Warriors: Heronpaw's Secret (Complete)

Chapter 8

 ''Heronkit! Wake up!''

 Heronkit yawned and opened his eyes. His mother, Nightshine, was looking at him. ''Wake up, Cougarkit is becoming an apprentice today!''

 ''Who is.. what?'' Heronkit squinted his eyes and got up, shaking his fur. He looked at his mother, tired.

 ''Your friend, she's becoming an apprentice.'' Nightshine meowed and licked her son's head. ''I'm sure you want to be there at her ceremony.''

 Heronkit suddenly flicked his tail, happy. ''Oh, yes, I forgot! Where is she?''

 ''Out of the nursery. Skyflower is with her.'' Nightshine meowed. ''Now come on, go outside! Rosestar might call the Clan any time now.''

 Heronkit nodded and turned around, running outside. Birds were chirping in the sky, and the black-and-white kit flicked his tail. I've always wanted to catch a bird.. once I'm an apprentice, I will!

 ''Heronkit!'' Cougarkit meowed, sprinting toward him. ''I'm becoming an apprentice today!''

 ''I know, Nightshine told me!'' Heronkit purred. ''I wish I could become an apprentice too!''

 But Cougarkit didn't answer. Instead, she looked at the Tallrock and sighed. ''I wish Heronkit, the old one, was here, too. We were supposed to become apprentices together.''

 Heronkit's happiness faded. He let out a quiet wail. But I am here.

 ''Let all cats old enough to run the moors gather beneath the Tallrock for a Clan meeting!'' Rosestar suddenly yowled, flicking her long tail.

 ''It's time!'' Heronkit exclaimed and nudged Cougarkit, then rushed toward Nightshine, who was padding out of the nursery. She purred and sat down next to Whitelion, her mate. Heronkit sat down in front of them, grateful that his new parents were so kind.

 When everyone gathered around, Rosestar started speaking. ''Today, a kit is ready to become an apprentice. Cougarkit, step forward!''

 Cougarkit stepped forward, although Heronkit noticed how sad she was looking. She was dragging her tail, and Heronkit felt more miserable. I should be there with her..

 ''Today, you have reached your sixth moon, and you are ready to become an apprentice. From this day forward, until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Cougarpaw.'' Rosestar meowed, and looked toward the gathered cats. ''Your mentor will be Whitelion.''

 Heronkit looked up and saw his father get up. The tom padded forward and touched his nose with Cougarpaw's.

 ''Cougarpaw! Cougarpaw!'' The cats chanted.

 Cougarpaw let out a forced purr and backed off, along with Whitelion. 

 ''Meeting dismissed.'' Rosestar meowed.

 Heronkit got up and rushed toward Cougarpaw. ''Congratulations!''

 The she-cat looked at him, purring. ''Thanks! You'll still have to stay in the nursery for three more moons before you can become an apprentice, though.'' She meowed teasingly.

 ''I know.'' Heronkit grunted, then padded away. Then, Skyflower and Otterbounce approached their daughter to congratulate her. Heronkit looked at his parents. ''I wish I could become an apprentice, too.''

 ''Oh, my kit, time will pass faster than you think.'' Whitelion purred and bent down to lick his son's folded ears. ''Before you know it, you'll become an apprentice.''

 ''I hope so. It will be so weird without Cougarki- er, Cougarpaw in the nursery.'' Heronkit whispered.

 Whitelion nodded. ''We know, but soon you'll move in the apprentices' den with her. Anyway, I should go take her out of camp now, bye!''