Chapter 2: The Apprentice Ceremony.
Dawnstar was on the Meeting Rock. Stonedust stood at the bottom of the huge rock. He looked at Cinderkit and Dapplekit with pride. Cinderkit straightened up and tried to ignore the sharp glare Hawkkit gave her.
Cinderkit felt the reassuring flank of her sister. She looked ahead, trying to block the memory of this morning out of her head.
Cinderkit and Dapplekit walked over to sit with their mother, Creeksong. She looked almost more proud than their father.
Dawnstar started speaking from the top of the Meeting Rock. "As every cat in this clan knows, this leafbare is the longest and hardest in clan history. There isn't enough prey to go around and there aren't enough warriors to protect the clan from dangers inside and outside WindClan's borders. Today, there are three kits old enough to help the clan in this harsh season. Hawkkit, Dapplekit, and Cinderkit. It's time for you three to learn what it means to be a true WindClan cat."
The clan cats yowled their approval. Dawnstar waited for every cat to calm down before continuing. "Hawkkit!"
Hawkkit stepped forward and looked up at Dawnstar.
"Hawkkit I was considering not giving you your apprentice name because of the pranks that you play on all your clanmates. But, I talked to your parents and they convinced me that you have waited long enough. So, until you have earned your warrior name, you will be known as Hawkpaw. Barkfang, I trust you to train Hawkpaw and teach him to respect the Warrior Code and his fellow clanmates."
Barkfang walked up to his new apprentice and led him to the other side of the hollow to watch the rest of the ceremony.
"Dapplekit!" Dawnstar called out.
Cinderkit could see the excitement in her sister's eyes as her name was called. Dapplekit left her mother's side to stand in front of the Meeting Rock.
"Dapplekit. Your excitement and kindness shows that you will be an excellent apprentice. Until you have earned your warrior name, your name will be Dapplepaw. Owlclaw. You are a young warrior, but I know that you will be a great mentor for her."
Dapplepaw bounced around to her mentor. Her eyes sparked with excitement.
"Cinderkit!" Dawnstar said.
It was almost like Cinderkit's legs turned to stone as her name was called. She slowly walked up to the Meeting Rock. She looked up the clan leader.
"Cinderkit. The pranks that Hawkkit has played on you have made you scared and timid. But, I know that if you have confidence in yourself, you can become a warrior WindClan can be proud of. Until you have earned your warrior name, you will be known as Cinderpaw. Heatherfur, I know that you can be the mentor that Cinderpaw needs. Teach your apprentice how to trust herself and those around her."
"Cinderpaw! Hawkpaw! Dapplepaw! Cinderpaw! Hawkpaw! Dapplepaw!" The whole clan welcomed the three new apprentices. Every one congratulated them. Cinderpaw never felt so happy to have the clan's attention.
Heatherfur padded up to Cinderpaw. "Well, are you ready to see WindClan's territory for the first time?"
"Yes!" Cinderpaw said, feeling a spark of excitement as they walked toward the gorse tunnel.
