"It is my wish to take on Birdkit as an apprentice," Willownose meowed from her place beside Redstar.
The Clan let out murmurs of surprise and approval as the tabby stepped forward touch noses with her new mentor, who leapt down from highledge to greet her. Badgerkit was completely taken off guard at this news. Her friend had wanted to be a medicine cat? Why had she not told her?
Palepaw sat beside her new mentor, Appleflight, her eyes shining with pride for her sister. Badgerkit looked for Turtlestep and Spottedwing. They were sitting apart from each other, though both looked happy for their kit.
"I shall take Birdpaw to the moonpool for her to be received by our ancestors tonight," Willownose announced.
The Clan broke apart, back to their normal duties. Badgerkit scampered up to the newly named Birdpaw. "Why didn't you tell me you wanted to be a medicine cat?" she asked, trying not to sound offended.
"I wasn't sure if Willownose would let me," Birdpaw admitted.
"And why wouldn't I?" the silver she-cat questioned, entering the conversation. "If you wish to be the healer of the Clan, only StarClan could stop you."
Birdpaw ducked her head.
"Now come along, Birdpaw," Willownose mewed. "We need to make you a nest in my den. I'd take you out with Appleflight and Palepaw but you need to save your energy for traveling to the moonpool tonight." The she-cat moved past Badgerkit and lead her new apprentice away.
Badgerkit felt a pang of loneliness. Would Birdpaw stop talking to her now that she was of a different rank?
"This isn't fair," Thistlekit complained, stomping us behind Badgerkit, causing her to jump. "We're just as big as they are! Why can't we be apprentices yet?"
"It's part of the Warrior Code," Smokepad meowed, padding up to his kits. "Some kits are still growing at your age. It's only fair for you to wait for them."
Thistlekit muttered something indistinct but didn't question her father. Instead, she trotted away, beckoning Badgerkit with her.
Badgerkit followed glancing behind to give a nod goodbye to her father. "What is it?" she asked her sister.
"I say that we prove we should be apprentices," the gray she-cat declared. "Like I said, we're just as big. We could hunt! And we have no reason to be scared of foxes or badgers. We haven't heard any cats talking about any in our territory anyway."
Badgerkit's fur rose. "What? No way, Thistlekit! We'll get in so much trouble!"
She flicked her tail dissmissivley. "Not if we bring back prey. Redstar will be so impressed, he'll have to make us warriors."
"What are you kits standing in the corner for?" a voice rumbled behind them.
The sisters turned to see Raventail standing over them. He was a tall tom, and a bit intimidating.
"N-nothing, Raventail," Thistlekit mewed quickly.
"Rockwind tells me you can be a bit mischievous, Thistlekit," Raventail meowed. "You two weren't sneaking off to plan anything, were you?"
Badgerkit winced. Of course the deputy could see right through them.
Thistlekit lied easily. "Oh, no," she responded. "We were just talking about how jealous we were of Palepaw and Birdpaw."
Raventail opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, Willownose padded up behind him and draped her tail gently over his shoulder. "Rockwind is kitting," she meowed quietly.
Raventail turned to her, his eyes wide. "Now?" he asked. "But don't you have to go to the moonpool tonight?"
Willownose shook her head. "The kits come when the kits come. Hopefully, she'll be done by tonight."
Badgerkit and Thistlekit exchanged a glance, and then started to slip past the older cats. They scampered away, avoiding the two carefully. They continued to speak, before turning away themselves and padding towards the nursery.
"I wonder if Willownose is nervous," Thistlekit meowed. "The last time she assisted with a kitting..." She trailed off.
Badgerkit's was surprised at her sister's lack of concern for talking about such a tragedy. Their brother had died, for StarClan's sake?
"Shush!" she hissed.
"What?" Thistlekit asked. "It's a legitimate question."
The kitting was quick. It was only sunhigh when Birdpaw exited the nursery, looking exhausted.
"How did it go?" Badgerkit asked, jumping to her paws where she had been waiting. "How many are there?"
"Two," Birdpaw meowed. "A she-kit and a tom. Both are doing fine. Rockwind's a bit tired though."
"Are we aloud to go in?" Cloudflower meowed, walking up behind her daughter. "I'd like to see them."
"Willownose didn't say. I'm just getting some borage."
Cloudflower moved forward anyway, and slipped in the den. Badgerkit followed her, glancing over her shoulder.
"C'mon, Thistlekit," she called to her sister, who was playing with a clump of moss by herself.
Thistlekit looked over at her, and, with a huff, trotted over to the den.
Badgerkit nosed her way inside. The nursery was crowded, with Raventail, Rockwind, and Willownose already inside. Now that Cloudflower, Badgerkit, and Thistlekit had entered, there was hardly any room to move. That didn't matter much to Badgerkit. She was too busy looking at the tiny, squirming kits.
"They're so small!" she meowed delightedly.
Rockwind smiled tiredly up at her. "Yes, they are. And beautiful."
"Just like you," Raventail purred, pressing his muzzle to her check.
"The tom looks like you," Rockwind pointed out. "I want to name him Sparrowkit," she added. "And the she-kit is Leafkit."
"They can be whatever you want," the deputy purred.
This was a soft side that Badgerkit didn't see of the strong warrior. She had often wondered why Rockwind had chosen such a gruff tom to father her kits, but he was so sweet to her that it became easy to understand.
Birdpaw reentered the den holding a bundle of herbs in her maw. "I hope I brought the right ones," she meowed, dropping the leaves in front of the queen.
Willownose sniffed them. "Yes. Excellent job, Birdpaw. You've had an exciting first day."
Rockwind lapped up the herbs, then lay her head down and closed her eyes. "I'm so tired. Can I sleep? Will the kits be alright?"
Willownose dipped her head. "Yes. Rest up while you can." She turned to Cloudflower. "Keep an eye of those kits," she mewed quietly. "I must take Birdpaw to the moonpool. Send a warrior to get us if something happens."
"Of course, Willownose," she meowed, dipping her head.
Badgerkit couldn't take her eyes off the kits. They looked so sweet and peaceful. "Thistlekit, look at them! Aren't they cute?" She glanced at her sister.
Thistlekit glanced down at the bundles and gave a sniff. "They're just going to be noisy and interrupt my sleep," she complained.
Badgerkit rolled her eyes and kept looking at the kits. Maybe Thistlekit was right, but they were still adorable.
