"Let all cats old enough to catch fish gather to hear my words," Sandstar called out pridefully. She was situated on Highdune, the tallest sand mountain within Clan boundaries - well, over the whole island, since all the dunes belonged to OceanClan.
Roughkit and Palekit tumbled out of the nursery, squealing. A cry of "There's no way you're old enough to catch fish! Get back in there, rascals!" was heard from the grumpy, yet good-hearted elder, Tortoiseface. He winked at their mother, Flowingfur, as he walked toward, and sat below, Highdune.
Lightkit squirmed as her frantic mother hurriedly licked her face and chest.
"Flowingfur! I can wash myself!" she whined, her mother holding down her agitated squirming. Lightkit sighed and finally gave in, narrowing her eyes, though they sparkled with excitement.
Flowingfur purred with amusement, but kept grooming her kit. Before all had gathered, she paused. "Where's your sister, Lightkit? Go and check on her."
The patched white-and-grey she-kit bounded off happily, tasting the air for her littermate. After a brief search of the nursery, which ended in vain, Shimmerkit walked to her mother on her own, receiving the same treatment Lightkit had endured. Shyer than her sibling, not a single mewl of protest escaped her dark grey lips. A chorus of hurried hushing was sounded, and the mother and kits, along with their father, Blueforest, sat up straight, facing Highdune.
"Six moons ago today, two new beings were brought into this world, with StarClan's grace. We all know too well that there has been a lack of apprentices her in OceanClan" - here grumbling from a few senior warriors could be heard - "but today, I would like to name two very special kits into the apprentices we've been missing. Shimmerkit, come forth."
The still-small kit trembled as she drew forward, realizing that Twitchnose, the medicine cat, was sitting at the foot of Highdune, as well as a young warrior, Mudtalon.
"Shimmerkit, your father and mother are both brave and loyal warriors. But StarClan - and I - want you to follow a different path."
Lightkit struggled to see over the heads of her Clanmates. Finally, after much straining on Lightkit's part, and a lack of patience on her mother's, Flowingfur picked her up by the scruff. Lightkit stifled a surprised mewl as she regained attention on the ceremony.
"…one day be a faithful medicine cat of OceanClan. From now until you receive your full name, you shall be known as Shimmerpaw."
"Shimmerpaw! Shimmerpaw!" her Clan chanted. Shimmerpaw's fur tingled with excitement as she thought about her new life.
As the cheers died out, Lightkit said to her mother, "She looks glad to be medicine cat apprentice. I know I wouldn't be!" Blueforest quickly sent his paw to the side of her ear, and she shut her mouth.
Sandstar called forward the recently reprimanded kit. "Lightkit. I expect you to work hard and diligently to provide for your Clan, like your mother and father did before you. Mudtalon, please share with her your courage and strength, and train her to be the very best she can be. Lightkit, from now until you receive your warrior name, you shall be known as Lightpaw."
The Clan again erupted into loud cheers of Lightpaw's name as she touched her nose to her new mentor, Mudtalon's.