BrambleStar woke with a jolt, gasping from the reality of his dream. What did it all mean?He wondered. A leader of night…..
Nightkit looked up at her mother, who was staring at her with shining, proud eyes. "Is it time for my ceremony yet?" She mewed. "Almost, dear one," Her mother replied patiently. Nightkit sighed and fidgeted, then looked at Moonkit, who glanced at Nightkit nervously, almost looking guilty. Nightkit wondered why her sister looked so guilty, but soon pushed it out of her head. Then came the loud, rumbling meow from the highledge. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own pray join here beneath the highledge for a clan meeting!" Yowled Bramblestar. Moonkit, still shaking, padded out into the clearing followed by Nightkit.
"Moonkit, step up here please," called Bramblestar. Nightkit watched her pad forward slowly. "This is a proud day for Thunderclan," Begun Bramblestar. By naming apprentices we show that Thunderclan will remain strong. Moonkit, is it your wish to take the path of a medicine cat? Though Moonkit was shaking, her voice was strong. "It is, Bramblestar." "Good, Moonkit. Your mentor will be Willowbark, and tonight you will travel with her to the moonpool to receive your apprentice name." Bramblestar nodded and flicked his ears. Moonkit headed over to Willowbark and they touched noses. "Moonkit!" "Moonkit!" Cries came up from all the cats.
Nightpaw's ceremony had gone smoothly, and her mentor was a strong young tom named Bushclaw. He had instructed her to gather moss for her bedding, and then retire. They would start hunting in the morning. She was happy she had nothing to do, because she wanted to see her sister. Nightpaw was confused and a bit angry that her sister had not told her that she wanted to become a medicine cat. She had pictured them training together, hunting together, and fighting together so many times….but now her sister was taking such a different path. She sighed, rose, and padded slowly into the medicine den, her tail dragging the ground.
"Moonpaw," called Nightpaw. "Where are you?" "Over here," called her sister. Nightpaw trotted up to her, then sat quickly with her tail wrapped around her paws. Moonpaw was looking over the herb store, nudging some with her nose and others with her paw. Curiosity overcame Nightpaw's original plan, and she tipped her head to the side. "What are you doing? Do you really know all those herbs already?" Moonpaw purred. "No, of course not. Willowbark told me to look for any dried up or molded leaves and throw them out." Nightpaw nodded, then sighed. "Moonpaw, why didn't you tell me earlier that you wanted to become a medicine cat? I would have understood. I mean, I just thought we would train together, but it's okay if you want to follow a different path. Why wouldn't you just tell me?" Nightpaw glanced at her sister, whose face was crossed with a look of pain and frustrasion. "Oh, Nightpaw, I'm so sorry! I was going to tell you, honest! But you seemed so happy at the thought of us becoming warrior apprentices, I didn't want to hurt you. I just didn't know how to tell you!" Moonpaw wailed. "Don't ruffle your fur," Soothed Nightpaw. I'm not that angry. I was just a little surprised you didn't tell me!" Moonpaw sighed in relief. "Good! From now on, no lies. Ever! I promise!"
Nightpaw slipped in to the apprentices den just as dusk was falling. "Hi!" She greeted. "Where do I make my nest?" Pantherpaw laughed. "With the other little apprentices, of course. "Fine by me," hissed Nightpaw. She slipped into the den with her moss and quickly scrapped together a nest next to pearlpaw, a creamy white young apprentice. As she was settling in, she heard Pantherpaw talking softly with Ravenpaw. "She thinks she's such a big shot. Strutting around like she's deputy or something. We ought to put her in her place." She could see Ravenpaw's head nodding in agreement. "But how? She's in camp all day!" "We'll think of a way," sighed Pantherpaw. Nightpaw's thoughts reeled. What were they going to do to her? She tried to think. Well, if I can get Bushclaw to show me some fighting moves tomorrow, maybe I can take them! No way.She sighed. That would never happen. They are way more experienced, and there's just one of me!Finally she drifted to sleep. I'll think of something in the morning…