Sunclaw, take Umberfoot, Tansycloud, and Applestripe to hunt. We'll need as much fresh-kill for the feast tonight." 

Blackspring's command rang across the clearing. Heatherleap looked up from chewing some marigold leaves to see the cats leaving camp, chattering ad they went. Hayclaw lay in a small nest of moss and bracken, straining her ears to catch some of the conversation outside. Her wounds are healing nicely, Heatherleap thought.

She spread the marigold pulp into a scratch on her flank and licked her chest fur to get rid of the taste. "I'll check you again tomorrow, and you'll be able to return to duties," mewed Heatherleap. She returned the leftover marigold leaves into a hole in the stone wall. "Thanks, Heatherleap. I was feeling better ages ago, though," purred Hayclaw. The she-cat had turned out to be a great companion while she worked in her den. 

Her new name still felt strange. She had specifically asked Blackspring to change her name to Heatherleap, as Brindlesong had wanted in her dreams. "Oh, will I be able to go to Treekit and Harekit's apprentice ceremony later?" added Hayclaw, her whiskers twitching. The two kits had finally turned 6 moons, which meant they would be turned apprentices this moon-high. "Of course. Just have a cat nearby to help you walk. I'm going out to gather some moss for new nests, call me if you need anything."

As Heatherleap pushed through the vines of her medicine den, she smelled a familiar scent. "C-could I possibly visit Hayclaw?" It was Snowytail, the cat who had tricked every cat into believing Hayclaw was Brindlesong. Heatherleap felt apologetic as she shook her head firmly. "I'm sorry, Snowytail, but she's in a good condition and I don't want to..." Heatherleap cleared her throat. "Upset her." Snowytail's tail drooped and her eyes filled with distress. "How can I fit into this place if my only friend is going to ignore me all the time?" she squeaked. Heatherleap felt her worry melt into sympathy and placed her tail comfortingly on the tiny cat's shoulder. "She'll come around, I'm sure. And you do have a friend - a keen one as well," Heatherleap purred, turning her head outside. Applestripe was trying to peer inside, mewing Snowytail's name. "Thanks, Heatherleap. You always make cats feel better. That's why you're such a good medicine cat," she meowed.
Snowytail bounded outside, and the two warriors walked out of camp, pelts brushing closely.
Heatherleap felt like she had aged many seasons since she had decided to find Brindlesong. Both her mind and body felt more experienced, and she liked the feeling.

"Do you, Harekit, promise to fight and care for this group, even at the cost of your lives?" Blackspring called from her boulder. Harekit's eyes twinkled, and her pelt bristled in anticipation. "Yes!" she yowled. "Then from this moment on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Harepaw. Tansycloud, you are skilled in hunting and fighting, but also know how to empathize. You will be mentor to Harepaw," announced Blackspring, pride blossoming in her expression. "Treepaw! Harepaw! Treepaw! Harepaw!" Every cat called in excitement as the two apprentices rushed to their mother, Minkpelt. They purred together, and Heatherleap felt proud as if they were her own kits. "Well done!" she called to them. Their eyes twinkled in gratitude, and soon they were smothered in their groupmates' congrats. Umberfoot, Treepaw's mentor, beckoned for him to follow her out of camp.

Even though this camp was temporary, Heatherleap couldn't help but feel how happy every cat was, and wanted it to stay like this forever.

hi everyone! i've been getting quite a few notifs every day, and that has made me so happy 🤸‍♀️ thank you so much! i decided to do a mini chapter, because the cats have finally calmed down and did something lol
thank you always 🐱 please vote and share with friends!