Larkpaw slid into the FireClan camp late the next morning, with her fur already warmed by the sun. Her whiskers twitched. She entered through the tiny gap near the apprentice's den, and tried to slink quietly over the fresh kill pile. She hadn't eaten since yesterday morning at the LeafClan camp, and the previous night had been tiring; she had woken multiple times during the night, and she hadn't slept well when she was in Dreamland.

"Larkpaw?" It was Gustpaw's cautious whisper. Larkpaw sighed, and her muscles relaxed.

"You found me," she muttered, sitting down.

"I can't believe it's really you! I was on a hunting patrol yesterday, and when they said you'd come back, I didn't believe them, but now…now I do," mewed Gustpaw, sitting down beside her. "I've really missed you, it's been a while."

"I've missed you too, Gustpaw," said Larkpaw, flicking her tail across her friend's shoulder.

"Nope, it's Gustfoot now, and Huntingspirit. We were given our names four days ago. I was so sad that you weren't there with me, Larkpaw,"

Larkpaw leaped up in surprise. "Gustfoot? You're a warrior? It's only been a moon and a half! You still had a while as an apprentice when I left!" she cried, her eyes questioning. Gustfoot shifted awkwardly.

"We were told not to tell you this, but…well, I think it's mean, so I'm going to. Last night, Brackenstar went to each of the Clans and asked after you, and LeafClan told us that you'd stayed with them after they found you almost killed by a rogue."

Larkpaw's heart skipped when she thought of LeafClan and Moonpaw, and she prayed to StarClan that Aspenstar hadn't told her about Brackenstar about him…and their secret.

"And, well, they told us that you were unconscious for a whole moon before you woke up and they helped you. I guess you were hurt pretty bad, but they didn't want to scare you, so they didn't tell you. I'm surprised you don't remember…" said Gustfoot awkwardly. "But they also said that they thought you could be made an apprentice, because you had practiced with the LeafClan apprentices. I think Brackenstar wants to make you a warrior very much, Larkpaw," added Gustfoot reassuringly. Larkpaw fell back on her tail, blown by the news. But suddenly, it didn't seem so odd. She had wondered how she had possibly healed so quickly.

"Ah…Larkpaw," Brackenstar's careful voice floated over to Larkpaw and Gustfoot. Immediately, Gustfoot turned and padded away, leaving Larkpaw alone with her father. Larkpaw's eyes narrowed as soon as Brackenstar settled down beside her.

"Brackenstar," acknowledged Larkpaw, making no moves.

"Daughter…" meowed Brackenstar lightly. His movements were stiff and tense, as if he was ready to leap up and give chase at one move from Larkpaw. "I…I want to talk to you. I realize I've been treating you like a child, Larkpaw, but there is a reason. You're my only daughter-"

Larkpaw put a foot forward, and Brackenstar turned sharply towards her, his eyes pleading. "Please, don't run! Can't you just listen to me for one moment?" he cried pitifully.

Larkpaw nodded slowly, pulling back her foot.

"You're my only daughter, and I don't want you to grow up! It's not that I won't love and support as a warrior, but it burns my heart to put you forth to face the dangers of being a full warrior and adult cat. There are so many pains and hardships that I just wish that you would never have to experience. I don't think you couldn't, but…I never want to lose you again."

Larkpaw looked over at her father, staring at him for a long, long moment. She stared hard at his face, in his eyes, until Brackenstar finally shifted under the pressure of her gaze. After many tense moments, Larkpaw finally began to laugh. It was a low laugh, starting deep in her throat and rising like the sound of water pouring over a stone at a faster and faster rate, until the laugh was barely contained inside her. Brackenstar looked surprised; a laugh wasn't the response he had anticipated, but soon he had joined her, and the two cats rolled on the ground together, smiling and prodding each other's shoulders.

"Daddy, I love you, always have, and always will," said Larkpaw, when they had stopped laughing and were sprawled out on the ground, facing each other.

"As do I, Larkpaw. Now, I believe a warrior ceremony is in order?" he said, smiling.

Larkpaw jumped up, her face spreading in a grin the size of a tree. "Wait, but I haven't had any training!" she said, her face falling at the thought.

"Nonsense, you've had plenty, what with your little adventure. And about fighting, who says you can't continue learning all that after you've been given your warrior name?" said Brackenstar, leading the way to the Highledge.

"May all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highledge!" called Brackenstar, heaving himself up onto the ledge.
The cats of FireClan emerged from their dens, and seeing Larkpaw, they suddenly realized what this must be about. Mistclaw, Larkpaw's mother, had a proud smile on her face, and Gustfoot and Huntingpsirit were sitting together, eagerly watching Larkpaw.

When all of the cats had crowded around beneath the ledge, Brackenstar called Larkpaw up to sit next to him.

"First, I have to say, on behalf of the whole Clan, that we never want to run off again!" said Brackenstar, looking softly at Larkpaw. She could see it in his eyes that he hoped he hadn't offended her, and she only smiled. It was good to be back among her friends and family.

"And now, I would like to call upon our ancestors StarClan to look down on this apprentice, and recognize what she has done, despite the fact that she had no chance to be mentored," said Brackenstar, with a touch of pain. "She has been through hardship and pain, but she has faces both with courage and fortitude. I would like to give her her warrior name. Larkpaw, let you now be known as Larkflight!" he cried, lashing his tail for emphasis.

Larkflight's eyes grew with happiness and wonder, and she felt herself quietly cheering along with the Clan cats, trying out her new name.

"Larkflight, Larkflight, Larkflight," she murmured, tasting the sweetness of the new word.