Streaks of purple and red covered the sky, showing that dawn had arrived. The stream let out a gentle muttering sound near them and the soft sounds of prey echoed close by.

Ash sat up, blinking away sleep. It wasn't like her to wake at dawn, especially when they had to travel. She turned her gaze over to the sleeping cat next to her, noticing his black pelt was slowly rising and falling in a rhythmic manner. Letting out a soft yawn, the silver tabby groomed mud out of her fur, trying her best to get out the nasty strands of dirt that tried to stick. Once finished she stretched, her belly growling in horrible hunger. She winced slightly, previous memories floating back into her mind.

Sighing, she padded towards a direction, hoping to find food. Although it wasn't very promising she did know a trick or two about fishing. Turning towards the sound of the stream she allowed her paws to guide her. Following hidden trails and bushes of many colors, the she-cat finally had made it.

The stream, although slightly bloated due to the previous night's storm, roared much louder here then it did where her and Ace were resting. Settling down at the edge, she need not worry about casting shadows, for thick trees covered the soon to come sun.

After some time of missing fish, finally something heavy hooked on her claws. Grunting with effort she quickly pulled the fish out; a decent sized trout. Nipping it's neck she let out a pant, looking at her prize. This would be enough to feed her and Ace for sure.

With careful paws she padded back towards where the sleeping tom was. When she was there she noticed a crowd had formed. Shasta was quietly talking to Ace and his brothers were sitting closer to the edge of the clearing. Ash put down her trout, curiosity sparking her crystal blue gaze. 

"What's going on?" She mewed, feeling the back of her fur rise slightly. Ace was the one to speak. "Shasta, Jax, and Alaster came to me a bit after you left, they where curious to know what we do." His voice was clear sounding, helping ease Ash's worries. "They wish to help us build our clan and in other words they wish to join us." Ash couldn't help but gasp slightly, but she tried not to make it seem to loud.

"So, each of you have agreed on this?" Ash asked in question, helping it recollect herself. Shasta looked a little taken aback, but nodded. "We...after our parents were killed we agreed we'd always stick together. Jax and Alaster isn't one for big crowds but once they get to know you...they're like your own sibling." Shasta's voice had only given way a bit, but with a quick recovery he looked at Ace and Ash with clear eyes. "Please, we three wish to help out."

Ace and Ash glanced at each other for a moment. The silver tabby couldn't help but suddenly laugh. "If I'd known we had three more join us I would of tried harder to hunt." Ash noticed the grey and white tom's shoulders relax and a smile planted on his face.

"You two can eat. Jax, Alaster, come on, let's go hunt." Shasta mewed in a clear voice and both tom's ears pricked up. As the three toms padded away Ash settled down beside Ace. They ate in silence, enjoying the sounds of birds chirp over them.

After the silence of a good meal, the three toms padded back towards the clearing. "We ate while hunting." The large red tabby, Jax, reported. Ace nodded, sitting up. Ash followed his steps, trying to be proper. "I think it's time I should name all of us with proper clan names." Ash blinked in shock but nodded. "I shall go first for myself and Ash, then I will name you three." Curiously the three toms whispered to each other but then nodded to Ace, clear excitement buzzing from them.

"From until I have been given my nine lives from Starclan, I shall name myself Nightfall. This is a proper warrior's name and by Starclan's will may it be approved." Ash raised her head and chanted Nightfall's new name, smiling with the three others joined in. Nightfall turned to Ash, warmth in his gaze. "Ash, from this day on, you shall be known as Ashleaf. A name requested from Starclan themselves, so they approve this name with clear expectations. May you learn all about the Medicine Cat code, and learn to heal others." Ashleaf blinked in shocked but dipped her head. Her face went warm as they cheered her new name.

Suddenly Nightfall turned to the three toms. They sat up, puffing out their chests slightly. "I shall start with Jax. Jax, you seem to be a very energetic tom, so from this day you shall be known as Acornleap. May Starclan approve of this name and as time goes on may you learn about the warrior code." Nightfall touched Acornleap's head, who only slightly flinched but soon accepted. He then turned to Alaster. "You are very protective of your brothers, yet you are still covered in mystery to me. From this day on, you shall be known as Echostorm. May Starclan approve of this name and as time goes on may you learn about the warrior code."

Finally Nightfall turned to the last and oldest brother, Shasta. "You have been a leader to your bothers, helping them find their way. You would make a good leader one day perhaps, but until then we must choose your name. From this day on, you shall be known as Fogfrost. May Starclan approve of this name and as time goes on may you learn about the warrior code." Everyone cheered excitedly and even Ashleaf tried to cheer the loudest. Finally they all had proper clan names. Her clan was growing.

Ashleaf closed her eyes, breathing softly. "Starclan, I hope I'm doing a good job in helping Nightfall start his clan." Her voice was only a whisper as she looked up at the sky, seeing the sun had finally risen completely.

Careful paws padded along a hidden path. The five cats padded along, the heat of the sun seemed no longer there. It had been a few months of traveling and eventually it was insisted that they traveled during day. It was a lot harder but they were able to get a lot more ground covered. They had a few scratches from said traveling but since Berrypool had been visiting her every night it seemed, teaching her more and more, she was growing confident in her skills, though Ashleaf knew she needed way more practice.

Her crystal blue gaze traveled over to Acornleap, Echostorm, and Fogfrost. Like Fogfrost had said those moons ago, the three seemed to easily warm up to them. Echostorm was still a mysterious tom, wanting more then anything his own space. Acornleap was a skilled hunter and could easily adjust to any climate or area, but wasn't the best with plans. Fogfrost made up for Acornleap's lack of planning, for both Nightfall and Fogfrost had grown very close when it came to said thing.

Night had fallen by the time the five cats had came to a set of moors. It was vastly large and Ashleaf noticed a lake close to the end. She also could see faintly a barn. She hadn't seen one since she left her old home, but she remembered the cows, which were grazing underneath the night's shining stars. "Let's go that way." Ashleaf called out, pointing towards the barn with her tail. Nightfall nodded, trotting down the hills. Fogfrost followed after, flanked by the others. "Thank Starclan, i'm exhausted." Acornleap half yawned half growled. Ashleaf couldn't help but giggle and even Echostorm smiled.

After what seemed forever the five were standing in front of the old barn. It was sun-bleached and rusted, but still fairly stable. Ashleaf could feel her eyes where heavy from exhaustion at that point.  Through bleary eyes she noticed the others were equally tired, not even Acornleap making a smart comment. The five padded inside and curled up on the closest hay they could get to before shutting their eyes. Ashleaf watched for a few moments before shutting her own eyes.