Oakheart's Love

Chapter 1

The sun’s rays lit the trees’ leaves ablaze. Not a single raindrop sparkled in the dense reeds. Twolegs scurried everywhere through leafless paths, dogs trailing behind them. Like any hot greenleaf day, the riverbank was a crowded place. RiverClan cats sipped from the light current, some swimming in it. The fresh-kill pile was high, as always back at the camp. The apprentices stared in amazement as the dawn patrol returned. They whispered among themselves about the rippling muscles and strong legs of the warriors. An eager apprentice, Oakheart, asked his mentor, “When can I be a warrior? I want to be just like them! I’m going to be the one to win back Sunningrocks from those ThunderClan losers!”

“Now, now, my son.”  replied Shellheart, “You have a little ways to go. You must be patient if you are to be a big, strong warrior like them. Remember, it takes more than muscle to be a warrior. You must have mind.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know. It’s only the thousandth time you’re told me!” Oakpaw sighed. He hated being treated like a dopey kit. He wanted to be a warrior! He opened his mouth to argue but thought better of it. He nodded his head and went to the fresh-kill pile, then sulked to the apprentices' den.

* squiggly thing that I can't figure out how to insert*

"I, Crookedstar, leader of RiverClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn.  Oakpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do"

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Oakpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Oakheart.  StarClan honors your courage, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan."

The Clan chanted Oakheart's new name. "Oakheart! Oakheart!  Oakheart!" His heart was pounding like the beating of a crow's wings. He felt as if it would fly right out of his chest and all the way to silverpelt. He could hardly believe it! His moment was here! After moons of training, he was finally a warrior! He didn't know what to say. He didn't know what to do. His body froze in place; though it was leaf-bare, he could feel sweat running down his face.

NOT DONE YET! STILL WORKING ON IT!