ThornClaw's Destiny

Chapter 4

"But why are Brackenkit and Cinderkit becoming apprentices and not me?" "I told you Thornkit, it's because Fireheart and Graystripe need apprentices." "But why can't I be an apprentice yet? Aren't there other warriors who I could have for a mentor? Besides, they aren't six moons old yet!" "Neither are you, Thornkit. Now run along and get ready for the ceremony." Thornkit scowled. No use arguing. Clearly, he wasn't needed in the nursery. Frostfur's eyes sparkled with happiness. Thornkit wasn't allowed to ruin her special day. Cinderkit and Brackenkit's fur gleamed under the grooming of Frostfur. Beside him, Brindleface shot him a sympathetic look. "It'll be your turn soon," she murmured. "Yeah right," Thornkit thought. "That's what Brightkit said earlier." Bluestar's call interrupted his fuming. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather below the highrock for a clan meeting!" Proudly, Frostfur escorted Brackenkit and Cinderkit outside. Thornkit stomped after them. "This moonhigh we gather together to name two new apprentices. Come forward, you two." Cinderkit darted forward, her blue eyes shining. Brackenkit padded towards Bluestar, frowning with seriousness. "From this day forward, until she has earned her warrior name, this apprentice will be called Cinderpaw." "Cinderpaw!" His sister whooped, testing out her name. Frostfur hissed softly and Cinderpaw ducked her head apologetically. "Fireheart, you are ready for your first apprentice. You will begin Cinderpaw's training. You are fortunate to have had more than one mentor. I expect you to pass on everything that I taught you to this young apprentice and share with her the skills you learned form Tigerclaw and Lionheart." "Lionheart. Our father," thought Thornkit, drooping as he remembered his father's handsome face. "And this apprentice"- Bluestar trained her gaze on Brackenkit- "will be known as Brackenpaw. Graystripe, you will train Brackenpaw. Our lost friend Lionheart was your mentor. I hope that his skill and wisdom will pass through you to your new apprentice." Thornkit had had enough. He turned around and trudged back inside the nursery and flopped on his nest, waiting for the ceremony to be over. Frostfur burst in through the nursery door. "What were you thinking Thornkit! That's not how you treat your littermates!" Frostfur scolded. Thornkit growled. He knew that he should've stayed back there to congratulate his littermates, but he felt so annoyed and jealous of the fact that his littermates would be warriors before him. Not that he would tell Frostfur that. The queen was clearly waiting for a response. "Well?" Frostfur asked, more gently this time. "Thornkit, I know that you were hoping to be apprentices together" -"No, I want to be a warrior first" thought Thornkit -" but you can't just leave in a sulk before the ceremony has finished. Your littermates are out there!" Thornkit slumped, anger giving in to weariness. He purposefully turned his back on Frostfur and sat staring at the wall. Frostfur sighed walked away. Thornkit could hear her paw steps receding away from the nursery and felt guilty about ignoring her. "But it's her fault that I'm not going to be a warrior first," he thought. "You can still work hard as an apprentice and maybe become a warrior at the same time as your littermates," a small part of his brain argued. After a long debate inside his head, Thornkit decided on one thing. He would train hard as an apprentice. He would be a warrior before his littermates. And he would be the best warrior in the clan. He rolled over and went out to congratulate his brother and sister.

Outside, Cinderpaw was talking enthusiastically to Brackenpaw. "Oh, hi Thornkit! I can't wait to start apprentice duties! I hope Fireheart takes me hunting first thing tomorrow! And patrolling! And gathering moss! I'm so excited, aren't you?" Thornkit forced himself to smile. "Yes, I'm... happy for you both." Brackenpaw, to his credit, was looking acutely embarrassed. "Sorry Thornkit, I know how much you were looking forward to being an apprentice. You'll only have 1 moon to go until we can all be training together." Thornkit knew that his brother was only reassuring him, but it hurt to see his littermates become warriors before him. What if they got to deputy first? Then leader? Thornkit was determined to get to the deputy's position before anyone else. "Thornkit! Brightkit! Back to the nursery- now!" Frostfur yowled. She escorted them towards the nursery, but before entering, she walked back to Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw, licking them on the cheek and purring so loud Thornkit thought that cats in Shadowclan could hear it. "Gee, it must feel so bad to see your littermates becoming apprentices, yet you guys are still kits." A voice sneered from behind them. Thornkit spun around to find Swiftpaw, licking his muzzle whilst looking at Thornkit with undisguised contempt. "Ignore him," whispered Brightkit, while Thornkit tried not to raise his hackles. "He doesn't realise that one day, you'll be leader and he'll have to answer to you." Thornkit smoothed his fur. He deliberately yawned, before turning away and stalking into the nursery. He sat in his mothers' nest, which was becoming a little small. He rolled over, listening to the sounds of Frostfur, Brindleface, Poppydawn and Goldenflower getting into their nests. The sounds of purrs told Thornkit that they were asleep. Thornkit however was wide awake. What if his littermates were having a giant party in the apprentice's den? What if they stayed up late every night? Meanwhile Thornkit was forced to spend all his time in the dumb nursery. He couldn't stand it! When dawn came around, Thornkit wandered out of the nursery. To his surprise, Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw were waiting, while Fireheart tried to rouse Graystripe. "Where are you going?" Thornkit asked. "Firehearts going to show me the lake! And the thunder path! And all the territory! I can't wait! And then we are going to hunt and catch heaps of prey. I can't wait!" Cinderpaw boasted. "What about you, Thornkit?" asked Brackenpaw hurriedly. "I'm going to stay in camp all day," huffed Thornkit. Fireheart returned, leading Graystripe. "Come along, Cinderpaw. I'm going to show you the whole territory," Fireheart meowed. "Can I come too?" Mewed Thornkit. "Sorry Thornkit, you're too young," responded Fireheart politely. "You can come with me," a voice mewed behind Fireheart. Yellowfang stood there, her fur rumpled with sleep. "Go ask your mother and then I'll take you for a small walk outside of the camp. How's that?" "Thank you Yellowfang!" Thornkit squeaked. He barrelled into the nursery. "Yellowfang's going to take me on a small walk! Can I go?" Frostfur raised her head blearily. "Ok, but don't forget to say thank you." Thornkit shot out of the nursery. "She said ok! Let's go right now!" "Alright, young Thornkit, let me just go to check on Smallear. Then we can leave."                           

my search history was full of searches about this, i did my research i think.

cya soon,

Aivi