They walk into camp, saw that Brokenstar is waiting on them in front of clanrock. Nightpaw saw him order Newtspeck to get their guests back. Yellowfang put down Oakkit to tell him how the mission went. The rest of the clan came out of the dens, Nightpaw sat besides Oakkit, being a comforting presence for him. He knew how intimidating the clan can seem at first.
"Is that the leader?" Oakkit asks as he watch the patrol report to him. "He is scary. Look at his tail. Is it broken? I can tell he been in a lot of fights. Look at his scars."
"Yes. That is Brokenstar. That white tom with black paws is the deputy. His name is Blackfoot." Nightpaw can feel Oakkit shivering besides him. "Don't be afraid as I'm sure he just want to introduce you to the clan. Come on." Nightpaw nudge him so he can walk towards them.
Ah. Hello young one. Don't worry as we will take care of you. How old are you?" Brokenstar ask as he blink softly at Oakkit.
"I'm four moons. At least that what my father told me when I ask him. They left me behind." Oakkit murmur as he look at his paws. You not going to throw me away right? Heard my dad talk about you guys."
"No. We don't throw anyone away. Especially kits." Brokenstar eyes narrow as he thought about Bloodclan.
Before he can continue, Newtspeck came back with Ashfoot, Eaglekit and Morningflower. Eaglekit ran up to Oakkit and ask if he is going to be living here. Oakkit flinches at Eaglekit eagerness.
"Eaglekit! Sorry about that Brokenstar. Still teaching him manners. Apologize for interrupting Shadowclan leader." Ashfoot scold as she ran up and pick him up by his scruff.
"Sorry Brokenstar. Mom, put me down. I'm old enough to walk on my own." Eaglekit whine as she carry him to the nursery. Nightpaw purr in amusement as he walk to the medicine den, seeing Runningnose motion for him to join him. He sat next to him, watching Brightflower and Morningflower walking more slowly. He almost forgot about his cut above his eyebrow.
"I see that the mission was successful. Everyone else came back without a scratch, so what happened to you?" He asks as he treat the cut.
"I saved Firepaw. He was getting ambushed from behind so I rush and barreled into the rogue. Got hit but jump off before he can do anything more." He answered as Brokenstar announced a night of feast.
"Lucky for you, it is a shallow cut so it shouldn't scar. Head wounds often bleed more than any other place." Runningnose finish by putting a small dab of cobwebs on the cut. "Done. Just be more careful in the future. Don't want to lose an eye." He went to get something to eat as Runningnose clean up.
"Hey Nightpaw, want to share a mouse?" Gullpaw ask as she held two mice in her mouth, stopping him from the prey pile.
"Sure." He mew as he follow her to the clearing near the apprentice den. He purr as he saw the rest of the apprentices, sitting next to Gullpaw as she gave him a mouse.
"So this mouse brain see Firepaw in trouble and rush in, tackling the rogue. That how he got hurt." Littlepaw was mewing to the others.
"Not like I was alone. Littlepaw came after me. So we all faced down Claw. Then Claw got killed by his own friend. Or was a friend. Fury was her name and she told us to take Oakkit, gather her friends and left." He finish the story.
"So Firepaw had to do with the prophecy? No wonder you rushed to his aid. Beware the claw that hunts the sun." Wetpaw whisper as they ate, looking around to be sure they wasn't overheard. The clan was talking to each other, not paying them any attention.
Nightpaw open his jaw to answer when Brokenstar jump onto the clanrock. He look up when he noticed both Snow and Oakkit was in front of the rock. Boulder, Swampcloud, Brightflower and Clawface was there as well. Seem he was having a small meeting with them.
"Shadowclan and guests!" He look towards Ashfoot, Eaglekit and Morningflower who was peeking from the nursery. "I know you all been curious of what my decision are towards Snow and Oakkit. Brightflower told me she would look after Oakkit. Snow has expressed interest in joining Shadowclan." Voices rose in protest as they glare at her. "She told me that she will become an apprentice just like her brother. I understand your reluctance so I'm going to give her two moons to prove herself to Shadowclan."
The cats murmur among themselves and quiet down. Nightpaw knew her two moons are going to be tough. They aren't going to forget that she did wanted to run them off their territory like they did to Windclan. But he knew that she she had no other choice but to join them. She can go back to being a rogue but her family is here. She found her long lost brother and his family. Snow is now an aunt to Gingerpaw and Mousepaw.
"Snow. You have been through a rough life with Bloodclan. Do you renounce your connection to Bloodclan, and everything it entails?" Brokenstar stare down at her, with his tail raised for silence.
"I do." Snow sound determined and steady with no hint of hesitation.
"From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Snowpaw. Your mentor will be Swampcloud. I chose Swampcloud especially since he will make sure your loyalty is to our clan." Swampcloud walk forward, eyes full of determination.
Snow have a challenge ahead of her. Nightpaw thought as he remember how unfriendly Swampcloud was to him during his first moons. And he never threatened the clan.
"Swampcloud, make sure that you teach Snowpaw all that you know. I will be checking in periodically to make sure you remain fair yet tough. Don't disappoint me."
"Yes Brokenstar. I will do my best." Swampcloud turn to her. Hope you are ready to prove yourself. Touch noses." They touch noses and move aside. Brightflower pick up Oakkit when he let out a yawn, carrying him to the nursery.
"Now that is over, Littlepaw and Wetpaw. Come here please." They both glance at each other before glancing at Brownpaw. They quickly lick the blood from their mouth before running to the front.
Nightpaw and the others join as well. He noticed Brownpaw confused expression. That's right, Brownpaw is their brother. Why them and not him?
"Making new warriors is my favorite job as leader. Brownpaw, I talked to Stumpytail and he told me that you wasn't ready. I am sorry. Maybe after-"
"Wait. We don't want to be warriors without our brother!" Littlepaw interrupt Brokenstar.
"We trained together and it isn't right that only two of us become warriors. We can wait until he is ready as well." Wetpaw added.
Brokenstar watch as they went to stand besides him. "This is how a clan should be. Staying together, even holding off their own warrior ceremony. I will accept your decision." Brokenstar smile as he nod and jump down. "Continue celebrating everyone."
A tail touch his shoulder and he turn to see Turtlepaw staring at him, her expression unreadable.
"May we talk?" She whisper in his ear. He nod and they left the camp, fur brushing together. He can tell she need to say something important, which is why he lead her to the moonlight meadow. At least he called it that. The meadow has yellow flowers growing in it. The flowers was something he never saw before. It had spiky leaves and the five petals spread out and resemble a star. A dead log is in the middle, and he guessed it was a tree that fell a long time ago. Walking in, he saw that she didn't know about this meadow and her face shone with wonder as the moon shone down, lighting up the field of flowers and log.
"I found this place while hunting one night. The flowers look important so I didn't touch them. Moonlight meadow is what I called it. And whenever my anxiety gets bad, I like to come here to calm down. The scent of the flowers help." Nightpaw said softly as he jump on the log. He wait for her to join him.
"This place is beautiful. Moonlight meadow is a great name." Turtlepaw did so, turning to face him, taking a deep breath.
"I want to tell you that..." She stop, her mouth opening and closing like she was trying to force the words out.
"This is new. You..at a loss for words. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. We can just relax here." He purr as he wait for a few heartbeats.
"No, if I don't tell you, I will hate myself for being such a coward. I like you Nightpaw. There, I said it. I like the way you think, I like your kindness and selflessness. Let be honest, you would have saved Firepaw even if he wasn't part of the prophecy." Turtlepaw eyes rounded as she stare at him, and she continue talking.
Now he understand the emotions in her eyes. Is this how others see him? He was only doing what he thought is best. Of course he was going to save Firepaw. Thought of him as a friend, someone who knew what it was like being a kittypet and being introduced to the clans. But is he worth being liked...or even loved? Never thought anyone would ever feel this way about him. He does like her, for no one else made him feel that way. Her laughs, how hard working she is. He don't want to hold her back. His fur grew hot at her compliments.
He put a paw on her mouth to stop her. "Okay I get that you like me. I like you too but was too afraid to say anything. I wanted to tell you but I don't want to be a burden. I...I don't want to get in your way. I see how hard you work to become a warrior and I don't feel like I deserve you. Or anyone really." He glance down at his paws, kneading the log. He really need to stop that habit.
Her paw place on top of his, stopping his motion, making him glance up at her. "I don't know what you been through and I'm not going to ask unless you want to tell me. We can be partners, no one holding anyone back. We will work together."
She purr as she rub her cheek against his. He purr softly back as they twin their tails together. This feels right, being together. After a few moments, they return to camp.
"Hey Turtlepaw! Nightpaw! Should we expect kits any time soon?" Gullpaw ask as she noticed them first.
"Of course not! Way too young and we got time. Just because we are together, that doesn't mean kits are part of it." Turtlepaw hiss as Nightpaw glare.
"Just pulling your tail. It's about time you got together. We all saw it coming moons away." Gullpaw purr with a teasing look in her eyes.
They spent the rest of the night talking until the sun rose. Nightpaw love his life. Things are looking up. He let out a yawn before heading to his nest. As he slept, he saw his father in his dreams. Remember the prophecy was all he said before he faded away. He open his mouth to tell him the prophecy passed but guess he is wrong.