Chapter Three - A Reluctant Acceptance

3 Moons Later...

"I hope I'm called Sandswirl when I become a warrior!" Exclaimed Sandkit as she daringly leaped at a falling leaf, only to fall onto her butt. Honeykit and Fernkit giggle to themselves while Woodkit just mocks her.

"How ungraceful," sneered Woodkit as he glares at his three sisters. "I cannot believe how pathectic you all are, shouldn't you be worrying about getting killed? Especially because we all know Fernkit will drag you two down."

Suddenly, the area seemed to darken and Sandkit crouched as she yowled in rage. "Stupid fox dung! You'll be the one dragging us down, not Fernkit! She'll become the greatest warrior alive and you'll be eating your tail!"

"Don't listen to him Fernkit." Honeykit comforted her sister, who was looking at the ground with guilt. Fernkit turned away from her sister and started walking away. She inwardly yelled at herself to not cry, because she knew it would only satisfy her brother and his need to see her suffer.

"You should listen to him Honeykit, same with Sandkit. He's right, not matter how much you sugarcoat it, I'll never be a proper warrior. It's pathetic that I won't be able to properly protect my family and clan! Soon we'll be apprentices, but I'm not sure if they'll accept such a weakling like me." Fernkit spat out bitterly, hiding her pain with anger. Tears started spilling and she tried to hide it from Honeykit, who looked upset with Fernkit's behavior.

"Don't think like that Fernkit! You're amazing and I'll always be your greatest supporter, just like you'll always be my role model." Honeykit cried out, chasing after her sister, only to trip.

'I'm sorry Honeykit, but how can I be your role model when all I can do is complain about my weaknesses?' Thought Fernkit, sorrow filling her as she imagined Honeykit's disappointed face.

'Let's face it...I'll never be a true warrior, even if I have a warrior name.'

Fernkit's heart pounded anxiously as she waited to be called. It was finally time for kits of six moons to become apprentices and Fernkit happened to be one of those kits.

For moons she had dreamed of this moment, when she'd be like her father, a warrior who brought pride to their clan. And now it was finally happening, yet Fernkit couldn't conjure up enough courage to be grinning confidentally like Sandkit or smiling sweetly like Honeykit.

Why was she so nervous?

Oh right, she had a bully for a brother, an insane mother, a sweet younger sister, a strong older sister, and the best father in the world. It was kind of hard to feel confident about herself when she was surrounded by over-achieving and slightly frightening relatives.

"Sandkit, please step forward," says Brookstar, her voice commanding yet kind.

Sandkit padded up to their leader, she tilted her chin with pride as she got closer to Brookstar. Brookstar looked at the kit with amusement, reminiscing about her past self. Like Sandkit, she had been confident and loud and ready to serve her clan with every ounce of strength she had.

"Sandkit, you will now be known as Sandpaw."

Fernkit smiled while Honeykit cheered quietly, both happy for their sister. Fernkit heard Woodkit grumble darkyl to himself and she tried to ignore the feeling of betrayal that creeped into her heart.

"Darkcloud, you will now be the mentor of Sandpaw. You are an exceptional warrior and hunter, I hope you pass these qualities down to Sandpaw." Stated Brookstar. Darkcloud leaned down and Sandpaw cheerfully bumped her nose against her new mentor's. Darkcloud chuckled softly at his apprentice's eagerness.

Brookstar purred before saying, "Honeykit, please come here."

Honeykit hesitantly padded towards Brookstar, a shy aura surrounding her as she bowed before her leader. "Honeykit, you will now be known as Honeypaw."

Sandkit started cheering Honeypaw on loudly, Fernkit more quiet than her.

"Your mentor will be Rainstorm." Rainstorm steps forward and tilts her head to touch Honeypaw's nose. "Rainstorm, you've mentored Redfur wonderfully, and now I expect you to pass your teachings down to Honeypaw."

Rainstorm nodded before leading her new apprentice to sit next to Sandpaw, who was glaring at Woodkit. Honeypaw licked her sister's cheek affectionately in order to calm the boisterous she-cat down. Rainstorm shared a smile with Darkcloud before they turned back to Brookstar.

"Woodkit, please step forward." Brookstar ordered, tail flickering. Woodkit grinned ominously and walked up to his leader, not even bothering to show his respect. Brookstar scowled in annoyance before speaking again. "Woodkit, you will now be known as Woodpaw. your mentor will be Acornheart."

Acornheart mewed before touching noses with Woodkit, who was hiding his disappointment behind an arrogant grin. 'Why did Sandpaw and Honeypaw get the good mentors, mine sucks.' He mused to himself, following Acornheart as she sat by the other mentors. He scooted away from his sisters and the mentors.

"And last but not least...Fernkit, you may now step forward." Brookstar intructed, watching in slight guilt as the small kit padded up with joy.

'I don't know if I should let her become a warrior...She might die out there.' Brookstar thought to herself, worry getting the best of her. Fernkit bowed in respect, much to Brookstar's appreciation.

'At least three of the four kits gave me the proper respect,' thought Brookstar in slight annoyance as she named Fernkit.

"Fernkit you'll now be known as Fernpaw," says Brookstar, voice full of reluctance as Fernkit, now Fernpaw, walks forward. Brookstar felt her smile become more genuine as Fernpaw's happiness showed through her slightly confident grin.

"You're mentor shall be-"

"Wait!" Woodkit's voice echoed throughout the silent cats. "Are you sure you want such a weakling joining our ranks?"

~End of Chapter Three~