Rusty (Firepaw), Smudge, Lionheart, Whitestorm, Bluestar, Graypaw, Longtail, Darkstripe, Ravenpaw

characters mentioned

Henry, Spottedleaf, Tigerclaw, Redtail

Rusty dreams of a mouse again as he sleeps off the night's wanderings. He wakes up and meets Smudge again in the garden. They gossip again, but this time Rusty has news: He is going to join ThunderClan. Rusty and Smudge enjoy the remainder of the morning together. At sunhigh he meets Lionheart and a new Clanner, Whitestorm. They travel to ThunderClan camp. Bluestar calls a Clan meeting to introduce Rusty to the Clan, but not everyone is happy with ThunderClan's newest member. A young tom (Longtail) challenges Bluestar's decision to invite a kittypet into the Clan. Lionheart asks Rusty if he will back down from a challenge - and a fight between Longtail and him breaks out. Rusty's collar snaps in the fight, at which time Bluestar intervenes, claiming that StarClan has freed Rusty from his twolegs. He is given the new name of Firepaw.

Graypaw congratulates Firepaw on his name, while Longtail sulks off. Suddenly an injured black kitten enters the camp with an ominous message: Redtail is dead.

"But I do trust them. And I've made up my mind, I'm going to join them."
-Rusty, page 27

"Once a kittypet, always a kittypet. This Clan needs wildborn warriors to defend it, not another soft mouth to feed."
-Longtail 35

"That tabby is Longtail. He smells your fear. They all do. You must prove to him and the other cats that your fear won't hold you back."
- Lionheart, page 35

"You look like a brand of fire in this sunlight."
- Graypaw, page 35

"I think [Longtail] was heading towards Spottedleaf's den. She's our medicine cat. Not bad looking either. Younger and a lot prettier then most "
- Graypaw, page 38

"Now Darkstripe is neither young, nor pretty..."
- Bluestar, page 19