Chapter Two
Stormkit woke sleepily, blinking the drowsiness from his eyes. Featherheart was sleeping a few tail-lengths away from him, her chest rising and falling as she breathed deeply. Stretching his legs and letting out a yawn, Stormkit padded out of the medicine den.
Cloudheart and Tornstar were sitting near the entrance, deep in conversation. When Cloudheart saw him, she let out a growl.
"You're awake," she meowed disappointedly, as if she wanted him to sleep and never wake up.
"Now, now, Cloudheart," Tornstar purred, his gaze on Stormkit, "you shouldn't act so rude." There was something about his voice, the way he was looking at Stormkit, which made his pelt ripple with fear. "I hope you're ready for what we have scheduled for you." He purred silkily. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the tallbranch for a Clan meeting!" He yowled, springing into the massive tree and laying on the lowest branch.
Cats began to pad sleepily out of their dens, shaking their pelts and stretching their legs. Featherheart came out of the medicine den, a worried look in her eyes, which flooded with relief as she saw Stormkit. A few moments later all cats were gathered, looking expectantly at Tornstar.
"I have gathered you here today for an overdo apprenticeship." He mewed icily, his gaze falling on Stormkit. "Stormkit, please step forward."
Something is wrong, Surprise washed over Stormkit, and he glanced at Featherheart, her expression reflecting his. Although a little over six moons, Stormkit hadn't thought he'd become an apprentice. Who would be his mentor? The only cat in the clan that liked him was Featherheart... What if Featherheart was his mentor? The thought excited Stormkit so much it made him shake. But then he realized something: none of the cats were protesting.
Stormkit thought. He padded cautiously forward, waiting for cats to lash at him, but it never came. Looking closer, Stormkit saw that his clanmates claws were sheathed. There were no growls, no snarls, not even a menacing stare. They all just watched him with icy calmness.
Stormkit pushed these thoughts to the back of his mind. This was his apprentice ceremony! He should be happy! No other cat liked him but Featherheart, so she must be his mentor. Reaching the tallbranch, Tornstar had jumped down while Stormkit was padding forward, Stormkit sat, his pelt itching with unease.
"Stormkit," Tornstar began, "you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to become an apprentice." His words chilled Stormkit, rather than excited him. "Until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Stormpaw."
Stormpaw looked expectantly at Featherheart, but her gaze was uneasy. Featherheart would be his mentor! But as Tornstar spoke, his next words slammed into Stormpaw like brambles.
"I will be your mentor."
Cliffie! :3 haha sorry. But everyone was probably expecting that xD I'll be sure to update as soon as I can!