"Maplepaw," came a soft voice. "It's time to wake up."

Someone was gently cleaning her fur. Warm fur wrapped around her. Her throat burned; her face stung; her muscles ached. Yet the nest was soft and warm and reminded her of the nursery, and Maplepaw didn't want to wake up. She teetered on the edge of dreams, dreams where nothing hurt and prey jumped into her paws.

"Maple." The mew was more urgent now. "Cloudstep says you need to wake up."

Obediently, Maplepaw opened her eyes, wincing at the pain from the rip up and down her right eyelid. She blinked again, and if hurt less this time.

"Redpoppy." She tried to purr, but it hurt her throat. "You're okay."

"Where does it hurt?" It was Cloudstep, a bundle of herbs swaying from his jaws.

"My throat," Maplepaw said, and was startled to hear the rasp in her voice. "Sore. And the cut on my eyelid."

"How sore? Can you swallow? Try to swallow this."

Grimacing, Maplepaw forced herself to lap up a droplet of honey. Swallowing sent claws of pain down her throat, but she managed to do it.

"Good." Cloudstep sniffed her appraisingly. "It's just bruised. It will heal with time. You'll be fine so long as infection doesn't set in."

Maplepaw sat up in the nest. Though her muscles groaned, they complied. A smelly green poultice was plastered against the fur on her neck.

"You still need to rest," said the medicine cat. "No hunting or border patrols for at least two days. But you are well enough to sit vigil."

Maplepaw stared at him, mouth open in shock. "Vigil?"

"Oh, my dear," said Redpoppy softly. "I forgot how long you were out. Come. It's best if I show you."

Redpoppy lead her into the clearing. Dawn was just beginning to spread its soft orange light across the ravine. Maplepaw couldn't suppress a gasp of shock and grief as she saw the four shapes laid out in the center of camp. Goosefur… Nettlescratch… Foxjump… StarClan above, not Webclaw, too! Most of the Clan sat quietly around their bodies. Flowers and fragrant herbs dotted their pelts. Maplepaw padded forward as if in a daze, unable to look away from the lifeless bodies of her Clanmates. This is all my fault. It was Maplepaw who'd sent Goosefur and Nettlescratch to guard the nursery. It was Maplepaw who hadn't been quick enough when she heard Nettlescratch yowl in pain. All my fault…

"Come say goodbye," mewed Redpoppy softly. Maplepaw squeezed next to Jaggedclaw by Goosefur's body.

"You were so kind to me when I was a kit," said Maplepaw softly into the queen's gray fur. "Auntie Goosefur. You should have lived out your last days in comfort in the elder's den with Oaktree and Webclaw." She glanced at the elder's still form. Downtail's muzzle rested on Webclaw's head. Maplepaw remembered with a pang that Webclaw had been Downtail's father.

Redpoppy pressed herself against Maplepaw. Soon Bloompaw and Thrushflight came, too, and the four shared silently in their grief as sunrise bloomed over the camp walls. Maplepaw's legs were stiff by the time Yellowstar meowed from the Highledge.

"FireClan." Her voice was firm, but soft. "We remember these loyal warriors with pride. It is time to give them to StarClan." Heart heavy, Maplepaw watched as Oaktree, Beechwhisker, Paletuft, Jaggedclaw, and Downtail carried the four dead cats out of camp to be buried.

"Thank StarClan you're okay," said Bloompaw. Maplepaw looked at her for the first time; her sister's solid ginger fur was ripped in places, and a few scars crossed her shoulder, but otherwise she seemed well.

"And you," said Maplepaw. "How is everyone else? The medicine den was empty."

"Yours was the most serious injury. Cloudstep treated the others in the apprentice den to give you space. Yellowstar was hurt pretty bad, but she's alright now. And-"

"Wrencatcher?"

A purr rumbled in Bloompaw's chest. "Oh, he's fine, I think. He was asking about you all night."

Maplepaw looked down at her paws, pelt hot. She hadn't seen him in the clearing. She glanced around; a lot of cats were missing…

"Border patrol," Bloompaw explained, watching Maplepaw's gaze. "After BlackClan retreated, Yellowstar ordered patrols to remark the whole BlackClan boundary."

"How did it end?" How much did I miss?

"Yellowstar," said Bloompaw, her eyes wide with awe. "I wish you could've seen it. She saved you! Well, I guess you know that. She practically flayed Scratchstar's pelt right off. He ran screaming into the woods! He didn't even call a retreat. The other cats just fled after him." Bloompaw's claws curled into the grass. "I know we lost so many cats. And I know I'm not meant to be glad when other cats die but, well." She snarled. "We killed a lot of BlackClan cats, too."

Maplepaw sighed heavily. She wasn't glad. This fight never should have happened. "I need to speak to Yellowstar."

Thrushflight's eyes widened in surprise. "Why?"

"I'll tell you later."

Maplepaw leapt up Highledge and waited at the entrance.

"Yellowstar?"

"Enter."

She pushed through the mossy entrance, suddenly nervous. Yellowstar sat grooming her pelt, a worried look in her eyes.

"Maplepaw, good. I was just going to find you."

"I need to tell you something."

"Oh?" She paused mid-lick and tilted her head. "Go ahead."

"When Scratchstar had me pinned down, he revealed something. He said he attacked us because StarClan refused to give him nine lives, and he blamed FireClan for Weaselclaw stepping down." And me in particular. "Actually-he blamed me. I knew about the couple and I didn't say anything."

"It's not your fault," said Yellowstar. "I knew about them, too. No one forced Weaselclaw to abandon her Clan. You might have noticed Sunsplash wasn't in the battle. I let him visit his mate yesterday, and after tonight, I don't expect him to return, even with his brother dead." A growl rumbled in the leader's chest. "I should have known Scratchstar would try something like this." For the first time, Maplepaw realized how exhausted she looked. When she'd last seen the leader, blood had been pouring from a wound in her belly. But now her belly looked normal, except for a long scar.

The elegant yellow she-cat noticed her staring. "Yes," she said. "I lost a life in the battle."

"You-" Maplepaw gasped.

"It's not for the Clan to know. They'll only worry." She lashed her tail. "BlackClan will pay for this. Thank you for your honesty, Maplepaw. Now there's something I need to tell you."

Maplepaw stared up at Highledge, her eyes wide. She couldn't believe what was happening.

"FireClan fought bravely last night," Yellowstar yowled. "No one cat is responsible for our victory; it was our combined courage that saw us through." Cats yowled agreement. "But one cat in particular showed incredible courage last night. Maplepaw, step forward."

She heard murmurs of surprise ripple through the crowd behind her, and Maplepaw couldn't blame them. Still dazed with surprise, she forced herself to look her leader squarely in the face.

"Maplepaw, you organized the Clan the moment the alarm call sounded. Without thinking, without pausing, you set up guards around our most vulnerable spots, and you fought with the skill of a seasoned fighter. Now," said Yellowstar, with a nod to Paletuft, "it's true that this wasn't your job. It's the deputy's job, and mine, to organize defense. But when you saw no one else was around, you didn't stop to consider what the polite thing was to do. You acted. You saved lives."

"She can't be a warrior yet!" called Jaggedclaw. "She's hardly out of the nursery!"

Yellowstar fixed the black tom with a cowing glare. "Maplepaw has proven herself worthy of her warrior name," she said. "I, Yellowstar, leader of FireClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as warriors in turn. Maplepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Maplepaw met her leader's gaze without flinching. I would gladly die to protect the ones I love, she thought. Determination spread through her chest. It doesn't matter who I used to be. This is who I am now.

"I do," she said.

"Then by the power of the Ageless Ones, I name you Mapledawn. StarClan honors your power and loyalty, and we welcome you as a full member of FireClan."

For a terrible moment, the Clan was silent, and Mapledawn felt her determination falter. Then Redpoppy called out her name; then Bloompaw; then Wrencatcher; then Thrushflight; then Dapplecreek. Cloudstep came and smeared her fur with the warrior marks, and soon the whole Clan was chanting "Mapledawn! Mapledawn!" Even Paletuf and Jaggedclaw yowled her name. Only Frecklefang stayed silent, but Mapledawn didn't care. I'm a warrior now. She has to respect me, even if she hates my guts.

Mapledawn looked, bewildered, at the crowd. Bloompaw caught her eye; she expected to find jealousy there, but found only pride. Mapledawn purred so loud it hurt her throat. "I'm sorry you didn't get your name," Mapledawn mewed.

Bloompaw flicked her cheek with her tail. "Don't worry," she said. "I'm still the best hunter."

Mapledawn's former mentor came to touch noses with her, her eyes glistening with emotion.

"I thought I had so much more to teach you," she whispered. "But now I see you were ready all along."

"There's always more to learn." Mapledawn licked the toirtoshell's chest, picturing fondly the day she'd become an apprentice. I was jealous about not being the deputy's apprentice, but in the end, I could never have asked for a better mentor. "You'll always be important to me, Dapplecreek. I'll always look up to you."

Mapledawn. She almost wished she could've been named after her mother-or one of the fallen. But Mapledawn was proud of her name. So many cats had been scared of her when they'd seen her fight like a warrior. Yellowstar could have picked something fierce or scary, but instead she picked something hopeful.

Redpoppy and Thrushflight came to congratulate her. My parents. It didn't matter that she didn't share Thrushflight's blood. He was her father, through and through. She breathed in their warm scents, brushed her fur against theirs, and revelled in their warmth until Cloudstep, muttering crossly, ushered her back into his den to rest.

"There's one more cat I need to talk to," Mapledawn protested, glaring at the black-and-white tom.

Cloudstep flicked his ears. "He can talk to you in here." Mapledawn followed his signal. Wrencatcher was hanging awkwardly behind them, obviously not wanting to interrupt.

"Come inside!" Mapledawn called. "Cloudstep's just being a broodhen."

Wrencatcher dipped his head and followed. Cloudstep nosed her into a nest lined with rabbit pelts and robin feathers, and Wrencatcher settled beside her, his gold-flecked eyes probing Mapledawn's face.

"That's a nasty scar," he said. "Have you seen it yet?"

Mapledawn shook her head and rubbed her paw up and down the scratch experimentally. "It was Scratchstar," she said.

"I was so worried about you. I can't believe Scratchstar almost killed an apprentice." He lashed his tail.

"Not an apprentice anymore," said Mapledawn proudly. "But I'm sorry I worried you."

"It's okay. You're my friend," said Wrencatcher simply.

Friends. Is that all we are?

Wrencatcher brushed her cheek gently with his muzzle. "Rest now," he murmured. "I'll wake you up in time for your warrior vigil."

Cloudstep freshened her warrior marks, leaving her red-and-white pelt with lines like bloody claws, and fussed at her for insisting on sitting her vigil despite her wounds.

"I suppose you'll be joining the others at the Moonpool tomorrow, too," he huffed. "What's the point of having a medicine cat if no one listens to him?"

The Moonpool. How could she have forgotten? Every new warrior made the trek to meet their ancestors within the first three sunrises of receiving their name. Although the Ageless Ones were known to remain silent, or send only the vaguest of dreams, it was a time-honored warrior tradition to make the journey.

Moonhigh already. Mapledawn shifted her paws and fought back a yaw. The camp was silent tonight. A half-moon shone in the starry sky above. Mapledawn could hardly believe four cats had died just a day before, had taken their last breaths just foxlengths from her paws. And all for what? Scratchstar hadn't achieved anything. Anything. He hadn't even expanded his borders or brought home prey for his Clan. Goosefur, Nettlescratch, Foxjump, and poor old Webclaw had died for absolutely nothing.

Yes, said a voice.

Ah, thought Mapledawn. I was wondering when you'd show up again.

This battle should not have happened.

Yeah, obviously, Mapledawn retorted.

You can take your revenge. Spill blood to avenge blood. We know you want it.

Mapledawn rolled her eyes. I'm good, thanks. Yellowstar will see to that.

Don't you want Scratchstar's blood on your paws? the voice goaded. Can't you picture him dying at your feet?

Mapledawn pushed back her ears and snarled at the shadowy voice. I'm done talking to you, whoever or whatever you are. I'm not the cat you think I am. I'll do what's right to defend my Clan. I don't need revenge. I don't need blood on my fur. I don't need more innocent cats dead.

You haven't lost enough, the voice sighed. Not yet. When you do, we will be here, ready to take you back.