2

Eaglekit looked up at the tallstump. The apprentice ceremony was about to begin! Eaglekit could not contain her excitement.

"Stop shaking," complained Snowspeckle. "If I don't groom you, you'll look like a porcupine!"

Despite her mother's complaints, she looked over to her sisters, Amberkit and Rosekit.

"I wish Snowspeckle didn't make such a fuss over us," she whispered.

"I know," replied Amberkit. "We're almost apprentices!"

"I kind of like it," said Rosekit. "Wouldn't it be better if she cared than not?"

"I guess," responded Amberkit.

Pinestar, her father, let out a yowl to summon the cats. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the tallstump for a clan meeting" The apprentice ceremony had begun!

Eaglekit, Amberkit, and Rosekit ran to the stump. Snowspeckle's voice called out behind them.

"Don't run!" she called. "You'll mess up your fur!" They all ignored her. All except Rosekit, who slowed her pace to a steady trot.

All of Eaglekit's clanmates made a ring around the tallstump.

Pinestar spoke once more. "Eaglekit, step forward." Eaglekit stepped into the circle. She looked around at her clanmates and suddenly felt nervous. What if I mess up, or say the wrong thing? It took all her courage to step forward.

"Eaglekit," he said. "You have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this moment on, until you have received your warrior name, you will be known as Eaglepaw. Barktail," he continued. "You are ready for your second apprentice. I trust you to pass on your wisdom and strength to Eaglepaw." Barktail gave a respectful dip of his head to his leader.

"Amberkit," he said, continuing the ceremony. "Step forward." Amberkit stepped up to the tallstump. A look of pure joy crossed her face, but it vanished as soon as it came, replaced by seriousness. "Amberkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you have earned your warrior name, you will be known as Amberpaw. Spottedmist, you will be her mentor. You are ready for your first apprentice. I expect you to pass on your kindness and your courage."

Spottedmist looked at her apprentice and whispered, "I'll do my best to make you the best warrior you can be." Amberpaw looked up and gave her a dip of respect.

"And finally, Rosekit," he continued. "Step forward."

Rosekit's eyes shone with excitement as she stepped towards her father

"Rosekit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you have earned your warrior name, you will be known as Rosepaw. Hazelslip, you will be her mentor. You are ready for your first apprentice. I expect you to pass on your wisdom and kindness."

Rosepaw bounded up to Hazelslip happily and dipped her head in respect for her new mentor.

"SkyClan, Dismissed!" He yowled before jumping off the tallstump to join his daughters.

The rest of the cats went back to their regular duties, all except Snowspeckle, Pinestar, and their mentors.

"I'm so proud of all three of you!" she said. "I'm sure you'll be great apprentices!"

She gushed with joy, licking all of them proudly. Eaglepaw ducked to avoid it, but could not escape.

"We're apprentices now!" she exclaimed.

"Well, does it matter?" Rosepaw said, clearly enjoying it.

"Good job, I expect you apprentices will make fine warriors." Pinestar said, smiling

"Guess what!" Eaglepaw said to Pinestat

"What?" he asked.

"I want to be a leader, just like you!"

"Oh, I'm sure you will. Now excuse me, I have some duties to attend to." He gave all of them a quick lick before dashing off.

"Well, that's my cue to leave. You three behave, okay?"

"Yes, we will." Replied Rosepaw, and then Snowspeckle padded over to the leader's den to rehabilitate her nest

Eaglepaw was so excited to start her first day as an apprentice. I can't wait!