The cats stared after Silverstar as she stalked out of the den, forcing her way through the bracken curtain, her nose in the air. After what seemed like an age, Blackheart's pelt began to return to its normal size and he turned to look at Aspenkit. She was staring up at him, her eyes wide and filled with pain. She was trembling, whether out of fear or shock, she didn't even know. Without a word, Blackheart lifted her up and bundled her into her nest, settling in himself and curling around her, rasping his tongue roughly over her fur, as though trying to work his rage out through affection towards his kit. She slumped down and allowed him to do so without complaint. Her mother had just wished her dead. She didn't know what to think, or how to act now.

Across the den, Creekpaw was shaking. Robinpaw eased over to her and pressed himself against her side. "Don't."

She raised her eyes to her brother. "Did you not hear what she just said to her own kit?" she hissed. "She's... she's... she's just..."

Aspenkit could understand the mix of feelings Creekpaw seemed to be displaying. Her head ached from the strain of pain coursing through her.

Poppydust was making her way over to the nest, a leaf wrap in her jaws. She placed it down before Aspenkit and nudged it towards her. Aspenkit glanced at it, slightly sceptical. "There's nothing here to hurt you." Mewed Poppydust. "There's thyme and some poppy seeds, then there's your daily herbs and some honey for your throat." She tipped her head on one side. "Come on, eat up." She encouraged gently.

Aspenkit obediently licked up the bitter herbs before lapping compliantly at the honey on the leaf as she began to doze off.

Creekpaw approached the nest, her hackles raised. "I'm so mad right now." she growled. "She threatened to keep me from being a warrior, then... what she said to Aspenkit... I'm not sure I even want to be one of her warriors anymore."

Blackheart looked up from grooming his daughter. "You don't mean that." He mewed gently. "You don't become a warrior for the leader. You do it for your clan... and for yourself."

"How are you still loyal to her?" asked Creekpaw, narrowing her eyes at Blackheart.

For a long moment, the tom just returned to grooming Aspenkit. As she drifted slowly into the comfort of sleep she thought she heard him mumble "I'm not."

"Aspenkit, wake up!"

Aspenkit blinked her eyes open, as Robinpaw came blearily into view. For a moment, she wondered how he could sound so enthusiastic when she felt so exhausted. She tried to snuggle back down, but his paw appeared beside her and gently poked her back to wakefulness. "What is it?" she grumbled trying to wriggle away from him.

"Wake up!" he repeated. "Come on, it's sunset. Silverstar's calling the clan together."

Aspenkit opened her eyes, suddenly more alert. "Is it Creekpaw?"

"I think so." Mewed Robinpaw, his eyes shining with excitement. "Come on, I can't wait anymore, let's go." He grasped her scruff in his teeth and hurried out of the medicine den.

The clan were gathering around the high ledge where Silverstar stood waiting. Robinpaw bounded towards the crowding cats, his excitement making him overexert himself. Aspenkit could hear a rasping wheeze starting in his chest as he breathed. He gently placed her on the ground near the front of the crowd so they could get a good view of the ceremony. Creekpaw was sitting just ahead of them, staring up at Silverstar her expression unreadable.

"I have called the clan together this evening to witness the making of a new warrior." Announced Silverstar. "Heatherfrost, are you satisfied that Creekpaw has proven herself worthy of her warrior name?"

Heatherfrost was gazing at her apprentice proudly. "I am." She mewed. "She will be an exceptional warrior."

Creekpaw gazed at her mentor for a moment, her eyes shining with gratitude and respect before looking back to Silverstar.

Silverstar threw her head back, crying out to the stars beginning to appear above them. "I, Silverstar, leader of Thunderclan 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 a warrior in her turn." She turned her gaze down towards the young she-cat before her. "Creekpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your own life?"

Most apprentices tended to tremble or hesitate when asked to undertake this solemn and formidable promise, but Creekpaw did not flinch. "I do." She mewed solemnly.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Creekpaw, from this moment you will be known as Creekshadow. StarClan honours your courage and stealth, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Thunderclan."

"Creekshadow!" cried Robinpaw before the leader could drop to the ground. An amused purr ran around the cats while Robinpaw looked slightly abashed.

Silverstar padded towards Creekshadow and rested her muzzle upon her head. For the first time, Creekshadow seemed uncomfortable. Then she licked her leader's shoulder, albeit a little begrudgingly.

"Creekshadow!" yowled Robinpaw again and this time the clan joined in, cheering the apprentice's name. Aspenkit raised her voice up, trying to make her little squeak heard amongst the voices of the warriors. "Creekshadow! Creekshadow!"

Then, Silverstar raised her tail for silence. The cats fell quiet. What unexpected act would their leader do now?

"Cats of Thunderclan." Mewed Silverstar, gazing around at the cats before her. "Half a moon ago, the camp was near destroyed in a fire, and I lost my four precious kits." She seemed to falter for a moment, before taking a breath and continuing. "Thunderclan truly pulled together and have rebuilt the camp better than before."

"Thunderclan!" yowled Ravencall. The rest of the cats began to take up the call. "Thunderclan! Thunderclan!"

Silverstar let them indulge for a moment before raising her tail for silence again. "However, there was one cat who did me and the rest of the clan a great service, and nearly gave his life by doing so, and he has yet to be thanked for his actions. Robinpaw, step forward."

The whole clan began to murmur approvingly, looking towards where Robinpaw and Aspenkit sat. She turned and gazed up at him, her eyes shining with pride. The young apprentice had lowered his head as though embarrassed. Slowly he got to his paws and padded forwards to stand beside his sister.

"Robinpaw, you have demonstrated your bravery and loyalty. I could ask no more from a warrior of Thunderclan."

Robinpaw's eyes widened as he raised his head to stare at Silverstar, the truth of the situation finally seeming to dawn on him. "Oh..." he whispered, clearly stunned by the turn the evening had taken.

Silverstar purred, gazing down at the apprentice before raising her head again. "I, Silverstar, leader of Thunderclan call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn." Her gaze lowered to him. "Robinpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your own life?"

"I do!" mewed Robinpaw. He had almost done so already, so the promise seemed to hold no gravity for him.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Robinpaw, from this moment you will be known as Robinblaze. StarClan honours your bravery and loyalty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Thunderclan."

"Robinblaze!" yowled Aspenkit as Silverstar rested her muzzle upon the new warriors head and he licked her shoulder respectfully. The rest of the clan took up her cry, including Creekshadow, yowling louder than any other cat there. The dark young tom raised his head, the eyes shining with pride and sheer joy as the cats around him cheered his new name. "Robinblaze! Robinblaze!"

Aspenkit bounded forward. Both Robinblaze and Creekshadow lowered their heads as she rushed forward and nuzzled them both, her purrs almost blocking her words. "Congratulations Robinblaze, Creekshadow. I'm so happy for you."

"I'm not, I could really do with some sleep rather than a silent vigil." joked Robinblaze and Creekshadow rolled her eyes. "You'll be with us soon enough." Mewed Robinblaze as Creekshadow turned away to be congratulated by Heatherfrost. "Your apprenticeship will fly by."

"Robinblaze." The new warrior looked up as Blackheart walked towards him. "Congratulations." He mewed warmly. "You've come so far. Both you and Creekshadow. I'm very proud of you."

Robinblaze dipped his head to his mentor in utmost respect. "Thank you for everything." He murmured. "I would be nothing if it weren't for all you taught me."

Blackheart glanced at Aspenkit before looking down at his now ex-apprentice. "I would be nothing if you hadn't done what you did." He murmured. He slowly dipped his head back to the young cat. "I never thanked you for saving her... or for bringing my other kits back to us. I only regret you being injured so badly."

Robinblaze glanced at Aspenkit before looking back to his mentor. "I don't." he mewed. "I'll never regret what I did. So, don't you do so either."

"Creekshadow." Mewed a loud voice and the three of them glanced over to where the grey she-cat was being approached by a ginger tabby tom. He was strutting towards her, an arrogant air about him. "Well done." He mewed. "Though I'll miss you in the apprentices den. Still soon I'll be in the Warriors den with you. Save me a nest next to yours."

Robinblaze seemed to wince as Creekshadow politely tried to turn the young tom down. "I wish Bramblepaw didn't flaunt about the fact that he has a thing for her." He turned to walk towards the two of them. "Excuse me." He murmured. "I need to rescue my sister."

Blackheart looked down at Aspenkit. "I need to speak with you." He murmured formally, walking a little way away from the crowd. Aspenkit trotted after him, wondering what would cause him to be so proper with her. It was only after a few moments that she realised he was leading her towards the nursery where Hazelbreeze was sitting grooming Icekit.

Blackheart finally stopped and sat down, patting the ground beside him with his tail, a gesture she recognised from Alderheart.

"Poppydust spoke to me earlier." He mewed. She told me you are well enough to return to clan life, and that you should be spending time with your mother."

Aspenkit said nothing, just stared at her father. He couldn't really be telling her that she needed to go back to being in a den with Silverstar. Her mother had wished her dead only that day. Besides, she felt she couldn't go near the place where she had seen her siblings perish around her. She wouldn't be able to see the sides of the stone den without thinking of how the five of them had cowered together, wailing in terror. She couldn't bear anything that would only aggravate her nightmares more.

"I spoke to Silverstar." Blackheart mewed. "I asked her if she would move to the nursery for now to help you... she refused. I think she feels more comfortable in her den." Although Blackheart would never say it, Aspenkit knew that the real reason her mother would not move to the nursery was because she didn't want to be near her only surviving kit. "And so, I spoke to Ravencall about moving to the nursery with you for a while. He thought it was a bad idea. But he suggested you spending some time with Icekit. I spoke to Hazelbreeze and she is happy for you to share a nest with her and Icekit for a while."

Aspenkit looked towards where the kind pale tabby she-cat was gazing towards her, Icekit looking almost excited by the whole situation. She looked back up at her father. "This is only temporary?" she asked. "I would rather be with Robinblaze and Creekshadow."

He gently pressed his nose against her side. "You're barely three moons old." He murmured. "You need to spend some time with someone your own age, and have someone there with you when you wake up from the nightmares." She blinked. How did he know? "Poppydust has told me about how you sometimes wake up wailing. She said that sometimes if she didn't hear you, you would climb into Robinblaze's nest. I can't have you wandering about the camp looking for comfort. I need you somewhere safe and warm."

Aspenkit gave a little sigh. "Would it make you happy if I stay with Hazelbreeze for now?" she asked resignedly. "I'll do it for you."

Blackheart gave a little purr. "I'll see you every day, but I can't be with you in the nights at the moment. Hazelbreeze can keep you safe when I can't."

She gave her father a final long look before turning and walking slowly towards Hazelbreeze. The she-cat moved forward and dipped her head to greet the little kit. Icekit began to skip around the her. "You're going to like spending the nights with Hazelbreeze." He chirped. "She smells really nice, and she makes the nest so comfortable. And you and I will have fun playing together in the evenings. Dawnkit and Mistkit don't play so much now they're nearly apprentices."

"Calm down, Icekit." Mewed Hazelbreeze gently. "Aspenkit is still sick so we need to take care of her at the moment." She touched her nose to the top of the kit's head. "I've lined the nest with extra moss and feathers ready for you." She mewed. "Blackheart said we need to keep you nice and warm. Come on, let's go and get settled down. You look so very tired."

She steadily turned away, Icekit bouncing along behind her Aspenkit stopped for a moment to look back at her father. He was sitting watching as she made her way into the nursery, a look on his face she could only describe as longing. He wanted to be with his kit as much as she wanted to be near her father. Then she turned and followed Hazelbreeze into the nursery.

The she-cat was curling down into a nest, carefully arranging the moss and feathers so that the area Aspenkit would be sleeping was as comfortable as possible. Aspenkit clambered in, giving a brief nod of thanks to the she-cat before slumping down on the moss. She felt tired to her bones and wanted nothing more than to sleep. Hazelbreeze began to groom Icekit ready for sleep, but by the time she turned to groom Aspenkit, the little golden she-kit was fast asleep.

"Nooooooooo!!!"

She heard the wail as though it had come from a long way away, but as she bolted awake, she realised it had been her... again... the dream had come again. She stared around, feeling very disorientated. The den was dark and she was not alone in her nest. She began to feel panic rising in her, getting to her paws she began to try to clamber out of the nest. But then she realised she wasn't in the medicine den. She stared around. Where was Robinpaw and Poppydust? She needed Robinpaw.

"Aspenkit?" mumbled a sleepy, squeaky voice. She turned and saw Icekit raising his head. "What is it? Was that you made that noise?" Aspenkit didn't move, just stood and stared at the black and white kit as he got to his paws. "What's wrong?" he mewed moving over to her and resting his tail on her back.

Suddenly she remembered the previous evening and her panic began to subside. "Sorry." She whispered. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's ok." He replied quietly. "Are you alright?"

She shrugged. "I've had this dream ever since the... the..."

He nodded understandingly. "And it scared you, seeing it all again?"

"Yes." She mewed, her eyes wide as she looked at Icekit. "I see them and it's happening again and I can't save them, even though I do it different every time and I try to get them out but..."

Icekit shifted a little closer. "I understand." He mewed. "Sometimes I dream that my siblings survived, and I spend my dreams with them, but then I wake up and realise... and I realise that they're not coming back."

For a long moment, the kits sat there, pressed against one another, comforting and being comforted. Finally, Icekit drew away a little.

"We need to get some rest." He mewed. "Come here." He moved closer to Hazelbreeze and patted the moss by her belly. Aspenkit shifted over and laid down. Icekit nestled down beside her, pressing a little closer so that their pelts were touching. Hazelbreeze shifted slightly in her sleep and curled her tail around the two kits, purring softly in a way that Aspenkit found surprisingly comforting.

"What happens if I wake up in the night again?" she mewed quietly to Icekit. "I have that dream a lot."

Icekit was already beginning to doze off. "Then I'll be here." He mumbled as sleep claimed him.

Aspenkit lay awake for what seemed like an age, pondering Icekit's words. When she woke, he would be there. It felt like too long since she had felt that kind of security. When she finally fell asleep, she found that she did not fear the nightmare quite so much anymore.