"From this day forward,you will be known as Spottedpaw." Spottedpaw trembled as she received her new apprentice name, feeling the full gaze of the Clan on her. "Featherwhisker, you have agreed to mentor Spottedpaw, and I know you will pass on your skill and knowledge to her." The silvery medicine cat dipped his head to acknowledge Sunstar as he padded to meet Spottedpaw.

"Touch noses with me." He whispered. Spottedpaw obeyed, even though she had to stretch her neck upwards.

"Spottedpaw! Redpaw! Willowpaw!" The loud chanting warmed Spottedpaw's heart and she felt as if the sun itself was shining in her chest. I'm going to be a medicine cat! She felt like jumping up and down but settled for twitching her tail happily. As the meeting dispersed, Spottedpaw watched Halftail and Poppydawn lead Redpaw and Willowpaw out of the camp.

"Are we going out too?" Spottedpaw asked Featherwhisker eagerly.

"We will." He promised. "I just want to show you the herbs and what their purpose is-then I'll show you where to find them."

"Will I learn any warrior stuff?" Spottedpaw meowed as she followed the medicine cat to his den. No-our den! She realized excitedly.

"In time." Featherwhisker purred. "All medicine cats are supposed to learn basic fighting skills; there are still dangerous animals and rogues." Spottedpaw nodded seriously. "I can also teach you some basic hunting. It's not part of normal medicine cat training but I've found it quite useful so I may as well teach you the hunting crouch." The two medicine cats stopped in front of Featherwhisker's supply of herbs. "Now, here comes the long part-learning all the herbs."

"I remember a few." Spottedpaw reminded him. "Yarrow, catmint, and poppy seeds." She nodded towards each one as she named it.

"That's a good start." Featherwhisker praised her. "I'll start showing you which ones help sickness and then which ones help wounds from fighting." As the ThunderClan medicine cat began reciting the herbs as he pointed them out, Spottedpaw's head whirled. I hope I can be as good as Featherwhisker one day!