Shadepaw looked up at Snowheart with irritation. Because her mentor had been exiled, she needed a new mentor who was experienced with herbs, and Snowheart volunteered.

"So, what does thyme do?" She tested her.

"Helps with shock," she answered, glancing at leaves at her paws.

"Good. How about... poppy seeds?" She suggested, exchanging glances with her new apprentice.

"Sleep. Poppy seeds help with sleep." She yawned, open ending her mouth widely, hoping Snowheart would realise she was bored and knew everything.

Snowheart shrugged. "If you want to learn, Shadepaw, you have to listen." And with that, she stalked out of the den.

"Finally." Shadepaw muttered though she felt a twinge of sorrow for wasting the warriors time.

Light beams shone through the branches of the den, and Shadepaw peered out, surprised to the bright, blinding light that hit her eyes.

She stepped back into the cool, shade-y den and settled down into her nest sleepily.

Time to see Darkthorn. She thought to herself. And Toadpaw.

Darkness surrounded her for a few moments before she opened her eyes to see the familiar lands of the dark forest.

She found herself walking among the dead trees, whispers echoing her ears.

Padding confidently forwards, she forgot the dangers of being here.

"Shadepaw!" Toadpaw's call came from behind her, and heartbeats later her brother skidded to a halt next to her.

"Hey," she greeted her brother with a friendly flick of her tail.

"For dark forest's sake, can you not be so open?" He hissed.

"What do you mean?" She tilted her head in confusion.

"What if I hadn't come and help you with your little lie? Ashstar would never believe an apprentice over a proper medicine cat!" 

Shadepaw sighed. "I didn't expect h-"

"Expect the unexpected!" And with that, he strode off to look for Hawkshade.

.~~.

"Higher! Higher!" Darkthorn growled as Shadepaw kept leaping to reach the lowest branch of the tree.

"Come on! That's not your best," he snorted.

"I'm tying!" She hissed at him, anger driving her to leap even higher.

Finally, she managed to brush her paw against the branch.

Panting heavily, she crouched down a little.

"Better." He purred.

"Thanks." Her fur prickled with pride at the rare praise. "Do I have any more tasks?"

"No, I'll give you a break for a day or two. You better wake up, Ashstar wants you."

"Shadepaw?" 

Shadepaw yawned wearily and stood up.

"Yes Ashstar?" She mumbled, looking at her leader.

"I believe you are ready for your medicine cat name. Snowheart said you were extremely good, and knew every herb and its  use. This is very early for you, I know, but you deserve it."

Surprised, Shadepaw dipped her head. "Thank you, Ashstar. This is an honour!" She whispered.

"Then at half moon, Snowheart will take you to the Moon River to give you your medicine cat name."

.~~.

"Shadepaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?" Snowheart asked Shadepaw.

"I do." She responded excitedly.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your true name as a medicine cat. Shadepaw, from this moment onwards you will be known as Shadeberry. StarClan honours your intelligence and kindness, and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of ThunderClan."

Shadeberry leant forward and licked Snowheart's shoulder, as the warrior rested her head on the new medicine cat.

"Shadeberry! Shadeberry!" The other medicine cants chanted the new medicine cat's name.

"Congratulations," Swanwing, medicine cat of RiverClan, whispered.

"Congratulations!" Darkpaw squeaked, trying to copy his mentor.

Purring, Shadeberry looks down at the apprentice, then up at hit mentor.

"Thank you."