For the next couple days, Vixenpaw was kept busier than she had ever been.

Oatfreckle explained that StarClan had given them a few days before they would require Vixenpaw for the ceremony, so she spent almost every moment of each day with Gooseholly and various other senior warriors, training both physically and mentally.

Gooseholly and Moonfin trained her up for battles and hunting, learning complex moves, counter-attacks and the best defences they could teach her at her current skill level. Duckpetal and Mothmoon offered to help her with her hunting skills, showing her how to hunt with a group as well as alone, learning the locations of every rabbit hole throughout the entire territory off by heart.

Oatfreckle taught her a few basic herbal remedies, as was custom for the king and Queen, but assured her it was hardly a priority to remember when there was so much more to learn. Most of the time, he spent their sessions comforting her and talking down each of her doubts and insecurities and worries.

Blackbreeze, the oldest warrior in the clan, spent his time with her training mentally – talking about how not to reveal WindClan's weaknesses during Gatherings, to never lose her head when talking to the other clans, always remaining polite and calm if arguments arose, to never grow defensive if she could help it and to try and keep peace.

Finally, she spent many evenings with Moorwing and Daisydusk, who told her many different stories about the past friendships and conflicts with WindClan and the other three clans – how Gooseholly's forbidden relationship with Rainstorm resulted in moons of tension between the two clans, how ThunderClan tended to be rather friendly with them due to a lack of a shared border, how ShadowClan usually left them alone as the Thunderpath wasn't a great border to cross, and so on.

Sometimes, Vixenpaw felt like her head was going to explode with all this new information she had to keep in.

Gooseholly's memory training sessions became less frequent, but even more important. He tested her on everything she was learning before the ceremony, including battle and hunting tactics.

When she had a few moments rest back at camp to eat and sleep, she found more than one cat was often staring at her while whispering to their friend – or, in Boldheart's case, talking rather loudly. It was beginning to rub off on the other apprentices, who simply grew downright hostile towards her – in particular, Tulippaw and Oceanpaw.

In these lonely times, Oddpaw often comforted her and kept her company – Inkpatch occasionally joining them, sending murderous glares at any hostile clanmates.

Vixenpaw was grateful for their efforts, but most of the time wished she could just be alone. Being so busy hardly left time for her to grieve the loss of her parents, and when she was alone was the best time.

Sometimes, she wondered if Dreamstar was urging her on during a difficult day, and Hawkstar was subtly curing whoever upset her. The thought made her chuckle, but grow sad once more when the amusement faded.

Many hours of training and quizzing and intense glares later, Vixenpaw was due to earn her warrior name as requested by StarClan – she hardly felt she deserved it though, and it was clear many others felt the same way as they gathered beneath Tallrock that afternoon.

"Vixenpaw," Gooseholly called out, "it has reached the time for you to earn your warrior name, as StarClan has wished. Please step forward."

Feeling self-conscious, she took a few polite steps forward and gazed up at her mentor.

"Vixenpaw, we all know how difficult your position has been – and will be. I feel I speak for everyone when I say we will all be here for you."

Yeah, that's likely. She thought, feeling her fur prickle from the strange looks she received.

Gooseholly gazed down at her, a warm glint in his eye. "Do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Vixenpaw inhaled unsteadily, and nodded. "I do." She'd never imagined she would have to make that vow so soon after her apprenticeship.

"Vixenpaw, from this day forward, you shall be known as Vixenhowl – for your commitment, determination, and in honour of both your mental and emotional strength throughout this trying time. StarClan welcomes you as a full warrior of WindClan, however short your time as one may be." Gooseholly announced, with a small smile.

The clan remained awkwardly silent, as if unsure whether they should cheer. Then, suddenly, Oddpaw began to yell her new name. "Vixenhowl" Vixenhowl! Vixenhowl!"

This jarred the rest of the clan into doing the same, and Vixenhowl flashed a grateful look over to the medicine apprentice. She tested the name in her mouth as the cheers faded, wishing she could have more time with it before going to the Moonstone.

As if hearing her words, Oatfreckle hurried to her side. "We will have to leave for the Moonstone soon, Vixenhowl – it really is a lovely name." He added apologetically, as if he felt he was the cause of her situation, and trotted off for the medicine den.

"Congratulations, Vixenhowl!" Oddpaw called out, running over to her with a smile. "It's a good name."

"Thanks, Oddpaw." She said meaningfully. "I'm sorry to lose it so soon."

Oddpaw nodded forlornly. "Yeah, I get what you mean. But!" He cheered up suddenly. "Good news! Oatfreckle said I can join you as you go to get your extra lives."

"That's brilliant!" Vixenhowl sighed with relief. "I don't think I could do this without you, you know."

"Oddpaw, Vixenhowl!" Oatfreckle called out to them. "I've got the travelling herbs ready."

---

The walk to the Moonstone was a fairly long one – before they set off, however, Vixenhowl hurried to Outlook Rock alone to bid her parents goodbye before she went to the Moonstone, changed forever.

Then, they walked at a comfortable pace towards Highstones – leaving early enough to have plenty of spare time, as Oatfreckle hated rushing. The journey was fairly uneventful, aside from Vixenhowl's panicky thoughts, and they travelled over the Thunderpath without difficulty – there were hardly any monsters occupying it.

Then, as the moon begun to rise, they finally arrived at the Highstones. It was even more magnificent than how it'd been described to her, and Vixenhowl felt breathless.

"It's best we head inside before the sun fully sets." Oatfreckle recommended. "Are you ready, Vixenhowl?"

She swallowed anxiously, and shook her head. "I don't think I ever will be."

"All the more reason to go in sooner rather than later." Oddpaw advised, following his mentor inside.

The newly named warrior breathed heavily, trailing after them. Almost instantly, they were engulfed by darkness, and Vixenhowl made sure not to fall behind – keeping Oddpaw's tail near her face. The deeper down Highstones they travelled, the heavier a crushing weight felt upon her. The presence of StarClan grew ever stronger, watching the three feeble mortals as they approached the holy stone.

It felt as if they'd been travelling forever through the twisting tunnels, when she heard Oddpaw whisper in her ear:

"Prepare yourself..."

And suddenly, the tunnel opened up; Vixenhowl was blinded by a bright white light.

She squinted her eyes, getting used to the sudden brightness of it all, and realised it was coming from a large, milky blue crystal located in the centre of the cave. High above them, a large hole was visible in the ceiling – allowing the moon to shine directly inside.

"Oh, wow." She gasped quietly, spotting Oddpaw and Oatfreckle watching her with flickering amusement.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Her friend commented, nodding towards the Moonstone.

"We haven't too much time now – settle before the stone, with your nose pressed against it. Oh, and beware – it's pretty cold at first."

Vixenhowl nodded, doing as she was asked, but nothing could have prepared her for the sudden and intense rush as her nose pressed against the pretty rock, the feeling of being submerged in a leafbare river just as she was warming up. She gasped once more, but couldn't move away, and felt herself drifting into the darkness.

---

What felt like moments later, Vixenhowl woke once more. She sat up wearily, stretching her achy limbs, and gauged her surroundings.

It was like... standing in an empty void, her only company the distant and twinkling starts above – not unlike how she'd been feeling the past few days. But, then the stars began to move and shift; they started growing bigger, and Vixenhowl realised they were actually moving closer – floating down towards her!

The closer the stars got, the more they begun to look like starry-pelted cats. Each one landed with a delicate thump on the 'ground', though one wasn't visible, and the heiress struggled to see any particular faces standing out in the crowd.

"Welcome, Vixenhowl." A rough, but kind, voice spoke from the group – and a lithe brown tabby she-cat with lanky limbs stepped forward, her pelt faintest of all the gathered StarClan cats. "My name is Wind Runner, though you will know me as Windstar."

The slim warrior watched with an agape mouth at the founder of WindClan continued. "We have watched you carefully over your life, as we do with all our clanmates, and I am sure that – despite what other cats may tell you – you are going to be a brilliant Queen."

"I- thank you." Vixenhowl murmured, relieved. "That means a lot."

Windstar smiled. "Good. Now, it is time to begin your ceremony."

There were only two cats Vixenhowl cared to see, but sadly neither of them ended up being the starry feline who stepped up first.

"I am unsure you know me by looks," she explained to the confused heiress, "but you will know my name – Rainstorm, Oceanpaw and Seapaw's mother. And on their behalf, I apologise for their immature behaviour – they will come around soon."

Vixenhowl dipped her head in a grateful nod, unsure what else to say, so the RiverClan she-cat continued – pressing her nose to her head.

"With this life, I give you the humility to honour the support given by the other clans, and ensure it is returned accordingly."

As the words were spoken, Vixenhowl was seized with a terrible panic in her heart, flashes of battles between and beside the other clans – before it eased up into relief and gratitude.

"Keep my babies safe." Rainstorm murmured, before walking away to rejoin the observant crowd.

As she was catching her breath, Vixenhowl spotted the next cat walking towards her. With surprise, she recognised it to be Twitchpaw's father.

"I am Fidgetfoot, as you probably know." The deep voiced tom introduced himself, pressing his nose against her forehead. "With this life, I give you the selflessness to put yourself before others and defend those weaker than you."

The searing slash of pain against her side took Vixenhowl completely by surprise, and she struggled not to yell in pain. Invisible blows battered her torso repeatedly, as if an entire pack of foxes or other predators were attacking her from all sides. As Fidgetfoot backed away, the clawing stopped and Vixenhowl's pelt ached – though not a scratch was visible on her.

The next cat was one who wasted no time getting to her, and Vixenhowl ran to meet him.

"Baba!" She cried, crashing into him with relief and nuzzling him. "Oh, I've missed you so much."

He purred happily. "Oh, I know, Vixie. I've missed you too. But I'm afraid I have a job to do."

Reluctantly, they pulled away simultaneously, and Dreamstar pressed his nose to hear head. "My darling kit, with this life I give you the strength to keep going, despite those who wish you to do otherwise."

Gradually, a powerful determination began flowing through Vixenhowl's veins – she felt as if she could argue down any stubborn cat, race through the entire territory multiple times over, and have breath to spare. But as the feeling began to fade, Dreamstar walked away with a sorrowful expression on his face.

The next cat was Hawkstar, who strode over as elegantly as she'd been in life. At her paws ran six little forms, and Vixenhowl realised they were the unborn kits who'd been lost along with their mother.

"Oh, mammy, they're so pretty." She murmured mournfully, watching the fluffy little balls rough and tumble together.

Hawkstar beamed proudly. "StarClan has granted them the ability to live out their lives in StarClan, growing up as if they were alive – children of the sky." She shuffled them forward with her tail, and put her paw on each head. "Meet Acornkit, Rubblekit, Lynxkit, Beechkit, Featheredkit and Houndkit. Babies, meet your older sister Vixenhowl."

The six kits gazed up at their older sister in wonder, and each murmured a shy greeting. Vixenhowl felt her eyes well with tears for their losses.

Hawkstar pressed her nose upon her daughter's head. "This life is from all of us – I give you the wisdom to make difficult decisions while under pressure, and the ability to acknowledge when you may be mistaken or wrong."

Vixenhowl felt a different kind of pain for this life – her head under intense pressure from all angles, filling with lots of random information; how to hunt, fight, discuss, negotiate, stand her ground. Then a sense of slight guilt and embarrassment, but feeling it become overpowered by modesty. The pressure fell away almost instantly, leaving Vixenhowl dizzy with relief, as her mother moved away and returned to the crowd.

Finally, another familiar feline stepped forward – Bluedancer, Twitchpaw's mother.

"For your partial life, StarClan has chosen me to grant it officially – but it comes from all of us here, as is custom." She explained in a melodic voice, like bird calls. "Vixenhowl, StarClan grants you your partial life with the gift of having the mercy to forgive those who've wronged you and grant them second chances, but knowing when the line has been too far crossed."

With her final life, Vixenhowl felt a strange weight lifted from her heart and shoulders – as if she'd been granted the gift of breathing normally for once. She felt an overwhelming sense of kindness overcome her, tinged with harsh edges to protect herself in some way.

As the feeling ebbed, though not completely, Windstar stepped towards her and pressed her nose against her shoulder. "StarClan welcomes this new Queen and honours her sacrifice. Hail, Vixenstar!"

Vixenstar gazed around the ranks of StarClan, overwhelmed with an inexplicable emotion as they chanted her name without jealousy, or doubt, or disgust or any kind of negative feeling towards her.

Just pure, undiluted respect and love.