"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here for a clan meeting!" Bluestar's yowl woke Firekit from his nap. He opened his large emerald eyes to the face of his sister, Puddlekit.
"Firekit! Today's the day!" She mewed excitedly. Firekit blinked and stretched as his mother, Frostfern, leaned down to thoroughly lick his pelt. Then the two kits followed their mother into the middle of Thunderclan's camp, Puddlekit hopping excitedly the whole way.
"We gather here today to appoint two new apprentices," Bluestar announced. "Puddlekit, please step forward."
Firekit began to become anxious as his sister was given her new name, Puddlepaw, and appointed to her mentor, Longtail. What if Bluestar decided him not good enough for a mentor? What if she kicked him out of the clan? What if his new mentor hated him and yelled at him? Firekit's heart beat quickly as Bluestar called him forward.
"Lionheart, you have served this clan well, as a brave and honorable warrior. I hope you can pass on your experience and knowledge to your new apprentice." Firekit stepped forward tentatively. Lionheart looked reassuringly at him as he stepped forward to lick his leader's shoulder.
"By the powers of Starclan, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Firepaw!"
"Firepaw, Firepaw, Firepaw," his clanmates cheered. Firepaw raised his tail proudly, and Puddlepaw came to nuzzle his cheek.
Firepaw followed Lionheart back into camp. They had just completed a tour of Thunderclan's territory, which was way bigger than Firepaw could've imagined.
"Grab yourself a mouse. I'll see you at sunrise," Lionheart told Firepaw. Firepaw nodded and trotted off to join his sister by the fresh kill pile.
Firepaw entered the apprentice's den. It was made out of brambles and surprisingly warm and sheltered from the outside. Puddlepaw had already chosen a nest in the back, and she was snoring softly. Firepaw lay down on some stale moss next to her and closed his eyes.
He was almost asleep when a large cat entered the apprentice's den and curled up next to him. The cat's name was Tigerpaw, he recalled. Tigerpaw was only a few moons older than him, but he was already twice his size. He had a harsh and dominant scent, and it caused Firepaw to scoot over a few inches. Firepaw wondered how an apprentice could already have such defined muscles. Even though Tigerpaw was posing no direct threat to him, Firepaw couldn't help but feel intimidated.