"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. Dawnpaw, from this moment you will be known as Dawnheart. Starclan honors your optimism and unbreakable spirit. We welcome you as a full warrior of Cedarclan."

Blizzardstar rested his muzzle on Dawnheart's head. Dawnheart licked his leader's shoulder, his whole body trembling again. The two newly named warriors stood shoulder to shoulder and turned to face their clan. Before any cat could cheer however, Frayclaw opened his own jaws and yowled in a firm, resounding voice "Dawnheart! Dawnheart! Dawnheart!" Heronpaw added his own voice to the chant, as did Kestrelfeather and many others.

Dawnheart looked happier than Heronpaw had ever seen him. The new warrior's eyes were shining as he looked around at his clanmates. Frayclaw turned to Dawnheart and swiped his tongue over his friend's ear in an affectionate gesture. Dawnheart softly head-butted Frayclaw in return.

"Congratulations!" Spottedfur, the elder queen who had raised Frayclaw and Dawnheart, bounded forward and began covering their ears in licks.

"I'm so proud of you!" she purred, loud enough for Heronpaw to hear over the cheers. Dawnheart happily nuzzled the old speckled cat. Frayclaw flattened his ears in embarrassment but licked Spottedfur on the shoulder none the less.

The cheers for the new warriors went on for a long while until finally they died down. More cats moved in on the new warriors to congratulate them. Spottedfur stood at their side, her tail in the air and her chest puffed out like a proud mother goose showing off her goslings. Heronpaw hung back, waiting for his turn.

"I still can't believe Blizzardstar let a kitty-pet become a warrior." Slatefoot's disgusted growl made Heronpaw whirl around, claws unsheathed, but Kestrelfeather got there first. He rounded on his denmate, fury flaring in his eyes.

"What did you just say?!" he snarled.

"Of course you would defend him." Slatefoot shot back. Both warriors were on all four paws, claws out and teeth bared. "You share Blackmoth's kitty-pet obsession."

"You know as well as I do that Dawnheart has proven his loyalty to this clan ten times over." Kestrelfeather spat. His tail was lashing. Slatefoot looked furious but didn't reply. "I for one trust our leader. Do you, Slatefoot?"

"How dare you– of course I trust Blizzardstar." Sputtered Slatefoot, taking a step back from Kestrelfeather's bared teeth.

"Then act like it." Kestrelfeather hissed. With that, Kestrelfeather turned his back on his clanmate.

Heronpaw twitched his ears at Slatefoot before turning around as well. Kestrelfeather took several long, deep breaths to calm himself.

A few tail-lengths away, Heronpaw could see his father Falconstorm sitting with Ferntail. The large tom's amber eyes were fixed on Slatefoot, but he hadn't jumped to Dawnheart's defense like Kestrelfeather had. Heronpaw felt a stone of disappointment drop into his belly. Why couldn't Heronpaw's father be a cat like Kestrelfeather?

As the cheers and congratulations died down, Blizzardstar's voice rang out again.

"All warriors and apprentices report to Whiteshade for duties. The clan meeting is now over." With that Blizzardstar leapt down from his perch and disappeared into his den.

Warriors and apprentices alike stood up and made their way to the clan deputy. Heronpaw and Kestrelfeather padded over to the group together. The warriors all stood in a ring around Whiteshade. When everycat was present, Whiteshade started to speak.

"First things first, congratulations to our new warriors." He gestured a white paw to Frayclaw and Dawnheart. They both nodded respectfully at their deputy. Heronpaw was pleased to hear an agreeable murmur go around the group.

"Anycat who is still recovering from battle can opt out of patrols for the day." Whiteshade said. "If you fit that description, you may leave."

Cherrynose and Stonepelt both rose to their paws and made their way back to the warrior's den. Cherrynose was limping and Stonepelt still had a bloody cobweb patch on his shoulder.

"I need a volunteer to lead a patrol to the Willowclan border to make sure all is well." Whiteshade continued.

"I volunteer." Kestrelfeather called out.

Heronpaw felt a thrill of excitement. What an honor!

"Good." Whiteshade grunted. "You should take three warriors with you and leave when the sun breaks the tree line."

Kestrelfeather took one scrutinizing look at his fellow warriors.

"Frayclaw, Dawnheart, and Runningriver. You are with me today." He decided. "We leave soon so don't wander off."

Kestrelfeather and Runningriver padded over to the fresh-kill pile to grab something before going out. Frayclaw and Dawnheart were still being fussed over by Spottedfur and didn't look like they would be freed anytime soon.

Heronpaw stood kneading the ground with his paws. He wanted to go now but Whiteshade had ordered them to wait. He checked on the position of the sun. It wouldn't be too long before the sun was completely above the tree line. He looked around, trying to find something to do to pass the time.

As if summoned by his thoughts, Hawkpaw and Crowpaw came bounding through the fern tunnel, each carrying fresh-kill and followed by their mentors. Heronpaw waved his tail at them and they waved back. He padded over to a nice spot near the apprentice's den and sat, waiting.

His brothers flopped down next to him, each carrying a small finch. Before Heronpaw could speak, Hawkpaw spat his bird out of his mouth with a look of indignation. He opened his jaws and took a deep breath. Almost instantly he fell into a coughing fit. Heronpaw looked down at Hawkpaw, then back up to Crowpaw. Crowpaw's ears drooped and he shook his head.

"Did you swallow a feather again?" He said in a flat tone. Hawkpaw continued to hack and cough and did not reply. Heronpaw purred.

"At least we are saved from the rant that was coming."

Crowpaw grunted in agreement, sinking his teeth into his own catch.

"How was the dawn patrol?" Heronpaw said.

Crowpaw chewed slowly and swallowed. He opened his mouth to respond but Hawkpaw had finally emerged from his coughing fit.

"It was TERRIBLE." He choked. "Swiftwing told me I did everything wrong. I looked bad because Talonscore wouldn't stop talking about Crowpaw like he's some sort of magic flying mouse."

"No, you looked bad because you insisted on using a bird stalking technique on a rabbit." Crowpaw retorted.

Hawkpaw responded by burying his face in his finch.

"Then you swore you smelled Pineclan scent in a hole and tried to crawl in." Crowpaw gave Heronpaw an exasperated look. "It was a badger."

Heronpaw couldn't suppress his mrrow of laughter.

"Why are you a magic mouse? What did you do?" he said, trying not to snort.

Crowpaw shrugged. He was avoiding looking at Heronpaw's face "It wasn't anything special. I chased a squirrel up a tree and then jumped down."

Hawkpaw made a choking sound and emerged from his finch.

"You did a back-flip." He protested. "And your stupid squirrel fell on my head."

Heronpaw's whiskers twitched in amusement at Hawkpaw's exasperated expression. Crowpaw just shrugged again and didn't say anything.

"That does sound magical." Heronpaw purred.

Hawkpaw shot them an angry look from behind the mask of feathers that was his breakfast.

"What's wrong with you? You seem distracted lately." Heronpaw poked his brother with a forepaw. He remembered an event a quarter-moon ago when Hawkpaw had slammed face-first into a tree because he misjudged where the entrance tunnel was.

Hawkpaw's tail was thrashing. He swallowed his enormous mouthful of finch in one gulp so he could speak. His gray eyes grew huge and began watering as the mouthful struggled to go down his throat. Crowpaw gave his brother a disgusted look.

He gave Hawkpaw's tabby shoulders a firm thumping. "For Starclan's sake, get it together Hawkpaw." After another short coughing fit, Hawkpaw was finally able to speak. He didn't even bother to breathe before explaining himself.

"It's the pressure." He gasped. His eyes were gleaming with anticipation and awe, as though he found the prospect of pressure exciting. "Blizzardstar, Falconstorm, and our mentors have been watching our every move. If we fail, we will never be warriors." He took another enormous bite of finch.

Heronpaw flinched at the mention of their father. Falconstorm had always seemed to like Hawkpaw and Crowpaw more than him. Heronpaw wondered if that might change once he received his warrior name.

"I guess you'll be the only elder whose name still ends in 'paw', then." Crowpaw said. He twitched his whiskers, dislodging a small downy feather.

Without retorting, Hawkpaw hooked a bloody piece of his finch on a foreclaw and flung it at Crowpaw's face. The morsel hit Crowpaw with a squelch. Crowpaw spat angrily, trying to rub the blood off of his black fur.

Heronpaw ducked his head and flattened his ears, expecting more flying entrails.

"Stop that. Ferntail would have our pelts if we were walking around camp looking like pieces of fresh kill." He hissed.

Crowpaw looked at Heronpaw with unblinking eyes and slowly lowered his forepaw. An incriminating piece of finch was dangling from his claws. Hawkpaw bared his teeth in a triumphant smirk. Crowpaw just glared at him.

"By the way, you missed the ceremony." Heronpaw added. His brothers looked at him, forgetting their quarrel.

Hawkpaw flattened his ears. "Seriously? I hate the dawn patrol. I missed Cherrynose's ceremony because of one too."

"Did any cat argue this time?" Crowpaw asked.

Heronpaw shook his head. "No, thank Starclan. Slatefoot and Brushfire will have to accept Dawnheart now."

"I still don't get why they're angry in the first place." Crowpaw flattened one ear in confusion.

"He was born a kitty-pet." Hawkpaw looked down his muzzle at Crowpaw with half-lidded eyes. "There are cats in every clan that will consider his warrior ceremony an offense to the Warrior Code."

"You just repeated what Talonscore said this morning." Crowpaw said dryly. His face was void of expression.

Crowpaw and Hawkpaw relapsed into their squabble. Heronpaw chanced a glance at the sun. It had hardly moved. With a sigh, he flexed his claws in and out, tearing up fern as he did so.

"Hello." A soft mew from behind the three brothers made them all whirl around. Two she-cat apprentices were standing there, bundles of moss in their teeth. Heronpaw felt Hawkpaw leap to his paws almost immediately.

"Hi Morningpaw!" he exclaimed, slightly louder than necessary. "Would you like me to lend a paw?"

"Oh! No thank you Hawkpaw." Morningpaw squeaked from around her ball of moss. Her pretty green eyes suddenly avoided Hawkpaw's gaze. The she-cat looked like she hadn't expected Hawkpaw to respond so enthusiastically. She put the moss down at her paws.

"Petalpaw is helping me." She went on, keeping her head low. She gestured with her calico patterned tail to the apprentice at her side. Petalpaw dipped her tabby head in greeting, unable to speak around her large wad of moss.

"I see." Hawkpaw said. He looked at Petalpaw as if he just realized she was there. There was a short silence.

"I saw that squirrel you caught the other day." Hawkpaw suddenly blurted out. His voice was still rather loud and he was speaking rapidly. "I never expected somecat like you to catch something that big."

Morningpaw looked confused.

"Somecat like me?" she said slowly. She lowered her gaze again. Her eyes were oddly shiny.

Hawkpaw's eyes got huge and his tail dropped to the ground in horror.

"No! I didn't- well what I meant was…" he trailed off, looking completely panic-stricken.

Heronpaw shot a sideways glace at Crowpaw to communicate how uncomfortable things were getting, but Crowpaw was busily shredding feathers off of his catch and avoiding everyone's eyes.

Morningpaw shook her head with a forced purr. "It's okay."

There was another uncomfortable silence during which Heronpaw became extremely interested in a worm that was sticking out of the ground at his paws.

"Well, um, bye!" Morningpaw said. Her cheery mew was contradicted by her low hanging tail and nervously twitching ears. She turned and hurried away without giving Hawkpaw a chance to respond.

Petalpaw called after Morningpaw with a muffled meow. She shot Hawkpaw an apologetic glance and bounded after her sister.

There was a moment of silence between the brothers. Hawkpaw was still standing up, his head turned towards the medicine den where Morningpaw had been headed. Crowpaw was still focused intently on his finch. Heronpaw opened his mouth to say something, but changed his mind. He simply rose to his paws and stretched.

"See you guys later." He said.

"Sure." Hawkpaw muttered, not taking his eyes off of the medicine den. Crowpaw just grunted.

Heronpaw padded over to where Frayclaw and Dawnheart were standing. The crowd of well- wishers had dispersed finally, so Heronpaw could properly congratulate his friends.

"Congratulations!" He purred when he was close enough. He leaned forward and touched Dawnheart's nose with his own.

"Thank you." Dawnheart meowed. His eyes were still shining. "It means a lot."

"Of course! You're my clanmate." Heronpaw said firmly. He glanced over at Frayclaw, who gave him an approving look.

"Looks like it's almost time to go." Dawnheart remarked, looking up to where the sun had finally risen above the tree line. Heronpaw couldn't help but give a little skip. Finally!

Kestrelfeather and Runningriver appeared a moment later, swiping their jaws clean with their tongues.

"Ready?" asked Kestrelfeather. All four cats nodded. "Alright, let's go."

Kestrelfeather led the way to the fern tunnel. The rest of the patrol followed

"Glad to have you two in the warriors den where you belong." Kestrelfeather purred over his shoulder at his new denmates.

Runningriver touched each new warrior lightly with her tail as she passed between them.

"Congratulations you two." She said.

As the patrol approached the fern tunnel Kestrelfeather waved his tail and his patrol fell in behind him. Heronpaw took his place at Kestrelfeather's heels.

The patrol made their way through the thick fern tunnel that acted as the only door in and out of Cedarclan's camp. The old grove of red cedars not only hid the camp well, but also prevented outsiders from finding their way out of the maze-like terrain. There were no paths in Cedarclan territory. The soft brown dirt was always covered by mossy stumps and stones, ferns, and young trees. Only Cedarclan cats, born and raised, could navigate through the reddish trunks and sunlight dappled forest floor.

Heronpaw opened his jaws and breathed in the fresh forest air. Even though the sun had been up for quite a while, Heronpaw could still taste a chill. Leaf fall was here. Prey would soon burrow down for the cold season. Food would become scarce and the undergrowth would die. Heronpaw held comfort in knowing his Clan was strong and ready for the coming snow.

Cedarclan didn't mid leaf fall as much as cats from other clans did. Their forest was thick with evergreens which did not have leaves to shed. There were other trees here too, like oaks and maples, but cedars dominated the landscape. Their wide, flat needles stayed green over all the seasons. Heronpaw liked the way the cedar's needles created a canopy above his head. It always felt safe and quiet in his forest.

Kestrelfeather led his patrol through the trees. After weaving in and out of closely knit trunks, the ground slowly began to slope downward and the cats began to run. Fewer trees and more undergrowth began appearing. Ferns spread their tendrils over the stony ground. Bright green mosses covered almost every surface. The light here was green and soft. Heronpaw kept his mouth open, letting all of the familiar scents pass over his tongue. The smell of soft needles and dew laden ferns surrounded him.

This was home, familiar and friendly. What he wouldn't give to finally have his warrior name. He could roam this forest with the knowledge that it fell on him to protect all within its borders. He would defend it with every drop of blood in his body if he needed to.

Heronpaw watched the green scenery flash by as he ran. As the trees came and went, he had his ears pricked and his eyes on the lookout for anything unusual. An unfamiliar white shape between two trees distracted Heronpaw momentarily. He thought to himself how strange it was for a dove to be this far under the canopy. He let his mind dwell on the strange sighting until he ran straight into Kestrelfeather. His mentor had inexplicably stopped.

"Watch where you're going, Heronpaw." Kestrelfeather meowed after he regained his balance.

"Sorry." Heronpaw felt his ears flush with heat. "Why'd we stop?"

"Can you smell anything strange?" Kestrelfeather encouraged his apprentice. Heronpaw noticed that every cat's eyes were on him. He quickly dropped his jaw and drew air over his scent glands.

"There might be Pineclan scent." He concluded after a moment. Kestrelfeather nodded.

"That's what I thought too. Heronpaw, I'd like you to go investigate. Stay low and out of sight. The scent is faint and stale, but you can't be too careful. When you're done, meet us at the riverbank."

Heronpaw stood straighter. A mission! His mentor must want to evaluate his tracking skills.

"I won't let you down, Kestrelfeather." Heronpaw said. Kestrelfeather nodded and then signaled the rest of the patrol with his tail. Dawnheart gave Heronpaw a friendly wave of his tail as if to say 'good luck' before vanishing into the undergrowth.

Heronpaw focused and began padding quickly through the growth, his mouth held open to better scent underneath the wet leaves. The smell of the rival clan was faint and hard to detect among the pungent fern fronds, but Heronpaw was determined. He followed the traces for several tree-lengths, all the while nearing the Pineclan border.

After a while he lost the trail. He spun in circles, trying to find it again. As he inspected a tuft of dark fur caught on a stick, a sound of rustling ferns from behind him took him by surprise. Heronpaw jumped and turned, expecting to see some cat he knew. Instead he saw nothing.

"Hello?" he looked around, searching for the source of the noise. It had sounded so close. The perpetrator couldn't have gone that fast. Sinking into a defensive crouch, Heronpaw took a few ginger steps in the direction that he heard the sound. He scented the air, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. He half expected Hawkpaw to burst forth from the ferns and tackle him to the ground, but it didn't happen. Heronpaw straightened up, thinking maybe it was just a bird.

Standing directly in front of him was a pure white cat. Heronpaw yowled in surprise and fear. He lost his footing on a slippery fern frond and fell to the ground. He scrambled to his feet and looked wildly around for the cat. It was completely gone. His chest heaving, Heronpaw backed slowly into a tree. His claws were unsheathed and it felt like every hair on his pelt was on end. His wide eyes darted all around the scene, but the cat what nowhere to be seen.

"What in Starclan's name…?" he gasped.

He blinked his eyes forcefully for a few heartbeats, trying to dispel the image from his mind. Questions flew like startled starlings around his brain.

Why didn't I smell it? How did it get so close to me? What was it?

"Heronpaw!"

Kestrelfeather's yowl broke Heronpaw's terrified silence.

"I'm here!" Heronpaw managed to croak.

Seconds later, three cats burst through the undergrowth and into the small clearing. Kestrelfeather raced to Heronpaw's side while Dawnheart and Frayclaw looked wildly around for a threat.

"What happened?" Kestrelfeather demanded. He sniffed Heronpaw all over.

"Nothing. I'm fine." Heronpaw said.

"We heard you yowl." Dawnheart panted. His body was stiff with tension.

Heronpaw took a deep breath, sheathed his claws, and flattened his neck fur.

"I'm not hurt." He said again. This time he directed the statement at Kestrelfeather who was still giving him a thorough once-over.

"Are you sure?" Kestrelfeather stopped his examination, but was reluctant to leave his apprentice's side.

"Yes. I thought I saw something." Heronpaw sighed. Yes. He had only imagined the white cat with its oddly empty eyes.

Frayclaw made an impatient 'tch' noise before stalking back though the ferns. His gray tail tip was twitching with irritation. Heronpaw watched him go, his heart sinking.

He felt like a fool. Frayclaw obviously agreed.

"Don't take him seriously." Dawnheart said. He curled his tail around Heronpaw's shoulders as they began walking back towards the main clearing. "He's relieved. He just has a funny way of showing it."

Heronpaw tried to meow back with good humor, but a lump of anxiety was stuck in his belly causing him to feel like he ate a bad mouse. Kestrelfeather stayed behind for a moment, sniffing the same tuft of fur Heronpaw had found. When his mentor had caught up, Heronpaw turned to him.

"I thought you had gone ahead." he said. Kestrelfeather shrugged

"I needed to keep you within earshot in case it was Pineclan." He said.

"I lost the scent in that clearing." Heronpaw muttered, feeling defeated.

"I expected as much. The scent was probably carried by some prey that ran through a scent marker. Pineclan and Cedarclan are on good terms. I just wanted to see if you could follow it." Kestrelfeather explained. His fur was flattened again and had stopped looking worried. Heronpaw wished he could feel his mentor's calm as well, but the vision of the white cat was still fresh in his mind.

He had heard of visions from Starclan granted to medicine cats and clan leaders, but he had never heard of an apprentice receiving one. He gave himself a mental shake. Starclan wouldn't have sent him a message. He was just under stress and seeing things. That was all.

At least I didn't smell anything strange. He reminded himself.

The patrol moved on after Runningriver had rejoined them after she had moved away to snag a squirrel from a tree. They moved in silence towards the Willowclan border. As they neared the boundary the trees started to change. There were less of Heronpaw's beloved cedars and more of the twisted beech trees. Their gnarled roots threatened to trip any cat who was not paying attention, like the claws of a waiting fox.

As he ran, Heronpaw could smell the river approaching. They were nearing their destination. The rushing of water grew louder as the patrol picked their way down a steep, root-entangled slope that lead to the river bank. Heronpaw felt himself relax at the beautiful sight of the river.

The bank was hardly a bank at all. Descending layers of angular stone jutted out from the earthy slope and dropped off into the deep, clear blue water. Moss and saplings grew from every crack in the smooth gray stone. The water slid by, deceptively calm, but every cat knew that the current was too fast for even a full grown warrior to fight with ease. The water stretched for about a tree length before more flat stones marked the Willowclan side of the river. Their bank was steeper and had less vegetation. Heronpaw knew that Willowclan cats were adept at maneuvering their steep banks and swimming in the swift rapids. He was silently thankful for Cedarclan's flatter territory.

As the patrol stepped out into the direct sunlight, Kestrelfeather made a quick headcount to affirm that everycat was there. His gaze lingered on Heronpaw a little too long for Heronpaw's comfort.

Does he know what I saw?

"Our job is to scent for rouges and remark the border. Dawnheart and Frayclaw you take the waterfall. Runningriver and I will head downstream. Heronpaw will take this bank alone since his assessment earlier was interrupted. Yowl if there is trouble." Kestrelfeather ordered.

The patrol obeyed and split into three groups. Soon Heronpaw's clanmates had disappeared and he found himself alone. He scented all over the area, determined to catch a rouge scent. He did find a few, but they were stale. Most likely from the battle the day before.

After double checking that there were no fresh scents, Heronpaw marked the bank with his own scent. As he finished the last mark, a gust of wind carried the smell of a strange cat to his nose from across the river. He looked up, expecting to see a Willowclan patrol at the top of the embankment. What he saw instead made his heart nearly stop.

It was a white cat.