"Cloudkit, until you receive your warrior name, you shall be known as Cloudpaw. Bluewing will be your mentor."
Volekit watched as her sister stepped down from the top of Ivystar's den and padded to her new mentor. Despite how young Bluewing was, she was one of the strongest and most respected cats in ShiningClan. She would make a great mentor.
"Volekit," Ivystar began once the cats gathered below had ceased their cheering. Excitement coursed through Volekit's entire body. She couldn't keep her tail-tip from twitching ever so slightly.
"Until you receive your warrior name, you shall be known as Volepaw. Your mentor will be Adderstrike."
Volekit's eyes widened. She was going to be trained by the deputy of ShiningClan? She padded over to where Adderstrike sat, right at the edge of Ivystar's den. The she-cat stood as she approached. Volekit couldn't help but purr quietly as she and her new mentor touched noses. As they pulled apart, the Clan began cheering again.
"Cloudpaw! Volepaw!"
Ivystar looked down into the crowd. He waited until the clamor died down before dismissing the meeting. Volepaw caught Cloudpaw padding towards her with Bluewing right on her tail.
"We're apprentices now, Cloudpaw!" she purred.
"I know, mouse-brain. What else would that ceremony have been for?" Cloudpaw's tail lashed happily behind her, betraying her excitement.
"You two should go find your mother and father," Bluewing mewed. "I think I saw them heading towards the nursery."
Adderstrike nodded. "Yes, and then head to your new den. Wolfpaw and Maplepaw have already made your nests for you. And don't stay up all night chattering. Training starts first thing tomorrow morning."
Volepaw dipped her head. "Got it!"
As they approached, Ottersplash looked up from speaking with Palefur. She purred and licked Volepaw's head when she reached her.
"I'm so proud of you two."
Volekit felt a bushy tail brush against her shoulder and turned to see her father, Poolgaze, gazing down at her and Cloudkit with bright blue eyes.
"You two will be amazing warriors, I'm sure of it!"
"Definitely!" Oakkit squeaked, tumbling out of the nursery.
Volepaw's whiskers twitched in amusement as she watched him scramble to his paws. She'd miss her old denmate. Don't think like that! He'll be in the apprentice's den when he's old enough.
"We should head to sleep now, Volepaw," Cloudpaw mewed.
"Right," she replied. She touched noses with her mother and father one more time, and her sister did the same.
"Save me a spot in there!" Oakkit called out as they padded away.
"Okay!" Volepaw and Cloudpaw replied in unison.
Maplepaw greeted them at the front of the den.
"C'mon," she mewed, turning and ducking into the den. Volepaw and Cloudpaw followed. Wolfpaw merely lifted his head as they entered. Maplepaw lay down in the nest closest to him. "Those two are yours." She pointed with her nose.
"Thanks," Volepaw mewed, plopping down in one. Cloudpaw lay down next to her.
"Are they comfortable enough?" Maplepaw asked.
"They're perfect," Cloudpaw purred contendedly, burrowing deeper into the moss.
"Good," Wolfpaw grunted. "Maplepaw made me skip training to help her make those." He rested his head on his paws and closed his eyes.
Maplepaw gave him a dirty look. "At least we know it was worth it now. Sleep well, you two."
"No problem," Cloudpaw yawned, already half asleep.
"You too, Maplepaw," Volepaw replied, shifting so that her pelt brushed against Cloudpaw's. Volepaw shut her eyes and let peaceful sleep wash over her.