Bathed in Blue

Chapter 2: Bluepaw

"Bluekit, don't be a sleepy head! Don't say you've forgotten about our apprenticeship! Goldenstar has already called all of the cats up to the highrock! Come on, come on!" The kit awoke to her brother, Regalkit, staring over her and chattering excitedly.

"Oh, I haven't forgotten!" Bluekit lifted herself up, forgetting all thoughts of sleep. She pushed past her brother in an excited frenzy and stopped to wait beside the nursery, where her mother and Branchkit had also paused. Regalkit padded out to join them, grinning.

The three siblings looked up simultaneously as their Clan leader, whose golden-yellow pelt shone even brighter in the rising sun, began to speak. "As most of you know, we are gathering here to celebrate the apprenticeship of three of Sunpelt's kits." Goldenstar paused as many of the cats shouted "Congratulations!" to the kits' mother, who raised her head proudly.

"Regalkit, would you step up here? You too, Rosetail." Bluekit's heart gave an excited flutter as her brother strutted up to the highrock proudly. So Rosetail was his mentor… she had always seemed like a great warrior to her… a strong and powerful fighter but gentle at heart. Who would be Bluekit's mentor?

Once both cats had settled themselves, Goldenstar passed his tail over Regalkit's head in recognition. "From now on, this cat will be known as Regalpaw." Bluekit's brother beamed, not even trying to hide his joy. The leader turned to Rosetail. "Rosetail, you were taught by Gentleheart, a great warrior. I trust you will pass on the skills you have learned in hunting, fighting, and the warrior code to Regalpaw." Rosetail nodded and touched noses gently with Regalpaw before padding off of the highrock with him.

"Now… Bluekit, it is your turn to come here. Whitestorm…" Goldenstar nodded to the young warrior, who calmly stepped up to the highrock. For a second, Bluekit didn't think her paws would work, but before she knew it she was striding up to join the two toms already there.

In the moment before her leader began speaking again, Bluekit looked at her new mentor. Whitestorm was an abnormally young warrior who had proven himself in a large border fight with RiverClan by chasing off three warriors alone. He was powerful, Bluekit could tell, just by looking into his dark eyes. "From now on…" Bluekit tore her eyes off of her new mentor so that she could look up at Goldenstar instead. "…This cat shall be known as Bluepaw!" Bluekit's - no, Bluepaw's heart gave a great leap. She was on her first step to becoming a mighty warrior! Goldenstar's words to Whitestorm were muffled as his earlier words pounded in Bluepaw's ear. Bluepaw… Bluepaw…

With a jolt Bluepaw realized it was time to touch noses with her new mentor, and they walked off of the highrock together to join the crowd of cats before Goldenstar.

The ceremony was repeated to Branchkit, who became Branchpaw. His mentor turned out to be no other that Goldenstar himself! Bluepaw felt a pang of jealousy, but reminded herself that her own mentor was a noble warrior. She cast a glance over at Whitestorm, who was staring intently ahead. Before she could cast the thought out, she found herself thinking, But he's no leader!

Once all three cats had become apprentices, the throng of warriors, apprentices, and elders, began chanting the new apprentices' names. "Regalpaw! Bluepaw! Branchpaw! Regalpaw! Bluepaw! Branchpaw!"

The chant continued, getting louder each time it was repeated, until the elders grew tired of the constant yowling, and padded back to their den, and the other cats soon followed. Bluepaw felt somecat licking her ear affectionately and turned around to face her mother. "Bluepaw!" Sunpelt's eyes shone with pride and content. "Only an apprentice, why do I feel so proud? Just imagine what it will be like for me soon… when you're a warrior!" That comment made Bluepaw's fur prickle for excitement of what would come, what would come soon… "But right now I think you should go greet your new mentor. Isn't that him there?" Sunpelt gestured with her tail and Bluepaw swung her head around to see Whitestorm quickly sharing tounges with Grassfoot, a young she-cat, in the process realizing that she was the only one left in the clearing.

Embarrassment made her suddenly shy as she padded up to Whitestorm. "Whitestorm, can we go out to the woods? I want to start training!"

"Of course." Whitestorm smiled at her and picked himself up from the forest floor. "I was planning to do that right now. You don't mind, Grassfoot?"

"Not at all! I know you need to train with your new apprentice." Grassfoot's pale, clean fur glistened, and she beamed up at Bluepaw and Whitestorm.

She's obviously interested in him. Can't he tell? thought Bluepaw with a tinge of amusement as she glanced up at Whitestorm. But he was only beaming back obliviously. After a second the white warrior turned away and walked towards the forest, pausing to look back at Bluepaw.

"Well, we're going, aren't we?" Bluepaw nodded enthusiastically and followed after him, her tail shooting straight up. It was her first time to see the forest. What would await her there? Adventure? Of course! What else? She smiled to herself and padded onwards.

Yep! Chapter 2! All of the names right now are made up, except for Bluepaw, Whitestorm, and Rosetail, just to remind you. Please review!