Chapter One

I'm going to be an apprentice!

That thought was in Sagekit's head as he padded across the clearing. His sister, a calico she-cat named Fernkit, padded right next to him, her head and tail high. Behind was his mother, Suncloud, who looked exactly like Fernkit; an amber-eyed calico, and his father, Leafstorm, a mottled brown cat with emerald-green eyes. The warrior closely resembled his son, except that Sagekit wasn't mottled; he was a sand-colored tabby tom. However, he had Leafstorm's eyes.

"What do you think my warrior name'll be?" Fernkit hissed in her brother's ear, "Probably something weird. Like Fernfrost. Or maybe a really cool name like Fernstorm. I really don't like names like Fernflower or Ferncloud; they sound she-cattish, but Fernpool is fine. Or what about Fernstep? I…"

Sagekit rolled his eyes. His sister was very chatty, and it drove him crazy to hear her talking about what her warrior name would be.

"Okay, okay, but isn't it a bit too early to be talking about your warrior name?" Sagekit mewed.

"Oh, come on, Sagekit! You're so…uh...how can I describe you…err…oh, whatever! Let me just say that you can be really annoying!"

"That's enough, you two," Suncloud purred, her amber eyes warm with amusement, "Save this conversation for later. Look; you're already at the Speaklog!"

Shocked, the two siblings looked up; they were under the Speaklog! And on the very top of the log, which was leaning against a time-worn boulder, was the leader, Snakestar! The dark brown tabby tom looked down at them, waiting patiently.

Hot with embarrassment, Sagekit and Fernkit looked down at their paws, not daring to look at their leader.

"Sagekit, Fernkit, please look up at me."

Slowly the two kittens lifted their heads towards the leader.

"This is a proud day for MarshClan; by naming apprentices we show that MarshClan will survive and remain strong. Sagekit, from now on until you receive your warrior name you will be known as Sagepaw."

Immediately all of Sagepaw's embarrassment vanished as Snakestar announced his apprentice name. The dark brown tabby's white chest was puffed up with pride when he announced Sagepaw's mentor's name.

"Your mentor shall be Swanflight. Swanflight, Oakflower was your mentor, and I hope you will pass her intelligence and wit to your apprentice. May StarClan light your path."

Sagepaw's mentor padded next to him; she was a beautiful silver tabby with blue-green eyes and muscular shoulders.

The young tabby tom stretched up touched noses with his mentor.

After the clan chanted the new apprentice's name, Snakestar called Fernkit up.

"Fernkit, from now on until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Fernpaw. Your mentor shall be Swiftpelt. Swiftpelt, Spottedwing, the leader before me, was your mentor, and I hope you will pass her courage and strength to your apprentice. May StarClan light your path."

Fernpaw ran up to a black-and-white tom; she was bouncing with excitement as she touched noses with her green-eyed mentor.

"I'm an apprentice!" Fernpaw squealed, running up to her brother, "We're both apprentices!"

"Hey, Fernpaw! Sagepaw! Want to see the nests we made for you?" a bright golden tabby named Lightningpaw asked, eagerness in his voice.

"Sure, Lightningpaw!" Sagepaw answered, "We'd love too!"

The siblings were both outside the apprentices' den, which was a large hollow within the reeds. Inside, moss and pieces of river stones and shells lined the interior. The nests, which were made out of brooklime, moss, and reeds, were placed throughout the den. Some of them were occupied by sleeping apprentices.

"Follow me!" Lightningpaw whispered as he led them to two nests, "These are the ones!"

"Uh…" mewed Sagepaw.

"Err…" meowed Fernpaw.

"Aren't they great?" the light yellow tom asked, "They're perfect!"

"Well, uh, Lightningpaw? Why are they placed near the entrance?" Sagepaw questioned, curiosity in his mew.

"Oh, it's just some tradition. I really don't know why they're placed near the entrance, but it's a tradition."

"Oh, okay."

I wonder…

"You two should really go to sleep." A new voice sounded in Sagepaw and Fernpaw's ears. "It's almost moonhigh; you should really get some rest."

"Okay, Stormpaw! You can be so…bossy sometimes," Lightningpaw meowed, exasperation in his voice.

"Come on, Sagepaw," Fernpaw whispered, "Let's go to sleep."

The two cats curled up into their nests as a warm breeze blew through the den.