Throughout the week Flareheart was able to go out for a mouse more and more. Her kits were growing up on her, a little faster than she liked. But she thought ahead to when they would be apprentices and then warriors. Perhaps even leaders.
Skykit was getting more and more dominant. Flareheart often worried about him getting into trouble. But he knew his boundaries well. Flamekit and Scruffkit were turning out more average than their brother on the other hand. Flareheart didn't seem to notice, all she cared about was that they were healthy and happy.
Flareheart's attitude and suspicions of Tallstar faded away, he was her father, and he couldn't bear to be cruel to her. Secretly he had always hoped to have her in his clan, but Bluestar wanted her as well, and since she was the mother, Tallstar couldn't argue. Now he was glad he hadn't taken Flareheart, when Bluestar died he was happy she had the time she did with her. Now it was his turn to be the parent.
The kits got older quickly and soon Tallstar walked into the nursery while Flareheart was watching the four kits play happily. "Sweetfur, Flareheart, I think it is time for the four kits to become apprentices." He said watching the kits intently. All four heads shot up happily. "Really?" they all asked together. Tallstar nodded warmly. "Their ceremonies will be held tomorrow." He said. Both she-cats agreed by nodding their heads. Flareheart gave Tallstar a wink before he turned to leave. Stormpelt walked in. Flareheart told him instantly what Tallstar had said. "Wow, it feels like just yesterday I found you asleep in the forest." He smiled thinking back to that day. Flareheart thought back too. It had been a scary night. She wondered if she would even be alive if Stormpelt hadn't found her.
"I call our ancestors of Star Clan to look down upon these four kits today. Let them take each one as an apprentice of Wind Clan!" Tallstar called from the rock beside his den. It was called Calling Stone. "Silverclaw I give you your apprentice, teach him well the ways of Wind Clan. Skykit your new name is Skypaw of Wind Clan." Skypaw touched noses with Silverclaw and they walked to the side of Calling Stone. "Frosttail I give you your apprentice. Teach her well the ways of Wind Clan. Flamekit your new name is Flamepaw." Flamepaw walked forward and touched noses with Frosttail and walked to sit beside Skypaw and Silverclaw.
"Grayfang I give you your apprentice. Teach him well the ways of Wind Clan. Scruffkit, I give you your new name Scruffpaw." Scruffpaw and Grayfang touched noses and sat beside Scruffpaw's brother and sister.
"Flashfur, I give you your apprentice. Teach her the ways of Wind Clan well. Spraykit I give you your new name, Spraypaw." Tallstar finished as Spraypaw and Flashfur touched noses and joined their companions by Calling Stone. "Skypaw, Scruffpaw, Flamepaw, Spraypaw!" the cats chanted happily.
That day Flareheart was able to leave the nursery along with Sweetfur and move into the Warrior's Den. Stormpelt greeted Flareheart warmly and for the first time Flareheart felt free to be with her love once again.