Squirrelflight was shining with happiness. Leafpool sat beside her, a purr rumbling in her throat. She must be pleased for Cinderpaw, thought Jaypaw.

Cloudtail weaved around his apprentice. “I told you it wouldn’t be long before you joined your denmates, Cinderpaw.”

Jaypaw closed his eyes. It was a long time since he imagined he could be a warrior. But the dream had never left him. He let jealousy surge and ebb away. Then pride blossomed inside him. His littermates would be warriors!

“Congratulations,” he purred.

Hollypaw rubbed her muzzle against his cheek. “Thank you.”

Lionpaw flicked Jaypaw’s ear with his tail. “I hope Icepaw keeps her promise to Mousefur, because I’m not cleaning out the elders’ den anymore.”

Ashfur’s tail twitched. “If your Clanmates’ bedding needs changing, then you’ll change it.”

Brambleclaw padded toward them. “Does Lionpaw think that Firestar’s making him leader already?” he purred.

“I was just joking!” Lionpaw protested.

“Of course.” Brambleclaw circled his kits and stopped beside Jaypaw. “I’m proud of you all.”

Hazeltail and Berrynose came bouncing toward them.

“Well done!” Hazeltail mewed.

“I suppose we can make room for you in the warriors’ den,” Berrynose teased.

“I’m glad I’m not in there anymore,” Mousefur called. “It’ll be noisier than a nest full of starlings.” The old warrior was sitting outside the nursery while Toadkit and Rosekit skittered around her. Warmth glowed from her pelt as Millie squeezed out of her den behind her. Jaypaw smelled the fresh scent of a kit dangling from the queen’s jaws.

She dropped Briarkit between Mousefur’s paws. “Will you watch this one while I fetch the other two?” Millie’s mew was husky, as if her throat was sore. Jaypaw reminded himself to fetch the last of the honey for her after the ceremony. “I thought they might want to see their first naming ceremony,” Millie added.

“I’ll make sure Rosekit and Toadkit don’t trample him,” Mousefur rasped.

“Hey!” Toadkit objected. “We’re not that clumsy. Anyone would think we were always…”

He fell silent as Firestar addressed the Clan from the middle of the clearing.

“I, Firestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these three apprentices.” Lionpaw clawed at the ground as Firestar went on. “They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn.”

Hollypaw was already padding into the clearing, and Lionpaw hurried after her. Cinderpaw followed, her paw steps even and strong.

“Hollypaw, Lionpaw, and Cinderpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your lives?”

“I do,” Hollypaw breathed, quivering.

Lionpaw stiffened with determination. “I do.”

“I do.” Cinderpaw sounded as relieved and excited as a cat that had just caught its first prey.

Jaypaw held his breath. They were closer than ever to their destiny.