Chapter 4:
Sapkit stood in front of the MarshHill, where his leader sat, waiting. A special order had been called out. All cats in SwampClan old enough to hunt had to gather under MarshHill, and listen to what their leader said. Sapkit wasn't dumb. He knew what was going on. But he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something wrong with him. He hadn't experienced any episodes after the first, but it was scary. He had kept it close to his chest for a moon, but now he wasn't sure if he would be able to take that next step and become an apprentice. Sure, he wanted that more than anything. But he also wanted to know if he should be an apprentice, or if there was a problem.
"Today, two kits under the leadership of SwampClan will be taken as apprentices. Sapkit and Dapplekit, can you two please step forward, under this small hill."
Sapkit uneasily stepped forward. He wasn't uneasy with excitement. He was uneasy with fear. Here he was, with a problem, becoming an apprentice. It was unheard of. He didn't know what he was supposed to do. He waited under MarshHill. It was the worst decision. He didn't know what else to do. He looked at Clawstar. Stop making mistakes! He sat down, his tail curled around his paws.
"Sapkit, can you please step forward?" Sapkit stepped forward. He hated himself for doing it. "Sapkit, from this day on, you will be known as Sappaw, until you become a warrior. Your mentor will be Greenwing." Sappaw nodded, and stepped onto MarshHill to lick his leader's shoulder. He stepped to Greenwing, and they touched noses together.
"You'll do great," Greenwing whispered in his ear. Sappaw nodded. The same ritual repeated with Dapplepaw, gaining Strongheart as a mentor. Strongheart was everything that Dapplepaw needed. He was serious, and Strongheart would make sure that Dapplepaw wouldn't be so much trouble all of the time. Well, one of us is happy. Sappaw noted, as Dapplepaw bounced to Strongheart. Sappaw stifled a laugh underneath his breath, and looked at his mentor eagerly. Greenwing stared at Sappaw, as if judging him, or possibly trying to figure out something important about him. Maybe if Sappaw was worthy enough to become a warrior. Maybe if Sappaw was worthy enough to become deputy. Sappaw was uneasy; upended.
"So. We can tour the territory first." Greenwing suggested.
Big whoop. I know this territory by heart. I've seen enough of it from on top of SwampHill. Still, I have to respect my elders.
"Sure, we can do that," Sappaw replied. He grudgingly walked out of the camp which was starting to disperse. Dapplepaw and Strongheart were waiting at the entrance. Sappaw started chatting with Dapplepaw, while Greenwing and Strongheart were discussing their apprentices.
"I feel like he knows more than he lets off," Greenwing murmured. Sappaw couldn't hear them.
"I feel like he won't pay attention at all," Strongheart replied, unhappy.
Meanwhile, Dapplepaw was talking to Sappaw.
"I don't know about this. I feel like there's something… wrong," Sappaw replied to Dapplepaw's question.
"All I asked is if you were ready to become an apprentice," Dapplepaw said.
"I still don't know… I could be, but I might not be at the same time," Sappaw replied.
"Alright… Why not?"
Sappaw was about to reply with the story whenever Greenwing walked up from behind him. Greenwing nudged towards the exit of the camp, and Sappaw bid Dapplepaw forwell. He walked along Greenwing, and they began to tour their territory. But just as they stepped outside of camp, the ground rushed to meet Sappaw's face, and all went black.