A/N: Sorry that this is late, I didn't get chance to upload yesterday! It's quite short but, enjoy!
Chapter 8:
"Shadowkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed." Longstar meowed, looking down at Shadowkit.
Shadowkit's fur had been neatly groomed for the occasion and his blue eyes gleamed. Moonkit turned to lick her shoulder as a stray piece of fur stuck up.
"From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Shadowpaw.
"Thrushwing, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from Cloudpool, and you have shown yourself to be loyal and fearless. You will be the mentor of Shadowpaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to him."
Thrushwing got up and gracefully bounded over to Shadowpaw. The pale brown she-cat leant down and touched noses with her apprentice, before guiding him to the edge of the circle, leaving Moonkit on her own.
Before the cats could chant Shadowpaw's name, Robinflight emerged from the shadow of Leader Rock and meowed, "I too would like to take on an apprentice."
Moonkit almost shook with excitement, this is it!
"Cats of FireClan, as you know, I will not be around forever. I mourn Redpaw greatly, but it's time I took on a new apprentice. I have chosen a cat who has shown enthusiasm and skills in medicine. Your next medicine cat will be Moonpaw." Robinflight continued, looking at Moonpaw.
A few surprised murmurs came from the circle of cats, but most looked satisfied.
"Moonpaw, do you accept the post of apprentice to Robinflight?" Longstar meowed.
"I do." Moonpaw's voice shook so much, it was a wonder that Longstar had heard her.
"Then at the half-moon, you must go to the Moonstone to be accepted by StarClan before the other medicine cats." Robinflight meowed, warmly.
"The good wishes of all FireClan will go with you." Longstar added.
Moonpaw nodded and scampered over to Robinflight to touch noses with her.
"Shadowpaw! Moonpaw!" Poppycloud started the chant, her eyes shining with pride.
The rest of the Clan joined in. Moonpaw closed her eyes and let the sound of her new name wash over her. She quickly opened her eyes when she felt a claw stab her in the shoulder. She turned to see Shadowpaw standing next to her, eyes blazing and looking furious.
"You never told me that you were going to be a medicine cat!" he hissed.
Moonpaw gulped. She had forgotten.
"I'm sorry," she began, "I-"
"I wanted to go patrolling together!" Shadowpaw's voice rose to a wail, "I wanted us to catch prey together, race through the forest together and climb trees together!"
"I'm sorry," Moonpaw said again, wrapping her tail around his shoulders, "but that would never have made me happy. This is my destiny, Shadowpaw, it's the way it's meant to be."
Shadowpaw nodded, his head bowed, breaking Moonpaw's heart.
Sunpaw and Rowanpaw padded over, breaking the slightly awkward moment.
"Congratulations!" Sunpaw meowed warmly.
"Thanks!" Shadowpaw perked up, "I can patrol with you now!"
Rowanpaw cast Moonpaw a glance, "Why would you want to be a medicine cat?"
Moonpaw opened her mouth to give a sharp retort when Poppycloud bounded over, "I'm so proud of you two!" Her voice went quiet and sad, "I wish that Redstripe was here..."
Moonpaw's heart broke a little more at the memory of her father. Her mother hadn't been to same since his death, and Moonpaw missed him more than she could ever say.
Robinflight and Thrushwing padded over from Longstar to the family.
"Come on Shadowpaw, it's time to explore the territory!" Thrushwing meowed, sensing the slight tension.
Shadowpaw got up immediately.
"Good luck, Moonpaw!" he meowed, the sadness gone from his voice. He brushed his cheek against hers and bounded off to his mentor, leaving Moonpaw feeling a lot happier about her decision.
Poppycloud padded after them, then veered of to speak to Featherdawn, who was sorting out the patrols.
"We're going to learn about herbs!" Robinflight meowed, breaking Moonpaw from her trance, "Come on!"
The pale brown and white tabby turned and padded across camp. She slipped into her den. Moonpaw followed eagerly, realising that it was her den too now. She wouldn't sleep with Shadowpaw, Sunpaw and Rowanpaw in the apprentice's den, she'd be with Robinflight and any sick cats from now on.
Shaking the thoughts from her head, Moonpaw slipped in after her.
As ever, it was gloomy inside. The floor was neatly swept of herbs and there was a pile of moss by the pool. By the pool, two nests were made up of soft looking moss and bracken. Moonpaw guessed that they were her's and Robinflight's. A few scraps of moss were left where the nest that her father had died in remained. Moonpaw felt her heart contract and a flood of emotion as she remembered the blood pouring out of his neck and his dying words to Poppycloud. She closed her eyes for a moment, collecting herself.
A/N: Next chapter won't be until the day after tomorrow I don't think. Sorry, but I'm dead busy at the moment! :(