When Vixenhowl – no, Vixenstar – woke up once more, she felt a strange mix of joy and regret. It had felt wonderful to see all of StarClan welcome her as they cheered her new name, but it was too soon... far too soon for her to have had to gone through that ceremony.

She'd not even gone through half her apprenticeship.

"Congratulations, Vixenstar!" Oddpaw honoured her, half-jokingly saluting with his tail. "You were so brave."

Vixenstar slowly got to her paws, feeling incredibly shaky and weak. "You- you saw?"

Oatfreckle hurried over to her, giving his shoulder to lean on. "Yes, we both did – and I must say, considering your age, you handled such a trying ceremony very well."

Vixenstar wheezed out a laugh, feeling the complete opposite. "I feel like I've run down the Thunderpath whilst being chased by a monster just after trying to battle away every predator in the territories."

"Any full-grown cat would feel just the same." Oatfreckle assured her, though looked worried. "But I hope it's not too much for you to handle – it wasn't exactly designed for an eight-moon-old to go through."

Oddpaw dismissed his mentor's worries with a tail flick, "We should just get back home before all the exhaustion catches up with her, no? I told Gooseholly to save her some prey before we left"

"Thanks, Oddball." Vixenstar murmured gratefully, using the nickname she was fond of. "I'm really hungry after all that."

They left the chilly Moonstone in silence, and Vixenstar found her self constantly looking behind her to see if the glow of the cavern would reach the tunnels – at first, the large crystal had looked frightening, but now she felt connected in some way; friendly, familiar, welcome even.

As they took a slow walk back towards camp, the moon beginning to set and the sun hovering around the horizon, the new leader got some time to reflect on what the ceremony had been like. Seeing the great Windstar approve of her leadership, as well as getting to see her parents once more – as well as their unborn kits, Twitchpaw's parents and Gooseholly's mate Rainstorm – had been an otherworldly experience.

Even now, further away from the Moonstone, Vixenstar felt their gifts to her flowing around her body with her blood – humility and gratitude; selflessness; strength and determination; wisdom and self-awareness; and, from StarClan collectively for her partial life, mercy. The Somali she-cat promised herself that she would make use of each tribute, to honour the deceased who'd given them to her.

She would be the best leader she could, despite her problematic situation.

"We're nearly home, now." Oatfreckle announced, when they'd reached Outlook Rock once more. It was here he paused, forcing the other two to wait for him to speak. "Now, everyone is going to be – despite what StarClan told me – wondering whether you actually gained your lives." He turned to face Vixenstar, serious. "You mustn't tell them anything about the actual ceremony, apart from the fact it happened and all went well. Try not to get held up giving everyone details, because I want to make sure you're healthy and strong enough to call the customary clan meeting to announce the beginning of your leadership."

Vixenstar nodded, suddenly feeling overwhelmed with emotion – mainly anxiety. "Alright. Thank you."

Oatfreckle nodded once, and then nudged her gently to start walking – Oddpaw leading the way as the leader leaned on her medicine cat for support, though was beginning to feel stronger; not much, but a little.

"Hey, Vixenhowl is back!" A voice cried out nearby as they were spotted entering camp.

Immediately, their clanmates swarmed around them – asking lots of questions, mainly about whether ceremony had gone well.

"Vixenstar! Are you Vixenstar? Did StarClan accept you?"

"Who did you see, what was it like?"

"Are you allowed to lead the clan-?"

Oddpaw brusquely shoved through the crowd, causing multiple cats to cry out indignantly. "Move out the way, furballs, and let her through!"

Vixenstar had never felt more grateful for her loyal friend and brother than in that moment.

"Yes, the ceremony went fine." She announced shakily, trying to follow Oddpaw. "Please, let me through." And, reluctantly, the crowd parted.

---

A short while later, Vixenstar was digging into a delicious, if a little thin, vole Gooseholly had saved her – but the kindly tom had been forced out the den, along with any other cats who tried to see the new leader.

Vixenstar was appreciative of the effort, but wished everyone would stop making such a big fuss over her.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Oatfreckle repeated for the hundredth time since she'd insisted on leaving. "You've been through so much stress the past few days, mental and physical-"

Vixenstar pushed away the remains of her prey, "Really, I'm alright now. But thank you, honestly! Everyone's getting restless with me cooped up in here, so I'd better show I've not died." She laughed, but it sounded forced.

The medicine cat gave in. "Fine, you can go – but come back if you feel even a little dizzy."

Vixenstar promised she would, and pushed her way into the clearing. Gooseholly was sitting nearby, a polite distance away, but rushed over as soon as he saw her. "Vixenhowl! You're alright! Oh, thank the stars, Oatfreckle had us thinking you were at StarClan's camp." His eyes twinkled with relief, and he hugged her gently.

"Ha, I bet he did. And it's Vixenstar now." Pulling away, she attempted to muster the most dignity and pride within reach.

If it was possible, Gooseholly looked even more relieved. "That's brilliant! You'd better go call a clan meeting – I forced everyone to go to their dens for a bit, to give you some breathing space, but they're itching to come out again."

Vixenstar nodded in appreciation, and walked over to Tallrock. It looked taller than before, looming over her, and she gulped before making a tremendous leap upwards.

Just barely managing to scrabble atop of it, Vixenstar struggled to regain her composure, and Gooseholly nodded to her. With a deep breath to steady her nerves, she called out the meeting summons.

"All cats swift enough to chase the rabbits and hares, gather beneath Tallrock for a clan meeting!"

With surprise, her clanmates practically exploded from their dens and hurried over – clearing recognising her voice, eager to hear what had happened. Vixenstar used the time her clanmates spent arranging themselves and getting settled to analyse the crowd.

Oceanpaw and Tulippaw were eyeing her disdainfully from the back of the crowd, obedient brothers beside them. Twitchpaw wasn't too far from Seapaw, gazing up at her with warmth and encouragement – for once, his tail still and calm. Many of the older warriors were watching her with looks of doubt and uncertainty, but a few odd ones out had trust in their eyes. Vixenstar was grateful for those few.

She realised they were waiting for her to speak, and exhaled shakily. "Okay, um. Right. So, I received my lives from StarClan successfully, and have taken on the name Vixenstar." Was that what I'm supposed to say??

A few cats nodded approvingly, while others bowed their heads in reluctant acceptance – none dared argue with StarClan, not even the more outspoken cats like Boldheart or Oceanpaw, who remained subdued.

Vixenstar gazed down at Gooseholly, suddenly feeling helpless and unsure of herself. She saw him mouth 'be honest'.

"I- I know many of you have doubts." She begun, catching the interest of some of the more disagreeable cats. "I do too, believe me – I never expected to be in this position so soon, just the same as you all. I can't promise I will act without fault for my entire leadership, however long or short it is, and I can't promise that my every move will bring success or joy for everyone."

In the crowd, she saw Oddpaw cringe at her depreciation, but knew it needed to be said, and continued. "I'm not courageous and humble like Gooseholly, or fiercely confident and honest like my mother, nor whole-heartedly selfless and caring like my father... or completely any of the best qualities you'd expect in a leader. In all honesty, I don't really know who I am at this point. I hope you will all help me find who I am, and support me all the way.

"There is one thing I can vow on StarClan, though." She sat a little straighter. "I will do everything I can to be the best leader I can, and make sure that I don't let StarClan, my parents or you – my family – down."
Vixenstar slumped slightly as she finished, hoping the right words had been spoken. The clan stared up at her with unease, gazing at each other and considering her speech.

"Of course you won't let us down!" A timid voice called out, and the she-cat was shocked to see Twitchpaw was the one to have called out. "Vixenstar! Vixenstar! Vixenstar!"

"Yeah, Vixenstar!" Oddpaw joined in loudly, urging on the cats around him. "Come on!"

Slowly but surely, the rest of the gathered cats started to cheer her name. The cheering turned into a full-blown chant, and Vixenstar was warmed to see her clanmates, family and friends honouring her so confidently – until, that is, she saw the flashing of doubt in most of their eyes.

She shook out her pelt. She just had to prove their doubts wrong.

As the cheers faded, Acornshadow – one of Eaglesong's sisters – stepped forward. "Who are you going to elect as your advisor?"

Vixenstar gazed down at Gooseholly in confusion. "No-one – I already have an advisor."

Some of the elder cats began chattering angrily, baffling the younger ones, and Gooseholly spoke out over them. "Quieten down, please! Many of our young ones have only known the rein of Hawkstar and Dreamstar." He turned up to Vixenstar. "It is tradition for the new King or Queen to choose a new advisor to lead beside them after their christening ceremony." He bowed his head humbly, and nodded to the crowd. "You may choose any cat.

The slim leader gazed at all the possible candidates below, reluctant. She'd hardly gotten to know most of them very well, especially the more reclusive ones like Orangesmoke, Snowberry and Spiderspring. Who could possibly be a good pick to rival Gooseholly?

"Well, okay." She agreed finally, after some careful consideration. "I would like to choose Gooseholly as my new advisor."

She smiled slightly, despite the disapproving mutters, and saw pleasant surprise on her mentor's face, tinged with appreciation and honour.

"Can she do that?" Boldheart called out dubiously.

Moorwing, the oldest out of the two elders, laughed unevenly. "Of course she can – she's the Queen! Besides, it's hardly unheard of to keep the same royal advisor for two or more reins."

Vixenstar smiled in relief, glad for the support – though she was a little lost on what to do next. Were there any other kinds of issues to address? She saw impatience beginning to reveal itself on her clanmates faces, and decided to draw the meeting to a close.

"Uh, if that is all, clan dismissed." She announced uncertainly, and sighed in relief as the crowd broke up into little groups, talking among themselves and a few going to grab some prey.

As she leaped down from Tallrock, stumbling slightly, Gooseholly trotted over. "That was a great speech! I think you've got their trust better secured now."

"Thanks." She answered, a little shaky. "It was pretty intimidating."

He smiled empathetically. "I'll bet. But don't worry – by the next Gathering, the clan will wholeheartedly have your back and realise you're going to be a great Queen, like your mother."

At the mention of Hawkstar, Vixenstar felt her heart clench in pain. "I really hope so. She was always so sure of herself... and she had Baba to help lead, but I've just got me."

"And me?" Gooseholly asked with a raised brow.

"Oh, sorry, of course!" She stuttered, embarrassed to have insulted her advisor – but the grey tom's amber eyes glittered with amusement.

"I'm only messing with you – I know what you meant." He yawned slightly, and glanced over his shoulder. "I should organise some hunting patrols now – when I'm done, we can continue your training."

Vixenstar felt a jolt of shock. "Wow, training – I completely forgot!" She laughed awkwardly. "It's been so surreal becoming leader."

Gooseholly smiled kindly, "Don't worry, I won't overwhelm you – today we can just go over the things you know so far, and see how well you can defend yourself with the current knowledge you have."

Vixenstar nodded, and watched the tom walk off to address the restless warriors. Perhaps, now that everything had been addressed in the clan meeting, things would begin to go right once more.