Forced Path

"Littlekit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Littlepaw." Sparrowstar meowed, smiling on top of the Highbranch. His brown tabby fur looked even more shiny today.

"Your mentor will be Flamepelt. I hope Flamepelt will pass down all he knows to you."

The cat in question, Littlepaw's mind was racing. He barely acknowledged the cheers of his own name, and then Sparrowstar started talking about his new mentor and how he'd teach him everything he knew. Littlepaw ignored all of this, feeling weak.

'How? How could they? They knew...they knew I didn't want this. I talked to Fawndapple, she said yes...They knew...' Littlepaw then felt the presence of something looming over him. With nausea, he realized it was Flamepelt. They were supposed to touch noses.

'I don't want you as my mentor...I don't want this. This isn't my destiny, it can't be!' Despite his raging thoughts and trembling body, he touched his nose to Flamepelt's. The big ginger tabby looked down at him in pride.

"I'm glad to be your mentor, Littlepaw." he purred, his amber eyes looking as if they were glowing.

'I'm not...' "M-me too...Flamepelt."

Just then, Sparrowstar's strong voice rang out in the clearing again. "But...this isn't the only apprentice ceremony we are having today. Fawndapple, I leave it to you." he announced, gesturing his tail to the brown she-cat down below.

The she-cat, Fawndapple, cleared her throat and then spoke. Her brown fur seemed to shimmer in the sun, and her white spots seemed more noticeable. "Cats of MudClan, as you know, I will not live forever. So it's time I took an apprentice. I have chosen a cat who has shown kindness and intuition. Your next Medicine Cat will be...Eaglepaw."

Littlepaw's eyes widened, looking over to see his sister smiling proudly as Fawndapple mentioned her name. "Eaglepaw, do you accept the post of apprentice to Fawndapple?" Sparrowstar questioned.

Eaglepaw's blue eyes lit up, her brown and white fur puffing up a bit in pride. "I do." Fawndapple smiled softly. "Then at the half-moon, you must travel to the Moontree to be accepted by StarClan before the other Medicine Cats."

Sparrowstar then spoke up. "The good wishes of all of MudClan will go with you."

"Eaglepaw! Eaglepaw! Eaglepaw!" the clan cheered, everyone besides Littlepaw.

Rage. Pure, unadulterated rage was coursing through him. It was as if fire was running through his veins, devouring all of him.

'How...why? That's supposed to be me...not her...not my own sister. I wanted to be her apprentice since I was a young kit. I asked her! She said yes!' his mind screamed at him. 'It's because of that stupid dream she had, isn't it! About a stupid thing that was going to happen! It was just a dream, can't you see that...?'

Littlepaw was broken out of his thoughts by a voice. "Finally got what you wanted, eh apprentice?" Flamepelt asked playfully as he sat beside him.

'No...it's not fair. Why can't you see? No, no, no, no, no, no...'

"O-of course, Flamepelt. Just what I've always wanted...'