In the nursery of Rainclan lived five young kits about to start their training to become valued members of the clan. They had lived a life of luxury from the get go, with plenty of prey and peace between the two clans but all that was about to change with the death of one warrior.
"Come on you lot let's give Sagepetal some room" Shadespeckle purred pushing her kits out of the nursery and into the open air.
"Thanks Shadespeckle" The heavily pregnant grey Queen mewed, Shadespeckle's whiskers twitched at her friend's obvious relief.
"Ah don't worry Sagepetal your kits will come soon and then you'll know how I feel" Shadespeckle teased lightly.
"Can't wait" Sagepetal murmured as she settled down into her nest. Shadespeckle backed out of the nursery and looked around for her kits. They were six moons and would become apprentices today, she pitied the poor cats who would have to mentor her stubborn and mischievous darlings but for now it was all up to her. Silverkit and Palekit were sat together and the rest of her kits were playing rough and tumble. Shadespeckle wandered over to her two calmer kits and sat down next to them.
"Anything you want to share?" She asked surprising Palekit, anxiety shone in her daughter's green eyes.
"I um, I know we're about to become apprentices but I don't want to be a warrior" Palekit mewed quietly, Shadespeckle's eyes widened slightly. She glanced briefly at Silverkit, who looked perplexed, then back at Palekit waiting for her to continue "I want to train as a medicine cat" She said sitting up straight, her eyes glowing at the very idea but the light faded as quickly as it had appeared and she lowered her gaze "But I know it's not that simple" She sighed.
"Don't be ridiculous Palekit, Starclan would be mousebrained to turn you away" Silverkit mewed.
"Why do you want to train as a medicine cat Palekit?" Shadespeckle asked.
"Well I've been visiting Petalpatch every day and helping her out" Palekit replied.
"So that's where you've been disappearing to, well I agree with Silverkit" Shadespeckle said and Palekit looked up sharply, her eyes stretched wide with disbelief, "If Petalpatch didn't want you to become her apprentice she wouldn't have encouraged you. I think she's been hoping you'll talk to her about becoming her apprentice before the ceremony"
"You-you really think so?" Palekit mumbled, Shadespeckle leant down and licked Palekit's ear gently
"I do, so stop stalling and go and talk to Petalpatch" Shadespeckle purred and watched as Palekit raced away in high spirits "Now what about you Silverkit, any doubts?" She asked turning to the silver tabby kit. She leaned down and smoothed Silverkit's ruffled fur, she wasn't going to let the clan see her kits become apprentices in this state. She was not looking forward to grooming her other kits, who were fighting in the dust.
"Nope" Silverkit mewed "I know exactly what I want to be."
"Oh and what is that?" Shadespeckle asked curiously.
"A leader" Silverkit purred her green eyes glowing with determination. Shadespeckle didn't reply, most kits started out wanting to be the leader of the clan but eventually settled with the role of a warrior but she wasn't about to shoot down Silverkit's dreams before they even had a chance. She finished grooming Silverkit's pelt and gazed down sternly at her daughter.
"Now I don't want you messing up your pelt, you don't want the clan to think you scruffy do you?" Shadespeckle purred "Just sit quietly, it won't be long now" Shadespeckle suppressed a sigh, it had been stressful bringing up five mischievous kits but she would miss being that close to them. She still hadn't decided if she would return to the warriors' den or stay and help Sagepetal. The warriors' den was getting more and more crowded and just the thought of caring for young kits again made her tingle inside.
It took a while but Shadespeckle managed to get all five of her kits looking presentable. The kits were twitching with impatience and nearly groaned aloud when Leafstar emerged from her den. The golden furred she cat flashed Shadespeckle an amused glance before she jumped onto the tree stump in the middle of the camp.
"May all cats who can catch their own prey gather around the Low Tree for a clan meeting" Leafstar called "It is time for our kits to start their training" She announced and excited mews spread throughout the camp as cats tried to predict who would mentor the new apprentices. Leafstar raised her tail for silence and turned to the kits.
"Bumblekit, from this day on until you have earned your warrior name you shall be known as Bumblepaw" Leafstar paused and glanced up at her warriors "Brackenfrost" The ginger toms ear's pricked up and he stepped forward "You have received excellent training from Marigoldleaf, I trust that you will pass on all she has taught you to Bumblepaw."
"I will Leafstar" Brackenfrost purred dipping his head to touch noses with Bumblepaw.
"Woolkit, from this day on until you have earned your warrior name you shall be known as Woolpaw. Clearscar you have shown yourself to be brave and determined. I trust that you will pass on these traits to Woolpaw" The tom stepped forward and accepted his apprentice.
"Daisykit, from this day on until you have earned your warrior name you shall be known as Daisypaw. Cindersplash you are known for your patience and wisdom. I trust that you will pass on these traits to Daisypaw."
"Palekit, from this day on until you have earned your warrior name you shall be known as Palepaw. You have chosen to train under Petalpatch. Palepaw, do you accept the post of apprentice to Petalpatch?"
"I do" Palepaw mewed
"Then at the half-moon we will travel to Moonfalls to be accepted by Starclan before the other medicine cats" Petalpatch said padding up to receive her apprentice. Leafstar waited patiently for Petalpatch to lead Palepaw back to the crowd of cats before continuing.
"Silverkit, from this day on until you have earned your warrior name you shall be known as Silverpaw. Wetpelt" The grey warrior's eyes grew wide with shock as he padded up to accept his apprentice "You did a fine job mentoring Marigoldleaf. I trust you will do the same with Silverpaw." After the ceremony Leafstar went back into her den, she was not at all surprised when Shadespeckle barged in.
The silver spotted cat's fur was bristling, she was spitting with rage "What in Starclan's name were you thinking?" She demanded, Leafstar gazed steadily at the enraged queen reminding her of her place. Shadespeckle took a deep breath to calm herself "I just don't understand it Leafstar, we usually don't let parents mentor their kits."
"True but Wetpelt is an able warrior, he has proved himself to be a good mentor and he is extremely dedicated to his clan" Leafstar said calmly.
"A little too dedicated" Shadespeckle muttered bitterly, resentment burning in her green gaze.
"I understand why you are unhappy but Wetpelt is a good warrior, he has a lot to teach Silverpaw. My decision is final" Leafstar murmured dismissing Shadespeckle with a flick of her tail. Shadespeckle growled and stalked out of the den, she saw Wetpelt hovering by the entrance with Silverpaw. She glared at him until he left with Silverpaw in tow.
"Everything alright?" Her ear's pricked up and she turned to see her brother Stormstripes padding over to her.
"For once I'd like things to go the way I thought they would" Shadespeckle breathed staring up at the sky. First her relationship with Wetpelt, then her kit's apprentice ceremony and who knows what else could possibly go wrong.
