Disclaimer: I don't own the series Warriors, Erin Hunter does.

Whitekit glanced at his sister who had stared mostly at the ground during the ceremony, knowing that all she wanted in the world was to become leader and see the clan territory. He felt a rush of sadness for her but quickly pushed it away. She'll just have to wait like all kits had to. Besides, he didn't want to grow up so fast. He wanted to enjoy his time as a carefree kit before he had to take the responsibility of having to be a warrior. But he knew if tried explaining that to Littlekit, she would never understand.

He nudged her shoulder, trying to cheer her up. "Want to play moss ball?" She shook her head. He sat, watching her as she scrambled to her paws, gave a long yawn and stretched, her legs quivering, then padded over to the nursery. She threw a look at the apprentice den as she went. Whitekit sighed, hoping his sister would be better by morning.

Not caring where he was going, he wandered towards the medicine den, passing several cats on his way. Looking from the corner of his eye, he could see Shimmerpelt and Ravenstar by their new apprenticed kits, their heads held proudly as the other apprentices; Lightpaw, Badgerpaw, and Rushpaw greeted them. He felt his ears burn in embarrassment when he felt a pang of jealousy. Didn't he just think that he didn't want to be one right away?

Shaking his head, he walked up to his former denmates. "Congratulations," he mewed. "Enjoy the time away from us for now, because sooner or later we'll be in there too!" He wondered if he just said something that Littlekit would say, but he didn't really mind. It sounded good.

Silverpaw purred, pressing her nose into his white fur. "Don't worry, we're good for now. Isn't that right, Wolfki- I mean Wolfpaw?" Her brother gave a loud snort, rolling his eyes. Silverpaw glared at him. "Oh come on Wolfpaw! I don't know about you, but I'll miss hanging out with Whitekit, Littlekit and Finchkit. Even Nutkit and Chirpkit, but they still have a few more moons before they become apprentices. I'll miss them all."

"Well," snapped Wolfpaw. "I won't. No offence, Whitekit, but your sister is the most annoying furball I've ever had the misfortune to meet. Then there's Chirpkit, and we all know she never shuts up long enough for me to breathe ever. And Nutkit always asked too many questions- pointless questions. And then there's-."

"Great Starclan, Wolfkit- oh sorry, I mean- Wolfpaw. I keep forgetting your name. But honestly, you're complaining just as bad as the elders." Silverpaw smirked slightly. "And, whining just as bad as Littlekit."

Whitekit coughed, not sure if they realized he was still there. But, they kept arguing and didn't even glance at him. He walked away, musing in his thoughts. Littlekit was apparently whiny. Nutkit asks too much questions. And Chirpkit seems to talk a lot. Well, it seemed accurate to him, not that he would say that to anyone. He wondered what Wolfpaw was going to say about him. He doubted it would be flattering.

Turning away, he dashed across the clearing and nearly stumbled as he bumped into the Medcine cat, Goldenleaf. "Sorry," he mumbled, bowing his head. "I didn't see you."

"Neither did I," sighed, Goldenleaf. "But you kits are always running around. At least the nursery isn't as full anymore, now that those two are gone, eh?" She nodded at Wolfpaw and Silverpaw. "I have a funny feeling that they both will be getting into loads of trouble. Nothing on your littermates, of course."

Whitekit blinked. Was she suggesting that his littermates were trouble? He sat awkwardly, not knowing what to do. He caught the medicine cat rolling her dark eyes. "Oh nevermind," she said sharply, irritation edged in her mew. He swore he could see electricity sparkle off her pelt. He was about to close off the weird conversation and go back to the nursery when the brambles to the medicine den were brushed aside and a beautiful, white and gray cat stepped out. Her pale green eyes swept the area.

"My mentor giving you trouble?" she asked, Whitekit remembering her name to be Sweetpaw. She has been the medicine cat apprentice for moons now. "Don't worry. Her claws are sharper then her tongue."

He just stared at her in confusion. "Isn't that worse?"

"Maybe," she shrugged. Then, rolling her eyes just like her mentor, she said, "I was kidding. Goldenleaf is a real softy. You should see how worried she is over the elders. Every day, it's 'did you check them, Sweetpaw?' Or, 'they might have ticks, why don't you get them out?' And it never stops. But of course, they are our elders, and after moons of caring for the clan, I'm sure their achy backs deserve it."

"Sweetpaw," scolded Goldenleaf. "You sound very ungrateful. Maybe you would like spending the day sorting herbs? Or maybe this is your way of saying you want to visit the elder's den again?"

"No!" gasped Sweetpaw, aghast. "I'm good, thanks."

Goldenleaf narrowed her eyes and leaned forward. "Yes? Well, guess what-?" Sweetpaw interrupted sarcastically.

"What?"

"That was my way of saying for you to sort the herbs, and then check on the elders. So, if I were you, I'd get going." She flicked her tail impatiently. "I'm going to collect some yarrow by the stream that boarders Windclan. Be done by the time I come back." Without saying anything else, she padded out of camp. Sweetpaw sighed.

Turning to him, she tilted her head slightly. "Hey, how about helping me sort some herbs? I'd appreciate the help, you know. Goldenleaf does this on purpose to torture me, I swear it."

Whitekit didn't know what to say. He found both the medicine cats intimidating. But, trying to be friendly, he nodded. "Okay, sure." Sorting herbs won't be the end of the world, for all he knew. Besides, he supposed that sitting in the den for who knows how long, can get a little boring after a while. At least she'll have some company.

Following her into the den, Whitekit wrinkled his nose at all the sharp scents he picked up. It made his eyes slightly water. Sweetpaw looked over her shoulder at him. "Sorry about that. I spilled some herbs a little while ago, that's why the air isn't so pure as it usually is. But, it'll get better. Just hold your breath like your under water."

Whitekit sat down. "I'm no Riverclan," he said tersely.

"I should hope not," grumbled Sweetpaw. Whitekit fidgeted, not sure what to do in her gloomy presence. Almost as if she read his mind, she said; "I wouldn't judge me by my name, but I figured you already found that out. This is what I get by spending time with Goldenleaf. But of course, she'll argue and say that this is what she got from spending time with me. We both lose either way."

"Uh huh," he muttered, picking up some leaves.

Sweetpaw squinted. She stared at him. "What?" she asked, but before he could answer she flicked her tail over his mouth. "Be quiet! Something is coming!" Whitekit did as she said, feeling alarm spread through his body. Was something happening? He didn't think she would do this as a joke.

"Sweetpa-?" he tried to start, but a loud screech drowned him out.

"Attack!"

r&r