Author's Note: No reviews last chapter? I am sad.

Disclaimer: See first chapter.

Blackkit had spent a miserable five moons living as a kittypet. At times, he had wished that the family had just left him outside, as they had almost done—but the young twoleg, a boy of capacious size, had begged to use the 'kitty' for his 'shooting practice.' Blackkit had endured several sunrises of having small, hard objects launched at him from a strange device before the female twoleg—the skinny, horsey one—had intervened and told her son to 'stop mistreating Harry, popkin.'

Harry. That was the kittypet name that he had been given. It was like the final betrayal, assurance that his return to the forest would not be happening. But still, nothing stopped Blackkit from dreaming that one day, he would become a ferocious warrior of HallowClan. He had never imagined that Raggedfur would leap over the wall enclosing the twoleg nest and report that the forest was safe once more. Ratclaw's body wasn't the only one that had disappeared—Deathstar, though he had been seen crawling into a bush framing HallowClan territory, could not be found.

Ashstar interpreted this as a good sign, and later StarClan had spoken in his dreams. They confirmed that Blackkit was able to return to the clan.

Blackkit was momentarily stunned by the warrior who had just appeared next to him. "You're-you're-" Blackkit stuttered, barely able to believe what he was seeing.

"Hello again, young Blackkit," Raggedfur meowed good-naturedly. "Ashstar has sent me to bring you back to HallowClan."

"But—but—what about Deathstar?" Blackkit wondered. "Won't he try to kill me like he killed my parents?"

"Blackkit, Deathstar has disappeared. We do not know where he is, but StarClan has said that he is no longer a threat to you," Raggedfur said.

Blackkit allowed himself to be cheerful for the first time since his parents had been murdered. "So…I can become a HallowClan warrior?"

"Yes, Blackkit." Raggedfur looked lovingly at the kit. "Now, let's not worry Ashstar any longer."

Many warriors thanked StarClan for such an ordinary event as naming apprentices in this troubled time. Seven kits stood up on central rock, eyes bright and heads raised high, waiting eagerly for the moment they would receive their apprentice names. However, Ashstar had ceased from starting due to the absence of one last clan member.

As Raggedfur lead Blackkit into the clearing, there was a cheer from HallowClan: he had been a popular kit, even at only one moon old, and the whole clan was missing him. Ashstar beckoned Blackkit to climb the rock to join his fellow clanmates; he scrambled up and Ashstar could not help but marvel at how much he had grown. Finally, Ashstar could not hold off the ceremony any longer, so he began formally:

"These were some dark times for HallowClan. But now we look to the light and perform a duty that is a pleasurable one: the naming of apprentices. HallowClan has been blessed with our abundance of kits this season, and they will all be wonderful warriors.

"Cedarkit and Ravenkit, step forth." The two tortoiseshell she-cats, looking excited at the prospect of becoming apprentices, stepped ahead of the other kits. "Will StarClan gaze upon these two kits and guide them in the path of the warrior. From this day forth, until you gain your warrior name, you will be known as Cedarpaw and Ravenpaw," Ashstar continued. "May StarClan light your path to becoming a warrior." The clan took up a cheer of "Cedarpaw! Ravenpaw! Cedarpaw! Ravenpaw!" that was ended as Ashstar motioned for silence.

"Shellsong, please step forth." Looking mildly surprised, the brown and white tabby padded to stand with Cedarpaw and Ravenpaw. "Due to our abundance of apprentices, you will mentor these two sisters. Your loyalty and hunting skills are impressive, and I trust you will pass them onto your apprentices." Shellsong touched noses with each cat, and, in turn, they licked her on the shoulder.

"Next, Bumblekit, Birchkit, Lilackit, Redkit, and Russetkit." He gave a short pause, in which every kit he named practically glowed with pride. "StarClan watches these kits and will help them in their quest to becoming warriors of HallowClan. From this day, until they earn their warrior names, these apprentices will be known as Bumblepaw, Birchpaw, Lilacpaw, Redpaw, and Russetpaw."

Dumbledore paused to allow a cheer of "Bumblepaw! Birchpaw! Lilacpaw! Redpaw! Russetpaw!" Then he continued:

"Their mentors will be Owlfeather, Sorrelbreeze, Cloverstem, Specklefang, and Raggedfur." Five warriors joined the growing crowd on central rock.

"Bumblepaw, your mentor will be Owlfeather. Owlfeather, you are a loving cat, yet ready to fight as fierce as any other warrior if someone threatens those you love. I ask you to teach these skills to Bumblepaw.

"Birchpaw, the mentor I have chosen for you is Sorrelbreeze. Sorrelbreeze, your fighting skills and swift paws are admirable, and I trust you will teach them to Birchpaw.

"Lilacpaw, Cloverstem will be your mentor. Cloverstem, you are a powerful warrior and a good friend, and I know Lilackit will benefit from your teachings.

"Redpaw, you will be taught by Specklefang. Specklefang, as my deputy, I know you will teach your fighting and tracking skills to Redpaw.

"Russetpaw, you are apprenticed to Raggedfur. Raggedfur, you know how to both be a loving clanmate and a fierce warrior. I ask you to teach Russetpaw to be the same."

As each new apprentice was given a mentor, the smaller cat pressed a young, pink nose to the warrior's nose, then warmly licked the larger cat's shoulder. Through all of it, no one noticed that one kit still remained unapprenticed. That was changed as Ashstar finished the ceremony.

"There is now one kit remaining. Blackkit had a difficult start in life, but that will not hinder him from being a great warrior of HallowClan. May StarClan be watching as Blackkit becomes an apprentice: Blackkit, from this day until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Blackpaw. I will be your mentor."

Blackpaw paused and let the message sink in. The clan leader was his mentor! He had returned to HallowClan! He was one step closer to becoming a warrior!

Ashstar leaned down to touch noses with his new apprentice, looking happier than he had in moons. Blackpaw pressed his smaller nose to Ashstar's and then licked his shoulder, hearing the clan chanting his new name. "Blackpaw! Blackpaw! Blackpaw!"

Blackpaw had never felt closer to his warrior ancestors.

"StarClan, watch over all of our new apprentices. They are all hard-working, loyal cats, and one day, they will all be fine warriors," Ashstar finished.

The clan understood the meeting to be concluded, and Ashstar carefully climbed to the base of the rock, Blackpaw following close behind. "Now, Blackpaw," Ashstar said. "Your first apprentice task is one of the less enjoyable ones, yet one that must be done. You are going to help the elders with their grooming."

Blackpaw yearned to protest, but Ashstar was right: his parents had always taught him to respect the old cats who had dedicated their lives to the service of HallowClan. He decided that he would be an apprentice to be respected and emulated—an apprentice who never complained about the less desired duties.

Blackpaw hesitantly entered the elder's den, waiting for the sharp voice of Thrushpelt to admonish him. He didn't have to wait; as soon as he was in view, Thrushpelt snapped, "Get over here, apprentice. I have tick at the base of my neck."

Blackpaw parted the older cat's fur, staring at the small brown creature digging into Thrushpelt's skin, when Smallnose said quietly, "Blackpaw, you should go get some mouse bile from Poppyheart—it's the only way to get rid of ticks."

Blackpaw nodded, leaving the den, and heard Thrushpelt bringing out her knack for snappish replies at Smallnose, retorting, "You were far too soft with him, Smallnose." Stifling a laugh, Blackpaw ducked into the medicine den, feeling the heady scent of mixed herbs hit him like a real, tangible object. Poppyheart looked up from the cobweb that she was stretching over Brackenleaf's leg and said, "Oh, hello, Blackpaw. What is it that you need?"

"Mouse bile," Blackpaw replied. "Thrushpelt has a tick."

"That moss in the back is soaked in bile, you can take a piece," Poppyheart said, now smearing a poultice on Brackenleaf's injury. "Just don't get any in your mouth and wash your paws in running water after you're done!"

"Thank you," Blackpaw said politely, carefully lifting a mouse-bile-filled wad of moss and leaving the cramped den.

He was greeted by a cluster of cats surrounding the clan entrance. "What's going on?" he asked Shellsong, the nearest cat.

"We have a visitor," she responded, turning her attention back to the scene unfolding.

At the front of the clearing, Raggedfur was questioning a small brown cat who Blackpaw did not recognize. He couldn't hear the unknown cat's fright-softened answers, but Raggedfur's rough tones were audible. When he had inquired the visitor's name, place of origin, and whether or not she lived with housefolk, Raggedfur finally seemed satisfied that the she-cat was not a SnakeClan spy. The pair of them disappeared into Ashstar's den, leaving the entire clan, especially Blackpaw, wondering what had just occurred. It seemed to Blackpaw that the clan had gained yet another young warrior.

Mentors and Apprentices

Ashstar—Blackpaw

Specklefang—Redpaw

Owlfeather—Bumblepaw

Sorrelbreeze—Birchpaw

Cloverstem—Lilacpaw

Shellsong—Cedarpaw and Ravenpaw

Sproutwhisker—Kestralpaw and Sparrowpaw

Reedpelt—Tawnypaw

Rowanfire—Cherrypaw

Lizardwatcher—Spiderpaw

Pikeflight—Woodpaw

Raggedfur—Russetpaw

Thrushfall—Birdpaw

Thanks for reading! And don't forget to review!