"From this day on, until she has gained her warrior name, this apprentice shall be known as Moonpaw." Berrydapple and Jumpfoot's kits, Briarkit and Thrushkit, squealed with delight. "Crimsonpelt!" Brackenstar yowled. "You have shown yourself to be a brave and loyal warrior. I entrust you to pass this on to Moonpaw." As she touched noses with her mentor, Moonpaw's family loudly cheered her name, as did the kits, but the elders remained awkwardly silent. Moonpaw turned her pale yellow eyes to Twigpelt. He too was quiet; wordlessly staring at his paws. Indignation flashed through Moonpaw. How dare he! After I helped him so much when Briarkit and Thrushkit were born!

"Moonpaw!" Palepaw yowled. Moonpaw hopped down the stump to meet the she-cat. "It'll be great to finally have a den mate!" Palepaw said. "Hey, what's up?"

She must've seen Moonpaw's sour look. "Look at Twigpelt. He didn't chant my name once! I'm his Clan mate!"

"That is odd," Palepaw said.

"Just two moons ago we were working beside each other, helping with Berrydapple's kitting. I'd like to see the kits who did that when they were four moons old!"

Palepaw's whiskers started to twitch. "Are you saying that you're upset that the medicine cat doesn't respect you?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying!"

"Look, Moonpaw, I hate to break it to you, but there are only two other cats in the Clan who are less experienced than you. You can't expect to be revered from the very start. Look at your sisters, they had to wait for ages before they could become warriors- they didn't complain. Well, they didn't complain too much." Her whiskers twichted again.

Moonkit paused. "Well, then, I guess I'm going to have to start being worthy of respect."

"Okay, but remember, you don't have to be the best. Just serve SkyClan."

"I'll serve it like no other cat has!" Moonpaw bounded away to meet her mentor. But as she looked back, she saw the tiniest flicker of concern in Palepaw's eyes.

"Since it's already leaf-fall, we need to get your hunting skills sharpened as soon as possible," Crimsonpelt explained later that day. "I want you bringing in lots of prey by leafbare."

"I can hunt!" Moonpaw promised.

"Show me." Moonpaw dropped into a hunting crouch and advanced forward. Crimsonpelt walked up and pushed her over.

"Hey!"

"It's pretty good, but you're unbalanced. Stop leaning to the right side," Crimsonpelt said. Moonpaw tried again. "Better."

"Can I try to it on prey yet?"

"Just work on technique for now."

Moonpaw sighed and continued her practicing. Her weight kept shifting to one side or the other. Then, she smelled something tasty. Whipping around, she advanced upon a robin that had landed nearby. Then she pounced. The bird flew up, its feathers brushing her claws. The tabby lunged again, but it was too late. "I just told you to work on techique," Crimsonpelt growled. "If you had listened, I could have caught that and gave it to the Clan!"

"I'm sorry. I... I thought I could get it."

"It's alright," Crimsonpelt sighed, calming down. "But next time, listen to me! Here, let me show you the proper way to nab a robin..."

As Moonpaw entered the elder's den, Tansywhisker looked up from grooming her think gray fur. "Did you catch that mouse?"

"No," Moonpaw admitted. "Crimsonpelt did, but he asked me to give it to you."

"Thank you, dear," Mothstep said. "Want to share it, Tansywhisker?" The Tansywhisker nodded and knelt beside the tortoiseshell. The two elders gnawed away at the fresh-kill.

"I hope Palepaw comes in with more soon," Burnclaw grumbled, flexing his claws idly.

There was a pause, and Moonpaw found her voice. "Can I... ask a question?"

"Go on," said Tansywhisker.

"I just wanted to know why you didn't cheer for me this morning. At my apprentice ceremony."

Scareye sighed from across the den, and Mothstep and Tansywhisker suddenly became very preoccupied with their mouse.

Finally Burnclaw said, "It's... your name."

"What's wrong with it?"

"'Moon' has been associated with the Moonstone ever since the dawn of the Clans," he said. "When your mother named you Moonkit, it was a sign of disrespect to StarClan."

"It's not your fault she named you that," Tansywhisker quickly added.

"We just didn't feel comfortable calling your name," said Scareye. "It's nothing against you personally."

"Oh." Moonpaw flicked her tail uncomfortably.

"But," Burnclaw's eyes darkened slightly. "StarClan has been insulted. Your mother never should have picked that name." His final words were drowned out by an angry screech.

Moonpaw peered out the den to see one of the older warriors, Whitetooth, race into camp with Wingfoot and a she-cat named Gingertail.

"Kittypets!" Whitetooth announced, his black-and-white fur bristling. "Kittypets have stolen SkyClan prey!"

Wow, writing this is fun! And I'm pleased that this chapter is so much longer than the last one. Be sure to read the next chapter- and to click that "Reveiw" button there.