A panther's black pelt will cover the honeymoon and stars, the clouds will turn black and the night shall last forever...

Chapter 1 – Naming Ceremony

Pantherpaw stared out into the darkness of the forest, as she did often. Her thoughts racing about things she didn't know of. The single word 'shadow' continued to fill her mind. She had ever wondered why. The word shadow was not one of Cloudclan, more Nightclan.

Am I to be a Nightclan cat? Pantherpaw wondered. She rather like the sound of that. No! I musn't. My pelt is black enough, not my mind as well?

"It's your naming ceremony now. You need to come." Dawnfeather interrupted her thoughts

"Yes. Naming ceremony. Going to become a warrior." Pantherpaw shook her pelt and walked over to the clearing. Her father was talking to Tallmoar, before spying her and jumping onto the raised-rock in the centre of the clearing.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join me under the raised-rock for a clan meeting." Honeystar called out as Silverpaw, Reedpaw, Flamepaw and herself sat underneath the raised-rock

"Starclan, I call you to look upon these apprentices. They have trained hard to learn the ways of your noble code and I commend them to warriors in their return." Honeystar looked down at Silverpaw, "Silverpaw, do you promise to protect Cloudclan even at the cost of your life?"

Silverpaw's voice rang out loud and clear "I do"

"Then I name you Silverdawn. Cloudclan appreciates your honesty and loyalty and welcomes you as a full time warrior."

"Silverdawn! Silverdawn!" The clan's voice called out her new name

Next Reedpaw was named Reedsun and Flamepaw named Flamefeather.

Such a name as Flame deserves more than feather. It should have been Flameheart or Flamenight. Pantherpaw thought, I hope I'm not named Panthercloud or something stupid like that.

"Pantherpaw," Honeystar began, "do you promise to protect Cloudclan even at the cost of you life?"

Pantherpaw wondered if anyone ever refused. She didn't think so, so even though she didn't mean it, she said, "I do."

"Then I name you Pantherpelt. Cloudclan appreciates your bravery and skill and welcomes you as a full time warrior."

As the clan called out her new name, Pantherpelt caught sight of Hawktalon looking very worried.

What's up with her?