AN: Well… there's nothing much to say, really. So I'm doing this AN for the shits and gigs, I guess. Carry on, then.

Oh, and I'm making it possible so Warriors, if they want to, can change their names' suffixes, though it won't happen often.

Anyways, I still need those Warriors. (._.)

Emberstar

FlameClan Leader

Ginger/Grey Tabby

25 Moons

Emberstar was in limbo between conscious and sleep. He felt incredibly drowsy, and to the young tom, everything seemed dream-like, moving in odd ways. He was somewhere he didn't recognize – definitely not FlameClan camp.

He was on a sort of upland, mist shrouding his every side. He could scent many other cat, but could see none. He gradually began to awake to the point where he was aware of his surroundings. "StarClan?" asked the grey tabby, looking around. The mist had transformed into a heavy fog, clouding any sort of vision he could get about a couple tail-lengths away from him.

Dewey droplets clung to his coat, making sure he knew that it was incredibly humid and damp in the area. "Hello?" he called out, starting to become a bit frantic.

"Hello, Emberstar," mewed a familiar voice behind him. The aforementioned leader yowled in surprise, leaping upwards and twisting his body around. He landed on his paws to find his former mentor, and FlameClan's previous leader, Ashenstar.

"You startled me," meowed Emberstar sheepishly, his tail twitching in embarrassment. "I know," Ashenstar responded, smiling a little bit at the younger leader's naivety. "I have come to deliver a message from StarClan," she mewed, her voice becoming distant, "When their blood runs cold, and the moon doesn't shine, the clans must unite, side-by-side."

With a startle, Emberstar woke. Steampelt was still sitting by him, grooming herself. He turned his head to where he had previously seen Featherpaw, but saw nothing. Steampelt noticed he was awake, "Featherpaw's wounds weren't serious, just a few scratches. He needs to sleep in his den for the next quarter-moon, though."

"You seemed like you had a dream," she meowed shrewdly. "Yes, I did," he confirmed, unsure of where this was going. "You mind telling me? I am your medicine cat, after all. I could help you," she pointed out. Emberstar truly wanted to tell her everything, what he felt about her, his worries, and the dream. Finally, he managed to build up mental barriers separating the information needed, and everything else to create mental floodgate. He decided to only say what he had heard and nothing else.

"When their blood runs cold, and the moon doesn't shine, the clans must unite, side-by-side," repeated Emberstar. The mere thought of it made him shudder and his fur stand on end. The moon won't shine? he thought, feeling a bit of fear. Not enough for him to start releasing fear-scent, thankfully.

"I'll think about it, right now, you need to rest. Swiftwillow will carry you to your den. I suggest calling in someone to talk to or something of the like, as you're going to stay here in the camp for the next half-moon," she mewed. This hit the FlameClan leader hard, as he was a very active cat and always enjoyed going on solo hunting patrols. But he'd trust Steampelt with his life, and knew better than to doubt her.

"Er… could you accompany me?" he asked sheepishly. Steampelt gave him a hard stare, one that spoke of sternness and had a bit of a bite to it, "I'm a medicine cat. And you know it."

Could she know? Emberstar thought, panicked. Outwardly, he was still calm, and merely nodded. "Is Emberstar okay?" asked a familiar voice. "Yes, he is, Swiftwillow," responded Steampelt. Swiftwillow stepped in and sat himself down, next to Steampelt. "My, my, you've done an excellent job," mewed the deputy in a congratulatory tone. The medicine cat purred in contentment.

"Okay, old friend, time to take you to your den," Swiftwillow chortled, slinging Emberstar over his shoulders. The aforementioned grey tom flicked the deputy's ear teasingly with his tail, since he found no more words to speak. He was slightly annoyed that Swiftwillow called him an 'old friend', giving off the impression that he was moons older than he should be, but it was true. They had been friends since they were apprentices.

Swiftwillow carried Emberstar through the Underside, garnering the attention of some of the Warriors and kits. The deputy padded into Emberstar's den, then slid him off, setting him down on the bracken nest. "Just a reminder – you need to do the apprentice ceremony for Leapspring's kits," mewed Swiftwillow. The Clan leader nodded, accepting the reminder.

Swiftwillow padded off. Emberstar was left to his thoughts. Steampelt doesn't usually purr when she's complimented, he thought. "Probably me just hearing things that never really happened," he dismissed it, then decided to fall asleep.

0-0-0

Emberstar was awoken by a paw prodding his side, which turned out to be Sparkglow's. "Huh?" he mumbled groggily, flicking his tail.

"It is moonhigh, which means the apprenticing ceremony," the she-cat mewed gently. "Right, right," yawned Emberstar. He had a short stretch to loosen up his stiff muscles. He checked on his wound, which he had forgotten about until now. He saw multiple puncture marks on his thigh, but they were more like patches with less fur than the rest of his body now. "Steampelt did do well," he murmured to himself.

"Yes, she did," agreed Sparkglow, staring at Emberstar's nearly unnoticeable wounds. "Very well – let us do the ceremony," grunted Emberstar, limping out of his den.

In the Underside, there was a pile of the rocks that was used as a stage for ceremonies and special events. This is where Emberstar climbed up, thanks to some help from Sparkglow. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather under the Highstone, and all kits six months old!" called Emberstar.

Clan cats started leaking out of their dens to the middle of the Underside, underneath the Highstone. Amberkit, Flintkit, and Dawnkit were practically sprinting to their spots. After a couple of heartbeats, almost the whole clan had gathered. Emberstar knew it was time.

"Cats of FlameClan," Emberstar began, "we gather together for one the most important ceremonies in this Clan; the naming of new apprentices. This moonhigh, we elevate Amberkit, Flintkit, and Dawnkit!"

As their names were called, they padded forward, their tails twitching with excitement and eyes glowing with pride. Emberstar continued, "I upon my ancestors and mentor, Ashenstar, to look onto these young kits. Amberkit, step forward."

Amberkit, whose grin would not be suppressed for another moon, padded forward silently but still slightly hopping. "With the power granted to me as Clan leader, I name you Amberpaw!" meowed Emberstar, putting his head on top of the new apprentice's. The newly-named Amberpaw licked his shoulder. "Nightshade, you are courageous and contain an undying loyalty to FlameClan. I hope you will pass these qualities into young Amberpaw," Amberpaw walked towards Nightshade, who was uncharacteristically patient and prideful, and touched noses. The new apprentice went back into his spot.

Now, for Dawnkit, thought Emberstar. "Dawnkit, step forward," ordered Emberstar. The aforementioned cream chocolate tabby kit rose from his spot proudly, and strode over in front of Emberstar. "With the power granted to me as Clan leader, I name you Dawnpaw!" The apprentice sat straight, his eyes twinkling with pride. Emberstar set his head upon the apprentice, where Dawnpaw licked the leader's shoulder. Emberstar then backed up. "Cedarsun, you are an energetic and formidable Warrior. I hope you will stir these traits inside of young Dawnpaw," mewed Emberstar. Dawnpaw padded over to Cedarsun, whom was practically jumping with excitement and pride. They both touched noses, and Dawnpaw returned to his position.

"Flintkit, step forward," meowed Emberstar. The requested brown and black tabby strode forward, calm and precise in his paw-steps, his whiskers twitching in anticipation. Emberstar started to name him apprentice, "With the power granted to me as Clan leader, I name you Flintpaw!"

Emberstar sat his chin on top of the young tom's head, where the new apprentice licked the leader's shoulder. Emberstar then backed away. "Since we have little Warriors fit to train apprentices," this was true, as FlameClan had become powerful through the fierceness and combat skills of its Warriors, not the numbers, which meant that most cats in FlameClan were impatient and not very good teachers, "I will become your mentor."

Flintpaw's eyes shone with surprise and amazement. Emberstar craned his neck down to touch noses with Flintpaw. They awkwardly bumped heads together, but managed to get it right the second time. "Amberpaw! Dawnpaw! Flintpaw!" shouted the gathering of cats.

The three newly-named apprentices straightened with pride as their new names were called out.

Emberstar was still having a bit of trouble believing that he now had an apprentice to train. This was going to be hard work.

Steampelt

FlameClan Medicine Cat

Black/White/Ginger Calico

25 Moons

Steampelt sat in a hidden part of her den with Swiftwillow, tails intertwined. "You truly are the best medicine cat any Clan could ever have," mewed Swiftwillow, licking her ear. "Thanks, Swiftwillow. It really means a lot, coming from my mate," responded Steampelt.

"But what if the Clan finds out?" she shuddered at the thought. How would Emberstar react? She thought, sadness striking her at the thought of the Clan leader, who looked up to her like a littermate, finding out she had a secret affair with Swiftwillow, his second most trusted friend and deputy.

"They won't – we're being extra careful. There's no chance that they will find us," Swiftwillow reassured her, licking her muzzle affectionately.

"I hope they won't," breathed Steampelt, "I truly don't."