The sun was hardly above the horizon, and yet Cloudkit was awake. She lay in front of the nursery with her paws tucked beneath her chest and watched as warriors gathered to be assigned to patrols. She could hear Briarheart giving orders from across the clearing, and began to think about all the patrols she would get to go on once she was made an apprentice.
I wonder who they'll choose to be my mentor, she thought idly. Her eyes followed warriors as they were divided into groups. Every so often, her gaze would stick to one of them, and she'd imagine what they would be like as a mentor. Her eyes fell upon a deep ginger tom. Flamewing would be good… He would make me the best hunter in the Clan… When she looked over to the hunting patrol, she spotted an all black she cat. Shadowclaw… She'd teach me how to fight well. After a bit more thought, the kit shook her head. She wouldn't be any fun, though.
The kit was very invested in her musings, so much so that when one of her siblings - Skykit - appeared out of the den and sat beside her, she didn't even notice. It took a sharp prod from her sister to get her attention, and she yelped in surprise, startled by her sudden appearance. "Skykit!" She yelped.
"Sorry," the pale tortoiseshell whispered as she took a seat beside her sister. "I wanted to know what you were thinking about."
The tip of Cloudkit's tail twitched. "I'm thinking about who my mentor will be," she admitted.
"Oh," Skykit mewed, laying down beside Cloudkit, curling her tail around her paws. "Who do you think you'll get?"
"Knowing Petalstar? Probably someone like Heatherstripe," Dawnkit sighed.
Over the past few moons, Petalstar had been assigning apprentices to the strictest, most diligent warriors. She had explained in the last apprentice ceremony, when Sparrowpaw, Newtpaw, and Plumpaw had been apprenticed, that she wanted StoneClan's young to be strong and wise, not soft and flippant. As such, she had not given Meadowlark or Mothspeckle apprentices, despite them having asked for them in the past. Instead she had been assigning them to cats like Ambersight, Splashfern, and Fallowfrost. It was true that they were good cats and would make competent, loyal warriors out of their apprentices, but the apprentices hadn't stopped complaining about how hard their mentors were pushing them since they had moved dens.
"Heatherstripe would be awful," Skykit agreed. "She's so stern!"
"So mean!" Cloudkit groaned. "I hope I get Berryleaf," she added as she searched for her golden pelt in the sea of cats before her. "She's nice to us."
When they were younger, just after they'd been weaned and had begun eating fresh kill, Berryleaf was often the cat that came to give them mice and sparrows to eat. She also liked to bring them shiny stones and feathers to play with, and she would play with them and tell them stories while their mother rested.
"She is… She's too nice," Skypaw pointed out. "Petalstar would never give her an apprentice."
"You're right," Cloudpaw mewed miserably. "Who do you want?"
Skypaw hummed and flicked her tail as she thought. She watched the two dawn patrols as they left, her eyes following one cat in particular. "Littlepounce," she said at last. "She's such a good hunter. Did you see that massive squirrel she brought back to camp two days ago? It was almost as big as me! Blossomtuft and Shimmerfur told me about how she caught it too. She climbed up into a tree and chased it into another before she knocked it off a branch and onto the ground. While it was stunned from the fall, she raced down the trunk, and killed it. I want her to teach me how to do that!"
"You'd fall right out of the tree and break your neck," came a voice from the nursery. Cloudkit and Skykit looked over to see Moonkit padding out of the nursery. He leaned down, his flank in the air, tail bushed out as he stretched.
"Would not!" Skykit countered.
"Would too!"
"Yeah, well you'd get snatched by a fox on your first day out on the territory! Or lost in the tunnels! I'll be a way better apprentice than you!" Skykit snapped.
"Nuh uh!"
"Uh huh!"
And with that, Skykit stood and bolted at her brother, who turned and began to run from her. It didn't take long for her to catch the tom kit, either, and she brought him down and began to wrestle with him in the dirt. Cloudkit watched for a moment before getting up and following them. She threw herself at Skykit, who yowled in shock as she was bowled off of Moonkit.
"Traitor!" Skykit squealed as she batted up at Cloudkit's face.
It wasn't long before Moonkit scrambled to his paws and came running after his sisters. His normally "We've got you now, you flea-bitten rouge!" he cried, biting one of Skykit's hind legs.
Skykit twisted her body and bit into Moonkit's fluffy neck. Moonkit squealed and began wiggling to free himself. "You're biting too hard!" Skykit let go of her brother and spat out a small tuft of his fur.
While Skykit was preoccupied with getting fur out of her mouth, Cloudkit leaped at her again, but at the last possible moment, Skykit ducked, sending Cloudkit right over her head. She landed on the ground with a thud and before she could pick herself, Skykit had pounced onto her back and bit down on the back of her neck.
Cloudkit wriggled furiously, trying to shake her sister off. She pushed herself off the ground and onto her hind legs before falling back, squishing Skykit beneath her. The two kits tumbled around, Moonkit in hot pursuit, when, a loud shriek pierced the air. Before the two kits could separate to see who it was, a heavy weight fell on both of them. Dawnkit got a mouthful of fur, and she struggled to breathe underneath the weight before it was suddenly lifted off them.
"Watch where you're going!" Hissed a ragged voice.
Cloudkit's head was spinning, and it took a moment before she was able to see who had snapped at them. She shrank back beside her sister when she saw that it was Plumpelt. They must have tripped her.
"Sorry, Plumpelt!" Skykit squeaked, shrinking back. "We didn't see you!"
"It won't happen again!" added Moonkit.
"Make sure it doesn't," the old she cat grumbled as she walked back to the medicine den.
When she was out of earshot, Skykit lowered her head and murmured behind a paw, "She's such a mean old fleabag."
"She is not! She is not!" Moonkit protested. "You'd get your tail in a twist too, if some kits knocked you over!"
"She should have watched where she was going." Skykit pointed out.
"She's old! Very old! She can't see very well anymore! It's not her fault!" Moonkit insisted.
"Then maybe Plumpelt should go to the elder's den." Skykit rolled her eyes.
"She can't! We don't have another medicine cat. She has to train someone first." Cloudkit interjected.
"Oh yeah…"
"Mousebrain," Moonkit said.
"Shut up!" Skykit snapped, aiming another blow at Moonkit. Moonkit shrank back and was hardly able to avoid it.
Moonkit put all of his weight into his haunches before leaping at Skykit once again. He kocked his sister over with ease, and the two tumbled around in the dirt once again. Cloudkit was about to chase after them when she heard a shout from the nursery.
"Cloudkit! Skykit, Moonkit! What are you doing, up so early?"
Moonkit and Skykit paused mid-tussle and looked in the direction of the voice. Their mother, Peachpelt, was now awake and padding towards them.
"It is far too early for the three of you to be out causing trouble." The tortoiseshell tabby purred as she approached them.
"We aren't causing trouble!" Skykit protested.
"You tripped Plumpelt!" Moonkit countered.
"On accident!" Cloudkit insisted.
"You apologized, didn't you?" Peachpelt asked.
"Of course we did! We know our manners!" Skykit said with a nod.
"You know your manners enough to apologize, but not to watch where you put your paws?" Peachpelt laughed softly and shook her head. "Come on," she said, gesturing with her tail for them to follow.
The three kits hurried after her, towards the fresh kill pile. There wasn't much left over from the previous day - a dove and a sparrow - but it would be enough to hold them over until the morning hunting patrol returned. "One of you carry the sparrow back, and I will get the dove," Peachpelt said.
"No! Let me carry the dove!" Skykit begged, pawing at her mother's shoulder.
"No, you'll drag it on the ground," their mother said dismissively.
"I will not! I'm bigger than I was last time I tried!" Skykit insisted.
"No, now come on," Peachpelt said good-naturedly. With that, the queen picked up the dove and turned to lead the kits back to the nursery. Skykit turned and complained about not being trusted with the dove, and Cloudkit picked up the sparrow and chased after them.
When they returned to the nursery and pushed through the fronds covering the entrance, a faint, but sharp tang met Cloudkit's nose. Her face scrunched up, and she tried to focus on the scent of the sparrow in her jaws. As she approached their nest, she spotted Rosekit, who still lay curled up in the soft moss and feathers of her nest. Cloudkit glanced over at her mother, whose face had contorted with worry.. Her tail twitched as she looked down at the kit. Before her mother could set down the dove, the sudden sound of coughing broke the silence.
Peachpelt set her prey down and gently nudged the kit's mother, Mothspeckle, who lifted his head to see what was going on. When she spotted the prey in Peachpelt's jaws, she tipped her head. "Is that for us?" She asked softly.
"I think you ought to eat the sparrow," Peachpelt suggested to her kits, looking back to Cloudkit. Peachpelt then set the sparrow down for the queen, and she ate it quickly.
At the same time, Cloudkit, Moonkit, and Skykit began sharing the dove. Every so often, Peachpelt would lean in for a bite as well. Peachpelt didn't seem preoccupied with their meal, though. She was too focused on the younger queen and her three kits.
Mothspeckle didn't eat very much of the sparrow. Cloudkit watched as she tried to encourage Rosekit to eat it, and she noted the sad look in her eyes when her kit refused. After a few minutes of prodding, Rosepaw had only eaten one bite, and a small bite at that.
"Are you going to eat the rest of that?" Moonkit asked, reaching a paw into the nest for the sparrow when he saw that it hadn't been completely eaten.
"No, don't eat that," Peachpelt said suddenly. Moonkit looked back at her questioningly. "Rosekit is sick." She pointed out. "I don't want you to catch it as well."
Moonkit groaned, but obeyed his mother. He plopped down into a sit and curled his tail around his paws. Peachpelt then picked the sparrow up and took it away. By the time their mother returned, Mothspeckle had risen to her paws and gave her kit a few gentle licks. She picked up Rosekit and took her out of the nursery, Peachpool close beside her. Cloudkit, Moonkit, and Skykit followed them, but they stopped at the entrance to the nursery.
"What's going on with him?" Moonkit asked quietly.
"He was coughing," Skykit pointed out.
"Do you think it's greencough?" Cloudkit asked fearfully.
"No, mousebrain, it's too early for that." Skykit dismissed her.
"No it isn't, if he's sick." Moonkit scoffed.
Skykit opened her mouth to snap back at him, but she stopped short when she heard the soft thumping of paws at the entrance to the camp. The morning hunting patrol had returned. They deposited their prey on the fresh kill pile, and the three kits stood and padded over to the pile.
"Did you catch a vole?" Moonkit asked meekly. "Peachpelt loves voles."
A cream she cat, Berryleaf, shook her head. "We didn't, sorry, Moonkit."
Moonkit's tail drooped. "What did you catch?" He asked.
"Take a look, little one," Berryleaf replied, gesturing with her tail for Moonkit to come take a look.
The white kit stepped up to the pile and sniffed at a few pieces of prey. After some time, he selected a plump pigeon and started off towards the nursery. The bird was too big for him to carry, though, and it dragged beneath his belly, making it so that he had to waddle to get it anywhere. Berryleaf approached him and gave him a gentle nudge and gestured for him to put the bird down. "I'll carry it, show me where Peachpelt is."
Moonkit set the bird down and allowed the warrior to pick it up. He then led Berryleaf to the medicine den and disappeared inside it. Cloudkit looked over at Skykit, who was looking worriedly at the medicine den. Cloudkit laid her tail on her sister's shoulder.
"Do you think Mothspeckle's kits are hungry?" Dawnkit mewed.
Skykit was quiet for a moment before answering. "I bet they are. They didn't get any of that sparrow… We should bring them something."
"We should," agreed Cloudkit. "You pick it out," she murmured.
Skykit looked back at the fresh kill pile. She judged the prey carefully, looking like she was trying to find the best possible piece for the two remaining kits in the nursery. Eventually, she picked a blackbird from the pile and carried it back to the nursery, Cloudkit following close beside her.
The two kits pushed back into the nursery, and before Cloudkit could call for the other two kits in it, they perked up in their nest, staring directly at Cloudkit and Skykit as they entered.
Mothspeckle's kits raced up to them.
"Where did Mothspeckle go!?" Squeaked Clearkit.
"Is Rosekit ok?" Mewed Turtlekit.
"Is that for us?" Asked Clearkit.
"We didn't get any sparrow!" Added Turtlekit.
"Peachpelt took it before we could eat any!" The kits said together.
"You'll share, won't you? That's such a big blackbird! There's definitely enough for all of us! We're hungry!" Cried Turtlekit.
Cloudkit giggled. "The blackbird's for you both," she said.
"Really!" Asked Clearkit.
"Yes!" Skykit said through the bird, motioning with her tail for the kits to follow. The two kits scuttled after her and dove into the bird the moment Skykit set it in their nest.
After they had given the kits the bird, Skykit turned and walked back out of the nursery, and Cloudkit followed her. Skykit looked around the camp, looking for a splotch of sun to curl up and nap in. Once she spotted one, she nodded for her sister to follow, and the two of them padded off and settled down comfortably in the warmth of the sun. Once Skykit had gotten comfortable, Dawnkit began to groom her fur.
"We're almost there!" Skykit piped up, suddenly excited again after her brief bout of quiet.
"Almost there?" Dawnkit asked between licks.
"Almost there!" Skykit nodded. "Today's the day. We just have to wait for the border patrol to come back, and we'll be apprentices too! No more having to stay in camp! We'll get to learn to hunt! And fight! It's so exciting!"
As thrilling as getting to be an apprentice was to Cloudkit, it also frightened her. She had spent time thinking about the responsibilities that came with it, and it made her nervous - especially with Petalstar giving apprentices to the prickliest cats. It made Cloudkit fear that not only would she be overloaded with many daunting tasks, but she would also be given a mentor that would make no effort to get to know her and help her.
She did not have long to worry about, or voice, these concerns, for as soon as she opened her mouth to tell her sister this, there was more rustling at the entrance to the camp, and the dawn patrol came striding back in. Cloudkit watched the warriors disperse, and she wondered if any of those cats would mentor her.
Fear prickled along Cloudkit's spine, and Skykit was quick to pick up on it. "Don't worry, Cloudkit. I'm sure that Petalstar has picked the best mentors for us, and we'll become great warriors because of it - the best the Clan's ever seen."
Cloudkit didn't buy it for a second.
Soon, Moonkit appeared out of the medicine den, his head swiveling back and forth, looking for his sisters, before spotting them and dashing over. "Rosekit's sick," he said quietly.
"How sick?" Asked skykit.
"Plumpelt said it's kittencough," he replied, laying down beside his sisters.
"Then I bet she'll be ok. Kittencough isn't so bad, and Plumpelt is an incredible medicine cat. Rosekit will be fine in no time," Skykit said definitively.
"I hope you're right. She's such a bright kit, I can't imagine the nursery without her," murmured Cloudkit.
"Did you see the dawn patrol come back in?" Skykit asked.
"No, I didn't," the fluffy white tom said, turning back to look at the entrance. "That means-"
"That our ceremony is soon!" Squeaked Skykit. The excitement in her voice was nearly enough to ease Cloudkit's nervousness.
"I hope I get Cloverflower," Moonkit said. "She's a great fighter. I want to learn to fight like she does!"
"Don't get your hopes up," Skykit scoffed.
"Better pray to StarClan that Petalstar doesn't stick you with Shadowclaw or Ripplewhisker," Cloudkit agreed with a snicker.
"Would it be so bad if we were?" Moonkit asked. "Shadowclaw is our best fighter, and Ripplewhisker is super smart. Getting either of them as a mentor would be an honor!"
"You say that now, but when they run you ragged, drag you all over the territory, and keep you in battle training until sundown, you'll be thinking different," said Skykit.
"I think you're just lazy," Moonkit teased.
"Am not!" Skykit protested.
"Are so!" Countered Moonkit.
Skykit was about to leap at her brother once more, but a loud cry broke through the clearing.
"All cats who are old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the high stone for a Clan meeting," called Petalstar.
For a moment, Cloudkit was frozen with fear, but when Skykit and Moonkit rose to meet their leader's call, she rose with them and followed, albeit more slowly.
As they made their way toward the high stone, cats of all ages slid out of their dens and into the clearing. They organized themselves neatly, and when all of the warriors, elders, and apprentices had gathered. Some could guess what the meeting was for, and they shot friendly glances in the direction of the three siblings nestled snugly into the crowd of cats.
Briarheart sat proudly on a ledge just beneath Petalstar, and for a brief moment, Cloudkit locked eyes with her.
Petalstar scanned the crowd beneath her before beginning. "Today, we gather to recognize three kits who have reached six moons of age. They have been carefully watched by Briarheart, and we have agreed that they are fully ready to be given the responsibilities of apprentices. We give thanks to StarClan for allowing them to survive to this ceremony, and we ask that they continue to protect and guide them as they age. Moonkit, Skykit, Cloudkit, it is time that you are apprenticed." The leader's gaze settled on her brother.
"Moonkit," the fluffy white tom stood and strode forward as his name was called. "Iit is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day forward, until you have earned your warrior name, you will be known as Moonpaw, and your mentor will be Littlepounce," Petalstar turned her gaze toward the warrior she had chosen. The warrior stood and strode towards Moonpaw, taking a seat beside him.
Skykit huffed in annoyance beside him. She had wanted Littlepounce to be her mentor.
"Littlepounce, you are a talented hunter, with relentless energy and courage beyond words. You have proven yourself worthy to train the youth of our Clan, and so I entrust Moonpaw to you. I hope you will pass all of your best skills and qualities on to him."
Moonpaw touched his mentor's nose, and the crowd let out a loud yowl, chanting in unison, "Moonpaw! Moonpaw! Moonpaw!"
When the cheers had died down, and Moonpaw and Littlepounce had retreated into the crowd, Petalstar looked towards her sister. "Skykit!" She called. "You, too, are now of age and ready to be apprenticed. From now on, until you've earned your warrior name, you will be known as Skypaw. Your mentor will be Cloverflower," the leader said. She paused to allow Cloverflower to come greet her new apprentice.
"Cloverflower, you are observant, patient, and determined; you do what you're told, when you are told to do it, and you always go above and beyond in your work, be it building nests, patrolling, or keeping our borders secure." There was pride in Petalstar's mew. The whole Clan would know that she was referring to the fact that Cloverflower had chased off three rouges all by herself just two moons prior.
"I hope that you will pass all of these admirable traits on to your apprentice. Teach her well."
Just as they had with her brother, when the leader fell quiet, the crowd chanted, "Skypaw! Skypaw!" As she and her mentor moved out of the way to allow Cloudpaw to pass next.
Cloudkit looked up at her leader, eager to be given a name and mentor, and she was startled by the look in her eyes. Unlike with her brother and sister, there was no warmth in her gaze, no pride… Was that… Regret?
"Cloudkit, you are now six moons old, and are ready to be an apprentice. From now on, until you are made a warrior, you will be known as Cloudpaw. Your mentor will be Brookleap," And without another word, the leader turned from the high stone and ended the meeting.
"Cloudpaw! Cloudpaw!"
The cheers of her Clanmates shook Cloudpaw out of her stupor, and she greeted her mentor politely when he came to see her.
"Hello, Cloudpaw," Brookleap greeted, sitting down before his apprentice. His gaze was much more welcoming than Petalstar's had been. Something akin to pride gleamed in his gold eyes. "Are you ready?"
"Ready?"
"For your tour of the territory. You will need to know it in order to defend it," Brookleap explained.
Cloudpaw nodded. "I'm ready."
Brookleap gave her a nod, and he turned to lead her out of camp. Cloudpaw followed close behind, but she gave one more glance back at the camp, at Petalstar, who turned her gaze away from her when her eyes locked with Cloudpaw's.