Volepaw huffed as she was landing, looking at the deputy as they jumped down from the Lookout Rock. The two cats had returned from training and the brown-eyed apprentice felt excitement bubble up inside her.

I'm getting really good at training... Maybe I'll be a warrior soon!

It wasn't long before they came to the gorse tunnel and Volepaw waited for her mentor to go through. After the dark gray tom had reached the other side, Volepaw made her way through and came out on the other side to stand by Smokestep. As they looked around, Swallowstar jumped on the Tallrock and yowled.

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, join here beneath the Tallrock for a Clan meeting."

From what Volepaw could see, most of the Clan was gathered around and she and Smokestep joined them.

Doveflower padded over to the Tallrock with Mallowkit, Sorrelkit, and Sootkit following her in a single file line. Volepaw couldn't help but purr.

"I've called you together for one of the most important moments in the life of a Clan. Sorrelkit, Sootkit, and Mallowkit have reached their sixth moon, and it's time for them to become apprentices. Sorrelkit, from this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be called Sorrelpaw. StarClan, I ask you to guide this new apprentice. Set his paws on the path he must follow to become a warrior. Beeflower, you will be mentor to Sorrelpaw. You are quick and are good at tracking. I know you will pass on these qualities to Sorrelpaw.

Sootkit, from this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be called Sootpaw. StarClan, I ask you to guide this new apprentice. Set his paws on the path he must follow to become a warrior. Graybird, you will be mentor to Sootpaw. You are patient and are good at strategy. I know you will pass on these qualities to Sootpaw.

Mallowkit, from this day until you receive your warrior name, you will be called Mallowpaw. StarClan, I ask you to guide this new apprentice. Set her paws on the path she must follow to become a warrior. Antfire, you will be mentor to Mallowpaw. You are clever and brave. I know you will pass on these qualities to Mallowpaw."

The mentors and apprentices touched their noses together.

"Sorrelpaw! Sootpaw! Mallowpaw!" the cats chanted. As the warriors led their new apprentices to the side of the clearing, Swallowstar looked at Dustblaze.

"Dustblaze, is it your wish to give up the name of a warrior and go join the elders?"

The tan tom gave her a nod. "It is."

"Your Clan honors you and all the service you have given us. I call upon StarClan to give you many seasons of rest," the white she-cat meowed. Then Dustblaze started to walk towards the elders den, receiving purrs, licks, and thank you's from the cats.

After the leader had called the meeting to an end, Volepaw glanced over at Jumpingpelt and Ivysong as they made their way to the gorse tunnel. Feeling up for hunting, she turned to her mentor.

"Smokestep, may I go on patrol with Ivysong and Jumpingpelt?"

"I don't see why not," the tom answered.

Giving a flick of her tail, Volepaw padded over to the warriors.

"Hi Jumpingpelt, Ivysong. May I come on the hunting patrol with you?" the apprentice asked.

Ivysong and Jumpingpelt looked at each other, then back to Volepaw.

"Okay, you can come," Jumpingpelt replied, then went through the gorse tunnel.

...

Volepaw could see that Jumpingpelt's steps were slow, and his tail dragged in the dirt as he walked. His eyes were clouded, and the two she-cat's could clearly see he still missed Runningbird.

Getting an idea, Volepaw meowed, "remember when Runningbird would always speak before she thought?"

At this, the gray cat's ears shot up. Slowly turning his head to face Volepaw, Jumpingpelt nodded. "Yes," he meowed.

Ivysong spoke this time, her black fur bristling. "Remember when we were late getting back to camp and Runningbird and Swallowstar confined us to camp for half a moon?"

Jumpingpelt purred, remembering how mad the brown she-cat had been.

As they passed the old badger den, the three cats all scented prey. After catching two moles and a rabbit, they started walking back to camp. Rustling in the grass made the cats drop their prey and stalk towards the sound. Ivysong jumped into the grass, and soon after a yowl sounded. The black she-cat dragged a gray she-cat out of the grass and they all pinned her down.

"What are you doing here?" Volepaw demanded, her tail lashing.

The she-cat looked up at the three. "My... my name is Hazel," she muttered. "I was just wandering around-"

"Get off our territory," Jumpingpelt hissed. "Now!"

Hazel gulped nervously, hoping they wouldn't rip her apart.

"I'm sorry... I just... I wish to join your Clan," the gray she-cat replied. The Clan cats looked a little confused.

Jumpingpelt took a step towards the loner. "And why would a loner want to join a Clan?"

Hazel rolled onto her back, exposing her soft belly.

The Clan cats stood down.

"Because I feel... lonely," Hazel answered. Jumpingpelt and Ivysong looked at one another before turning tail and going back to grab their prey.

"Okay, we're going to take you to our leader. She'll decide what to do with you."

Jumpingpelt kinked his tail over his back as he padded away, the rest of the cats following.

...

"Jumpingpelt, Ivysong, and Volepaw," Swallowstar meowed standing on the Tallrock, looking at her warriors. "Who is this?"

Volepaw glanced at the loner and answered, "this is Hazel. She is requesting to join our Clan."

Yowls filled the air and Swallowstar flicked her tail for silence.

"Very well," the white she-cat meowed, then met Hazel's gaze. "Young she-cat, is it your wish to join our Clan and live with us for the rest of your life?"

"It is," Hazel answered.

Swallowstar called for Sunbird and moments later, the brown cat came. "Sunbird, has StarClan sent you any signs?"

The medicine cat nodded his head. "Yes, they have sent me a sign."

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Hazel, from this moment on, you will be known as Hazelpelt. StarClan honors you and we welcome you as a warrior of WindClan."