It was the half moon. Now that Leafpool's kits were two and a quarter moons old, they could be left in camp without Leafpool worrying about them. She had not gone to the Moonpool for two moons because she hadn't wanted to leave Shrewkit, Silverkit, and Lightkit alone. Now, as she walked with Jaypaw, she was happy to be out of camp for a short time although she didn't want to be away for too long, like any good mother. On the way, Leafpool and Jaypaw met Littlecloud.
"Leafpool! Are you ok? Why didn't you come to the Moonpool last two moons? You weren't at the Gatherings either. Jaypaw wouldn't tell me or any other medicine cat, and no other ThunderClan cat will say!" cried Littlecloud.
"I'm fine. I… I'd rather not say why I haven't been here. Let's just say I did something I never should have done and leave it at that." Leafpool went on ahead, leaving Jaypaw and Littlecloud alone.
"Jaypaw, can't you tell me anything about this? Please? Leafpool is my friend. I'm sure you know. You're her apprentice and a medicine cat. She's my friend, and I need to know why she's been missing." Meowed Littlecloud.
"She's been busy. Ashfur won't give her much time to herself, and their kits…" Jaypaw suddenly realized what he was saying. "Not a word to anyone about what I just said. Not even to Leafpool." Jaypaw growled. Littlecloud nodded, understanding.
'So that's why she didn't come. She was at home in the nursery with her kits!' thought Littlecloud. No medicine cat would want all four Clans to know that they had broken the warrior code. They met Barkface, Kestrelpaw, Mothwing, and Willowtail.
"Leafpool! Where were you?" asked Barkface.
"I'll tell you what I told Littlecloud. Let's just say I did something I shouldn't have done and leave it at that." Answered Leafpool.
"Please tell us, Leafpool." Meowed Kestrelpaw.
"No, Kestrelpaw." Replied Leafpool.
"Kestrelpaw! Who's Kestrelpaw? I'm Kestrelclaw!" he meowed indignantly.
"Ok. No, Kestrelclaw. Better?" teased Leafpool.
"You're apprentice is the only medicine cat apprentice left in the forest! When will he get his name?" Kestrelclaw teased her.
"Today. He's taken care of the Clan on his own for several moons, and he deserves his full name. What do you think, Jaypaw? Do you agree? Or should you remain the only medicine cat apprentice without a name in the four Clans?" Leafpool meowed.
"I agree!" cried Jaypaw happily. Leafpool purred softly.
"His brother and sister just got their warrior names a quarter moon ago. He's ready for his full name." Leafpool told the other medicine cats. Then they arrived at the Moonpool.
"Jaypaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart of the rivalry between Clan and Clan, and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?" asked Leafpool.
"I do." Answered Jaypaw.
"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your true name as a medicine cat. Jaypaw, from this moment you will be known as Jayfeather. StarClan honors your determination and intelligence and we welcome you as a full medicine cat." Leafpool meowed. Then she rested her muzzle on Jayfeather's head as she had seen done in warrior ceremonies, and Jayfeather licked her shoulder in response.
"Jayfeather! Jayfeather! Jayfeather!" chanted the other medicine cats.
"Come on. Let's share tongues with StarClan now." Meowed Leafpool impatiently. The other medicine cats were confused. This was very different from the Leafpool they knew. Without commenting, the seven medicine cats each licked a few drops of water and fell into the dreamlike state it caused. Or six of them did. Mothwing, not believing in StarClan curled up into a ball and slept like any warrior would. Even Jayfeather was good enough to simply lick up the few drops of water. Leafpool heard something she never wanted to hear.
"Greetings, Leafpool. I have a warning for you. Forbidden kits can cause a lot of trouble." Meowed Spottedleaf.
"For… forbidden kits. What do you mean 'Forbidden kits can cause a lot of trouble'? Spottedleaf! Tell me, please!" cried Leafpool.
"I must not say. But remember." Replied Spottedleaf. Suddenly, Leafpool woke up. The other medicine cats were also beginning to stir. She hurriedly woke Mothwing before anyone else saw her, then prodded Jayfeather awake.
"I must return to camp now. Come on!" hissed Leafpool. Mothwing noticed her anxiety. So did the other medicine cats.
"Why?" asked Jayfeather. Leafpool didn't answer. Instead she raced away from the Moonpool and back toward the ThunderClan camp. She didn't like what she saw. Warriors, apprentices, and even Firestar, Brambleclaw, and the elders were searching everywhere for something. Or someone. She raced into the nursery. Shrewkit, Silverkit, and Lightkit were gone.