Squirrelflight was sleeping in the grass by the lake. She knew it was dangerous to be sleeping, alone in the open but she was so tired. She caught a new scent and opened her eyes. Brambleclaw was running towards her.
"Squirrelflight," he meowed gasping for breath. "Firestar sent me to fetch you. He says the naming ceremony will be held soon and needs you back at camp," she flicked her tail and gritted her teeth.
"Why does he need me there," she meowed, half annoyed, half curious. Brambleclaw grinned and raced back to camp. Squirrelflight quickly got up and followed. When they reached the camp she went to find Firestar. He was getting ready for the naming ceremony.
"Brambleclaw said you were looking for me," she meowed once she had reached him. He looked up and grinned just like Brambleclaw.
"Did he also tell you that I wanted you because the ceremony was soon?" he asked.
"So," she meowed impatiently. He and Brambleclaw were obviously keeping something from her. "I'm not being named an apprentice why should I be here," Firestar's grin faded slowly.
"Because these are your sisters and you should be there supporting them," he replied gently, but the stern gaze told Squirrelflight that Firestar was ordering her to be there. She nodded and headed for the Fresh kill pile. She was about to pick up a big fat mouse but something small and orange raced in front of her and snatched it away. After the fuzzy orange thing stopped moving she looked at it clearly. It was Foxkit.
"Excuse me," she meowed with a flick of her tail she flicked Foxkit on the head. "Don't you know that you shouldn't be so… so… selfish!" Foxkit turned and gaped at her.
"It'll be my first mouse so back off," Foxkit hissed in reply. "You are not my mother nor my mentor, I don't have to listen to you," Squirrelflight was about to spat back at her but Sandstorm had come. She had obviously heard their conversation.
"Yes but Foxkit," she mewed at the kit. "One: She is a warrior and you are not. Two: She is your older sister so you will obey. Three: she is being kind so she doesn't need that mouth from you. Four: She is right you will need to watch what you're doing. And last: Show some respect," she finished with a sharp tone in her voice. Foxkit nodded but took the mouse anyway.
"If you take that mouse than you will take it to the elders," Squirrelflight called after her once Sandstorm left.
Foxkit turned and sneered at her but went to the elders all the same.
Firestar yowled his meeting call and the cats assembled. Squirrelflight growled and got up. She hadn't had a piece of fresh kill yet and was tired.
Once everyone was gathered at the foot of the Highledge where Firestar stood. Everyone fell quiet at the flick of Firestar's tail.
"We are gathered here at this moon high two witness the naming of three new apprentices," he called to the cats. They murmured their excitement amongst them selves and fell silent again. "Come forward," he called to his kits. The three walked forward, not at all scared as much new apprentices are.
It must be because he's their father. Thought Squirrelflight with a flick of her tail. Firestar went through all the boring talk and than turned to his kits.
"Until she has reached her warrior name Sunkit will be known as Sunpaw," he meowed at the clan. "Her mentor shall be Dustpelt,"
"Until she has received her warrior name Sparkkit will be known as Sparkpaw. Her mentor shall be Brambleclaw,"
"Until she has received her warrior name Foxkit will be known as Foxpaw," his voice raised and his eyes shined brilliantly. "Her mentor shall be," he paused and stared at Sandstorm. Was he reassuring himself with her that his choice would be all right? He shook himself and finished his sentence. "Her mentor shall be Squirrelflight,"
Squirrelflight gasped and than sprang to her paws. She walked forward and looked at her lower litter sister. Was this going to work? She thought.
"Your s'pose to touch noses with me," Foxpaws hissed trying not to move her mouth. Squirrelflight knelt down and touched noses quickly and than came back up.
"Happy now," she hissed doing the same as Foxpaws. Foxpaws flicked her tail with satisfaction. Firestar sat up for the clan's attention.
"May you three warriors pass on your strength and knowledge to these three new apprentices," He nodded and then leaped from the rock. Squirrelflight turned to Foxpaws when the clan started going back to their dens.
"Training starts tomorrow at sun high," she meowed. Than she turned and went to the warriors den.
Did Firestar make the right choice on making her mentor to Foxpaws?