Chapter Text
As Halfpaw entered the clearing he was practically shaking with excitement. It was finally time for his warrior's ceremony. He hoped he would get a name that fitted him like his older sister had. Silentsong fit her to a tee she had always been able to comfort anyone despite seemingly avoiding almost any conversation. Though she always found time to talk to him.
Halfpaw shook his head, that was just wishful thinking. His father Adderstar had always looked down on everyone including his own family and whatever kindness he once possessed seemed to have already faded. Despite everything though he tried to stay excited standing next to his mother and mentor Wiltfern. At least she believed in him and cared about him unlike his father.
“You all know why I’ve called you here. It’s time for me to give Halfpaw his warrior name,” Adderstar said completely disinterested, “My son has put great effort into his training, and despite his several mistakes has proven himself competent. As such it is my great honor to give him the name Halfpelt for his cleverness. As Wiltfern has told me time and time again he has found ways to hide a slink through the shadows undetected despite how difficult we all thought it would be for him. I know he will serve his clan well.”
Halfpelt just stood there dumbfounded as the rest of the clan cheered. He knew not to expect much from his father but this. The name was literally just a description of how he looked, it was a nothing name. His pelt was split right down the middle half white half black. The first part of his name already marked his uniqueness and now that’s all the clan would know him for.
His father’s speech was also just full of thinly veiled insults. While Halfpelt’s sister and mother simply believed he was special, all his father saw him as was a useless freak. Just a mistake Starclan had let slip into their clan. He knew the hidden or else that lingered at the end of his speech. His father wanted him gone and was just waiting for a reason to get rid of him no matter what any prophecy said.
It was hard to even say what the prophecy meant. Sun and moon will rise from the shadows and fill the lake with light, was what it was. Practically the most vague prophecy ever yet practically everyone in Shadowclan seemed to be convinced that it was about him. Yeah right, outside his weird appearance there was nothing that special about him.
“Halfpelt are you okay,” Silentsong called out as he based the medicine den.
“I’m fine. I guess you heard what my name is now” Halfpelt said sheepishly.
“Yes, I’m sorry I couldn't be there for the ceremony. The wind upset the herb piles last night. You know how it is,” Silentsong said apologetically.
“Yeah, are you okay though,” Halfpelt asked, concerned noticing the bleeding claw marks on his sister’s back.
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me,” Silentsong said quietly.
She had always said that whenever she was hurt. Halfpelt knew it was someone in the clan that was doing it but ever he had brought up that thought she had quickly changed the subject. It was probably their father though that cold foxheart, but he was the clan leader so even if he was there was nothing he could do about it.
“I’ll go get you some cobwebs,” Halfpelt said softly.
“Thank you, though after you bring those here go to the willow tree. Someone wants to meet you there,” Silentsong said smiling.
“I will,” Halfpelt said.
That someone Halfpelt knew was Hawkbranch who had gotten his warrior name just the moon before. He loved him so much, Hawkbranch was everything a warrior should be. He was both strong and compassionate. Shadowclan at least currently had too many cats who were strong yet lacked the compassion to make proper use of it. Halfpelt was sure that Shadowstar hated what Shadowclan had become yet like so many times before the clan waited on bated breath for Starclan's fury as the leaders' crimes grew higher. For Shadowstar trusted her clan to be as clever as her, leaving small hints of what is to come and then letting those foolish enough not to listen be punished harshly.
As Halfpelt reached the lone willow tree by the lake the wind that had been blowing all day stopped completely. He was no medicine cat but even he knew that this was a good omen.
“Hi, Halfpelt,” Hawkbranch said happily as Halfpelt sat next to him.
“Hello, sorry I took so long. I was helping my sister,” Halfpelt said sheepishly.
“Halfpelt, sweetheart. Never apologize for something like that. I know your dad’s a jerk,” Hawkbranch said gently.
“Understatement of the century. He’s insane, I mean insisting everyone in the clan get his approval to be mates,” Halfpelt nervously chuckled.
“Yeah, I honestly think his brain is just dandelion fluff at this point,” Hawkbranch said.
“It is. Honestly, it’s a wonder he hasn’t tried to fight his own shadow yet. He’s so paranoid,” Halfpelt said sadly.
“You haven’t told Adderstar about us yet, have you. It’s okay if you haven’t, I just don’t know how long we can keep the rest of the clan other than your sister from knowing,” Hakbranch said seriously.
“No, my heart's approval is the only one I need besides he’d just use it as an excuse to get rid of me,” Halfpelt said, staring into the lake.
“Halfpelt, would you look at this,” Hawkbranch said after a bit of silence.
“What,” Halfpelt asked, confused.
“There's some purple flowers growing on the willow. I think there that good luck flower Goldensight always used to talk about,” Hawbranch said pointing at the tree.
“They're called wisteria I believe. Goldensight was always a bit crazy when it came to certain plant meanings,” Halfpelt said chuckling.
“Are the flowers on the trees those ones though. We both could use some luck,” Hawkbranch said hopefully.
“It could be a sign it could not be. My sister will know but if they are I wouldn’t be too excited,” Halfpelt said sadly.
“Why not,” Hawkbranch said, confused.
“The tree it’s on is a weeping willow. You know what those symbolize don’t you,” Halfpelt asked.
“No, I never paid much attention to Goldensight’s lectures on that stuff,” Hawkbranch attempted sheepishly.
“Grief,” Halfpelt said softly.