Chapter 7

"I call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice." Firestar began. Starheart could see Moonpaw's eyes sparkle with pride. She had waited for this day for a long time.

"She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Moonpaw do you promise to follow the warrior code and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
Moonpaw looked toward Starheart. She was nervous that she was going to blurt out the wrong thing. So she mewed so quietly that no cat could here, "No," lifted her head and mewed, "I do!"

"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name. Moonpaw, from this moment you will be known as Moonstream. StarClan honours your strength and courage and ThunderClan welcomes you as a full warrior."

"Moonstream! Moonstream!" was chanted among the Clan.

"Congratulations, Moonstream." Starheart mewed. Moonstream smiled at her. Her vow of silence rested.

Whitenose went to congratulate Moonstream as Starheart headed to the ShadowClan border, sneaking out of the camp.

She took a breath of air. A scent of ThunderClan and ShadowClan mixed together and it was fresh.

"Tawnypelt!" Starheart hissed. Tawnypelt pounced on her.

"Thank you Tawnypelt – I want to tell you something and I get pounced on." Starheart mewed calmly as Tawnypelt became less tense.

"What is it Starheart I'm a busy warrior." Tawnypelt mewed.

"Have you had dreams of your father lately?"

"Wouldn't you ask Brambleclaw about this?" Tawnypelt mewed.

"He would have told Squirrelflight about it and if I know their kits they'll tell all the apprentice's – including Moonstream. And she'd tell me."

"Well, I figured Brambleclaw would have had the same dreams. Tigerstar kept saying that a cat would come and rule the forest."

"Well, thanks Tawnypelt. This has been helpful." Starheart mewed.

"Say hi to Brambleclaw for me." Tawnypelt mewed as she headed away from the border.

---

Starheart headed to the camp to see Moonstream wasn't there for her vigil!

"Moonstream!" Starheart called. Instead she felt a cat pounce on her. Starheart turned around to see Moonstream had attacked her.

"Moonstream! What are you doing?" Starheart hissed.

Moonstream looked up at her with sorry eyes but she wouldn't move her paws off of Starheart's neck. "I can't help it! Something is controlling me!"

Moonstream let go of her and headed to the lake. "Moonstream!"

"What are you yowling at Starheart?" she heard Firestar mew from the camp entrance.

"It's Moonstream. Something's happened to her!" Starheart explained.

"I'll send a search patrol. You go get some sleep." Firestar explained.

"But -" Starheart protested.

"Starheart," he mewed strictly.

"Last time you didn't listen to me Dustpelt got killed!" Starheart protested again.

"Starheart…" he reapeated.

Starheart huffed and headed off to the warriors' den.

---

Moonstream had a plan. But it wasn't hers. Tigerstar was controlling her. She headed to a ditch near the old badger set. She stared down to see rats in it. She stopped in front of the ditch. I didn't know that was there.

She heard cats coming. She wanted to stop so they could find her. She didn't care if she'd get in trouble – so long as some cat stopped her.

Instead she jumped the ditch and sat on the other side. "Moonstream come back!" she heard Ashfur cry. She walked further away.

She stopped and stared down the ditch. She heard a yowl. Ashfur! She wanted to cry.