Chapter 1:

Thunderpaw

"I gather you all for one of my many duties," Silverstar announced. She is a white she-cat with gray bangs that cover part of her green eyes, and she has black stripes along her back. "Angelkit, Darkkit, and Thunderkit have reached their sixth moon. They have already explored the outside world so they should be prepared," Silverstar went on staring blankly ahead." I hope they are ready."

"Hey, what about me am I going to become an apprentice!" Asked Fangkit, my brother, confused at not being called.

"Oh yeah and the little kit over there," Silverstar pointed to Fangkit. His fur bristled with anger. He is my biggest sibling so it weird to call him "little." My name is Thunderkit. I am a light gray tabby she-cat with black stripes and a lightning bolt marking on my face. I am six moons old and love chasing leaves with my brothers and sister.

"Angelkit!"

My sister nervously stepped forward. She is a small she-cat with short gray fur, blue-gray stripes, and a white belly.

"From this day until you receive your warrior name, you will be Angelpaw."

Lionpaw called her name and the others soon joined in. Silverstar looked at the cloud-darkened sky with dismay." I ask Starclan to watch over this apprentice and guide her until she finds that her paws the strength and courage of a warrior."

Angelpaw shook with excitement.

"Amberfur," Silverstar called.

The golden she-cat lifted her head. Her eyes brightened, and excitement showed in the twitch of her tail as she stepped forward.

"You mentored Badgerclaw, and she is a loyal and strong warrior," Silverstar meowed. "Now Silverclan, asks you to prove yourself once more a great mentor."

"I would never let you down," Amberfur promised her eyes shined.

Angelpaw gracefully walked forward and raised her muzzle to touch noses with her new mentor. They whispered something that I couldn't hear, but no one else seemed to notice it.

"Darkkit," Silverstar announced.

Darkkit charged to the center and lifted his head to Silverstar. He is a dark gray tom with black stripes and a black diamond on his head.

"From this day until you receive your warrior name you will be known as Darkpaw.

"Darkpaw, Darkpaw, Darkpaw!" Angelpaw lead the chant this time. Her dainty paws lightly thumped the ground as she called his name.

Silverstar looked down with curiosity." I ask Starclan to watch upon this apprentice and guide him until he learns all the skills and the strength of a warrior."

"Badgerclaw! I think you are ready for your first apprentice. Teach all your courage, strength, and faith to young Darkpaw." Silverstar yowled.

Badgerclaw step forward nodded her head to Darkpaw and he stepped forward. She lowered her muzzle and touched Darkpaw's muzzle. A flash of happiness shown in both of their eyes as they walked off to see the rest of the ceremony.

"Thunderkit," Silverstar called with suspicion shining in her eyes. I wondered why.

I proudly puffed up my chest and raced to the center.

Silverstar's cold eyes looked at me unblinking." From this day until you receive your true name, you will be known as Thunderpaw."

The three apprentices called out my name. I starred at my siblings and Lionpaw as they called my new name. Lionpaw seemed so big and strong. In the nursery I had been older than Orangekit and Rufflekit. Now I would be one of the youngest of my denmates. My heart drummed like paw racing on the thunderpath.

"Dappleleaf," Silverstar called out.

Cool! Dappleleaf is a white tortoiseshell with orange patches and sparkling radiating blue eyes. She is our medicine cat, and she is my mom's, Riverstorm, best friend. I felt so light on my paws I was afraid the rushing wind would carry me away over the trees and river into Fireclan's territory. I was going to be a medicine cat apprentice! I never considered it before; this was going to be great.

"I know that I am putting Thunderpaw in safe paws," Silverstar meowed. "I pray that Starclan gives your apprentice all the strength and wisdom she will need."

"I will teach her as much as I am capable of," Dappleleaf promised. She touched my muzzle with hers, but her eyes were clouded with nervousness. What is she nervous about I am not that bad!

"Fangkit!" Silverstar snarled angrily for an unknown reason.

Fangkit marched into the clearing head high, chest puffed out and looked defiantly up at Silverstar.

"So much disrespect for your leader! Be grateful I let you become an apprentice at all you cursed beast!" Silverstar spat looking murderously at my brother.

Everyone gasped in shock and Fangkit jumped in fright his fur bristling but he boldly walked forward and stood looking up to Silverstar with anger.

"Your mentor will be Firefang. He is loyal, trustworthy, and young. Maybe he can teach a Foxheart like you respect and the warrior code." Firefang is Iceclaw's brother, so he sometimes comes to the nursery and visits her and her kits. They quickly touch muzzles and then separate like mice.

I am confused. Why would Silverstar hate my brother? What happened between them? Dappleleaf broke my concentration when she walked up to me. I looked at her expecting to hear my first duty as a medicine cat apprentice.

"A storm is coming…" She whispered calmly.

"What!" I asked in surprise.

"I can smell it in the wind. Come on I want to show you some of the best places for herbs before it rains. We might need them this Leafbare." Katieleaf meowed. I followed her out of camp taking my first steps out of camp as an apprentice.