So there are quite a few major changes to my story. I've decided to put an end to my pointless author's note. Which means that I will leave it to this. Please remember that writing has become part of my life, and I plan on writing a whole lot more after this book. Also I'd like to thank Through Another's Eyes for writing her amazing fics. They've inspired me to improve my writing, and make longer chapters. I hope you enjoy :D

Chapter 4

"Come on Nightkit, hurry up!" Stormkit called to his smaller sister, Nightkit.

He ducked when she leaped forward, nearly clawing his ears off in the process. Stormkit growled in frustration. She was always trying to do things like these. Lately her latest pranks had involved him. That was one thing Stormkit couldn't tolerate. The two of them were constantly bickering, and Streamkit didn't help. The silver tabby often got involved in their arguments. This one just happened to be their latest argument.

"We're gonna be late," she hissed playfully. "And it's all your fault!" She turned around to face him. Stormkit met her stare squarely. She could taunt him all she wanted, but they weren't going to get her anywhere.

A growl rose within his throat. Streamkit was busy chasing her tail. Their mother, Petalfur, watched them cautiously.

Petalfur didn't have the same experience as other mothers. This was her first litter, and she was the only queen in RiverClan. Luckily she had the help of Icewing, since the white she-cat had no apprentice to take care of. Icewing was actually the mother of Petalfur, which made her kin to Stormkit, Nightkit, and Streamkit. It also meant that Beetlewhisker and Grasspelt were kin to the three kits as well.

We sure have a lot of kin, Stormkit thought with a flick of his ears. He wondered if any of them would be his mentor. Mistystar often chose cats who were best suited for their apprentice. She was a wise leader, with plenty of experience. Most cats respected her.

Loudpaw and Duskpaw were practicing their swimming and fishing skills near the stream that cut through camp. As kits they had learned too never fear the water. Fish were a staple diet. Thanks to the type of prey RiverClan cats ate, their pelts became sleek and glossy. The water from rivers or streams would just run off of their pelts like an otter. Stormkit himself loved the water, and couldn't wait to learn how to battle in it.

He squealed irritably when a paw swiped across his muzzle. Nightkit sneered at him.

"What's the matter, little brother?" she asked innocently. "I thought you could face anything, even me."

Stormkit's fur began to bristle as anger churned his belly. He wasn't going to put up with her constant jibes any longer.

He crouched in front of her, preparing to spring. Nightkit was more irritable than a tick. She needed to be taught that he wasn't going to let her get away with taunting him. She let out a squeak of surprise when he leaped forward. Though his claws were sheathed, Stormkit could nip at her ears. Nightkit hissed fearfully when he barreled into her. Stormkit yowled in triumph as she raced away.

No longer was he going to be called the weaker of his siblings. Nightkit had just run away from him.

The sudden cuff around his ears was what had made Stormkit wince. He whirled around when he realized Petalfur had come to stop them from fighting. Her blue eyes were icy as she looked down at her son.

"That's enough," she told him. Her scolding made Stormkit flatten his ears. Nightkit only glared at him as she moved to her daughter next. "The both of you need to learn how to get along," she added. "One of these days your fighting could get worse."

When Stormkit didn't reply, Petalfur flicked her tail over his ears. He continued glaring at his paws as she groomed Nightkit. Streamkit bounced at her side, eager to have her fur groomed by their mother.

Streamkit was nothing more than a monkey-wrench thrown into a well-fueled cat. She constantly got herself into trouble by following Nightkit around. Most cats had begun to ignore her, but her boisterous attitude was getting on Stormkit's nerves. One day she had even put mousebile on his nest, something he would never forgive her for. Of course the idea had been Nightkit's, but she always seemed to do what Nightkit told her.

Nightkit on the other hand was an entirely different story. She was a leader, not a follower. It was her who came up with most of the ideas. Even Mistystar, who was usually fair with most cats, had begun to take a keen interest in her. The very thought of the Clan paying more attention to Nightkit irritated Stormkit. It only made things worse when she understood that the Clan was watching her.

All of their watching would come to an end though once their apprentice ceremony took place. Mistystar had come into the nursery the previous day, announcing that there would be three new apprentices in RiverClan. The moment her news had slipped the three kits couldn't sleep.

As soon as Mistystar had left the nursery, Nightkit began to describe who her mentor would be. She was hoping Mistystar would become her mentor. Stormkit had scoffed at her, saying that the odds of Mistystar becoming her mentor were one in a million. He already knew that he would have a common mentor. He just hoped that it would be someone who actually knew how to train an apprentice.

Mistystar herself was casually grooming her already sleek fur. Reedwhisker sat at her side. The two were most likely discussing issues over borders. Or what ever it was leaders and their deputies talked about.

Mothwing and Willowshine were always busy. Stormkit could see Mothwing now. It looked like she was shifting through piles of herbs that had been collected by her apprentice. Her pelt had become gray and ragged looking after seasons of being the medicine cat of RiverClan. Stormkit was surprised that she hadn't asked to retire. After all, Willowshine was more than capable of taking care of the Clan.

Stormkit squealed indignantly when he felt his mother's tongue rasp over his fur. He didn't want to be treated like a kit anymore! After today he would be an apprentice, and a good one at that!

"I don't want my kits looking like they have a careless mother," she murmured in between grooming.

Mistystar was rising to her paws after Petalfur had finished. Reedwhisker gave his mother a firm nod and joined Mosspelt near the warriors' den. By now most of the Clan had returned from their daily chores. Loudpaw and Duskpaw had finished cleaning out the elders' den and were sitting side-by-side, sharing a fish.

"Let all cats old enough gather around the Willowtree for a Clan meeting!" Mistystar's call rang throughout the clearing. All cats looked up from what they were doing as their leader called for a meeting. The three elders dragged themselves out of their den. When she was certain that her Clan was watching, she continued the meeting. "It is time for one of my favorite duties, and one that has been passed from generation to generation. Three kits have reached their sixth moon, and they are ready to become apprentices. By naming apprentices we show that our Clan will remain strong. Come forward you three." Mistystar flicked her tail towards Petalfur's kits, who were now dancing in place.

Stormkit nearly tripped over his paws as he followed his sisters. His heart was beating rapidly as he thought of the possible mentors available.

"Stormkit, until you have earned your warrior name, you will be known as Stormpaw. I am ready for an apprentice. I will be your mentor."

By the time she finished her sentence, Stormpaw's jaw had dropped. He could feel the scorching glare of his sister as Mistystar jumped down to rub his nose. Mistystar purred in amusement when she sensed his shock. When she was finished with her exchange, she leaped back onto the branch of the willow tree. Not really knowing what else to do, Stormpaw remained where he was.

"Nightkit, until you have earned your warrior name, you will be known as Nightpaw. Mosspelt, you have mentored many fine warriors, and were a mother yourself. I expect you to pass on the knowledge you have gained to Nightpaw."

Nightpaw was still fuming as Mosspelt rubbed noses with her new apprentice. Stormpaw couldn't help but feel the same surprise she felt. Never did he expect Mistystar to become his mentor. The idea was still a shock to him. After their exchange was finished, Mistystar turned to Streamkit.

"Streamkit, until you have earned your warrior name, you will be known as Streampaw. Pebblefoot, you are ready for an apprentice. You were a fine mentor to Grasspelt, and I expect you to pass this on to Streampaw."

After the meeting drew to an end, Stormpaw settled down. He waited for Mistystar to finish speaking with Duskfur.

Apparently her patrol had found something near the border. Something that spelled disaster for the Clan. Stormpaw had noticed how worried the brown she-cat looked as she returned from a patrol. When Mistystar nodded in understanding, Duskfur stalked away, looking quite furious with the RiverClan leader. Mistystar shook her head and sighed.

What ever that something was, it must not have been too severe. Stormpaw just hoped that it didn't interfere with his training.