The Five Giants - Book 1

Chapter 8 - Heron

My rivalry with Lionkit was only increasing as we grew closer and closer to becoming apprentices. We would always sleep with Springkit between us, we would eat opposite ends of fresh-kill, and we would always be on opposite sides when we had play-fights.

Today was the big day, the day we would become apprentices. Lionkit and myself both were very large. We were almost as tall as warriors, although our muscles weren't as developed. We also didn't have the skill that warriors have.

Springkit was average height for a kit, about as tall as Ravenpaw. She was more agile, and was much smarter than us.

At least I have the brains to recognize that. Unlike someone I know.

I was the only one of my family awake. Mouseclaw was sleeping with her newborn, Frostkit. Lionkit and Springkit were still curled up in the crevice of Riverflower's stomach.

I poked my head outside, temporarily blinded by the sunlight. There weren't many cats out and about. I saw a group of cats heading out for a patrol, and Kinkfur padding back over to the leaders den, just finished with sorting out patrols.

I turned back into the nursery to see everyone slowly waking up. Lionkit was the first on his paws, as per usual. He looked straight at me while he was stretching, and then padded over to me.

I feared the worst, but all he said was, "Decent day?"

I gave a silent sigh, and replied. "Yeah."

"Good, wanna play some mossball when the other finish waking up?"

Keeping my facade up, I excitedly replied, "Yeah! That sounds like fun."

Springkit rose from her paws, stretched, and then pawed at Riverflower. "Ma? Can we go outside and play?"

Riverflower blearily blinked her eyes open, shaking her head before turning to Springkit. "How about you wait a little while? Hailstar said that your ceremonies would be held rather early today."

Springkit lit up with excitement. "Oh yeah! I completely forgot that we had our apprentice ceremonies today!" She turned to us, "Guys! We have our apprentice ceremonies today!"

Lionkit and I responded in unison. "We know."

Springkit's face turned into a pout, "You guys ruin my fun." Then she turned back to Riverflower, "Ma, why did I have to get two brothers?"

Lionkit quietly whispered to me, "I feel like it's more of a case where we ended up with her." I snickered.

"I don't know, Springkit. I guess it's Starclan's decision."

"Then Starclan must be pretty stupid."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Everyone dead-paned.

"Springkit, I-Just-ugh. Springkit, Starclan has a reasoning for everything. If they wanted you to have to brothers, then there's probably a reason why. Maybe you can stop all their fighting or something."

"Or SOMETHING? What do you mean 'Or SOMETHING'?"

Riverflower was clearly still to tired to deal with this. "You know exactly what I meant. Now go outside and do something before I claw my eyes out."

Frostkit had apparently woken up, and was watching us as we had our feud. "Can we just play some mossball or something behind the nursery? I just woke up and I don't feel like listening to all of you."

Mouseclaw lifted her head behind Frostkit. "And I'm still waking up. Please just play outside."

I rolled my eyes and padded out, quickly followed by Lionkit, while Springkit and Frostkit were slow, talking amongst themselves.