Breaking Heart

PT: Read and review! W00t! Anyways, thanks for the review, Heartsong!

Disclaimer: Come off it; I don't own Warriors.

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Shadekit's eyes reflected all of Silverpelt as she padded up to her leader, head held high.

Finally, after six months—that seemed to be an eternity, so endless—she was going to become an apprentice. A brave, learning apprentice; she wondered who her mentor was going to be. Her dearest hope was that it would be her idol, brave and valorous Stonefur.

She could not miss the tingle of excitement that flew to the tips of her fur; there was not much chance of getting the gray tom but the thought was unbearably pleasant.

The silver moon shone upon shining gazes as it hovered, full, on the clear sky. Scattered stars brightened in vigor—twinkled—ancestors looking down at Shadekit. The young she-cat stared up at her pale leader. Her eyes were wide—such eager youthfulness!

Crookedstar cleared his throat, as buzzing cats began to quiet.

A hush settled over the hollow, all sound parting for one voice. Crookedstar began. His gaze set itself on the sleek-furred cat.

"Shadekit," he began, "from this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you shall be known as Shadepaw."

The newly named Shadepaw's heart gave a buoyant leap of joy as a chorus rose to her new name.

"Shadepaw!" RiverClan chanted. "Shadepaw! Shadepaw!"

The said apprentice found her chest swelling on its own; she erected her chin to a higher position. Her whole Clan sang out her name, melding their voices. It was wonderful. Shadepaw let her eyes glitter.

Eventually, the voices faded, until they died completely. Crookedstar went on.

The big moment came now. One question was ringing in the new apprentice's head as her leader parted his jaws: Who was her mentor to be?

Time seemed to slow down, as Shadepaw's eyes widened to a farther extent. She held her breath, appropriate for such a moment for her. Sound started to issue from Crookedstar's mouth…

"Stonefur"—Shadepaw gave a squeal of joy within her head; her heart leapt and so did she, slightly—"you have shown yourself to be a warrior of courage and loyalty. Do your best to pass on these qualities to Shadepaw."

The young she-cat's spirits lifted as she leapt forward to touch her mentor's nose.

Perhaps she should not have bounded so, as Stonefur rose with great dignity. In the next heartbeat, Shadepaw had rammed into the warrior.

Her bright nose made heavy contact with the elder cat's; she saw stars as her head jerked forward from impact. She closed her eyes—snapped them shut—then opened them to find her nose tingling in pain.

A few purrs of amusement or a few disapproving gazes flickered through the crowd. Crookedstar's own eye gleamed visibly as he gazed at the sight.

Flushed, hot from ears to tail-tip, Shadepaw glanced at her new teacher's eyes: amusement.

She sucked in a breath through pointed teeth, embarrassment seeming to glow under her pelt.

Yet, the fact hit her—the beautiful, undeniable fact that cheered her despite her embarrassment. That optimistic fact that she finally realized point-blank.

She was an apprentice at last!