Bloodpaw's heart pounded as he sprinted through the cold forest. His pads hurt with each stride, and he wondered if they were bleeding. He'd been awake all night, and between his training and the trek to and from the moonstone, his whole body was begging for rest. But he didn't dare stop. Dewstorm was dying. Depthstar was counting on him.

He reached the thunderpath and paused, his stomach churning with unease. He'd only crossed this once, and Swiftstalker had been at his side. Now, he was alone. And it was night. How would he be able to see the monsters coming?

Forget it! You have to cross! Bloodpaw prepared to run, then froze as a set of lights appeared in the distance. He turned his head and bristled. Great StarClan! A monster roared along the path toward him, glaring at him, glowing at him with blinding yellow eyes. It looks so angry! He crouched, eyes round as the monster passed him. Well, at least I'll be able to see them coming! He looked from side to side, and couldn't see any more lights nearing. He drew in a deep breath and bounded across the thunderpath, the hard stone causing his sore pads to hurt even more.

He felt scared and vulnerable as he crossed into ThunderClan territory. The last time he had been here, he had been with his clan launching a surprise attack. He figured most of the clan was asleep, so he didn't have to worry about patrols. But the camp would be guarded. This was confirmed when he neared the camp, crouching in the bushes. He peered out at two ThunderClan warriors guarding the entrance, looking drowsy.

Okay... I don't want to seem aggressive... Oh, StarClan, help me! Bloodpaw swallowed nervously before stepping out of the bushes. "H-hello!"

The two warriors blinked their tiredness away, looking alarmed at first, then defensive, their fur fluffing up. One of the warriors bared his teeth. "ShadowClan!"

"I come in peace!" Bloodpaw meowed quickly, dipping his head. "I-"

"Who are you?" One warrior growled. "Come to attack us again?"

"No!" Bloodpaw's heart pounded nervously as he faced the warriors, keeping a fair distance. "I'm Bloodpaw of ShadowClan. Depthstar-"

One guard bristled. "What do you want?"

If you hadn't cut me off, I would have told you! Bloodpaw thought. "Depthstar sent me," He explained. "There was a rogue attack at highstones. Starfaith is dead, and Dewstorm can't hold on for much longer." He swallowed. "He sent me to fetch Spice-"

"What's going on?"

He froze, staring up nervously as Strawberrystar emerged from the thorn tunnel, narrowing her amber eyes at him. "Why is a ShadowClan apprentice on our territory?"

"Strawberrystar," Bloodpaw dipped his head respectfully to the she-cat, aware of her sharp tongue and knowing that one wrong word could rub her the wrong way. "There was an attack at highstones. Two of the medicine cats were there, Dewstorm and Starfaith. Starfaith is dead, and Dewstorm is barely holding on."

The spotted she-cat twitched her ear. "And how is this ThunderClan's problem?" She demanded.

Bloodpaw's heart pounded. "Depthstar sent me to fetch Spicewhisker," He meowed, staring at her nervously. "Please, can he come to ShadowClan to save Dewstorm?"

To his dismay, the ThunderClan leader snorted. "You think I'm going to lend my medicine cat to ShadowClan?" He demanded. "The clan who accused my clan of murder, and launched an unjustified attack on us? Killed one of my warriors?"

Bloodpaw stared at her desperately. "Please, Dewstorm is dying!"

"Get off my territory, apprentice," Strawberrystar growled. "Before I let my warriors tear you apart."

Bloodpaw's fur bristled with fear, but he stood his ground. "If you don't do something, ShadowClan will be left without a medicine cat! StarClan would not allow this!" Strawberrystar waved her tail in signal, and the guards stalked toward him aggressively. Bloodpaw braced himself for the attack.

"Strawberrystar!"

He saw a small white muzzled black tom appear at his leader's side, and Bloodpaw recognized him at once. Spicewhisker! Hope filled his chest.

The medicine cat stared at Bloodpaw anxiously. "Is that right?" He gasped. "Dewstorm is dying? Starfaith is dead?"

Bloodpaw nodded and Spicewhisker started toward him. Strawberrystar stretched a paw out in front of him, glaring at him. "What do you think you're doing?"

Spicewhisker blinked at his leader. "I need to save Dewstorm."

The ThunderClan leader bared her teeth. "We will not do any favors for ShadowClan!" She hissed. "Not after they attacked us and accused us of murder!"

Bloodpaw hesitantly stepped forward. "Strawberrystar, please listen to me," He begged. "ShadowClan regrets the attack."

Strawberrystar's eyes flashed with surprise, and she flicked an ear, waiting for him to go on.

"After tonight's attack, it has to have been a rogue that killed our warriors," Bloodpaw went on, trembling nervously. "On behalf of ShadowClan, I apologize, and ask for your forgiveness. Please, save our medicine cat. Don't make Dewstorm suffer for our mistakes."

The ThunderClan leader was quiet for a moment, as though reflecting on Bloodpaw's words. Spicewhisker was looking at his leader calmly. "You know I rarely disobey you, Strawberrystar," He meowed. "But I will not let Dewstorm die. He's a fellow medicine cat."

Bloodpaw stared at Strawberrystar hopefully. Please..!

"Very well," She murmured at last. "You may go."

Relief flooded over him. Thank Starclan! The leader stepped aside, and Spicewhisker padded forward to meet him. "Lead the way, Bloodpaw."

***

Bloodpaw raced through the forest with Spicewhisker at his side. "I can't believe this happened." The medicine cat panted as they ran. "I just got back from highstones a while ago."

"Why were Dewstorm and Starfaith alone?" Bloodpaw asked. "Weren't you and the other medicine cats with them?"

"Dewstorm and Starfaith stayed behind to talk alone for a moment," Spicewhisker meowed as they crossed into ShadowClan territory. "Starfaith told Silverberry she'd catch up, and the rest of us left."

They reached the camp, and Bloodpaw led Spicewhisker into the medicine den where Depthstar and Greenpine were crouched over Dewstorm. They looked relieved to see Bloodpaw with the ThunderClan medicine cat at his heels.

"Spicewhisker!" Depthstar sighed. "Thank StarClan." He looked at Bloodpaw as the black and white tom crouched beside Dewstorm. "Well done, Bloodpaw."

Bloodpaw felt a rush of pride and sat near the den entrance, watching as Spicewhisker applied herbs to Dewstorm's wounds.

***

The earliest sign of dawn peered over the horizon, slightly lightening the dark sky. It had been a long time since Spicewhisker arrived. He was still in the medicine den with Dewstorm, whose fate was uncertain.

At this point, most of the clan had awoken to see what the commotion was about. The queens, kits, and elders were the only cats sleeping. The rest of the clan gathered in the clearing, speaking quietly together.

"Do you think he'll be alright?" Cliffshade murmured.

"What if he dies, and ShadowClan is left without a medicine cat?" Ashcloud sounded nervous.

Copperstripe lowered his head. "StarClan will tell us what to do."

"Are any of the kits qualified to be medicine cats?"

"Enough!" Diamondrain snapped, her eyes lit with fear. "Don't talk like he's already dead!" Dewstorm was her brother. Of course she was more scared for him than the rest of the clan.

Bloodpaw sat at the side of the clearing, his eyes closed. He was exhausted. His paws were sore, and his whole body ached. His body longed for sleep, but he refused to give in. He couldn't sleep. Not until he found out if Dewstorm was going to make it.

After what felt like forever, Spicewhisker emerged from the medicine den, murmuring a few words to Depthstar. The dark blue-gray tom nodded. "Thank you," He murmured, turning to his clan. "Dewstorm needs a few days to recover. But he has been saved, thanks to Spicewhisker." The clan let out sighs and murmurs of relief and gratitude toward the ThunderClan medicine cat.

Depthstar and Spicewhisker headed for the camp entrance, not far from where Bloodpaw sat. The two cats paused, and Depthstar looked at the medicine cat. "I can't thank you enough," He meowed. "I'm surprised Strawberrystar allowed you to go after the battle."

"Oh, Bloodpaw explained everything," Spicewhisker meowed. "He apologized on your behalf and explained that it was rogues who killed your cats."

Bloodpaw froze as Depthstar's eyes flashed with surprise. He hadn't thought about it before, but now he realized what he'd done. I lied on ShadowClan's behalf! Depthstar still thinks ThunderClan killed our warriors! We never regretted the attack! What have I done?

"Yes." Depthstar meowed after a moment.

"I hope you find those rogues." Spicewhisker meowed. "Farewell," The small tom left the camp. Depthstar watched him for a moment, then rested his gaze on Bloodpaw. Bloodpaw's heart lurched as the clan leader approached him. He's going to be so angry with me!

Depthstar stopped in front of him. "You spoke for me?" He asked, his expression giving nothing away.

Bloodpaw lowered his head, shame burning through him. "Yes," He rasped. "I-I'm sorry-"

"You did well."

Depthstar's response startled him, and he stared up at his leader. "W-what?"

The tom twitched his ear. "I always questioned whether attacking ThunderClan was right," He meowed. "And after tonights attack, I'm fairly certain that Maplefur and Milkblaze were killed by rogues, just as Hawkfeather and Starfaith were. I meant to tell Strawberrystar this at the next gathering and apologize for our actions." He tipped his head. "But you did it for me. And at a time when our relations with ThunderClan needed to be mended. Thank you."

Bloodpaw was taken back. He's not mad at me! And I did the right thing! He dipped his head respectfully.

Depthstar studied him for a moment, then turned away. Bloodpaw watched the dark tom leap onto the meeting rock. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather for a clan meeting!"

Bloodpaw joined the rest of his clanmates. He realized that Revengeheart, Swiftstalker, Mottledface, and Blackstorm were absent. Strange...

The queens and elders padded out of their dens, blinking away sleep. "Great StarClan, Depthstar!" Buzzardglare huffed. "The sun hasn't even risen! What could be so important?"

"Listen and you'll find out, Buzzardglare," Depthstar responded. When the whole clan was gathered, he went on. "Tonight, a horrible attack occured at highstones. Starfaith of WindClan was killed, and Dewstorm was close to joining her in StarClan, but has been saved by Spicewhisker of ThunderClan." He paused, resting his eyes on Bloodpaw. "Dewstorm is alive thanks to one brave apprentice, Bloodpaw."

He froze as the clan turned to look at him, feeling mingled pride and embarrassment burn through his pelt.

"Bloodpaw came with me to highstones and helped me bring Dewstorm home," Depthstar went on. "And even traveled to the ThunderClan camp on his own to get Spicewhisker. Bloodpaw has shown a great amount of courage and loyalty tonight." Some cats were giving him nods of approval, while others glared at him coldly. He saw Flameheart and Bloomfire sitting near the nursery, eyes blazing with pride.

Depthstar spoke again. "I rarely make warriors at this hour. But I see no better time. I, Depthstar, leader of ShadowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice."

Bloodpaw's head spun as the leader spoke, his mind racing. What? Wait- Is-

"He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn."

Is he making me a warrior? He's making me a warrior! Bloodpaw couldn't breath.

"Bloodpaw," Depthstar rested his eyes on him. "Come forward."

Bloodpaw swallowed and headed to the foot of the meeting rock, staring up at his leader in amazement.

"Bloodpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Depthstar meowed, staring down at him.

"I do." Bloodpaw breathed, his heart pounding. He remembered all those moons ago when he had been a kit, fearing that Depthstar would never make him a warrior. Swiftstalker had promised to follow him around throwing mossballs at his head if he refused. Warmth blazed through his heart at the thought of his old friend. What ever changed between us?

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name." Depthstar declared. "Bloodpaw, from this moment you will be known as Bloodfur. StarClan honors your courage and loyalty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan."

Bloodfur's heart raced with excitement. Great StarClan, I did it! I'm a warrior! Depthstar leaped down from the rock and rested his chin on his head, and Bloodfur licked his shoulder, as customary.

"Bloodfur! Bloodfur!"

Some cats exchanged uneasy looks. Not everyone chanted. But those who mattered did. Cobratail, Greenpine, and several other warriors joined in, along with his parents. The next thing he knew, Flameheart and Bloomfire were at his sides, weaving around him.

"Well done, Bloodfur," Flameheart purred. "You deserve this."

"I'm so proud of you." Bloomfire licked his ear.

Bloodfur's heart swelled with pride. I did it. I proved myself to the clan tonight! Surely every cat will trust me now?

"So?" Flameheart prompted. "What's your first act as a warrior?"

Bloodfur let out a purr, his body aching with exhaustion. "Sleep!"