Sunrise

Chapter 1

It was a normal day for most of riverclan, but certainly not for Mudkit. Today was the day he would become an apprentice. Sunpaw rushed beside him, teetering with excitement. It was his friend's big day too, the day he'd swear his life to protect his clan. Going from a rogue to a Riverclan cat, Sunpaw was abundant of great stories, and that was why Mudkit likes him so much. "Today's the day, huh?" The white and red tom looked up hungrily at the Wetrock. It took Mudkit a bit too long to realise he was talking about his own ceremony, and not Mudkit's. "Yeah, today's the day." He replied, feeling the wind ruffle his fur. Sunpaw beamed at him. "What D'You reckon my new name will be? Sunflash? Sunstorm? Sunfire?" Mudkit purred. "Those are certainly good ideas, but you know it's up to Oakstar." 

They both looked up at the leader, sitting elegantly on top of the rock, bellowing a meeting call. "That'll be me one day." Sunpaw murmured, glaring enviously at the leader. Mudkit looked at him. "You're already thinking about leadership? You haven't even become a warrior yet!" He let out a little laugh. Sunpaw flicked his tail, clearly not joking. "Not yet, but soon. I'm already the best fighter in the clan, it's only a matter of time!" Mudkit sighed. If his friend was going into 'blind ambition' mode, he wasn't one to get in the way. 

Stormpaw padded out of the medicine den to sit beside his brother. "Congratulations Sunpaw, it might still be a while for me though" he sighed. As a medicine cat apprentice , his training took longer than that of the other apprentices. "Owlpaw says congratulations too." Sunpaw wrinkled his nose. "You hang out with that fleabrain? Pathetic, he can hardly tell the difference between a mouse and a rabbit!"

"Or a fish" Cherrypaw added, walking over to them. She winked at Sunpaw, and he purred back, loosing all sight of any arrogance left behind. "Aren't you excited? Today's the day we become warriors!" Her eyes were shining. "Don't forget Owlpaw, he's becoming a warrior too."as if summoned by name, the brown Tom bounded over. "Good day, Mudkit, G'day Stormpaw. G'day Cherrypaw." Mudkit noticed he didn't greet Sunpaw, and they both frowned. But his friend shook off. "Good day, Owlpaw." He said, for once being polite. "Would you both pay attention?" Houndleap scolded form behind them. "The meeting has started, Oak star is calling your names!" 

All five of them looked up in surprise. Oak star rolled his eyes. "Sunpaw, Cherrypaw, and Owlpaw, step forward." The three apprentices obligingly took their place. "Cats of riverclan," He boomed, his voice echoing across the clearing. "I call upon starclan to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code-" Sunpaw rolled his eyes "-And I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Sunpaw, Cherrypaw, Owlpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?" He scored his gaze on them. "I do!" All three apprentices eagerly replied. Oak star cleared his throat. "Then by the powers of starclan, I give you your warrior names. Cherrypaw, form this moment on you will be known as Cherryblossom. We honor your honesty and courage, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Riverclan." 

The tall Ginger leader continued the ceremony, listing Owlpaw as Owlbranch, until he came to Sunpaw. "Young Sunpaw, you were once a rogue, bound to no code and free living, but now, after moons of tireless work, you are able to be known as a warrior. Your new name will be Sunshatter, after your shattered past, but the sun indicates a bright future. Let this cat become a full warrior of Riverclan!" 

The whole clan cheered the names of the three warriors, and Mudkit felt the slightest bit quesy when The dark leader turned his gaze on him. "We have another ceremony to preform" he announced. The clan fell silent. "Mudkit, son of our previous deputy Blackpelt, has reached the age of six moons, and is ready to become an apprentice. Sunshatter, you are a new warrior, but you have shown great promise. Do you take on this cat as your apprentice?" His Calico friend was steady and firm in his reply. "It would be my honor, Oakstar" He told the leader. Oakstar nodded. "Then I hope you pass on all your skill to our new apprentice, Mudpaw. May he uphold his fathers legacy and train as a warrior of riverclan!"

 Mudpaw flinched at mention of the black Tom . No one knew what he'd done, why the deputy had been found dead at the riverside. Only him. He'd seen his father murder his sister right in front of him. He'd had to do it. There was no other choice. He couldn't let a cat like that lead the clan. He remembered the gleam of moonlight on the bright red berries as he'd taken the, form the medicine den, the crimson stain on his paws as he'd watched his father collapse, the light gone from his emerald green eyes. Just like his daughter, he had died beside the river. "I hope your spirit drowns in the dark forest" he'd whispered as the water washed the blood off his paws. 

No one had seen him.. His secret was safe. And no one needed to know. His father was gone, and that was all that mattered. It wasn't his fault. It was what he had to do, to protect the clan. 

But why did it feel so wrong?

Mudpaw shook his head as a Mew came in his ear. "Are you on the moon or what? I said we're going training!" He looked up to see his mentor above him looking annoyed. "Let's go, there's so much I need to teach you!" They both raced out of the camp entrance, finding a nice grassy area to start. The memories of his father faded into streams and reeds as he began his life as a warrior apprentice in riverclan. There was no need for guilt, Sunshatter had shown him that. As his mentor explained to him the other clans and the borders, he made a bow to himself that he would be the best warrior riverclan would ever see. Alright father, I'll show you. I'll be the best warrior, how would you think of that. And I'll do it without you, Sunshatter with teach me. 

He lifted his head, blue gaze triumphantly scanning the horizon. That's right father, I can do this on my own. Sunshatter sat beside him, wind ruffling both their pelts. With Sunshatter, I'll become everything I ever dreamed. I don't need you. The sun rose high above the clouds, marking a new day of life. I don't need anyone. I'll make my own destiny.