Cedarpaw and Ivypaw's warrior ceremony was just around the corner. The two older apprentived nearly jumped out of their fur in excitement.

Jaypaw was happy for them. Her and Cedarpaw had formed a close relationship after Tigerpaw's death.

The younger apprentices congratulated Ivypaw and Cedarpaw lots. All Jaypaw could hear in the apprentices den was congratulations and support from her denmates.

"Congrats, Ivypaw! You and Cedarpaw are finally going to be warriors!"

"We'll miss you! You'll be in the warrior's den!"

"Congratulations Ivypaw! You too, Cedarpaw!"

Cedarpaw padded forwards to Jaypaw's nest, where she was washing her muddy fur. Jaypaw had just gotten back from a hunting patrol and had fallen into a muddy ditch. It wasn't her proudest moment as an apprentice.

"How's it going?" Jaypaw asked between licks. "You excited?"

"Of course!" Cedarpaw squealed. "I just wish you could be a warrior with me..." He trailed off awkwardly.

Jaypaw nodded. "I get it. Don't worry, I'll be a warrior before you know it."

Cedarpaw only dipped his head lower. Jaypaw  didn't know how to comfort the tom. "At least you won't have to change Mistwind's bedding!"

As the elder had gotten older, he had become more cranky. It was a pain to change the elder's bedding when he was there.

Cedarpaw let out a weak purr before his ears pricked up to the entrance.

Wolfpaw and Blackpaw entered the den, nodding their greeting before settling down in their seperate nests and resting.

Jaypaw paid no attention to them, focusing her eyes onto Cedarpaw. "Go on, I think Redstar'll call the meeting any minute now."

At that minute, as if Jaypaw had predicted it, Redstar's yowl sounded. "All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the Clanrock!"

Cedarpaw's tail was yanked back, and he let out a yowl of pain. Ivypaw had dug her claws into Cedarpaw's tail and was dragging him out of the den.

Jaypaw stifled a light purr of laughter as Cedarpaw's protests faded. Licking her fur dry again, Jaypaw headed out.

By the time she sat beside Smokeflame and Blackpaw, most of the Clan was gathered. She saw Tawnyberry, Pinewhisker, Nightpaw and Silversong gathering around everyone else, Cedarpaw and Ivypaw in the center.

"Ivypaw. Step forwards." Redstar called. The lithe apprentice stood warily and stopped in front of the leader. Redstar stooped his head down to reach her level.

"I, Redstar, leader of ShadowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn. Ivypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do." Ivypaw's mew shook with excitement and nervousness.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Ivypaw, from this moment on you will be known as Ivyberry. StarClan honors your courage and hunting skills, and we welcome you as a full warrior of  ShadowClan." Redstar recited the ceremony.

Ivyberry touched her nose to Redstar's shoulder, and Redstar did the same.

"Ivyberry, Ivyberry, Ivyberry!" The whole of ShadowClan called. Redstar waited until the noise died down before continuing. Ivyberry sat down beside her mother, Tawnyberry.

"Cedarpaw, step forwards." Redstar instructed.

"I, Redstar, leader of ShadowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn. Cedarpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do." Cedarpaw mewed bravely, eyes gleaming as Redstar continued the ceremony.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Cedarpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Cedarfall. StarClan honors your strength and continuing loyalty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of  ShadowClan." The ShadowClan leader finished.

Cedarfall rested his muzzle on Redstar's shoulder, just as Ivyberry did. The young warrior padded up to his sister, and the started to talk excitedly in hushed voices.

"Cedarfall! Cedarfall! Cedarfall!" The ShadowClan cats called.

"This meeting is dismissed." Redstar called. He opened his mouth to say something else, but was interrupted by Newtspeckle, a senior warrior.

"Wait! I have to announce something!" Newtspeckle mewed quickly as the Clan seperated. "Badgerheart and me are expecting kits!" He announced excitedly.

"Oh, that's wonderful!" Smokeflame mewed happily, turning to Badgerheart. The she-cat was surrounded by every she-cat in the Clan in a minute, all congratulating her.

"I'll have to start moving into the nursery..." Badgerheart sighed. "I'll miss my warrior duties."

"Oh, nonsense." Owlfang scolded playfully. "Having and caring for kits is the best part of being a queen. It'll be fine."

Jaypaw padded away with Blackpaw as Owlfang's voice faded. Blackpaw shook out bits of ferns from his fur as they entered the apprentices' den.

Wolfpaw was in the den, resting. His amber eyes were glowing in the dim light of the area. Blackpaw nodded at his brother before going to his own nest.

Jaypaw's eyes lifted to the sky as she padded to her own nest. Beginning to groom her fur, Jaypaw nearly lost touch with the outside world with her rhythmatic licks.

I need to meet Leafpaw tonight. Unless it's a full moon, then I'll see her at the Gathering-

"Jaypaw?" Cedarfall's voice echoed through Jaypaw's ears, and she looked up. Cedarfall was waiting for her, looking expressionless.

"Hm?" Jaypaw prompted the young warrior, shaking her fur to dry it after grooming. "What's up, Cedarfall?"

"I don't have much time before my vigil." Cedarfall explained. "I need to talk to you. Outside."

Those words sent a chill down Jaypaw's spine. She saw Blackpaw and Wolfpaw give her a suspicious look. "Um..." She started, standing up. "Sure...?"

She padded forwards to Cedarfall, who towered over her as they exited camp. The sounds of the forest came closer as they ducked through the tunnel outside.

When they were well away from camp, and Jaypaw could faintly smell the rancid smell of Carrionplace, Cedarfall stopped, sitting by a ring of trees.

Jaypaw awkwardly sat beside him, eyes darting to her paws. The sun was setting now.

"I know what you're doing." Cedarfall mewed quietly. "I know where you go at night."