Runningpaw followed Spottedpelt back to the camp from her final assessment. Personally, Runningpaw felt good about her assessment. But the judging was not up to Runningpaw, it was up to her mentor and Whitestar. Flowpaw and Brownpaw also had their assessments, but they weren't back yet. Forestpelt got her name after she got back from the Moonstone a couple weeks ago.

Spottedpelt walked over to Whitestar's den and entered after summoned inside. Runningpaw dared not to ever eavesdrop if she did well or not. She looked up at the sky, her mother was watching her, Stripedtail knew if she was going to become a warrior or not. Runningpaw glanced at the entrance of the camp. Flowpaw and Rainpelt entered. Flowpaw trotted to Runningpaw and sat down. "Hey,"

Runningpaw looked back at the leader's den. "Hi,"

Flowpaw frowned. "Are you okay?"

"She was your mother too, but I guess you don't feel it because you watched your mother die right before your eyes." Runningpaw looked down at her paws. She imagined them bloodstained, but not with her own blood.

"That doesn't mean I'm sad about her death. It means that I want to shake it off and try and focus on what's important now. We all have a job, and we have to do it." Flowpaw lifted her sister's chin so she'd look at her.

"Yeah… you're right. I have to move on, what's past is gone. But I will always remember how good a mother she was to me." Runningpaw nodded and stood up as Spottedpelt walked out from the leader's den, and Rainpelt walked in. Runningpaw trotted up to Spottedpelt. "Do I get to become a warrior?" She looked into his eyes that gave nothing away.

Spottedpelt looked down at his apprentice. He had disappointment in his gaze. "Yes!" His gaze brightened and he smiled widely. "Your warrior ceremony is tonight at sundown."

Runningpaw leaped for joy. "Yes! Awesome! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She smiled for the first time since her mother passed. Her smile was wide and bright. Spottedpelt nodded.

"Yes, I love it when apprentices act this way when they are about to become warriors." Spottedpelt turned as there was rustling in the camp entrance. Brownpaw walked in with Badgerpath following.

"Hey, Brownpaw! Guess what?" Runningpaw went running up to him.

"What is it?" Brownpaw stopped and almost skidded backward.

"I'm going to become a warrior!" Runningpaw waved her tail happily in the air. "My warrior ceremony begins at sundown!"

"Congratulations! I'm sure I'll be standing right there beside you." Brownpaw nuzzled his sister and went to sit down with Flowpaw.

Rainpelt walked out of the leader's den, she looked very happy. Flowpaw stood up with her tail high in the air, eyes bright. Badgerpath entered the den to speak with Whitestar. Rainpelt sat down next to her apprentice. "Well… you're having your warrior ceremony tonight with Runningpaw at sunset."

Badgerpath walked out. "Same for you too, Brownpaw." Brownpaw leaped in the air, jumping for joy.

Whitestar came out of his den. "I'm proud of you all, you deserved it." Heatherkit, Foxkit, and Rabbitkit came stumbling out of the nursery.

"Can we become warriors too?" Foxkit asked.

"You're going to have to wait until you become 'paws." Whitestar looked down at them. "That should happen soon…" He snickered.

The kits squealed with joy. "I'm gonna be leader someday!" Heatherkit mewed.

Runningpaw was immediately hit with the thought. Her father will die someday, and her siblings… everyone will die someday. Runningpaw blinked away the tears in her eyes.

Whitestar approached Runningpaw. She was the last one to be made a warrior. "Do you, Runningpaw, promise to uphold and protect your clan, even at the cost of your life?" Whitestar looked in the sky at Silverpelt. Was Stripedtail watching?

"I promise to uphold and protect my clan, even at the cost of my life." Runningpaw saw her shadow being casted on the Great Rock behind her out of the corner of her eye.

"Then StarClan gives you your warrior name, Runningshadow, we honor you for your skills and bravery." Whitestar touched his nose to Runningshadow's forehead and Runningshadow licked his shoulder in return. Whitestar stepped back and leaped onto the Great Rock. "Congratulations you three, you are all warriors now."

Runningshadow looked up at the appearing Silverpelt. Are you proud of me Stripedtail? Brownpelt turned to Runningshadow. "I know she's proud of us." It's like he could read his sister's mind. Or was he connected to StarClan? Didn't matter, Runningshadow looked to the crowd of warriors.

"Flowheart, Brownpelt, Runningshadow! Flowheart, Brownpelt, Runningshadow!" The clan cheered their new warrior names. Runningshadow could almost hear the cheer of her mother as the sun set lower and lower in the sky. The warriors started to leave the clearing to their dens to settle down for the night.

"Flowheart, Brownpelt, and Runningshadow, this is your first night as warriors you are to sit vigil and keep watch tonight." Whitestar walked close to his den, then turned around. "May StarClan guide your paws."