Chapter seven.
When the patrol had gone, Shadekit looked at Amberkit, Birchkit and Emberkit.
"Let's sneak out after them, I wanna see a fox!" he said. Birchkit frowned.
"I dunno, we could get hurt. I listened to what Sandleap told Ivystar, and the fox killed a kit!" she said. Shadekit gasped.
"Really? You mean it go into the camp?" he asked, astonished. Birchkit shook her head.
"No, the kits had sneaked out, and the foxed attacked them,' she explained.
"Maybe we should stay in the camp," Emberkit said.
"Yes you should!" The kits turned and saw Blackfire and Snowleaf behind them.
"You shouldn't go out of the camp-"
"Yeah, I know, until I'm an apprentice," Shadekit said. His head dropped, and he walked back to the nursery. The other kits followed.
Shadekit was woken by a loud wailing. He looked out of the nursery, and saw the patrol return, carrying a limp body. He couldn't see who it was, but Snowleaf recognized the sent.
"NO!" she cried, running to the dead cat. "You said you'd come back!" She buried her face in Rockclaw's still body. Amberkit and Emberkit sat beside her. Ivystar leapt onto the high-rock. She didn't have to summon the clan.
"A great tragedy has come upon us, Rockclaw was killed by the fox. We chased it out of the lake territories, but not with out a cost. Stormpaw, his apprentice and his sister, Rainpaw, fought well, and are ready to become full warriors of Thunderclan," she announced. The two cats looked up from Rockclaw's body.
"I can not ask Stormpaw's mentor if he did well, but I am sure he has. Stormpaw, do you promise to up-hold the warrior code, and defend the clan with your life?" The young tom nodded.
"I do," he said clearly, his voice broke with grief.
"Then by the power of Starclan, I name you, Stormfall. Starclan honors your courage and bravery," Ivystar said, as Stormfall licked her shoulder. "Otterfoot, has Rainpaw learned the warrior code and all you have to teach her?" Otterfoot nodded.
"She has."
"Rainpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend your clan with your life?"
"I do," the she cat said.
"Then by the power of Starlan, I name you Rainfur. Starclan honors your iniquity and bravery." Rainfur licked her shoulder, and the clan cheered.
"Rainfur, Stormfall, Rainfur, Stormfall!"
"Tonight we will morn Rockclaw, then get ready for the gathering tomorrow night." Ivystar said, and jumped down from the high-rock. She walked over to the new warriors.
"Well done my kits," she said, smoothing a tuft of fur on Stormfall's head.
Amberkit watched with a heavy heart, turning back to her dead father. She pressed close to Snowleaf, trying to give and receive comfort. She licked her father one last time.
"Good bye, Rockclaw," she whispered.