A soft light was cast upon the frosted ground as the sun peeked out from behind a light grey cloud. The day was definitely going to be clear, as the clouds were fading away by the second and it was becoming warmer.
The ground was lightly sprinkled with the remaining snow from the day before, and the air was crisp and clear, snow sparkling on the ground. The river could be heard gurgling slightly on this day, the ice having been cracked slightly.
Gazing around at the beautiful camp, Hailkit couldn't be happier at that moment that she belonged to RiverClan. Her sister Mistkit let out a small mew of surprise when a figure came into view, eyes twinkling.
"Breezetalon!" Hailkit welcomed cheerfully, exchanging a joyous glance with her grey-pelted sibling.
Breezetalon chuckled, shaking his black and white coat free of the frost that clung to his fur. Hailkit recoiled slightly, wrinkling her nose as a few drops landed on herself, the cold seeping through her short fur. "Are you two excited? The weather's certainly cleared up for your special day, hasn't it?"
Mistkit nodded beside her, having always been the quieter one of the litter. "Yeah," Hailkit decided to announce for her sister, if she wasn't going to speak up. "We're going to be the best warriors in the whole of Clan history!"
"You are," Mistkit reminded proudly, flicking her tail in excitement. "I'm going to be Dappleleaf's apprentice."
Hailkit bit back a remark about how boring being a medicine cat was. She knew her sister enjoyed herbs and wanted to know how to heal people, but Hailkit thought that being a warrior was far better. Fighting, hunting, and maybe even becoming leader one day! She'd tried to tell her sister of this when she'd first learned about Mistkit's decision to become a medicine cat apprentice, but she'd received a good cuff on the ears and a strict warning from her mother not to put down her sister's dreams again.
"Well, I'm going to be Minnowflower's apprentice," Hailkit returned playfully, thinking of the elegant deputy.
"Bee-brain, she's already got Featherpaw."
"Yeah, I guess," Hailkit swept a silver tail along the ground in reluctance, almost regretting it as the snow made her tail cold, and a shiver shot up her spine.
Breezetalon's whiskers were twitching in amusement, green orbs glittering. "There's excellent warriors out there that will be perfect for mentoring you, Hailkit. And you'll love Dappleleaf, Mistkit. She's not the sweetest medicine cat ever, but she'll look after you."
"Mistkit, Hailkit!" Hailkit pricked her ears and spun to see her mother racing forward, fur ruffled and eyes frantic. "I've been looking all around for you two. Why is it you always sneak off under my paws?"
Breezetalon chuckled, dipping his head in greeting to the tawny she-cat. "Hello Mintcloud. Don't worry, I was talking to them."
Mintcloud's looked to him, and when she spoke her tone of voice was grateful, "Thank you. You always seem to be playing with the kits, they must be such a bother."
Hailkit let out a slight mew of protest as Mintcloud pulled them closer with a tail and began to groom her and Mistkit. Although the consistent looking helped to soothe her excited nerves, she didn't like having to be fussed over, like a kitten. She was supposed to become an apprentice today, she couldn't be seen being coddled by her mother.
"It's no problem. I enjoy it."
"Yeah," Hailkit bobbed her head enthusiastically. "It's fun playing with Breezetalon! Why isn't he our dad instead of Marshthorn?" Just thinking about the intimidating brown warrior made her sober up more. Around her father she always had to be respectful, and quiet. He never played with them, and rarely even came to the nursery to visit. She would've much preferred Breezetalon be her and Mistkit's father.
Mintcloud ignored her question, although Hailkit noticed -with a tinge of pride at her observation skills- that she flicked an ear, signaling she had indeed heard. "The ceremony's going to start in a minute, dears. Go sit by the nursery and wait for Reedstar to call a meeting, understand? I have to talk with Breezetalon for a moment." A quick rasp on the head between the ears and Hailkit and her sister were pushed gently towards the bramble thicket that was the nursery.
Huffing as she was shoved away from the conversation, she tried to strain and listen, but was met by a disapproving look from Mintkit. "Hailkit, don't! Mintcloud said we had to stay here and wait for Reedstar."
Scuffing a paw in the snow, she sighed, her pawpads tingling from cold. "You're such a spoilsport Mistkit. Don't you want to know what they're talking about?" She pressed, nudging her with her button nose.
Mistkit's eyes flickered slightly, but she shook her head. "No," the striped kitten mewed firmly, slightly surprising Hailkit, who had expected a different reaction. "Mintcloud said we're not supposed to, so I won't. How can I expect everyone to trust me as a medicine cat apprentice when I don't listen to my mother?"
Hailkit blinked at Mistkit's wise words, slightly taken aback. It seemed on the day she was to become an apprentice, she became more assertive as well. Touching a streaked silver tail to her sister's flank, she said, "Sorry Mistkit. I was just excited, that's all."
As Mistkit opened her muzzle to respond, a familiar wiry figure leapt up, letting out a loud yowl for the Clan to come together. Instantly all forgiveness was forgotten as Hailkit filled up quickly with excitement, her tail twitching in anticipation. She'd waited six moons, and today was the day she was finally going to contribute to the Clan. A glance to the side revealed that Mistkit too was jittery, although she seemed a spot more nervous.
"Would all cats old enough to swim in the river please come together for a special ceremony."
Mintcloud rushed over immediately, pushing Hailkit and Mistkit down into a polite sitting position, tail wrapped around her paws. Mintcloud seemed to be even more anxious than her!
"Be good little kittens when you go up, my little saplings," Mintcloud shispered soothingly. "This is your proud moment. Seize it by the claw."
As Reedstar began to speak, Hailkit couldn't help but get more worried by the second. What if her new mentor didn't like her? If she wasn't good enough to be an apprentice? However, she brushed these worries aside to shoot a hopeful look at her father, hoping that he would be proud. However he was stoic as ever, no proper emotion on his face. Swallowing her disappointment, she glanced back up at her frail leader.
"I have been leader for many moons," Reedstar announced, eyes twinkling. "But after all this time I still think this is one of my favourite duties as the leader. Mistkit, Hailkit. It is time for you to move on to the next stage in life. Mistkit, would you like to step forward?"
Hailkit pushed her striped sibling encouragingly, and watched as Mistkit stood before the leader, quavering slightly.
"Mistkit has been very brave, and she has chosen to take the path of a medicine cat. Dappleleaf has given her consent, and if Mistkit agrees, she will learn the ways of healing. Mistkit?"
"I-I do," Mistkit nodded, earning a smile from the leader. "Then with the power of StarClan, from now on until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Mistpaw. May Dappleleaf train you well."
All too soon it was time for Hailkit's turn to shine, and she couldn't help herself from shaking ever so slightly as her paws moved forwards by themselves, pulling her to the front to stand before Reedstar. Up close, Hailkit could see how old the brown tom really was, grey flecks spotting his pelt.
"Hailkit, you're a very energised young cat. Bearing this in mind, I have chosen a cat capable of honing your energy into positive things. With the power of StarClan behind my back, I name you Hailpaw, until you are granted your warrior name. Your mentor will be Lilyfern."
A small white she-cat padded forward, eyes gleaming in eagerness. Remembering that she had to be polite, Hailkit stretched up and bumped noses with her mentor, sending a small ripple of chuckles through the crowd.
Embarrassed by the awkward encounter, she padded off to join the other apprentices. Eyeing them up, there seemed to be a lot of apprentices, and they were all much bigger than her. Slightly intimidated, she shot a look to Mistpaw for help, only to miss Mistpaw's line of vision entirely and meet the strict gaze of Marshthorn.
His gaze seemed to be reprimanding her, so she straightened up, flattened her fur down quickly and shoved her fear down as far as she could muster.
"Hey Hailpaw," a streaked white cat bounded up, tail flicking happily. Hailpaw faintly remembered her to be called Streampaw. "Do you want to come and see our den? I'll help you make a nest, if you'd like," she meowed earnestly.
Hailpaw felt slightly split. She badly wanted to go and explore the territory, but it would be good to make some friends. Glancing up to Lilyfern for help, her mentor quickly decided for her, smiling gently, "Why don't you grab something to eat and get settled in. I have some duties to do anyway, things you would find boring. Perhaps I can take you for a tour later on today, when the snow has melted a bit more."
Feeling slightly more close to Lilyfern, she curved her muzzle into a smile. "Thanks, Lilyfern!"
Streampaw led the way over to a thicket den, and slid inside, leaving Hailpaw to follow her in. Wincing slightly as the branches tugged against her fur, she was soon in the den, which was pleasant to her surprise. No cats were in the den apart from them, as Hailpaw assumed the rest would have gone out for duties and things.
Streampaw brushed a tail towards an empty space right next to the entrance. "That's where we'll put your nest. The youngest cats have to sleep right next to the entrance, sorry. But it's very cramped with all of us, so you shouldn't be too cold!"
Blinking at what would be her new home for the next moons, Hailpaw hoped that it was indeed not to cold. The winds could be deathly cold at night in the leaf-bare season.
"Thanks, Streampaw."
"It's no problem," Streampaw replied warmly, beginning to sweep scraps of moss and bracken away. "Featherpaw and Mosspaw helped me and my brother when we became apprentices."
"Speaking of your brother, here I am!" A broad-shouldered russet tom appeared, having dumped a lot of moss on the floor beside Hailpaw. Reaching out a paw, she kneaded the moss gently, to test the softness.
"Redpaw," Streampaw purred, although she was rolling her eyes. "You're such a fish-brain. I was just showing Hailpaw around."
"I know," Redpaw meowed, flicking his sister with a tail in playfulness. "Lilyfern sent me here with moss for your nest. I think she gathered it for you."
Slightly uncomfortable with the littermate's banter, she nodded. "Thanks."
"You're so lucky, you got Lilyfern, Hailpaw!" Streampaw meowed enviously, although friendly. "She's like the sweetest mentor ever! I had her once when Fishclaw was sick with greencough."
Hailpaw thought this over, and immediately changed her mind about her mentor. Lilyfern must be kind, to have gotten moss for her bedding. Making a note to be the best apprentice to her, she smiled at Streampaw. "Thanks. I hope she's as nice as you say."
Redpaw snorted, shoving the moss forward with a large paw. "She's way too soft, if you ask me. But maybe she suits you, Hailpaw."
Bristling defensively, Hailpaw shot him a glare, tail twitching in irritation. Who was he to judge? "I'm not soft, and Lilyfern will be a great mentor. Who's your mentor, then?"
"Marshthorn," Redpaw puffed his chest out in a boasting fashion, obviously expecting Hailpaw's immediate praise.
Hailpaw became slightly stony as she thought of the father that had almost never visited. "Great mentor, isn't he?" She retorted bitterly. Redpaw was obviously talented a fighting, the way his muscles rippled underneath his fur. Marshthorn must of spent far more time with his apprenice instead of his kin. Suddenly feeling hatred for the red tom, she pulled the moss from him and began to mould it into an unshapely nest, having never done it before.
Too annoyed to care, she left the misshapen nest and flicked a silvery ear to Streampaw. Pushing past Redpaw, who was still seeming rather stunned, she stepped out of the den and into the bright daylight, blinking at the slushy snow that clung to her legs. Spotting her mentor, she quickly trotted over to the white she-cat, swerving past the fresh-kill pile as she did so.
"Lilyfern," she greeted, pushing a smile onto her muzzle. "I'm ready to go now."
Seeming slightly surprised, Lilyfern nodded, licking the nose of Fishclaw tenderly. Hailpaw felt slightly bad that she'd spoiled Lilyfern's special moment with her mate, but was glad as Lilyfern quickly lead her out of camp. They were met with streams, and Lilyfern pointed out the rocks that jutted out from the half-frozen water.
"We'll use the stepping stones today, as the water is too cold. You won't ever have learnt how to swim anyway, being born in leaf-bare."
Hailpaw followed her mentor carefully as Lilyfern leapt from one rock to another. Digging in with her claws, she stared down at the splitting ice, imagining falling into the freezing water. Once on the other side she breathed a sigh of relief.
Hailpaw gazed around the territory in wonder as Lilyfern pointed out various things. It had been different to what she had imagined, and she had to keep her mouth clamped from letting out a gasp of excitement. She watched as Lilyfern walked with ease, knowing every branch and pebble that lay in her path, while Hailpaw stumbled along clumsily behind her.
"Watch out for the roots up ahead," Lilyfern chuckled slightly. "When I was an apprentice, I tripped over them and landed flat on my face."
Just the thought of Lilyfern falling on her muzzle sent bursts of giggles to Hailpaw, and she couldn't hold them back. Lilyfern smiled, obviously pleased she'd gotten along well with her apprentice. Hailpaw was happy as well. It seemed that Reedstar had been smart in his choice.
"Do you smell something?" Lilyfern questioned, and Hailpaw scented, immediately wrinkling her nose in disgust. "Yes. It reeks!"
"That's the WindClan border," Lilyfern nodded approvingly, waving a tail towards a large plain of grass. "That's the marshes where WindClan live. Don't cross the border, otherwise you'll most likely be ripped to shreds. The same with ShadowClan, which is on the other side of our territory. I show you on the way back."
Hailpaw nodded and trotted after Lilyfern, who was already on the move. After what seemed like an age of walking and taking in everything, they arrived at the lake, which was large. The water was blue in the bright sun under the ice. Lilyfern took a seat on the pebbly shore, and Hailpaw followed suit, wondering what to do.
"Let's start with fishing, as at the moment that's the most important thing. We don't suffer as much as the other Clans, as we always have our fish. Now, it's a great day to teach this, as the ice is nice and thin. First, we make a hole to fish out of."
Lilyfern unsheathed her claws and made a small hole in the ice. Peering into the water, Hailpaw could make out small shadowy figures dart away quickly. It seemed strange seeing them actually moving instead of on the prey pile.
"Now then. You have to be quite still when fishing," Lilyfern instructed, pulling down into a pose. "Go down into a small crouch, and make sure you won't hit any reeds that rustle in the water. Keep your claws unsheathed and your shadow away from the water. If they see your shadow they'll scat faster than you can say StarClan. Watch and wait carefully, it takes a lot of patience."
Hailpaw stayed still watching her mentor carefully, the way she poised, her paw ready to drift into the river, the way she positioned so that her shadow leant the other way.
"When you see a fish, flash your paw in quickly and hook your claws into the fish. You have to be quick, or you'll miss it." As if on cue, there was a flash of silver in the water, and quick as lightning Lilyfern shot a paw into the water soundlessly, pulling her paw out just as fast. The fish flew out of the water and onto the bank, writhing helplessly. Lilyfern leant forward and bit it neatly and it died, it's life-force slowly draining away. Soon it was still, dead.
"Wow," Hailpaw breathed, having completely forgotten all about Marshthorn and Redpaw. "Can I have a go?"
"Of course. That's why I taught you. Go ahead, crouch down, on the other side, it'll divert your shadow away."
Once poised in the correct place, Hailpaw inhaled a breath, staring at the water intently. She placed her paw close to the water. After what seemed like moons, her body was beginning to ache, but a silver shape flashed through the water, and Hailpaw delved her paw in quickly on instinct.
A sharp pain streaked up her paw, and she let out a yelp, jumping back hurriedly. A great jet of water jumped out of the pool to spray Hailpaw and Lilyfern, but it whenever it touched her pelt, it stung like nothing she'd ever felt before. Letting out a yowl, she scurried away, her mentor pushing her forward as they sprinted away from the shore and back into the heart of RiverClan territory.
Hailpaw's silver body stung with pain, and she gasped, "What happened?"
Lilyfern seemed to be in similar shape, and she shook her head. "I don't know. Let's get back to camp and see Dappleleaf and Reedstar."
She took off, pausing every now and again for Hailpaw to stagger after her, sides stinging. It burned, and she had to bite her tongue to stop from yowling aloud. Why had that happened? And to her, of all cats on her first day of apprenticeship.
Crossing the stream to get back to camp was hard, she couldn't grip properly with her weak, stinging paws, and almost slipped into the river more than once.
The deputy Minnowflower met them with a worried crease, leaping forward to help Hailpaw, who was just about collapsing.
Fishclaw rushed to Lilyfern's aid, seemingly worry-stricken for his mate.
"What happened?" Minnowflower questioned, giving support to Hailpaw.
"The water," Hailpaw managed to muster up. "It.. It stings," she mewed faintly.
"Featherpaw, run and fetch Dappleleaf," Minnowflower ordered. Hailpaw faintly felt a small nudge from someone she couldn't quite pick out in blurred vision.
"Hailpaw? Are you okay?" Streampaw, Hailpaw's mind registered faintly, before everything faded to dark slowly.
"Hailpaw?"
