Disclaimer: I only own the characters and plot. The Idea of warriors belongs to Erin Hunter.

Moaning softly to myself, I slowly opened my eyes, blinking the last traces of sleep from them. The pain in my side was excruciating, but I managed to struggle into a lop-sided sitting position, paws settled awkwardly to relieve my injured side of pressure. I could feel my head throbbing, and I narrowed my eyes against the sunlight splintering into the den. Suddenly, there was a joyous meow from behind me, and I turned around, startled, as a tongue rasped over my head.

"You're awake!" Sharpfang exclaimed, an expression of pure relief upon her face.

"Petalkit will be so happy. She's been asking after you all day!" I smiled weakly, unused to all the attention. Then, an excited squeal sounded from the entrance, and I was bowled over. I grinned to see Petalkit, sitting on my chest, purring madly.

"Glad to see me back, eh?" I questioned, and the little brown kit nodded so hard that I was surprised it didn't hurt. Two more meows came from the direction of the nursery entrance, and Goldenkit and Brightkit bounded towards me.

"You were so amazing!" exclaimed Goldenkit, bouncing on her paws.

"You were like, 'Bam!', and that nasty old hawk didn't stand a chance!" I laughed as I heard this, and looked sternly at the excited kit.

"It might have been amazing, Goldenkit, but look at the state it got me in! Don't ever go chasing hawks yourself!" The white-pawed kit nodded solemnly, and dipped her head.

"Come on! Let's play hawk attack! I'll be Whitekit, and you two can be the hawks!" I looked down suddenly to see Petalkit, who stretched up towards me and whispered,

"You saved my life. Thankyou." Whitekit suddenly felt emotional, and turned away, only looking back when she heard the thuds and yowls of the three younger kits playing. A tail brushed against Whitekit's side, and Sharpfang settled down beside her.

"That was really brave, what you did for Petalkit. No matter what cats tell you, I always will honour bravery, so I will always honour you." Sharpfang dipped her head, but suddenly raised her voice in a yowl.

"Brightkit! Stop chewing Goldenkit's tail!"


"Do I look okay?" I decided it would be worth one last try to get Mama to notice me, however I was, yet again, ignored, as the white she-cat fussed over Stormkit, licking his fur into place, even though it was already perfect.

"Mama! Stop it! Get off me before I claw you!" I flinched at the grey tom's violent words, but Mama only purred, and meowed gently,

"I just want you to look perfect on your apprentice ceremony!" those words sent rippled of ecstasy passing down my spine.

I'm going to be an apprentice! I did a little skipping movement on my paws, which seemed to cause Stormkit great amusement.

"You look like a mouse-brain." He commented, puffing his chest out.

"I'm going to be the best apprentice the clan has ever seen! No stupid kit-bouncing for me!" At that moment, Ashstar's booming voice echoed throughout the camp, and Stormkit squealed in excitement, which made me snort with laughter.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the tallbranch for a clan meeting!" I scampered out of the den, a smile plastered on my face. This is it! I breathed to myself, before standing up straight, holding my head high and strutting towards where Ashstar was sitting. I felt my confidence gradually fade away as most of the cats shot me scorning looks, snarling at me or just looking away, as if they couldn't bear to set eyes upon me.

"Stormkit, step forwards. You have reached the age of six moons, and are ready to become an apprentice. From now on, until the day you become a warrior, you shall be known as Stormpaw. Because of your skill, bravery, courage and honesty, I shall be your mentor." Stormpaw shot me a smirk, as if being the leaders apprentice suddenly made him ruler of the forest.

"That is all, clan dismissed." Horror rose up inside me. Why hadn't I been apprenticed?

"What about Whitekit?!" called Harewing, staring accusingly at Ashstar, eyes narrowed dangerously. The leader merely sneered down at his sister.

"That piece of filth doesn't deserve to be an apprentice." He growled, and I hung my head, the words seeming to scorch deep impressions into my heart.

"Well, that 'piece of filth' saved my kit's life!" called out Sharpfang from the crowd, defiance in her eyes. Ashstar growled, and slowly slid out his claws.

"Well then, who will mentor her? I see no cat willing to mentor such a burden!"

"I will mentor her!" Rivertail suddenly bounded out of the crowd and stood protectively beside me, tail lashing in fury. The grey leader looked in astonishment at his deputy, but it was brief, and was soon replaced with fury.

"Are you sure that is a wise move, Rivertail?" he questioned, the tone in his voice alike to that of a father scolding a mischievous kit.

"After all, you know the consequences…" Rivertail slammed her paw to the ground in anger.

"Will you stop talking about that!" she demanded, a furious authority in her voice that seemed to overpower even Ashstar.

"I will mentor Whitekit, and that is final!" Ashstar seemed shocked at being addressed in such a way, but he bowed his head.

"Very well, but under one condition. If Whitekit does anything under perfect on her warrior assessment, I will exile her and you from Forestclan." Rivertail seemed to hesitate, and doubt fluttered in my chest. Please say yes! Please say yes! I begged silently, then breathed a sigh of relief as the deputy replied

"Very well then. She won't fail, though, I can guarantee that." Ashstar nodded, and stated carelessly,

"Fine. Whitekit, you are now Whitepaw, and Rivertail is your mentor. Clan dismissed." Happiness overwhelmed me, and I purred to myself.

They may not be the proper ceremony words, but at least I'm an apprentice!

A/N: For any Percy Jackson fans, I do have a Percy Jackson story called 'The blessing of the moon', which has had pretty little reception so far, so I would be really grateful of some of you would check that out and post a review!