Hi. Here's the next chapter. I left out of the summary that I was using songs from the Broadway version, not the Disney movie, so some of these songs aren't going to be from the movie. Just thought I'd let you know. Oh, and also, all the stuff in italics is either thoughts or songs. The second paragraph of this chapter is the only one with a thought in it, so all the other italics are part of this chapter's song. Read on!

Lionkit burst out of the nursery, racing across the camp to the fresh-kill pile. His sister Dovekit was so close that she practically ran onto his heels, her white fur blurring into Lionkit's golden pelt.

Suddenly, the dawn patrol returned. The Clan's newest warrior, Owlfur, led four cats, Sandstorm, her apprentice Honeypaw, Brackenfur, and Whitewing through the camp entrance. Owlfur always was a jumpy cat, but Lionkit had never seen him so exited. He's probably just happy about leading his first patrol so soon after his warrior ceremony; it's only been a few days.

His eyes focused on the patrol, Lionkit, who was still running, stumbled. He fell flat on his face as Dovekit raced ahead of him. She leaped over the fresh-kill pile, her eyes glowing with victory.

"I won!" she boasted. "I told you that I was faster." She ran in a quick circle around the pile and trotted over to where Lionkit was cleaning the dust out of him fur. She followed his gaze to where the patrol sat in front of Firestar, reporting everything that they had seen. She seemed to voice his thoughts completely: "I can't wait 'til we're apprenticed. I can't believe that the ceremony is finally today!" Lionkit had been told about his apprentice ceremony days ago. He was desperately attempting to hold back his anticipation, but it got harder with each passing day. Now he would only have to wait until sunhigh.

As Lionkit and Dovekit scooted closer to the patrol and Firestar, Lionkit heard Owlfur singing excitedly to Firestar:

This is the morning report
Gives you the long and the short
Every grunt, roar, and snort
Not a tale I distort
On the morning report

The other cats in the patrol were flicking their tails and whiskers in amusement at the way Owlfur was acting. Before long, Lionkit and Dovekit were doing the same. In moments, Lionkit was ungracefully creeping up towards Owlfur. Brackenfur broke away from the group and approached Lionkit.

"What are you doing, Lionkit?" inquired Brackenfur.

"Pouncing." Replied Lionkit. On Owlfur, he added silently. But Brackenfur seemed to understand. Luckily, he did not try to hold Lionkit back, but replied amusedly.

"Let an old pro show you how it's done… Stay low to the ground… Sh! Not a sound! Take it slow, then…"

This is the morning report
Gives you the long and the short
Every grunt, roar, and snort
Not a tale I distort
On the morning…

"Pounce!" Shouted Brackenfur.

"Repo- Ahhhh!" Owlfur yowled as Brackenfur landed heavily on top of him, his flanks heaving with delight.

"That's how you pounce Lionkit." Proclaimed Brackenfur triumphantly. All the cats that had seen the affair were rolling on the ground with laughter. Even Firestar, who said nothing, had a glint of enjoyment in his eyes.

…………………………………

"May all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!"

Firestar's voice rang out through the camp. Cat's scurried out of their dens and settled into clusters below Highledge. Lionkit's entire pelt tingled with excitement. His apprentice ceremony was finally here. He sat with Dovekit and Sandstorm at the back of the crowd, enjoying the feeling of her rough tongue quickly cleaning his fur. Heartbeats later, Firestar spoke again as the two kits made their way towards him.

"By naming apprentices, we show that ThunderClan will survive and remain strong. Dovekit, from now on you will be known as Dovepaw. Brightheart, you are ready for another apprentice. You will be Dovepaw's mentor." Firestar nodded to Dovepaw, and she approached Brightheart. Dovepaw's new mentor licked Dovepaw between the ears. Lionkit look expectantly up at Firestar. "Lionkit, from now on you will be known as Lionpaw. Brackenfur, you are ready for an apprentice. You will be Lionpaw's mentor."

Lionpaw wanted to yowl with happiness. Brackenfur was to be his mentor! Brackenfur was a very kind cat, and patient too. Lionkit knew that his and Dovepaw's apprenticeships were the start of something wonderful. He vowed to himself that he would train hard to become the best warrior that ThunderClan had ever seen!