Chapter 7

"I stand here before you to appoint two of SkyClan's kits as apprentices." Called Galestar atop the leader's stone. Below him sat Rainkit and Airkit, Rainkit had a placid look on her face while Airkit looked as if she would explode. Galestar scanned the crowd with his deputy Fallowfur at his side, the two looked so regal and strong. Shadowkit secretly wished to be them!

"Hazestorm" Galestar mewed. The young tom lifted his head with wide blue eyes before standing to look up at Galestar. "You are a loyal and trustworthy tom with excellent skill in hunting. I appoint you to be Airkit's mentor, do you accept?"

"Yes Galestar." Hazestorm called with a raised chin. Galestar dipped his head and scanned the area again, his eyes finally resting on Weaselclaw.

"Weaselclaw" Galestar mewed. "Although you a very young she-cat, you share many characteristics with Rainkit…Will you accept being the mentor to Rainkit?"

"Yes Galestar." The dark furred she-cat mewed flatly.

"Then I hereby declare you, Rainpaw and Airpaw."

"Rainpaw, Rainpaw, Airpaw, Airpaw!" Shadowkit called above the other calls of his fellow Clanmates. Shadowkit watched as the Clanmates dispersed and Airpaw pelted for him, her blue eyes beaming.

"Shadowkit, I can't believe it!" She squealed. "I'm finally an apprentice!"

"I wish I was one…" Shadowkit nudged the white she-cat. "If I have to teach Seedfur's kits how to catch a ball of moss one more time I'll go fox-brained!"

"It'll only be one more moon of moss catching for you though." Airpaw mewed with a smile and raised tail. Shadowkit rolled his eyes and watched as Rainpaw and her mentor came padded up, though she tried her hardest not to show it, Shadowkit could tell Rainpaw was excited.

"Weaselclaw and Hazestorm are going to show us the territories." She mewed; her silver tabby fur was sleeked down from Hook's tongue before the ceremony.

"Great," Airpaw mewed; Hazestorm came up and nudged her forward. "See you later Shadowkit."

"Bye" Shadowkit watched as his friend padded away, ready for the new life of an apprentice. Disappointed and a little jealous, Shadowkit padded to the nursery, praying that Palekit would ask him to play; but with his luck, the pale ginger kit wobbled over to Shadowkit with wide amber eyes.

"Why didn't you get your warrior name?" Palekit asked.

"I already told you." Shadowkit sighed in annoyance. "I have to wait another moon before I can become an apprentice."

"But isn't one moon…one day?" Palekit mewled, his eyes gleaming with question.

"No, Palekit." Growled Shadowkit; slowly losing his patience. "One moon is one month."

"Oh…Okay!" Palekit squealed, raising his tail and padding away into the nursery where his three sisters waited. Shadowkit couldn't wait to escape from the annoying pack of week old kits and do apprentice duties. Though he wanted Hazestorm to be his mentor…he couldn't help but wonder who his mentor would be.

The wind blew with a chill Shadowkit had never felt before…a chill that Goldfur had told stories about.

Leaf-bare