Crowkit jerked open. It was early morning, but he didn't care. He was going to be an apprentice, free of a kit and his mother's constant fretting!

"Crowkit, now don't wake Ash-" Robinwing started, but she got interrupted as Ashfoot raised her head. Robinwing sighed with exasperation, and bounded away, calling to Onewhisker.

"Crowkit?" she asked.

"Yes! Yes! It's my apprentice ceremony today!" Crowkit yowled.

Ashfoot gave a small purr. "You are? How excellent."

Darkfoot peeked in. "Who's?" he asked.

"My son," Ashfoot whispered.

"Oh!" Thrushwing had joined them. She seemed lost in thought. "I remember those days. When I was just a new warrior... it was my vigil. Then came Brokenstar, the deadly tyrant." The warrior shivered. "I remember Morningflower, and... Stoneclaw. Oh... Ashfoot, and your..."

"Stop!"

Thrushwing winced. "Sorry," she mewed. "So... congratulations, Crowkit."

"Thanks!" chirped Crowkit excitedly.

Thrushwing sighed. "I wish he could be my apprentice."

Crowkit cocked his head. "You can't?" Although he didn't know much of Thrushwing, or wasn't that friendly with her, he knew Thrushwing was a skilled warrior, and a friendly one.

"Oh, I know who will," Thrushwing replied. Her eyes glittered with amusement. "You don't know yet, do you, Crowkit?"

"Please tell me, please!"

"Nope." Purring, Thrushwing stepped out of the nursery. "You must be sad Crowkit's going out of the nursery."

Ashfoot looked up. "I'll definitely miss him," she agreed, "but it'll be good to have some warrior duties in a while again."

Crowkit stared at his dark gray paws.

This is it. This is it. This it. The moment I've watied forever for! Yay! I wonder who my mentor will be. It's not Thrushwing, anyway. So-

"Crowkit!" called Tallstar.

Quivering with anticipation, Crowkit stepped forward.

"From this day forward, until he has earned his warrior name, this apprentice will be called Crowpaw. Mudclaw, you have proved yourself worthy of a second apprentice. I hope you will teach Crowpaw well." Tallstar announced.

Shock ran through him.

Mudclaw!

Tornear's brother. The one Crowpaw didn't like among Tornear's litter. Despair filled him, but hope replaced it. Maybe he could grow to be friendly with his new mentor! He touched noses nervously with Mudclaw.

Mudclaw nodded curtly, but seemed pleased.

Well, I'm not!

There were cries. "Crowpaw! Crowpaw! Crowpaw! Crowpaw!"

He heard Ashfoot's proud voice among them. He looked around to see a black apprentice snorting. Nightpaw. There were Webfoot and Darkfoot, talking to themselves, looking pleased at the thought of a new apprentice in the Clan.

Morningflower had come out of the elders' den and was murmuring congratulations to Ashfoot. Onewhisker was talking to his sister as well.

"Crowk-paw!" Ashfoot whispered as Crowpaw padded towards her. "I'm so proud of you!"

"Mudclaw will train you well," nodded Morningflower. "He is a strong warrior, after all."

Onewhisker nodded. "It's strange, seeing that the nursery isn't so crowded anymore. You were growing big!"

"Is Mudclaw going out for patrols today?" Crowpaw asked eagerly.

"Yes," a tom mewed. He licked his tawny paw, and asked, "So. Good so far?"

"What's good?"

"Apprenticeship."

"Well, I've been an apprentice for a minute. How'm I supposed to know that?" sniffed Crowpaw, feeling discontented.

Ashfoot interfered. "Well, Gorsetail," she snapped, "you shouldn't act like a know-it-all. You were an apprentice two moons ago."

"Two moons is a long time." Gorsetail objected.

Onewhisker shrugged. "Gorsetail, Mudclaw told me you were late to dawn patrol. Shouldn't you be a good example of Crowpaw? You know, you'll be going on a dawn patrol for a moon! Mudclaw said that, Gorsetail."

Gorsetail scowled, and stalked off.

"He's going to be trouble one day," mewed Morningflower, sounding exasperated.

"One day isn't now. I just hope he'll become a good warrior one day."

"I believe he went sneaking off in another Clan's territory once, for food," commented Ashfoot. "RiverClan, I think? I remember Leopardstar warning him once at a Gathering. Saying WindClan scent was detected. Any cat could see that Gorsetail looked disturbed."

Crowpaw rolled his eyes.

Anyone can see that Gorsetail can't be trusted. They just need to stare at Gorsetail, and then they know. His name should've been Gorsemouth; he just can't shut his mouth!

"Crowpaw!" Mudclaw called.

Crowpaw didn't react.

"Crowpaw!" Morningflower hissed. "It's you!"

Crowpaw blinked.

Right. I'm not Crowkit anymore.

"Here." Crowpaw called.

Mudclaw nodded his head. "Good. Come here. My first patrol is a hunting patrol today at sun-high. You'll come with me."

"Wow!" A tiny squeak escaped Crowpaw.

Mudclaw had turned. "I'll expect to see you then. You can make your nest at the apprentices' den."

"Okay."

He padded away to the apprentices' den, where he had longed to live once. Now, he wished he was a tiny kit in the nursery with Ashfoot.

Crowpaw winced as Nightpaw sneered at him as he entered. "Now an apprentice, huh?" she snorted.

Gorsepaw looked up. "He is!" she mocked. "Are you happy now? My father and I will go on patrol today."

Nightpaw purred. "Oh, I will with my father as well! You know, who's alive and able to spend time with me."

Crowpaw winced, but tried to act as if he didn't care.

"Oh, no! He doesn't care! Is he heartless!" exclaimed Nightpaw.

Crowpaw stalked out.

Not a fun day, he thought miserably.