The day finally came.
...
Tawnykit gave herself a full wash before the ceremony. She licked the tip of her tail a few times until her fur stayed flat.
"I can't get this spot on my back!" Runningkit hissed. She was clearly frustrated.
"Okay, settle down," Shadefeather lapped at Runningkit's silver spine. "You're good. Go forward now. Cloudstar's calling a meeting!"
Tawnykit raced forward at sat beside Runningkit.
"Tawnykit and Runningkit have reached their sixth moon. They are ready to train as apprentices. Runningkit, from this day forward, you will be known as Runningpaw. Petalpool will be your mentor."
Runningpaw raced forward to touch noses with Petalpool.
"Tawnykit, you will be known as Tawnypaw. Flowerfrost, you will mentor her."
A young mentor! Tawnypaw shyly steeped forward to touch noses with her new mentor.
"Can we explore the territory?" Runningpaw asked.
"Sure," Petalpool mewed. "Flowerfrost, would you and Tawnypaw like to come with us?"
"Please?"
"Of course. Come along, Tawnypaw."
Tawnypaw climbed up the ravine for the second time in her life. Flowerfrost and Petalpool led them to a river.
"This is where RiverClan and ThunderClan territory ends. RiverClan is on the other side. Over there is SunningRocks. We have them now, but it won't be long until RiverClan tries to take it back. So let's come this way."
Tawnypaw followed them until a loud growl made her freeze in her tracks. A moment later, a large creature ran by.
"What was that?"
"That was a monster. They won't leave the ThunderPath, so you don't have to worry."
"Flowerfrost, why don't we take them to Tallpines?" Petalpool suggested.
"Great idea. Let's go."
Tawnypaw trotted after the other cats until they reached Tallpines.
Petalpool dropped into a crouch. This is how you stalk prey. You have to stay low and pull yourself forward as slow as you can." she lowered her voice. "There's a mouse over there. Stay still and watch me stalk it."
Tawnypaw watched Petalpool use the crouch. The black-and-white cat come very close to the mouse. The mouse didn't notice her.
Petalpool suddenly pounced. Tawnypaw jumped in surprise. The mouse looked up, but Petalpool blocked its escape.
She turned to Tawnypaw. "You nearly cost me that kill!" she hissed.
"Sorry," Tawnypaw stared at her paws. "You just surprised me."
"We've done enough exploring," Flowerfrost murmured. "You must be tired. We can hunt tomorrow."
"That's not fair! How come Runningpaw gets to hunt today and I don't? I'm not even tired! It's still sunhigh for StarClan's sake!"
"Runningpaw didn't scare that mouse."
"Fine!" Tawnypaw stalked away to go back to the camp. "I wish you weren't my mentor! Cloudstar made a poor choice!"
