"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather around the middle rock for a clan meeting."
Hazelstar's yowl echoed through the cave as cats gathered in the darkness.
"Three of our kits have reached their sixth moon." she mewed. As she spoke, three kits came bounding out of the nursery, followed my their mother, Bluemoon. They stood next to the middle rock and Hazelstar continued.
"Rockkit, Leopardkit and Hawkkit have spent their first six moons in the safety of our camp. Tonight, they will sleep in the apprentice den with Sunpaw and Stormpaw."
The StoneClan leader turned to the tree kits. Leopardkit was bubbling with excitement, while Rockkit stood proudly, as if she was becoming a warrior, and Hawkkit was stood still, wondering who her mentor would be. All three kits were eager to become apprentices.
"Until you receive your warrior names, you will be known as Rockpaw, Leoparpaw and Hawkpaw."
The other apprentices began to call out the names of their new den-mates, and were soon joined by the rest of the clan.
"Rockpaw! Leopardpaw! Hawkpaw!"
The clan quickly fell silent as Hazelstar turned to a pair of warriors who too were stood by the middle rock.
"Brightdawn. You are the clan's deputy. You're first apprentice was Skystripe and now you will mentor Leopardpaw. May your bravery and skill pass on to Leopardpaw."
"Ashcloud. You are a young warrior. It is rare that I give an apprentice to a cat that has so recently completed their training. But I feel you will mentor Hawkpaw well."
"And finally, I will mentor Rockpaw. It has been many moons since I mentored Tigerfrost and I sense that Rockpaw will become a great leader someday."
The new apprentices touched noses with their mentors as cats began to head to their dens.
"Training begins tomorrow."