Chapter 11
Blossomfang and her hunting patrol padded into camp, their mouths filled with rabbits. Skykit and Moorkit were sitting with their mother, Littleshimmer, who was trying to get a tuft of fur that was sticking up on Moorkit's head flattened.
Blossomfang purred, remembering her apprentice ceremony where Purpledawn had taught her how to behave properly and how to lead a Clan.
Skykit looked very excited, where Moorkit was, well, sulking. "What's wrong?" Blossomfang whispered in his ear.
Moorkit sighed. "I want to be a medicine cat but mom won't let me," he grumped. Blossomfang nodded. She understood.
Whitestar was on top of the Tall Rock in a single leap. She stood there for a moment, looking down upon her Clan proudly, then cleared her throat and continued.
"Today, we welcome two new apprentices into the Clan!" Whitestar announced. "This is an important part of Clan life, for it shows that we are strong and healthy as we train our young to become warriors. Skykit and Moorkit, come here. Littleshimmer. Have your kits bean prepared for this ceremony and taught in the ways of the code and our traditions?"
"They have," Littleshimmer meowed proudly.
"Skykit and Moorkit," Whitestar continued. "Are you two ready to be apprentices, and to you swear to follow the warrior code for as long as you may live?"
"I do!" Skykit meowed immediately.
"Um, Whitestar?" Moorkit meowed cautiously. "Is it okay if Cactusfang trains me?"
Whitestar looked down at her medicine cat, and when the pinkish gray tom nodded, she mewed, "of course, Moorkit."
Whitestar shook out her ruffled fur and continued. "Moorkit, do you swear upon your life that you shall honor the medicine cat code and defend your Clanmates from sickness with your life?" she meowed at last.
"I do," Moorkit meowed proudly.
"From this moment forth, you shall be known as Moorpaw!" Whitestar meowed. "Cactusfang, you will train Moorpaw. Train him to be as good a medicine cat as you are, and I hope he may some day live as long that he shall serve the next leader." Cactusfang nodded and touched noses with Moorpaw.
"Skykit, you shall be known as Skypaw," Whitestar continued happily. "Blossomfang, even though you only just recently join our Clan, you have been with us for seven moons, and I think you are ready for an apprentice. Teach Skypaw all you know, and maybe a few RiverClan fighting techniques that may come in handy."
Blossomfang felt pride surge through her whole body as she touched noses with her new apprentice.
"Skypaw! Moorpaw!" the Clan cheered, and Blossomfang wished that she could have someday felt the same happiness as Skypaw did.
But she never did, and it was all because of who her parents were.
That night, Blossomfang was on the border of WindClan and RiverClan for the second time that season. On the RiverClan side, Ivywatcher and Pebblepool waited, with years of kits in the future.
But on the WindClan side was Reedshine's face, soft and happy, and in that picture, there was a single litter of three kits,
Blossomfang turned around and around trying to decide. Then, finally she padded over to the side she chose. That side, was…