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The Clan deputy, Maplecloud, gathered the warriors and the two older apprentices, Thunderpaw and Sagepaw, below the Highledge and started organizing the day's patrols.
As Silverpaw turned around, a rush of white fur splashed into his face and bowled him over.
"We're apprentices! We're apprentices!" He swatted Frostpaw away affectionately.
"Yeah, it's great, isn't it!" Silverpaw replied. Skywhisker came padding over with Skycloud on his tail.
"I'm so proud of you both!" He exclaimed. "But just because I'm your father, Frostpaw, doesn't mean I'll go easy on you! In fact, I'll have to train you twice as hard; dawn patrols every day!" He fixed his daughter with a mock stern gaze. Frostpaw's eyes widened with horror, until she realised her father was joking.
"And you, Silverpaw, Clan leader's apprentice! You must have a lot of potential!" Skywhisker's vibrant blue gaze shone with pride. Skycloud came to stand beside her mate and looked at both of her kits.
"You have to be good now you're apprentices. No fighting, always do what your mentors say, and don't go wandering off anywhere without permission! Now Mallowleaf, Nightshine and I aren't going to be watching you every minute you have to behave!"
Mallowleaf was the mother of Mosskit, Ivykit, Rosekit and Applekit, who had been kitted a couple of moons after Silverpaw and Frostpaw had, leaving the two litters firm friends. Nightshine had only had Stormpelt's kits a few sunrises ago, and Yewkit and Oakkit hadn't even opened their eyes yet.
Silverpaw felt he would miss having Rosekit, Ivykit, Applekit and Mosskit around with him all the time, especially Ivykit. She really doted on him and was really sweet, always offering to get him and his sister prey, and finding soft moss and feathers for their nests. Oh well, I'm an apprentice now. They'll catch up in no time!
Shimmerstar came bounding up to the two littermates and their parents.
"I hope you're ready!" she warned. "I'm going to take you on a tour of the territory along with Thunderpaw and Sagepaw, and then I'll take you to the mossy clearing for some battle training." At the mention of their names, the two older apprentices came reluctantly up to their leader, grumbling about training with younger apprentices and their final assessment. Both brothers were nearly at their warrior ceremonies and would be having their assessment any day now.
"Skywhisker, what about you?" Shimmerstar queried.
"I think I'll take Frostpaw with you. It would be good for both of them to do their first tour with a littermate. I remember my first tour of the lake with Froststorm." His eyes glazed over with nostalgic memories.
"Come on then, Skywhisker. Stop daydreaming and let's get going!"
Just as the group of cats raced past the honeysuckle bush where the elders den lay and the basking rocks towards the thorn tunnel, a bundle of kits came rolling out of the nursery at Silverpaw's feet.
"Bye, Silverki- I mean Silverpaw!" Ivykit squeaked. "We'll miss you being a kit!" Her brother Applekit nodded enthusiastically alongside her. Warmth spread throughout Silverpaw.
"I'll miss you too, little kits!" he purred. "But I have to go now. I'll tell you all about our territory when I get back!"
Not pausing to see what they said, Silverpaw ran to catch up with Shimmerstar, who was waiting but the entrance of the tunnel with understanding in her eyes.
"Come on, let's go." She meowed.
The patrol bounded through the tunnel and into the forest. Finally, he was out of camp! Silverpaw took a deep breath in at the fresh new leaf scents of new greenery and prey flooded into his jaws.
"Come on, keep up the pace!" Shimmerstar turned and beckoned Silverpaw forward.
"I'll show you the lake first, and then I'll bring you to the mossy clearing for some battle training. Skywhisker?" she asked, turning to the silver striped tabby.
"I think I'll join you." He meowed.
"Thunderpaw and Sagepaw," Skywhisker turned, addressing the two older apprentices, "you can hunt when we reach the edge of the woods. Both come back with two pieces of prey each or you'll be out again at dawn tomorrow." Thunderpaw hissed under his breath.
"You're not my mentor, so don't even try to boss me about." Silverpaw turned to face the mottled tabby.
"That's not very nice, is it? He's my father so you can do what he says!"
"Waa? I didn't say anything!" Thuderpaw protested.
"Yes, you did, and I'm not going to let you insult my father." Shimmerstar rounded on Thunderpaw.
"That is not respectful of your senior warriors! You can now bring back three pieces of prey back from hunting."
"Hey, that's not fair!" Thunderpaw growled.
"Each." Shimmerstar hissed. Sagepaw's eyes flashed with dismay, but he had the sense not to say any more.
"Let's get on, shall we?" Shimmerstar raced ahead, paws skimming the ground. The rest of the apprentices and Skywhisker hared after her, Silverpaw panting as he tried to keep up.
As the trees thinned and the steep slope they had been struggling up evened out, the lake gleamed ahead of them.
"Thunderpaw and Sagepaw, start hunting, and if I don't have three pieces of prey each by sunset you'll be out tomorrow sunrise." Shimmerstar ordered. The two apprentices slunk back into the trees.
"Silverpaw and Frostpaw, this is the lake. Over here," she meowed, gesturing her tail to the direction of sunset, "is Shadow Clan territory. They live under sparse pine trees. Across the lake in River Clan, and where the sun rises is Wind Clan. They hunt rabbits that run on the moor, and live out in the open." Wow! Thought Silverpaw. There's so much territory!
"Do the lake territories go on forever?" he wondered aloud.
"No," came Skywhisker's amused reply. "They end quite close to here." He paused. "Now, come on. We've seen the lake, so let's start on some battle training." As the other cats bounded away, Silverpaw wondered, Will I ever be as good as them?