Bramblestar padded out of his den as the night colors remained washed in the sky. He was in a strange mood to walk through his territory, as if something waited for him there. Silent tiptoeing his way out of the stony hollow, he suddenly caught trace of a single cat from ShadowClan, the scent fresh and strong.

"Bramblestar."

Bramblestar turned to face Tigerheart of ShadowClan, who sat calmly on the twisted tree roots that supported his strong frame. Why was Tigerheart here?

"I would like to join ThunderClan."

Bramblestar narrowed his eyes at his nephew.

"Why?"

Tigerheart hesitated, as if his uncle had just asked him to jump in the lake.

"Rowanstar exiled me because he found out Dovewing is expecting my kits."

Bramblestar remembered that Flamekit mentioned that Dovewing had always carried a marshy scent on her pelt; had she been secretly meeting with Tigerheart? The anxious glimmer in Tigerheart's amber eyes concluded Bramblestar's theory.

"Very well, then. We should return to camp, and while I announce you joining, I have a few apprentice ceremonies to perform."

As they padded side by side into camp, Bramblestar leapt onto the ledge to call out to his clan. He wanted the clan to be gathered as quickly as possible.

"All cats of ThunderClan gather to hear my words."

While Squirrelflight nudged the three kits to the clearing beside Cinderheart and Hollykit, Dovewing slowly padded out of the nursery behind them. She froze in shock as she met Tigerheart's gaze, her pale gray fur prickling with anxiety.

"Cats of ThunderClan, Tigerheart of ShadowClan made the choice to join ThunderClan. He was exiled for revealing that a cat in this clan is expecting his kits. He will tell you if he wants to."

"I do."

Tigerheart stood up, resting his caring amber gaze on Dovewing. Many cats of the clan followed it, purring warmly but some muttering in distrust. Dovewing padded up to her mate, wrapping her tail with his. Bramblestar realized that they clearing didn't care about what other cats believed.

"Anyways, there are also a few ceremonies to perform. Hollykit, please step forward."

The muscular tortoiseshell she-kit steadily padded in front of the Highrock, encouraged by her mother, whose eyes were brimming with pride while Lionblaze let out a series of purrs.

"Hollykit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Hollypaw. Your mentor will be Sorreltail. I hope Sorreltail will pass down all she knows to you."

Turning to the tortoiseshell warrior, Bramblestar continued speaking.

"Sorreltail, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from Sandstorm, and you have shown yourself to be courageous and patient. You will be the mentor of Hollypaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to Hollypaw."

As cheering rumbled through the clearing, Bramblestar fixed his gaze on his three kits. Shrewkit remained emotionless while his brother and sister lashed their tails in excitement.

"Shrewkit, please step forward."

Shyly padding beside Hollykit, Bramblestar began to speak.

"Shrewkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Shrewpaw. Your mentor will be Brackenfur. I hope Brackenfur will pass down all he knows to you."

The golden-brown warrior looked startled, and Bramblestar figured that he was aging and would be joining the elders soon. Shrewpaw would probably be his last apprentice.

"Brackenfur, you are ready to take on another apprentice. You had received excellent training from Graystripe, and you have shown yourself to be thoughtful and determined. You will be the mentor of Shrewpaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to Shrewpaw."

Wildkit stepped forward, alongside Flamekit, ready for her name.

"Wildkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Wildpaw. Your mentor will be Ivypool. I hope Ivypool will pass down all she knows to you."

Looking just as surprised as Brackenfur, Ivypool met her apprentice with a gentle nuzzle on her head as Bramblestar continued.

"Ivypool, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from Cinderheart, and you have shown yourself to be courageous and loyal. You will be the mentor of Wildpaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to Wildpaw."

Facing his final kit, Bramblestar spoke once more.

"Flamekit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Flamepaw. Your mentor will be Birchfall. I hope Birchfall will pass down all he knows to you."

"Birchfall, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from Ashfur, and you have shown yourself to be determined and loyal. You will be the mentor of Flamepaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to Flamepaw."

The clan cheered loudly for the three apprentices, and Bramblestar stalked into his den. He was proud of his kits, but he was hesitant in allowing Ashfur's former apprentice train Flamepaw. He shook his head. Birchfall was truly loyal; the past was just upsetting him.