Chapter 11

"But we need more warriors. RiverClan now has a huge grudge against us. Please, Bluestar. I haven't had an apprentice yet, and I've been a warrior for many moons," Graystripe meowed to his leader in the darkness of her den. Bluestar was silent for a moment.

"I suppose. I can do the ceremony now, actually. Your apprentice will be Icekit." She padded out of her den and up to the Highrock. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting!" Cats began to emerge at their leader's call before she'd even finished.

"Brindleface's kits are now six moons old. It is time for them to become apprentices. "Darkkit, Stormkit, and Icekit, do you promise to follow the warrior code and do what your mentors ask you?" Bluestar stared at them.

"I do," they meowed in unison.

"I, Bluestar, leader of ThunderClan, give these kits their mentors. Darkpaw, your mentor will be Tigerclaw. Tigerclaw, you are an excellent deputy, and I hope you will teach your apprentice well. Stormpaw, your mentor will be Rainpelt. Rainpelt, you are a skilled warrior. Your mentor was Sunfur. I would like you to pass on your warrior knowledge to Stormpaw. Icekit, your mentor will be Graystripe. Graystripe, your mentor was Lionheart. I would like you to pass on the knowledge he has given you to your apprentice."

The new apprentices touched noses with their mentors. Graystripe and Rainpelt exchanged glances of pride. Tigerclaw glanced over at Rainpelt, grumbling to himself about Graystripe. Cats began to chant the new names, and then returned to their dens.

"Well, it's still early. Would you like to begin training today?" Rainpelt looked down at Stormpaw. His eyes widened.

"Can we?"

"Of course." Her eyes softened as she remembered being an apprentice. Her eyes shifted to Sunfur, whose eyes shone of pride. He was staring right back at her. She felt herself become a little hot of embarrassment, so she looked back down at Stormpaw. "Let's go then. I'll show you the border of ThunderClan territory."

"Rainpelt, do you mind if Icepaw and I tag along?" Graystripe padded up to her. Tigerclaw stopped in his tracks from heading over and turned around, his apprentice following him out of camp. Her ear twitched.

"Sure. That might pass the time away. I'm sure Stormpaw would also like the company of his best friend." Stormpaw nodded, looking at Icepaw. "Let's go then." She led the way through the gorse tunnel and out into the lush field. Stormpaw's eyes shot everywhere, taking in the excitement of apprenticeship. Rainpelt squinted happily, as well as Graystripe.

"This is Tallpines," he meowed when they reached it. "Beyond here is twolegplace." Icepaw hissed.

"Filthy twolegs and kittypets!" she spat.

"Shhh," he cooed. "We want to be silent in case of any prey." His apprentice nodded, followed by Stormpaw. They padded on, mentors stopping here and there to tell them where they were. The apprentices savored the moment, storing it in their minds for later use.

When they got back to camp, Rainpelt had a mouse in her jaws. She placed it upon the fresh-kill pile, eyes joyful. She was just about to pad to see Bluestar when Frostfur gave her a sneer.

"Pretty happy, huh?" Her icy glare sent shivers down her spine. "Don't forget that you still have hostility because of your little friends."

"What is your problem? Just because you attacked me and I won, it doesn't mean we're enemies, alright?" Rainpelt hissed.

"Not everything can be bright sunshine and rainbows," the queen growled in response. Rainpelt shook her head and padded off. She neared Bluestar, ears pricked forward to make sure the leader wasn't busy.

"Mind going on hunting patrol with me again?" She stopped dead in her tracks and looked over at Tigerclaw. His eyes were hopeful.

"Don't you have to set up patrols or something?" she kidded.

"Already done. It doesn't take that long."

"Oh, fine. Can you give me a moment?" He nodded. She looked back at Bluestar. She was now busy speaking with Whitestorm. Rainpelt's ears went back. "You know what? Let's just go now." They padded through the gorse tunnel, Frostfur now resting in her den. Rainpelt inhaled the moist scent of rain that was just about to fall.

"Looks like we've got a storm coming," Tigerclaw grumbled from behind.

"Yeah." She began to think about the kits and questioned herself why she didn't have any. "Tigerclaw, don't you ever wonder what it would be like to have kits of your own?" She looked back at him. The question had caught him by surprise.

"Erm…I suppose. A lot of times I'm a bit too busy." His heart grew warm. Perhaps he still had a chance with her. Hopefully he could break her from her friendship with Fireheart and Graystripe. Even if he didn't, she was still Rainpelt. She was different than them.

"I understand. I was once deputy as well," she mewed quietly.

"You? Really?" His eyes grew large.

"Yes, me! What, you don't think I could be?" She looked back again and gave him a look.

"I never said that!" He mr-rowed a laugh.

"Well, what did you say?" Her ear twitched and she stopped walking.

"It…just caught me by surprise, that's all." He looked at the ground sheepishly. She pressed her pelt against his flank. His fur bristled with excitement. She purred and lay down.