I do not own Warriors.

Well... here we go! Chapter... Prologue?

Prologue

Apprenticeship

Forestkit's POV

I opened my eyes to sunlight and the feeling of cold. I looked around the nursery once my eyes were clear and couldn't find Ravenmoon anywhere, which surprised me. She was always so protective.

I stood and stretched, getting my body ready for the day. Today was my Apprentice Ceremony! Finally I wouldn't be in the nursery, all alone!

I trot out into the clearing. I notice Spiritpaw speaking to Fleetpaw. I inched closer, but stayed out of sight.

"You know, Fleetpaw, we should go hunting together sometime." She flirted. I held in a snort of laughter.

"Sure, Spiritpaw, if you can keep up!" He teased back. I rolled my eyes and padded away. Spiritpaw was SO desperate!

Smokepaw approaches me suddenly. I gasp in surprise.

"Hey, Forestkit! Sorry about that! But I couldn't resist! I hear you're gonna be an apprentice today!" Smokepaw says happily. I grin.

"Yeah! I'm so excited! I can't wait to train with you guys!" All the apprentices were from different mothers, and they were all around a moon older than me.

"Same! Well, see you at the ceremony!" He finishes.

"Okay! Bye!" I call as he walks away.

I look for Ravenmoon and Adderflight. They sit a few tail-lengths away, watching me. I bounce over and sit in front of my mother. I already knew that it was customary for the mother of a kit to wash him or her before their apprentice ceremony.

Ravenmoon begins to wash down my fur as my father grins down at me.

"So, Forestkit, are you excited?" He asks.

"Totally! I can't-"

"Attention! Today we have a special occasion! Our only kit is becoming an apprentice!" Sharpstar shouts into the crowd. Everyone pricks their ears to listen, but I just dart to the front of the crowd and hop onto the High Ledge.

"Forestkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Forestpaw. Your mentor will be Thrushwave. I hope Thrushwave will pass down all he knows on to you."

I almost freak out. I would have a great, YOUNG mentor!

Thrushwave trots up to the High Ledge and leaps onto it.

Sharpstar continues. "Thrushwave, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from Ripplefoot and you have shown yourself to be a quick thinker and brave. You will be the mentor of Forestpaw and I expect you to pass on all you know to her." With that, Sharpstar touches his nose to mine and the meeting is dismissed.

Thrushwave leads me to the bottom of the hollow.

"Hello, Forestpaw. I'm happy that I get to train you. We'll start today with hunting. Now, let's go!"

Thrushwave leads me out of the place I was limited to for the first six moons of my life. He leads me through gigantic, green trees and tall undergrowth, eyes smiling for him. I stare in wonder at everything I see. Thrushwave turns back to me, his eyes smiling for him.

"It's amazing, isn't it?" He grins at me, and I can't help but grin back. I knew that I would love being an apprentice.

We finally reach an area that has so much undergrowth that I cant's see the other side. Thrushwave crouches down, close to the ground, and waggles his rump. And- BANG! He pounces and lands on something furry. He nips what looks like the back of it's neck and turns back to me. I didn't even know there was something there!

"This is where Ripplefoot first brought me hunting. This is the best place to hunt that I have come across. I always catch something when I'm here. Now, repeat my crouch." Thrushwave talks to me like I'm a friend, which makes me feel happy. I crouched like he did. He nods fairly and turns.

"Okay, do you see that mouse over there?" He points a paw straight ahead of me and then I see it. There was a mouse. I don't hear what else he says, because I crouch farther down and then I spring. My paws land on fur, and I feel it jerk forward. I scramble to catch it and nip it's neck. I turn to see Thrushwave grinning.

"Great job, Forestpaw!" I beam with pride at my mentor's praise. I put down my catch and look up. Thrushwave sniffs the air and picks up his prey.

"It's time to head back to camp." Thrushwave turns and trots back the way we came, and I follow.

As we padded into camp, my sore paws filled with strength. Thrushwave pads ahead of me, padding to Cloudstreak and Silentrock. For a moment I feel disappointed, but then I remember that mentors have lives outside of mentoring.

A familiar scent overwhelms me, and I spin around to face Ravenmoon. My mother's green eyes shine brightly in pride.

"Forestpaw! You caught a mouse! I'm so proud of you!" She licks in between my ears, and I flick my tail dismissively, yet respectfully. She pads in the direction of the Warriors den.

I carry my catch to the fresh kill pile. Smokepaw pads to my side.

"Forestpaw! You caught a mouse? Good for you!"

I purr happily. Everything was perfect!

OKAY DONE!