"Let all cats strong enough to brace the ocean's waves gather here beneath the Mighty Dune for a clan meeting."
Hazekit's pelt prickled as he heard Wavestar call from outside the nursery. He felt antsy beneath his mother, wanting to join their clanmates in the clearing for the meeting. But Eelnose was stubborn, unwilling to release her son until he was clean enough for presentation. She had been working tirelessly on the little tom's fur since dawn, grooming it to perfection. The morning brought with it great importance, after all. The clan would be gaining a new apprentice today. And that apprentice was meant to be Hazekit. This knowledge made the fluffy white tom all the more eager to break out of the nursery. He knew the meeting had been called especially for him. Hazekit hadn't known if he would even experience his apprentice ceremony so soon, after the fight he'd gotten into with Urchinkit two moons before. He'd sworn he was going to be held back; and without anyone telling him so too, just to rub salt in his wound. But much to the young tom's delight, he would get to be promoted at six moons after all.
"Motherrr, the clan is waiting for me!" Hazekit griped.
"They can wait a little longer," Eelnose argued back through a knot in the kit's fur. "No son of mine will be made an apprentice looking like a washed up piece of Twoleg trash. How would that reflect on me? Now be quiet and be patient "
Hazekit let out a groan, resting his chin on his paws as she continued to wash him. Why is it always about you?
"Eelnose?"
Hazekit perked up at the sound of another cat calling for his mother. His excitement grew as he recognized the warrior who had stepped into the den. It was Scallopfall, Hazekit's father. Hazekit hadn't seen the tom visit the broken down car since he was given his kit naming ceremony.
"Wavestar is growing impatient waiting for you two. He says if you don't come out soon he'll have to make his own kits apprentices instead."
Eelnose scoffed. "His kittens aren't even six moons old yet. He'd really break the warrior code because I kept him waiting too long?"
"He thinks by the time you're ready to come out, his kits will be six moons old," Scallopfall remarked back, rolling his eyes. Hazekit resisted the urge to laugh.
Eelnose growled, finally setting Hazekit free from her grasp. She rose with a swish of her tail, raising her muzzle into the air. "Come, Hazekit. I think the clan is finally ready to be graced by our presence."
"Thank Silverpelt," Scallopfall muttered under his breath before returning to the clearing. Hazekit was ready to race out after him. It would be nice to be led to his apprentice ceremony by his father instead of Eelnose. But the queen would not allow the tom to steal her spotlight. Hazekit was all too aware that his mother wanted the privilege of walking him up to the clan's leader.
"I put the work into raising you, not Scallopfall. I deserve the recognition", Hazekit recalled her saying not too long ago, when the mention of his promotion had been brought up in conversation.
Eelnose took the lead out of the nursery, strutting proudly through the crowd, making Hazekit follow behind her. He felt more like a newborn than a soon to be warrior, by the way she was treating him. But Hazekit didn't complain; he knew that he wouldn't have to be used as his mother's prop for much longer. Of course he respected her greatly, but he was ready to have more independence. He only hoped that the mentor he would be assigned would allow him the room he needed to breathe.
"Ah, Hazekit, there you are," Wavestar remarked as the fluffy white tom settled beneath the Mighty Dune.
"Finally," Urchinkit piped. Hazekit whipped his head around to look at the spikey furred tom. He sat an equal distance from the Mighty Dune with only a fox-length of space between the pair. Why is Urchinkit here? Hazekit wondered. This is my apprentice ceremony. Not that half clan rat's!
Wavestar straightened up on his perch, his tail swaying to-and-fro as he began to speak. "Today is a special day in a young cat's life, where a kit leaves the nursery and joins the world as an apprentice. Eelnose, Gullcry, have your kits reached six moons old? And do you believe they are ready to join us and learn the ways of the clan?"
"I do," both queens chimed, sharing a glance. Gullcry smiled warmly at the she-cat while Eelnose looked like she was holding back a sneer. She must not have been happy that Urchinkit was being promoted on the same day that Hazekit was. Hazekit certainly shared her feelings.
"Are you ready to rejoin your peers as warriors once more, or would either of you like to reside as a queen permanently?"
"I would like to return to my warrior duties," Eelnose responded, "Please."
"As would I," Gullcry agreed. "As much as I loved taking care of my son, I'm not to keen on raising kits for a living."
Wavestar chuckled. "Very well. Then with Starclan and Silverpelt as witness, let it be known; from this day forward, these cats shall be recognized as full warriors of Oceanclan once more."
Both warriors bowed their heads respectfully to Wavestar before turning and finding a place among the crowd. Hazekit shimmied with excitement. He knew exactly what he had to do for this part of the ceremony.
"Now, Hazekit, Urchinkit please-"
Hazekit raced closer to the Mighty Dune before Wavestar had a chance to finish his sentence.
"...step...forward."
Meanwhile, Urchinkit waited patiently for his cue, stepping up when he was instructed. He smiled up at Wavestar, keeping his head high. Hazekit slumped down in his place. Stupid furball, trying to put on a goody two-paws act. I bet he probably held himself back because he's scared.
Wavestar cleared his throat. "Right, where was I..? Ah, yes. You two have survived the first six moons of your lives. May Starclan guide your paws from this moment on." Then, he turned his muzzle towards the sky. "From this day forward, until they have earned their warrior names, these apprentices shall be known as the following: Hazekit, from this moment on you will be known as Hazepaw. Sandybreeze will be your mentor. I trust that she will be able to tame that wild spirit of yours and shape it into one that will serve Oceanclan well."
Hazepaw nearly jolted in reply. He had been given to the deputy to train? Sandybreeze was a tough warrior. She was proud and strong willed, much like Hazepaw himself. No doubt she'd be very strict with him. After all, she was stubborn enough to stand up to Wavestar about her place as the clan's future leader. It was a well known fact that she'd go down fighting to keep her position instead of yielding it to Wavestar's next eligible kin, as was tradition. Hazepaw had to admire that about her. He liked the way that Sandybreeze carried herself, and how sure she was of her goals. Hazepaw was certain he could handle her as his mentor.
Turning, Hazepaw met with the sand colored she-cat, keeping his head high just as his mother had taught him. Sandybreeze said nothing as she stepped up, touching her nose against his. She moved back afterwards, staring the new apprentice down. Hazepaw did not falter under her gaze. He would not allow himself to be intimidated. Instead, he lifted his chin higher, narrowing his eyes at the she-cat challengingly. Sandybreeze smirked in approval. With a flick of her tail, the deputy commanded her new apprentice to join her to sit at the front of the crowd. Hazepaw followed without question, watching the rest of the ceremony unfold seated beside her.
"And Urchinkit, from this moment on you will be known as Urchinpaw. Silverdrop will mentor you. I know she will do well with teaching you and integrating you fully into Oceanclan," Wavestar concluded. Hazepaw watched as the silver spotted warrior, Silverdrop, shouldered her way to the base of the Mighty Dune. She smiled, touching noses with Urchinpaw. Then she whispered something into his ear before leading him over to their clanmates. She didn't even take the time to size him up. How lame.
"Hazepaw! Urchinpaw! Hazepaw! Urchinpaw" caterwauled the clan. Cats congratulated the new apprentices as they went on their way, returning to their duties. Urchinpaw worked to thank everyone who welcomed him, while Hazepaw kept silent beside his mentor.
"Ah suppose we aught ta take these two scraps out fer their first tour of tha territory?" Silverdrop asked Sandybreeze, standing beside her now. "Unless yer plannin' ta start with trainin' already."
"Touring sounds good," Sandybreeze agreed. "The apprentices will have to learn where they're going at some point. Might as well get it out of the way and save time for training later."
"Lead tha way then, o' wise an' powerful leader," Silverdrop insisted playfully, bowing her head for emphasis. Sandybreeze rolled her eyes, gently cuffing the other molly's ear before beckoning Hazepaw once more. Hazepaw padded alongside her as the patrol left the safety of the Twoleg Settlement Bridge. His fur bristled ever so slightly with excitement as they made their way onto the beach, drawing closer to the large body of water which bordered the horizon. Hazepaw recognized the sound of the waves washing against the shore as they approach. It was the first noise he heard when his ears opened as a kit. And it was the last sound he'd listen to as he fell asleep at night. The rhythmic push and pull of the water had been a comfort his whole life.
"Not that it needs much explanation, but this is the ocean," Sandybreeze announced once the patrol had paused a bear-length from the water's reach. The air felt sharp here, tangy and salty like the pelts of his clanmates. Hazepaw had never been this close to ocean before. But somehow he felt connected to it. Like the waves were part of him, coursing through his veins. Something seemed to compell him towards it. Sandybreeze blocked him with her tail.
"Easy there, 'Paw, you'll get your chance to swim in it later. We're moving on for now."
Hazepaw nodded in understanding, following behind the others as they traveled along the shore. A few tree-lengths ahead, Hazepaw could make out a familiar cluster of rocks.
"Aren't those the tide pools?" Hazepaw questioned.
"Yes, they are. Good memory," Silverdrop praised with a trill.
"You've been here before?" Urchinpaw wondered aloud. Hazepaw glanced at him like he'd grown a second head. Was the other tom really so dense and forgetful?
"Duh. It's where I learned to swim. Every Oceanclan kit comes here by their second moon for lessons." Hazepaw snarkily responded.
"Gullcry never took me," Urchinpaw admitted. He looked embarrassed by that fact, although it was obvious that he was trying to hide it.
Hazepaw resisted the urge to snicker. "You really never learned how to swim?"
Urchinpaw growled, raising part of his upper lip to flash his fangs. "What's it matter to you, fish-brain? Doesn't make me any less of an Oceanclan cat. Besides, I'll learn how to now that I'm an apprentice. Silverdrop, you'll teach me, won't you?"
"Guess ah'll have ta," Silverdrop replied, her tone sounding a little surprised. Urchinpaw wasn't her first outsider apprentice, but he was the first to be with the clan since kithood. Maybe she had hoped he'd at least know how to swim by now, given that fact. But Silverdrop didn't sound burdened having to add swimming to her lesson plan for the spikey black tom. She was patient enough to go through it. Although Hazepaw thought she was more of a pushover, having to fulfill a task that Gullcry should have completed long before his son was even considered for promotion to apprenticeship.
With the apprentices already knowing the landmark which lay in front of them, Sandybreeze led the patrol even further along the beach. They began to draw closer to a part of the Twoleg Settlement Bridge which jutted out into the water. Large tree trunks kept the wooden walkway steady in the waves. On top of it, Twolegs flitted to-and-fro, conducting their business. Some seemed to be tending to giant white sea monsters which huddled around the edge of the bridge. While others conversed with each other, gawking at fish held between their weirdly shaped paws. Hazepaw gazed on in fascination.
"This right here, young ones, is what the Twolegs call a dock. They use it to gain access to their boats which help them travel across the ocean. They also use this area for fishing, and to trade fish to other Twolegs for trinkets," explained Oceanclan's deputy, pointing her muzzle towards the commotion on the upperside of the bridge.
"Wow, boats really grow that big?" Hazepaw queried. He'd only ever seen the boat that was used as the elder's den. It was ant sized compared to some of the boats alive in the water at the dock.
"That's right," Silverdrop praised. "And they're loud sometimes, but harmless as long as ya don' go swimmin near 'em. Or try ta take a ride on their back."
"Do you think we could snag some fish from the Twolegs while we're here?" Urchinpaw piped suddenly, licking his lips. Even at this distance, the smell of prey was unmistakable. Hazepaw too found his mouth watering a little at the thought of taking a couple of tasty fish.
"These types of Twolegs aren't usually the sort to share their food. It would be safer to avoid the fishermen if you can help it," Sandybreeze answered as she beckoned the others to follow her away.
The patrol turned, retreating back to the safety of Settlement Bridge. They traveled in the opposite direction of the ocean, soon leaving behind the familiar Twoleg inhabited territory in order to explore more wild terrain. The beach began to give way to foliage; grasses and other low growing plants that Hazepaw had only heard stories of. Eventually, the patrol came upon a collection of trees which towered high above their heads. Hazepaw tilted his muzzle back to look up at the barren canopy in awe. Here, rich murky scents of soil and prey filtered through his nostrils. Though there was still a dampness to the air--likely from recently melted snow--the moisture seemed sweet in comparison to that which the tom was used to. In the background, the faintest bit of birdsong could be picked up.
"Welcome to tha Forest Patch," Silverdrop meowed as they padded deeper into the woods. The ground underpaw shifted from comforting sand to squishy earth and plant matter. And the familiarness of the beach disappeared behind a wall of tree trunks. Hazepaw started to feel uneasy. But his curiosity held strong, keeping him from cowering like a kit beside his mentor. I'm not afraid, he assured himself. This is nothing. In fact, I like it here! Hazepaw tried to convince himself, but he knew deep down he'd always feel more comfortable on the warmth of the sand than in the shade of the forest.
The patrol followed a well worn path up a slope, along the side of a black stone river.
"To your right, you can see the road," Sandybreeze told the apprentices as they trekked onward. "The other clans call it a Thunder Path. Twolegs drive their cars along it. Living ones are loud, but they won't hunt you if you stay out of their designated path."
Hazepaw looked over, seeing a couple of the mentioned monsters zooming past. The smoke they admitted was harsh and foul smelling. Hazepaw held back a coughing fit that threatened to escape from the back of his throat. He felt lucky that they weren't any closer to the strange artificial path. Though he hoped that they wouldn't be following the road much longer. Luckily, the path broke away not too far ahead, leading the Oceanclan cats deeper into the unfamiliar territory of the woods. Occasionally, as they continued with the tour, Sandybreeze or Silverdrop would pause to spray on some trees and rocks. Then they'd move on, taking the apprentices with them. At one point when Sandybreeze stopped to mark the border again, Hazepaw joined her, leaving his own scent on an old stone. Sandybreeze looked at him, nodding her approval. Hazepaw smiled back smugly.
Part of the forest raised into an incline as the patrol moved along, while the path they were set on remained at an even level. The trees up ahead started to thin, and soon sand mingled with the earth underpaw. Before Hazepaw knew it, the patrol was back on the beach. Alongside them, the forest continued to rise, creating a distinctive separation between Treeclan territory and Oceanclan. A little further ahead, a pile of rocks peaked out of the ground. They continued onward up a slope, Hazepaw noticed. Sandybreeze stopped the patrol here. She held out her tail, warning the apprentices not to make a move.
"What is it..?" Urchinpaw whispered to Hazepaw. Hazepaw shook his head, unsure of what was going on.
"There's a patrol nearby," Silverdrop answered. "Sniff the air, you'll be able ta catch em too."
Hazepaw lifted his muzzle and parted his jaws to taste the air. At first, all he could smell was the sweetness of the forest. But through the earthy scent he caught something unfamiliar. That's Treeclan? He wondered. As the smells of the enemy warriors drew closer, the sound of chatter could be made out, becoming clear as the two patrols met. On the cliff above, four cats stood with heads held high; they were completely unaware of how close they were to Oceanclan's patrol. At the head of the Treeclan cats was a firey ginger tom with eyes as orange as the sunset. Beside him was a slightly duller ginger and white cat, who glanced occasionally at two smaller mollies beside her. The larger of the younger set was a tabby and white molly with thick fur and an air of smugness about her. The smallest of the patrol was silver and white with long silky fur and the prettiest green eyes Hazepaw had ever seen. Hazepaw caught himself staring at her. He became lost in his thoughts which ran as rapid as the ocean's current.
When Hazepaw zoned back into reality, his mentor was laughing and Silverdrop was chatting with Treeclan's patrol. The tabby Treeclan apprentice was making a smart remark and Sandybreeze was warning the firey tom, Treeclan's leader Blazestar, to teach the younger cat to watch her tongue. Hazepaw smirked mischievously. He couldn't stop himself from inserting his input into the conversation, even though he had hardly been paying attention. For some reason he was in the mood to show off.
"Yeah, Treeclan cat, shut your trap!" Hazepaw sneered. "Your clan's filled with nothing but deer ticks." Urchinpaw stood beside him, hanging his head at the other tom's remark. Hazepaw could swear he could hear the spikey black tom groan.
"And your head is full of bees," the tabby hissed. "Yknow, I wouldn't be surprised if you've got sand up your-"
"That's enough, Tigerpaw," Blazestar warned, putting his tail in front of the apprentice to hold her back. So that's that treelicker's name, Hazepaw thought. What about the other apprentice? Maybe if Hazepaw kept going with his remarks he could get that information. Maybe he could even tease Tigerpaw enough to make her angry. That would be funny. And it might be fun to get into a border skirmish on the first day out of camp, Hazepaw figured.
"We only came to mark and show off the border," the ginger and white she-cat reminded her clanmates "We should be going now."
Blazestar nodded in agreement. Hazepaw had to hide the slight disappointment he felt following this decision.
"May the branches hold your weight, Sandybreeze, Silverdrop, and 'Paws," Blazestar meowed to Oceanclan's patrol with a dip of his head.
"An' may Starclan light yer path," responded Silverdrop, sweeping her tail to turn Hazepaw and Urchinpaw around. Urchinpaw looked relieved to be heading away from the Forest Patch. But Hazepaw didn't quite share his feelings. He wanted to cause some trouble. As a last ditch effort to do so, Hazepaw turned his head to stick his tongue out at Tigerpaw. Then he glanced at the silver and white she-cat again before finally following his clanmates away.
