Darkest Night

“Yes,” Twigpaw padded past him. “It’s what we’ve both always dreamed of.” Her heart twisted. But I always thought we’d be together in ThunderClan. She thought of Alderheart and Lilyheart. They wouldn’t be there to see her receive her warrior name. And Ivypool. She taught me most. And she always supported me. She wondered what they were doing. Were they rebuilding the camp? She hadn’t had the chance to tell Lilyheart how sorry she was about Snowbush. At the Gathering, she’d watched the cats she’d grown up among, bruised and battered by the rockslide, unable to speak to them because Sandynose was watching her, waiting for her to prove she was a traitor.

Finpaw fell in beside her. “You don’t seem very excited,” he mewed softly.

Twigpaw lifted her muzzle. “I am.” And I will be. She pushed thoughts of ThunderClan from her mind. This is what I chose. “It’s going to be the best day ever.” Hurrying, she followed the route she had come, pushing through the bracken and padding into camp.

Her Clanmates had formed a circle beside the stream. ShadowClan had joined them. Her sister was standing beside Hawkwing at one end, while Leafstar paced in the middle.

“You’re here!” Violetpaw beckoned urgently with her tail. As Twigpaw crossed the ring, Finpaw padded around the outside of the circle and slid in beside Dewpaw. “Where have you been?” Violetpaw hissed.

“I told you,” Twigpaw whispered back. “I went to get some air.”

Hawkwing lapped the fur between her ears. Violetpaw fussed around her, smoothing her ruffled pelt with a paw. “You have to look neat.” Her eyes were wide. She looked nervous. “I’m so excited. I hope I say the right thing.”

“Just do what Leafstar tells you and answer when she asks you something,” Hawkwing advised.

“There are questions?” Violetpaw blinked nervously. “What if I don’t know the answers?”

“You will.” Hawkwing touched his muzzle to her cheek, then nudged her toward Leafstar.

“Violetpaw.” The SkyClan leader puffed out her chest as Violetpaw crossed the clearing to meet her. She touched her nose softly to Violetpaw’s head.

Twigpaw’s belly churned. I’m next.

“I, Leafstar of SkyClan, call upon our warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard, and learned the warrior code. I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn.” She held Violetpaw’s gaze as the apprentice looked eagerly into her eyes. “Violetpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?”

“I do.” Violetpaw’s mew was thick with emotion.

“Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name.” Leafstar’s eyes glistened with pride. “Violetpaw, from this moment you will be known as Violetshine, in memory of your mother and because of the brightness of your spirit. StarClan honors your bravery and your loyalty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of SkyClan.” She rested her muzzle on Violetpaw’s bowed head.

“Violetshine! Violetshine!” Yowls of celebration rang around the camp as the other SkyClan cats began cheering Violetshine’s warrior name. Stonewing joined in, then Grassheart. Juniperclaw, Snowbird, and Strikestone followed. Even Rowanstar moved his lips. Scorchfur glanced angrily at his Clanmates, but then began to cheer beside them.

“Violetshine!” Twigpaw heard her own voice ringing among the others. I can do this, she told herself. I only have to say I do.

Hawkwing’s mew choked. His eyes were clouded, his chest out. He’s so proud of her. Claws seemed to embed themselves in Twigpaw’s heart. I want him to be that proud of me.

She padded forward, crossing the grass to where Leafstar and Violetshine waited for her. Each paw step felt heavier than the last, slowing until she stopped. She blinked at Leafstar, feeling sick.

She couldn’t do this. She felt like she was suffocating, like she couldn’t get enough air. This isn’t right. I’m not SkyClan. . . .

The words tumbled from her mouth before she could think about them. “I am ThunderClan,” she rasped. “I’m so sorry. I need to go back to them.”

Leafstar’s eyes widened in shock.

The cheering of the Clans faltered into silence. Twigpaw did not dare meet Violetshine’s eyes. She tried not to imagine the expression on Hawkwing’s face.