Long hours had passed over Flockclan as the sun began to dip below the horison. Quietshadow and Rampaw lay beside one another as they spoke of their memories of The Pack and their hopes for what was to come. Shadows flew across the sky in circling motions that seemed far off from Flockclan's lands. Words made a cover for the beats of wings and the whistle of winds buffeting a hawk mid-dive. Razor talons gripped Quietshadow as they went to stand and a screeching yowl of fear rung out across the green patched surface. Adrenaline flooded Rampaws mind as they leaped for their struggling friend. Blood flew into Rampaw's eyes as teeth met feathers and claws met flesh. Quickly, however, it was over as Rampaw felt themselves falling from the sky and began to try manourvering to avoid injury. They no longer heard yowls for the wind and feared the worst as their paws slammed onto the ground and buckled beneath them, leaving them to unconsciousness.
Harsh nudges to the side sent pangs of throbbing pain throughout Rampaw's pelt as their vision flooded with blurs of shifting colours that seemed to be trying to speak to them. Nothing was going through though. As they regained their bearings however, they saw that they had managed to leave the hawk flightless and brought it down with Quietshadow in tow.
Flockheart assisted in supporting Rampaw back to the tunnels and began to ask what had happened as Lightbleat checked for injuries on each of the cats that had dealt with the hawk. Rampaw barely got out a word between their winces as Lightbleat prodded them and placed pressure on growing bruises.
"In the clear" Came the confirmation from the loyal healer. "Nothing more than bruises. Quiet may need some extra rest though. I fear a concussion."
Flockheart's chest fluttered with pride as they looked once more at Rampaw. They had saved an elder without major injury, an incredible feat of skill. A reward was clearly in order and Flockeart felt it in their mind that they knew exactly what was the perfect reward.
As the moon began to rise above the entrance of the tunnels, Flockheart gazed up into silverpelt and then took a, shaking, deep breath.
"Rampaw, for your feat of extrodinary loyalty, bravery and power... I, as acting leader of Flockclan look to our ancestors to allow me to give you a warrior name. Your leap was swift as the hawk that you defeated and your claws were the sharpest ever seen from you. For this... I name you, with the blessing of the stars, as Ramstripe for the stripe that followed your leap. I know you shall make a great warrior and will bring back bountiful prey for Flockclan. Thank you. Tonight... you shall stand guard outside the tunnels to contemplate your warriorhood." Ramstripe bowed her head as Flockheart placed their nose onto her temple and a paw on her shoulder,
"Thank you" escaped Ramstripes mouth as they then cantered out of the entrance to begin their night vigil.
Above it all though, as the moon grew too far into the sky, another blazing light flew across the sky and illuminated the tunnels in a vibrant red. Flockheart's eyes locked onto it as it arced along the horison and landed in what glistened as if it were a vast lake, or the ocean. Flames burst from Flockheart's chest as they felt no need for Lightbleat to interpret the sign. That was where starclan would be and that is where they would go for their lives.
