DOVEPAW HEARD THE voice of Badgertooth and felt him prod her in the side. As she emerged from sleep, she felt heavy and tired. Her dreams had kept her up all night, pondering them and trying to figure out what Tawnyflight meant.

     Against her will, Dovepaw opened her eyes and saw Badgertooth gazing down at her, his midnight blue eyes sparkling with amusement.

     "Ah! I thought you wouldn't wake up. I was worried for a moment. We are going herb hunting today, but first I would like to have a meeting with Lynxstar. I figured you would like to sit and watch," he explained.

     Dovepaw couldn't help but glance over his shoulder at Frozenfang. Her flanks rose and fell as she slept. You'll get what you deserve soon, I promise. I'll make sure that Lynxstar agrees and makes you a FrostClan warrior. "Okay. I'll come with you." She sat up and smoothed her sleep-ruffled fur.

     When she was finished she followed Badgertooth from the den and towards Lynxstar's den behind the waterfall. The FrostClan leader was grooming her fur thoroughly when she looked up. "Good morning. Take a seat. What do you need?"

     Badgertooth dipped his head. "Good morning to you, too. I believe that Frozenfang is able to do warrior duties now. But she needs your support first. Otherwise I'm not sure what she can do."

     Lynxstar's tail waved behind her as she thought. "I bet Frozenfang is a great warrior, yes, but the other cats don't trust her."

     "They trusted Tawnyflight," Dovepaw pointed out. "Why can't they trust Frozenfang? Tawnyflight was Frozenfang's best friend. Tawnyflight told me herself. Please make her a FrostClan warrior! It's what she wants dearly."

     "They trusted Tawnyflight after many moons. It took a lot of effort for her and me. My cats never trusted her until a few moons ago, before the journey."

     "Are you saying you're just going to give up? Give up when this is what Frozenfang has wanted, and when there's nowhere else for her to go?" Dovepaw stared at her mother with shock. She never expected Badgertooth to reject Frozenfang, but Lynxstar too? This is a catastrophe.

     "I have no problem with her staying here. I trust her. But I just fear the Clan's safety with a former MoonClan member in the camp. It's not safe."

     "Then you don't trust her."

     Badgertooth flicked his tail over Dovepaw's muzzle. "That's quite enough."

     Lynxstar was deep in thought. "Okay. I'll tell the Clan."

     Dovepaw hopped to her paws. "Oh, thank you, Lynxstar! You'll never regret it!"

     A purr rumbled in Lynxstar's throat. "I don't think I will."

     Badgertooth and Dovepaw departed from the den towards their own. Dovepaw was the first to enter the den and nudge Frozenfang awake. "Guess what?"

     Frozenfang blinked sleepily up at her. "What is it?"

     "Lynxstar says you can become a full warrior of FrostClan! She just has to tell the Clan and make them agree. She says that's what she did with Tawnyflight before the Clan trusted her," Dovepaw explained happily. "This is what you wanted, right? Aren't you excited?"

     All signs of weariness vanished from Frozenfang's eyes. "Really? When?"

     "Today!" Dovepaw felt light. She cared for Frozenfang so much, and now the gray she-cat was finally getting what she came to FrostClan for.

     "All cats old enough to catch their own prey, come gather beneath the Snowrock!"

     Dovepaw's tail shot straight up. "Come on, Frozenfang! Get ready!"

     Frozenfang stepped down from her nest. Her legs wobbled before she steadied them and walked forward slowly. She followed Dovepaw and Badgertooth outside of the den and to the crowd of cats where FrostClan was gathering.

     Mousepaw was running towards Dovepaw. "What is this about? Do you know? There can't be another warrior ceremony already!"

     Dovepaw purred. "Technically, this is a warrior ceremony."

     Mousepaw gasped. "Technically? Who's getting their warrior name? Frozenfang? Is she getting her place in the Clan at last?" The white-and-brown apprentice's gaze slid past Dovepaw to Frozenfang.

     Frozenfang looked as happy as a kit outside of the nursery for the very first time. "Yes, yes, yes! Finally!"

     The Clan quieted down. Lynxstar was gazing around at them. "We have gathered here today to acknowledge a specific cat. Frozenfang, it is time for you to become a full warrior of FrostClan. But I would like to share some things with the Clan first."

     Frozenfang's tail was swishing back and forth impatiently.

     "Before any of you object to this decision, I wish to reason with you all.  Frozenfang is a perfectly delightful cat. And she is perfectly trustworthy. I'm sure she will prove herself to you all"—Lynxstar glanced at Frozenfang and fixed her with an unwavering stare—"or she will face the consequences."

     Frozenfang gulped. Dovepaw glanced at her. I'm sure she will meet Lynxstar's expectations. Otherwise I'm not sure what I'll think of her next. What if she ends up like Sparrowfeather? Or Tawnyflight or someone comes to me with more warnings like the one with Foxclaw?

     The Clan cats began to murmur and glance at Frozenfang. Dovepaw swept her gaze around the cats, ready to defend Frozenfang from the criticism that the cats were glaring at her.

     "Anyway, I would like Frozenfang to come up here. I would like to acknowledge her." She beckoned the dark gray she-cat forward and rested her blue eyes on her, then to the midday sky. "I, Lynxstar, leader of FrostClan, ask that the warriors of StarClan accept my choice of making this warrior a warrior or our Clan. Frozenfang, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

     Frozenfang glanced around at the cats around her, then puffed up her chest with dignity, her eyes shining with certainty. "I do, Lynxstar," she meowed bravely.

     "Then with the blessing from StarClan, I welcome you, Frozenfang, former warrior of MoonClan, to FrostClan. I believe that you will do well and prove your undying loyalty to me and all of your Clanmates." She rested her moonlight-white muzzle on Frozenfang's head and Frozenfang licked her shoulder gently in return.

     "Frozenfang! Frozenfang!" Only Dovepaw, Mousepaw, Foxclaw, Badgertooth, Hollyfern, and Gorseberry yowled her name into the sky. Dovepaw's heart began to sink before the other cats cautiously joined in. On top of the Snowrock, Frozenfang was gazing around at the Clan, looking proud.

     I told you that you would get what you deserve. This is what I meant. And now I know that you will prove yourself loyal like the Clan believes. Dovepaw glanced at Mousepaw happily. "She finally got a chance to prove her loyalty. This is what she always wanted, she always said so."

     Mousepaw's eyes glittered with gratitude. "That's great. She sure deserves it. I can tell she is a nice cat."

     "She is," Dovepaw mewed.

     Badgertooth nudged Dovepaw lightly. "I would like to go gather some herbs today; we're running low and anything could happen."

     Dovepaw nodded. "Okay. I just want to tell Frozenfang 'congratulations'. I don't want to leave her without telling her that."

     "Okay."

     Dovepaw shot across the clearing to Frozenfang. She looked sort of lonely and fearful even though she just looked so brave during her ceremony. She brightened when she saw Dovepaw. "Hi, Dovepaw!"

     "Hi, Frozenfang. Badgertooth wants to gather herbs, and he wants me to go with him. I'm sorry for the inconvenience. But congratulations! I knew this would happen. I'm so excited for you," Dovepaw meowed.

     Frozenfang dipped her head. "It's okay. I'll be fine. Thanks."

     Dovepaw turned to leave. She glanced over her shoulder. I don't know if she will be fine. But if she can find a solution, then I will be less concerned, I guess. Dovepaw frowned and joined Badgertooth.

     The sun barely shone from large, fluffy clouds that blocked it when they exited the camp and headed towards the forested area of the territory. Dovepaw stayed close to her mentor.

     "First, let's get some juniper berries. I remember when I sent you to get some and you came back empty-pawed." Badgertooth glanced at Dovepaw, mischief glistening in his midnight blue eyes.

     "I was attacked! What do you expect?" Dovepaw retorted.

     "Calm down, Dovepaw. I was just ruffling your fur. As I was saying, perhaps we should get some juniper berries. You can go get those and I'll get marigold leaves." Badgertooth turned and left Dovepaw to finish her task.

     Dovepaw ducked into the undergrowth and began to scan it for the small pale berries. She found a branch almost immediately and began to pick off the berries and put them in a large rhubarb leaf that Badgertooth brought along. When she finished putting all the berries she needed in the leaf she wrapped it up and carried it to where Badgertooth was searching the undergrowth.

     "How did you do it that fast?" Badgertooth asked curiously. "I still haven't found any marigold flowers!"

     Dovepaw shrugged. "Luck, I guess."

     "Well, then," Badgertooth laughed, "you can help me find some of that marigold since I'm having trouble."

     Dovepaw nodded. "Okay, I'll help." She walked alongside her mentor in silence, scanning the undergrowth. A gentle breeze sighed and ruffled her fur. She glanced beside her. She thought she could see the outline of a cat walking beside her.

     "Tell him," it murmured, its voice as gentle as a falling feather. "Tell him about the warning. He needs to know."

     Dovepaw hesitated, startled. But I can't! I promised Foxclaw I wouldn't do anything to sabotage our relationship with these kinds of warnings and doubts. . . . I can't . . . I don't want to!

     "Is something wrong?"

     The starry cat was gone. Dovepaw sighed and turned to Badgertooth. "Yeah."

     "Well, what is it?"

     "I had a dream last night. I was visited by Tawnyflight. She told me about Foxclaw and how—" Dovepaw was cut off when Badgertooth slapped his tail across her mouth.

     "Don't explain any further, Dovepaw. I know what it is. I've seen you with him. I don't want to turn from the way of a medicine cat. This is not what I want to happen, especially with the Clan on the line."

     Dovepaw continued. "She warned me about how Foxclaw is bad, and I don't think that he's particularly bad, because he's kind and clever and charming. I don't want to make him angry or upset with some warning that won't make any cat happy."

     The grass made a swish sound as Badgertooth's white tail-tip brushed across it. "I knew you would say that. But I want you to be aware that this is a dangerous situation, especially since Tawnyflight, a StarClan resident, says that this is bad, you know what I mean?"

     Dovepaw ducked her head. "Yes, Badgertooth."

     "You need to tell him."

     "What? No way! I don't want him to get angry at me or anything . . ." Dovepaw blinked at her mentor with dismay.

     "It doesn't matter if he gets angry. If he doesn't like the truth, he doesn't like the truth. Just tell him. It'll make your life much easier." Badgertooth fixed Dovepaw with a demanding stare.

     Dovepaw glanced at her paws then back up at Badgertooth. "Okay. I'm sorry I've been stubborn and didn't think to ever tell you. It was mouse-brained of me."

     "It's alright. Now I know and now I can help you fix this, okay?" Badgertooth flicked his tail. "Ah! There's some. Just enough." He picked off some of the leaves with his sharp teeth. He wrapped them in a leaf and joined Dovepaw again. "Why don't we go back, hm?"

     Dovepaw nodded, suddenly exhausted. How will I tell him? What will his response be? 'Dovepaw, if this is so important to you why don't you just stay out of my sight?' She sighed as she limped after Badgertooth. They walked in silence towards the camp.

     "Go fetch Foxclaw and tell him," Badgertooth commanded. "The earlier the better." He took Dovepaw's herbs from her. "I'll take these to the den."

     Dovepaw fought the urge to sink her claws into the earth. She obediently strode into the camp and found Foxclaw finishing up a piece of fresh-kill. "Foxclaw."

     The tabby tom lifted his head and looked up at her. "Oh, hi, Dovepaw. Back so early?"

     Dovepaw gazed at him, searching for words. "Follow me." She cringed when her words came out sadder than she meant them to come out, but she didn't care. They reflected what she was feeling right then. Foxclaw would understand.

     Foxclaw swept his finished meal away from his tail. He looked concerned. "Okay. Where are we going?"

     "Somewhere where no one else will hear." Dovepaw led Foxclaw to a place beside the camp where no one went; it was pointless to hunt or train there anyway. When they settled down she sighed. "Foxclaw . . . I have something to tell you. I've been meaning to tell you for a long time, and Badgertooth wants me to tell you," she meowed hesitantly.

     "Oh, okay. What is it about?"

     Foxclaw's eyes were alight with surprise. Dovepaw cringed. He would be so disappointed. She led him outside of the camp and sat down a little ways away from the camp. "Okay. What is it? Is it good or bad news?"

     Dovepaw shook her head. "Bad news. I'm sorry. Are you ready to hear?"

     Foxclaw pricked his ears.

     "I've been warned by Tawnyflight in dreams, and the warning points directly to you and me."

     Confusion darkened Foxclaw's eyes. "I already have so many questions. Tawnyflight? How'd she . . . StarClan? And what was the warning?"

     Dovepaw purred. She sat down and so did Foxclaw. Foxclaw's tail curled around her. "Be patient, and you might find out. She told me that you're hiding things, and I need to find out what they are. What are you hiding from me?"

     "What do you mean? I don't have any secrets. I would never hide secrets from you, Dovepaw. I love you." He gazed at her with loving eyes.

     "No, really. StarClan never lies. And I swear a moon of dawn patrols that you act like you're hiding something from me. I see it in your eyes, the dishonesty . . . Foxclaw, don't lie to me," Dovepaw pleaded.

     "It's all in your head, Dovepaw. Trust me. I have no idea what you're talking about," Foxclaw insisted.

     Dovepaw searched his gaze. She found none of the dishonesty and uncertainty that she thought she saw before. For a moment she couldn't tear her gaze away. Maybe he doesn't know that he actually has bad intentions, or that he is going in that direction. StarClan is never wrong. She felt warm and fuzzy inside at the thought—and also at his kind eyes. "O . . . okay. I trust you."

     Foxclaw purred and licked the top of her head lovingly. "I promise I never will, and never did, hide any secrets, I swear on my life."

     Now Dovepaw was convinced. She curled in closer, purring. "I guess I was just overthinking it. I know you would never do something as villainous as that, like Sparrowfeather."

     Foxclaw's breath caught in his throat. Dovepaw could tell because his chest stopped moving for a moment.

     Dovepaw drew back. "Did I say something?"

     Foxclaw shook his head. "No. It's just . . . I almost forgot about my father. It's been so long. And I feel like our family is so far apart now."

     "It's okay. You have me, don't you?"

     Foxclaw nodded. "And that's all I need." He nuzzled her, purring.

     He stopped and looked around. "We should probably get back to camp now. They'll be wondering what happened," Foxclaw meowed roughly.

     "Wait. Badgertooth has to think I told you about the warning and that it stuck. Can you act like you're mad at me? Then it will be more believable, you know?"

     "Yeah, sure." Foxclaw flattened his ears and glared at Dovepaw.

     Dovepaw purred. "Perfect. Come on, let's go. And keep your distance from me so it's extra-believable."

     "Oh, fine." Foxclaw stepped farther away from Dovepaw and growled at her playfully.

     Dovepaw smiled at him and began to limp towards the camp. She didn't have to pretend; she was still sad that this was the truth. She and Foxclaw couldn't be together anymore. It kind of makes sense . . . he's the son of Sparowfeather, the Clan's traitor, but just because his father's blood runs through his veins doesn't mean he's anything like him. She glanced back at Foxclaw, who was very talented at his part in their charade. Dovepaw stifled a purr of laughter.

     "Dovepaw, did you do it?" Badgertooth asked when they entered the camp. He glanced at Foxclaw, who was striding past 'angrily'.

     "What does it look like?" Foxclaw snapped. He turned and trudged towards the warriors' den. Hollyfern looked startled when he walked straight past her.

     Any cat would think he was actually mad at me. How did he learn how to act so well? Dovepaw turned back to Badgertooth. "Yeah, well, I don't think he'll do so much as look at me anymore."

     Badgertooth's blue eyes sparkled with sympathy. "I'm sorry you had to do this."

     This time Dovepaw wasn't acting. Even if Foxclaw was mad or not, their relationship would still never be completely real. The thought hurt Dovepaw. "It's what you wanted, wasn't it? So stay away, okay?" She turned her back on her mentor and left the camp.