Young Writers Society

Note: Yes, I know the pacing isn't great. Please review other parts of it.

"All the prey will have run of to their nests," Havenpaw growled, black pelt shivering as icy water dripped from his fur. "There won't be a single mouse, vole, or rabbit to be found from here to Highstones."

"Pfft, stop complaining," Graypaw mewed cheerfully. Her dusky gray pelt was nearly black because of all the rain. "We're bound to find something out here! Not only does the Clan need it, but it'll show off our skills to our mentors."

"Exactly," agreed Pinkpaw with a purr, glancing at Ripplepaw for further support.

The dak gray tabby tilted his head and reasoned, "While Havenpaw and you both have fair points, we were ordered to hunt. Instead of being chatty finches, we should try to find at least a few mice trying to escape the flood."

Havenpaw snorted. "Maybe crowfood."

"Hush, mousebrains." Riverpaw shook his pelt, trying to dry off even just a little. "We may not be able to scent the prey easily, but they won't be able to scent us, either. They'll also be looking for something to eat-- no creature will want to go hungry tonight. It's best that we look for it now than be stuck with what drowned later." He continued up the hill, softly setting his paws on the slippery grass, sliding his claws into the muddy earth to help keep his balance. Pinkpaw, Ripplepaw, and Graypaw all followed his lead; Havenpaw hesitated but joined the other four apprentices.

After a while, each of the apprentices had caught something-- Havenpaw a mouse, Ripplepaw a vole, Graypaw and Pinkpaw a fish each, and Riverpaw a scrawny squirrel. They were on their way back to the others when a loud, alarmed yowl ripped through the air.

"That's Berryfur!" Havenpaw mumbled through his mouse. "Come on!" The black cat charged down the slope, the other four apprentices trying to follow behind. Graypaw slipped and started sliding down the slope, towards the river.

"Graypaw!" Pinkpaw hissed, slowing down. Her mud-specked pelt shivered with cold as the other cat lost her grip.

"Help!" Graypaw cried. She tumbled down the hill and was close to the rising water.

Pinkpaw dropped her fish and leaped forward, claws unsheathed. "I'm coming!" The she-cat landed near Graypaw and grabbed the smaller cat's scruff, digging her claws into the earth until they slowed to a stop. The other three apprentices had slowed down and were being more careful.

"Go find Berryfur!" Riverpaw called.

Pinkpaw nodded and bounded off towards the old cat's yowls for help. At last, she saw his dark brown head bobbing above the water as he clinged to a tree branch. "Help me!" he gurgled.

Pinkpaw approached the tree branch careful and reached down towards the ancient tom's paws. "Slide your claws into my paws and hang on. I can handle the pain." Berryfur obeyed; Pinkpaw winced as the smell of fresh blood filled the air. "Hang on," the she-cat grunted, slowly backing up.

Once the tom was on solid ground again, he released her paws. "Thank you," he purred. "I'm sorry about your paws."

"You can thank me later. For now, we need to get back to the Clan."

*****

"Let all cats old enough to swim gather and listen to my words!" Shorestar called. The rain had settled down a bit, and there was a decent amount of prey for the Clan to share until dawn. The sky was still dark and swollen, however, and Shorestar flicked her whiskers nervously as the Clan settled down. The leader's head gazed down upon the others from the tree hollow. "Pinkpaw, Minnowpaw, step forward!"

Pinkpaw limped forward, heavily leaning on her littermate. Minnowpaw's green eyes gazed up at Shorestar as the Clan silently waited for their leader to continue.

"I, Shorestar, leader of RiverClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn. Do you both promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clans, even at the costs of your lives?"

"I do," both apprentices mewed.

Shorestar cheerfully replied, "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Pinkpaw, from this moment on, you shall be known as Pinkeyes. StarClan honors your courage and your dedication, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan."

"Pinkeyes! Pinkeyes!" the Clan called.

Pinkeyes touched noses with her sister as Shorestar continued. "Minnowpaw, from this moment on, you shall be known as Minnowfeather. StarClan honors your warmth and wisdom, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan."

"Minnowfeather! Minnowfeather!"

"This meeting is over. Both cats shall have a silent vigil for the rest of the night. Dismissed."

"I wish we had our warrior names," Ripplepaw sighed.

"We'll get them soon enough." Riverpaw touched his nose to his brother's cheek. "We'll be the strongest warriors the Clan has ever seen."