Chapter 4

Viperstalk paused, her sage-green eyes staring down at the fluffy white molly. Dark blue eyes stared back at her filled with determination and anxiety.

"You wish to be a Medicine Cat?"

Cloudkit swallowed, digging her claws deeper into the ground, feeling as though the black-furred molly's emerald gaze was going to swallow her whole. The little she-kit nodded, forcing herself to speak.

"Yes. I want to become a Medicine Cat. I want to help those in HazelClan and all the Clans. Even those beyond! Please, Viperstalk, will you let me be your apprentice?"

"You have spunk, I'll give you that." Viperstalk's whiskers twitched in amusement. "I'll speak to Finchstar about taking you under my wing once you're old enough, little one."

"R-Really?" Cloudkit couldn't believe her ears. Her dream was going to come true! "You really mean it?"

The older molly nodded, gently nudging the kitten with her nose back toward the Elder's Den. "Yes, really. Now, run along, Cloudkit. I have work to do."

Her heart feeling lighten, the kit scrambled off back to the den where her sister was waiting. Tawnykit didn't get the chance to ask what had happened, before her littermate informed her of the good news. Both kittens squealed happily, before bolting off to tell their mother, forgetting about their story.

"Hold still," Ivyflower scolded, trying to keep Cloudkit in place. "You need to look your best in front of the Clan!"

"I'm sorry, Mamma, I'm just so hyper I can barely keep still!"

"Of course you are little one. Today you get to become an apprentice. Anycat would be in your paws. However, no kit of mine is going to go in front of the Clan looking a mess."

Cloudkit allowed her mother's tongue to wash over her white coat, trying to keep herself still. Tawnykit already had her bath, and was pounced by the den's entrance. Ivyflower scolded her as well, telling her not to get herself dirty, but it fell on deaf ears.

"Who do you think one of my mentors could be? I hope mine's Finchstar!"

"She's a little too old to be taking on an apprentice, dear," Ivyflower said between licks.

Tawnykit's face fell. "Oh, right... Maybe Adderbite then!"

"I'm sure whoever your mentor is, they'll do a wonderful job teaching you."

"At least Cloudkit already gets to know hers! The lucky furball."

The white molly stuck her tongue out at her sister, who mirrored her.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their prey, join below the Highbranch for a Clan meeting!" Finchstar's voice yowled, ringing out over the camp for all to hear her powerful voice, despite her old age.

"It's time, it's time! Let's go, Cloudkit!"

"Wait for me!" Cloudkit squeaked, scrambling after Tawnykit as the pair dashed out of the nursery.

"Kits..." Ivyflower muttered under her breath, but a smile found its way onto her face. Her eyes shone with pride as she followed her kittens out into the clearing.

Mousetail greeted her and their kits as they came out, the same pride and proudness sparkled in his own gaze. He gave them both a lick on their heads, taking a seat beside his mate, their tails curling together with such love in their eyes.

"Today is a very special day for HazelClan. This day, two kittens have finally reached the age of six moons, and are able to become apprentices. Tawnykit, Cloudkit, please come forward."

Tawnykit bounced forward as soon as her name was called, puffing out her chest. Cloudkit went a bit more slower, feeling anxiety claw at her belly with so many eyes on her. Adderbite's eyes were warm as their gazes locked, giving a nod of reassurance to the white-furred molly.

Finchstar leaped down from the tall branch that homed her den in the hollowed out bottom of the old oak tree. Her green eyes glowed as she looked at the two kittens in front of her.

"Tawnykit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to begin your training. Fawndapple, you had a wonderful mentor in Wolfclaw, and I hope you'll pass on all that she taught you to this young apprentice."

A dappled molly with yellowish-green eyes rose to her paws, coming forward. She touched noises with Tawnypaw, before the pair stepped off to the side. For a moment, Cloudkit thought she saw disappointment flash in her sister's eyes before they sparkled just as bright as before.

"Cloudkit."

The white-furred molly jumped at Finchstar's voice, snapping back to attention. She turned her dark blue eyes to meet the green gaze of her leader.

"You have also reached the age of six moons, and it's time for your training to begin. No longer are you Cloudkit, but Cloudpaw, until you earn your full name. Now, is it your wish to train under Viperstalk to become HazelClan's next Medicine Cat?"

"It is, Finchstar."

"Then we welcome you as our newest Medicine Cat apprentice."

Viperstalk came forward, touching her nose to Cloudpaw's, emerald eyes shining down at the shorter molly. "You'll do great, little one."

"I'll do my best, Viperstalk."

"See that you do, dear."

"Tawnypaw! Cloudpaw! Tawnypaw! Cloudpaw!"

As the Clan chanted their names, Cloudpaw puffed her chest out as pride swelled inside her. She was going to be the best Medicine Cat HazelClan had ever had!