Scorchkit opened his eyes to see the pale morning sunlight filtering into the gorse bush that was WindClan's nursery. He stretched his white paws in front of him with a massive yawn. Then, the realization hit him. Today, I have reached my sixth moon! Today, Scorchkit would finally become an apprentice and start serving his Clan. He stood up eagerly with an air of importance.
Sunleaf opened one pale green eye to look at him. "Scorchkit, it's still early. Go back to sleep," she purred. "Your apprentice ceremony will start at sunhigh, no matter what."
"No! I have to get ready!" Scorchkit kneaded the wool-lined nest eagerly with his paws, buzzing with energy. Sunleaf heaved a sigh and attempted to cover her eyes with scraps of moss. Who's going to be my mentor? Who's going to mentor Russetkit? Scorchkit tried to catch Russetkit's eye, but the ginger she-kit's back was towards him.
"Scorchkit!" Wildkit hissed at him from across the nursery. The dark tortoiseshell kit's fur was ruffled with sleep. Scorchkit winced, suddenly worried he had annoyed her by making so much noise, but to his relief, her yellow eyes were shining with excitement. "Today's the day!"
Gorsekit rose, also disturbing Patchshine from her sleep. Blackkit bounded over to join them. Scorchkit looked over his shoulder at Russetkit, willing her to get up and join them. But she would not budge. Scorchkit felt his anger bubbling up when he saw her shift her weight, and knew at once that she was just pretending to be asleep. "Russetkit!"
"Leave me alone!" Russetkit growled. Scorchkit stepped back, hurt piercing his heart like a thorn.
Blackkit's green eyes softened. "It's okay, Scorchkit. I'm sure she'll cheer up before the ceremony," she assured him. Scorchkit nodded, but he couldn't help wondering why Russetkit was always so grumpy these days. It had been nearly a moon since her and Blackkit's excursion to ThunderClan, and Swiftstar's harsh scolding. Shouldn't she feel better by now?
"Never mind all that," Gorsekit flashed a sympathetic look at Russetkit despite his nonchalant words. "Let's go see what the warriors are doing! Maybe we can help in some way." The gray-and-white kit took off running, and the rest of the group followed eagerly at his pawsteps, not bothering to ask any of the sleeping queens for permission to go out.
Excitement fizzled in the air throughout the camp. Though the newleaf morning was chilly and frost tipped the long blades of grass in the hollow, Scorchkit's adrenaline kept him plenty warm. The camp was bustling with activity. Berrysplash sat on top of a large boulder organizing the morning patrols, her pale ginger fur turning bright yellow with the rising sun. Hawkfeather and Driftberry were grooming their sleep-ruffled fur before setting out on the first day's hunt. Thrushwing was rounding up Adderpaw to head out on the dawn patrol. Scorchkit took a deep breath of the clean, crisp air, excited to start being a part of the everyday duties that kept the Clan strong.
"What are you all doing out of the nursery?" A deep meow startled Scorchkit and the other kits. As they turned around, they found themselves face to face with Swiftstar himself. The ginger-and-white tabby tom's tail tip twitched with annoyance, but his amber eyes were warm.
"I'm sorry, Father, but we couldn't stay in that stuffy old nursery til sunhigh!" Scorchkit exclaimed. Gorsekit and Blackkit nodded in agreement.
"We want to start being helpful now!" Wildkit chirped.
"Is that right?" Swiftstar arched one eye whisker, a purr rumbling in his throat. "That takes some initiative. You will all be fine apprentices, and warriors, no doubt." Despite his praise towards the kits, the leader's eyes were flitting towards the nursery. Scorchkit could see the fur on the back of his neck rising. He frowned. Why does he look so angry? Did we do something wrong?
"I've got to go talk to your mother." Without leaving any more time for pleasantries, Swiftstar turned on his heel and stalked straight to the nursery.
Gorsekit shrugged. "Maybe he's telling her the plans for the ceremony."
"Maybe," Scorchkit released the breath he was holding in. I hope he isn't telling her that we left the nursery without permission! Not wanting to waste more time worrying, Scorchkit straightened his stance. "Let's see if Berrysplash needs any help with organizing the patrols."
"Yeah!" Blackkit squealed.
Wildkit's yellow eyes glowed. "Maybe she can send us on our own patrol!"
Gorsekit snorted. "In our dreams!" But the gray-and-white tom kit's fur was bristling with excitement.
The clearing was emptying steadily as more and more warriors were leaving camp. Berrysplash looked down at the group of kits gathering beneath her boulder with unmistakable curiosity. "Uh… can I help you?"
Scorchkit lifted his chin to stare at the ginger deputy. "As WindClan's newest contributing members, we want to go on our first patrol!"
Berrysplash chuckled. "Well, your first patrol was actually scheduled to be tomorrow… after you all become 'paws, but all right." She paused, her ears twitching with careful thought. "I need you each to bring me one earthworm, three heather flowers, and a pebble. It's for a top secret mission."
"I'll be the first to bring everything back to you, Berrysplash!" Wildkit yowled, racing off to a corner of the camp where she had seen the prettiest heather flowers.
"Over my cold, dead body!" Gorsekit squealed, heading in an opposite direction for a particularly muddy spot in the camp. Blackkit's black fur disappeared into shadow as she made a beeline to the medicine den to dig out a pebble from the rocky walls. As for Scorchkit, he headed back to the nursery, knowing the best place to dig for earthworms. As he began to churn his claws into the soft soil just outside of the nursery, he heard voices inside.
"What do you mean she won't be apprenticed today?" Sunleaf's voice was a snarl of disbelief.
"She's not ready," Swiftstar's voice was calmer, but Scorchkit could tell by the tightness of his tone that he was trying hard to hold back his anger. "She's made too many mistakes. I can't let her slow the other apprentices down with her lackadaisical behavior."
"She's a kit, Swiftstar! Weren't you a kit once? Didn't you do foolish things?" Sunleaf snapped.
"I said, she's not ready, and that's final!" Swiftstar's deep, throaty snarl sent Sunleaf into silence for several long moments. Scorchkit drew in a shaky breath, knowing at once they were referring to Russetkit. He could only hope she wasn't overhearing their parents' argument.
Swiftstar made a speedy exit from the nursery, his shoulders bristling with fury. Scorchkit was almost physically knocked aside from the force of his anger. Swiftstar didn't even stop to greet his son as he stormed back to his den, which was hidden under the roots of the Great Tree.
Poor Russetkit, Scorchkit wanted to wail his distress for the severity of his sister's punishment. But what she and Blackkit had done was incredibly dangerous, and could have ended in the deaths of both kits. Will he keep Blackkit from becoming an apprentice, too? Will Russetkit ever become a warrior?
As the sun reached its highest point in the sky, Swiftstar let out a commanding yowl for the Clan to gather together underneath the Tall Branch. Swiftstar's long ginger tabby tail was swept neatly around his paws as he watched the rest of the Clan gather. Scorchkit beamed as Sunleaf gave his head fur a final lick. It was finally time! Wildkit, Gorsekit, and Blackkit's fur shone as they walked towards the tree one by one. Scorchkit took his place in line behind them, quivering with excitement. The absence of Russetkit beside him made Scorchkit feel suddenly empty, but he forced himself to push down those negative feelings and focus on the present moment.
"Cats of WindClan," Swiftstar addressed the Clan with a warm tone. "Today is an exciting day, as we will begin the training of more young cats in the ways of the warrior. I know they will make WindClan proud." His amber eyes swept over the four kits approvingly. Scorchkit stood straight and tall, hoping his father was the proudest of him. Swiftstar bounded down to ground level with a graceful leap.
"Wildkit, step forward," Swiftstar beckoned the dappled tortoiseshell she-kit forward with his tail. Wildkit was the epitome of grace, with her slight build and confident steps. "Wildkit, from this day forward until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Wildpaw. Your mentor will be Spottedwing. I hope Spottedwing will pass down all of her knowledge onto you." Wildpaw looked up with a small gasp as the spotted brown tabby made her way from the crowd and stopped in front of her.
Spottedwing's pale green eyes glowed with affection. "I can't wait to go on this journey together," she purred. "But don't expect me to go easy on you!" Wildkit nodded eagerly as they touched their noses together. Scorchkit purred with happiness for his friend. Soon after, Gorsekit became Gorsepaw, with the brave warrior Heathercloud as his mentor. Blackkit became Blackpaw, much to Scorchkit's surprise, and was apprenticed to Oakcloud, a warrior whose name was well known throughout the Clans.
"Scorchkit, come forward," Swiftstar instructed him. Scorchkit thought his knees could give out from excitement. It's my turn! At last! With one last look over his shoulder at Sunleaf, who was beaming with pride, Scorchkit stepped forward to face his father.
Swiftstar towered over him. Scorchkit had to tip his head back to look at his father's face. "Scorchkit, my beloved son," Swiftstar rumbled. "You will be known from this day forward as Scorchpaw. Your mentor will be Berrysplash."
Several approving murmurs echoed among the group of warriors. Scorchpaw could hardly believe his ears. I'm going to train under the WindClan deputy?! One of the best warriors WindClan has ever known? He felt as if he could pass out as Berrysplash stepped forward to touch noses with him. Her green eyes sparkled with excitement. "Are you ready for this?"
"I was born ready," Scorchpaw whispered fiercely. He wasn't the same cat he was only hours earlier, digging for earthworms for Berrysplash's amusement. Now, he would be her apprentice, and he would listen to her and take her training seriously.
Sunleaf tore her proud gaze from Scorchpaw to stare hard at Swiftstar. Scorchpaw looked past Berrysplash, seeing the pain written on his mother's face. What about Russetkit? Guilt gnawed at Scorchpaw's stomach, an emotion he wasn't expecting to feel in such an incredible moment. Why should he have gotten apprenticed to the Clan deputy, when his sister wasn't going to be apprenticed at all?
But Swiftstar said nothing else. He waved his tail proudly as the WindClan warriors began chanting the new apprentices' names. "Wildpaw! Gorsepaw! Blackpaw! Scorchpaw!" There had been some uneasy looks exchanged in the crowd, which Scorchpaw was sure had to do with Russetkit's absence from the ceremony, but no cat mentioned her name. Only Adderpaw looked subdued as he stared at Scorchpaw. He couldn't mistake the glitter of jealousy in his half-brother's eyes, but Scorchpaw decided to shrug it off.
Gorsepaw raced over to his mother, Patchshine, who covered her son in purrs. Thrushwing joined them, his pale eyes gleaming with pride as he nuzzled Gorsepaw. Larchcloud purred loudly as she approached Wildpaw, showering her with praise. Grayflight licked Wildpaw's cheek, and Wildpaw pressed against her father. Blackpaw touched noses with Cloverwhisker, and her father, Hawkfeather, trekked over to them, saying something to Blackpaw that Scorchpaw couldn't quite make out.
Sunleaf bounded over to Scorchpaw, covering his face in licks. Scorchpaw groaned as he pulled back. "Mom!" he exclaimed. "Stop it!" Even though he protested, the love from his mother was enough to make his heart warm and his fears for the future evaporate.
"Oh, sweetheart," Sunleaf purred. "You know I'm just happy for you."
"I'll make you proud, Mom!" Scorchpaw declared. "I swear. And Dad, too!" He caught the glimpse of his father on the Tall Branch, and when the ginger-and-white tabby tom leaped off it, Scorchpaw immediately straightened himself and squared his shoulders as his father walked over to them.
"Congratulations, Scorchpaw," Swiftstar meowed, touching noses with his son. "You'll do a fine job. Berrysplash is an excellent mentor, and I'll be sure to help you in your training."
"Thank you, Father!" Scorchpaw meowed excitedly. His father would help him in his training? There was no way he wouldn't be a good warrior, if he was going to have Berrysplash's and Swiftstar's help. He dragged his head back to his mother, who was staring at the nursery with a solemn expression on her face. Berrysplash nodded to Scorchpaw from where she sat near the Tall Branch, and Scorchpaw bounded over to her, bidding farewell to his mother and father.
Questions buzzed in Scorchpaw's mind as followed Berrysplash away from the Tall Branch. Russetkit would be so behind in her training. Did Swiftstar really do the right thing for her? He skidded to a halt when Berrysplash stopped in her tracks, and the ginger she-cat turned around.
"Do you want to talk to your sister?" Berrysplash asked him.
Scorchpaw pressed his lips together. He knew better than to approach Russetkit when she was in a bad mood, but it wasn't right to leave her alone when she was surely suffering. He nodded at his mentor, still shocked that she was the Clan deputy, and when she flicked her tail-tip, he turned on his heel and headed towards the nursery.
Just as he approached the rabbit burrow, he caught a glimpse of his sister's dark red shoulders, her head hunched in between them. The misery that flowed off her came in waves, and it was so stagnant that it nearly sent him staggering off his paws. He finally realized – nothing he could say would help her pain. In fact, it would probably just make it worse. His head hanging, Scorchpaw turned away from the nursery, every muscle in him screaming to turn back, but he couldn't hurt Russetkit more than she already was. As he walked away, he came face-to-face with Gorsepaw.
Scorchpaw stopped, glaring good-heartedly at the gray-and-white tom. Gorsepaw chuckled, sitting on his back legs and flashing him a sympathetic glance. "I know that it's hard," he meowed. "I don't think it was very fair, either, to Russetkit. But I don't know what to say to her."
"Neither do I," Scorchpaw admitted. "It's been a moon… I thought Swiftstar really would've forgiven her. After all, Blackpaw was apprenticed." He racked his mind, trying to think of any explanation Swiftstar would have – one that excluded Russetkit, but kept Blackpaw.
"No cat really knows how Swiftstar thinks," Gorsepaw meowed, flicking the younger cat with his tail. "I'll take care of Russetkit, all right? Just focus on your training."
Scorchpaw looked up at Gorsepaw. Why did he sound so much older? Gorsepaw had been the oldest kit in the nursery, and had always given Scorchpaw an older brother vibe – something Adderpaw never gave him – and he enjoyed it. Scorchpaw brushed his muzzle against Gorsepaw's side. "Thanks, Gorsepaw."
"I'll always be here for you," Gorsepaw meowed. "You know that, right?"
"Yeah." Scorchpaw nodded. I'm so glad to have a good friend like him. I hope he'll stick by my side throughout my training, and when I'm a warrior, too.
A/N: Quick side note, I just want to mention that in this world I've created (it's pretty complex if you can't tell already, there's a lot more stuff going on than what meets the eye), everything post Bramblestar's Storm does not apply here - so no SkyClan, no Darktail, no ghosts, none of that.