Chapter 1! I went ahead in time a bit so the main kitties can become learners.
A couple of days later, Storm was poked awake by LittleLight. "What is it?" she murmured, turning over so she could go back to sleep.
"Hey!" cried LittleLight, "Don't go back to sleep! Today is the day we become learners!"
Storm's eyes snapped open and she jumped to her paws. "Are you serious?"
LittleLight nodded, "Of course I am! Now come on! This is not something you want to be late for!"
LittleLight led the way out of the nursery. Outside, most of the tribe was gathered under the High Rock. LittleLight weaved her way through the cats to the front. Standing on the rock was ShiningFeather. Her deputy CrashingDark was sitting next to the rock. ShadowStripe, who was CrashingDark's rival was sitting on the other side of the rock. Storm was surprised to learn that for the deputy to be chosen, two cats must be chosen and then the two cats will fight. The one who wins will become the deputy. ShadowStripe was CrashingDark's opponent and he obviously lost. ShadowStripe's ripped ear was from that time.
LittleClaw and LittleLight's siblings were standing in front of the High Rock. LitleLight and Storm quickly joined them just as ShiningFeather yowled for the ceremony to begin.
"Cats of OceanTide. Like many times before, young littles have finally reached the age to become learners."
Storm shrunk back from the gaze of the cats. The other littles on the other hand puffed their chests out with pride. Storm could not understand them. How could they stand being watched like this?
"Come on Storm," whispered LittleClaw out of the corner of her mouth, "Stand up proudly. Today is a great day!"
"I don't think so," whispered Storm.
"Now," began ShiningLight, "I ask the ancestors of our Tribe, the ones that ride the Spirit Wind to look down upon these littles." Storm did not see it, but ShiningFeather glanced over at SpiritCave who was standing near his den. The tom released a slight nod and ShiningFeather continued with the ceremony. "They will become the future of our Tribe one day but for now they will learn all there is to now. LittleRiver, LittlePalm, LittleLight and LittleClaw. You are now StepRiver, StepPalm, StepLight and StepClaw."
Storm's eyes widen. ShiningFeather did not mention her! Did that mean she would not become a learner with the others? Would she be stuck as the outsider? Maybe she should have listened to her mother and went somewhere else. Although, she did not know where she would go. From what she gathered, the jungle belonged to ForestRose. They were the same as OceanTide.
"Storm."
Storm's head perked up and she looked back at ShiningFeather. The white she-cat's eyes watched her warmly. "SpirtCave has asked the Spirit Wind about you and he says the Spirit Wind has accepted you as a member of the Tribe."
Storm's eyes widen. She wasn't the only one surprised. Many of the older cats began to mummer to each other. They all thought Storm would not be allowed to become a learner for she did not have the blood of OceanTide in her veins.
"This has been accepted by the Spirit Wind and the Spirit Flame," spoke SpiritCave stepping to the front of the group of cats. He stood next to Storm and placed his tail on her shoulder. "It will be hard but I think you will do just fine," said SpiritCave to Storm.
"I agree," said StepLight.
StepClaw nodded, "I also think so."
"And so," said ShiningFeather, "I, ShiningFeather, leader of OceanTide accept Storm as a part of the tribe. From this day, until you become a warrior you will be StepStorm."
Yowls rang up around the camp as the new learners were accepted into the tribe. After the yowling was done, the cats left the learners alone and went back to whatever they were doing.
"Aren't we supposed to get mentors?" asked StepStorm, remembering that the older learners were all trained by somecat.
"Not for a couple of days," said StepPalm, "For now we go with the other learners and their mentors."
"It's so the leader can see how we act and figure out the best mentors for us," put in StepRiver. The she-cat's ears perked as RagingSand and his learner StepTyphoon passed. "Come on StepPalm! Let's go with them!" The siblings hurried after the mentor and learner, leaving StepStorm alone with StepClaw and StepLight.
"What should we do?" StepStorm asked the two she-cats.
"We find another mentor and go with them," said StepClaw, "I saw GrayShark leave with StepShells. If we hurry I think we'll be able to catch up to them."
"Good idea!" said StepLight, "GrayShark won't be mad at us or anything for tagging along. Come on StepStorm!"
The three she-cats hurried out of the camp. StepStorm realized with a jolt that she had not been out of the camp ever since she had gotten here! All she had been doing is sleeping, eating, playing with StepLight and StepClaw and exploring the camp. She blinked at the sunlight. The waves from the ocean were steadily moving back and forth. The sun was shining and there wasn't a single cloud in the sky.
"There they are!" yowled StepClaw, pointing them out with her tail. The two OceanTide learners easily ran down the rocks and onto the sand. They turned around and noticed that StepStorm wasn't with them.
"Come on," said StepClaw, "It's not that hard."
"Yes it is," protested StepStorm, "I'm going to fall and break something!"
"You won't though. The sand is really soft," pointed out StepLight.
StepStorm gulped. That was easy for them to say. They probably did this a million times before! She slowly stepped onto the first rock and then bounced onto the next one and then to the next one.
"Come on!" snapped StepClaw, unable to take StepStorm's slow pace, "At the rate you're going, it will be sundown before we get there."
The sudden yelling, made StepStorm slip on a rock and she went tumbling down. She landed on the sand with a thud. "Ow…"
"That worked," commented StepClaw while StepLight ran over to make sure she was okay.
"I'm fine," said StepStorm, getting up. The only thing that was bruised was her pride.
"Let's go," complained StepClaw, walking towards GrayShark, "I want to get started!"