Sorry for the slow update. State testing is wasting my time.
The snow was receding, good news to Spottedkit. At this point, leaf-bare was ending and Spottedkit was almost six moons old. She had even begun the classic kit ritual of sitting in camp and thinking about who her mentor would be as soon as she woke up.
Spottedkit was the violent type, and knew she was, which explained why she admired Thistleclaw. He was strong and wasn't afraid to show anyone who tthey were dealing with. He was definitely her first choice for a mentor. But while she had that figured out, she didn't get why Thistleclaw keptwaking up later and later in the morning and going on less and less patrols. She knew he had been sick for the past days, but he was becoming an elder, for StarClan's sake!
There were 2 likely candidates to replace him. There was Thistleclaw, charismatic and leaderlike, the tom Spottedkit would be delighted to have as Clan deputy. Besides, it would be just perfect if Spottedkit was apprenticed to the deputy. And perhaps leader, if it came to that. However, Bluefur was also in the running to become deputy. She conveniently had no kits now, so Bluefur was just a warrior now. She was as charismatic, but less terrifying, than Thistleclaw, and Sunstar seemed to be particularly fond of her. Bluefur was definitely Sunstar's favorite, but even though Spottedkit wanted to be apprenticed to the deputy, no way would she be apprenticed to Bluefur. Bluefur was soft like a kittypet.
Spottedkit had been right. The day after the Gathering, Sunstar gathered the Clan.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting!" Sunstar yowled. Spottedkit's eyes opened quickly. She had been sleeping, but being so close to becoming an apprentice, she had to be ready for anything.
Spottedkit strode out of thenursery, followed by Dappletail and Runningkit. Runningkit was barely more than a moon old now, but his mother, Squirrelpelt, had been killed. That was the first death Spottedkit had seen. And to her delight, she wasn't afraid. Spottedkit only regretted that Squirrelpelt hadn't taken the enemy cat down with her.
"Tawnyspots is to be moving to the elder's den," Sunstar announced as soon as every cat was seated. Meows of approval answered the announcement. Spottedkit agreed: Tawnyspots was weak and needed to be replaced.
"We are in need of a new deputy. This shall be Bluefur."
As approving mews spread quickle across the Clan, Spottedkit could only gasp. Thistleclaw was supposed to become deputy! He was supposed to lead the Clan to greatness, and mentor Spottedkit so she could become the greatest warrior in history! But her dreams had been crushed. Spottedkit sighed quietly and bowed her head in sadness.
"There are still warriors to make!" announced Sunstar, stopping cats from leaving. A few of the older apprentices smiled proudly.
"Tigerpaw and Goldenpaw, come forward," Sunstar announced, motioning with his tail for the two apprentices to come forward. The cats in front stepped back as the two apprentices padded forward. Goldenpaw's pride shone on her face, though she looked practically uncaring in comparison to Tigerclaw's fierce, raw pride.
"I, Sunstar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard in the ways of your noble code and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Tigerpaw, Goldenpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your lives?"
"I do!" Goldenpaw meowed, raising her head proudly.
"I do!" Tigerpaw declared eagerly.
"Then by the power of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Tigerpaw, from now on, you will be known as Tigerclaw. StarClan admires your courage and your ferocity in battle. Goldenpaw, you will now be known as Goldenflower. StarClan admires you compassion and your determination and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."
Spottedkit lit up as she imagined herself in that position. Making her a warrior would be the smartest choice any ThunderClan cat would make. Along with the rest of her clan she cheered the warriors' new names.
"As the warrior code states, Goldenflower and Tigerclaw must sit vigil in the night," Sunstar announced. As Spottedkit watched, she noticed the many shades of sunset dappling the sky. She tried to imagine herself as Tigerclaw's apprentice. He was fierce like Thistleclaw, though Spottedkit would prefer it of Thistleclaw were her mentor.