CotS #1: The Dark Path (currently being rewritten)

"Stormpaw, step forward."

I stepped forward. It had been a moon since the death of Dawnstream, and Wheatpelt's kits still weren't born. No one knew what was wrong with her. The kits were seriously overdue. She had gone back to talking to me, as well as making a new friend in Emuwing. That surprised me, because Emuwing was also quite unfriendly.

"I, Stonestar, call upon the spirits of StarClan to look down on my apprentice. Stormpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

I stared him in the eye, surprising myself with how solemn I looked. I'd changed, in the two moons. I was myself at heart, but somehow, something was different now.

Maybe the fact that I'd strangely become friends with Emuwing. Or the fact that Duskypaw had been trailing me so much it was annoying. Somehow, I'd changed, and I didn't really want to be a warrior. What did it matter? I was half-Clan, half-rogue, and I would never be accepted anyway. Even if I swore this oath, would anyone ever see me? I tried to find my mother's face in the crowd, but she wasn't there.

"I do," I replied. I hoped my voice wasn't shaky, but it didn't seem so. Why would it be? I'd waited for this all my life, though I wasn't quite sure where my loyalties lay yet. I wasn't ready, and yet, when standing in front of the entire Clan, saying you weren't ready, that you needed more time to think - it was foolish, because it was normally a no-brainer whether to agree to become a warrior or not. No apprentice had ever said "I don't" at their warrior ceremony, and I didn't intend to be the first.

"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name. Stormpaw, from this moment onwards you will be known as Stormdawn. StarClan honors your elegance and loyalty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of SeasonClan!" Stonestar cheered happily.

Who honors elegance? I thought unhappily. And more, Stonestar couldn't have been further away from my qualities. I doubted very much that I was elegant, and he couldn't possibly know I struggled every day with whether I should stay in SeasonClan. My loyalty was probably the worst of my qualities, and here he was praising me for it.

"Stormdawn! Stormdawn!"

"Swankit, Duckkit, and Fallowkit, step forward."

The three of Lightmist's kits bounced forward excitedly. Lightmist and Hollowmist watched them with exasperated expressions - probably because all three of them had leaves all over their fur and Duckkit looked like he was waddling. Had they known that when they called him Duckkit? It was a very fitting name, by his attitude and his movements, because Duckkit was pretty dumb.

"Swanpaw, your mentor will be Stormdawn. Stormdawn, you received excellent training from Lovegrass and myself, and I am sure you will pass down all you know to your new apprentice."

I touched noses with Swanpaw. The white she-cat looked more graceful than I was already.

"Duckpaw, your mentor will be Peacewind. Peacewind, you received excellent training from Heathermist, and I know you will pass down all you know to your apprentice."

Peacewind touched noses with Duckpaw normally. I knew this was nothing extraordinary, but I didn't want to be training my apprentice alongside my mother! Our relationship was still so awkward. I'd only exchanged a passing greeting with her since I'd rejected her as my mother. Was Stonestar determined to make us spend time together? I wondered, as Peacewind gave me a motherly smile. Nope. NOT accepting that. NEVER accepting that.

"Lastly, Fallowpaw, your mentor will be Heathermist. Heathermist, you received excellent training from Birdcry, who has unfortunately passed away, and you trained both Peacewind and Littlecloud well. I trust you will pass down all you know to Fallowpaw."