Rosekit listened as she heard Ivystar announcing the meeting. She eagerly bounced around the nursery, peeking out to see her friends Featherpaw and Amberpaw smiling at her.
"Rosekit, settle down. I need to get you and your littermates properly groomed before Ivystar calls you to step up." Frostvine, her mother, scolded. She was shuffled into line next to Robinkit and Redkit, waiting for her mother to finish grooming already- she was so excited! She just wanted to be apprenticed.
"Mom, is it time yet?" Rosekit asked, impatient.
"You're normally so shy! The one day you should be quiet and well-behaved, and you're bouncing on the walls!" Her mother mewed with amusement. "I'm sure you'll be called up any minute now."
She stared out the door, waiting for Ivystar to call them up already.
"Now, Rosekit, Redkit, and Robinkit, please step up before the Tallrock!" Ivystar yowled in a powerful voice.
Now that she was called up, her nerves kicked in and she walked slowly up to the Tallrock, sitting silently. "Redkit. Now that you're six moons, you have come of age to be apprenticed and start training to be a warrior. From now until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Redpaw."
"Redpaw! Redpaw!" She cheered her littermate's new name with the rest of the clan.
Ivystar waited for the cheering to die down. "Berryclimb, you have proven yourself to be a loyal warrior. I trust that you will instill these traits into Redpaw." Ivystar waited once more for Redpaw to touch noses with his mentor and sit down next to him.
Rosekit stared at her paws. What if she didn't get a good mentor? "Rosekit!" hearing her name, she snapped out of her thoughts and looked up attentively. "As you are six moons of age, you are also ready to become apprenticed. From now until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Rosepaw."
"Rosepaw! Rosepaw!" she saw pride shining in her littermate's faces as they cheered her on enthusiastically. But some of the loudest cheers were from Featherpaw and Amberpaw. They had been apprenticed half a moon ago.
"Mossbloom, you have proven yourself to be kind, compassionate, and loyal to your clanmates above all. I hope that you will instill these traits into Rosepaw." Rosepaw nervously walked over and touched noses with her new mentor.
"Excited?" Mossbloom whispered. "We can start training right after the meeting." Rosepaw nodded.
Ivystar continued; "Now, Robinkit has chosen a slightly different path than those of the other cats in this clan. Willowshell, Robinkit, and I have conferred, and we believe it is best that Robinkit should become the new medicine apprentice of Windclan! Robinkit, you have come of age to become an apprentice, so now, as you rise to become the medicine apprentice, your new name will be Robinpaw!"
"Robinpaw! Robinpaw! Robinpaw!" Rosepaw cheered for her sister with delight. "Why didn't you tell us?" she whispered to Robinpaw when they sat down.
"I wasn't sure how you'd react!" Robinpaw whispered happily, "I wanted it to be a surprise!"
"But now you won't get to train with us!" Redpaw sounded put out, "We were all supposed to train together!"
"Oh, it's fine. You can still be bossy to Rosepaw. And you'll still see me just as much!" Robinpaw retorted. "I've always wanted to be a medicine cat!"
"You have?" Rosepaw asked, then stopped herself, "Of course you have. Whenever we play clan, you're the medicine cat."
"Clan dismissed!" Ivystar yowled.
"Well, Mossbloom said we're starting right after the meeting, so… I'm off to train!" Rosepaw padded off, looking for Mossbloom.
"Rosepaw, ready to start?" Mossbloom tapped her on the shoulder.
"Yep!" Rosepaw turned around to see Mossbloom behind her.
"What's your goal?" Mossbloom looked at her intently.
"I wanna be….. The best hunter in the clan! And I wanna be leader someday!" Rosepaw replied. "Can you teach me how to do that?"
"Of course. I'll focus on hunting skills and how to be kind and compassionate to your clanmates." Mossbloom turned away to yell to Berryclimb; "Do you wanna take the new apprentices out together?"
"Sure!"
"Okay," Mossbloom turned back towards her. "We're going on tour with Berryclimb and Redpaw. Excited to see the territory?"
"Yeah!" Rosepaw saw Redpaw and Berryclimb heading over.
"Ready to start?" Berryclimb asked Mossbloom.
"Yeah, I thought if we had time we could go over the basics of hunting too, while we're at it."
"Good idea." Berryclimb replied and he nodded to Redpaw. "Come on, off we go." They started walking towards the exit of the camp.
"Gorge first?" Mossbloom asked Berryclimb. "Get it out of the way?"
"Yeah, sure."
Rosepaw and Redpaw were led to a sheer cliff face, with a huge drop and a river at the bottom. The river roared and waves splashed the bottom of the rocks.
"Always be careful at the gorge. If you fall, you die." Berryclimb said, "Stay away from the edge." Rosepaw backed up from the edge, just in case. Redpaw leaned farther over the edge to see the roaring waters.
"What are you doing?!" Hissed Mossbloom, "Get away from the edge!". She grabbed the scruff of Redpaw's neck and pulled him back.
"Ugh, I just wanted to see the water. You're overreacting. Right, Rosepaw?" Redpaw turned towards her, expecting her to back him up.
"I don't know… it looked pretty dangerous. We should probably be more careful." Rosepaw looked at the edge, "I heard Amberpaw's dad - Y'know, Hornetsting? He died before we were kitted - fell off the edge and…" She trailed off. Mossbloom looked pleased that she had been safe, while Berryclimb was telling off Redpaw.
"Fine, sorry." Redpaw rolled his eyes and shot Rosepaw a glare that could've killed a mouse.
"Moving on," Berryclimb said, "Let's head to the old tree-stump next, and then we can go have a look at the barn."
"Come along," Mossbloom beckoned them forward as they trotted a little ways forward. "This is the old tree-stump. If you're ever on herb patrol, this is a good place to find cobwebs. A lot of little animals like mice and voles hide around here as well, so always make sure to scent carefully around here."
"Yes," Berryclimb continued, "And it's a good place to scent-mark when you're on border patrol. It's also an easy place to find, so if you're ever lost, look for the old tree-stump. You should be able to find your way back."
Rosepaw followed in silence, trying to remember every detail she could. The scent of the gorge, the area around the tree-stump - it was all so new and exciting! They continued along for a good while, until her paws were a bit sore. She ignored it- it was just a bit of soreness. She would need to be able to walk long distances as a warrior.
"Ugh, my paws are sore. What else is there? It's just grass, and more grass, and a few bushes, and more grass." Redpaw complained, shaking out his paws. "Surely it's not much farther?"
Berryclimb looked at his apprentice scornfully; "You'll be walking twice as far each day when you're a warrior. Best get used to it. And no more complaining- you'll be a good apprentice, asking reasonable questions and being respectful, or you'll not have training for a week and instead be cleaning out the elders' den. I hear Coffeepelt and Cliffstorm have been complaining of ticks lately."
Redpaw looked outraged; "What?! But-" Berryclimb glared at him, "Uh… sorry…" Redpaw looked at his paws for the rest of the walk, muttering unflattering things about mentors under his breath- Rosepaw could hear him, and she didn't really want to.
"Here it is- the barn." Mossbloom gestured toward the large red structure. "That scent is a mix of rogue and twoleg. You'd do well to try and recognize both."
"Yes, and there's also catmint in there. It smells rather delicious. You'd best remember that, too. This is also a place that rabbits like to stay around, so you should look around here when you want rabbits."
"It smells so… odd! There are so many scents!" Rosepaw tried to take in every detail of every scent, but there were so MANY.
"Yes, that would be the many rogues that come here. As well as all the rabbits, the twolegs, and the occasional dogs." Mossbloom turned to Berryclimb; "Shall we head to Outlook rock next? We should finish fast- I don't think they can handle much more touring."
"That's fine. I need to have a talk with Redpaw, so finishing fast would be for the best." With that, Berryclimb walked along at a brisk pace.
As they walked, Mossbloom spoke; "What we're walking next to is the Thunderpath. The twoleg's monsters go across it, so NEVER get near the Thunderpath unless you have to. And if you have to, you run across as fast as you can. Got it?"
Rosepaw nodded, while Redpaw merely grunted agreement.
"And here's Outlook rock. We buried one of our best medicine cats here. He died much before you two were born, of course. I was a kit when he… passed, but he was beloved by the whole clan. You were named after his apprentice, y'know." Mossbloom nodded toward Rosepaw.
"Really?"
"Yes. His apprentice, Roselight, became the next medicine cat. She always wanted to live up to his legacy, but everyone agreed she surpassed it, in a way. She asked to be buried next to him."
"Wow! What was his name?"
"Abstractherd. He was the brother of Grayclaw and Darkstar. "
"Oh… they lost a littermate." Rosepaw looked down, "That's so sad… poor Grayclaw and Darkstar. At least they got to see their brother in Starclan."
Redpaw didn't say a word but looked at the rock intensely.
Berryclimb broke the silence; "Well. That's the tour done. Come, Redpaw. We need to talk."
"Yeah, Rosepaw- we should get some hunting in." Mossbloom beckoned for her to follow her.
Rosepaw walked with her quietly until they found a clearing. "Uh… Mossbloom?"
"Yes?"
"I was wondering… so you know Featherpaw and Amberpaw?"
"Yes…"
"Could I maybe train with them?"
"Well, you're half a moon behind them. They've been training for a while now." Mossbloom looked at her for a bit, "They're your friends, aren't they?"
"Well… yes." Rosepaw felt embarrassed just answering the question.
"Hmm. I suppose if Seedtail and Honeyleaf agree, and you catch up in time, you can start training once they move on to hunting birds. But you'd need to work doubly hard. And learn how to hunt everything faster. And do double the elder duties."
"I'll do it! Thanks, Mossbloom!" Rosepaw bounded back into camp- she couldn't wait to tell Featherpaw and Amberpaw.
"Rosepaw! There you are!" Amberpaw skidded to a stop in front of her while Featherpaw trotted over. "Did you ask?"
"Did she say yes?" Featherpaw had finally trotted over.
"Yeah! Once you guys start learning how to hunt birds, I can join you if I can learn how to hunt everything you two hunt in time." Rosepaw padded over to the freshkill pile, selecting a large rabbit. "Wanna share a rabbit?"
"When have I ever said no to a rabbit?" Amberpaw laughed, "You know they're my favorite!"
"Eh, I'll have a bird. Not in a rabbit mood today- Seedtail was making me do rabbit hunting today
and I'm sick of them." Featherpaw picked up a shrew and followed Rosepaw and Amberpaw to their customary spot.
Rosepaw saw Robinpaw waving her over. "Be right back- save some rabbit for me!" Rosepaw trotted happily over to where Robinpaw sat.
"How was your first day?"
"Great! Mossbloom took me on a tour, and we saw so many things!" Rosepaw exclaimed.
"I got to go on a tour too, and I learned a bunch of herbs! I didn't realize how MANY there were." Robinpaw looked over Rosepaw's shoulder and Rosepaw turned around. Featherpaw and Amberpaw were waiting for her.
"Well, have fun! I promised Featherpaw and Amberpaw I'd be fast. Love you, sis." Rosepaw wrapped her tail around her sister's for a couple seconds before padding back over to Featherpaw and Amberpaw.
"There you are! I thought you'd never come!" Amberpaw purred with amusement, "Did you hear about Beetlepaw?"
"No- what happened?" Rosepaw settled down next to her friends and took a bite of rabbit.
"He was hunting, and he caught a bird… and then he dropped it! And couldn't find it again!" Featherpaw tried to stifle her own laughter, "And then he said that he'd just eaten it really fast, and he got in trouble for eating prey while on a hunting patrol. He deserved it, too. He was being so mean to Berylpaw and Azurepaw yesterday."
"What'd he do?" Rosepaw glanced over at Berylpaw and Azurepaw where they were sharing tongues.
"I'm not sure- Honeyleaf and Seedtail had taken us out to train by ourselves and all we heard was what Beetlepaw said while he was walking by." Featherpaw took a bite of her shrew.
"I think he was making fun of their fighting skills? Anyway, it sounded really awful, and your dad was mad at him." Amberpaw licked her paws.
"Oh, I hope Dad was mad at him. Beetlepaw can be such a jerk- just yesterday, I saw him making fun of Robinpaw because she couldn't pounce on a leaf. And I think he's becoming friends with Redpaw. Look over there, they're sitting together. And during our apprentice ceremony, I saw Redpaw talking to Beetlepaw about something. And now Redpaw's kinda mean. He was snapping at Berryclimb, he was whiny… he's not normally like that." Rosepaw finished her last bite of rabbit and began grooming herself.
"Really? I would've thought Redpaw was nicer than that." Featherpaw finished grooming and stretched, "I think I'll head to the den. Night!"
"Night!" Rosepaw and Amberpaw called out.
"Anyways, I'm pretty tired. Goodnight, Amberpaw."
"I mean, I'm tired too. I can show you the nest me and Featherpaw saved for you!" Amberpaw gestured for her to follow, and Rosepaw padded along behind her. They entered the apprentice den, where Featherpaw was already asleep and Berylpaw and Azurepaw were talking quietly. "Here it is- right next to ours."
"Thanks," she mumbled before curling up.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Rosepaw blinked open her eyes to see a beautiful forest bordering the moors. Where was she? This didn't look like home. A beautiful orange and gold she-cat padded up to her, her blue eyes seeming to glow.
"Welcome, little one." The she-cat sat in front of her, looking her up and down. "It's beautiful here, isn't it?"'
"It- it is. Who are you?" Rosepaw looked at her warily, stepping back a few paces.
"My, how was I forgotten so soon? I am Incandescentstar. I was the leader of Windclan before Darkstar. They say I was one of the best leaders the clan ever had." The she-cat laughed half-heartedly, "Though I do suppose a medicine cat dying and his brothers suffering horrible fates does tend to take the spotlight. Nobody had enough time to really remember me- they had to honor the three dead cats."
"Th-then I'm in Starclan!" Rosepaw looked around her with fresh eyes, "How? Only medicine cats can visit Starclan!"
"Hardly. We can visit anyone we like, although we do go to medicine cats most often. In fact, I'll be visiting your sister later tonight." Incandescentstar seemed to be waiting for her to respond, and looked at her expectantly.
"Uh… but why am I here?" Rosepaw looked around, "I'm no one special. I'm just another apprentice."
"Oh, but you are special. You just don't know it yet." Incandescentstar motioned for her to follow and padded off through the moors.
"Where are we going?" Rosepaw followed nervously, unsure of whether or not she was safe here.
"You'll see.' Incandescentstar continued walking until they reached a clearing where a cinnamon brown she-cat with white markings sat with a smaller she-cat with a light and dark red pelt. "And we're already here."
The two cats looked up and the cinnamon one spoke; "Took you long enough, Incandescentstar. I thought you said that you were going to be as fast as you could be."
"You're one to talk, Fawnpelt. You're late to everything." Incandescentstar sat next to the cinnamon one- Fawnpelt? -and motioned for her to sit.
"Introductions first." The red one spoke up, "I'm Roselight. This is Fawnpelt, and you've met Incandescentstar."
"Roselight? Weren't you a medicine cat?" Rosepaw looked at her.
"I was. And Fawnpelt-"
"Can tell her own story, thanks very much." Fawnpelt interrupted Roselight. "I was deputy when Darkstar was the leader. I died in a badger attack."
"Anyways," interrupted Incandescentstar, "We brought you here for reasons other than telling you very condensed versions of our lives. We have something to tell you."
The three cats looked at each other, and then spoke in unison; "The claw of the red evil threatens to rip the clan apart. A bird will fly a flower to the battlegrounds to fight the everlasting darkness approaching. The stream will obscure all judgment, and the clans will never be the same." The three cats began to shimmer and fade, and they disappeared.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Rosepaw slowly opened her eyes, hoping that she had just imagined it. She looked around and saw the clan, exactly as it was normally. But in her nest, there was a tuft of red fur. As if they had left it there in case she wanted to ignore it. It could be my fur- I have red spots. But she knew it wasn't true. It was Roselight's fur. There was no way it wasn't Roselight's fur. The color was too different, and it had Roselight's scent.
"Up and at em, sleepyhead!" Amberpaw laughed as she shook her awake.
"I was up!" Rosepaw protested. "I just hadn't opened my eyes yet!"
"Well, now you have." Featherpaw purred with amusement. "C'mon, get up. Mossbloom says that all three of us are going on the dawn patrol."
"Really? All three of us?"
"Yep! So hurry up, we're supposed to be waiting by the front entrance." Amberpaw padded out of the den and Rosepaw and Featherpaw followed. Rosepaw would put the prophecy in the back of her mind for right now. She had to be the best apprentice she could be for her clan.