "I..." Soulstar raised his tail. "Get some sleep. I need it too." Winterpaw nodded slowly, dragging her paws across the ground as she walked away. She watched Tempestcrow who's eyes were fixed on the leader's den. She looked cross. Winterpaw worried she was angry with her. She sped up and ducked into the apprentice den, curling up and falling asleep. As she entered the dream world, Autumnpaw was there. She let out a squeal. Sandleap was carrying him away. And Winterpaw was yet again plastered to the ground, she turned her head, Soulstar was behind her. He did nothing, just staring at the situation. Winterpaw wailed and tried to escape from her shock and save her brother. "Autumnpaw! Please! No!" She reached out a paw, but Sandleap already dragged him away. Winterpaw fell to the ground, crouching as she was engulfed in sorrow. Soulstar whispered in her ear. "You understand don't you?" Soulstar's words swirled through her mind, making her scream. She felt a prodding in her side and after a few shoves she woke up to see Dappledpaw staring at her. "Dude, some dream you were having, you were kicking and mumbling the whole time. I couldn't fall asleep" Winterpaw frowned. "Sorry." Dappledpaw raised a paw then flicked it down in the air. "Not an issue, but are you alright?" Winterpaw sighed. "I'm fine, I just miss Autumnpaw." Dappledpaw sighed. "I know you do, it must be hard huh." Winterpaw nodded. Dappledpaw was only three moons from his warrior ceremony. Winterpaw had Starclan knows how long. She had to wait for Smokeleaf to figure out when it is her time.
Winterpaw woke up and yawned, she immediately went over into the medicine den to see if Smokeleaf needed help with anything. Smokeleaf nodded to her. "There you are, could you get juniper berries? We're low." Winterpaw nodded, something to help her take her mind of things. She stranded out into camp and went to go collect some juniper. Her tail twitched in annoyance, how could Soulstar do this? Surely he realised how important Autumnpaw was to the clan. Her paws shuffled angrily as her eyes met with juniper berries. She bent down and pulled the stems. Smelling the berries and feeling a bit calmer. Soulstar made her angry, he was a mouse-brain! She realised she shouldn't talk about her leader like that that, but he was being such a fox-heart! Her tail still writhed in anger.
Once Winterpaw collected enough juniper berries, she turned back to camp. When she arrived, her eyes glared at Soulstar, then she turned angrily into the medicine den. Dropping her juniper berries on the twigs that surrounded the tree. Smokeleaf looked at her in worry. "What's wrong, Winterpaw? It looks like something is pulling at your tail." Winterpaw looked at Smokeleaf. "I'm fine, Soulstar has just been, annoying me. That's all." Smokeleaf clearly wasn't convinced. "Okay, if you're sure." She walked away and gave her an affectionate nod. Winterpaw looked at Coalpaw, who was just looking around the den. Waiting to receive an order or something. Winterpaw looked at the she-cat in sympathy, she's been worried on her reputation on the clan ever since she became a she-cat. Even though no cat has hated her for it at all. And if they did, they've been keeping it to themselves. Winterpaw collected herself and sat out in the clearing, fluffing up her fur. She's realised Dappledpaw has took a liking to Tansypaw. She gave a soft nod of approval, those two will make a good couple. She smiled, one day she'll be delivering their kits.
Winterpaw watched as Tempestcrow took Reaperpaw on a training session. She stretched, her jaws gaping in a yawn. The sun was falling and moonhigh was lingering among the clan. Winterpaw looked up at the sky, the moon was almost full. A gathering would be here before she knew it. She was sort of interested on how'd it go, what the clans would think of Reaperpaw. Winterpaw shrugged, she didn't really have an opinion on the grumpy tom. Winterpaw turned her tail around to pull out leaves, twigs, flowers and dried up herbs that got stuck inside them. She rolled her eyes, how did this even happen in the first place? She shook her head in annoyance as a twig pressed against her paw pad and it drew blood. She licked it and walked over to tell Smokeleaf to help her wrap cobweb around it. "Smokeleaf, I was cleaning my tail and a twig poked my paw-pad. I was wondering if you could help me mend it." Smokeleaf looked at her. "Alright, you furball," she said playfully, "I'll get some cobweb." Winterpaw thanked her and smiled as cobweb was wrapped around her paw. "Thank you, Smokeleaf, feels a lot better." Smokeleaf nodded. "No problem." Winterpaw got back up to her feet and walked over to Dappledpaw who was with Tansypaw. Dappledpaw greeted her with a nod. "Have you seen Tempestcrow eyeing Soulstar like a fox stalking it's prey? Whatever's happened she is angry." He said, his eyes giving a glitter of amusement. Winterpaw felt a wave of milk smell hit her nose. "I just realised, I should be checking on Pumpkinkit and the other kits." She gave a nod to Dappledpaw and Tansypaw, then set off. Pumpkinkit looked at her, his eyes wide. Spikekit and Crimsonkit were curled up sleeping. They may as well why they can, apprentices have a hard job. Swiftkit, Crimsonkit, and Spikekit were all four moons. She smiled, the more the merrier. She could also tell that Crimsonkit has been developing a crush on Swiftkit, and Spikekit definitely wasn't taking lightly to it. She crouched down and met eye to eye with Pumpkinkit, then looked at Glazesight. "Is he doing okay?" Glazesight nodded. "He's doing great, he's a strong tom, he'll grow into a fine warrior." Pumpkinkit smiled. "Hi Winterpaw! I missed you." Winterpaw purred, Pumpkinkit was a good tom-kit, he'll be a good warrior.
Winterpaw walked into the apprentice's den. Resting where Autumnpaw's nest used to be, thinking about how Riverclan was treating him, she'd see how he was at the gathering. The gathering was only a moon away, she'd hope her brother will find a way back to Shadowclan. Or maybe was keeping too much of a close guard on him. Winterpaw frowned and her tail flicked side to side. She wondered if he even wanted to come back to Shadowclan, Winterpaw frowned, maybe Autumnpaw thinks she isn't his sister anymore and found a new one. Winterpaw looked at the starts filtering through the roof of the den, praying to Starclan, hoping that Autumnpaw still loved her. Then closed her eyes and after a few heartbeats of taking in the owls and wind as she slowly started to doze off, she heard Dappledpaw and Tansypaw shuffle in their nests. Then once they were quiet and comfortable. She finally managed to fall asleep, as the sounds of earth died away as dreams took her over.
Sunup filtered through the apprentices den, Winterpaw hauled herself up and walked out of it, seeing Soulstar up on the rock. She gave a swish of her tail in anger. Soulstar called, "let all cats old enough to stalk through the darkest shadows, gather around for a clan meeting!" Warriors coming back from patrols sat down as every other cat sat down too, all gathered and ready for Dappledpaw- the warrior ceremony! Winterpaw had completely forgotten. She fixed herself up, sitting among the other cats, Dappledpaw and Tansypaw came up, full with pride in their eyes. They sat amongst the others as Soulstar went on. "Two apprentices, both Dappledpaw and Tansypaw, have reached eleven moons. The sooner the better, we are short on warriors." Soulstar explained, raking his gaze over the cats. "Dappledpaw." Dappledpaw stood up and walked forward and Soulstar hopped down from the Shade Rock and looked up at the sky. "I, Soulstar, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the noble ways of your code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn." He then turned his head to Dappledpaw. "Dappledpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?" Dappledpaw responded with confidence, "I do." Soulstar responded, "then, by the powers of Starclan. I give you your warrior name. Dappledpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Dappledcloud. Starclan honours your bravery and courage. And we welcome you as a warrior of Shadowclan!" Dappledcloud smiled, his eyes lighting up as he dipped his head and padded back to where he was sitting before. "Tansypaw." Tansypaw walked up, her fur flat but her eyes wide. Soulstar, yet again, looked up at the sky. "I, Soulstar, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the noble ways of your code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn." - then turned his head to Tansypaw. "Tansypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?" Tansypaw stopped for a moment, the whiskers in her ear being blown by the wind. "I do." Soulstar smiled and responded, "then, by the powers of Starclan. I give you your warrior name. Tansypaw, from this moment on you will be known as Tansysun. Starclan honours your agility and calm nature." As Tansysun sat down, the clans rippled in cheers. "Dappledcloud! Tansysun! Dappledcloud! Tansysun! Dappledcloud! Tansysun!" Winterpaw found herself joining in with a smile. She had good faith in Tansysun and Dappledcloud becoming mates, they were always very close to each other and they both shared similar stories.