Poppypaw woke, her chest full of something heavy and her eyes sticking together, but she woke.

"Poppypaw!" someone cried, and the words rung in her head.

"Sorreltail?" she said, aware of how bleary her voice was, how much it cracked.

"You're alive," her mother said, rushing to her. Leafpool didn't try to step in between them, and Sorreltail surrounded her. "You're alive."

Jaypaw scrambled — he was still next to her — shaking himself free, and Poppypaw closed her eyes again.

"Yeah," she said, her voice muffled. "I'm okay."

"Don't sleep yet," Leafpool said. "Eat this."

Poppypaw lapped up the herbs in front of her. Catmint — she'd know the scent anywhere, even if her senses were dull as pebbles.

"Is she going to be okay?" Sorreltail asked, but Poppypaw was already falling back asleep, surrounded by her mother's scent, a reassuring purr steadying her.

She was beginning to recover, but she was still practically nestbound.

Well, according to Leafpool.

As far as Poppypaw was concerned, she had enough energy to fetch her own freshkill. Leafpool disagreed, and she had sat Jaypaw on her to sit guard.

"I'm sorry about your brother," Jaypaw said. It came out of nowhere.

"Yeah," she said. "I mean, sometimes things happen, right?"

She had barely thought about Molepaw. She hadn't sat vigil for him, and it was hard to think he wasn't just back in their den, waiting with Honeypaw and Cinderpaw for her to be cleared for visitors.

"But you didn't get to sit vigil for him. I can't imagine how hard that must be."

Poppypaw swallowed. Her head felt heavy, and she could feel the ache in her joints. Jaypaw touched his nose to her shoulder, and then, nervously and quickly, ran his temple along her jaw.

He pulled back, sitting with his feet together.

"I'm sorry," he said.

Poppypaw blinked, slowly. "You did your best."

"It doesn't feel like it."

She stood, slowly, stretching her back and taking a few steps toward him. "You did," she said again. "I know you did."

Poppypaw pressed her head under Jaypaw's chin. He startled, but she purred, and he relaxed.

It was only a moment — she pulled back, not staying long enough to start rumors.

It was only a moment, but then, it was a moment.

Leafpool cleared her to return to training.

"Are you alright?" Honeypaw asked.

"Yeah," she said. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"I dunno. You just seem different."

Cinderpaw pushed between them. "Well, yeah," she said, looking pointedly at Honeypaw. "Of course. I'm just happy we're—" She cut herself off.

"I'm glad I'm training again," Poppypaw said. "I'm just a little tired."

"It was you, wasn't it?" Poppypaw asked.

Jaypaw looked at her. "What are you talking about?"

"It was really you. In my dream."

She stared at him, searching him for an answer. He didn't lower his head.

"Yes," he said. "It was."

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"No one is supposed to know." He licked his paw, dragging it behind his head. "And it would be hard to explain..."

"You saved me," she said. She pressed her nose to his shoulder. "Thank you."

"Well," he said, and she could feel him swallow. "It wouldn't be right to let you die."

"Jaypaw!" she called. "Come eat with us."

"Are you sure?"

"Hollypaw and Lionpaw are out on a moonrise patrol. C'mon, don't eat alone."

He shook his head softly, but followed her. "Honeypaw caught two mice today, so we're splitting them," she said. "But I guess we should grab something else since there's four of us...Hey! Cinderpaw! Grab an extra sparrow or something, will you?"

"You're lucky it's green-leaf," Cinderpaw said, pulling one off of the pile.

"Yeah, well, Jaypaw is eating with us today."

"I don't have to," Jaypaw said.

He looked uncomfortable. Poppypaw tried to figure out why — he might be grouchy, but he was never anti-social.

"Stop being ridiculous," Cinderpaw said. "You're going to what, eat alone?"

"Fine," he said, settling next to Poppypaw.

"Hey, Jaypaw," Honeypaw said. "I was just telling them about how I caught the mice — and I think Berrypaw was impressed."

"She's obsessed with him," Poppypaw said in a mock-whisper. Cinderpaw laughed, and Jaypaw chuckled.

"I am not!" Honeypaw said. "You're just jealous."

"What would I be jealous of?" Poppypaw said. "Lionpaw interrogating me about him? Listening to him talk about how cool he is? Or that beautiful tail?"

Cinderpaw laughed harder. "Stop," she gasped, "I'm trying to eat."

"I see how it is," Honeypaw said, when Jaypaw started to laugh, too. "You bring him here just to gang up on me. Fine."

Cinderpaw tackled her. "Shut up, you furball. You're just fun to tease."

"You're no better," Honeypaw said, gasping. "I've seen how you look at Lionpaw."

They rolled over each other, batting their paws in a mock fight.

"I swear," Poppypaw said, "I swear I'm not actually related to them."

And Jaypaw really laughed at that.

"I have an idea," Jaypaw said. "About how to help Cinderpaw."

"Okay, shoot."

"Well, apparently, in the water, cats can move injured limbs better."

"What?!" Cinderpaw shrieked, pushing her head out of the den to stare at them.

"Hey!" Jaypaw said. "You're supposed to be in your nest."

"I hear injured cats in the water," she said.

"I mean, yeah," Poppypaw said. "What are you going to do, teach her to swim?"

"That's exactly what we're going to do," Jaypaw said.

Poppypaw groaned.

"I can't believe we're doing this," Cinderpaw hissed. She was wedged between Poppypaw and Jaypaw, as they limped down to the lake.

"It's going to help you," Jaypaw said. "Stop complaining."

"Isn't Leafpool going to notice the two of you are missing?" Poppypaw asked.

"She's gathering herbs, so we have until at least dusk."

It took them until nearly then to make it down to the lake, but they made it, sitting on the damp shore.

"So now what?" Cinderpaw asked.

"We get in." Jaypaw looked imploringly at Poppypaw.

"Oh no," she said, "I'm not getting in. The two of you can."

"Poppypaw," Cinderpaw said, her voice flat. "I cannot believe my own sister would betray me like this."

"Have fun!" she said.

Jaypaw and Cinderpaw walked into the water nervously, shrieking at the cold. Poppypaw watched them, fondly, as they got deep enough for Cinderpaw's leg to be submerged.

"Having fun?" Leafpool asked. Poppypaw jumped.

"Uh, hi," she said. "You know, this is just a typical thing we do. Or, uh, no, Jaypaw—"

"Poppypaw. We can talk about this together." Leafpool's voice was calm, but stern enough to make Poppypaw close her mouth.

Jaypaw and Cinderpaw were sitting further down, just out of the water. Poppypaw scampered to join them, and Leafpool paced in front of the trio.

"So, let me get this straight. You decided to try an experimental technique without talking to me, or telling anyone where you were going, or what you were doing, and without taking anyone who knew how to swim?"

"Poppypaw was here," Jaypaw said.

"Poppypaw," Leafpool said. "Do you know how to swim?"

Poppypaw shook her head.

"Then it doesn't really matter." Leafpool sighed.

"You know, my leg did feel better," Cinderpaw said. "It was helpful."

Leafpool closed her eyes, and Poppypaw could swear she was muttering a prayer under her breath.

"That's good," she said. "I'm glad. We are going to go back to camp, and then talk about this properly. And all of you are getting punished."

Leafpool started back, but the three of them walked slightly behind her.

"You're getting me wet," Poppypaw hissed.

"It's penance for not getting in the water," Cinderpaw said. "Next time, you're coming with."

"Who said there's going to be a next time?" Leafpool called.

"Are you really going to stop us?" Jaypaw asked.

Leafpool didn't respond. Probably because the answer was clearly yes.

"What's up with them?" Poppypaw angled her head at Hollypaw and Lionpaw, glaring at each other on opposite sides of the freshkill pile, neither saying a word.

"Who?" Jaypaw asked.

"Your littermates."

"Oh, they're arguing. Something about Cinderpaw and spending all my time with you and her."

He bunts his head against hers softly. "They're being mouse brains, that's all."

"I've seen how you look at him," Cinderpaw said.

"I don't," Poppypaw said, swallowing. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You do," Cinderpaw said. "Every time we walk to the lake, I see it. He's a medicine cat, Poppy, what are you thinking?"

"It doesn't matter. He doesn't feel the same."

"He does," Cinderpaw said. "You should pay better attention."

Honeypaw and Poppypaw passed their assessments.

"Are you sure you don't mind?" Honeypaw asked. "It's not like we couldn't delay the ceremony..."

"Don't be silly," Cinderpaw said. "You earned this."

"Poppypaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Poppyfrost. StarClan honors your courage and initiative, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan!"

The Clan cried, "Honeyfern! Poppyfrost!", and it didn't escape Poppyfrost's notice that Jaypaw cheered her new name first.

Or that he touched noses with her in congratulations.

"Collecting herbs?" Poppyfrost asked.

"Yeah," Jaypaw said.

"I'll come with."

"I don't need an escort." He pushed past her, leaving camp.

"I know. But wouldn't you like company?"

He waved his tail, noncommital.

"You don't even know what to look for," he said.

"Well, I'll help you carry it all back."

He didn't respond, but she brushed beside him, and she thought — faintly — she could hear him purring.

"So you got your full name?" Poppyfrost asked.

"Yeah," he said. "Jayfeather."

"I like it," she said. "Suits you." She wrapped her tail around him. He didn't jump.

"What's that even supposed to mean?"

"Just, well, it sounds good. I'm sorry you don't get a celebration."

He laughed, a little, leaning into her. "All of StarClan celebrated me, Poppyfrost. I don't need the Clan to call my name."

She turned her head, sharply. "Hey. First of all, there's no way all of StarClan was at your ceremony—"

"They were! You don't know, you weren't there."

"—and second of all, it's still nice to hear your Clanmates call your name."

"Well, we don't celebrate medicine cats' names," he said.

Poppyfrost looked around them. They were sitting in a clearing, with no one around. "Jayfeather!" she called. "Jayfeather!"

"Stop!" he said.

"No. I'm going to celebrate you. Jayfeather! Jayfeather!"

She rested her chin over head.

"I'm proud of you."

"Thanks," he said. "I'm...happy you're here."

"Three," Poppyfrost said. "Two daughters, and a son."

"Just the two," Jayfeather said. "Two daughters."

"If I'm right, you owe me..."

"You can't say a moon of dawn patrols," he said. "I'm not a warrior."

"I know! I'm thinking."

"I'll wait."

He stretched out in the sun, laying on his side and letting his tail spill out.

"If I'm right, you have to come to the next Gathering with me."

"I have to sit with the medicine cats, Poppy."

"Not the whole time. All I'm asking is a bit of your time." She swung her tail over his nose, and he sneezed, startling.

"Don't do that."

"Fine." She laid next to him, putting her head next to hers. "So what do I owe you if you're right?"

"Which I am." He paused, his ears flicking at the birdsong surrounding him. "If I'm right, you're my escort for all my trips for a moon."

"Fine," she said, but they both knew he didn't have to ask her to do that.

"I saw you talking with Jayfeather the other day," Honeyfern said.

"I talk with Jayfeather a lot."

"Yeah, but..."

She leaned in, lowering her voice. "You know it's against the Code, Poppyfrost."

"Against his code, not mine," Poppyfrost said, and winced. "But we're not mates."

Honeyfern looked unconvinced.

"If you have kits," she said, "who are you going to call the father? Everyone in the Clan knows how close the two of you are."

"It won't be a problem," Poppyfrost said, "because I'm not having kits."

"I'm just trying to help."

"Oh, come on, Honeyfern! Every since you and Berrynose got together, you've practically abandoned me and Cinderheart."

"I'm still your sister!" she said, her tail wagging, agitated.

"I'm just saying, you don't have the right to mettle in my life."

"Fine," Honeyfern said. "Be like that."

"I want you to sleep in the medicine den tonight," Jayfeather said.

"I'm fine, honest."

"You're not fine. You walked to the Moonpool, got attacked by Breezepelt, and saw your dead sister. You're sleeping in my den."

"We can watch her," Daisy said.

Jayfeather tilted his head. "That might be okay...I'm just worried that..."

He walked past her, and lowered his voice, but Poppyfrost could still hear what he was saying.

"If she tries to leave again, maybe if she's near the medicine den, I can stop her better."

"Because you're the medicine cat," Daisy said, the connection dawning on her. "Yes, that makes sense. We'll make a nest for her in the nursery, once she's stable."

Jayfeather nodded, then turned, guiding her into his den.

"I'm fine, Jay."

"You're not," he said. "But even if you were, it's as good an excuse as any to share a nest."