A week later Moonpaw prowled through the undergrowth, checking for prey. Wolfstar said that he and his littermates were supposed to hunt, even though the pile of fresh-kill was full enough for every warrior to eat. There was nothing wrong with having a little extra fresh-kill, but he was sure it was just another loyalty test that Wolfstar had conjured up, and he was getting sick of them. He had also had several other tests over the past few days, like training and more hunting. Then again, she had sent him down the middle of the territory, quite a ways from ShadowClan. Perhaps she was finally testing Cloudpaw or Piranhapaw more, after most of the testing had been on him?

In any case, Moonpaw caught more than enough food for his hunt to be a success. He found himself dragging a squirrel, a large rabbit, and a bird that he didn’t recognize. He dragged his catch through the thorn barrier and lugged it over to the pile, setting it gently on top. He looked around excitedly, waiting for Wolfstar to praise him for his hard work, but she wasn’t in the camp.

Disappointed, he ate a mouse and curled up in his nest in the apprentices’ den. He wasn’t tired, but it was definitely warmer in his nest than anywhere else in camp. Nevertheless, he found himself woken from a light sleep by the usual summons of a clan meeting. With a yawn he dragged himself out of his den and stepped out into the clearing. Night was beginning to fall, and it was getting even colder in the camp. He sat between his littermates and looked up at Wolfstar to hear what she had to say.

“Cats of ThunderClan,” Wolfstar began with a purr for some reason, “This leaf-bare has been surprisingly good, and we have had perhaps the best season we could have hoped for. I just wish that it would actually be spring by now, after all this time. I think we can all agree that it is time that we have a change, even if it isn’t spring.”

Some cats nodded, while Lightningfur purred loudest. Moonpaw looked to Cloudpaw, wondering if her mentor had said anything about the meeting, but she seemed just as clueless as he was.

Wolfstar then said, to his surprise, “Piranhapaw, Cloudpaw, and Moonpaw step forward. I, Wolfstar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn.”

It was their warrior’s ceremony! The tests have been for deciding whether they could become warriors, and Wolfstar must not have told them so that they wouldn’t get nervous and do worse. Based on the excitement that began gleaming in his siblings’ eyes, he was correct.

“Piranhapaw, do you promise to uphold the Warrior Code and to protect and defend your Clan even at the cost of your life?” Wolfstar asked.

Moonpaw watched his brother, given no time to prepare, announce weakly, “I do.” Luckily, his weak voice was ignored.

Wolfstar continued, “Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Piranhapaw, you will now be known as Piranhatooth, and StarClan honors your quick thinking. We welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan!”

There was a short pause as the leader put her chin on his head, and he licked her shoulder respectfully before she continued, “Cloudpaw, do you promise to uphold the Warrior Code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?”

“I do,” Cloudpaw announced proudly.

“Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Cloudpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Cloudfur. StarClan honors your strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of StarClan!”

Wolfstar rested her head gently on Cloudfur’s and the new warrior licked her shoulder. Then Wolfstar gazed affectionately at her own apprentice for several moments, and Moonpaw looked back into her amber eyes. He felt every hair on his pelt tingling with pride as he stepped forward a few paces, his strong legs almost guiding him by themselves.

“Moonpaw,” she began more confidently than before, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?”

“I do!” Moonpaw announced, feeling the words in his very fur as he felt every bit of it as truth. He would willingly die for his Clan, defending what was right.

“Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name. Moonpaw, from now on you will be known as Moonstorm. StarClan honors your loyalty and persistence, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan!”

The new warrior looked at his old mentor and proudly strode the rest of the way forward until he was little more than a whisker’s width from her. The whole world seemed to slow down, and he heard only silence as he lowered his head slightly. He felt Wolfstar’s chin resting gently between his ears, and closed his eyes to lick her shoulder respectfully. His eyes shot open again immediately.

He tasted blood.

Wolfstar’s shoulder was completely undamaged, but there was no mistaking it. He had tasted, and still tasted the bitter taste of blood. He stepped back shakily, but remembered where he was and replaced the fear in his eyes with excitement. He was a warrior now! As he thought about it, cats chanted their new names all around them. “Piranhatooth! Cloudfur! Moonstorm!” Moonstorm forced himself to enjoy it, and soon found himself with the pride he would have expected. He must have just tasted a bit of prey blood that she had had on her shoulder after her recent meal.

But what if he hadn’t?