Epilogue

Sunlight poured over the ThunderClan camp, turning the dewy morning grass a brilliant green. Nightcloud sat outside the nursery, enjoying the sun's warmth on her fur. After a lengthy and brutal leaf-bare, newleaf had arrived. ThunderClan and WindClan were no longer at odds with each other and the two Clans had reached a healthy peace.

The thick white snow had melted away and bright pink and yellow flowers were beginning to bloom in the forest. So much had changed since Nightcloud had joined ThunderClan nearly six moons ago. The queen closed her eyes as she remembered that fateful day when Crowfeather had chased her out of WindClan territory. Afraid for her life and her kits' safety, she had been forced to enter enemy territory- and that turned out to be the greatest choice she'd ever made.

Two large kits tumbled around the black queen, emitting excited squeals as they rolled around the grass in a mock fight. Nightcloud watched the kits with a proud feeling welling inside of her. Swallowkit had grown into a sleek, lithe cat with silky black fur and Streamkit had become a slightly pudgy, muscular little tabby cat. Swallowkit was full of life and was ready to explore the world around her, while her sister was calm and serious. Both would make great warriors someday.

"Swallowkit, Streamkit, do you want to have your apprentice ceremony looking like you've just come home from battle?" Nightcloud asked, flicking her tabby kit gently with her tail.

The two kits separated at once, giving their mother their sweetest look. "We're sorry, Mother," Streamkit squeaked. "I don't want to stand before Bramblestar with my fur all ruffled up!"

"We were only playing!" Swallowkit huffed. "Rowanpaw taught us a new battle move and we were trying to practice it!"

"There will be plenty of time to practice fighting with your mentor, dear," Nightcloud replied, bending down to lick her daughter's fur. "Besides, I'm not sure Rowanpaw is the best cat to teach you battle moves. His sister says he can't do any of them right!"

Streamkit licked her chest rapidly, smoothing her ruffled fur. "Bluepaw can do the moves right. Poppyfrost said she might even become a warrior early because she's so good."

Her sister crouched down low to the ground, eyeing a wrinkled leaf lying on the grass. "Bluepaw's stuck up," Swallowkit snorted, launching herself at the leaf. "She thinks she's so great but she's really-"

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the High Ledge for a Clan meeting," Bramblestar yowled, interrupting the kit's complaint.

Nightcloud nudged Swallowkit up to her paws. "Now stand up straight and don't even think about arguing with Bramblestar over his choice for your mentor."

"Why on earth would you think I'd do that?" the black kit mewed sweetly. "I'd never argue with my leader."

"Yes you would!" Streamkit argued. "At least I know who my mentor will be. I really really want Jayfeather to be my mentor."

Their mother brushed the tabby gently with her tail as she stood to lead her kits over to the High Ledge. "I'm sure you'll be a great medicine cat, dear."

The tabby bounced in front of her mother. "But what if Jayfeather doesn't want me to be his apprentice?"

"I don't know why anyone would want to be that grumpy old cat's apprentice!" Swallowkit huffed. "He's nothing but a grouch!"

"Hush!" Nightcloud scolded. "Jayfeather likes Streamkit and I'm sure he'd be pleased to be her mentor if Bramblestar approves. Now you mind your manners. It's not too late for your leader to decide to hold you back a moon."

The kit's eyes widened. "He wouldn't!" she gasped. "I'll be good! I promise!"

The queen just shook her head, trying not to laugh as her kits raced to stand under the High Ledge. Settling down a few fox-lengths away, she watched as the dark tabby leader made his way to stand in front of the excited kits. They would make fine additions to her adopted Clan, and Nightcloud couldn't be happier. ThunderClan was their home now, and she'd be proud to call herself a ThunderClan cat for the rest of her life.

"Today I get to perform one of my favorite duties as a leader," Bramblestar began. "I get to name two of our kits as apprentices. Swallowkit, Streamkit, are you ready?"

"I am!" the black she-kit squealed, bouncing happily on the grass.

Streamkit answered more quietly. "I am, Bramblestar."

"Then I ask StarClan to look down on these two kits and recognize them as apprentices of ThunderClan."