A/N: Hey guys! I know we've been updating less lately. (In fact, I'm doing my maths homework at the moment) But no worries, we are still here! This chapter is the beginning of Icekit's training and "apprenticeship". I hope you enjoy! And by the way, Isabelle will be answering reviews! (because I'm a lazy ass and also because- wait no that's literally it)
Seeya and hope you enjoy the chapter! ~Kay
Icekit had never sat so tensely before this very moment. She huddled in the shade of the nursery, the Tallrocks looming not far from them. She nudged Flowerkit, at her side. "Do you think we'll get good mentors?" It was a false question and the two of them knew it. Icekit had only asked it for a chance to talk, as they were never really allowed to.
"Yes, I believe so." Flowerkit nodded, her eyes clouded over. Anyone might think she was just brooding over the loss of the easy life of a kit, but Icekit knew better. She was destined to be a warrior, who would almost definitely get killed in a battle. Destiny was destiny, and they had to follow it like all the other rules of Clan life.
"All cats old enough to run in the plains gather beneath the Tallrocks!" As soon as the yowl was made, the cats of the Clan gathered towards the rocks. Icekit watched the expressions on their faces. They were all gathered to watch a queen, who would provide for the Clan - even if it sounded sickening like that. But she wasn't a queen. She was just a she-kit, too young to be having kits and too young to nurse them.
"Today we are here to witness the Destiny Ceremony of two of our kits." Maplestar dipped her head in respect. "Flowerkit, and Icekit." She looked towards them, her green eyes seeming to pierce into their minds and knowing what they were thinking. "Go." Lilycloud murmured from behind them. Icekit snuck a sideways glance at her. Her mother's eyes were bright, but she smiled.
"Flowerkit is to become a lethal warrior." Icekit had expected her shy, softspoken sister to maybe beam with pride, or sit straight up and look at the gathered cats proudly, her silvery fur sparkling in the sunlight. But her sister just seemed to shrink more into herself, eyes dodging from the crowd.
"Icekit here is to be a queen." Icekit looked at her fellow Clan members. There were a few she recognized. Her father, Scorchfang, who looked at her proudly. Cherryfur, who had helped her mother look after Icekit and her sister once. The medicine cat, Smokefall, looking out from his den. She puffed up her chest, realizing all eyes were on her. Then she froze, when she realized what their intentions were. Oh StarClan, she had forgotten the "all eligible males" thing.
"Flowerkit, I shall be your mentor, as Flamemoon has advised." The tawny she-cat glanced at Flowerkit, almost reverently. Icekit was appalled to feel a pang of jealousy in her chest. This is your sister. What are you thinking? She scolded herself inwardly. "Icekit, your mentor will be Dovepelt." Maplestar continued. That was it. No special treatment, just stares from the rest of the Clan, half of which were more terrifying than encouraging.
"I now give you the names of Flowerpaw and Icepaw, and wish the best upon your future," Maplestar paused, looking towards Flamemoon. The wizened old she-cat stared back, her expression betraying no emotion. "And your destiny." She finished.
The cats dispersed, going back to what they were doing "Icepaw?" She turned around. A pale gray dappled she-cat stood behind her. "I'm Dovepelt." He eyes were soft as she looked at the white kit. Icepaw wondered what she was thinking. What did she see? A young kit, soon to be pregnant with kits of a much older warrior. A poor young'un, who would cry silently in the corner like her mother's friends, when they thought no one was watching.
Why, oh why, were the Clans like this?