"Those who call MoonClan their home, come forward for a clan gathering."
Dawnstar's yowl sounded across the camp. From his den, Goosebite's ears perked. Placing away the herbs he was sorting, he ducked through the low-hanging vines that clung to the roots that formed his den as he stepped out, pausing briefly to glance around the camp. The sun was high, with light filtering through the leafy canopy above and warming the spots of the forest floor where it penetrated through the covering. With a flick of his ear, Goosebite padded toward the center of camp, his sharp gaze darting to the clanmates gathering at Dawnstar's call.
Several of his clanmates were already gathered around Dawnstar, who stood proudly on top of the fallen log that formed her den. The rest of the cats gathered in the rough shape of a crescent, eyes fixed on their leader with mixed expressions filled with curiosity and excitement.
To the side of Dawnstar opposite of Goosebite, he spotted Batdusk sitting beside Toadripple and Ivywhisper. A pang of guilt flooded Goosebite when he spotted his mother, remembering how harshly he had treated her. He had apologized profusely, but a moon later she still hadn't forgiven him.
On the other side of Dawnstar, and much closer to Goosebite, he spotted Leafglow alongside her two kits, Silverkit and Stormkit. Goosebite could guess that it was time for the two kits to be made into apprentices. They had recently reached six moons in age, which was the minimum age to begin training. He stifled a chuckle as Leafglow aggressively licked the top of Stormkit's head in a fruitless attempt to make his fur lay smooth. Leafglow's mate, Lunarblaze, was with them. He was crouched beside Silverkit, mewing something in her ear and glancing occasionally in the direction of the MoonClan medicine cat. Goosebite couldn't hear what they were saying, but he imagined it was some form of encouragement for the shy she-kit.
Dawnstar's clear, steady voice rang out over the gathered cats, drawing their attention as they gathered around the fallen log. The friendly murmurs of the gathered cats quickly died down and all attention shifted onto their leader. Goosebite spared one final glance in the direction of the kits, before he, too, locked his gaze on Dawnstar.
"This is an important day in MoonClan. One of the greatest honors bestowed upon me as leader is that of naming our newest young apprentices," she announced, gazing proudly upon the two kits as they sat in waiting beside their parents. Stormkit wore a look of indomitable spirit, while Silverkit was doing her best to put on a brave face. "Stormkit, Silverkit – you have both shown courage and spirit, and now, it is time for you to take your first steps on new paths as apprentices."
She beckoned Stormkit forward with a nod, and the gray-furred kit straightened with pride, his blue eyes wide with excitement. With a bounce in each one of his pawsteps, he hurried forward to stand in front of his leader.
"Stormkit," Dawnstar continued, "from this moment forward, until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Stormpaw. Your mentor will be Ravenstrike. Ravenstrike has been a warrior for a few seasons now, and is ready to take on his first apprentice. I trust that he will teach you the stealthy and strategic ways of a MoonClan warrior." She gestured toward Ravenstrike, who dipped his head respectfully before stepping forward to touch noses with his new apprentice. Stormpaw puffed out his chest proudly, excitement radiating off of him as he stretched up to meet his mentor, his tail flicking with eager anticipation.
"Stormpaw! Stormpaw! Stormpaw!" The cats of MoonClan cheered in unison. Goosebite joined in, making sure his yowl of support could be heard alongside his clanmates'. Beaming, Stormpaw followed Ravenstrike to the side, making room for his sister's ceremony to follow. Goosebite acknowledged the sparkle of pride that gleamed in Ravenstrike's amber eyes. He found himself giving a subtle nod of approval, agreeing with Dawnstar's choice.
Dawnstar then looked to Silverkit, beckoning her forward with a proud nod. "Silverkit," she continued, "from this moment on, until you earn your warrior name, you shall be known as–"
"Wait!" Silverkit's soft voice sliced through the ceremony like a claw being drawn through loose dirt. Shocked whispers coursed through the gathered cats.
"What in StarClan's name is she doing?" Shadepelt hissed from within earshot of Goosebite.
"Interrupting her leader during a naming ceremony? Unbelievable!" Deadtail cried out from the elder's den, much more loudly than Shadepelt's remark. The elder's creamy tabby fur was bristling and he had a furious look on his face. "Don't they teach these kits respect any more?"
Dawnstar silenced the clan with a single swish of her tail, then glanced down at Silverkit, her gaze softening a bit. "Yes, Silverkit? You do know that you aren't meant to interrupt during the naming ceremony, aren't you?"
Goosebite watched the small she-kit swallow nervously, her eyes briefly fixating on her paws before lifting her head back up to meet Dawnstar's amber gaze. "I... I don't want to be a warrior," she meowed, her voice shaky but her eyes wide with determination. "I want to be a medicine cat."
Goosebite's eyes widened. Was that why Lunarblaze had kept glancing his direction while comforting Silverkit before the ceremony? He scoffed. Surely she didn't think that Dawnstar would just agree to this on a whim without discussing it first. Mousebrained little kit, he thought in annoyance.
Dawnstar tilted her head, as if considering the young she-cat's words carefully. After a moment, she nodded, a small smile touching her muzzle. "If that is where your heart lies, Silverkit, then we will honor your choice." She glanced at Goosebite, meeting his eyes with a look that suggested they would speak later. Goosebite, meanwhile, had a look of disbelief plastered to his face, appalled that Dawnstar was letting this happen without a second thought.
Dawnstar's voice rose once more, announcing once more to the entire clan. "Silverkit, from this day forward, you shall be known as Silverpaw. You shall train under Goosebite in the ways of a medicine cat. May he teach you StarClan's ways and help you grow knowledgeable and wise."
Goosebite was still rooted in his spot. He hadn't expected to be taking on an apprentice so suddenly. He had figured he would go seasons longer before taking one on. When every cat in the clearing had turned to stare at him, he realized that he was supposed to go up and greet Silverpaw, just like Ravenstrike had done with Stormpaw. Slowly, Goosebite placed one paw in front of the other, until he was face to face with Silverpaw in front of the gathered cats.
He leaned down, begrudgingly touching noses with an all too eager Silverpaw. Her green eyes shone with excitement – much more than she had shown in the time leading up to her ceremony. After a moment, they pulled away. Goosebite stared at her a moment longer, still reeling from the events that had just transpired.
"Silverpaw! Silverpaw! Silverpaw!" The cheers of MoonClan rang out once more. From the sounds of their supportive yowls, any misgivings about Silverpaw's interruption had evaporated as quickly as they arrived.
As the cheering died down, Goosebite stepped to the side with Silverpaw, joining Ravenstrike and Stormpaw where they waited for the ceremony to conclude. Dawnstar gave them all a proud nod, her amber gaze warm.
"May you both bring honor to MoonClan, and may StarClan light your paths," she declared, her voice resonating with a finality that suggested she had nothing more to announce.
With a flick of her tail, she signaled the end of the gathering, and the clan began to disperse. Lunarblaze and Leafglow hurried over to nuzzle their newly apprenticed kits, pride shining in their eyes. Other clanmates gathered close, offering congratulations and gentle nudges of encouragement.
Goosebite dipped his head to Silverpaw. "Come along," he meowed, his tone stern, but inoffensive. "There's much for us to do and learn."
Nearby, Ravenstrike gave Stormpaw an approving glance, his eyes glinting with anticipation. "Ready for your first day as an apprentice?" he asked, earning an eager nod from the young tom. "Then let's not waste any time. I want to show you as much of the territory as I can while the sun is still high."
"Can Silverpaw come with us? Can she? Please?" Stormpaw begged, looking up at Ravenstrike with pleading eyes.
"That would be up to her mentor," Ravenstrike replied with a flick of his ear, before casting a friendly glance at Goosebite. "Goosebite, would you two like to join us?" he asked, blinking warmly at the medicine cat.
"I-I..." Goosebite stammered, caught off-guard. He hadn't expected to take on an apprentice today, and certainly hadn't planned anything specific for Silverpaw's first lesson. But going out with Ravenstrike and Stormpaw couldn't hurt. Besides, he thought wryly, perhaps a tour would be as good a start as any. "Sure," he said finally. "Let's do that."
Beside him, Silverpaw beamed, pressing eagerly against her brother's side. Goosebite suppressed a groan. The two apprentices – who, in his mind, were still kits in every sense – were likely going to be clinging to each other the whole day. For a moment, he pictured a session of quiet herbs and fieldwork instead, and sighed inwardly. He had a feeling that today was going to be a long day.
Despite the thick canopy of leaves filling the branches of every tree, the sunlight that filtered through was still more than enough to warm Goosebite's pelt as they marched through the territory. The warmth he felt beneath his fur was about the only part of the day that he had been enjoying. Golden shafts of sunlight pierced the leafy cover overhead, dappling the forest floor and glinting off Silverpaw's pale fur with every step. They hadn't been out long, but he was already fed up with his new apprentice's constant barrage of questioning. Every rustling bush and unusual leaf seemed to demand her attention. If she looks at one more weed and asks me if it's an herb, so help me StarClan… he thought bitterly.
Ahead, Ravenstrike paused and glanced back. "Do you see up there, where the trees thin out?" he prompted, flicking his tail toward a distant break in the dense woodland. The apprentices quickly nodded, their eyes following his gesture with bright interest.
"Those sparse trees mark the end of MoonClan territory," Ravenstrike explained, his tone patient and instructive. "Beyond that is open land, untouched by clan scent markers. It's very rare that any MoonClan cat goes past the marker. Even if there isn't another clan there, we don't want to risk any danger by venturing beyond our patrolled borders.
Ravenstrike had suggested to Goosebite that they avoid the river marking their boundary with SunClan on the apprentices' first day, so they'd set off in the opposite direction, toward the far end of MoonClan's forested territory. Goosebite had privately been thankful – he wasn't keen on dealing with any SunClan patrols, especially with two overly curious apprentices venturing out of camp for the very first time.
"Goosebite, is this yellow flower an herb?" Silverpaw asked suddenly, breaking his train of thought as she nosed at a patch of yellow flowers. Her eyes were round with excitement, eager to learn.
Goosebite exhaled slowly, unable to match her enthusiasm but managing to keep his voice level. "No, Silverpaw. Those are just typical flowers. They're of no use to me." He could see her preparing another question and braced himself.
Ravenstrike, sensing Goosebite's patience thinning, gave a small chuckle and cut in. "Let's keep moving, you two. We still have more of the forest to see, and there's plenty to be learned there."
As they walked, Stormpaw padded close to his sister's side, leaning in to nudge her playfully. "Maybe you'll be the first medicine cat to learn all the herbs in a single day, Silverpaw," he teased, his tone lighthearted.
Silverpaw gave him a playful cuff on the ear. "I'm just trying to learn as much as I can!" she defended, though her whiskers twitched with humor.
Goosebite shook his head, exasperated. How could they think that any cat could learn all the herbs in a single day. Silverpaw would be lucky to learn even half the most important herbs in a single moon!
They continued their journey, Ravenstrike occasionally pointing out land features and notable trees for future reference, while Goosebite fell into a quieter role, judging the apprentices with a harsh silence. If either Silverpaw or Stormpaw noticed, they didn't let it show. They were too busy bouncing forward after Ravenstrike with awestruck eyes.
Eventually, they reached a glade where sunlight poured into an open clearing. Ravenstrike halted to look at the two apprentices. "One day," he murmured, "you'll know every part of MoonClan territory just as you've learned the camp. You'll know where the prey runs best, where all the herbs grow, all the places to fight or hide. You'll know all of it."
Goosebite watched as Ravenstrike continued on, speaking encouragingly to the two apprentices. Though he was the youngest MoonClan warrior, he was a natural teacher. And unlike me, he actually wanted an apprentice, Goosebite reflected.