Welcome back! Thank you to guest reviewer Wildfang |.| for inspiring the title for this book! The alliances will come shortly after this, they are in line with Chapter One, not the prologue
Please read, enjoy and review guys! Thanks for all your support with Raging Storm, it means so much ;P
(Two moons after Silverpaw's return to ThunderClan)
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath Highledge for a Clan meeting!" Shimmerstar's cheerful yowl echoed through the hollow. The Clan began to gather. Silverpaw stretched and heaved himself out of his nice comfy nest. Where's Ivykit? She must still be asleep. I'll go wake her up. Silverpaw decided. Just as he was about to head over to the nursery, Mallowleaf padded out with four kittens following after her. All four cats were freshly groomed, with sleek pelts and shining eyes. Of course! How could he have forgotten? Ivykit, Applekit, Mosskit and Rosekit were six moons old, and ready to become apprentices. Silverpaw padded up to the kits, now shuffling excitedly outside the nursery, and greeted each one with a friendly flick over the ear.
"Hello, kits." He purred.
"Apprentices!" Applekit corrected crossly with a flick of his tail.
"Whoa, steady on! You haven't even had your apprentice ceremony yet!"
"But we will in a moment!" Ivykit mewed, circling Silverpaw excitedly. Silverpaw was about to reply, but he was cut off by Shimmerstar.
"Today is a day where I can perform one of my favourite duties." She began. "Mosskit, Rosekit, Applekit and Ivykit have reached thei sixth moon and are ready to become apprentices. Come forward, you four." The long furred leader leaped lightly down the tumble of rocks by Highledge to meet the kits at the bottom. They stood up straight with dignity, but the flick of a tail or gleam of an eye betrayed how excited they were.
"Mosskit, come forward." The tiny tortoiseshell did so. "From this day forward until you receive your warrior name, you shall be known as Mosspaw." The new apprentice stifled a squeak of excitement. "Duskpelt, step forwards." The dusky tom looked pleased and excited. "Pass on your wisdom, thoughtfulness and skill in battle to this young apprentice." The two cats touched noses. Shimmerstar went on to give Rosepaw to Spottedfeather and Applepaw to Shellwhisker. Finally it was Ivykit's turn. The one eyed kit hadn't let her limited sight lower her skills. Her hearing and sense of smell were stronger than any other cats.
"From this day forward until you receive your warrior name, you shall be known as Ivypaw." Ivypaw bounced in joy, then tried to settle down. A purr of amusement rippled through the crowd.
"Since the untimely death of Mistcloud, ThunderClan has been without a medicine cat apprentice. So, Rowanleaf has decided to take you on as his apprentice." Shimmerstar was interrupted by a wail of anger from Ivypaw as she stared at her leader in dismay.
"I want to be a warrior!" She yowled. "I want to fight and hunt and defend my territory. I want to have a mate and kits!" Shimmerstar tried to console the young cat.
"We think this role will best suit your skills-"
"My skills?" Ivypaw snarled. "You mean my eye! Just because I've only got one of them doesn't mean I can't be a warrior! What about White-eye? Brightheart? They didn't let one eye get in the way of being great warriors!" Rowanleaf swept through the clearing and put his tail firmly over Ivypaw's jaws. She spat it away furiously.
"I need an apprentice." He meowed calmly. "You are the only cat suitable for the role." Ivy let out a fuming hiss, but seemed to relent from arguing anymore.
"Fine." She muttered mutinously. She stalked into the medicine den, nose high. Silverpaw felt a slice of dismay. I like Ivypaw so much, he realised. How could that ever happen now?