"Good morning Bluesun, How are you and your kits doing?" a she-cat asked as she passed by the fattened with kits, young she-cat, on her way out of the nursery. She was a young blue she-cat, with a dark blue muzzle and front paws. Her underbelly and tail tip were both snow, white and her eyes were a magnificent crystal blue.
"Fine I guess" Bluesun hissed in a scornfully sarcastic tone, She looked tired and irritated as she spoke. "I can't even leave my own camp, I feel like a prisoner," She meowed launching a rock across the clearing with a clean swipe of her forepaw. It hit half a tail length from the entrance to the warriors den causing a young tom to flinch as he squeezed his way out.
"Well you're in a good mode I see" the tom meowed pushing the rest of the way threw the den entrance. He was almost pure black except for the tips of his ears and a crescent moon shaped mark on his flank which were both a medium gray, and his eyes were a piercing yellow, like they were staring right into your soul. He stared at the young blue she-cat with amusement as she glared him down for a moment.
"Oh yes, I love being held captive in my own camp" she yowled turning to face him, "can't you let me leave at least for a few minutes?" She meowed sweetly to him.
"You know why you can't go out," he said in a scornful yet playful voice. "Your kits could come any time now, you need to be here." She gave him a disappointed look then turned with a sigh back towards the nursery.
"Fine Blackmoon, " she hissed in a disappointed tone then smirked, "Just remember they are your kits too." she gave him a quick glance.
"I would never forget that" he meowed quickly as he walked up beside Bluesun and licked her ear affectionately. "I've got to go now. Just relax and take care."
"I will" Bluesun sighed "now go play deputy with everyone, I'll be here."
He gave her a scornful look before running off disappearing behind a bush.
"Are you going to hunt Squirrelpelt?" She asked, turning her focus back to the she-cat. "If so, would you mind bringing me something to eat later, I think I'll lay down for a bit first though."
"Yeah I can do that!" Squirrelpelt purred. She was a light brown she-cat with a long fluffy tail. As a kit she probably would have looked just like a squirrel. Her eyes were a bright emerald green and she was always in a good mood. "Just get some rest, I'll bring you something when I get back." With that she padded out the camp entrance leaving Bluesun alone again.
Bluesun padded back into the nursery to lay down, in her nest, slowly slipped into a deep sleep.
"Ivyroot, Come quick!" A little she-cat yelled up the cliff to the medicine cats den, She was a dark brown, light brown, and grey splotched tortoiseshell cat with light green eyes. "Its Bluesun, she's kitting!"
A small tom with light brown fur and dark gray markings ran down the slope almost bowling the other cat over. "Ivyroot just left, he needed more herbs," the young tom explained Dark brown eyes glowing with worry. "willowpaw go find our brothers, tell them to go find Ivyroot, he should be near the Fireclan border, close to the mountains, then come back and help me gather herbs." he turned and ran back up the cliff to the medicine den.
Willowpaw ran to the apprentices den quickly and returned back to the medicine den where the young tom had already gathered the herbs into two piles. "Is this all we'll need Stumpypaw?" Willowpaw asked around a mouth full of leaves.
Stumpypaw turned and nodded, picking up one of the piles he led the way down the slope towards the nursery. He shouldered his way into the nursery and set his mouthful of herbs near the door, careful to put them far enough to the side, so they wouldn't get stepped on. He dipped his paws in a puddle and rubbed them together then sat down next to Bluesun.
As he was getting ready Blackmoon shouldered his way in, but before he could get close Willowpaw stepped in front of him.
"Sorry, Stumpypaw says everyone needs to leave," she meowed, trying to clear the room as she spoke.
"Blackmoon looked past the young apprentice and was just about to leap past her when Bluesun lifted her head.
"Don't worry" she hissed through a contraction, "Stumpypaw is right, I'll be fine, just wait outside with the others." Blackmoon gave Bluesun a sorrowful look but turned and left. He padded back and forth outside the den entrance, jumping at the slightest noise of pain from Bluesun inside, and every time he poked his head in, was quickly chased back off by Willowpaw.
Meanwhile in the forest
"Hurry up Stumblepaw, we need to find Ivyroot." a sleek light brown tom with a pale gray patch over his dark brown eye called. "If you don't hurry the kits will be born before we ever make it back." He yowled to the fluffy gray tom with dark and light brown flecks, following a tail length behind him his green eyes tired with fatigue from running for so long.
"Its not my fault that you are faster Runningpaw," he meowed back, "go on ahead, I'll check near the water fall, meet me there after checking the other side." Both cats ran off in different directions. Stumpypaw was running as fast as his little paws could take him when he tripped over a root. He rolled out of the tree cover and over the edge of the gorge, paws turning frantically he luckily landed on a flat rock, jetting from the side of the cliff. He peered off the jetting rock to the water below, it churned and crashed into the walls promising a painful ride if not death to anything that fell into the gorge. He tried hard to climb out but the rocks were too slick to climb and the edge was at least another fox length higher than he could jump.
"Help, someone." He yowled out, but there was no answer. Then there was the sounds of paws over the edge of the cliff. "Help I'm down here, over the edge of the cliff." He meowed desperately.
"Are you ok down there" a deep crackly voice came from over the top of the gorge. "were coming to get you" the voice meowed back, not waiting for a reply from Stumblepaw. Runningpaw's head appeared a few fox lengths further up the gorge from where he fell.
"I found him Ivyroot," he yowled back over his shoulder. He stepped away from the ledge and reappeared where Stumblepaw had fallen. "Wow you sure got yourself in a mess," he meowed quietly.
"Ok, back up." Ivyroot meowed from over the gorge. He leaned his head over the edge and smiled, he was a ragged old cat who didn't look like it would be long before he would be joining the elders, His fur was a dingy orange from age but as a young tom his fur would have glowed orange in the sunlight, the only markings on his fur was a dark orange stripe that ran down his spine and branched off like ivy vines and his eyes were as black as the new moon sky.
"ok I'm going to lean down and I want you to jump up and grab my paws" Stumblepaw gave Ivyroot a worried look. "don't worry, sink your claws in if you must, I have the herbs back at camp to treat minor wounds." He meowed leaning over the gorge, "ok on the count of three, One…Two…Three!" Stumblepaw leaped into the air sinking his claws into the rock then shifting his claws in and putting his paws in Ivyroot's, just in time as the small flat rock dislodged and fell down into the gorge. Ivyroot hauled him up then backed up so he could breath.
"If you two are ok now," Ivyroot began turning towards the camp, " I need to get back, Runningpaw, help Stumblepaw back to camp, and both of you stay away from the edge." He meowed teasingly as he started off, running as fast as his paws would take him. "I want to see you in my den later Stumblepaw, I need to check…," He was cut off by the distance but both apprentices knew what he was going to say, he needed to check his cuts when they got back. The two apprentices stood up and slowly padded back to camp, Stumblepaw being careful not to step on anything too sharp.
Ivyroot ran as fast as his paws could take him and did not stop. As he neared the camp he heard loud noises. Scared he picked up the pace and sprinted right into the camp not stopping at the entrance. "what's going on?" he meowed as he burst into the camp, out of breath. He looked around at all the cats were staring at him then Squirrelpelt walked up to him.
"Nothing is wrong Ivyroot," she meowed purring, "Bluesun has just finished kitting," she meowed flicking her tail towards the nursery with a twinkle in her eyes.
"That's wonderful news Squirrelpelt, but who delivered the kits," he meowed staring at her in shock as she nodded towards Stumpypaw. "Your son delivered the kits, all by himself?" he meowed in surprise.
"Well he had a little help from Willowpaw, but yes." She meowed proudly, pointing to Willowpaw who was sitting with a young blue gray she cat with a darker stripe from the top of her head down to her tail tip, and crystal blue eyes, just talking. "She was told to report to Streamstar for Stumpypaw while he went and washed up."
"Well I guess I should go and congratulate my apprentice then." He meowed heading for the young tom, as he neared his young apprentice he meowed quickly. "I heard that you delivered your first set of kits with very little help." Stumpypaw shook his head.
"No, Willowpaw was a great deal of help," he meowed stepping away from the water, "If not for her I probably would have choked." He dipped his head depressed.
"No you wouldn't have," Ivyroot meowed supportively, "you would have done a great job, but it is always nicer to have a little help now and again." Stumpypaw raised his head with a glow in his eyes. He quickly bounded off to tell Willowpaw how grateful he was for her help today
That night Bluesun slept easily with her kits tucked in next to her. There was a grey blue tom with a dark stripe down pelt, fluffy ears, and bright blue eyes, that was given the name Nightkit, a black tom with black tipped ears, tail, and paw, and bright yellow eyes, who was given the name Darkkit. Then there was a tiny blue she cat, she was the runt of the litter and was a blue color with light blue paws, tail tip, ears, and a star on her forehead. She was given the name Rainkit.
Within a moon the three kits were, open eyed and mischievous. Their first trip out of the nursery was breathtaking. The clearing was vast, surrounded on one three sides by small cliffs where the dens were made and the other side was the bramble thicket that was used as the camp entrance. Shrubs and thorn bushes dotted the clearing edges, mostly to hide and protect areas where there were holes between the cliff sides. The clearing had several small streams fed by the river that wrapped its way around both sides of the camp and protected it from invaders. Near the entrance to the camp was a fresh kill pile that was restocked daily with fish, water voles, and the occasional squirrel or mouse.
They played in the small clearing near the nursery. They would play fight and hunt for hours getting under everyone's feet who were in the clearing, but no one really minded, it was nice having kits in the camp again.
"Ok Nightkit I'm going to attack you again." Darkkit yelled, preparing to pounce on to his brother. He leapt in the air and pinned him down holding him so he couldn't move. Nightkit struggled trying to free himself. "Stop squirming, your not going to get away, you might as well just sit there like a good kitty pet." Darkkit hissed in his brothers ear.
"Get off of me Darkkit," He yowled, struggling for freedom, "I'm not a kitty pet and I don't want to play fight right now." He screeched but Darkkit didn't get off, so Rainkit jumped at Darkkit and knocked him off of Nightkit. She was only half her brothers size and weight but she fought better than both of them combined.
"Leave him alone Darkkit." She yowled fiercely at her brother, "He said he didn't want to fight any more, but if you want to fight so badly you can fight me instead." She finished spreading her back legs slightly and lowering her shoulders to take a defensive position. Darkkit looked her over a minute then turned and stomped into the den.
"wow, that was a great move." Willowpaw meowed walking up behind her, "You're going to make a great warrior." She meowed praising but Rainkit shook her head causing Willowpaw to tilt her head questioningly to one side.
"I don't want to be a warrior," she meowed nicely to Willowpaw. " I want to be a medicine cat, but I'm training to be a warrior cause Ivyroot already has an apprentice, but Stumpypaw said he would teach me about some of the herbs while I train to be a warrior." She finished with an excited glance up at the medicine cats den.
"Well you would make a great medicine cat too." She meowed happily as Rainkit and Nightkit bounded into the nursery. They stayed in the nursery watching their clan mates under the brambles. As the morning went on most of the other cats had gone on patrols or were cleaning and doing repairs.
While everyone else was busy the three kits slipped out the back way behind the nursery. They squeezed through the thorn bush, pressing low to the ground to avoid the thorns from pulling on their fur. As they cleared the thorn bush they stood and stared at the water ahead of them, none of the kits knowing how to swim they decided they would have to use the stones jetting from the water to cross. The river was at least four grown cats lengths across and the water whirled past the rocks so fast, if they fell in they were guaranteed to be washed away.
Rainkit took a deep breath and jumped from the sandy shore to the first stepping stone, over jumping slightly she plunged her face into the water, gripping the rock for her life. She pulled her head out of the water shaking droplets from her whiskers. Then catching her breath and slowing her heartbeat she jumped for the next stone. The water lapped at her paws as she made her way across stone by stone.
When she made it to the other side, she turned to check on her brothers. Nightkit was over half way across and Darkkit was on the second stone, looking as if he was going to turn around and run any second now. After both toms made it across they all turned and looked into the forest ahead of them. Not sure which way to go they ran straight ahead of them, toward the tall trees, farther into the forest.
"Come on you guys," Rainkit yowled picking up more speed as she ran. She was running like an ancient Windclan cat, fast and swift avoiding every twig, rock and hole. She was moving so fast, in a matter of minutes she had left her brothers and was already standing in the clearing of the training hall for a few heartbeats out of breath and tired by the time her brothers had caught up.
"Wow sis," Nightkit yelled entering the clearing, "You got here faster than a rabbit." He walked over and collapsed in a cloud of smoke. Moments later Darkkit entered the clearing and also collapsed saying nothing to either of his littermates.
"What's the matter... Darkkit?" Rainkit purred teasingly. "Even… Nightkit beat you here." She stood up walking over to Darkkit who had his back turned on them. She probed him in the side but he just turned to the side, away from her.
"I only lost cause I tripped," he meowed standing up padding to the edge of the clearing where they had just come from. "We need to head back though, If we're discovered out of camp we'll be in a lot of trouble."
"You're starting to sound like Nightkit, What, you afraid of getting caught." Rainpaw teased then turned to the other side of the clearing. "Lets walk near the river on our way back," She spun around to the other side. "Oh, or along the Leafclan boarder," she looked at her brothers.
"Fine but I vote Fireclan river border, I want to see if anyone has fallen in." Darkkit meowed heading through the brambles. They all walked back towards camp staying at least a fox length from the edge at all times, not wanting to repeat Stumblepaw's mistake. As they neared the bridge they turned so that they would end up near the back entrance of the camp so it would be easier to sneak back into camp.
As they neared the stepping-stones the sound of paw steps came. Not knowing whom it was the three kits jumped into a bush and peered out the bottom of it. The paws were coming from the direction they had taken home. The steps were coming closer and closer till the bushes started to rustle as a cat walked out. It was Blackmoon. He took in a breath then turned towards the bush the three kits were in.
"Come out you three," he yowled loud enough for them to hear but quite enough the camp didn't. "You three are in big trouble." The three kits wriggled out from under the bush and crouched tails between their legs. "Lets go," He meowed as he turned and headed around to the main entrance, "your mother has been looking all over for you." He yowled with a bit of anger to his voice; "you will go in and apologize to your mother, then to Streamstar for causing so much trouble." The three kits nodded and followed their father into the camp.
As they entered the camp the three kits broke into a run. They dashed right into the nursery and up to their mother. They all meowed out there apologies, then their mother bent down and licked their heads. The kits meowed sorry again then ran out of the nursery towards the leaders den. They jumped from stone to stone up the rocks till they reached the platform in front of the den. All of the kits energy seemed to drain out as they stood looking at the huge entrance.
"Come in you three," Streamstar voice came from the cave. The three kits looked in then slowly entered the cave. After a few seconds their eyes adjusted and they could see all around the cave. It was a bare little cave, there was a pile of old bedding in the corner and in the back a huge stone platform with an indent in it where Streamstar made her bed. Streamstar was sitting in the other corner with a half eaten vole in front of her and a pool of water that was fed by a small crack in the wall and flowed back out another crack in the wall.
"Well, what should I do with you three," she meowed calmly to herself. "I could make you help the apprentices, yes the three of you can sit and watch the apprentices clean the dens and sit with them while they check the elders for tics tomorrow." She meowed as she lifted her head to look at the three kits. Rainkit and her brothers squinted their noses at the thought of the smell of mouse bile.
"Yes ma'am," Rainkit quickly meowed bowing her head in respect. Her brothers followed suit, both dipping their heads. She nodded dismissing them then turned back to her kill and finished eating. The kits bounded out of the den and down to their father who was sitting with their mother. He nodded to them and turned back to talk to Bluesun.
While they were talking the three kits scurried off to the nursery to lie down.
Later that night the three kits shared a mouse then returned to their nest and went to sleep with their mother. They stayed in bed all night and got as much sleep as possible because tomorrow was going to be a long day.
"Wake up kits," Bluesun's voice came, "You're going to be late for your punishment." She probed the kits till they were up and moving. The kits ate the small mouse their mom had fetched them, then hurried off to the elder's den. Willowpaw, Stumblepaw, and Runningpaw were all in the den waiting. As the kits entered they were greeted, then paired up with an apprentice. Rainkit and Willowpaw were partnered and they were to clean out the medicine den and the leaders den. Nightkit got partnered with Runningpaw and their jobs were to clean out the nursery and the elder's den. Darkkit and Stumblepaw were left and they got the biggest job, they had the warrior's den to clean out.
After all the dens were cleared out and new bedding was brought in all six cats met back in the elders den. The kits sat in front of the elders and listened to stories while the apprentices did the dirty work, It was still punishment though thanks to the horrid smell given off by the mouse bile. When the elders were all done and taken care of the apprentices laid down and listened to the last of the story then walked the kits back to the nursery. The kits stayed there the rest of the day while the apprentices were sent out on patrols or training practice.
That night the kits slept soundly, completely tuckered out by the day of punishment. Not to mention looking forward to the day ahead. In the morning there mom was taking them on a hike through the forest and later that night Runningpaw, Willowpaw, and Stumblepaw would be receiving their warrior names. They would be full fledged warriors and the kits were told they would get to go and watch if they remembered to behave while they were out. Also Stumpypaw was getting his full medicine cat name, which was most exciting for Rainkit.
The next morning came early, It was a bright and sunny day with birds chirping in the distance and the fresh smell of Greenleaf. Darkkit was being mean to Nightkit who was trying to sleep, still next to Rainkit who was resting herself. Darkkit tried his usual attack on Nightkit but was knocked out of the air by Rainkit who had sprang at him at the last moment. They rolled on the ground for a moment when Rainkit pinned Darkkit underneath her.
"You want to try that again!?" Rainkit yowled half teasing half pissed off. Darkkit wriggled free and sat up licking moss from his fur. He looked at Rainkit with a hostile glance then brightened up as he noticed their moms scent close to the den entrance.
She pushed her way in through the doorway and crossed over to the nest. She woke Nightkit then dropped a fish between the kits. It was a nice, fat, plump fish. The kits quickly shared it while their mom ate a quick water vole. They finished eating, cleaned up and headed out for the camp entrance.
As they walked through the forest the kits bounced back and forth sniffing every single rock and leaf that passed them. They played in the puddles and bounced all around till they finally reached the training hollow.
It was nice and shady around the edges with plenty of sunlight near the middle of the clearing. Towards the back of the clearing there was a giant tree with two large trees next to it. All the trees had scratch marks all the way around and up the tree but the largest tree had marks that only went as high as the other trees except for a single mark that was all the way at the top of the tree. The top of the tree was smashed near the top, it looked like it had been much taller but had been struck by lightings and right below the scorch marks sat a single mark in the back.
"What's with the marks on the trees?" Nightkit asked what all three kits had been thinking. "They look kind of like claw marks." he finished, looking up and down all three trees. Then he looked back at his mother, puzzled.
"Those are claw marks, Nightkit, they are from the final test taken by apprentices before they are given their warrior names." Bluesun explained looking way up at the highest mark on the scorched tree. "and that mark there is your fathers attempt." she meow to her kits, looking down at her kits, "he was the highest climber."
"Wow dad climbed really high up there," Rainkit meowed in amazement, all three kits eyes were huge reflecting the emotion in Rainkit's words. Their mouths hung open gaping as they cocked their heads back to look way up the tree. "but what did u mean by dad was the highest climber, did someone else beat him, and where is your mark mom" Rainkit meowed questioningly. Bluesun turned around and faced the tree that they had walked around to enter the clearing, the great oak. It was the tallest tree in all of Streamclan territory.
"You can't see my mark" Bluesun pointed with her tail at the top of the large tree. "I climbed to the second highest branch and left my mark on top of that branch." it was at least three fox lengths higher than their fathers had been. The kits stared at the mark then turned to their mother. "but Streamstar still holds the record, know one knows exactly how, but she climbed all the way to the top of this tree and sat in the top looking out over the clan. I tried but when I went to climb up, the branch cracked and I fell halfway down the tree before catching myself."
They stayed for a while longer. The kits play fought each other while Bluesun sat and watched, butting in every once in awhile to tell them to play nicely. After a little bit of fighting they headed back for the camp. By the time they got back the kits were tired so they went in and laid down for a while. At sun high Willowpaw and the other apprentices were released and told to have fun before the ceremony that evening. The kits were up again and out play fighting while the apprentices sat around watching, purring with laughter at the kits.
The three kits got going and rolled right out of the clearing and into the stream. Willowpaw stood up and ran over scanning the water for the young cats while Stumblepaw started to panic. Out of nowhere there was another splash and Runningpaw was in the stream. He grabbed Nightkit and threw him up to Stumblepaw who unknowingly fell over as the wet bundle landed on his back sinking his claws in. Runningpaw saw that Darkkit had grabbed onto a branch and Willowpaw was helping him out, so he started looking for Rainkit.
Frantically he started turning looking for Rainkit. He turned just in time to see her being swept downstream. He took a deep breath and dived under and swam towards her. As he caught up with her he dived under and came up from under her so she could sit on his back as he padded for the edge. After getting out of the water Runningpaw picked Rainkit up by her scruff and padded back up shore to where her brothers were waiting. All three kits escaped without any real injuries, just a few scratches that would still need to be checked with Ivyroot.
As they reentered the clearing Bluesun ran up with a horrified look when she saw Runningpaw carrying Rainkit. She sniffed all three kits and thanked the apprentices after they had explained what had happened.
"Thank you so much," Bluesun meowed "you saved my kits" she purred loudly
"It wasn't us Bluesun" Willowpaw meowed pointing her tail to Runningpaw, "Runningpaw jumped in after them." He was dripping with water, as he sat licking his fur, trying to get it to dry. He didn't want to go the ceremony with wet fur.
"All cats old enough to swim, meet here under the great stone." Streamstar meowed out from the top of the stone outside her den. "We meet for the appointment of three new warriors and a new full fledged medicine cat." she finished as the three apprentices climbed up and sat to the back with their mentors.
Then Stumpypaw and Ivyroot jumped up to the stone. Rainkit stared up in aw, as Ivyroot said the oath and gave Stumpypaw his new name. she listened carefully and took in every word of the ceremony. She wanted to memorize it, but couldn't remember all the words.
"Now Stumpypaw," Ivyroot started the last of the ceremony, "from this day till you join our warrior ancestors you shall be know as Stumpytail, may Starclan guide you." He finished placing his nose on Stumpytail's head. Stumpytail and Ivyroot both bowed their heads to each other, then to Streamstar and headed back down to sit with the rest of the clan for the next part of the ceremony.
One by one the apprentices padded up to the front of the rock. Stumblepaw was first and was given the name Stumblestep with a murmur, about how it was due to him tripping over the edge of the gorge, to himself, he gladly accepted his new name. Then Willowpaw went up and was given her warrior name, Willowleaf, for the bright green eyes and spirit of her forest home. Finally Runningpaw came up still slightly wet. Streamstar gave him an awkward glance then finished the ceremony, " and you Runningpaw will be know as a warrior from this day till you join Starclan's ranks as Runningwind, for your speed and agility, and flexibility to think as the wind moves." She finished all the cats jumped up and meowed all three warriors names out. Celebrating their hard work and new names.
That night the three warriors sat their vigil outside the camp gates while the clan slept soundly inside. Lucky for them it was a warm Greenleaf night, but It was a long night for the warriors. The next day the warriors were relieved of their vigil and were sent for their deserved rest. while heading for their dens they grabbed something from the fresh kill pile, they quickly ate then went into the warriors den to sleep.
The next three and a half moons went by fast, because there were no apprentices the newly appointed warriors were still made to help with the apprentice chores along with the three kits who were already 5 moons old. The kits would do the simple chores like cleaning and receiving bedding, and fetching food for the elders from the fresh kill pile. Then the warriors did the harder jobs like fetching things in the forest and checking the elders for ticks, which none of the kits objected to, not wanting to get mouse bile on their paws any sooner than they had to.
The next few days went on about the same with the apprentices duties being done by the kits and warriors. Stumpytail was always seen helping the cats. The only time anyone really saw Ivyroot, was during meetings or when he was needed. He usually spent his time in his den with patience or stocking and preparing herbs, which was weird since those were the jobs for the apprentices.
The next day Streamstar was seen talking with Ivyroot from dawn to almost sun high. Then Streamstar stood at the edge of the rock and yowled out, "Will all cats old enough to swim please meet here under the great stone." As she finished almost half the camp had already assembled under the rock. After a few more heart beats almost the whole clan had appeared. After giving them a few more moments Streamstar called for silence.
"we gather here for some troubling new: Streamstar began, looking to Ivyroot, then beckoned him forward, "our medicine cat has a few words for you." she finished respectfully backing up to let Ivyroot stand and look down to address everyone.
"I have been your medicine cat for many moons." Ivyroot began raising his head up. "I am getting old and now that I finally have someone to take over my place as medicine cat , I have decided to retire." Every cat gasped a few even yowled out in distress but none were louder than Stumpytail who was standing on the ledge of the medicine cat den.
"you can't retire," he yowled out, making everyone stop silent, "I can't do this without you, what if I need help, what if I mess up?" he yowled out his eyes clouding over with pain and sorrow. He turned and ran back into the den Everything was silent for a few seconds, then Rainkit crawled out from under her mother's tail. She ran up the path and into the medicine den.
She ran into the den and stood next to Stumpytail. He lifted his head and looked at Rainkit. she rubbed up against him then licked his ear comfortingly, they talked for a while in there while everyone waited impatiently under the great rock. After a few minutes both cats walked out. Rainkit stood next to Stumpytail and slowly walked down the hill path. Rainkit walked with Stumpytail until they reached the path up to the great rock, there she stopped and sat while he bound his way up the rock.
"I'm sorry," he meowed out to Ivyroot when he finally reached the top, "I only wish that you would have been able to stay with me a little longer, but a young kit has enlightened me of the reasons, so it is with heavy heart that I take your place." he finished stepping back. The ceremony continued and at the end Stumpytail asked permission to make a comment to the clan. Streamstar nodded her head and stepped back to let Stumpytail take the front.
"As you all know, earlier I was having problems" he began tilting his head towards Rainkit. "thanks to this young kit I have now decided to take over my mentor's spot and when this kit is old enough to start her apprentice training, and if she will still have me as a mentor, I would like to have her as my apprentice." He paused looking over at Rainkit's stunned face, "but only if she wants me as her mentor." he finished bowing his head to the young she-cat.
She stood motionless for a moment then she looked up to Stumpytail. Her eyes instantly brightened up and she jumped up and down excited. She then stopped and turned back to Stumpytail and nodded her head showing that she would be his apprentice. As she did that, Streamstar ended the meeting, and sent everyone to their duties.
By the time the clearing was close to empty the sun was already going down. Bluesun gathered her kits and herded them to their den. That night all three kits slept well and the next few days were pretty normal.
About 5 sunsets passed after the ceremony, great news came, Poppyfeather was pregnant she was a black silver and gray, mainly black then faded to gray and then silver as you went down her legs and tail, and her kits would be born any day. The days waiting for the kits were long and slow but after three days of waiting the kits finally arrived.
After a week all the kits were open eyed and playful. There were three kits, a she-cat with pure black fur, darker than Ivyroot's eyes, and her eyes were yellow green, in the dark of night all that was visible was her bright eyes and she was named Pantherkit. Then there was the black tom with silver and gray speckles, his eyes were also pail gray and he was named Leopardkit. Then there was Silverkit, she was a silvery gray kit with a light gray-silver tail and a dark gray stripe down her spine, along with a light blue pair of eyes as cool as ice. As soon as she was old enough to play, her and Rainkit bonded becoming best friends.
It was about two weeks later. Rainkit padded out and was happy as ever. She ran into the nursery and bounded up to her brothers breathing heavily from the long run to the nursery.
"I just overheard Bluesun and Streamstar," She meowed catching her breath, "they were talking about our apprentice ceremony." she finished spinning around in circles. She jumped on her brothers who were jumping up and down with excitement. "they said we had a few sunsets till we could be apprentices." she finished as Bluesun's scent came to the door. "Don't say anything." Bluesun padded in and gathered the kits up quickly herding them into the nest where they all laid down for the night.
The next few sunrises seemed like moons, between the excitement and what seemed like endless chores the days traveled as fast as a snail. Three sunrises after the news was found out the kits were actually informed. they pretended to be surprised to hide that Rainkit had been snooping round. The kits were on their best behavior because they knew that any amount of trouble could easily change the leaders mind to let them get their apprentice names.
Finally the day came. It was actually their day to partake in the apprentice naming ceremony. All three kits were bouncing up and down excitedly just waiting to be called. Streamstar was waiting patiently for the dawn patrol to return so the ceremony could begin. After a few moments of waiting the dawn patrol finally appeared, as they all padded into the camp Streamstar made her way to the edge of the great stone. "May all cats old enough to swim meet here under the great stone." Within a few heart beats the whole camp was sitting in front of the stone, staring up at Streamstar.
Poppyfeather's kits quickly bounded out of the nursery and sat in beside their mother, far enough back they would be able to see over the warriors heads. Rainkit and her brothers sat down near the path to the leaders den. She nodded her head for them to join her, as they made it to the top they sat side by side behind Streamstar waiting to be called up.
The ceremony started with Nightkit, he shyly padded to the edge looking as if he may hurl at any moment threw all of his ceremony until he was given his apprentice name Nightpaw. Everyone cheered his name, after the cheers quieted Streamstar named his mentor, who was Running wind. Then it was Darkkit's turn, he stepped forward bowing his head respectfully to his leader as she started his ceremony, he received the name Darkpaw and his warrior mentor was Stumblestep. Streamstar then apologized to Willowleaf that she would have to wait a little longer to start training her first apprentice, Willowleaf was very respectful knowing one day her turn would come.
Then it was Rainkit's turn, but before Streamstar could start Stumpytail raced up the path quickly whispering in her ear. Streamstar nodded with a smile and backed away from the cliff to let Stumpytail do the ceremony. He started the medicine apprentice ceremony, then came the end. "from now till you receive your full medicine cat name, you will be known as Rainpaw, may Starclan guide you on your journey, and bless you path." everyone yowled the names again and cheered.
After the ceremony they all were escorted to their new dens to make their nests, then they were all taken out on their first real tours of the territory even though they had seen a bit of it already. Darkpaw and Nightpaw were taken out with a border patrol so that if anyone attacked they were protected. Rainpaw was taken out by Stumpytail with a hunting patrol for protection. They were sent with protection because all were newer apprentices and warriors. They followed the Leafclan river up and around to the great waterfall, then down the Fireclan border back towards camp. While Rainpaw was out she was introduced to a few plants but mostly where to find certain plants and areas that were most useful to them as medicine cats. After their long day they went back to camp, ate their fresh kill, then headed to their nests.