Crookedstar's Promise/Chapter 18

==Chapter description==
:Crookedpaw, Willowpaw, and their mentors pad along the riverbank, looking for a spot to fish. Cedarpelt grumbles about his apprentice as he lags behind the younger cats, causing Crookedpaw to become annoyed. Crookedpaw angrily quickens his pace before Willowpaw stops him, saying that they should start fishing now. Crookedpaw informs her that there's a pool full of carp just past the stepping stones, and he and Willowpaw begin to pad downstream together. Willowpaw tells Crookedpaw that Shimmerpelt has moved to the nursery, and Lakeshine has had her kits, Sunkit and Frogkit. Crookedpaw says that's good, as RiverClan will have new warriors soon. Willowpaw rolls her eyes and asks if that's all he thinks about before bounding ahead of him. Crookedpaw follows her to the pool, and warns her about the current that will suck her in. Willowpaw replies that she's a strong swimmer, and Crookedpaw, admiring her muscled shoulders, says that he knows, but tells her how to escape the current anyway. Willowpaw takes a deep breath and dives in.
:Crookedpaw watches the water where Willowpaw disappeared with worry before her head breaks the surface, a carp in her jaws. She happily mews that there's loads of them, and Crookedpaw dives in and snatches a carp, depositing it on the bank before going back in for more. Willowpaw dives down beside him and hooks another carp, and Crookedpaw watches her graceful movements as she swims toward the surface before quickly snagging a nearby carp so he can resurface and breathe. He emerges from the pool to hear the jeers of a group of ThunderClan warriors standing on the other side of the river. Crookedpaw and Willowpaw begin responding in kind to the ThunderClan cats' insults, and Crookedpaw unsheathes his claws before Oakheart arrives and calls the two apprentices away.
:Oakheart informs Crookedpaw and Willowpaw that Hailstar has called everyone back to camp before charging away, telling the apprentices to follow him. Willowpaw and Crookedpaw gather their carp before racing back to camp. They arrive at camp to see their Clanmates already gathered; Oakheart stands beside Shellheart while Hailstar paces back and forth. Crookedpaw drops his carp on the fresh-kill pile after Willowpaw, who goes to sit beside Graypaw. Hailstar announces that RiverClan will reclaim Sunningrocks that night, and the whole Clan begins to cheer until Rippleclaw asks what will happen if they lose again. Hailstar replies that they won't battle, just reset the markers. Timberfur asks why ThunderClan won't just reset them again, and Hailstar glances at Crookedpaw as he says that RiverClan will keep resetting them and win if it comes to a battle.
:Crookedpaw wonders why Hailstar looked at him as the Clan cheers. As he ponders, Hailstar states that the day before, an apprentice saved the life of a Clanmate. Crookedpaw straightens and Hailstar proudly beckons him forward, saying that Crookedpaw has not completed his six moons of training, but that he sees no point in delaying his warrior ceremony any longer. As he talks, Brambleberry watches with dark eyes, Rainflower curls her tail around her paws, and Beetlenose whispers something in Voleclaw's ear. Hailstar announces that he wants Crookedpaw, then corrects himself, saying Crookedjaw, on the patrol that resets Sunningrocks. The Clan cheers, calling Crookedjaw's name, and Crookedjaw stares at his leader with joy.
:Cedarpelt, Shellheart, Oakheart and Beetlenose congratulate Crookedjaw. As they talk, Crookedjaw spots Mapleshade lurking in the background. Willowpaw purrs that she's going to miss sleeping with him, and Crookedjaw tells her to become a warrior as quickly as she can. Spotting Rainflower sitting off to the side, Crookedjaw pads up to her and says that he's sorry he can't make her proud of him, but will do everything he can to make her glad he's her son. Rainflower stares back silently, and Crookedjaw tells her she can't make him ashamed of what he looks like before padding away. Oakheart and Willowpaw meet Crookedjaw as he walks away, stating their pride for him and disdain for Rainflower. Feeling joyful, Crookedjaw touches his cheek to Willowpaw's and purrs.
==Characters==
===Major===
*Crookedjaw
*Willowpaw
*Hailstar
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Important events==
===Ceremonies===
==Notes and references==
fr:La promesse de l'Élu/Chapitre 18
Category:Chapter subpages
Category:Super Edition arc
Category:Crookedstar's Promise