Hola! Well, even though I didn't think I'd get a chance to, I updated!
DISCLAIMER: Erin Hunter owns Warriors, not me!
Chapter 6:
"Shimmerkit! SHIMMERKIT! Wake up, wake up!"
The silver tabby hissed grumpily, "why should I?" "We're becoming apprentices!" the voice eagerly replied.
Faster than lightning, the she-kit shot up out of her nest. "Wait, today?! Now?! WHEN?!"
Foxkit giggled, "Right after the dawn patrol comes back! Cinderheart is frantic! And Shadekit has been walking around with his chest all puffed out kinda like Bramblestar when he's announcing something!"
Shimmerkit thought for a moment, Bramblestar does puff his chest out a lot when he's announcing things… "Where's Lionblaze?" she finally asked. She wanted to make sure her father knew that she was becoming an apprentice!
"Talking to Jayfeather. Like always," her sister mewed bitterly. Their father rarely came to see them and spent much of his time with Jayfeather and Dovewing.
Shimmerkit sighed, "ok. Do you know where Spiderleg is?" she looked up to the dark tom and loved to spend time with him.
"I think he's by the fresh kill pile. He was talking to Bramblestar last time I saw him"
The silver kit nodded a thanks to her sister and padded out of the den. "Hey Spiderleg!" she called, spotting him by the entrance to the warriors' den. The tom's ears perked up as he swiveled around to face her.
"What is it?" he meowed. Shimmerkit ran up to him, "I'm becoming an apprentice!" He purred with delight, "that's wonderful! When-," he was cut off by the sounds of the dawn patrol entering the camp.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here, beneath Highledge for a clan meeting!" Shimmerkit's whiskers quivered with excitement as Bramblestar's strong voice rang throughout the camp. "Three kits have reached their sixth moon today, and it is time for their apprentice ceremony!"
As she began to run forwards, teeth latched onto her scruff, "Shimmerkit!" her mother exclaimed, "You're filthy! Did you even groom this morning?!"
Shimmerkit opened her jaws to reply when the pressure on her neck fur suddenly disappeared, and she was dropped to the ground.
She looked up, grinning as she saw Spiderleg holding her resistant mother back with his tail. "Go on," he chided, "I'll take care of her!"
Casting him a grateful look, Shimmerkit sprinted up to join her siblings, whose eyes shone with pride.
"Shadekit," Bramblestar began, "step forwards." With his chest fur puffy, the dark tom took a confident step forwards. "From this moment on until you have earned you warrior name, you will be known as Shadepaw." His amber eyes scanned the crowd, "Blossomfall, you are a trustworthy and wise warrior and I trust that you will pass these traits onto you apprentice."
Eyes shining with joy, Blossomfall touched noses with Shadepaw.
"Foxkit, step forwards." With zero hesitation, the dark ginger she-cat leaped forwards. "From this moment on until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Foxpaw." His gaze swept over the gathered cats, "Ivypool, you are a strong and brave warrior and I trust that you will pass these traits onto you apprentice."
Without waiting for her mentor, Foxpaw proudly strode forwards and touched noses with her mentor.
"And finally, Shimmerkit, step forwards." Bramblestar mewed. With her head and tail raised high, the she-cat bounded forwards. "From this moment on until you have earned your warrior name, you shall be known as Shimmerpaw." For the final time, Bramblestar raked his gaze over the clan. "Spiderleg, you are a quick witted and respectable warrior and I trust that you will pass these traits onto your apprentice."
Shimmerpaw was filled with happiness at the sound of Spiderleg's name. I got the best mentor ever! She thought gleefully. Spiderleg had a very similar look of joy as they touched noses. "You'll be the greatest warrior ever!" he whispered in her ear. As if I don't already know it!
She looked back over the crowd, smiling to herself when she spotted her father watching his kits with pride. Maybe he's not so bad after all…
She gazed up at Spiderleg, "so… what are we going to do first?" He purred, "well, I was thinking you could check the elders for ticks first, then you could clean out the dirty bedding in the nursery, then you can go collect more moss…"
Shimmerpaw gaped, dumbstruck. Only then did she detect the faint glitter of amusement that lit up his eyes.
He laughed, "actually, I was going to take you on a tour of the territory!" Shimmerpaw waved her tail excitedly, "well c'mon! What are we waiting for?" She shot out of the camp entrance only stopping for a heartbeat to let Spiderleg catch up.
Eyes wide, she surveyed the forest. Wow! It's so big! Spiderleg pulled in front of her, taking the lead, "you think this is cool? Well come with me!" He sprinted ahead, disappearing in a clump of bushes.
Tearing her eyes away from the beautiful forest, she hared after him, enjoying the feel of the brisk wind on her fur. She stopped in awe by Spiderleg.
In front of her was the biggest tree she had ever encountered. Its trunk was wider than twenty badgers standing side by side. Its limbs stretched up, up, up into the ever blue sky.
"Welcome to the Skyoak!" Spiderleg announced, interrupting her thoughts, "many clan cats have lost their lives trying to climb it." He gave a quick look to the side and then whispered on her ear, "some even say that every night, the dead cats that tried to reach the top come back to life and climb it!"
Shimmerpaw's fur began to prickle and her ears flattened back as she pictured dead cats snaking their way up the gigantic tree.
Spiderleg stealthily crept up behind her and gave her a shove, causing her to leap into the air. He laughed triumphantly, "I've always wanted to do that to someone!"
Shimmerpaw whipped around, "so… it was just a joke?" Spiderleg nodded, stifling back another burst of laughter, "yep! Dead cats coming to life? Give me a break!"
She purred, "ya… I guess you're right!" He nodded, "of course I'm right!"
After showing her the rest of the territory, Spiderleg finally mewed, "you look tired. Go find an empty nest in the apprentice den and get some sleep." He snorted, "you're going to need it!"