AN: Okay, here's a new chapter. Only took me a week to update, but at least it's an update!

Obsessive Bookworm - Thanks, glad you like it!

Mallowfeather of EarthClan - glad you like the name :) I thought it would be fun to add the bit about Bluestar and her past with ThunderClan. She'll be included in the future story later on ;)

Xelaric the Nobody - I'm glad you liked the chapter. Here's that update!

CheetahStar - Don't worry, I'm not about to give up on this story anytime soon! And I love them too, of course I'm the one who created them XD

Chapter Thirteen

Morning sunlight filtered through the cave as Dustystar opened his eyes. Brownleaf was still waiting for him patiently with her tail wrapped around her paws. Embarrassment washed over Dustystar when he realized that they had been there all night.

"I think we should go back," he meowed after looking anywhere but Brownleaf.

The medicine cat tilted her head to one side before nodding in agreement. Their journey back to the makeshift camp gave Dustystar time to think of what to do next. He needed to give the cats that had chosen to stay a chance to show what they could really do. Sydney showed that she had the promise of a future warrior. Blue was calm and patient, but he didn't seem like much of a fighter. Eagle was willing to give the Clan a chance as well. Olive on the other paw... Dustystar wasn't sure what to make of the kittypet.

Olive seemed to frail to give up the old life of a kittypet. She was jumpy around cats like Foxear or Sydney. She was even afraid of Amber, who came in and out of the camp every now and than. The kittypet was just too skiddish to make Dustystar believe she was suited as a warrior.

It didn't take them long to return to camp. By now it was close to sunhigh as Brownleaf trotted in. Her head was held high for the first time in moons. Dustystar had never seen the medicine cat look so confident. He restrained an amused purr when she joined Sageleaf beside the makeshift nursery.

"How did it go?" Eagle asked. His eyes were huge with excitement as he looked at Dustystar expectantly.

"A leader must never tell anyone about their ceremony," Brownleaf explained. Eagle's ears flattened when he looked back at her. "It is tradition, and law," she added in a more defensive tone.

"I have received my nine lives," Dustystar announced as more cats gathered around him. Amber sat in the back of the group, eyes calculating as always. He wondered if she would refuse to accept the new Clan and it's ways. She'd never said anything, but doubt clouded her eyes. "And now I must give the two apprentices mentors before they become warriors."

Ripplepaw and Stripepaw exchanged looks. Blue tilted his head to one side while Eagle sat down beside Sydney. The black and brown she-cat's ears were pricked forward as she listened.

"I will mentor Ripplepaw, since the warrior code states that a leader must have mentored at least one apprentice," Dustystar meowed. No one argued with his choice, and Ripplepaw looked like she was ready to burst with pride. Having the leader as your mentor was a huge honor in the Clans. "Foxear, you will mentor Stripepaw since you have not had an apprentice."

The brown she-cat's eyes narrowed before she nodded in agreement. Dustystar hoped that would sever the tension building between them. He knew how much she wanted to be chosen as their leader. Being the deputy was the next best thing.

"And now you must all receive warrior names, as is a costume to the Clans," he added in a more formal tone. Blue, Sydney and Eagle looked more eager than ever to receive their warrior names. Olive on the other paw hung back as she realized just how important this was. "Blue, Sydney, Eagle, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your lives?" He studied each cat carefully, waiting for their expressions to change when they realized the extent of their promise.

"I do." Sydney was the first to reply. Her voice was filled with hope as she looked calmly at Dustystar. She was giving up the old life of a kittypet for this.

"I do," Blue meowed soon after.

"I do," Eagle added.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Sydney, from this moment on you will be known as Darkclaw, in honor of your fur color and the courage you have shown." Darkclaw closed her eyes when Dustystar approached her. He touched his muzzle on her forehead, and as she was instructed she gave his shoulder a respectful lick.

"Blue, from this moment on you will be known as Bluestone, in honor of your spirit and patience." Bluestone stared at Dustystar hopefully when he touched the new warrior's forehead with his muzzle.

"Eagle, from this moment on you will be known as Eaglefur. StarClan honors you for your speed and stamina." Eaglefur looked like he was ready to burst with excitement when Dustystar touched his forehead with his muzzle.

"Amber, are you sure you wish to become a warrior?" Dustystar turned to the golden brown tabby. Her eyes had narrowed into tiny slits as she considered his question. Most leaders wouldn't have given her a choice, but Amber was sacrificing her old life for a new one.

"I want to become part of the Clan," she finally replied after an awkward silence fell between them. Dustystar blinked in surprise when she met his gaze. "I've given it some thought after you left with Brownleaf. This is what I was meant to do." Her shoulders heaved with what Dustystar thought was effort as she finished speaking.

"Then do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Dustystar thought back to how much she fought back. Amber was willing to give the Clan a chance. He knew that this meant more to her than she realized.

"I do," Amber replied without hesitating.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Amber, from this moment on you will be known as Ambershine, in honor of your fearless courage and the path you have chosen." Ambershine's eyes widened at her new name. Dustystar touched her forehead with his muzzle, and in return she licked his shoulder.

"And last but not least, Olive. Do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Dustystar turned back to the gray and silver kittypet. Her gaze was so focused on the others that she barely heard him. She looked back at Dustystar before answering.

"I... do," she mewed in a soft, almost reluctant voice.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Olive, from this moment on you will be known as Olivecloud. StarClan honors you for your bravery and speed." There was more to her name than Dustystar wanted to admit. She wasn't sure if she had made the right choice.

The new warriors looked on proudly as their names were called. Even Olivecloud, despite her previous worries, looked pleased with herself. Dustystar forced back a grin of happiness when he realized that his dream had come true. He and Sageleaf could live together under the guidance of StarClan. And that meant more to him than anything else.