The scents of leaf-fall was heavy in the air, a crisp, musky stench that indicated the rotting of trees and plants. Pine needles started to fall from their trees, and the weather was turning cold already. The prey hadn't turned scarce yet, but Talonpaw guessed it was just a matter of time, considering how hard it was to find anything. Next to him, Shrewpaw shifted his weight on both paws, angling his ears towards a patch of brambles. He glanced at Talonpaw, nodding towards the bush. Talonpaw tasted the air and recognized the scent of a rabbit. It was a rare find in the pine forest—rabbits stuck to the moor where WindClan lived, and sometimes crossed the stream into ThunderClan territory. They rarely saw any in ShadowClan territory. That means we have to catch this, he thought.

Shrewpaw flicked his tail towards the bush, and Talonpaw understood the unsaid order he was giving him. He wants to chase the rabbit towards me. Talonpaw shifted his paws and slid them on the forest floor so the rabbit would not hear them moving. He was quiet as he crept towards the bush, occasionally checking the wind so he was sure that his scent was not being brought towards the rabbit. Shrewpaw nodded and dropped into a hunter's crouch, creeping towards the bramble bush. Faster than lightning, Shrewpaw leaped towards the bush and snapped his jaws near it. The rabbit immediately burst out of the bush, rushing straight into Talonpaw's claws. Talonpaw leaped onto the plump rabbit and ended its life with a sharp bite to its neck. It fell, dead in his jaws.

Thank you StarClan, for this prey, Talonpaw thought, gazing at the rabbit beneath his paws. It was plump and massive—it would feed the elders and Bluefeather. The Clan would eat well tonight. Shrewpaw bounded over to Talonpaw, his amber eyes glowing as he gave the rabbit a nudge.

"Great job, Talonpaw!" Shrewpaw exclaimed. "You knew what I wanted you to do without me saying a word."

Talonpaw shouldered Shrewpaw playfully. "You couldn't be more obvious if you tried," he purred. "Let's dig the rabbit here and find some more prey before we head back to camp."

"Sounds like a plan," Shrewpaw agreed. Talonpaw dug a small hole in the ground and dropped the rabbit in it, scuffing dirt back over it. The two ShadowClan apprentices headed away from where they had buried the rabbit, tasting the air as they searched for more prey. Talonpaw screwed up his nose as he made out a scent that was different from prey and weather. What is that?

The scent was disgusting—it carried the tinge of blood and prey, but it was also noisome. Talonpaw recoiled, never having scented it before. Shrewpaw seemed to have picked it up too, judging by his flattened ears and his twitching whiskers. Whatever it was, Talonpaw didn't think it was prey—nor did it seem safe. It was growing stronger every second, though, and Talonpaw expected to see it pop out from some tree any moment.

"Step back," Talonpaw ordered Shrewpaw. "Slowly."

Shrewpaw nodded, and the two brown-furred apprentices started to back up, putting distance between themselves and the scent. Talonpaw hitched in a sharp breath as he spotted two creatures coming within view, with long snouts and flapping ears. They looked like foxes, but without the notable dark red fur and bushy tail. They were much wider and muscular, and saliva dripped from their snapping jaws. Talonpaw suddenly realized what they were, from the stories the elders told. Dogs!

"It smells the rabbit!" Shrewpaw exclaimed. "Or us!"

Talonpaw lashed his tail and unsheathed his claws as the dogs zeroed in on them, their eyes glinting as they stepped closer and closer. They started to let out excited yelps. Shrewpaw's ears were flattened.

"We need to give them the rabbit and run," Shrewpaw said.

"Give them the rabbit?" Talonpaw stared at Shrewpaw. "No way. We caught that rabbit, and we're going to keep it!"

"Talonpaw!" Shrewpaw hissed. "Do you want to get ripped to shreds?"

"No." Talonpaw shook his head as thoughts began to formulate in his mind. "I have an idea."

"What is it?" Shrewpaw asked, his ears pressed to the side, never breaking eye contact with the dogs. His fur was bristling with fear.

"We're going to run away," Talonpaw said. "But we won't give them the rabbit."

"They'll just keep chasing us then!" Shrewpaw whispered.

Talonpaw shook his head. "No. We'll climb trees! If we let them wander around in the territory, they'll find some other cat, or StarClan forbid, they get into camp. No, it's up to us. We lure them away from the heartland, and then we climb trees so they can't get to us. They'll give up and run back to their Twolegs—or out of the territory."

Shrewpaw hitched a sharp breath in his throat. "I would only do this for you, Talonpaw," he muttered. "No cat else."

"When I give the signal, run as if it's an entire dog pack," Talonpaw told his friend. "We'll head towards the abandoned Twoleg nest."

His pale-furred friend nodded, and the two apprentices continued to back up until Talonpaw let out a sharp hiss. Immediately, both cats turned on their heels and started to pelt through the pine forest, zig-zagging to confuse the dogs. The dogs chased after them, letting out excited flurries of barks as they stayed on the cats' heels. Talonpaw's legs brought him massive strides as he headed towards the abandoned Twoleg nest, making sure that Shrewpaw was by his side the entire time. Shrewpaw's amber eyes were wide with fear, but he stayed next to Talonpaw and never once strayed from the path the dark tabby was setting.

The dogs were coming closer and closer. Talonpaw always took dogs for lazy Twoleg pets, but these dogs had incredible stamina, and were completely focused on having the cats as their prey. Talonpaw looked up to see a copse of pine trees in the distance that were tall but had plenty of clefts in the bark to climb. "Shrewpaw, those trees there!" he gasped. "Climb them!"

Shrewpaw nodded and launched himself on one of the pine trees, scrambling up the trunk. One of the dogs chased after the pale tom, but Shrewpaw was faster as he scrambled up the tree, leaving the dog's jaws to snap at nothing but thin air. Talonpaw threw himself at another tree, feeling his heart pound sharply in his chest as he sank his claws into the bark. He clambered up the bark, praying to StarClan that he wouldn't fall—that the tree would hold his weight. He knew he couldn't dangle from the bark—he would lose his grip. He would have to find a branch to climb on. Just as he climbed towards where the pines were at their thickest, he spotted a large, wide branch that stuck out sharply from the bark. Talonpaw sank his claws into the branch and hauled himself onto it, letting out a sigh of relief as he realized that he was safe.

"Talonpaw!" cried out a voice from one of the other trees. Talonpaw snapped his head forward and saw Shrewpaw, a couple of trees away. The tom was hanging precariously onto a branch, and Talonpaw let out a gasp as he realized the tree he was on was dead. The branch would never hold his weight! What do I do?! He couldn't just let Shrewpaw fall to his doom! He's going to fall. I know that. I can't just let him fall into the jaws of the dogs.

"StarClan, help me," Talonpaw murmured his prayer to the sky. The dog that was chasing him raced over to Shrewpaw's tree, noticing the pale tom in peril. Talonpaw studied the distance from where the dogs were. If he wanted to land on them, he'd have to climb all the way to the end of the branch and leap as if his life was depending on it. But Shrewpaw's life is. That will give me the strength I need.

Talonpaw carefully eased himself all the way towards the end of the branch. He cast multiple gazes towards Shrewpaw—each time he looked, Shrewpaw's grip was loosening, and the branch was creaking beneath him ominously. Any moment he would fall. Talonpaw had no time to waste. Once he reached the end of the branch, Talonpaw crouched down, waggling his haunches to gather all the strength in his hindquarters. With a massive leap, Talonpaw jumped from the end of the branch and aimed straight for the back of the first dog waiting for Shrewpaw to fall. Blood roared in Talonpaw's ears as he hurtled through the air and landed straight on the back of the dog. He sank his claws deep into the dog's skin and held on for dear life.

"Shrewpaw, let go!" Talonpaw yowled as the other dog turned on his heel and headed straight towards Talonpaw. He had successfully distracted both dogs—Shrewpaw was free to let go without fear of being mauled by the dogs. As the dog beneath him whined and raced around, trying to dislodge Talonpaw, Talonpaw snapped his jaws at the other dog's ear, tasting metallic blood as his teeth made contact with skin. Talonpaw scored his claws down the dog's back and watched as Shrewpaw let go of the branch and landed on the forest floor on all four paws.

The dogs paid no attention to Shrewpaw. Their fury and attention was solely on Talonpaw. Talonpaw's heart pounded in terror, but he wasn't going to surrender. If he ran away, they would just turn on Shrewpaw instead. And he would not let that happen. Talonpaw leaped off the dog's back and slid under the belly of the second dog, slashing his claws down the sensitive skin. The dog bent down and snapped its jaws at Talonpaw's tail, missing it by a whisker. Talonpaw turned on his heel and realized he had no choice but to face the dogs face-to-face, if he wanted a chance at driving them away. He couldn't keep dodging them—he would have to deal some damage if he wanted them to retreat. Talonpaw's long claws scored across the first dog's face, tearing flesh and earning a painful bark from the dog.

Shrewpaw leaped into the battle, clawing the other dog fiercely, over and over. Crimson blood splattered on both apprentices, and Talonpaw felt a searing burn on his side as the dog sank its sharp teeth into his skin. Talonpaw lunged at the dog's throat and bit on it, and the dog released its grip on him, barking painfully. Talonpaw held on while he used his claws to score the dog's sides. You won't hurt Shrewpaw—or ShadowClan—as long as I'm still standing! The dog started to let out a whine, and when Talonpaw released his grip, the dog turned on its heel and raced away towards the abandoned Twoleg nest, far out of ShadowClan's territory. It left a trail of blood behind it as it fled for its life.

Talonpaw leaped over to Shrewpaw and joined his friend in the fight against the last dog. They fought back-to-back, delivering swift and painful blows to the dog's extremities, forcing it back inch by inch. The dog finally let out a cry of pain and fled, following its companion out of the pine forest and into unclaimed territory. Shrewpaw watched it go and let out a yowl of triumph, even as blood gushed from both their wounds. Talonpaw joined in until his voice gave out. He collapsed on his side, heaving from the ferocity of the fight.

"You did great, Shrewpaw," Talonpaw praised his friend when he caught his breath.

"You too," Shrewpaw said, and when Talonpaw looked up to study his friend's face, he was aware of a newfound respect glimmering in his amber eyes. "You saved my life, Talonpaw. If you hadn't distracted those dogs, I would've fallen down straight into their jaws. I'd be dead. But you risked your life for me—you climbed down that tree even though you were perfectly safe on your branch, and you took both of them on just to give me time." His voice trembled as he went on. "I… I owe you my life, Talonpaw."

Talonpaw looked away, embarrassment flushing through him. "No need to say that. You'd have been fine. You're a strong cat."

"Talonpaw, you and I both know I'd be crowfood if I had fallen while both dogs were waiting," Shrewpaw growled. "You saved my life. I'm in your debt." He lowered his head deeply. "Wherever you go, Talonpaw, I go with you. That's the least I can do for you."

Talonpaw gazed gratefully at Shrewpaw. "Thanks, Shrew." He butted his friend's shoulder. "Are you well enough to walk? We need to get some herbs from Stormbrook and Birdpaw before our wounds get infected."

Shrewpaw winced as he got to his paws. He tested the weight of his shoulder and glanced at some of the gashes the dog had left him on his side. "I'll live," he declared. "Come on before we both bleed out." He lowered his head, and Talonpaw realized that he was waiting for him to take the lead. Uncertainly, Talonpaw limped in front of Shrewpaw and took the quickest route back to camp, crossing a small brook and thick foliage where most of ShadowClan's useful herbs grew.

The two toms approached the dip where the camp was, and throughout the journey, Talonpaw's wounds grew more painful. Now that the exhilaration and adrenaline of the fight was gone, that had ebbed any other feeling, he was keenly aware of the agony striking through his body, growing stronger every moment. Talonpaw scrambled down the hollow less than gracefully, but he didn't care. All he wanted to do was get to the medicine den as soon as possible. Sparrowflight had taught him to endure his wounds quietly, but he didn't order him to delay medical treatment. Shrewpaw was on his heels as both cats left a trail of blood in their wake in their trek to the medicine den.

Birdpaw's soft face popped out of the entrance of the medicine den. "I thought I could smell blood," his sister meowed. Her green eyes widened with shock as she looked at Shrewpaw and Talonpaw. "What happened to you two?"

"Dogs," Talonpaw replied grimly. Shrewpaw nodded. "Can you help us?"

"Yes, of course. Come in!" Birdpaw's words were hanging over her shoulder as she plunged into her herb store, her small, lithe body disappearing into the mound of leaves and berries. Talonpaw sat down and winced as rivulets of blood dripped down his open wound. He could still feel the dog's teeth sinking into his flesh and the agonizing pain as his skin tore open. I hope I never have to fight a dog again, he thought darkly.

Birdpaw appeared again with two bundles of herbs in her mouth. She approached Shrewpaw first, and Talonpaw guessed it was because of his wrenched shoulder alongside his battle wounds. His sister was gentle and delicate in how she efficiently but tenderly treated the brown tom's wounds, and Talonpaw couldn't help but be fixated by it. Has she really found where she belongs? I know it wasn't her choice in the first place to become a medicine cat apprentice, but she couldn't be a warrior. Perhaps since she was able to convince Lionstar not to fight ThunderClan, she got more confident in her abilities. Whatever it is, I'm proud—and happy—for her. We're both finding our paths as ShadowClan cats. Birdpaw pulled out the last herb in the wrap and chewed it into a pulp, rubbing it on Shrewpaw's shoulder. Shrewpaw relaxed his injured shoulder and let out a sigh, as if all the pain were melting away.

Birdpaw padded over to Talonpaw. "Stupid furball," she grumbled. "Facing dogs? Do you really think you'll survive to being a warrior?" Her voice was full of thorns, but Talonpaw knew it was because she was scared for him. Talonpaw pressed his muzzle against his sister's cheek, wishing there were some way to comfort her that he wouldn't die, but at the end of the day, he couldn't be sure about that—and neither could she.

"I couldn't let Shrewpaw get killed," Talonpaw murmured.

"I know." Birdpaw unraveled the bundle she had for Talonpaw and pulled out an orange flower, chewing the petals of it before preparing it into a thick ointment that she slathered on the deepest of Talonpaw's wounds. As she worked on closing the gaps in his injuries, Shrewpaw got to his paws. Birdpaw tilted her ears and meowed without turning her head, "Where do you think you're going, Shrewpaw?"

"I must tell Copperlight what happened," Shrewpaw meowed. "I'll be back."

"Take it easy!" Birdpaw called out as the brown tom, his pelt streaked with green ointment, limped away. The gray-and-white she-cat continued her work on Talonpaw's wounds, but beneath her forest-green eyes was shadows of sorrow. Talonpaw found himself fidgeting with anxiety. Why did Birdpaw look so sad?

"Are you okay?" Talonpaw blurted out.

"Seeing you wounded is just another reminder that I could lose you," Birdpaw murmured.

"But you became a medicine cat to save cats," Talonpaw reminded his sister. "I'm sure if I hadn't come here in time, I'd have bled out already!"

"One day you may not be fast enough," Birdpaw murmured. Her green eyes were strained with terror and fear as she looked up and gazed at her brother. "What if one day I do lose you?"

Talonpaw shifted his paws. "I can't promise that I'll come back alive from any battle," he finally said, knowing those weren't the words that Birdpaw wanted to hear—but they were the truth. "There's always the risk of death in any fight, whether it's with another Clan, a fox, dogs, badgers, or StarClan knows what else. But…" A conversation Talonpaw had with his father, many moons ago, before he was apprenticed, flashed into his mind.

"My philosophy was to fight to die. I always went to battle, assuming I would die. A warrior who is ready to accept death fears nothing, and that is what makes him powerful in battle. But when your mother had you and Birdkit, everything changed. Now, the reason I go to battle is to protect what I love."

I may not know what it's like to have kits, but I have a sister, a mother, and a father that I want to come back to, Talonpaw thought. And my Clanmates, of course. "So, what if I promise you that you don't need to be scared, because I won't go to battle to die—I'll go to battle to live."

Birdpaw arched an eye whisker. "What do you mean…?"

"Listen to me, Birdpaw," Talonpaw meowed. "It's true that it's glorious to die for your Clan. But I want to go to battle with the intent of coming back to my family. That's what Sparrowflight taught me, after all. I won't go to fight expecting to die. I'll go to war with the intent to come back to my family and my Clanmates. Will that promise make you feel better?"

"Only if you really mean it," Birdpaw said, "and you're not just saying that to get me to shut up."

"Of course I mean it." Talonpaw touched his nose to his sister's ear, keenly aware how broad his shoulders were and how muscular he was compared to his sister's small, lithe figure. She'd claw my ears off if I said this to her, but I need to protect her. He rasped his tongue across her face, and Birdpaw batted him away.

"I need to keep treating your wounds!" The gray-and-white she-cat pulled out more herbs that Talonpaw did not know the name of and chewed them into a pulp. Talonpaw allowed her to treat him, all the while wondering what her world was like. There were so many herbs that he didn't think he would ever be able to memorize all of their names, never mind know what they were used for, but the concept of talking to StarClan was beyond his understanding. Can she talk to them whenever she wants? he wondered. Do they guide her paws? Did they tell her to stop the battle with ThunderClan, or did she do that on her own?

The world of a medicine cat was a realm Talonpaw thought he would never understand. Having the medicine cat apprentice as his sister made him think it would be easier, but he knew that Birdpaw was guided by StarClan more than she ever would be by her parents or even Talonpaw. Was she closer to her ancestors than she was to Talonpaw? She sure doesn't act like it, Talonpaw thought. I hope she's happy training as a medicine cat apprentice. She never would've been happy as a warrior.

The entrance to the medicine den rustled, and Talonpaw looked up to see the dark red pelt of Copperlight and the brown tabby fur of Sparrowflight. Their eyes were wide with shock as they looked Talonpaw up and down.

"So it's true!" Copperlight gasped, her green eyes round with awe. "You and Shrewpaw really did fight two dogs!"

Talonpaw flexed his shoulder to test the pain in it. "They were attacking us," he murmured. "We didn't have time to get any back up."

"Shrewpaw told us that you distracted both of them at the same time so he could get down the tree safely," Sparrowflight said, his amber eyes piercing. "Is that true?"

"He said you saved his life," Copperlight breathed.

Talonpaw shifted his paws. "I just distracted the dogs so he was able to join the fight after he got down the trees," he explained quickly. "I didn't do anything heroic."

"Not what it sounds like to me," Sparrowflight said, pride gleaming in his eyes. "I thought you proved how selfless you were when you saved me from the rockslide. Now I see that I was wrong." He lifted his chin. "I am going to suggest to Lionstar that you and Shrewpaw be made warriors."

"What?" Talonpaw gasped. Before he could say anything else to his father, Sparrowflight turned on his heel and disappeared out of the medicine den. Copperlight gazed at Talonpaw, pride written all over her face as if Talonpaw was her own apprentice—but Shrewpaw was her apprentice, and he had fought just as hard as Talonpaw did. Copperlight disappeared after Sparrowflight, leaving Talonpaw and Birdpaw alone in the medicine den.

Talonpaw waited for his father's words to fully absorb in his mind. A warrior? he thought. A warrior, he thought. Finally! After so many moons of training! Was he good enough to be one of Lionstar's generals? Excitement frayed every nerve in Talonpaw's body as he wriggled away from Birdpaw, about to follow his father out. But a mewl from his sister stopped him in his tracks and he looked over to face her. Sorrow was shadowed in her green eyes.

"It's like you're farther away than ever," Birdpaw whispered.

"I'm not going anywhere!" Talonpaw exclaimed.

"As a warrior, you'll be closer to death than life," Birdpaw murmured, looking at the ground. Talonpaw had no idea what to say to her. It was clear that his words before weren't enough to sate her worries. But what else could he say? He leaned over and touched her nose before turning on his heel and leaving the medicine den, all the while aware of his sister's gaze burning into his dark tabby pelt.

When he exited the den, he saw Copperlight and Sparrowflight walking next to Lionstar as the big golden tabby tom made the trek from his den towards the Pinebranch. There was no need to summon the Clan—the news had swept through his Clanmates like a sandstorm and they were already gathering under the branch to listen to Lionstar. Talonpaw hitched a breath in his throat as Hawkpaw, Eaglepaw, and Owlpaw bounded over to him. Their pelts were fluffed up, most likely from a training session.

"Is it true?" Hawkpaw demanded, circling Talonpaw excitedly. His large ears twitched as he studied Talonpaw's dark pelt, his amber gaze focusing on the wounds that were steaked with cobwebs. "Shrewpaw said he was nearly killed!"

Owlpaw brushed his tail across Hawkpaw's broad shoulders. "Calm down," he meowed. "They're both in one piece, aren't they?"

"More or less," Eaglepaw said, sniffing Talonpaw's wounds. "Becoming a warrior today, huh? Don't forget about us back in the apprentices' den!"

"I could never," Talonpaw meowed, touching his nose to Eaglepaw's. Eaglepaw opened his mouth, ready to say something, but Lionstar's booming yowl resonated through the clearing and nearly shook the ground to its core.

"Shrewpaw, Talonpaw!" Lionstar called out. "Under the Pinebranch."

Talonpaw caught the amber gaze of Shrewpaw, just a few fox-lengths away from him where he was talking to Fallensnow. The dark brown tabby shifted his paws and lifted his head, padding towards the foot of the Pinebranch with Shrewpaw joining him at his side. Talonpaw glanced around, catching Thistlesnow's blue gaze, full of pride. Birdpaw had emerged from the medicine den with Stormbrook joining her. There was fear in her gaze, and Stormbrook's eyes were unreadable.

Copperlight's eyes blazed in excitement at her first apprentice being a warrior. Sparrowflight's chest was puffed out, and Fallensnow looked just as proud as Sparrowflight did. Thistlesnow exchanged a glance with Sunstream, Shrewpaw's mother. Leafpaw, Shrewpaw's brother, bounded over to him and touched noses with him before withdrawing back to Sunstream. The only nursing queen in ShadowClan, Blossomflower, exited the nursery with Tigerkit and Lizardkit bounding around her paws. Bluefeather, who was days away from giving birth, joined Blossomflower.

Fallensnow exchanged a few excited words with Redfeather. Mapleheart shot Talonpaw a proud glance from warm green eyes, while Daisyflight lifted her nose and glanced at the sun, as if she could not wait for the ceremony to be over. Cloudsong gave the two apprentices an encouraging nod, while Lightpebble flicked his tail and Hopflight dipped his head. There was a new glimmer of respect in his Clanmates' eyes—were they really that impressed by the fight with the dogs? But there was one cat who did not share the sentiment his other Clanmates did. Talonpaw could not help but look at Featherheart, whose blue eyes were as cold as ice, and he actively avoided looking at the two apprentices. But when Talonpaw trained his gaze on the gray-furred warrior, Featherheart returned his look, his eyes flashing with hostility that Talonpaw had only ever seen from an enemy warrior. What in StarClan's name is his problem?

Before Talonpaw could try and figure it out, Lionstar spoke. "Talonpaw, Shrewpaw. I have heard the story from your mentors. You two chased off two dogs on our territory by yourselves. Talonpaw, you distracted the dogs when Shrewpaw needed you, effectively taking on both of them at the same time. It once again proves how selfless you are. Shrewpaw, you have shown your loyalty to your Clanmates and your bravery by joining the attack. I could not be prouder of you two."

Talonpaw felt his chest swell with pride, while Shrewpaw stood up straighter, his amber eyes glowing. He showed no sign of the pain he had obviously felt when trekking back to the ShadowClan camp, and as Talonpaw tensed his muscles, he realized that he couldn't feel it either. No, the only thing he felt was a wave of exhilaration and acceptance. He was ready to become a warrior. He had trained so long for this.

"I see no reason why the both of you should not be made warriors today." The big golden tabby leader looked up to the piercing sun. "I, Lionstar, leader of ShadowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down at these two apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Shrewpaw, Talonpaw, do you two promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do," Shrewpaw swore, his voice calm and strong as the words came in seconds from his mouth. There was no denying the resolve that blazed in his friend's pale amber eyes.

"I do," Talonpaw said. It was a promise he knew about since he was just a kit, with Sparrowflight drilling it in his mind. He had dreamed for the day that he would say these words in front of his Clanmates and his leader, to prove that he was serious about being a Clan warrior. He would protect and defend his Clan, no matter what. That was what a warrior did, and he was a warrior at his heart. And, if I didn't mess up, maybe Lionstar will allow me to be one of his generals. After all, that was part of my training.

Lionstar nodded slowly and leaped down from the Pinebranch to meet the two apprentices on equal ground. "Then, by the powers of StarClan, I grant you both your warrior names. Shrewpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Shrewfur. StarClan honors your loyalty and your determination, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan." The golden tabby leader rested his chin on Shrewfur's head, and Shrewfur licked Lionstar's shoulder in response.

Talonpaw was trembling as Shrewfur shot him an encouraging glance. Lionstar turned to study Talonpaw up and down. "Talonpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Talonclaw. StarClan honors your strength and courage, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan." Just as he had done with Shrewfur, he rested his chin on Talonclaw's head, and Talonclaw licked his shoulder in response. The two new warriors turned on their heels and listened as their Clanmates chanted their name.

"Shrewfur! Talonclaw! Shrewfur! Talonclaw!" cried out his Clanmates. Sparrowflight and Fallensnow cheered the loudest for their sons, but Thistlesnow and Sunstream joined in with just as equal enthusiasm. Owlpaw, Hawkpaw, Eaglepaw, and Leafpaw yowled their names with no tinge of jealousy, although Talonclaw guessed they felt at least some of it. Birdpaw cheered too, but her voice was subdued. Talonclaw knew it wasn't out of spite or jealousy—she was scared, and he couldn't blame her. Mapleheart's green eyes glowed as she cheered, and even Daisyflight joined in, albeit it took some prodding from Mapleheart. The cheers that came from his Clanmates were warm, and Talonclaw couldn't help but look at Featherheart, who stayed icily silent.

"Remember, you two must keep a silent vigil tonight as you think about what it means to be a ShadowClan warrior," Lionstar told the two new warriors. With a flick of his tail, he dismissed his Clanmates and disappeared back into his den. Talonclaw watched him go, unable to contain the excitement that made his heart pound wildly in his chest. He glanced over his shoulder to see Thistlesnow and Sparrowflight approaching him. His parents wound around him, purring loudly in their chest.

"Congratulations," Sparrowflight purred. "You'll be joining me in Lionstar's den when we talk to him."

Talonclaw gazed gratefully at his mentor. So I will be one of his generals!

"What you did was really brave," Thistlesnow added. "Of course you're worthy of being a warrior."

"He must start his vigil," Sparrowflight told Thistlesnow as the two cats glanced at the setting sun. "Take it seriously, Talonclaw." He pressed his nose to his son's shoulder, warmth in his voice as he turned away with Thistlesnow trailing behind him. Talonclaw watched them go. His eyes narrowed as he saw Mapleheart padding towards him.

"Congratulations," the tortoiseshell she-cat meowed. "Now Daisyflight and I are no longer the youngest warriors in the den!" She butted his cheek affectionately. "I couldn't believe it when I heard just two apprentices took on two dogs. But Shrewpaw—Shrewfur, I mean—was never known for being a liar. It also sounds like the kind of thing you'd do."

Talonclaw tilted his head. Really? He nodded to Mapleheart, wanting to speak to her, but he didn't forget about his vow of silence. Mapleheart twitched her ears. "Yeah, you have a vigil to do. I'll let you get to it. I'll see you in the morning, Talon…claw." Brushing her tail across Talonclaw's chin, she padded away and disappeared into the warriors' den. Talonclaw watched her go, feeling sparks fly in the pit of his stomach. He padded over to Shrewfur, who was watching them the entire time. He flashed a warning growl at his friend and settled into a sitting position right next to him, focusing his eyes on the camp entrance.

Little did he know the entire time, Featherheart was watching him with malicious blue eyes and unsheathed claws.