A/N I updated! So proud. Please enjoy the first chapter of the long abandoned story, Velvet Lightning (du-duh-du-daa!)

Velvet Lightning

Chapter 1 ~ Hello my name is Lightning

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the low-branch for a clan meeting!"

Velvetpelt emerged from the Warrior's den and stretched in the morning sunlight. He looked up at where Silverstar was perched, on the lowest branch of the Ice-tree. Sitting on one of the roots were Lightningkit and Thornykit, both looking excited and anxious. Velvetpelt sat down next to Rockfall. His brother looked over at him.

"It wasn't so long ago we were sitting there" Rockfall said, flicking his tail at the soon-to-be apprentices. Velvetpelt purred.

"I'm glad. If I never clean out the nursery again, it'll be too soon!"

"Well, someone needs to do it. With all the kits in there, it's getting hard to keep the moss fresh" The brothers turned around to see their mother, Tawnyfeather, at the entrance to the nursery. Her belly was round with her unborn kits, and Warrenkit and Angelkit, the leader's kits, were bundling round her paws.

"We can keep the nest clean ourselves!" Angelkit announced, her dappled tail sticking straight up.

"Quiet, the ceremony's starting!" Warrenkit stared wide-eyed up at his father, who had risen to his paws.

"Cats of IceClan! The time has come for two new apprentices." Silverstar paused and looked round at his clan. He turned to face the two kits, who were now quivering with excitement. "Lightningkit and Thornykit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. Thornykit, from this day, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Thornypaw. I ask StarClan to watch over you and guide you until you find in your paws the strength and courage of a warrior. Glaciertail, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You have received excellent training from Longclaw, and you have shown yourself to be courageous and loyal. You will be the mentor of Thornypaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to him."

Glaciertail stepped forward and touched noses with her new apprentice. She stepped back as Silverstar continued.

"Lightningkit, from this day, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Lightningpaw. I ask StarClan to watch over you and guide you until you find in your paws the strength and courage of a warrior." Silverstar paused, and looked over at his medicine cat, Moonshine, who nodded. "Velvetpelt, you are a new warrior, yet I feel you are ready to take on an apprentice. You have received excellent training from Silentwhisker, and you have shown yourself to be brave and thoughtful. You shall mentor Lightningpaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to her."

Velvetpelt stepped forward and touched noses with Lightningpaw, whose eyes glowed in excitement.

"Lightningpaw, Thornypaw, Lightningpaw, Thornypaw!"

The cats around called out the new names, welcoming the apprentices to the Clan.

"Lightningpaw! You'll come back and teach us everything you learn, right? You'll tell us all about it, won't you?"

The newly named Lightningpaw purred. "Of course I will, Angelkit. But you'll have to wait until you're an apprentice to learn the good stuff."

Angelkit nodded, and dashed back into the nursery. Lightningpaw looked up at her mentor.

"What are we doing first?" Velvetpelt thought back to his own days of apprenticeship. Silentwhisker had taught him about the warrior code as they explored the three borders of the territory. It sounded a good place to start.

"We'll be going to explore the territory" Lightningpaw seemed satisfied with this, and dashed toward the hollow tree-trunk that was the entrance to the camp. Velvetpelt followed more slowly, giving himself time to think. Why was he a mentor so soon? It was barely half a moon since he was a 'paw himself! And he couldn't stop thinking about the look his leader had exchanged with the clan Medicine Cat. There was something going on about this, and he had no idea what it was.

Lightningpaw padded to the fresh-kill pile and dropped a giant blackbird on it. Sharpkit and Shiverkit watched her in awe as she pulled out a mouse and lay down to eat it. She hadn't really caught the prey, but it was her who had spotted it and pointed it out to her mentor.

"Lightningpaw!" Lightningpaw looked over her shoulder to see who was calling her. Smallpaw was standing by the apprentices' den, waving beckoning her with his jet black tail. "We made you a nest in the den! Are you excited to finally become a 'paw?"

"Of course I am! What a stupid question, mouse-brain," She teased, cuffing him over the ear with her paw. "Now, let's go, it's getting dark, and I'm tired!"

A/N And that's about all I can be bothered to write as of now :) It's been a while since I updated...