Hi everybody! Sorry it took me so long, but here is chapter four! I have been really busy, and I really didn't feel like writing. But I finally sat down and said, "I have to finish this! I have kept them waiting long enough!" So...yeah I'm really sorry if I got you guys annoyed on taking so long. Thank you so much for your patience and your comments! I have added picutres of Leafkit, Smokekit, and Dustkit onto my profile so you see what they look like. Yeah that's pretty much it so I hope you enjoy the chapter!

Disclaimer: No I do not own Warriors!!

Leaving the Nursery

One moon later…

Leafkit woke one morning to the sound of birds chirping their daily song, and she shifted her position by Fernpelt's stomach. Her eyes opened to reveal her dark green eyes still tired from the fun day she had with Smokekit yesterday. As she looked around the den she saw everyone was gone except for Fernpelt. She slowly blinked the sleep from her eyes and stood up to stretch her legs. Her mother did not notice that she had woken up, and Leafkit slowly padded to her mother's head. She looked at her sleeping mom for a second, and then it hit her, like a bolt of lightning. She was going to be an apprentice today! Leafkit let out of squeak of happiness and placed her delicate paws on her mother's nose while she used her back legs to jump up and down.

"Mommy! Mommy! Wake up! Wake up!" Leafkit shouted as she kept jumping.

"What honey?" Fernpelt sleepily asked.

"Don't you know what today is?" the overly excited kit asked.

"No sweetie I don't know what you're talking about," the tired queen answered.

"I'm going to be an apprentice today!" Leafkit squealed.

"Oh right, I'm sorry I forgot,"

"It's ok mommy!" Leafkit said while she put her paws on the ground.

"Why don't you go play with Smokekit and Dustkit? I heard Smokekit said he can't wait for you to wake up," Fernpelt said after she laid her head back down.

"Ok mommy sleep tight!" Leafkit said over her shoulder as she walked out of the nursery.

Just as Leafkit stepped out of the nursery a ray of sunlight hit her, and her pelt felt warm against it. She quickly took a glance at Lowtree, and she saw Whitestar watching something. She followed his gaze, and she saw that he was watching Smokekit and Dustkit play fighting. The gray and white kit had the ginger kit pinned down to the ground, and Dustkit was pretending to surrender. Smokekit then got off of Dustkit, and he smiled proudly. He slowly turned his head to see Leafkit calmly watching them, and his eyes brightened.

"Hey Leafkit, come play with us!" Smokekit shouted to her.

Leafkit bounded toward Smokekit and Dustkit with her tail waving playfully. She stopped next to Smokekit and had a smile plastered on her face.

"Can you guys believe it? We're going to be apprentices today!" Leafkit squealed with excitement.

"Yeah I can't wait!" Smokekit looked at Dustkit, who was fidgeting with his paws. "What about you Dustkit?"

"I don't know really. I'm a little nervous," Dustkit said still not looking up.

"Aw c'mon Dustkit you should be excited!" Leafkit said jumping over next to her brother and giving him a playful nudge.

"I don't think I'm ready to leave the nursery," Dustkit admitted, "Maybe I should just wait a few more moons…"

"No way Dustkit, we promised each other that we will stick together and train together no matter what!" Smokekit almost shouted and slightly narrowed his eyes.

"Smokekit go easy on my brother," Leafkit brushed her tail on Smokekit's ear.

"No Leafkit, Smokekit's right. I should become an apprentice at the same time as you guys!" Dustkit looked up and smiled.

"Good, because I would have clawed your face until you said you would become an apprentice if you didn't say that!" Smokekit joked and Leafkit giggled at her friend.

"Yeah…good thing," Dustkit mumbled a little uneasy.

"You know he's joking Dustkit," Leafkit smiled as she nudged Dustkit's shoulder.

"Yeah I wouldn't do that to you!" Smokekit grinned at how gullible Dustkit was.

"So you guys ready to become apprentices?" The three kits turned to see Featherpaw, Emberpaw, and Snowpaw.

"Yeah we are!" Smokekit shouted as he stood up.

"Well someone's a little excited aren't we?" Featherpaw giggled as her sky blue eyes sparkled and her jet black fur ruffled.

"Definitely!" Leafkit squealed as she stood next to Smokekit, her tail entwining with his. Emberpaw saw this and whispered into Snowpaw's ear.

"Look at that Snowpaw," Emberpaw mumbled, "Looks like timid Leafkit has a little crush on Smokekit."

Snowpaw noticed, and her green eyes looked at the two kits, her cloud-white fur blowing in the breeze. Smokekit licked Leafkit on the ear, and Leafkit grinned at him. Snowpaw smiled and nodded to Emberpaw.

"They really make a cute couple," Snowpaw whispered back.

"Hey, what are you guys talking about?" Leafkit tilted her head at Snowpaw and Emberpaw.

"Oh nothing!" Emberpaw answered quickly.

"Ok…so I wonder when Whitestar is going to start the ceremony," Smokekit said as he looked at Leafkit.

"I don't know, hopefully soon!" Leafkit squealed also looking at Smokekit. A few minutes passed, and then suddenly Featherpaw's ears twitched as she turned her head.

"Oh, got to go, Shrewfur's calling!" Featherpaw bounded away and left the camp next to the cream colored warrior.

"Wow…Shrewfur is so cute!" Emberpaw squealed as she kept looking at where she last saw him.

"Here we go…" Snowpaw sighed. Emberpaw began to talk as Snowpaw copied her and said the same thing.

"His amber eyes are so full of life, and his fur just shines like the rising sun. My heart melts anytime I see him smile. I would fight off all of ShadowClan just to know how he feels," They both said with Emberpaw having a dreamy look, and Snowpaw having a disgusted look.

"Are you done!?" Emberpaw suddenly yelled.

"Sorry…But this is why I'm going to be a medicine cat. I don't have to worry about feelings and emotions and icky mouse-brained stuff like that!" Snowpaw said empathizing feelings and emotions.

"Well I want to have kits and watch them become warriors like me," Emberpaw defended herself.

"Oh well…it's your life, not mine!" Snowpaw turned and walked toward the medicine den.

"She can be so moody sometimes! Oh well bye guys," Emberpaw padded toward the fresh-kill pile.

"Wow, that was interesting," Leafkit giggled to herself.

"Yeah it was!" Smokekit laughed.

"Wait…what I just miss?" Dustkit suddenly said.

"Dustkit, where were you these last few minutes?" Leafkit gave her brother a confusing look.

"I really don't know," Dustkit confessed while looking down.

"Leafkit, your brother can really confuse me sometimes," Smokekit looked back at Leafkit.

"Yeah…you get used to it!" Leafkit smiled at Smokekit with a twinkle in her eye.

--

A few hours passed as the sun rose higher in the sky. The three excited kits continued to talk and play as they awaited one of the biggest steps of their lives. They watched closely as they saw the current apprentices running around camp doing their chores. Leafkit took a mental note to always do as she says as she watched Bluepaw get yelled at for forgetting a chore. She smiled as Bluepaw caught her eye, and he nodded to her as he walked toward the elder's den.

Suddenly, a loud yowl was heard throughout all of RiverClan camp, and all the cats lifted their heads. On Lowtree, standing proudly was Whitestar looking around the camp.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Lowtree!" Whitestar shouted.

Leafkit's heart skipped a beat as she saw her father patiently waiting for all the cats to gather around the Lowtree. She looked at Smokekit, and he had a blank expression on his face. Dutskit had already bounded toward the Lowtree and was sitting next to Bluepaw. Leafkit slowly made her way toward the other cats, and she found a spot next to Emberpaw. After a second or two, Smokekit appeared next to Leafkit, and he entwined his tail with hers. She looked up at him, and he gave her an encouraging smile. Leafkit glanced up to see her father standing.

"Today is a very special day for three members of RiverClan," Whitestar started while looking at the three anxious kits. "Leafkit and Dustkit, my own kits, and Smokekit have reached their sixth moon."

Leafkit smiled at the sound of her name, and she quickly groomed her fur so she looked her best. Smokekit looked at his best friend and laughed to himself. In his opinion, her fur looked beautiful not matter how much she groomed it.

"These three kits have patiently waited six moons and are ready to become apprentices." Whitestar looked at Smokekit. "Smokekit!"

Leafkit felt Smokekit jump a little before he bounded up in front of Whitestar, his tail twitching with excitement.

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

Leafkit started to chant his name and the others joined in. Smokepaw smiled at the sound of his new name, and he turned his head to Leafkit. Leafkit gave him a reassuring smile.

"Firestorm," Whitestar called.

The fiery red warrior looked up, and his eyes shined with excitement. Firestorm hadn't had an apprentice yet, and he had a liking to the brave gray and white tom.

"You were mentored by Ashfoot, Smokepaw's father, and he made you one of our best warriors," Firestorm purred at Whitestar's comment. "Now RiverClan asks you to take your wisdom from Ashfoot and give it to his son. I know you will be a great mentor, and we all can't wait to see what you do to this new apprentice."

"I'll do the best I can," Firestorm dipped his head to Whitestar and made his way to Smokepaw.

Smokepaw raised his head as high as he could and touched noses with his new mentor.

"Dustkit!" Whitestar called.

Dustkit bounced forward and sat with his chin up in front of Whitestar. Whitestar smiled at his son and began to speak.

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

This time Fernpelt was the one to start chanting. She shouted her son's new name with pride. Dustpaw smiled and looked up at his father, who was waiting for the clan to quiet down. Once the clan quieted down, Whitestar lifted his head and continued.

"Blackstripe!" Whitestar called.

Dustpaw flinched and his eyes widened. Leafkit's eyes darkened as she looked at her brother. He wanted any mentor, any mentor! But he had to get Blackstripe! Daddy made a big mistake there, Leafkit thought. Blackstripe was not trusted by most cats in RiverClan. He was originally from ShadowClan, but he longed to be a RiverClan warrior. Whitestar had accepted him and given him the same treatment he would have given any cat. However, many cats knew that Blackstripe is actually kin to the one and only, Tigerstar. Tigerstar lived in the clans long ago, but his name still makes any warrior shiver and hiss. Blackstripe was a light brown tom with jet black stripes on his fur. His light green eyes looked up at his leader as he stepped forward.

"Many cats here do not trust you, Blackstripe," At that remark, many cats began to shout their agreements. Whitestar silenced them with a cold stare, even Leafkit backed away. Her own father began to scare her a little. "However, it is your time to prove yourself loyal. I am taking a risk and I will let you train my only son. I know you will give him your strength and your independence."

"I won't disappoint you, Whitestar," Blackstripe nodded his head.

Dustpaw slowly got up and reluctantly touched noses with his new mentor.

"Last but not least, Leafkit!" Whitestar yelled.

Leafkit couldn't hold it in any longer. She raced forward, and she skidded to a halt in front of her father. A smile was plastered on her face, and her dark green eyes sparkled.

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

Smokepaw began the chants, and soon everyone was saying her new name. Leafpaw smiled and she lifted her head up proudly, waiting who her mentor will be.

"Spottedfoot!" Whitestar called.

Leafpaw smiled the biggest smile she ever had. She really wanted to be trained by the gray and white she-cat. Spottedfoot sprang up onto her feet, and she quickly stood next to Leafpaw. Her green eyes sparkling like Leafpaw's.

"Spottedfoot, you were trained by my mate, Fernpelt, and you have become a great warrior…and friend. You are ready for your first apprentice. I trust that you will give your patience, quickness, and skill to my daughter."

"I will make her the best warrior you have ever seen!" Spottedfoot shouted proudly.

"Good." Whitestar purred at the two.

Leafpaw quickly turned to her mentor and they touched noses.

"RiverClan now has three proud apprentices, and their mentors will train them to become fine warriors. The ceremony is over, let the training begin!" Whitestar ended the ceremony and jumped off Lowtree.

All of RiverClan began chanting the three new apprentices' names.

"Smokepaw! Dustpaw! Leafpaw!" they all shouted.

The three new apprentices smiled with pride, and they were congratulated by many of their clan mates.

After a while, the clan quieted down and returned to their clan duties.

"Come on let's all find you guys some nests in the apprentice den," Spottedfoot suggested.

"Alright!" Smokepaw said as he and his two friends bounded toward the den.

--

Later, it was almost moonhigh (midnight) and Leafpaw began getting comfortable in her new nest. The day had been wonderful for her, Smokepaw, and Dustpaw. Their mentors had shown them the territory, and she and Spottedfoot had begun fishing training. Leafpaw looked up, her nest was located between Smokepaw and Emberpaw, and both were asleep. Leafpaw was being careful not to wake them. She finally settled down and looked at Smokepaw sleeping. His chest was slowly moving up and down, and his whiskers twitched in his sleep. She purred at him and she quietly moved closer to him. Leafpaw gently placed her head on his soft gray back. She let out a sigh, and she fell into a deep sleep. Smokepaw slowly lifted his head. He saw his best friend resting her head on him. He smiled at her and he gently licked her between her ears. After that, he put his head back down and fell asleep. That night both Leafpaw and Smokepaw feel asleep with enormous grins on their faces.

Wow. That was pretty long. Seven pages! Yay! That was my longest chapter! I hope it was long enough for you guys. I will try to work more on the next chapter! Please review!

xXxRainstarxXx