"It was a good night with you and the loners. May StarClan light your path." Yellowstar mewed respectably.

"And congratulations on becoming a leader. I believe you will be a fair wise leader for the clans to keep peace." Thunderclaw stated. 

"And," The traveling cat's fur jumped when they heard a low mew, of Blood. "I would like to join NoonClan, of course, if they accept."

Thunderclaw lost his words. He could not believe Blood's decision of joining NoonClan. What has changed the hard headed she cat's mind of joining another clan—NoonClan.

Yellowstar remained calm her fur sitting down unlike the prickled first of young MorningClan warrior. Blood's decision has cracked the earth.

The NoonClan leader mewed. "We will welcome you, though I believe it is up to my clan to trust you. Your oath will be hard, and loyalty will be tested." Than she faced her clanmates. "I see truth in her eyes. And I, leader of NoonClan, would accept. But I would like to hear my fellow clanmate's words."

It was a fast response than any cat have expected. 

"I will welcome her if she joins." A tom, the tom Blood was talking to yesterday suggested. He was a silver grey tom with white paws and green eyes. Did Blood—

"I know this cat was a former traitor, but I do believe she deserves a second chance." A wise looking senior she cat chipped in. Thunderclaw was glad she was fair than rejecting.

The NoonClan leader nodded. "I strongly agree with you too Fiddleheart."

But it was not a one way easy hunt. "How can we know we can trust her? Trust Thunderclaw, a MorningClan warrior. He could be a spy." 

Thunderclaw bit his downer lips but objected nothing. He glanced at the short tempered Blood, than widened his eyes to see her cool gaze. 

Yellowstar mewed. "I can not confirm this too strongly, but I see misery in her eyes. And also some hate. Though, this is not a strong objection to mention."

This leader choose her words wisely. If it was put in other ways, no cat would have been nodding like right now. Whispers of agreement raised Thunderclaw's hope. If Blood wanted a new start here, he will support her.

"Also," A long footed tom, senior the young MorningClan warrior guessed, added. "We do not have to trust fully from start. And I believe she should start as a apprentice, learning our ways first and testing loyalty. By the time we see her finish her training, we will see her loyalty lies."

Agreement swam over the crowd. It has been clear, Blood will be accented. And Thunderclaw liked the way it turned out and so did Blood her as she smiled. Starting as apprentice learning NoonClan's way first.

"Than I believe it is clear." Yellowstar decided firmly. "Blood, please step up."

Blood, surprising a little shyly stepped up in the crowd. She padded until she and the leader were face to face. Yellowstar announced loudly for every cat, even deaf to hear. 

"I, leader of NoonClan, welcome this loner to NoonClan and I shall give you a true warriors name. But before that, until you receive a full warrior name you shall be known as Sunpaw. Your mentor will be Fiddleheart. I hope Fiddleheart will pass down everything she knows and the ways of the clan and NoonClan."

Fiddleheart confidently and honorably stepped up in the crowd and met Yellowstar and Sunpaw's gaze.

"Fiddleheart, you have received excellent training from me, and you have showed fairness and loyalty and also skills. You will be the mentor of Sunpaw, and I expect you to pass down everything you know,"

Moment of silence. But was only a brief moment. "Sunpaw! Sunpaw! Sunpaw!"

Thunderclaw yowled with NoonClan and so did his travelers once they knew what was going on. The meeting was dismissed, and said the last farewell to the new apprentice Sunpaw.

The leader thanked the MorningClan tom and said the last farewell. Her well trained warriors made a peaceful escort to their borders until MorningClan's  territory.  It was soon until they were found by a patrol.

"Thunderclaw!" Out of the luck Thunderclaw had, it had to be Brightwind who was in the patrol. "Where were you? I was worrying for moons."

But the brown tabby had to admit he did cause worry to her as a clanmate. The lead of the patrol, Hollowhisker agreed.

"We sent search parties but never attempted to find you. We all thought your in StarClan! Also who did you bring here?" Than he flickered his tail. "Tell the answer to Berrystar. She was in fact very concerned for breaking her promise."

The promise. I didn't get back on time and didn't even bring Blood—Sunpaw. For once the tom wished he could have brought Sunpaw with them.

************************************

Berrystar sighed. As expected, Thunderclaw was sent into the leader's den. Chipmunk, Raindrop, Dazzle, Lemon and Zen awaited outside with two warriors watching over them.

"You broke my promise." Berrystar mewed coldly. Her gaze stung ever fur of his brown pelt which was a very unpleasant thing.

"I'm sorry." He apologized.

"I will decide what to do with you later. Please tell me what happened ending up bringing five loners and none of them are Blood." Berrystar ordered. 

Thunderclaw told everything. His encounter with the Army. The Army's way and their unfairness. Dazzle's special power. Some that has wished to escape the trouble. And the encounter with NoonClan. Blood's decision. Berrystar remained cool her face unreadable. 

"Very well." Berrystar decided. "Your punishment will be light and I will accept Chipmunk, Raindrop, Dazzle, and Lemon fully. But I am not sure what do with Zen, he seemed very trusted in the Army. And do not tell any cat about Dazzle's power. But overall I would discuss it with my clan."

The leader stepped out of the den Thunderclaw at her heels. Berrystar addressed a meeting. Though, already cats have gathered up to listen.

"I have heard Thunderclaw's speech and he will be decided later." Berrystar retold his story one by one. The brown tom could not ignore the unpleasant gossips and whispers.

"I have decided to accept Chipmunk, Raindrop, Dazzle, and Lemon. We will see about Zen later, and will keep him as prisoner for a couple of moons."

Thunderclaw held his breath to object. It truly wasn't fair to Zen but he understood why. As leader, Berrystar mustn't place her clan in danger. Zen seemed a little disappointed and confused but no angry.

It seems like Berrystar's decision was well agreed to the clan. Most seem to nod their heads to support her. Of course, sum such as Featherclaw gazed in cautious to the loners.   

"It seems very likely to make Chipmunk, Raindrop, Lemon, and Dazzle a apprentice." Berrystar continued. And the clan agreed making cheers.

"I leader of MorningClan, welcome these loners to MorningClan as they shall have a name until full warrior. Chipmunk, from this moment you shall be known as Nutpaw, your mentor will be  Weaselfur. Raindrop, from this moment you shall be known as Rainpaw and your mentor will be Leafivy. Lemon, you shall be known as Shimmerpaw your mentor will be Brightwind. Dazzle, you shall be known as Dazzlepaw and your mentor will be Hollywhisker." Berrystar turned ti the new mentors.

"Weaselfur, Leafivy, Brightwind, Hollywhisker, you have received excellent training and is all a great skilled warrior. I trust you to pass down your skills and the code to our new cats."

Although the cheer was quieter, it was loud enough for the new apprentices to be amazed. "Nutpaw! Rainpaw! Shimmerpaw! Dazzlepaw!"

Brightwind and Hollywhisker got ahead of me—they're mentors. It hurt Thunderclaw to have that thought though he could not do anything about it. This is part of my punishment. He reminded himself.

It was late and Thunderclaw was informed his punishment will later be chosen. And while that, he was ordered to sleep. Of course, Brightwind followed him.

He ignored every mew she said and shuffled to make himself comfortable in his smushed nest. Brightwind slept next to him as he inched further away from her. Thunderclaw knew Snakefang will visit his dreams, and he knew what to say.