Gloryheart strolled back from the hunting patrol and went over to get some fresh kill. He was starving after that long hunt. He chose a mouse and settled down.

"Gloryheart!"

He sighed and took a quick bite of the mouse. "Hey, kits!"

"We wanna play catch the leaf like we did yesterday!" Crystalkit purred.

"Yes, we do," Specklekit agreed.

"On Gloryheart's team!" Littlekit called.

Littlekit was not so little anymore. He was a quarter moon old but was pretty big for his age, and he had the biggest admiration of him. Gloryheart played with the kits for a while, allowing them to pounce on him as he pretended to have difficulty in jumping on leaves.

His sister purred loudly and whispered something to Mallowleaf who replied something with a smile in return.

Gloryheart was surprised at himself. It was only a quarter-moon earlier he would've been happy to get rid of them, but now, he would do anything for them, particularly Littlekit.

Crystalkit got tired and she went with Specklekit to Fallowfern and Briarheart. His grandmother had done a good thing for little Specklekit. Althpugh she went to Fallowbreeze to suckle, Briarheart made a nest in the nursery and adopted Specklekit as the daughter she never had. The two got on great, and Silverwhisker told her about her mother and sister in Windclan very briefly.

Littlekit sighed. "Spoilsports!"

"We can continue playing if you really want to," Gloryheart told him.

"Really? Thanks Gloryheart! When I grow up, I want to be just like you!"

Gloryheart was his role model, his friend, his uncle, his father and his mentor all in one.

"Gloryheart, whom is assessing Plumpaw today?" Streamflower asked.

Gloryheart shook his head to clear it. He had completely forgotten about the apprentices assessments today!

"Well, I'm assessing Squirrelpaw and Brownear is doing Leappaw so I think that maybe Bittenstar will do her."

"Wrong," Brownear said coming over, "I was supposed to assess Leappaw but I asked to rather assess Plumpaw, as you're my mate so I think you'd prefer it."

Streamflower couldn't meet his gaze. "Thanks for volunteering Brownear," she mumbled.

"So who's going to do Leappaw?"

"That'd be me," Rattletail grinned. "I asked. I thought I'd tell you all about it afterwards, Gloryheart."
"That's great. Let's start, then?"

The apprentices were bouncing with excitement.

"Do mine again!" Leappaw shouted.

"Leapfrog! Leapfrog!" the other two chorused.

"Guys, we're about to start. You may talk to your mentors quickly."

Leappaw padded over.

"Gloryheart, you've been the best mentor ever!"

"Thanks, I know you'll make e proud."

"I will." He paused. "I wish Ebonyflower could've seen this."

So do I.

"She's proud too."

"For your kits!" Plumpaw purred.

"Streamflower smiled. "If I have a she-cat that looks like you, I'll call her Plumpaw, but if not, then I'm sorry."

Squirrelpaw and Brownear were having a more formal conversation.

"Yes, I promise I'll remember that."

"Good. Now Gloryheart is assessing you, so make sure you catch something difficult to impress our deputy."

"I will. Thank you Brownear."

Gloryheart followed Squirelpaw carefully, as to not divert his concentration. The tom started off strong, catching the required two birds, and shortly after catching a mouse. Then he just managed to catch a sick looking rabbit, also one of the things he had to catch. But he still had to find and kill a squirrel, which he had not.

Gloryheart kept looking at the sky. It was getting later and he still had not caught that squirrel. If the apprentice failed, it would be his fault for asking him to catch a squirrel. Oh, Squirrelpaw, please hurry!

Squirrelpaw was thinking the same thing. In desperation, he climbed into a tree. Gloryheart waited below. That's it. When he came down, they would have to return to camp. But then, he heard a screeching noise. Gloryheart climbed up the tree. Was Squirrelpaw in trouble?

No. at the top, the red tom held a hawk in his beak.

"Squirrelpaw!"

He dropped the bird. "I'm sorry I didn't catch the squirrel. I'll have to try again tomorrow."

Gloryheart sighed. He had caught such a rare and difficult bird though.

"Wait. Squirrelpaw, how good are you at keeping secrets?"

"Why?"

"I'm willing to make you a warrior for catching that. It's better than any squirrel. If anyone asks, you were required to catch two birds, a rabbit and a mouse."

"Really? Isn't that cheating?"

"Only if you believe you don't deserve it."

"Then thank you Gloryheart."

"I thought so."

"Gloryheart, Streamflower, Brownear; are you satisfied that your apprentices are ready to become warriors?"

"I am."

"Me too."

"Yes."

"Leappaw, step forward. Do you promise to observe and uphold the warrior code, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do."

"Then by the power of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. You shall be known as Leapflame, StarClan honors you for your enthusiasm and loyalty. We welcome you as a full member of Thunderclan."

Gloryheart cheered with the rest. Plumpaw became Plumnose, for her skill and willingness to learn and Squirrelpaw became Squirrelspring for his bravery and courage.

"Leapflame! Plumnose! Squirrelspring!"

Gloryheart congratulate his former apprentice and was about to welcome the other two when Jasminescent pulled him aside.

"Come with me."

He followed his friend through the forest and finally they stopped at the lake. It was raining lightly.

"Not a pleasant night to stand vigil, is it?"

"No."

"Why'd you drag me here?"

"Don't you love just standing in the rain? Listen to it. Smell the freshness of it, feell the texture of the mud beneath your paws. Is it not paradise?"

"Jasminescent, are you okay?"

She didn't reply. He had to admit, he didn't mind the rain. He did like the sound of it and how it made his fur feel.

"I'm worried."

"About?"

"Brownear."

"Brownear?"

"Yes. He thinks that Streamflower is to have his kits, or should I say, kit."

"There's only one?"

"Yes. When he finds out, he may take it out on either Streamflower or you."

"Me? We're not even sure that I'm the father of her kit!"

"Oh, Gloryheart, I wish that were true."

"What do you mean?"

The rain was getting harder but it was pleasant and he did feel relaxed.

"I just know."

Then she got up and left. Gloryheart walked through the forest for a while, alone to think about what she had said.

Okay, again, can't update until the 26th :( but it's simply necessary all the studying