Chapter 3

"Wake up!" A voice hissed in Jaykit's ear and the she-cat's gray eyes flew open. A pair of dark amber eyes was staring at her and as Jaykit scrambled to her paws, she recognized the brown fur of her sister, Stripekit. Stripekit's pelt gleamed and Jaykit wondered why her sister had groomed her fur so nicely. Then she remembered.

"So are you two ready to become apprentices?" Jaykit's father- Brackenfur- meowed as he pushed his way into the nursery. Even without Millie and her kits, the nursery was still crowded and Brackenfur's broad shoulders only made the den seem even smaller. Brackenfur gave Sorreltail a loving lick on her head and then returned his gaze back to his kits, his eyes filled with amusement, "You two look even smaller than Applekit and Ashkit."

Hearing their names, Applekit and Ashkit padded away from Whitewing and stood behind Sorreltail, their green eyes bright with excitement. Even though they were born when Millie's kits became apprentices, they couldn't remember it so the naming ceremony for Jaykit and Stripekit was a big deal for them. Jaykit lifted her head in pride at the thought of the two kits coming to watch her receive her apprentice name.

"I'll show you small!" Stripekit growled playfully, throwing herself at Brackenfur. Jaykit watched Brackenfur playfully pat at Stripekit with sheathed paws and suddenly felt very out of place. All the cats in the nursery- Brackenfur, Sorreltail, Whitewing, and Stripekit- were all following the path of warriors. Even Applekit seemed to know where his paws lead because he threw himself on top of Brackenfur and- with Stripekit- tackled the giant golden brown warrior to the floor.

Jaykit wanted to become a medicine cat apprentice. Jaykit remembered when Whitewing had her kits and when Stripekit fell down the hollow. Jaykit remembered Leafpool and how her knowledge of herbs had saved Stripekit's life and ensured the lives of Applekit and Ashkit. Jaykit wanted to be important to ThunderClan and in becoming a medicine cat; she saw her fulfilling this dream.

The sound of paw steps sounded outside the nursery and Birchfall entered, carrying a squirrel. Dropping it by Whitewing, Birchfall turned to Applekit and meowed sternly, "Is that anyway to treat your senior warriors?"

"Senior?" Brackenfur meowed, getting to his paws as Stripekit and Applekit bounced off him. "Are you calling me old?"

"No-o-o," Birchfall stammered, realizing he had upset Brackenfur. The golden brown warrior stared at him for another second before he let out a purr of amusement.

"Birchfall, lighten up," Brackenfur mewed, giving Birchfall a gentle nudge. Ferncloud- the oldest nursing queen and Birchfall's mother- joined the conversation, purring, "Birchfall, don't you remember jumping on Brackenfur when you were a kit and if my memory is correct, you also tackled Firestar and Graystripe quite a bit too?" Ferncloud's green eyes sparkled with amusement as Birchfall ducked his head in embarrassment.

"If you warriors are done acting like kits, Jaykit and Stripekit have to get ready for their naming ceremony," Sorreltail hissed gently, getting to her paws and nudging Brackenfur and Birchfall out of the nursery. Once they were gone, Sorreltail turned to Stripekit and complained, "Stripekit, you mousebrain, your pelt is all sandy now. Come here." Sorreltail dragged Stripekit over to her with her paw and began covering her kit with gentle licks. Jaykit purred with amusement until Sorreltail turned her amber eyes on her. "What are you laughing at? You're next!"

Sorreltail dismissed Stripekit with a flick of her tail and the brown she-cat went over to stand near Applekit and Ashkit. The two younger kits were play fighting and Stripekit's amber eyes were filled with longing. Jaykit padded over next to Sorreltail, but the tortoiseshell she-cat only got a couple licks in before Firestar's voice filled the clearing.

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, please report to Highledge for a Clan meeting."

Forgetting about Applekit and Ashkit, Stripekit darted out of the nursery. Ferncloud and Daisy got to their paws and followed Stripekit out, probably making sure she didn't ruin her clean pelt. Sorreltail nudged Jaykit and the two of them exited the nursery. There was the faint sound of stumbling from behind them and a second later, Whitewing and her kits were out in the clearing. Applekit padded over to Jaykit and gave her cheek a friendly lick white Ashkit brushed her muzzle against her friend's shoulder.

Giving the nursery a fond look, Jaykit padded after Stripekit and Sorreltail, excitement tingling at her paws. Stopping at the center of the clearing, Jaykit sat beside Stripekit, the sisters brushing pelt softly.

Firestar was already on Highledge, Brambleclaw and Leafpool below him. Bumblepaw, Blossompaw, Squirrelflight, and Foxfang were already looking up at Firestar. Dustpelt, Sandstorm, and Cloudtail joined the group and Thornclaw, Brightheart, and Spiderleg joined them soon after. Icestorm and Graystripe were sharing tongues while Berrynose sat next to them, his mouth full of rabbit.

Hazeltail, Mousewhisker, Lionblaze, and Hollyleaf pushed their way out of the warriors' den while Rosepaw, Toadpaw, and Briarpaw exited the apprentices' den. Cinderheart padded into the camp, leading the rest of the sunhigh patrol- Poppyfrost and Honeyfern. Millie sat down next to Berrynose while the two elders- Longtail and Mousefur- padded out of the elders' den.

Jaykit locked eyes with her clanmates and saw her reflection staring back at her. Her golden brown fur glowed like fire in the sunlight and as she turned her head towards Stripekit, Jaykit saw her sister looked just as good. Today was a day they were going to remember forever.

"Cats of ThunderClan," Firestar began, "Jaykit and Stripekit have reached their sixth moon and it is time for them to become apprentices of our Clan. Jaykit, Stripekit, please come here."

Jaykit followed Stripekit's lead and soon they were standing directly below Highledge. Firestar's green gaze raked over the two kits and he locked eyes with a warrior above their heads. "Foxfang, you had an outstanding mentor in Squirrelflight and I trust you to teach Stripepaw everything Squirrelflight taught you." Foxfang nodded and Firestar added, "Foxfang, this is your first apprentice. Do not be afraid to seek guidance with your senior warriors."

Foxfang and Stripepaw touched noses and padded away to stand in the crowd, leaving Jaykit on her own. Jaykit locked eyes with Firestar as the flame-colored tom began to speak, "Jaykit has chosen a path very few have tread. Leafpool, your mentor was Cinderpelt and from her, you have become one of the best medicine cats in all the Clans. I trust you to help Jaypaw find out where she belongs."

Leafpool padded up to Jaypaw and they touched noses although Jaypaw's thoughts weren't in the hollow. Instead Jaypaw was thinking of Firestar's words. Where she belongs? Did that mean that she didn't belong in the medicine cat's den? Or that she didn't belong in ThunderClan?