A New Hope, and Old Worries Return

Goldenbreeze steadied herself on the Oak Branch, liking the feel of the smooth, soft wood. I don't know how Cloudstar springs so easily onto this thing... I could barely keep a grip! She thought, wondering how the frail tom was doing. It had been a few sunrises since the attack, and the leader still kept himself shut inside his den, not wanting to face his clanmates. The only time he ventured outside was the night for Snowfall's vigil, which he stayed out all night, and looked as if he was going to bite the heads off the elder's when they came to bury her. Poor Cloudstar... I do hope he goes back to his duties soon... I can't keep on telling the Clan that he's still injured... They might get suspicious soon. She shook her head. I mustn't think these unhappy thoughts! This is a good ceremony, and I must show the Clan that I am strong. Fallenpaw and Honeyfrost had come back from their journey from the Moon(thing) at moon-high yesterday, and now they were holding the meeting. And along the way, they had met a few wary travelers, who agreed to join the Clan.

"Let all those cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath the Oak Branch for a Clan meeting!" Cats began to emerge out of the dens, but most were already beneath the tree. News of Fallenpaw's return passed through the Clan quickly, and they were eager to hear what StarClan said. Once the cats were settled, Goldenbreeze's began, her voice confident as it rang throughout the clearing. "Fallenpaw and Honeyfrost came back from the Moon(thing) last night, and it is time to share if StarClan has granted her wish of being a full Medicine Cat." She nodded towards the small she-cat, gesturing for her to speak.

Fallenpaw straightened up, and began to speak. "Yes, StarClan has accepted my wish and I am now a full Medicine Cat. They have named me Fallenpath." She meowed, her voice quiet but her eyes brimming with determination.

Cheers erupted through the crowd, as if the Clan had forgotten all other troubles. "Fallenpath! Fallenpath!" Was heard in the cheering.

Goldenbreeze nodded towards Fallenpath, relief in her chest. "Good. And while they were traveling back, they came across some cats who have decided to join OakClan." She meowed, though cats seemed suspicious as they eyed the newcomers, and began to wonder if they were rogues or not. As the three cats came to stand in front of her, she began the ceremony. "Ember, Aerial, Tern, do you promise to protect and to defend this Clan, even with the cost of your life?"

"I do." They meowed, their voices strong and clear.

"Then by the power of StarClan, I give you your new names. Ember, you will be known as Embersky. Aerial, you will be known as Aerialflight. And Tern, you will be known as Ternfoot." The cats nodded, and even though the Clan was still a bit wary, they cheered their new clanmates names. Goldenbreeze waved her tail for the cheering to end, as she still needed to announce on last thing. "Honeyfrost also happened to stumble upon a kit, who will be known as Rainkit." The Clan nodded, more relaxed that it was a young cat, and welcomed her warmly.

"That is all! Meeting dismissed." But just as she was about to smoothly jump off the Oak Branch, a cat called out,

"Wait! Are we really leaving our territory because of the rogues?"