Raccoon walked quietly with Icewhisker and Perchstar through the forest, and he looked around curiously. He hadn't before gone so far past the Riverclan border, and was eager to take in the scents and sounds of the nighttime forest. Moonlight was filtering down through the trees and dappled the ground around them, and the forest was quiet but Raccoon could still hear small animals scuffling about. 

The entire way, Raccoon could feel Icewhisker's investigative eyes watching him, but he didn't dwell on it. It made sense that he would be curious about some outsider who had decided to suddenly enter into clan life. He would feel the same if he was in Icewhisker's place.

As they came to a wide stream, Raccoon paused. Perchstar just leapt into the water and quickly sped to the other side, pushing out of the water as if it was nothing. He turned back at them and Icewhisker followed him, and Raccoon hesitantly launched himself into the water, the icy water chilling him as he pushed across. He finally got to the other side and dragged himself out of it, the spitting out some water and vigorously shaking out his fur. Perchstar and Icewhisker kept walking and Raccoon followed, lightly grooming himself as he walked.

Arriving at the camp, there was a fluffy black and silver she-cat with amber eyes watching the entrance. She looked the group over, her bright gaze lingering on Raccoon. Her expression turned confused and she tilted her head at Perchstar.

"I'll explain it to the clan, at dawn tomorrow." Perchstar told her quietly, and she nodded. 

Walking into camp, Raccoon examined his surroundings. Around the edges of the clearing were sparse trees and bramble thickets and closer to the water of another stream were tall reeds and mossy rocks. Perchstar explained that the others must have gone to sleep already, and showed him the camp, pointing out the various dens and who sleeps in them. Perchstar said that Raccoon could sleep outside of the Leader's den for the night, and come dawn he would call a meeting where he would explain what was going on to the clan, as well as announce Raccoon's apprenticeship. Icewhisker didn't say anything to Raccoon, and he stalked off to the Medicine den.

Perchstar went into his den with a yawn, leaving Raccoon behind. Raccoon sat silently under the stars, looking around camp and thinking. This would be his last night as a rogue. An outsider. He would belong somewhere... and he would become a strong warrior, too. Just like your brother... The words echoed in his mind. Yeah, he thought. Just like him!  He laid down and set his head on his paws. How did she know that? He thought as he drifted into a quiet, dreamless sleep.

Raccoon was woken not by Perchstar or Icewhisker, but by being smacked awake. He hissed and jumped to his feet, opening his eyes to see a red-brown striped she-cat glaring at him. 

"Who are you!? Why are you in our camp!?" She demanded, her green eyes looking him over. He shook off his fur and looked around. The sun had only begun rising, and the cat in front of him appeared to be the only one awake. 

"Uh," Raccoon's whiskers twitched. He wasn't sure if he should wait for Perchstar to introduce himself or if he should just answer the stranger. "I'm Raccoon." He said, and she huffed.

"That's it?" She asked, lashing her tail. Raccoon shrugged. 

"I mean, I'm not sure how to explain myself, so I figured I''d wait for Perchstar to tell you all." He said quietly, glancing back at Perchstar's den. "Anyway, who are you?" He added, tilting his head. The she-cat's whiskers twitched.

"I'm Bloodpaw." She introduced herself, and there was a moment of silence. Raccoon nodded, remembering something Puddlepaw had said about Bloodpaw.

"Oh, I've heard of you," He said, and Bloodpaw stood up proudly.

"Of course you have, I'm Riverclan's best apprentice!" She told him, and he grinned. 

"We'll see," Raccoon said, turning his head as he heard talking from the direction of the warriors' den. There were two warriors, the black and silver she-cat from the previous night and Miresplash, talking quietly and glancing in his direction. The she-cat had an uneasy expression and eyed Raccoon warily. 

The cats of the clan were waking up, and it wasn't long before Perchstar himself slid out of his den, stretching as he emerged into the cool dawn air. He looked around for a moment before turning to Raccoon and Bloodpaw.

"Ah, well I see you've met Raccoon," Perchstar said to Bloodpaw, and she nodded.

"So that's your name. You're a rogue, then?" She said, tilting her head. Raccoon shrugged. Technically, I guess, he thought, and Perchstar shook his head before leaping up the stones around his den, and onto a high branch that had been wedged between two boulders to overlook the clearing.

"Let all cats old enough to swim gather to hear my words!" Perchstar called, his voice seeming to ring throughout the whole camp. Raccoon subtly groomed himself for a moment, preparing to get up in front of the clan. Cats emerged from their dens and gathered around, staring up at the leader. Raccoon saw Icewhisker swiftly leap to sit beside Perchstar, and he whispered something quietly to him. Perchstar nodded, and then looked at Raccoon, beckoning him to join them on the branch. Raccoon felt the eyes of many cats land on his pelt, and he carefully jumped up to sit on the opposite side of Perchstar to Icewhisker. 

"A new dawn greets us, and with each passing day the icy grasp of a coming leafbare tightens, rendering our waters frozen and our prey scarce." Perchstar began, his gaze sweeping across the clearing. 

"We all work hard to keep the clan alive, and in our dedication we place our own lives. Today, Starclan has led to us a young tom, Raccoon." Perchstar told them, flicking his tail toward Raccoon. Perchstar then turned to him. "Raccoon, you have come to Riverclan for purpose, promising honor and loyalty. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Raccoonpaw. I have decided to mentor you myself, and will pass down the whole of my knowledge to you." He announced, and Raccoon's pelt prickled with anticipation. Perchstar touched his nose to Raccoon's forehead, and then to his nose, and he felt a deep chill.

"May Starclan light our path, Raccoonpaw." Perchstar finished his speech, and there was silence for a moment. Then, Puddlepaw cried out from the group of cats below.

"Raccoonpaw! Raccoonpaw!" She cheered, and quickly the rest of the crowd joined in.

"Raccoonpaw!"