"They are coming! The patrol is coming this way!" The she-cat burst into the den, her eyes wild. The dark male whipped around, his crimson eyes wide. "How much time do you think we have?" He asked his mate.
"They are on patrol, so we have a little bit of time." The grey queen mewed. The black tom nodded.
"Alright, let's prepare. I will put more leaves and sticks over the entrance of the den. You go get that moss over there. Dip it in water, and when I am finished, squeeze the water around the ground to get rid of as many of our scents as we can. We don't want them finding us." Said the dark male. The she-cat nodded. The male trotted outside, the female following with wet moss.

Raptorkit woke up gently. Her dream remained fresh in her head. Who were those two cats in the dream? Who were they trying to hide from? Raptorkit yawned, closing her eyes again, trying to go back to sleep. She prayed to Starclan she wouldn't have more dreams about those 2 strange cats. But her sleep barely lasted 5 minutes before something began shaking her shoulder. "Raptorkit! Today is the day! We become apprentices today!"
"Yes..yes.." Raptorkit told Leopardkit, her voice tired and slurred due to sleepiness. "But Dad said it wasn't until Sunhigh. I have plenty of time."
"Well, Mom said you need to get ready." Leopardkit sat in front of her. "You need to wash and eat and stuff. You want to get Birchleaf as a mentor, right? You'd better look good if Lionstar is going to give you someone good. Plus have you noticed that none of the senior warriors have apprentices? Maybe we can get a senior warrior as a mentor!"
"Now, Leopardkit," Silverstripe said from across the nursery, "All the warriors are great mentors. You're lucky that you have such amazing warriors who could be your mentor."
"Yeah, yeah, I know." Leopardkit smirked, and trotted outside to get breakfast. Raptorkit pushed herself out of her nest and nuzzled her mother. Silverstripe smiled, "Raptorkit, you need to clean up. Sunhigh will be here before you know it."
"Yes, mother." The black she-kit mewed, trotting towards the fresh-kill pile. Across the clearing, she saw Snowpaw and Quailpaw talking. {In less than a day, I can be talking to them! I will be an apprentice!} She smiled, her red eyes gleaming. She picked a plump mouse from the pile, biting into it eagerly. She saw a cat approaching her, and looked up to see her father. "Hello, Dad!"
"Are you excited, Raptorkit?" He asked, his deep amber eyes focusing on her red ones.
"Yeah! I am really excited." She smiled.
"Who do you think you will get as a mentor?" He asked again.
"Well, I don't know, but I really want Birchleaf for a mentor. She is kind and very sweet." Raptorkit beamed.
"Hm. Ok. Hope you get her then." He turned and stalked off to talk to Lionstar, who was sitting in the shade of the Great Rock. {Maybe Dad is telling Lionstar to give me Birchleaf as a mentor!} She thought excitedly to herself. She saw Lionstar nod. Raptorkit downed the rest of her mouse. Raptorkit began grooming herself. As she licked down her fur, she began thinking about her dreams and flashbacks. Those cats..? Who where they? Why were they so bent on protecting her? Raptorkit didn't even know them. {That male looked alot like me..} She frowned. Should she mention it to Mintfur, the medicine cat? Or was this something she should keep to herself? Raptorkit sighed. Maybe she should take a little nap. Sunhigh was several hours away. She could spare a catnap.

-A few hours later-

"Raptorkit, the meeting is starting in a little bit. Get up and get yourself ready." Silverstripe's gentle mew. Raptorkit woke up and quickly sat up. Silverstripe quickly groomed her kit's fur.
Raptorkit smiled, "I am so excited, Mother!"
"Get out there, my little apprentice. Lionstar will start any heartbeat now!" Silverstripe nudged Raptorkit outside, and the black kit scampered out. She smiled as Lionstar climbed onto the Great Rock. {Today is the day..The time is now!} She beamed as Lionstar called out,
"Let all cats old enough to hunt prey gather beneath the Great Rock for a clan meeting!" Lionstar stood majestically on the large rock, his golden pelt shining in the sun. As the cats gathered, Raptorkit, Silverstripe and Leopardkit sat in the front. Lionstar smiled as he started, "Today, we are gathered to appoint 2 new apprentices. Raptorkit and Leopardkit, would you please step forward?" With a smile on her face, Raptorkit stepped forward, her younger brother behind her. "Raptorkit, Leopardkit, it is time you became apprentices. Leopardkit, you have reached 6 moons old. From this moment forward, until you gain your warrior name, you shall be known as Leopardpaw. Your mentor shall be Desertflower. Desertflower, you are kind and intellegent. I expect you to pass on these amazing traits to this eager learner."
"Leopardpaw! Leopardpaw! Leopardpaw!" The clan cats called out. Raptorkit had to push down a squeak of excitement as Lionstar called out her name. Raptorkit walked forward, her head held high like her father taught her too. Lionstar smiled, "Raptorkit, you have reached 6 moons of age. Until you gain your warrior name, you shall be known as Raptorpaw." He smiled. Raptorpaw smiled, eagerly awaiting her mentor. Lionstar had a slight smile on his face, "I will be your mentor." He announced. The clan was silent with shock.
Then they erupted into cheers, "Raptorpaw! Raptorpaw! Raptorpaw!"
"This clan meeting is dismissed!" Lionstar announced. He then leapt off Great Rock and touched his nose to Raptorpaw's nose. His warm yellow eyes bore into her red eyes. "I will make you into a great warrior." He whispered. "Go rest and meet your new denmates: Snowpaw and Quailpaw. Meet back here in a little bit, and we can start our first lesson."
Raptorpaw nodded eagerly, "Yes Lionstar!" She ran towards the apprentice den, where Leopardpaw, Snowpaw, and Quailpaw where waiting. Snowpaw greeted her, "Hello Raptorpaw! I have heard things about you. It will be fun spending the rest of my time in the Apprentice's den with you!" She smiled, "Right Quailpaw!"
"Yeah." said the brown apprentice, "Right." She flicked her tail. Raptorpaw yawned, "I am tired. I had a long day. Can you show me my nest, please?" She asked. Snowpaw smiled, turned and beckoned for her to follow.
"Don't think Quailpaw doesn't like you." She reassured, "She is just a bit sassy. But she will lighten up to you later on. Here is your nest." Snowpaw smiled, "Sandstream let me line is feathers and stuff. I hope you like it!" She grinned. As Raptorpaw lay down on it, she sighed contently,
"It's perfect! It's so soft and springy..Thank you Snowpaw! I love it!" She lay down her head on her paws, then raised her head, "Oh I almost forget! I have to meet Lionstar!" Raptorpaw bolted out of the den, skidding to meet Lionstar who was patiently waiting.
"Raptorpaw! Hello. Our first lesson today is on the warrior code."
"Alright. I am ready."