Time had passed. The warmth of green-leaf had disappeared, and the leaves had begun to fall. Leaf-fall had come upon the cats, and soon it began to rain again, and the prey was beginning to burrow away. Leaf-bare would arrive very shortly.

            Mossheart stretched, excited for the new day. He felt Fernbranch stir beside him, and she lifted her head up, smiling. Mossheart gently licked her cheek. "Do you think they'll do well?" he asked.

            Fernbranch nodded. Today would be the day their kits would pass their test to become warriors, and Mossheart hoped they did well. For five moons now he himself had been training Stormpaw, and he knew Stormpaw would also become a warrior shortly.

            "I've got to head off," Mossheart told Fernbranch. "I'll see you this afternoon for the ceremony hopefully."

            "See you then," Fernbranch said, watching as Mossheart ran off to find Stormpaw. The tom was near the fresh-kill pile eating a small mouse.

            "Hey," Mossheart said, sitting down next to him.

            Stormpaw smiled. "Hi," he replied.

            "Are you ready for the day?" Mossheart asked.

            Stormpaw nodded. "I'm just finishing up this mouse," he said. Mossheart nodded, watching the tom eat. Stormpaw had not had any more outbreaks, and his behavior had improved. For once, Mossheart didn't see the small tom who believed he was a monster, but a new cat.

            "Ready?" Mossheart asked.

            Stormpaw nodded, following him into the woods. Before Mossheart could say anything, Stormpaw spoke. "You know you can't interrupt your kits' exams today," Stormpaw said.

            Mossheart laughed. "I know. I sure wish I could watch them though."

            "They'll do fine," Stormpaw told him. "They're good apprentices, and they'll be even greater warriors."

            "Thanks," Mossheart smiled. "I can't believe they're almost warriors. It was only so long ago they were tiny kits."

            Stormpaw gave him a gentle smile. "Time flies fast."

            Mossheart nodded, glancing around the woods. "So, I guess we should practice some fighting moves today."

            Stormpaw nodded. "That would be good. What will we learn?" he asked.

            Mossheart thought for a moment. "You've mastered ducking, of course, and dodging. You've learned to swipe, leap. Maybe we should practice clawing of the belly."

            "All right," Stormpaw said.

            "Keep your paws sheathed," Mossheart instructed him. "I don't want to be sent to Spottedmask."

            "I will do so," Stormpaw replied, laughing.

            "All right, so if your paws are free when a cat knocks you down, you may be able to claw their belly to get free. If not, we've already practiced pushing off. I'll try you first. Be aware that I'm going to go easy on you the first time so you get a feel to it," Mossheart said.

            Stormpaw nodded. "Okay."

            Mossheart leapt at the tom, holding him down lightly so his paws were free. He felt Stormpaw paw at his stomach, and Mossheart leapt off. "Good," Mossheart said. "I'm going to try harder this time, all right?"

            Mossheart leapt again, this time holding the tom down with a firmer grip. Stormpaw struggled and was able to get one paw free. He clawed at Mossheart's belly, and Mossheart stepped off once again.

            "Good," Mossheart said. "Let's also try knocking off again. It can be used as a substitute if clawing the stomach doesn't work."

            He leapt at Stormpaw again, holding him down with all his might. Stormpaw struggled, trying hard to get his paw free, but it was no use. Instead, Mossheart felt the tom kick him with his legs, and Mossheart was pushed off, collapsing to the ground.

            "Are you all right?" Stormpaw asked, running to his side.

            Mossheart got up. "Yes, I'm fine," he assured him. "You're quite strong, actually. That's a good thing. Great job. Let's keep practicing."

            For awhile longer he continued to practice with Stormpaw. The tom did well, and they continued to try different methods. At one point, Mossheart thought he had seen the familiar tail of Patchpaw, but he guessed he was seeing things. Even if it had been his son, Mossheart knew he couldn't have spoken to him anyway.

            The day soon came to an end, and Mossheart and Stormpaw headed back to camp exhausted. As soon as Mossheart stumbled into camp, Fernbranch ran to his side, her eyes glowing.

            "They've passed, Mossheart! They've passed!" she exclaimed.

            Stormpaw smiled at Mossheart. "Congratulations!"

            Mossheart couldn't believe it. His children were going to become warriors, just like their father and mother. "Where are they?" Mossheart asked.

            Fernbranch pointed her tail to the rock where the three sat. Mossheart smiled, and he left Stormpaw and Fernbranch behind to go and speak to them.

            As the apprentices saw their father, their eyes lit up. "Congratulations!" Mossheart exclaimed.

            Patchpaw smiled. He was nearly Mossheart's size now, only a tad bit smaller. "I'm so excited! I can't wait to be a warrior!" he exclaimed.

            "Neither can I," Tinypaw spoke. She wasn't very tiny anymore. In fact, she was nearly the same size as Fernbranch.

            "ALL CATS OLD ENOUGH TO CATCH THEIR OWN PREY JOIN BENEATH THE HIGHROCK FOR A CLAN MEETING!" Cloudstar's yowl rang through the camp.

            "I've got to go. I'll see you after the ceremony," Mossheart said.

            Jaypaw smiled. "See you then."

            Mossheart disappeared, finding Fernbranch in the crowd. Together they sat, anxiously awaiting to see their kits, who weren't really kits anymore, become warriors.

            "I call upon my warrior ancestors to look upon these three apprentices. They have trained hard to follow your noble code, and I grant them to you as warriors in return. Patchpaw," Cloudstar began. "Do you promise to uphold the warrior code even if it means risking your life?"

            "I do," Patchpaw spoke. He looked so sophisticated, like a true warrior.

            "Then from this day forward, you shall be known as Patchfur!" Cloudstar announced. He turned to Tinypaw who shivered in fear. At the sight of Cloudstar though, she stood up taller.

            "Tinypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, even if it means risking your life?" he asked.

            "I do," Tinypaw spoke loud and clearly.

            "Then from this day forward, your warrior name shall be Tinypelt!"

            Mossheart watched as Cloudstar then moved to Jaypaw. Jaypaw stood up the tall, looking into the crowd. Mossheart noticed he was the largest out of all three, the strongest too, no doubt.

            "Jaypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, even if it costs you your life?" Cloudstar asked.

            "I do," Jaypaw proudly spoke.

            "Then from this day forward, you shall be known as Jayfur!"

            "PATCHFUR! TINYPELT! JAYFUR!" The clan cried. Mossheart cried with them, cheering for his sons and daughter.

            He turned to Fernbranch who had tears in her eyes. "Oh, I wish they hadn't grown up," she spoke softly.

            Mossheart smiled. "Be happy. They're warriors now, Fernbranch, and soon, they'll have their own families."

            Once the crowd moved away, Mossheart and Fernbranch ran to their children, smiling.

            "Congratulations!" Fernbranch exclaimed.

            "I can't believe we're warriors now," Tinypelt spoke. "It feels so odd."

            Jayfur nodded. "Yes, but we'll finally be out of that terrible apprentice den."

            Patchfur laughed. "Thank StarClan!"

            "And you'll be keeping watch tonight?" Mossheart asked.

            The three nodded. Mossheart smiled. "I'm so proud of all of you!" he said. "You'll make the best of warriors!"

            Fernbranch nodded. "Yes, you will."

            Patchfur turned his head, spotting Shinypaw, and he ran off. Soon enough, Tinypelt and Jayfur disappeared moments later, leaving Mossheart and Fernbranch alone.

            "Are you all right?" Mossheart asked, watching Fernbranch who looked at her paws.

            "Just sad, that's all," she said. She looked up, smiling a little. "Do you remember your warrior ceremony where I ran to you and screamed at you because I was so angry you left me alone?"

            Mossheart nodded. "You practically killed me!"

            "I thought you weren't coming back. I was so mad that you had left me to cry and mourn over you when I loved you so much," Fernbranch said.

            Mossheart smiled. "That's in the past now, Fernbranch. I promise to never leave again because now, I've realized something. SnowClan is my home, it always has been. It's where all my loved ones are, and I wouldn't trade this place for anywhere else."

            Fernbranch smiled and nuzzled him gently. Mossheart smiled, looking into the evening sky. And as he looked, he swore he saw his mother and father in the dim stars that were beginning to shine, and he knew they were always watching him...