15

After that, WindClan attacked less, but everyone was still on edge. At the next two Gatherings Starpaw went to, she noticed a bit more tension between WindClan and the other Clans. The WindClan cats seemed a bit confused, like they weren't sure whether or not to be hostile.

It was really confusing to Starpaw, and when she pointed out WindClan's behavior to Lakepaw and Flamepaw, they agreed that they couldn't figure it out either. Starpaw only noticed WindClan's behavior when she was mulling over Onestar's mysterious words. He had sounded so honest and apologetic that Starpaw was certain he had said the truth. And the more Starpaw saw the WindClan cats, the more she noticed it.

She kept a careful eye on them when they attacked and at the Gathering. Sometimes she felt another cat's pelt brush hers, or a breath in her ear. Starpaw instinctively knew it was Bluestar, and enjoyed her company.

When Starpaw wasn't puzzling over mysterious messages or watching WindClan, she was training. Her warrior ceremony was half a moon away, and Lakepaw and Flamepaw's were going to be any day now. Thornclaw was training her hard, trying to make sure she remembered everything. And by the way Flamepaw and Lakepaw flopped into their nests each night, Poppyfrost and Berrynose were training them even harder.

Even though she was tired, Starpaw made sure to talk to the other apprentices. Rosethorn had been chatty and welcoming to Berrypaw, Leafpaw, and Sweetpaw for the moon she had been an apprentice with them. After she had become a warrior, she had asked Starpaw, Lakepaw, and Flamepaw to keep being friendly.

"I know it may be hard, but it will make a great difference to them. Trust me," Rosethorn had meowed.

It had made a difference. They were more happy, and they seemed to have formed strong bonds in the Clan. As Starpaw was sharing a mouse with Leafpaw, she saw Bramblestar come out of his den with Berrynose and Poppyfrost. He seemed to be nodding about something.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather for a Clan meeting!" he cried. Leafpaw looked up.

"It's their warrior ceremony," she meowed. "I know it."

After the Clan had sat down, Bramblestar cleared his throat. "I, Bramblestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn.

"Lakepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Lakepaw meowed calmly, "I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Lakepaw, from this moment you will be known as Lakepelt. StarClan honors your loyalty and strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."

Lakepelt walked over proudly. Bramblestar rested his muzzle on her head, and Lakepelt licked his shoulder.

Bramblestar spoke again. "I, Bramblestar, leader of Bramblestar, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn.

"Flamepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Flamepaw trembled with joy. "I do." she meowed.

Bramblestar nodded. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Flamepaw, from this moment you will be known as Flamestep. StarClan honors your honesty and bravery, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."

Flamestep managed to walk over to Bramblestar and lick his shoulder. She was barely containing her excitement as Bramblestar rested his muzzle on her Clan cheered. "Lakepelt! Flamestep! Lakepelt! Flamestep! Lakepelt! Flamestep!"

Lakepelt came over to Starpaw, along with Flamestep. "Wow, I cant believe it!" Lakepelt meowed. "We're warriors!"

Starpaw purred. "I never doubted it."

Flamestep stretched. "Don't forget we have to sit vigil tonight, Lakepelt."

"Count on me!" Lakepelt meowed.

"I will, don't worry," Flamestep meowed lightly, "to stay awake with me!"

The three friends laughed happily.