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Goldenleaf was deputy, and Sunsong soon enough called Pigeonpaw and her siblings and Littlepaw. Oh gosh. Her heart pounded. Her warrior name? It was finally time?

She nervously approached Graypaw and gave a small smile. "It's happening, we're becoming warriors."

Something felt off about Bloodoath, especially when he looked at her and then down. Her ears swiveled back, eyes narrowing harshly as she considered the male. She had seen his efforts this trip; seen his push during the travel. Surely he wasn't.... no, he was, wasn't he? Jealous? Her spine tingled in irritation for a moment as her head turned to look at Lilacmoon. They needed to work as a team, not envy one another.

However, Lilacmoon's conversation was a calm she welcomed. The normalcy of it all was warm. Goldenleaf's hard expression softened, tail tip flicking as she kept an eye on Sunsong and the apprentices walking up. She allowed the touch, even leaning against her in return. It felt nice to have another similar soul in her presence.

"Time will fly and I'll be missing the days of them being paws," she sighed wistfully, eyes warm and tone light. "I still can't believe they're mine. I have the round stomach and kicks to show it, but it's all surreal. I can't wait to see them." As if on cue she felt a roll in her stomach, followed by a short laugh from the female. Soon.



Littlepaw hadn't expected her name to be called; not in a sentence like that. She knew it was coming, but also hadn't expected to earn her name during the trip. It all seemed foreign, really. Losing her dad, Sunsong becoming leader, a new deputy and assistants, and now a name? So much was happening. Littlepaw blinked back surprise and shot a nervous glance to Robinpaw. What would her name be? What if Littlepaw hated it? What if she was instead being punished for her break down? Oh, this was all so much.

But Robinpaw's excitement helped her keep on track. Littlepaw cocked her head to the side and then stumbling as she was shoved. Right! She had to move! She nervously bounced paw to paw as she stared at Sunsong, casting a glance back at Robinpaw. The nudge from Riverpaw was also another reminder that she couldn't receive her name standing there.

"I, uh, do you think.... ooooooh, I'm so nervous," she mewled to her two new friends before deciding to just go, padding up to Sunsong. Her ears were held back in apprehension, eyes wide as she considered it all. A new name! Her warrior name!

Was her dad watching?

Her heart hammered in her chest as she felt her mouth grow dry. It was here. The influx of emotions and worries was so much, but at the same time... it felt right? Her paws ached almost as she dug her nails into the dirt, head nodding.

"I promise," she mewled, voice raw still. Her heart still ached but her head remained high. She knew her father would be proud. She wondered, briefly, if he had time to reach Sun Clan and was now able to watch her. She hoped so; desperately. Her eyes stayed trained on Sunsong, eager to hear her new name.

Dawnstride's gaze on the queen was steady, one brow lifted in consideration. He could hear the way the wind was blowing in the mews of his clanmates. Many would decry the idea of a pregnant deputy, no doubt. But the ginger tom remembered the mentor he so loved. Her strength carried him today, and she had done her job well, heavy with kits or no.

The thought paused there a moment, jade gaze flashing Littlepaw's way. A frown touched his features, if briefly. One might argue that the fate of her kits said what Sunclan thought of a Deputy Queen, though it made him heartsick to think of Morningsky that way. The warrior concluded just as quickly that he wouldn't. Anything that happened was between their fallen and Goldenleaf, anyway. Dawnstride was no stranger to going against the grain of the clan; he found himself wishing her luck.

"Truth," Dawnstride murmured back, trying to ignore the way Silverstreak's leaning on him made his fur stand on end, "new warriors for the Clan will bolster spirits, increase our chances - and take away from the controversy. It's a cunning move." He nudged his fellow warrior with a shoulder. "In our situation, can we really say unusual is for the worst? We'll have to have faith in Sunsong's judgement. For the moment, she's all we've got." For all he spoke in a placid tone, the frown on his face defied it. There was some consideration of events in it, yes, but also concentration: as he had gauged the Clan moments before, now he did it again. Despite himself, the Clan's disapproval - and one particular note of jealousy - brought him some amusement, however wicked. It would be worth keeping an eye on things. But then, he always did.

Silverstreak's ears perked up to hear what Dawnstride spoke to her while the apprentices accepted their new responsibilities, one after the next. She found herself nodding to the words the tom beside her spoke. Yes, he was right. They would have faith in Sunsong and they would continue on persisting. They had come this far, despite their unusual arrangements.

When the apprentices got their warrior names, she cheered alongside her Clanmates. Then, as the matter of a hunt was proposed, she stood. She wasn't about to sit out of this hunt if she could help it. She turned her gaze to Dawnstride.
"Will you be joining the hunt?" She asked him.



Dustfeather watched the ceremony with a happy heart, cheering Eclipsefur and her fellow apprentice's-now warriors and a medicine cat-names loudly. When the ceremony was over, he flicked his tail uncertainly. Celebrating with a hunt? Should he join, when he didn't catch anything before? He shook himself. Of course he would join if he could. He looked to Duskwing.

"Shall we go inquire after that hunt Sunsong mentioned?" He asked her. "Or would you prefer to stay here this time?"


Robinpaw bounced on her paws as she gazed at Littleflower, excitement gleaming for her kin in her mismatched gaze.
"Littleflower! Littleflower!" She cheered, making sure her hollers were among the loudest. When Sunsong dismissed the meeting, she launched herself at the Medicine Cat. "Littleflower! Great SunClan, your name is so pretty! I mean, it was before, but now it's... wow! You know?" She purred loudly and then leaned forward to rub her cheek against her kin's. "I just know that Sunseer and Morningsky must be so proud." She mewed to Littleflower and then moved to stand beside her, grinning from ear to ear. "C'mon! I bet if we look we can find ourselves some cool nesting material! Riverpaw! Come join us! We're gonna go find moss or something so we can rest up for tomorrow!" She called to her dear friend across the way.

Two weeks passed. Slowly, as their pace had decreased with the growing condition of their new deputy. The faster cats scouted ahead, hunting for the clan as they returned to the slowly moving clowder of cats. Despite their pace, Sunsong knew moving forward was better than standing still. And the further from their home they went, the more bountiful prey had become. The white she-cat watched her clan fill out. Slowly, but there was still progress.

It had been half a moon since Sunseer had died, leaving her in charge. Tension was heavy in the air. Not all of her clan agreed with her decisions. SunClan's words echoed in her head, 'Split as the river does.' That time was coming faster than she wanted. It would break her heart to see her clan split, but... It must happen for their survival.

She walked with the main group, her white paws flecked with mud as they followed the bank of the river. It had been nearly a week now since the child of their river returned to them. Some had wanted to stay, thinking this was good enough, but she knew better. 'Chase the river, split as it does.' It hadn't split, not yet, and so they had to continue forward.

Sunsong looked back over her shoulder for the third time in the past few minutes. Goldenleaf was lagging again, her belly swollen with kits. She would give birth sooner than she had hoped, but excitement drowned her worry. New kits, a new life. Hope blossomed. Besides, they would be fine. With Littleflower's herbs and Golden's diet rich with fish, there was nothing to worry for. Right?

Everyday, Pigeonflight would reflect on Sunsong's words of her warrior ceremony. Yes, she had faith in the clan and her mentor, but what about the rest of the clan? Remember when she, herself, wanted to stay behind?

Goldenleaf's kits were bound to arrive anytime soon, and she remembered being assigned to walk with the queen back when the journey started. Many things have changed, and Pigeonflight did not know if these were going to be good or bad.