Shimmerpaw sat outside the apprentices' den with Fernpaw sharing a sparrow. Shinestar had insisted that Rippleheart rest for a day after the attack to make sure his injuries healed. Meanwhile, Thistlepaw had woken up and was laying at the side of the camp with Dragonfang and Ruskclaw guarding him. He hadn't tried to escape or hurt any cat so far. Shimmerpaw could feel his frustration through the force, though. This is all really bothering him.

"Quit staring," Fernpaw snapped, making Shimmerpaw turn her attention back to her companion. "Let him mope if he wants to. He got himself into this mess."

"I know," Shimmerpaw sighed and took another bite out of the sparrow. She didn't want to tell Fernpaw that she felt a little bad for Thistlepaw. She could feel her friend's resentment towards the treacherous apprentice. She wasn't going to be the one to start that argument.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Talltree for a Clan meeting!" Shinestar's call rang around the clearing. Shimmerpaw and Fernpaw quickly finished their prey before joining their Clanmates. Rippleheart sat at the base of the tree. Other than a few visible scratches, he looked like he had completely recovered. Ravenstripe sat in his place beside the deputy as well.

"What's this all about?" Graystep asked in a whisper, coming to sit beside the two apprentices.

"No clue," Fernpaw answered. "Probably has something to do with everything that happened yesterday."

The crowd quieted down and gazed up at their leader. "Cats of LightClan, I'm sure word has spread quickly about Thistlepaw's return, and I know you are all confused as to what happened. The short version is that Thistlepaw attacked Rippleheart at the border. Something happened to him while he was away from us, and now he has returned. It is now our job to help him heal and recover from whatever traumas he may have seen while he was on his own."

"How do we know he won't turn on us?" Sparrowblaze asked, casting a hostile glance towards Thistlepaw.

"Thistlepaw needs guidance that only we can give him. Rippleheart and I have discussed it, and we have decided that he will be given a second chance to continue his training. I will personally take him on as my own apprentice until he is ready to become a full warrior," Shinestar continued.

Most of the Clan didn't look happy about the decision but they didn't voice any concerns. "Now I have one more ceremony to perform. When Rippleheart was attacked, he was completely alone. He would've died. But three brave cats ran to his rescue. Shimmerpaw led Graystep and Fernpaw to Rippleheart's rescue. Without them, our deputy wouldn't be here today."

"Graystep! Shimmerpaw! Fernpaw!" the Clan cheered.

Shinestar raised her tail in a signal for silence. "They were all very brave. Rippleheart was very impressed with how Shimmerpaw handled herself in particular. We both agree that she is ready to receive her warrior name. Shimmerpaw, please come forward."

Shimmerpaw took a breath and padded to the front of the crowd as Shinestar leaped down in front of her. "I, Shinestar, leader of LightClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble codes, and I commend her to you as a warrior and jedi in her turn. Shimmerpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior and jedi codes, to protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do," Shimmerpaw vowed.

"Then by the power of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Shimmerpaw, from this moment on, you shall be known as Shimmerheart. StarClan honors your courage and intelligence, and we welcome you as a full warrior and jedi of LightClan," Shinestar rested her head on Shimmerheart's head and Shimmerheart licked her shoulder.

"Shimmerheart! Shimmerheart!" the Clan called out her new name, raising their muzzles to the sky. Shimmerheart's gaze sought out her parents in the crowd, who were gazing at her with such pride. Her heart swelled, wishing she could run over and celebrate with them but she held herself back. I promise I will become a strong warrior and jedi that you can be proud of.

The Clan began to disperse, several cats coming up to congratulate Shimmerheart. The new warrior dipped her head in thanks to each of them. Rippleheart was among them. She could see how proud he was of her as he explained the vigil she would keep tonight. I won't let you down, Rippleheart.

As the deputy padded away, Shimmerheart felt a nudge on her left shoulder. She turned and smiled when she saw Ravenstripe with Graystep, Fernpaw, Brighteyes, and Bronzefrost behind him. "Congratulations, oh mighty warrior," the medicine cat teased.

Shimmerheart rolled her eyes but smiled. "Thanks, Ravenstripe. It hardly feels real."

"You've earned it," Graystep added.

"We can finally share a den again," Bronzefrost added with a big smile.

"You can use my nest to sleep tomorrow after your vigil is over if you'd like," Brighteyes offered.

"I think I may take you up on that offer," Shimmerheart meowed.

Fernpaw let out a frustrated sigh. "What am I supposed to do without you in the apprentices' den?"

"Thistlepaw will be in there before long," Ravenstripe pointed out.

"Exactly! I don't want to sleep near that fox-heart," Fernpaw growled.

"Then you'd best become a warrior quickly," Brighteyes advised with an amused purr.

Shimmerheart couldn't help but laugh at the group's banter. Even though I'm not supposed to have attachments, it's nice to know I can always rely on my friends to be there for me.

Paw steps made Shimmerheart turn as Brambleheart approached. He smiled and dipped his head. "I just wanted to congratulate you, Shimmerheart. No cat deserves this more than you."

"Thank you, Brambleheart, but I really didn't do anything different to any other warrior here. I just did what any warrior would've done," Shimmerheart insisted.

"You may believe that, but I think you've done so much more than that. Not only did you save Rippleheart yesterday and bring Thistlepaw back to the Clan, but you've trained so hard and you were always willing to help out any cat that needed something. You're a truly amazing cat, Shimmerheart. LightClan is lucky to have you," Brambleheart explained.

Shimmerheart felt her ears heating up at his praise and she shuffled her paws. "I don't know about all that. That's very sweet of you to say though. Thank you, Brambleheart."

Brambleheart dipped his head before padding away to the warriors' den. Bronzefrost let a teasing smile spread across her face. "Seems to me that Brambleheart likes you, Shimmerheart."

"What? That's ridiculous!" Shimmerheart shook her head. "Besides, I'm a jedi. I can't take a mate. And Brambleheart wouldn't want a jedi for a mate anyway. Shinestar had to give him up for that very reason. He wouldn't want to put his own kits through that."

"Would you put your own kits through that?" Brighteyes ventured.

Shimmerheart knew what she was supposed to say. I would do what the jedi code demands of me. But could I really do that? Would I be willing to sacrifice having a relationship with my kits if I had any?

"I don't know," Shimmerheart admitted honestly. She then shook out her fur. "It doesn't matter. I'll never have kits anyway. I'm a loyal jedi and warrior. I have to focus on my duties."

The group all exchanged doubtful glances, but they didn't challenge her. "Well, we'd better let you get to your vigil," Graystep meowed.

"Good luck staying awake all night, beautiful," Ravenstripe teased as the group headed off to their dens. Shimmerheart let out a sigh as she settled herself in the center of the camp. She turned her gaze to the sky as the first stars began to appear in the sky. I know that I must follow the jedi code, but I can't get rid of the attachments I already have to my friends and family. I can control it, but will that really be enough to keep me on the path of light? Those thoughts kept Shimmerheart's mind active all throughout the night, making it easy for her to remain awake throughout her whole vigil.

Hey guys! Sorry for the long wait for this chapter. I'm doing my best to flush the story out as well as the characters so I'm trying not to rush it. Hope you enjoyed! See you all in the next chapter 3