Brightkit padded cautiously out of the nursery. This was her first time seeing the camp, and she stared around in amazement. It's so big! I don't think I'll know my way around it. Everywhere cats moved. A pile of prey was in the middle and three she-cats were near it, talking. A large brown tom called over two apprentices and meowed something, most likely telling them to clean the elders' den. The apprentices always say they do that more than anything.

"Keep moving, Brightkit!" Sedgekit's mew sounded from behind her. "I want to see the Highrock." Without waiting for Brightkit to move, he pushed his way her and out of the den.

"Watch it!" Brightkit meowed, calling Sorrelflower's attention.

"Now, kits, don't be disruptive," their mother's calm meow called from the inside of the den. She blinked slowly, and, in the dark of nursery, her fur seemed gray. "I expect you to not get in any cat's way. And don't stay out long."

Brightkit turned her head back quickly, meowing, "We won't. We'll be back before sunhigh." Then she dashed out into the clearing, where her brother was already hopping around like an excited rabbit.

He suddenly rushed up to Brightkit and pushed her into the middle of the open space. "Come on; let's talk to the senior warriors!"

Brightkit took a moment to lick her fur flat before glaring at Sedgekit. "I'm sure they have more important things to do than be bothered by some kits."

Then the massive body of Smokefoot moved in front of the pair. "Don't be so sure. I'd love to take you kits around the camp." His yellow eyes glinted with humor.

"Oh, you're Smokefoot, our mother's brother, aren't you?" Sedgekit bounced around the tom, his paws flying. "Can you show where the Highrock is, and where the warriors sleep, and where the leader's den is, and-"

"Slow down. I'll show you everything that's inside the camp and get you both back before sunhigh," Smokefoot gently placed his paw on Sedgekit, anchoring him to the ground. "Don't wear yourself out before we've started."

Brightkit lifted her tail, purposefully more calm than her brother. "I would love for a senior warrior to show us camp." Shooting a look at Sedgekit she added, "And we won't be any trouble."

Sedgekit dipped his head, "No, we won't. I'll be as solemn as an elder."

Smokefoot's deep meow came almost as purr. "I hope you're not speaking of Amberberry. She has more energy than an apprentice on his first day." He swept his tail across the ground. "Come, then. Let's start with apprentices' den. You will be sleeping there soon."

"I wouldn't call five moons 'soon'," Sedgekit grumbled, but Smokefoot was already padding away.

Brightkit and Sedgekit caught up to him quickly and he directed them to a clump of ferns. A brown-and-white shape was visible through the leaves, curled up in a nest asleep.

"That's Longpaw. Normally all the apprentices would be out training already, but he's getting over a sickness." Smokefoot whispered. "We shouldn't disturb him."

Brightkit tilted her head. "Shouldn't he be in the medicine cat's den, then?" The kit cast a worried glance at the lump of fur.

Smokefoot mewed, "He's over the illness, and he just needs to rest."

"Let's keep going!" Sedgekit meowed, obliviously loud. Brightkit cuffed him gently around the ears. "Hey, what was that for?" His mew rose above the muffled sound of the camp.

Smokefoot scooted Sedgekit away from the den with an outstretched paw. "Yes, we should move on. I don't want Grayfur scolding me for her apprentice's lack of rest."

Sedgekit, all injuries forgotten, sped to another part of the clearing. "Is this leader's den?" he asked. "I want to meet Tawnystar!" Without waiting for a response he stuck his head in past the leaves.

"No, this is the warrior's den. And some warriors like to rest after sunrise patrol." A lithe white tom poked his head out of a mess of branches, forcing Sedgekit back. His ears flicked impatiently. "Shouldn't you be in the nursery with Sorrelflower?"

Smokefoot spoke before Brightkit could reprimand her littermate. "I'm showing these two around the camp. Sedgekit is enthusiastic about clan life. Please excuse him, Snowclaw"

Snowclaw grunted with a look like he was already losing interest in scolding the eager kit. "Just keep him from disrupting everyone." The tom then disappeared back into the warriors' den.

Brightkit stood frozen. How embarrassing! My first day out of the nursery and my brother upsets a warrior. Sedgekit was still cautiously examining the den, his tail lowered to the ground. She shook her head. One day I hope he learns to think.

Smokefoot directed his attention to Brightkit. "Since Sedgekit discovered the warriors' den," he gave a teasing glance at Sedgekit, "what would you like to see next?"

Brightkit scanned the camp. I'd love to see the medicine cat. Her eyes came back to her brother, who was now sitting with uncharacteristic stillness. "Take us to the leader's den," she decided.

Smokefoot dipped his head. "You sound like Tawnystar. Do you think a little kit can order me around?" His mew turned into a rumbling purr. "Very well. Perhaps Tawnystar will be there to see you. He always loves meeting the kits."

"Great!" Sedgekit squealed, instantly on his paws. "Maybe he'll let us into the den. I want to see what it looks like!" He began to race off, but Smokefoot's voice stopped him.

"I haven't shown where it is yet! Do you plan on stumbling into it like the warriors' den?"

Sedgekit paused and gave his chest a quick lick, embarrassed. "Yeah, it's probably better if you show us."

Smokefoot headed off in the direction of the Highrock- or, at least, what Brightkit believed to be the Highrock- with the kits behind him. The Highrock was a tall, gray stone that extended partly out into the clearing, with smaller rocks at its base. Tawnystar speaks to the Clan up there, I bet. She turned her head to Sedgekit, who she could tell was doing everything in his power to not rush off again. "Don't be too ashamed about the warriors' den. I think Snowclaw was just tired. Once he's rested, he will think it was funny, you crashing into the bush like that," she mewed to Sedgekit.

Her brother lifted his head some. "You really think so? I don't want a warrior to hate me."

"Oh, I doubt Snowclaw hates you for that. I'm sure kits get into trouble all the time, not just us." Brightkit shoved his shoulder lightly. "And if you did burst into the Tawnystar's den, he would probably think you were a just a curious kit. He might even see it you showing promise for being a brave warrior."

Sedgekit bounced up and down. "Now I wish I had tumbled into his den!"

Smokefoot stopped, and the three were completely under the shadow of the Highrock. "Here's the entrance. I see if Tawnystar would like to meet you." The large tom disappeared behind a sheet of lichen. Moments later he came out, eyes gleaming. "He'll be out in a moment. Prepare yourselves," he purred.

Brightkit gave her fur a quick cleaning then sat completely still, with her head up and tail curled around her paws. Sedgekit had the respect to lick a couple spots on his pelt before Tawnystar emerged from the den.

Their leader was brown with broad shoulders and green eyes that looked like they held answers to everything. He examined the two kits, his body rigid and eyes missing nothing. Brightkit felt incredibly nervous, her paws twitched as she tried to remain as still as possible. Finally, Tawnystar spoke. "These are fine kits. I can already tell they will be great warriors. Thank you, Smokefoot, for bringing me out here. I might have spent all day worrying in my den, but these kits remind of all the blessings StarClan has given ThunderClan."

Smokefoot dipped his head, meowing, "I thought you would like these two. This one-" he gestured with his paw to Sedgekit, "reminds me of you as kit."

"Well, then," Tawnystar began; his eyes alight with humor, "I'm sorry for Sorrelflower." He directed his gaze at Brightkit. "You must the reasonable one, then."

Brightkit gathered her confidence and calmly mewed, "I would say I am." She shot a playful glance at Sedgekit.

Tawnystar nodded his head. "Good. The Clan needs ones like you. Now, I must return to my duties." He turned, withdrawing into his den.

Smokefoot rose to his paws. "Let's see the rest of the camp. I have sunhigh patrol, unfortunately. I would much rather play with you, or teach you some stalking techniques, but the Clan comes first." He touched both kit's head with the tip of his tail, then he walked in the direction of a fallen tree.

"I can't believe we met the leader!" Sedgekit squealed. "And he liked us!"

Brightkit nodded, "I bet most kits don't see the leader on their first day out of the nursery. We must lucky."

"Lucky or not," Sedgekit meowed, his chest fur puffed out, "Tawnystar said we'd be great warriors!"

For once, Brightkit matched her brother's enthusiasm. "We're going to be the best warriors this Clan has ever seen!"