Hey guys! I'm really sorry it took me so long to update. I'm staying in New York for a ballet intensive and the Wifi at my dorms do not work.

Thanks to all of my reviewers, I'm sorry I can't do shootouts today because I'm worried that at any moment my wifi will just stop working.

Heres another chapter, I hope you guys like it ^.^

Chapter 8

"Brownkit, please step forward."

The Thunderclan camp was hushed as the nervous kit took one step and then another, eyes shining.

"From this moment on until you receive your warrior name you shall be known as Brownpaw," mewed Duskstar, his voice billowing out through the air. "Cherryblossom, please step forward."

The brown she-cat padded over to the leader, her brown eyes twinkling brightly at the squirming kit. She gave a little smile, laughter sparkling on her face, as if she could remember just how scared she had felt at her own apprentice ceremony.

"You are an honorable warrior of Thunderclan and have proven yourself many times in battle. Teach her your cleverness and compassion, and guide her in the ways of the clan."

Brownpaw leaned forward and bumped her nose clumsily against Cherryblossom's, her fur prickling in embarrassment.

Batwing mrowwed in laughter, her mind wandering back to her own apprentice ceremony. She had been so nervous, yet so happy, filled with joy. She could still hear Duskstar's voice in her ear as her called out the ancient words.

"Moonpelt, please step forward. You are a great warrior of Thunderclan, and you have done a wonderful job mentoring Addertooth. You shall mentor Batpaw. Teach her your strength and courage, and guide her in the ways of the clans." Moonpelt touched noses with Batpaw, and Batpaw imitated her, feeling the cold feel of the silver she-cat's nose connect with hers.

"Batpaw! Batpaw!" the clan chanted, their voices ringing out through the air and across the whole camp. A warm feeling welled up inside of Batpaw, and flared up like a flame as cats came up to her.

Batwing shivered and jerked herself out of her memories. The sharp pain which always accompanied the thought of Moonpelt came, and she closed her eyes, hoping it would pass. She often feared that the pain and regret would never leave, that her former mentor would always remain an open wound, forever reopening.

Her dreams of the silver she-cat had long since stopped ever since the Shadowclan raid, and she feared that the starry warrior would never appear in them again. Although she had known that Moonpelt visiting her from Starclan had been out of the ordinary, she had hoped that she might have had more time before the connection was severed.

"Cloverkit please step forward."

Batwing looked up to see the tiny tom-kit, his brown fur twitching. Cloverkit stared at at Duskstar, his eyes as wide as moons.

"From this moment on until you recieve your warrior name you shall be known as Cloverpaw. Lynxfoot please step forward. You are a dedicated warrior of Thunderclan, and I have faith that you will do a wonderful job mentoring this young tom. You shall mentor Cloverpaw. Teach him your strength and loyalty, and guide her in the ways of the clans."

Lynxfoot stepped forward and touched his nose to Cloverkit's kits, his movements just as unpracticed as his new apprentice.

A cheer rose up from the clan, a cry which resonated across the air, winding up into the clouds. "Brownpaw, Cloverpaw! Brownpaw, Cloverpaw!" It brought shivers of joy to Batwing as her worries melted away, her pain, and anger just fleeting thoughts. The unison of the voices and warmth the cats gave off left her simply with a happiness which compare to nothing else.

Watching Lynxfoot and Cherryblossom gazing proudly at their new apprentices brought a swift wave of regret for her first day with Fawnpaw. She yearned for the look of joy and respect which filled Cloverpaw's eyes as he watched his mentor, the feeling of awe which the young tom showed for Lynxfoot.

As the crowd dispersed, Batwing approached Cloverpaw, her charcoal black pelt glistening. He caught her eyes and smiled at the sight of her. "Batwing," he mewed shyly, his paws shifting uneasily.

"Congratulations," she mewed warmly, her eyes glowing. "It seems like just yesterday that you were a bumbling little kit in the nursery."

Cloverkit's whiskers trembled and he ducked his head, clearly embarrassed. "Thanks," he mumbled. He smiled and then turned back to Leappaw and Pantherpaw who were eager to get acquainted with their new denmate.

"Batwing?" A cat nuzzled her from behind, and she turned to see Fawnpaw, her brown eyes large and bashful. "Can we go hunting today?"

Her apprentice's words bought a wave of relief, and Batwing grinned. "Lets go!" she mewed, flicking her tails towards the gorse tunnel.

Fawnpaw giggled with joy and scampered after the black warrior, a squeal of excitement escaping from her mouth.

Batwing led the way through the forest, her eyes letting in the brilliant green leaves, shimmering with remaining puddles of rain. She took a deep breath of the fresh air, and Fawnpaw quickly imitated her, glancing up to see if her mentor had noticed. Batwing nearly let out a mrowww of laughter at her apprentice's comical behavior and wondered if she had been just like that with Eaglewing.

Batwing flicked her tail through a puddle, splashing the water across Fawnpaw's long tortoiseshell fur. The apprentice shook her pelt, splattering it over Batwing's pelt, causing her to jump back. Fawnpaw glanced back up, her eyes playful, and Batwing laughed, happy she could fool around without her authority slipping.

"Tell me what you smell," she mewed, giving a nod.

Fawnpaw raised her nose to the air, taking a deep intake of breath. Her eyes fluttered happily and she opened her mouth. "Mouse, and lots of Thunderclan cats."

"You're right, theres a mouse close by, but the cats are very faint." Batwing flicked her tail towards a bush which was rustling, giving away the creature which hid inside. The mouse scampered out, remaining close to the green thicket, unsuspecting of the cats who were so close, standing motionless. "Watch," Batwing whispered. She crouched close to the dirt, her belly just grazing the ground. Her golden eyes stayed on the mouse and she crept forward and then pounced in one fluid and perfect movement, giving the mouse a swift bite.

Fawnpaw stared up at Batwing, mouth slightly ajar. "Now you," the black warrior instructed. Fawnpaw nodded and sniffed the air again, searching for another victim. She pinpointed her target and slowly padded forward towards a shaking leaf which lay on the ground. With a bumbling leap, she landed on the leaf, and quickly bent down to give the killing bite. However the vole which had been taking cover under the leaf scrambled through her paws and disappeared into the trees.

Fawnpaw sighed in disappointment, and glanced back, looking guilty. Batwimg nearly laughed at her nervousness, as if she would scold her apprentice for missing one vole. "Don't worry," she purred, a slight smile on her face. "No one catches the prey on their first try! You should've seen me, I was all over the place!"

Fawnpaw grinned, clearly loving the easygoing attitude. "What happened the first time you went hunting?"

Batwing looked away, her expression suddenly becoming pained. "It was with my mother," she murmured. "In the city."

"Oh," mumbled Fawnpaw, her voice frozen. "I'm sorry, I forgot-"

"Its fine," Batwing mewed quickly, hoping to change the subject. "Most cats do."

A long silence followed, thick with regret and disappointment. Finally Batwing mewed, "Why don't you try that hunting crouch again?"

Fawnpaw nodded and did as she was told, practicing the movement again. However Batwing hardly saw it, she simply saw the face of her mother swim before her, the face she missed so dearly. And those golden eyes stared back at her, filled with so much pain, so much suffering, so much loss, and fear of the future.

I know this chapter but a bit boring after the last two AWESOME ones, but I hope you guys liked it!

Isn't Fawnpaw adorable?

Please review!